Images of El Nido, The Island Series Part 1: From Helicopter to Snake with a Star in Between

My friends and I decided to take Tour A and C for our 2013 El Nido Adventure. Gees, we should have planned for a longer stay to cover all the islands, but I guess we can always come back next summer. If you have all that stored up energy for an adventure packed escapade, then a week here is not enough. This place, with its rocky cliffs and hidden lagoons, is not really for the beach bums and those looking for a sleepy relaxing cruise. The islands are beckoning every traveller to explore its every nook and cranny sometimes requiring strong arms and a good swim to reach its hidden pride.

The tour starts early at 7 am. If you plan for your lunch, don't forget to drop by at the local market to buy some fresh catch. Take off points would either be right there at the beach front or through the back door (the beach at the opposite side of town near Corong-Corong. #elnido #elnidosunrise

Our first stop is Helicopter Island. From afar it looked like a helicopter with a bulbous head and a long tail. Well, my friend actually saw the head of Homer Simpson, maybe from a different angle. Its the first island you'll ever see whether you take Tours A or C...oooh! that rhymed, ha! #elnido #helicopter

Helicopter Island has a nice long beach with powdery, light, tan sands. If the waters of Bohol are emerald green, the waters in El Nido are a gleaming jade. #elnido #helicopterisland

The expanse of powdery tan sands in the long beach of Helicopter Island is a good place to play games in. You can go snorkelling in the waters too. #elnido #helicopterisland

The far end of the island is a bit rocky, can be explored but beware of the waves. It can go wild sometimes. Better stay on the sandy part where the waves are still at the category of fun. #elnido #helicopterisland

We had one other island before we proceeded to Star Beach for our sumptuous, castaway lunch. I'll reserve the other island in my next post so I'll just go directly to Star Beach in the Island of Tapiutan at the Northeastern cluster of islands in El Nido. #elnido #starbeach

Now, Star Beach is situated in an enclave of two islands, the other one being very, very small which appeared like you are passing through a canal. The beach also offers lush vegetation, which includes shady trees....good for that castaway lunch under the shade. #elnido #starbeach

Star beach has a relatively small-sized stretch of sand, just good enough for a boat or two. You can almost have the beach by yourselves sometimes, cooking your food and enjoying lunch. The beach has that nice and easy combination of sand, water, vegetation and rocky towering cliffs.....very El Nido #elnido #starbeach

I'll skip further towards the last destination for the day: Snake Island. Actually, this was part of another cluster of islands down south of El Nido. We paid extra just to see the snake, with it's long winding sandbar extending towards another island...you can walk along it's line, looking like a bridge or a dam.  #snakeisland #elnido

There's a view deck that requires a little hike...just a minute or so, no big deal! From the view deck, you'll have a perfect view of the winding sand bar. You can also look at the other side of the island and see the towering islands of Malapacao, Lagen and Cabugnon and the beautiful blue-green sea. #elnido #snakeisland

It looked like a nice walk from here to there, maybe early when sun is up. Even at sunset you can see the depths of the waters around Snake Island by the different colors that it reflect, from deep blue to jade green. Another perfect Island for a dip, a swim and a photo...#elnido #snakeisland

That's me in the left photo, soaking up the sun at Helicopter island. That's my friends and our boat at the right at Snake Island at around sunset. The dog is among the guardians of the snake! nah! they live there, maybe owned by the island caretaker. #elnido #snakeisland

Now these islands are just a start. Check out the other islands in...

Images of El Nido, The Island Series Part 2: Matinloc Shrine with a Hidden (Lagoon) and a Secret (Beach)

If you need some tips on how to go to El Nido and what to do there, you can check my other posts:
A Piece of Heaven on Earth called El Nido: My Best Shots
A Piece of Heaven on Earth called El Nido: Getting There and Other Things