Unique luxury, environmental responsibility define Apulit Island

MANILA, Philippines — The sun was shining brightly and its rays were creating sheen on the surface of the turquoise water. From a distance, rows of over-water villas, built on pillars, could be seen lining both sides of the cove. At the cove’s center, one could see a white-sand beach lined with coconut trees fronting a Filipino-inspired club house.

Over-water cottages line both sides of the cove of Apulit Island resort, Taytay, Northern Palawan. Philstar.com/Audrey B. Morallo

As the boat approached Serena Pier where they would be greeted by smiling staff, tourists peering from it could see fish and other marine organisms frolicking in the translucent water and feel the fresh sea breeze blowing from the east.

Two resort personnel of Apulit Island resort smile as they prepare guests for the boat ride going to Apulit Island, one of the four island resorts by Ayala Land's El Nido Resorts. Gab Gomez

This was the view, and sensual experience, that greeted anyone lucky enough to visit and vacation on Apulit Island, which is under two hours’ travel from the nearest airport.

Apulit Island, one of Ayala Land’s four El Nido island resorts, is known not only for its marine diversity and eco-tourism activities but also for its romantic scenery and atmosphere.

“We’re known for honeymooners and proposals. We have lots of honeymooners,” Heidi Hocson, Apulit’s resort manager, told visiting reporters during dinner on a raft just off the beach of the island.

A table set up is prepared on Isla Blanca overlooking its crystal waters. The island is just a short ride away from Apulit Island in Taytay, Palawan. Philstar.com/Audrey B. Morallo

She said that honeymooners would enjoy the resort’s environment and arrange for private dinners either on the beach or on the raft, which was originally used to transport construction materials when the resort was renovated last year.

In addition to its romantic ambience, Apulit, located in Taytay, Northern Palawan, also appeals to vacationers looking for idyllic getaways that can offer eco-adventure activities.

Guests can snorkel in the resort’s glistening waters and behold the marine environment’s wide array of corals and undersea life whose vibrant colors will surely delight the eyes.

Visitors can also island-hop from Isla Blanca, a private island that features a long stretch of white sandbar, to Nabat Island, which is home to an extensive reef system and marine organisms.

The resort also offers diving activities and courses such as DSD, Fun Dive, Night Dive, Check-out Dive, Scuba Diving, Open Water Course Referral Course, Advance Open Water and Bubble Maker for kids.

Other options in Apulit’s menu of activities are rappelling, rock climbing, cave touring, cliff jumping, kayaking, paddle boarding, windsurfing and many others.

Darkness surrounds the limestone cliff in the background as the water cottages on Apulit Island are illuminated by both natural and artificial lights. Gab Gomez

After fun and exciting activities, one can avail of a variety of Asian, European and tropical face and body spa treatments.

According to Hocson, the renovation, which ran from July to December last year, was meant to upgrade the guest rooms, the club house at the heart of the cove and other amenities.

Apulit offers two types of cottages: Water Cottages -- ideal for couples and has a private veranda overlooking the crystal clear waters -- and Loft Water Cottages -- which can accommodate four people and boasts of stairs that give direct access to the sea.

During renovation, the rooms were fitted with larger glass windows and full sliding doors, which allows a visitor to feel closer to the pristine waters surrounding the island.

The floor areas of the water and loft water cottages were expanded from 24 to 34 square meters to accommodate a foyer, light-colored walls and more spacious toilets and bathrooms. Bathroom counters were also constructed to make them appear like traditional console tables.

“We have finally installed TVs in the rooms to allow guests to remain connected to their lives back home,” El Nido Resorts Group Joey Bernardino said.

Bernardino said that a tropical plantation theme, suggested by designer Conrad Onglao, was introduced to the water cottages through the use of solihiya weave and abaca materials.

The clubhouse at the heart of the cove was also expanded by doubling its seat capacity to 100. Its renovation also blended traditional modern architecture with contemporary solutions and added timeless pieces of furniture in simple silhouettes.

Photo shows the bed and some of the furniture guests can enjoy in the over-water cottages of Ayala Land's Apulit Island in Taytay, Palawan. Gab Gomez

Apulit has over the years appealed to guests whose love for marine life and the sea takes priority over the appeal of dining and entertainment options on offer in more active beach communities.

This has allowed Apulit to maintain the freshness of its environment as it produces less trash and human debris.

Dining tables are set in Apulit Island resort's club house. Guests can enjoy their food here together with the wonderful view of the sea and the island's surroundings. Gab Gomez

Staying environmentally friendly

As a sign of its commitment to environmental sustainability, all four island resorts of El Nido resorts, Apulit Island, Miniloc Island, Lagen Island and Pangulasian Island, each have an environmental officer who will ensure that their operations will not harm the environment.

Max Fabroa, Apulit’s environmental officer, said that the resort had its own sewage treatment plant and practiced garbage segregation.

Apulit also educates its staff and members of the local community about environmental protection and sustainability as part of the efforts to make them feel they own the initiative.

“It helps that they know the value of what they are protecting since this is theirs,” Fabroa said.

This emphasis on responsible environmental management is what enables Apulit, and the other three island resorts of El Nido Resorts, to maintain the unique experience it can offer to visitors.

“Apulit is where you can still walk barefoot in the sand for long stretches and even have a nearby island to explore all by yourself. It is the most exclusive of the four El Nido Resorts,” Javi Hernandez, El Nido Resorts president, said.

In this photo, Apulit Island resort, with its over-water cottages and its white-sand beach, is seen from a boat carrying guests. Gab Gomez

Photo shows Apulit Island resort's famous white-sand beach fronting its infinity pool. In the background are Apulit's over-water cottages. Philstar.com/Audrey B. Morallo

Ayala Land's Apulit Island resort offers Loft Water Cottages which can accommodate families and give visitors direct access to the destination's turquoise water. Philstar.com/Audrey B. Morallo

Visitors enjoy the sun, sea breeze and the sun on Isla Blanca, which is just one short boat ride away from Apulit Island Resorts. Philstar.com/Audrey B. Morallo

Photo shows a landscape view of El Nido Resorts' Apulit Island in Taytay, Palawan. Gab Gomez

In this underwater photo, clown fish plays on the surface of a coral, part of a vast coral system visitors can enjoy in seas surrounding Apulit Island. Gab Gomez

Guests on the island can enjoy a private candle-lit dinner on a raft just off the beach of Apulit Island resort. Gab Gomez

In this photo, a guest in Apulit Island resort waves as she enjoys the diverse marine life and environment in the area, two of the best attractions it has on offer. Gab Gomez

Sliding doors provide visitors to Apulit Island resort an opportunity to let fresh seabreeze to enter their rooms and a view overlooking the waters surrounding the island. Gab Gomez

Loft cottages give guests in Apulit Island resort direct access to the sea over which the structures were built. Gab Gomez

In this photo, Apulit Island resort, with its over-water cottages and its white-sand beach, is seen from a boat carrying guests. Gab Gomez

Guests at Apulit Island resort can swim in this infitinity pool which overlooks that island's crystal clear waters and pristine surroundings. Gab Gomez

Editor's note: The tour to Apulit Island was hosted by El Nido Resorts to promote tourism in the area. At no stage does the host organization have a say on the stories generated from the coverage, interviews conducted, publication date and story treatment. Content is produced solely by Philstar.com following editorial guidelines.