The view from the beach on a moody afternoon at Coco Loco island
The Coco Loco island and resort (now renamed: Modessa Island Resort) was certainly one of the highlights of my last trip to the Philippines. The seven hectares spec of land that make up this microscopic sized island consists but of two things. Flat land abundant with Coconut trees which is completely surrounded by beautiful white sandy beaches that lead into the inviting crystal blue to turquoise green seas. All this with clear view of the lofty mountains of mainland Palawan in the background.
Whats makes Coco Loco particularly special is that there’s only 34 cottages which are spread out through the island so its in no way overcrowded and you still kind of have a sense as if you were on your own. The entire island can be walked around at a relaxed pace in about 30 to 40 minutes so you get that castaway “away from it all” feel to it, a true Heaven on earth experience. The pictures don’t give justice to the place mainly due to covered skies where the absence of sunlight doesn’t let the colors look as vibrant as they really were.
Coco Loco Island
We hadn’t really planned to do anything on such a short stay so we played it very relaxed and carefree by the beach. Our only activity was swimming and snorkeling and it’s definitively an excellent place for that. You could snorkel right off the beach into what would seem like an aquarium full of tropical fish. Never seen quite something like this so for sure no need to rent a boat to do some quality snorkeling here. If you plan to stay there a while activities can be arranged such as island hopping, fishing, windsurfing, beach volleyball, kayaking, scuba diving or beginners diving courses (PADI).
Getting There
After a 2½ hours Van hire journey from Puerto Princesa on a paved road through the amazing and very unique Palawan scenery we arrived in the small Municipality of Roxas. Once at the Roxas’ wharf we proceed onto a banca for the last portion of the trip, a 40 minutes boat ride East onto the sea set to reach the paradisaic island of Coco Loco.
Map of Roxas to Coco Loco island and resort
Coco Loco Accommodation
The accommodations of Coco Loco resort are all made of traditional Filipino native style bamboo cottages. This means they are very basic but clean. Each one comes inside with the standard: The bed and its mosquito net, an electric fan, table and chairs, a bathroom with a non heated salty water shower and a flush toilet. The electricity is provided by the resorts generator which runs 12 hours a day from 6PM to 6AM. There is also a dive shop that also sells some souvenir items and a bar restaurant where guests can play billiard, ping pong, darts or watch cable TV.
Price and Food
The price is around P2,500 (roughly $60/€50) per person, per day and includes three meals“a la carte’” and boat transfers. Definitely a good run for your money for what you actually get at this resort, especially compared to other private island resorts of El Nido. This place stands out and is definitely recommended! Click here to check prices online for your dates.
6 comments
Gorgeous Resort! Nicely taken pix, Vincent.
I once had a plan to go to Coco Loco Island and that was 2006! And until now, I haven’t set foot on that island. Seeing your photos, now I am more determined to put Coco Loco Island in my 2009 itinerary. Thanks for sharing the photos. 🙂
what time of the year did you go? i am thinking about going first week of may and heard its the hot season. is it unbearably hot then?
I went in the month of April which belongs to the dry season. There’s no real exceptionally hot season when it comes to Tropical climate as it only fluctuates a few degrees over the whole year. The Philippines climate is warm and humid all year-round. There are but two seasons: wet (rainy from July to October) and dry (dry from November to June).
If it gets too hot just stay in the shade or go for a swim in the water to cool off. More importantly bring and apply regularly sunblock. A sunburn is what in my experience will make it feel unbearably hot.
My biggest nemesis has actually been getting sick from too cold air conditioning running at night. But no worries here as Coco Loco cottages have but electric fans.
Hi!!! I’ve been looking all over internet to get the price of tree nights stay in coco loco island. Some people say 100$ per night, some others say more … Is 40 dollars per night real???
thanks
Hello there Thalie,
I was there in March 2008 and the prices were 1900 Pesos (40$) for a single cottage or 1700 Pesos (35$) per person for the double.
I just asked a friend who went back in January 2009 and the prices haven’t changed since.
This includes three meals a day of your choice so it’s not a bad deal at all given the fabulous location.