Apart from the beautiful islands, hidden coves, and lagoons, El Nido is also known for its beaches. There are several beaches in El Nido such as Corong-Corong Beach, Vanilla Beach, Lio Beach, and Nacpan Beach.

One of the beaches that I visited while I was in El Nido is Duli Beach. While it is not one of the more popular beaches there, Duli Beach is known for one thing that the other beaches do not have - surfing.

Yes, it has the usual pristine sand and turquoise waters, but it also offers good waves for surfing. The waves can be good for beginner to intermediate surfers on a normal day. But when it is surfing season, the waves are big enough that surf competitions are being held there.


When I went there, the waves were just the right size. I love that it is a beach break so there were no sharp rocks or reefs to look out for. It is a nice surfing spot if you are a beginner.

Duli Beach Resort offers different surf packages - from surf lessons with a licensed surf instructor to hourly or whole-day surfboard rentals.


That day, I was lucky enough to see some baby sea turtles before they are released into the ocean. Sea turtles bury their eggs in the sand. Some locals cook these eggs, so this guy who lives in Duli Beach offers to buy sea turtle eggs from locals to prevent them from being cooked. He then keeps these eggs until they hatch, and releases the baby sea turtles into the ocean. They are usually released during sunrise or sunset to protect them from predators. Sadly, only a few of them make it to adulthood.


Duli Beach is just roughly 45 minutes away from the El Nido town proper. You can charter a tricycle for PHP1500 to get there - this is a good option if you are traveling with friends. The tricycle can fit up to three passengers, and you can split the cost equally. If you are a solo traveler like me, you can rent a motorbike for PHP400. You can easily find Duli Beach on Google Maps.

A day trip is enough to enjoy Duli Beach. But if you like the peace and quiet that it offers, plus the lack of touristy crowds, then it would be worth it to spend a night or two in this remote area. Duli Beach Resort offers nice accommodations and an array of activities to keep you occupied. Plus they have an in-house restaurant so looking for a place to eat won't be a problem.

If you are planning to go to Nacpan Beach, you can first go to Duli Beach in the morning, and then spend the afternoon and watch the sunset at Nacpan. Be it a day trip or an overnight stay, Duli Beach is worth the visit. I highly recommend that you make this beach a part of your El Nido itinerary.