Lagen Island is the El Nido Resorts property for couples who want calm above all. Its rooms curve around a sheltered cove on a small island in Bacuit Bay, backed by thick forest and limestone cliffs. The signature Water Cottages stand on stilts over the water, linked by a boardwalk. Pangulasian has the bigger beach and private pools. Lagen has the more enclosed, quietly dramatic setting.
There are 51 rooms in all. For a honeymoon, the 18 Water Cottages are the ones to book: you wake up over the cove with the cliffs in front of you. Most packages include breakfast, guided island hopping and transfers from Lio airport. The resort calls itself an eco-adventure island, so expect kayaking, snorkeling and forest trails rather than nightlife. It suits nature-loving couples who are happy to eat at the resort and go to bed early. Couples who want a long beach or a private pool should look at Pangulasian instead.
Highlights at a glance
- 18 Water Cottages on stilts over the cove
- Sheltered cove ringed by limestone cliffs
- Guided island hopping on most packages
- Forest trails and snorkeling from the boardwalk
- Only 51 rooms on the island
Why Couples Love Lagen
The setting is the reason to come. The cove is enclosed on most sides by forested cliffs, so the water is usually calm and the feel is protected and private. Mornings are often still enough for the cove to mirror the rocks. Birds call from the forest behind the rooms. Fish gather under the boardwalk.
Because the island is small and the resort is the only thing on it, evenings are quiet. There is no road and no town noise. You eat, watch the light fade on the cliffs and listen to the forest. For many couples that slowness is exactly what they want after the wedding. For others it can feel remote after three or four nights, which is why many people pair Lagen with a few nights on the mainland or at a second resort.
Rooms to Book
Lagen has four room types, all designed to look out toward the cove or the forest.
- Water Cottages (18) sit on stilts above the cove along a boardwalk. They are the classic honeymoon choice, with the water directly beneath your deck.
- Beachfront Cottages (9) face the cove from the sand and give you easy access for a morning swim.
- Forest Rooms (20) sit at the edge of the forest in a two-level building. They are the entry price point.
- Forest Suites (4) are on the upper level of the same building and offer more space and a raised view.
If the budget allows, book a Water Cottage. It is the experience most couples remember. Forest Rooms are comfortable but feel more like a hotel room with a view.
Food, Drink and the Spa
Breakfast is included on most packages. Lunch and dinner are taken at the resort, since there is nowhere else on the island to eat, so check whether your offer adds meals or budget for them separately. Seafood and Filipino dishes feature heavily. The staff can arrange private dinners for special occasions.
El Nido Resorts offers spa treatments across its islands. Ask at check-in what is available on Lagen and book early in your stay, since slots fill quickly in peak season. A massage after a day of kayaking through the lagoons is well worth the cost. Sunset drinks overlooking the cove are a simple nightly ritual. If you want something more elaborate, ask about a sunset cruise around the bay.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do
Guided island hopping is included on most packages and takes you to the highlights of Bacuit Bay: the Big and Small Lagoons, secret beaches and snorkeling reefs. Resort boats can often time visits so you arrive when the public tour boats from town have moved on.
Around the island, you can kayak or paddleboard across the cove, snorkel straight off the boardwalk and walk forest trails. El Nido Resorts also runs activities such as Hobie Cat sailing and guided snorkeling. Certified divers can arrange dives in the bay. Couples with different energy levels can split a morning, with one paddling out at sunrise while the other sleeps in over the water. Pack reef shoes and a rash guard. Use repellent in the evening, since dengue occurs in the Philippines; if you're pregnant or hoping to be soon, check CDC travel health notices.
Getting There
Fly from Manila to El Nido (Lio) Airport (ENI). A club car takes you 10 to 15 minutes to the El Nido Resorts Jetty Lounge, then a boat crosses to Lagen in about 40 to 50 minutes depending on tide and weather.
Timing matters more here than at the other islands. The last boat transfer to Lagen leaves at 4 p.m. and night navigation is restricted, so the resort advises against late-afternoon arrivals and very early departures. Pick a morning or midday flight in both directions. Flying into Puerto Princesa (PPS) adds a five to six hour van ride. The calmest months are roughly November to May, while June to October can bring rain and rough water that disrupt boats.
Is It Worth It?
Lagen sits in the same price bracket as Pangulasian, with recent official offers starting around PHP 72,000 a night including taxes and service. That is roughly $1,200 or more for two. The value comes from the setting, the included island hopping on most packages and the chance to sleep over the water in one of the most scenic coves in Palawan.
It is not the right pick for every couple. There is no long beach, no private pools and little to do in the evening beyond dinner and stargazing. If you want a pool villa or more space to roam, choose Pangulasian. If budget is the issue, the mainland hotels at Lio or Marimegmeg cost a fraction as much. If what you want is calm water, cliffs and quiet, Lagen delivers.
Insider tips
- Book a flight that lands by early afternoon, since the last boat to Lagen leaves at 4 p.m.
- Request a Water Cottage near the end of the boardwalk for the most open view.
- Check which meals your package covers, because island dining adds up quickly.
- Pair Lagen with a few nights on the mainland or at Pangulasian if you get restless easily.
