Palaui Island Trip Day 2: Island Hopping Tour

My sister and I woke up early the next day to attend the INC Sunday morning worship service. After the service, we texted our boatman and hired a trike to San Vicente Port, where we will meet them. At the port, Manong Peralta was already waiting for us and we were introduced to our guide and boatmen for the Palaui Island Tour.

The first stop for our Palaui Island Tour was at Engano Cove.

The rocky part of the alluring Cape Engano Cove!

It was the starting point for the short hike to Cape Engano Lighthouse. Upon arriving at the cove, we were directed to a booth where we were required to hire a guide worth Php300.00. One guide is only good for 4 tourists. Much as I want not to hire a guide since the lighthouse is already visible from where we were standing. We decided against it because on a second thought, the guide fee will help the locals especially those whose only source of income is the budding tourism of the island.

The Batanes-esque feel of Palaui Island! 

The trek from the cove to the top of the hill where the lighthouse is located was breathtaking not because it’s hard or difficult but because the view will literally take your breath away. On your right is the clear blue water in contrast with the white sand of the Engano Cove and on your left is a vast green land and forest area where you can get a bird eye view of the whole Palaui Island. 

Tara na! Byahe tayo!

The hike to the top took us around 15 minutes including several stops for photo op. It was easy since there are concrete footsteps/stairs going up the hill.

Upon reaching the top you will be rewarded with a historical treat of the Cape Engano Lighthouse and the beautiful view of Dos Hermanas Island. Aside from the fact that the lighthouse is already 120 years old, it was also worthy to note that this lighthouse was still intact and still standing after braving countless number of storms and typhoons entering the country from the northeast. 

The beautiful view at the top of Cape Engano Lighthouse!

Another site to behold was the Dos Hermanas Island which can be seen on the other side of the lighthouse. It was breathtaking and picture perfect especially if you’re at the top of the lighthouse. 

We spent an hour taking pictures and walking around while savoring the tranquility (we were the only people at that time) of Cape Engano Lighthouse before we decided to go down and leave for our next stop.

See you again Cape Engano!

A short boat ride from Engano Cove was Anguib Beach. The beach was beautiful and can be compared to those that can be found at Palawan and the Visayas. It has fine white sands, crystal clear blue waters and a not so crowded shoreline. 

Important Reminder: There are two drop-off points at Anguib Beach, the first one on the left side of the island, which I would like to call “Tourist Drop-Off Point” will cost you Php100.00 entrance fee and the second on the right side of the beach, the “Local Drop-Off Point” will cost you an entrance fee of Php20.00 only.

We arrived around 10 in the morning, but my sister and I were already feeling hungry since we forgot to have breakfast earlier. Of course being the first timers that we were, the guide directed us toward the “Tourist Drop-Off Point” and obligatorily paid Php100 each. We then immediately look for an eatery around the area but we found none. We ventured to the right side of the beach, where we found out about the Php20.00 entrance fee if only we have chosen to dock our boat along the right side of the beach. Fortunately, we found one store in the area selling canned goods and junk foods. We then asked them if there are any eateries around the area, but they said there are none. Desperate to eat rice and decently cooked canned goods (guisado), we begged the store owner to sell us rice and canned goods (of course, we did it in the most dramatic way possible using Ilocano dialect for a more convincing effect. LOL). Our act was somewhat believable, since the store owner agreed to cook for our lunch and asked for us to choose the canned goods we want.

After less than an hour of waiting, they served us one potful of steamed rice, a corned beef sautéed in onions, a ginisang sardines and an extra bonus plate of small shrimps. All of these for a total price of Php150.00 only. We were really thankful, so we just decided to give them additional tip of Php50.00.

After filling our stomachs, we rested for a bit before we went for an afternoon swimming. The place was also a good location to snorkel as there are small fishes and coral reefs near the shore.

It was around 2:30 in the afternoon, when we decided to proceed to our next destination – Crocodile Island. 

It was called Crocodile Island not because there are crocodiles in the island but because of its shape. A small island that resembles a crocodile from afar is an afternoon delight and a perfect place to stop for a photo shoot. With the white sand, blue water and a yellow limestone shaped like a crocodile as the backdraft you will never go wrong with your pictorials.

Still tired from our swimming and snorkeling session at Anguib Beach, we just took pictures and walk around the island for at least 30 minutes before we proceeded to our last stop.

Out boatman took us to Punta Verde and directed us toward Nature Village. It is the only place at Palaui Island where tourists can stay overnight. Overnight accommodations are offered here with 4 cottages that were donated to the community by the producers of Survivor. Guests may also choose to pitch a tent and camp overnight at the open space inside the Nature Village. 



So, after reviewing our options for the types of accommodation offered by Nature Village, we decided to have a little adventure and chose to pitch a tent for a rental fee of Php 300.00 only. This includes mattresses, pillows and blankets.

The staffs at Nature Village were kind enough to help erect the tent and offered their services to cook for our dinner. They also accompanied us to a small talipapa (something kindalike a small market)where we bought fish and vegetables for our dinner.

With still plenty of time left before our dinner, my sister and I went to the beach for some late afternoon swimming. We met three local tourists from Manila with whom we immediately became friends with. They are also staying at Nature Village (the only choice you have). It was their first day at Palaui Island and Punta Verde was their first destination since it was already late for the island hopping tour. Their tour will start the next day, which they availed from Ate Elsa of Nature Village. It was a package tour inclusive of boat ride to 4 destinations and an overnight stay.

After the brief introductions and talks about our personal lives, we asked them about their impression of Palaui Island. In all honesty, they said that they were disappointed with Punta Verde and it seems like their 11 hour trip from Manila was not worth it. Their expectations were really high since they have read on some travel blogs that the beach at Punta Verde is beautiful. Surprisingly, we share the same disappointment with them. The beach at Punta Verde is nothing like those that can be seen at Palawan, the Visayas or even those at Batangas. The biggest disappointment was not because it has no fine white sands but because of its cleanliness. Being a beach near where the community lives, there is some garbage on the shores. I just hope that the people living here will take better care of this place and start managing their waste before it becomes worse. And a shout out to all the tourists who visit the place to be mindful of the rules implemented on the island to help preserve and conserve the beauty of this exotic island.

We were all saddened by the thought of the island’s beach shorelines, when the rain suddenly started to pour. Maybe the skies were sympathizing with us. LOL. We then all decided to head back to Nature Village for our dinner and for an early rest in preparation for the island tour the next day.

Check the other entries on my Palaui Island Trip:

Tra-Abel Guide to Palaui Island, Cagayan
Palaui Island Trip Day 1: Tra-Abel En Route
Palaui Island Trip Day 2: Island Hopping
Palaui Island Trip Day 3: Exploring the Island