Welcome!

Location

Amanpulo is set on its own private island: Pamalican is among the Quiniluban group, which makes up the northern half of the Cuyo Islands. The southern half is called the Cuyo group. Pamalican is one of the nearly 1,800 islands in the province of Palawan. The largest province in the Philippines, Palawan is about 600 kilometers south and southwest of Manila. Pamalican is a low-lying coralline island covered with a sandy jungle of scrub and thorn-bush thickets. At its widest point, the 5.5-kilometer island is only 500 meters across.

Accommodation

The resort's 40 casitas, 65-square-meter bungalows in hillside and beachside settings, are modeled after the Philippine bahay kubo (native hut). Inside, decorative details reflect the islands: pebble-washed walls; coconut-shell and seashell tables; rustic Palawan rice and knife baskets; a king-size bed with a rattan headboard; sliding glass doors that reveal outdoor decks and his-and-her divans. Nearly half the space in a casita is given over to a Cebu marble bathroom, with twin vanities, separate changing areas, a shower and an elegant bathtub lit by twin wood windows.

Amanpulo's 29 beach casitas come with a private path that leads through a tangle of bush directly onto a white-sand beach. Four treetop casitas climb with the palm trees above the island. Of the seven hillside casitas, two offer especially fine views: sunrise and sunset are visible from casita #39; from the 250-liter, marble bathtub in #40, take in the beach and watch the sun set into the Sulu Sea. The casitas are linked to the resort's facilities by sidewalk-size roads. Guests get around on open-sided, gasoline powered carts, one to each casita.

Amanpulo also has its own private holiday villa for rent. Casa Kalikasan is a luxurious, four-bedroom residence located just a few meters from the sea. The 4,140-meter compound counts nine separate salas, including a lounge, a dining pavilion, a fully equipped kitchen and a beach pavilion, all designed around a grass courtyard. Villa guests have access to all Amanpulo facilities and services. Three staff, permanently assigned to the villa, look after guest needs.

Facilities and Services

The Clubhouse

Amanpulo's central building is the light-filled Clubhouse, where guests are received. The resort lounge and most of its public facilities are located here.

Restaurant and Bar

The Restaurant, located in a wing at one end of the Clubhouse, spills out onto a terrace, with views to Manamoc Island across the channel. There's also a regular lechon (roasted pig) barbeque at the Picnic Grove (weather permitting), with its purpose-built barbeque pit and tandoori oven. The Beach Pavilion offers light meals and refreshments. Enjoy the views from the Clubhouse Bar or take your drinks outside onto the terrace. Private dining is available day and night.

Swimming Pool

Amanpulo's 30-meter swimming pool is bordered by neem trees and two trellises that spill over with boungainvillea. Large, open-air salas are arranged on expansive green behind the pool. The salas come with larger-than-king-size mattresses for all-day, poolside lounging. The pool's aqua tiles mimic the Sulu Sea's reef waters.

Beach Pavilion

Stone steps lead down from the pool to the sand beach and Amanpulo's own Beach Pavilion. Sunlight and shadow rake the open-air Beach Pavilion, a tranquil escape. Half-a-dozen, sand-white mattresses with matching pillows are spread out on the deck, facing the sea. Rattan stools line the Beach Pavilion Bar, and beach umbrellas set in stone tables are coupled with reclining beach chairs.

Library

The plank-floored library is stocked with novels in several languages, children's books, travel guides, magazines and coffee-table books on Philippine art, design and culture. Laser-discs and CDs are also available.

Gallery and Boutique

Amanpulo's two shops specialize in craft from the Palawan region, and are stocked with island beach wear, woven rugs and baskets, jewelry, pottery and other items.

Massage and Beauty Services

The two resident masseuses combine Swedish reflexology with shiatsu massage and offer a range of aromatherapy treatments in the privacy of your casita. Manicures, pedicures, hairstyling, facials and body treatments are also available.

Playground

A smartly designed children's playground , with swings, slides, basketball stands, equipment and picnic tables, is located in the sand near the Picnic Grove.

Meeting Room

Small meetings can be arranged in one of the Clubhouse rooms. Audiovisual equipment is available on request.

Medical Services

A resident nurse is available day and night.

Airport

The island's 1.2-kilometer runway is lit for night landing and manned by Amanpulo's air-traffic controllers.

Activities

Tennis

Two flood-lit tennis courts are located just behind the Clubhouse, with rest salas for drinks and light meals. Balls, rackets and playing partners are available, free of charge.

Star Gazing

Study the planets from the terrace of the Clubhouse Bar. Here, Amanpulo puts out two 850x90 mm astronomical refractor telescopes. Twice a week, trained staff are happy to guide you into the heavens.

Nature Treks

A walk around the island's sand beach will take about two hours. There are also a number of bush paths and two modest hills to explore. At low tide, baby sharks chasing bait fish are sometimes seen in the shallows at Pamalican's southern end. Turtles nest annuallyon the island. Starlings and kingfishers, black-naped orioles, sea eagles, egrets and two dozen more species make their seasonal home on Pamalican and its surrounding shores. Detailed information is available in the library. Amanpulo's own island bird postcards are provided nightly during turn-down service.

Fish Feeding

Mornings, the tropical fish take their breakfast by the Beach Pavilion shore; late in the afternoon, follow the colorful parade from the deck of one of Amanpulo's pontoon boats. Bring your snorkeling equipment for a close-up look. Throughout the day, the fish can ofter be hand-fed in knee-deep water by the Beach Pavilion.

Picnics

Picnic lunches can be organized in the Picnic Grove or any of a number of island hideaways. Picnic baskets may also be delivered to your casita.

Mountain Bikes

Along with mountain bikes, children's bikes are also available on request.

Water Sports Activities

Sailing

The brilliant-blue waters of the Sulu Sea are superb cruising grounds. Amanpulo keeps a variety of boats for island hopping, deep-sea fishing and lazy-day sailing. The Hobie Sports 21, a twin-hulled cruiser, is made for fun, and guests get a 30-minute, complimentary ride during their stay. Amanpulo also maintains a smaller catamaran (a Hobie 16), as well as two Lasers and a fast-planing, fiberglass ski boat. Sailing lessons are available. Dolphin I, Amanpulo's 31-foot fiberglass Gulf Craft, handles everything but the longest charters. A later version, Dolphin II, is three feet longer and equipped with a Yamaha 200hsp twin engine. Dolphin II can take up to 10 guests on half-day and full-day charters. Rounding out the fleet are two spacious pontoon boats - double-decker party boats for snorkeling and sunbathing, as well as sunset cruises and cocktails.

Windsurfing

Amanpulo is a magnet for beginners as well as experienced windsurfers. The island's sand-bottom blue lagoon, located on the windward side, makes for world-class board sailing from December through April. During this period, the northeast trade winds blow, on average, about 20 knots an hour. A Neil Pryde test center, Amanpulo is able to provide top-of-the-line equipment, from 3.6-meter wave sails to 6.5-meter V6 slalom sails, along witha variety of slalom boards and rigs. Amanpulo's Windsurf Hut is located under a canopy of trees just back of Pamalican's east-coast beach.

Fishing

Bottom fish for snapper and grouper at one of Amanpulo's favored fishing spots or troll for wahoo, tuna and mackarel. The resort's 25-foot, center console game boat is equipped with a five-line spread for game fishing.

Snorkeling and Kayaking

Snorkelers can commandeer one of the Malibu ocean kayaks. Tie up at one of several buoys and take to the sea from there. The clam and the pier areas are popular stops; several scuba diving sites are also accessible to snorkelers.

Scuba Diving

Aquaventure, Amanpulo's dive company, is a five-star PADI operation offering courses ranging from introductory to advanced. For novice divers, Amanpulo is a welcoming retreat, with glassy seasin front of the Beach Pavilion and a gentle drop-off to deeper waters. For certified divers, there are a number of fine sites on both sides of Pamalican, all within easy reach by dive boat. (Certified divers should bring their C-cards with them; non-certified divers are advised to bring a medical certificate.)

All equipment is provided by Amanpulo's Dive Shop. Underwater lights are also available. Divers must be at least 12 years of age. Programs are subject to availability.