PALAWAN IS ONCE again touted as the Best Island in the world, per Travel + Leisure Magazine’s World’s Best Survey for 2015, reason enough for you and your friends to visit the island province now.

The province is back on top of the list after previously taking the number one spot in 2013. Joining it are Boracay at number 2 and Cebu at number 6, beating out gorgeous island beaches from other countries.

The magazine, in its publication, wrote: “Palawan is every beach lover’s dream destination,” said one voter, who regarded it as a “wonderful and magical place.”

Palawan has long been a dream destination for people around the world, admired for several reasons. In fact, one of its island towns, Linapacan, was also listed as having the world’s cleanest water to swim in.

If you’re headed to this island province, the top destinations of choice would be Puerto Princesa, Coron, and El Nido, each with beaches offering their own unique character to satisfy the beach lover in all of us. For this post, though, let’s take you to El Nido’s Nacpan Island, which, for us, is reason enough for the province to be called ‘Best Island’ in the world.

The twin beaches of Nacpan and Calitang: undeniably one of the best views in El Nido, and in all of Palawan. Photo via expatch.org. Our featured photo also showcases the twin beaches, courtesy of @abdulzln on Flickr.

Beach bumming alone is more than enough to make your stay in Nacpan worthwhile, but if you’re looking for other things to do, this list should come in handy:

1. Master landscape photography.

With only a few families living in the area, Nacpan is still a virgin beach island, free of the hotels and commercial establishments found on other well-known beaches. That limits what you can do here, but for anyone craving privacy, this is the place for you. We already have plenty of beaches overcrowded with hotels, bars, and restaurants, so you’ll thank yourself for choosing Nacpan instead. It’s the perfect time to put your photography skills to the test and master the art of landscape photography here. Below are some of the scenic views you can capture once you arrive.

A stunning view from the lookout at Nacpan Beach.

View from the hilltop.

Long line of coconut trees along Nacpan shore.

Refreshing view of the grassy hill kissing the turquoise waters.

Old coconut trees that remain standing tall and proud.

2. Sail the cool blue waters.

After taking your photos, you may want to dip into the cool blue waters of Nacpan Beach. Being surrounded by an endless carpet of blue and green is a great time to reflect and feel at one with nature.

Boats in Nacpan are used for both transportation and fishing. If you want a mini-tour of the Nacpan and Calitang island beaches, just hire one of the boats owned by locals. They’ll usually charge for gasoline plus the hours you plan to use the boat. For a relatively small price, you can sail freely along Nacpan’s waters — a great addition to your adventure.

3. Go camping.

If you’re up for a few days of solitude, consider camping alone or with a partner, friends, or relatives. You’ll love the nighttime view as well — Palawan is also a great place to photograph our own galaxy and the stars city dwellers rarely get to appreciate.

4. Surf all you want.

Whether you’re a professional surfer or an enthusiast, you’ll love Nacpan for its steady flow of big waves. The best time to surf on the island is from October to January.

Tip: When you visit El Nido, Palawan, make sure to drop by Nacpan and discover its beauty. From El Nido, you can drive your own motorbike or rent one in the town proper for around P700.00 for a whole day. Tricycles are also available for rent at P1,500.00. It usually takes about an hour to reach Nacpan Beach.

Photos from expatch.org, homeiswhereyourbagis.com, pinoytravelfreak.com, lezleesantillan.net, martinkriegler.de, journeyingjames.com, and letspalawan.com.