Cuyo

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Beach scene with large white letters spelling "CUYO" on the sand, perfect for starting an island-hopping adventure. Greenery and a small blue-roofed structure are adjacent. The shoreline curves to the right with gentle waves under a partly cloudy sky.

Cuyo is a small island in the open ocean, so the winds are consistent, making it a good spot for kitesurfing. And unlike Boracay, it is not so well known, so you can expect a lot more space.

As one website wrote, when comparing the different surfing spots in the country:

What to Expect:  There are a few different spots on Cuyo Island, which is found almost in the middle of the Sulu Sea, just south of the windiest region during Amihan season. Victoria Beach gets a side onshore wind, while Capusan beach has a wealth of shallow water and offshore winds. Quijano Windsurfing Retreat which is also known as Anino Retreat, offers a vast virgin and reef-protected lagoon with sandy bottom sea, smooth onshore wind and small waves that are perfect for those just stepping into the amazing thrill of kitesurfing. Very few visitors know about this spot, which makes it extra safe for rookie kiters. The thing to watch out for in Cuyo is that during low tide the water heads so far out that there isn’t enough water to kite in.
Category: Beginner to advanced.

You can also check out our own comparison of kitesurfing spots in the Palawan area.

Getting There

Map of the Philippines showcasing islands and coastal regions like Boracay and Panay, ideal for island hopping adventures or a boat tour. The map highlights geographical features, place names, and smaller gems such as Cuyo in the region.

Located east of El Nido and southwest of Borocay, with sporadic ferries, it’s not the easiest place to get to (click to enlarge):

Discover the Cuyo Island Flights & Ferry schedule for 2017–2018 by Cuyo Watersports Association. Featuring air and sea travel details with timings for routes like Iloilo, Puerto Princesa, Manila, and Coron, it's perfect for island hopping enthusiasts. Contact information and footnotes are included.

As the image instructs, make sure to confirm the schedule beforehand, as it can often change.

Zooming in closer we can see a lot of other islands in the area:

Map showing the Cuyo Islands in the Philippines, with several labeled islands such as Cuyo, Agutaya, and Capnayan. The map includes scale and directional markers, with small icons indicating popular island hopping spots and boat tour routes for exploring this tropical paradise.

Map displaying Agutaya Island and Cuyo Island against a blue background, perfect for planning your next boat tour or kite surfing adventure. The islands, along with smaller surrounding islets, are labeled. Magsaysay is marked near Cuyo Island.

Unfortunately I did not get a chance to check out any of the surrounding islands, but I will try to come back at a later point to do so.

When you get off the ferry and walk to the gate at the beginning of the pier, hang a left and soon enough you will find Nikki’s Pension. Affordable and did the trick for my short stay.

Since I had about a day before another ferry went on to my next destination, decided to rent a motorbike to explore the island.

Map showing Cuyo Island, perfect for kite surfing and island hopping, with marked locations including Cuyo, Magsaysay, Aguada, and Bonbon. Nearby islands and Cuyo Airport are labeled. A route to Puerto Princesa is indicated, with a scale of 5 km.

Going counter clockwise I thought I’d check out the smaller white road along the shore:

Map of Cuyo Island highlighting roads and key spots like Cuyo, Gomez, and Magsaysay. Perfect for island hopping enthusiasts, it features Aguada Mountain and Step XIII with a 2 km scale bar for distance reference.

Rather enjoyable and perhaps the most fun of the island.

Three wooden boats rest on a sandy beach beneath palm trees as the ocean waves gently wash ashore on a cloudy day. It's the perfect scene for island hopping in Cuyo or perhaps setting up for an exhilarating kite surfing adventure nearby.

One part was close enough to take a peak at the ocean.

A serene beach in Cuyo with golden sand, gentle waves, and scattered seaweed awaits. Palm trees line the right side, with boats moored along the shoreline—perfect for island hopping. The overcast sky adds a calm atmosphere to this picturesque scene.

After that the only interesting part I found was at the northeast corner:

Map showing a section of Cuyo, with Cuyo Airport, San Miguel Arkanghel Church, and D’Romielea’s Place. Key roads like Arguelles Street are featured. The map also highlights Lucbuan Hill, the coastline ideal for kite surfing, island hopping adventures, and thrilling boat tours.

Following sign around the San Miguel church:

Poster for Anino Kite Resort on Cuyo Island. Showcases kiteboarding lessons, rentals, and boat tours amid tropical scenery with palm trees, huts, and beach. Includes rates, contact details, island hopping options, and seasonal pricing from April to September and October to March.

Didn’t check out Anino Kite Resort but seems to have nice enough reviews on Trip. So went to check out D’Romielea’s Place instead:

A stone path leads to a wooden sign reading "D' Romielea's Place" in a lush, green environment. Trees and foliage surround the entrance, with a glimpse of water hinting at nearby island hopping adventures. The area has a serene and natural ambiance.

Somewhat of a goofy place, but hey, what’s a tourist supposed to do?

A garden path leads to a wooden table and bench by the sea, surrounded by rocks and greenery. A garden gnome statue sits atop a rock in the foreground. Nearby, a colorful kite surfing sail dances in the breeze, while two mermaid figures watch from the background with a hill across the water.

A large seashell-shaped sculpture sits on a rocky shoreline beside a rustic wooden picnic table and benches. Nearby, boats prepare for an island hopping tour across the calm waters, with lush green hills under a cloudy sky providing a picturesque backdrop.

Sculptures of a fish and a crab grace the large rocks by the seaside, with the ocean in the background alive with the thrill of kite surfing.

A serene coastal view features a round wooden table and benches in the foreground. A weathered statue stands amidst lush greenery by the water's edge. Bamboo rafts float nearby, hinting at an island hopping adventure, with a rustic hut visible in the background under a cloudy sky.

A lush garden with a stone pathway winds through large rocks and tropical plants, reminiscent of an island-hopping escape. A stone bench and various potted plants are scattered along the path, while a large tree spreads its branches above, providing shade like a private retreat in Cuyo.

On the rocky shoreline of Cuyo, large dinosaur skull sculptures stand majestically near the water. A concrete path winds through the rocks, perfect for a stroll before island hopping. The ocean stretches out in the background under a cloudy sky.

A shaded seating area with wooden benches and a table under a thatched roof overlooks a sandy beach, perfect for island hopping or kite surfing. The calm ocean stretches out to small islands and a mountain visible on the horizon, offering an idyllic view of Cuyo's serene beauty.

A large tree with thick branches is surrounded by a bamboo bench, perfect for relaxing after an exhilarating kite surfing session. Nearby, a hammock hangs between posts, with wooden tables and stools scattered around. The shaded area offers a peaceful retreat amid lush greenery.

Then it was back to the town of Cuyo to check out it’s long beach and lie on a bench before catching my ferry.

A serene beach scene with a sandy shoreline stretching into the distance under a cloudy blue sky. The ocean is calm, with gentle waves lapping at the shore, perfect for island hopping adventures. In the background, a boat can be seen on the water.

A serene beach scene unfolds with a wide stretch of light brown sand and gentle waves, perfect for Cuyo island hopping. Sparse clouds dot a blue sky, and small hills with greenery rise behind. A few small buildings are nestled along the shoreline, completing the picturesque setting.

A peaceful outdoor setting with a circular arrangement of wooden benches and a table under a tree. The scene overlooks a tranquil body of water perfect for kite surfing, with green hills in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Following is a short video clip of the consistent winds I experienced here, mixed in with a band I played shortly with at my next destination, Iloilo:

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We are a family operation managing private custom boat tours in the beautiful Palawan area, and are happy to help travelers with their plans through the country, having traveled a lot of it ourselves and planning to visit it all.

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