When Alex Garland wrote his travel classic, The Beach, he wasn’t dreaming of a Thai island; instead, he was describing the soft white sands of the Philippines’ Bacuit Archipelago.
A night at Miniloc Island Resort, which is tucked under the limestone cliffs of Bacuit’s Miniloc Island, offers guests the chance to experience Garland’s famous paradise.
Miniloc Island Resort is only accessible by boat. Guests must first fly onto the nearby island of Palawan, then catch a second flight – or, make the 8-hour bus trip – to El Nido town. From there, a final 45-minute boat ride adds to Miniloc’s sense of watery isolation.
On the island, 50 palm-thatched huts with woven Filipino walls, or sawali, line the beach. Guests may also book into a stilted cottage over the sea, or a cliff cottage with narrow, winding stairs that lead up to the isle’s most dramatic views.
No matter where you choose to sleep, every inch of the resort is focused on its bright blue front yard. Activities include snorkeling and swimming in the colorful, offshore coral gardens, kayaking or joining a sunset cruise. The resort also offers PADI certified dive courses for guests wishing to explore further underwater at any of the island’s 20 dive sites.
On land, guides organize daily eco-tours through the surrounding caves and native forests. A weekend Be Green Happy Hour at the bar is complimented with educational presentations about the island’s unique environment.
Rates begin at roughly 360 USD, or 15,500 Philippine Pesos per night. For an additional fee, Miniloc Island Resort will arrange the flight from Manilla to Palawan.
Kelli Mutchler left a small, Midwest American town to prove that Yanks can, and do, chose alternative lifestyles. On the road for five years now, Kelli has tried news reporting and waitressing, bungy jumping and English teaching. Currently working with Burmese women refugees in Thailand, she hopes to pursue a MA in Global Development. Opportunities and scenes for international travel are encouraged on her blog, www.toomutchforwords.com.
