Part of the resort’s complimentary activities includes the “Caves and Snake Island Tour”, which focuses on exploring the unique geological formations, caves, and sandbars of Bacuit Bay.
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| Our first guided activity for the day. Caves and Snake Island. |
While this activity is part of the resort package, there is an alternative Tour B available for those not staying at Miniloc, which can be booked via the online platforms listed below.
Regrettably, the footage from my primary camera, which captured most of the tour, was compromised, leaving me with only a handful of images taken on my mobile device.
While I usually prefer to rely solely on my own photographs whenever feasible, in this instance, I am left with no option but to utilize images from the online tour providers to effectively convey this experience. So feel free to embark on a photo tour to catch a glimpse of what to expect.
Snake Island, one of the highlights of the tour, is a popular spot in El Nido celebrated for its distinctive snake-shaped, white sandbar that connects to the mainland.
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| Approaching Snake Island. |
Officially referred to as Vigan Island, guests can stroll over the shallow sandbar during low tide, enjoy swimming, and trek up a small hill for breathtaking views of the bay.
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| This place is best visited during low tide. The sandbar was partially submerged when we arrived. |
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| A small floating bar operated by locals is often found in the middle of the sandbar area. |
On a clear day, this is how the sandbar looks at low tide. The natural sandbank stretches about 100 meters into the water, connecting the small islet to the mainland.
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| Photo credit: expedia.com |
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| Photo credit: viator.com |
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| Photo credit: viator.com |
The island is uninhabited with no amenities, so tours typically stop here simply for sightseeing, and wading or swimming on the crystal-clear, shallow turquoise waters on either side of the sandbar.
Next stop on the tour was Cudugnon Cave, a small, unique cave system accessible via a tight entrance, known as a prominent anthropological and geological landmark located on the southwestern part of Lagen Island.
Accessing the cave requires crawling through a narrow, waist-high opening in the limestone rock.
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| Photo credit: klook.com |
Once inside, the tight passage opens into a spacious main chamber with high, vaulted ceilings.
Cathedral Cave is a stunning sea cavern on Pinasil Island, known for its high-vaulted ceiling and massive stalactite pillars that give it the appearance of a Gothic cathedral.
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| Approaching Cathedral Cave. |
Most large tour boats, like the one we were on, are unable to enter the cave, so we could only admire it from the outside. One alternative could have been to take a kayak to get inside the cavern, but given that it was already late in the afternoon, we opted to skip that choice.
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| Photo credit: viator.com |
Guides often restrict swimming inside because the cave is a known breeding ground for venomous kariats (sea snakes), especially during mating season.
To be continued ...