Helicopter Island (Dilumacad Island)
El Nido, Philippines
It takes a little imagination to see how Dilumacad Island got its nickname, Helicopter Island, but as your boat sails in you’ll likely detect a tail rotor to your left and the cockpit to your right. However, it’s the golden sand beach, one of the Bacuit Archipelago’s longest, that draws island-hoppers. Scuba divers come for the green sea turtles that graze offshore.
The basics
Like other islets in the Bacuit Archipelago, Helicopter Island can only be reached by boat, be that a dive boat, a speedboat, a catamaran, or the typical island-hopping bangka outrigger. If you take the El Nido Tour C itinerary, you’ll also see key Matinloc Island sights—an abandoned shrine and the dazzling Hidden Beach—and Miniloc Island’s Secret Lagoon (a pool completely encircled by cliffs) as well as Tapiutan Island’s Talisay Beach. With its focus on hidden and secret beaches, Tour C is one of El Nido’s most popular tours.
Things to know before you go
Helicopter Island is a good choice for scuba divers, free divers, and beach lovers.
Most island-hopping tours spend from an hour to 90 minutes on Helicopter Island.
Neither the island-hopping boats nor the beach are adapted for travelers with disabilities, but note that some El Nido dive shops do offer adaptive diving packages.
How to get there
Helicopter Island (Dilumacad Island) lies just south of Cadlao Island, about a 4-mile (6-kilometer) boat ride northwest of El Nido. Most travelers visit as part of Tour C, but other itineraries do stop at the island, and there are several popular scuba sites offshore.
When to get there
The dry season (roughly mid-November to mid-May) is the best time for island-hopping in El Nido, and December through March are the optimal months for turtle sightings. Divers will find visibility best during the shoulder seasons (May and November). Tour C is an extremely popular option, so avoid weekends and the peak-season crowds if you can.
Diving Helicopter Island
El Nido sits within the Coral Triangle, and diving can pair spectacular biodiversity with the jagged karst formations you see above the water. Helicopter Island is managed as a turtle hatchery by the Asian Conservation Foundation, and even beginners are often lucky enough to spot a green sea turtle during their dive. Divers who are certified for overhead environments love the eerie Dilumacad Tunnel.
Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas
Get Ideas from the Pros
As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.
Build and Research Your Options
Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.
Book Everything in One Place
From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!