Discovered the amazing rock formations and hidden beaches that have given inspiration to Alex Garland's novel "The Beach" which was written while the author was in El Nido and has been made into a major motion picture starring Leonardo Di Caprio. Recently, The film "Bourne Legacy" was shot and filmed in the islands of Dilumacad and Matinloc. We stopped to snorkel five times a day, for up to 30 minutes each time, but it never gets dull. The tour guide told us that we were lucky to see dophins a few times during the trip. Too fast to capture the pictures.
Dilumacad and Helicopter Island - This island has a beautiful white sand beach stretching to some 300 meters that is ideal for picnic lunches during island-hopping trips. There is an underwater tunnel at its northern side and a fringing reef on its southern end. The island is also called Helicopter Island because its limestone cliffs resemble that of a helicopter when it is viewed from a considerable distance.
Tapiutan Island - Further out of the bay facing the South China Sea, Tapiutan's rich marine life provides opportunities for scuba diving and snorkelling. One of the most striking islands in El Nido because of its shape and sheer limestone walls.
Matinloc Island - Matinloc Island, the longest slim island in El Nido, has a secret beach, which is a pocket of white sand beach at the corner of a sinkhole,that is inaccessible by boat and surrounded by steep rock walls. To reach it, divers must swim underwater through a narrow crevice in a rock wall. At noon, the sun streams in through the opening, allowing a play of light and shadow against its limestone walls. The beach floor drops abruptly.
Aside from the Hidden Beach, the island is also famous for the Kulasa Beach, a 100-meter beach strip of fine white sand located at one of its coves. The sea floor surrounding the beach slopes gradually and the water deepens only after about 10 meters. This location is one of the best snorkeling spots in Bacuit Bay due to the abundance of marine life in this area.
Star Beach - Another fantastic snorkeling spot. Here our guides prepared a sumptuous lunch by the beach while we discovered the wonders and beauty of the coral reefs near this island.
Matinloc Shrine - Hidden among the lush forested island is the Matinloc Shrine (also known as Shrine of Our Lady of Matinloc and Shrine of the Blessed Virgin) a sacred monument built in 1982 to honor the blessed virgin mary. Matinloc, local term for "beautiful," boasts of two spectacular snorkelling areas: Kalmung Point and Kulasa Beach. 
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