Our second day here at the island, and we had several destinations scheduled to visit. So up we were by 6:00am to get ourselves ready and have a hearty, nourishing breakfast.
One thing really memorable on this trip is the food. As a private island resort, meals are included in the stay, allowing guests to enjoy varied menus throughout their trip. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all served in a delightful buffet setting.
The menu changes regularly, and emphasizes on fresh, locally sourced ingredients to showcase regional flavors.
And what better place could there be to enjoy a meal. The clubhouse restaurant offers stunning vistas of the surrounding limestone cliffs and the serene, calm waters of Bacuit Bay that morning.
Again, while our activities for the day are part of the resort package, there is an alternative Tour A available for those not staying at Miniloc, which can be booked via the online platforms listed below.
The view as we departed from Miniloc, on our way to discover today’s scheduled adventures.
First on our list of activities were the Big and Small Lagoons, two renowned attractions located on the northeastern portion of Miniloc Island, just about a 10-15 minute boat ride from the resort.
Both lagoons feature vibrant emerald waters set amidst verdant limestone cliffs, and are favored destinations for kayaking and snorkeling when touring around El Nido.
The cloud was a bit overcast as we approached the entrance to Big Lagoon.
Thank God, the sky started to gradually clear once we were within the main part of the lagoon, just in time for those classic souvenir photos of the place. 
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| With my brother Roland, without whom, this whole experience would not have been possible. |
We had a baby on board, whose parents were our fellow guests at Miniloc. Such a lucky child, as many people only dream about experiencing this incredible destination.
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| Everyone having a good time with the little fella, even our boatman. |
Once we were done with the photo sessions, our group collectively decided to just do the scheduled activities such as kayaking, swimming, and snorkeling at the next stop, as recommended by our guides.
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| 8:38am. Group shot as we left Big Lagoon, on the way to our next stop. |
There is no direct surface water connection or passage that allows boats or kayaks to travel directly between the Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon. While both are located on Miniloc Island, they are distinct, separate, and surrounded by massive limestone karsts.
To visit both, boats must exit one back into the open sea and travel around the island to enter the other.
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| 8:40am. On the way out of Big Lagoon. |
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| 8:43am. Out in the open sea again. |
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| 8:44am. Along the way, we passed by some islands scattered across the bay. |
While Big Lagoon is celebrated for its wide, open expanse, Small Lagoon offers an intimate, hidden, and serene experience. Fortunately, the sky began to clear as we approached the entrance to this iconic seascape.
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| 8:49am. Arrival at Small Lagoon. |
We were fortunate there wasn’t much of a crowd when we arrived, allowing us the space and time to fully appreciate nature’s wonders in this part of our planet.
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| Clear emerald hues and towering limestone formations, so inviting for some peaceful introspection. |
Once in here, you just want to pause, and truly wish for this place to stay unspoiled and protected from harm, for future generations to cherish.
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| Good to know that El Nido is a strictly protected area, officially known as the El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area. |
Not really fond of selfies, but the place is just so tempting for a classic memento, a reminder of an enlightening moment from the past.
The place is just so full of unique and memorable surprises wanting to be captured.
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| A local selling buko juice and cold drinks from a small boat. |
And while my brother Roland and my daughter Janice preferred to go snorkeling, I opted to do some exercise and go kayaking, along with my other daughter Kristina and friend Chrisma.
And here, our fellow Miniloc guests are about to enter the famed crevice leading to the enclosed portion of Small Lagoon.
To be continued ...