Duli Beach, El Nido: A Locals Surf Haven
Let’s start by saying Duli Beach is one of the most beautiful and remote beaches in the whole of Palawan! That’s one hell of a statement… So let's explain why we fell in love with Duli Beach.
You will most likely be staying in or around El Nido Town which can be busy and loud at times to say the least, a scooter or taxi ride north will bring you to some of the quietest and relaxing beaches Palawan has to offer. Duli Beach is a perfect strip of fine-grain white sand lined with picture perfect coconut trees, made famous for its surf.
Make sure to venture out to Duli Beach, whether you’re looking for some peace and quiet or chasing some waves, this place is worth the visit as it’s not yet as busy as Napcan Beach probably due to the difficult access road. Here’s everything you need to know about Duli Beach before visiting.
El Nido is most famous for its world-class island hopping tours. Make sure to not get scammed and book with a reputable company!
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Don't miss this El Nido Island Hopping Tour, we chose Tour A.
Where Is Duli Beach, El Nido?
Duli Beach is located on the north-western coast of the island of Palawan, famous for its pristine blue water and limestone cliffs. Approximately 25km above the town of El Nido, Duli Beach lies in Barangay Bucana, a region of Palawan much less explored than El Nido and Coron.
How To Get To Duli Beach?
The easiest way to explore Palawan is with a rental scooter and Duli Beach is no exception. You will most likely be staying in El Nido where there are loads of scooters for rent, your accommodation will usually help organise one.
If you’re not confident at driving a scooter in Asia we don’t blame you, especially around El Nido Town, the roads can be busy with traffic. If that’s the case, we recommend hiring a driver for the day to take you to all of the top spots. Alternatively, hiring a tricycle from El Nido Town will cost you ₽1500 return or ₽1000 one way.
Checkout this El Nido Napcan and Duli Beach Tour!
El Nido Town To Duli Beach
Estimated to be a 45 minute scooter drive from El Nido Town on Google Maps, Duli Beach isn’t the easiest to reach, especially due to the rocky access road. The drive actually took us just over an hour and it’s worth saying you need to be a confident driver to take on the entrance road to Duli Beach, especially after it has recently been raining making the road even more slippery and difficult to drive.
Checkout this El Nido Napcan and Duli Beach Tour!
Napcan Beach to Duli Beach
Napcan Beach is also north of El Nido Town and best accessed by scooter, so it makes sense to break up the long drive to Duli Beach with a stop here. From Napcan Beach, you’ll need to head slightly back on yourself out of the access road, however once you’re back on the main road, head north towards Duli Beach for 20 minutes, you can’t really go wrong.
Duli Beach Description
A 2km long stretch of white sand backing onto thick jungle, Duli Beach is one of the most picturesque beaches in all of Palawan. If you’re visiting outside of the surf season then don’t worry, grab a kayak, paddle board or your snorkelling gear and enjoy the crystal clear blue water this slice of paradise has to offer.
Duli Beach Surfing
Duli Beach is the heart of El Nido’s surfing community, with the surfing season running from November to March. The best time to catch waves would be December to March as this overlaps with the dry season (December-May). Board rental is available as well as surfing lessons at many of the places along the beachfront, offering boards for ₽500 an hour (not the cheapest in our opinion).
Duli Beach Surf Lessons
There are multiple people offering surf lessons on Duli Beach however we recommend going with a reputable company to make sure you’re getting good service. North Swell El Nido has great reviews and was recommended to us by a friend.
Duli Beach Snorkelling
Although the beach is primarily a sandy bottom, along the western side in front of the Duli Beach Resort you will find a wall of rock, perfect to see the tropical fish and coral Palawan has to offer. Be careful and make sure the sea state is not too rough before heading out.
Duli Beach Resort
The first resort to set up camp at Duli Beach, this resort offers spacious bungalows surrounded by nature. Whether you're looking to stay for a longer period to catch some waves, or just a one night stop to get a better feel for Duli Beach we highly recommend Duli Beach Resort!
Explore hidden gems, top spots, restaurants and more - instantly available in Google Maps. Download over 300 pins for FREE!
Duli Beach Common Questions
How Much Is The Entrance Fee To Duli Beach?
Free! When we arrived to Duli Beach there was no entrance fee or parking fee which is a nice change from the rest of the Philippines which usually ask for something on the entrances of attractions.
Is There Parking at Duli Beach?
Yes, as you come to the end of the very sketchy access road and drive past some of the locals' homes you will usually see a line of scooters parked up.
Where To Stay Near Duli Beach?
Duli Beach Resort is an absolute gem! Offering spacious bungalows with big beds. Due to the remote nature of Duli Beach, electricity can be limited here but you can enjoy the beach with a free breakfast!
What Restaurants Are Nearby Duli Beach?
Duli Beach is still very much up and coming and due to its remoteness, it hasn’t been completely overtaken by tourists holding Matcha Lattes on a swing over the ocean. However there are still lots of options for food and drink along the front, grab a beer or a coffee and enjoy the view. You can find the Top Duli Beach Restaurants Here.
Is There Surfing At Duli Beach?
Yes! November-March is the peak season for surfing on Duli Beach. Whether you’re a beginner or intermediate level surfer, you’ll find some waves at Duli Beach.
Can You Swim At Duli Beach?
Yes! A sandy bottom and crystal clear blue water makes for a beautiful beach to swim at.
Best Places To Stay In El Nido
El Nido has lots of areas for you to stay in. You could stay in the centre of the town, everything like tours, bars and restaurants will be a walk away as your based in the hub. The town is quiet in the day but comes alive at night. If you don't want to stay in the town or are on a budget look at other areas such as Corong Corong.
We use Booking.com and HostelWorld for all of our stays around the world!
Below is a list of top accommodations we recommend for El Nido, Palawan:
Top Things To Do In El Nido
Famous for its white sand beaches, vibrant coral reefs and crystal clear water surrounded by limestone cliffs, El Nido has become a tourist hot spot in recent years. There is definitely no shortage of things to see and do in and around this beautiful town, below we share our favourite attractions so you don't miss out.
Top Pick: El Nido Boat Tour
This is a must in El Nido! We went on Tour A during off-season and were told it gets extremely busy so maybe try out one of the other Tours on offer if you are visiting at peak season.
Best Beaches: Napcan and Duli Beach
Duli Beach is a locals surfing beach with azure water, palm trees and white sand. Although a little drive away, we think it’s worth it.
Off The Beaten Track: Head To Port Barton
A 3 hour drive from El Nido, Port Barton is a small fishing village which is less developed but still set up for tourism. We loved it here and the Boat Tour is amazing.
Best Place To Eat: Fuego El Nido Proper Burgers
El Nido is packed full with Western restaurants but we were disappointed with nearly all our meals. So take our advice, spend a bit more and go get yourself an amazing burger.
Other Things To Do In El Nido
Once you're done in El Nido, head over to Coron!
Essential Travel Items You Need
 | Lifestraw - Filtered Water Bottle Allowing you to fill up water whenever and wherever with peace of mind plus you’re helping the environment! |
 | Jungle Formula - High Deet Mosquito Spray The weak sprays will not work! Make sure to bring a high deet percentage spray made for the tropics. We also use Mosquito Wipes. |
 | Water Shoes - Lightweight with Protection Stay protected from Sea Urchins with these, also useful for snorkelling, waterfall hikes and more. We also love our Microfibre Towels and Dry Bag. |
 | Universal Travel Adaptor With Multiple USBs Life while travelling will never be the same again! Charge multiple devices all at once in any country... game changer. |
Top Tips For Travelling The Philippines
If you’re visiting the Philippines here are our top travel tips:
Book flights in advance - they can become expensive if you leave it last minute… oh and check your luggage allowance to skip expensive check in fees at the airport. Don't forget your Apple Airtags to track your bags
Agree on taxi prices upfront - when getting into a tuk-tuk, tricycle or taxi, make sure you agree on a price or they have a meter, so many tourists get ripped off with a huge price tag at the end of the ride.
Take it slow - don't feel the need to see all the islands, we recommend picking a few and doing them properly. See the island in full, find some locals and sing Karaoke..
Embrace the chaos and get stuck in, the locals are friendly and love to help and share information about their home!
For a checklist of what's needed to pack for your trip, read: How to Pack for Backpacking to South East Asia: Backpacking Essentials and Accessories
We love our DJI Mini for all of our drone shots!
Final Thoughts on Duli Beach, El Nido
Hopefully after reading this blog you can see why Duli Beach is considered one of the most beautiful and remote beaches in all of Palawan. A vast stretch of white sand, backed up to Coconut trees one side and crystal clear blue water the other. Peak season (November-March) offers some of the Philippines best waves, while the rest of the year gives the perfect opportunity for kayaking, paddle boarding or snorkelling.
Although the drive from El Nido Town is quite long, if you’re willing to take on the sketchy access road we definitely recommend a visit, stop off at the busier Napcan Beach on the way back to break up the drive.
Don't miss this El Nido Island Hopping Tour, we chose Tour A. Also checkout this El Nido Napcan and Duli Beach Tour!
Travel Tools To Help You Plan
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Thank you for reading and enjoy your Philippine adventure. Reach out to us over on Instagram @KateandMikesTravels. We always love to hear from people who read our blogs!
For our Filipino friends: Maraming salamat sa pag babasa, hangang sa susunod nating pag kikita, mamimiss namin kayo, mabuhay ang pilipinas! Salamat
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