Darocotan to some and Daracoton to others—whatever you call this small but magnificent Filipino gem, we’re sure it will steal your heart. Just an hour from El Nido, one of the country’s most famous destinations, lies an island where your only mission is to relax, snorkel, and take in jaw-dropping sunsets.
Read our guide to the best Things to do in Darocotan—there’s a good chance you’ll feel an irresistible urge to tweak your itinerary afterward and add the island to your Palawan plans. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!
What to expect in Darocotan
If you’ve made it this far, you may already have some idea of what to expect from Darocotan; if not, relax—because that’s exactly what this tiny slice of paradise is all about.
Darocotan is a small island less than 2 kilometers long where cell signal is almost non-existent, electricity comes from solar panels and small generators, and there are only three places to stay, plus a small village that we’d guess is home to no more than 100 people.
Days on the island seem to pass at a different pace. Breakfast by the sea gives way to hours spent on the beach and snorkeling in the water, far from tourist crowds, shops, and traffic noise. To be clear, there are no streets or roads here—just beach and a dirt path. There are no cars, motorbikes, or tricycles, and you’ll have to get around on foot, following the coastline, climbing over rocks when the tide rises and cuts off the path, or following an overgrown trail to get from one side of the island to the other.
If you’re looking for adventure, waterfalls, parties, hustle and bustle, wifi, or a wide range of tourist services, this island isn’t for you. No worries—there are more than 7,000 other islands to choose from! On the other hand, if you want to treat yourself to a few days of switching off and enjoying some peace and quiet beside a gorgeous beach while staying somewhere completely different from what you’re used to, don’t hesitate—Darocotan could be just the place for you!
In short, Darocotan is a place to enjoy the full island experience. You come here to live out your castaway fantasy, fall asleep to the sound of the waves, and slow down—something that can be hard to find in the country’s more established destinations. That’s why we recommend you stay at least one night and, if possible, two. Waking up in a cabin with ocean views is priceless.
That said, Darocotan isn’t a practical base for exploring El Nido or making the most of its tours. Think of it as an extension of your El Nido itinerary, not a base for exploring the area. It takes more than an hour and fifteen minutes to get from the island to the departure point for El Nido’s island-hopping tours, and the point of staying on the island is to enjoy the experience itself. So the best plan is to spend a few days in El Nido, do the tours from there, and then spend one or two nights in Darocotan to relax.
Where to stay in Darocotan: accommodation options for different budgets
There are only three places to stay on Darocotan (four, but one is private and used exclusively by one of the companies running the Expedition between El Nido and Coron). The three options are all quite different, and you can choose between something super basic, something mid-range, and something a bit more upscale. None is necessarily better or worse than the others. We chatted with guests staying at the other places, and everyone was really enjoying their experience. Here are the options with their pros and cons:
Backpackers Island Beach Camp
Backpackers Island Beach Camp (BICE) is by far the most basic option on the island. But that doesn’t make it a bad choice. We met a Chilean couple who had been there for two weeks, perfectly happy in their humble cabin by the sea.
The best part:
The main advantage of staying here is its location, right by our favorite beach on the island. Literally just a few meters away. You wake up, step out of your cabin, and you’ve got gorgeous turquoise water right outside, perfect for a swim. Plus, they have loungers, hammocks, and shade where you can switch off and relax.
We preferred its restaurant to the one at Isla Experience, and you can order breakfast from 7:00 a.m. At Isla Experience you have to wait much longer (we’ll tell you below), so we had breakfast here one morning.
The downsides:
We call these “the downsides” rather than “the worst parts” because we know every traveler is different, and a place some travelers wouldn’t consider staying at might be exactly what others are looking for.
As you can see in the photo, the cabin is extremely basic. Four nipa-palm walls and a mattress on the floor. That’s it. If you’re looking for more comfort, this won’t be your spot. But if you’re simply after a place to sleep and then spend the day enjoying the island, it might suit you.
Check availability at Backpackers Island Beach Camp here
Isla – The Island Experience
The Island Experience is Darocotan’s mid-range option and the one we chose for our visit. Here you’ll find attractive beachfront cabins that are considerably more comfortable and spacious.
The best part:
Its value for money and style of accommodation are what made us choose it. There are two types of beachfront cabins, “Small” and “Big.” We had booked the small one and, since the place was empty, they upgraded us to the larger one at no extra cost. The small one is somewhat similar to Backpackers’ in terms of space, while the larger one is huge and has a small balcony where you can sit and watch the sun go down—we recommend going for the larger cabin! The cabin only has walls on its two sides.
At the front, a staircase leads up to the cabin, while the back opens onto a balcony. Waking up to those views was incredible. Even though there’s no fan, we never felt too hot, as the sea breeze flows in through the open front and circulates throughout the cabin. Falling asleep to the sound of the waves was wonderful.
The location is also very good. It takes just 3–4 minutes to reach the main beach, which is clearly visible from the property’s small “private beach.”
Large cabin at Isla – The Island Experience
The downsides:
The place has a lot of potential, but it falls short of that potential because some of the details need more attention. One thing we weren’t entirely sold on was that everyone was served the same breakfast, lunch, and dinner at set times. The food is served at a communal table, and everyone helps themselves. It works reasonably well for lunch and dinner, but breakfast is absurdly late. Serving breakfast at 8:30–9:00 a.m. on an island where there’s nothing to do at night and people wake up with the sun doesn’t make much sense. So we had breakfast at Backpackers one morning and at Dryft the next.
The island has no power grid. They use solar panels here, and guests charge their devices at a shared charging station. In theory, they run a generator at night to provide the rooms with electricity for a few hours. When we were there, they seemed reluctant to switch it on, and we had to use our phone flashlights to find our way around. It wasn’t a major issue, but it’s something they should address.
You also shouldn’t expect much from the bathrooms. We don’t expect luxury in a relatively remote place, but they could be a little better maintained. Bear in mind that the toilets don’t flush normally; you have to flush them with a bucket. Of course, there’s no hot water either.
Check availability at Isla – The Island Experience here
Dryft Darocotan Island
This is the island’s most upscale place to stay. If you want a much more comfortable and stylish place to stay when you visit Darocotan, or a more hotel-like level of service, Dryft is your place.
The best part:
Obviously, the highlight is its facilities. They’re in a completely different league from the other options. They have several tastefully decorated glamping tents with ocean views. In addition, there’s a much larger (and gorgeous!) Premium cabin and a super-spacious bungalow that is the island’s only room with a private bathroom.
The restaurant is noticeably better than those at the other accommodations, and the service feels more polished, although the staff elsewhere were also lovely. One morning we came here for breakfast and treated ourselves to delicious pancakes topped with fried coconut and French press coffee, which we loved.
The dining area is in the center of the grounds and housed in a huge multi-story bamboo structure. You can go up for a panoramic view of the beach or lie down on large nets suspended in the air—100% Instagrammable.
The downsides:
Obviously, compared with the other options, the main thing to note here is the price. It’s more expensive, but you are paying for facilities and service that are a clear step above the other options.
Apart from that, although the beach outside Dryft is attractive, we liked the one in front of Backpackers much more.
In any case, you can walk from one end to the other in less than 10 minutes, so you can stay here and easily spend the day elsewhere on the island.
Find out more about this lovely place to stay here
© Dryft
Things to do in Darocotan
If you’re expecting an island with a wide variety of things to see and do, we’ll say it again: this may not be the place for you. Darocotan is mainly about relaxing and soaking up the “island vibe.” Believe us—it’s totally worth it.
Enjoy Darocotan’s beaches
The main reason to visit Darocotan is to enjoy its beaches, and you’ll find three to choose from. None of them has an official name, either on Google Maps or among local residents, so we’re going to name them so you can tell them apart. We’ve also marked them on the map.
As we always say, the tide can dramatically affect how a beach looks. The times of high and low tide change from day to day; they vary with the lunar phases. So even though high tide coincided with midday for us, it may occur at a different time during your visit. Keep this in mind if you want to see them at their best—and also when crossing the rocky area of Long Beach.
Beaches are natural environments, after all. Nature looks different depending on the wind, the light, the tide… It sounds obvious, but we occasionally receive comments from readers who expect beaches to look exactly the same every day.
Dryft Beach
The beach in front of Dryft Darocotan Island is well worth a visit. At almost 500 meters long, it’s an ideal place to relax if you’re staying there, but also if you stop by for a drink or are simply exploring the island.
If you visit in the morning, the palm trees and vegetation will offer some shade. While the snorkeling isn’t spectacular, you’ll easily spot plenty of seashells and hermit crabs carrying shells of all shapes and sizes.
Long Beach
We’ve named this beach “Long Beach” for obvious reasons. At almost 800 meters long, it’s the island’s longest beach and an ideal place for a swim at high tide. It’s the farthest from the accommodations (although it’s still only about a five-minute walk), and since it lies beside the island’s only village, it’s where you’ll see the most locals swimming.
In the middle of the beach there’s a rocky area that’s partially covered at high tide. If you want to cross from one side to the other when this happens, you’ll have to go over the rocks (it’s not very difficult, but be careful) or swim. On the far west side there are several shady spots where you can relax in the shade between swims.
The next beach to the northwest, after the big outcrop you see on the map, isn’t worth it. It’s a rockier area with lots of seaweed that looks nothing like the island’s other beaches.
Tao Beach
This beach has no name, and we’ve called it Tao Beach because it’s in front of this tour company’s camp. Even though the camp is closed half the year, they clean and maintain the beach every day, and it’s probably the cleanest beach on Darocotan.
At only 200 meters long, this beach, which curves around the island’s southwestern tip, is without a doubt our favorite.
Its turquoise waters, white sand, and palms in the background… it’s a dream spot! A word of warning if you burn easily, though: there isn’t a single patch of shade. If you want to avoid the sun, apply plenty of sunscreen or settle into one of the hammocks at Backpackers Island Beach Camp with a drink. After eating there, we spent a wonderful afternoon reading, having a drink, dozing off, and marveling at the marine life around the shipwreck we cover in the next section.
The best beach in Darocotan
Snorkeling at the shipwreck
One of our favorite things to do in Darocotan—and something we did several times—was snorkeling at the shipwreck in front of Tao Beach. It’s an incredible spot!
About 70 meters from shore you’ll find a sunken ship about 25 meters long that snorkelers will love exploring. The wreck lies between 2 and 3 meters below the surface, so you don’t need a guide or any special equipment—you can do it all on your own. As you swim out to it, you’ll see more and more starfish before suddenly coming across this vessel covered in all kinds of coral and colorful fish, and if you’re lucky, even schools of squid.
When the tide is low you can see part of the ship poking out of the water, but at high tide it can sometimes be a bit hard to find. Stand at the highest point of Tao Beach and you’ll be sure to spot its dark silhouette. Then just swim straight toward it. (You wouldn’t be the first to get sidetracked by other fish and starfish along the way and take a little longer to find it.)
Our favorite time to snorkel there is when the shipwreck sticks out slightly as the tide is coming in or going out. It’s much easier to find, and there’s more room to swim than at the lowest point of the tide, when the whole top part sticks out.
You know the drill—please be a responsible traveler and don’t touch the coral or the starfish.
Explore the island on your own
Given its small size, it would be a shame if, besides relaxing on its beaches, you didn’t also take the opportunity to walk from one end of the island to the other (from Dryft to Isla Experience).
Get to know its beaches, cut across the island “through the jungle” from the eastern side of Long Beach, or walk through the palm grove and past the four houses beside the island’s only sari-sari store, where you can buy little more than water.
You can easily explore the entire island on your own. On the first day a guy told us he could give us a tour for 500 pesos, and we didn’t see much point in it—the paths are easy to follow. You can’t get lost.
The staff at Dryft told us there was a lagoon in the northeast area, and it was the only part that required any real effort—20 minutes along an overgrown trail that climbs and dips, ending at a narrow inlet with a strong current that didn’t look inviting for a swim. In our view, you can safely skip it.
Island hopping from Darocotan to Linapacan
Between November and May—taking advantage of the better weather—you can also take an island-hopping trip to Linapacan and visit other beautiful islands in the area. The exact islands you visit will depend on the weather—they’re all well worth it!
Cagdanao Island, Manlihan Island, Ginto Island… We traveled through this area when we took the expedition from Coron and loved it. You can see more about these islands here: Coron – El Nido Expedition.
Enjoy the sunset
What better way to end a day on Darocotan than by watching a spectacular sunset? It’s an essential part of the island experience.
Our favorite spots for this are Tao Beach or one of the larger cabins at Island Experience if you want something more private.
Dryft Beach doesn’t face the sunset directly unless you head to its far north end. The advantage, however, is that you can enjoy a tasty cocktail and a wonderfully laid-back atmosphere while you watch the sun go down.
How to get to Darocotan Island from El Nido
Getting to Darocotan Island from El Nido is surprisingly easy, making it even more remarkable that you can reach it so quickly from one of the country’s main destinations and escape most of the crowds.
The first thing you’ll need to do is get to the port of the small town of Teneguiban. To do so, you have two options: van or tricycle from El Nido:
- Van: From El Nido’s bus terminal, vans to Sibaltan leave a couple of times a day. The fare is 300 pesos. To get to Teneguiban you’ll have to pay an extra 50 pesos or so, and they’ll take you to the port without any trouble. The downside of this option is that there aren’t many departures, and they rarely stick to the advertised schedule. If they tell you the van will leave around 9:00 a.m., it may still be waiting to depart at 11:00 a.m., and they also make countless stops along the way, so it takes much longer. The different places to stay can arrange a private van for around 2,500 pesos, which can be good value if you’re traveling in a group of four or five. Once you book your stay, they’ll send you the information so you can book the transfer through them.
- Tricycle: After waiting a couple of hours for the van’s departure, a tricycle driver approached us and offered to take us there for 700 pesos, which was an excellent price (since the accommodations themselves charge 1,000 pesos for the same trip). We continued using his services over the next few days to visit other places in the area at very reasonable prices. If you want, we can share his contact info so you can reach Teneguiban in about an hour without waiting around. He also offers transfers between El Nido and the airport for 300 pesos, cheaper than the fares you’ll usually be quoted in town.
- Motorbike: Of course, you can also rent a motorbike in El Nido and ride to Teneguiban on your own. The road is in good condition up to the turnoff; after that it gets rougher, but it’s still manageable. You’ll have to leave the bike parked at the port. Motorbike rentals in El Nido are around 500 pesos per day. We can share a contact who charges 450 pesos, and slightly less for a longer rental.
The van and tricycle journeys take roughly the same amount of time—between 50 and 65 minutes. Once at the port, if you’ve already booked accommodation and let them know when you’ll arrive, a boat will be waiting to take you to Darocotan Island, which is about a 15-minute ride away. The boat fare depends on where you’re staying. In the case of Isla Experience, it’s included in the rate. The others charge between 200 and 500 pesos each way.
If you’re starting your journey somewhere other than El Nido, you’ll want to read this guide first: How to get to El Nido.
Visiting Darocotan in one day
We recommend spending a couple of nights on the island for the full experience, giving you time to enjoy its peace, beaches, and shipwreck. Waking up in those cabins with the sea right in front of you is something you’ll never forget.
Even so, you can also visit Darocotan as a day trip by renting a motorbike and going on your own. To make it worthwhile, set off early so you can reach the island in good time.
Leave the bike parked by the port and take the boat to the island for 200 pesos per person. A great idea is to spend the morning at Tao Beach, snorkel around the shipwreck, and then cross the island to have lunch at Dryft’s restaurant, go for a swim there, and watch the sun go down again at Tao Beach. Be sure to agree on a pickup time with the boat operator for your return to Teneguiban.
Motorbikes in El Nido usually cost around 500 pesos, but we have a trusted contact who can offer you a better rate if you rent for several days and mention us. If you’re interested, just ask in the comments below.
Tips for visiting Darocotan Island
Even though it’s a tiny island and you might think there isn’t much else to know, don’t miss our practical tips for your visit:
- You won’t find ATMs, and paying by card isn’t possible. Bring enough cash for food and drinks. You’ll usually pay for your accommodation online unless your booking says otherwise.
- Prices on the island are relatively high. Beer costs 100 pesos, a curry with rice 350, and bottled water is expensive… Factor this into your budget. We brought a 6-liter container of water from El Nido for drinking and brushing our teeth.
- There’s no Globe or Smart cell reception. There’s one small spot on Tao Beach where, if you’re lucky, you may be able to get enough signal to send a WhatsApp message. TNT users, however, may still be able to get online. Forget about wifi.
- Bring mosquito repellent. There are quite a few mosquitoes and, on some beaches, sandflies. Their bites can remain intensely itchy for several days.
- Other useful items to bring: plenty of sunscreen (they don’t sell it there), your own snorkel mask (our accommodation lent them out for free, but for hygiene reasons it’s better to have your own), a flashlight, and a power bank. Our Backpack for the Philippines guide has more advice on what to bring on your trip to the Philippines.
- Bear in mind that each accommodation serves food at different times. It’s best to let them know about your meal plans as far in advance as possible. Backpackers and Dryft serve food throughout most of the day. At Isla Experience, no matter how hungry you are, meals are served only at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and there’s no à la carte menu. If you’re vegan or vegetarian, let them know. The options may be limited, but they’ll prepare something for you.
- If you like less touristy places, Darocotan is a great spot. You’ll find more suggestions in our Palawan guide, but another nearby place you might like is Sibaltan. A good idea is to rent a motorbike in El Nido, leave early for Darocotan, spend the night there, then head to Sibaltan the next morning for another couple of nights.
- As we always recommend—here or anywhere else in the country—having travel insurance is essential to make sure you’re covered at all times. A cut from coral, food poisoning, or any moderately serious illness can mean shelling out large sums and ending up in a hospital you would rather avoid. In our guide to Travel insurance for the Philippines, we explain which policy we’ve used for years and how it has covered more than $25,000 in medical expenses for us. Plus, if you use our link, you’ll get a discount.
Map of Darocotan
This map shows the main points of interest we’ve covered in our Darocotan guide—and gives you an idea of what awaits you there.
What do you think of Daracoton? Would you like to visit? If you have any questions, you know we’re here to help make your trip to the Philippines a success. Ask away!
