Apart from exploring places and experiencing different cultures, it is inevitable to meet people when traveling. For some, being in a crowd is part of the fun. But for others, it can be overwhelming, making the off-season more appealing.

In the Philippines, when the summer season has its final chapter in late May, many destinations enter their off-season. One such place is the municipality of El Nido in Palawan. Some of its streets, once so crowded during peak season that cars were unable to pass through, become noticeably more relaxed, offering visitors a different side of the popular island destination. While the tropical town’s tourist spots are open for adventure, its less busy period can make local lore hunting a more intimate experience, not just with places and people, but with nature as well.

That’s what Bearcat Travel and Yacht Charters aims to introduce when the quieter months hit El Nido: a responsible take on tourism, a people- and place-first approach to travel, and meaningful partnerships with local communities. Co-founded by Windi Tapawan and her husband, Lonely Planet Philippines lead author Greg Bloom, the boutique travel company has been creating immersive experiences that go beyond the usual tourist trail since 2016.

During a trip led last June, Manila Bulletin Lifestyle experienced a unique local lore hunt through the itinerary and activities curated by Bearcat Travel and Yacht Charters.

El Nido is dotted with a variety of hotels and accommodations to choose from. Some are located in more commercial areas, while others are tucked away in quieter corners of the municipality. We stayed at the latter, which offered a more private, residential-style alternative to conventional hotels.

Lugadia Villas, our home for the duration of the trip, is a destination in its own right. It is close enough to restaurants, markets, and other activities, and is positioned just a short walk from Corong Beach. Unlike conventional hotels, its private spaces, generous interiors, and villa-style amenities make it easy to settle into a slower rhythm.

Local lore hunting is all about exploring the everyday, authentic side of a destination, and our first stop features just that: the rarely seen beauty of El Nido and the people who bring its communities to life. Located in Brgy. New Ibajay, the Dewil Eco-Mangrove Association is a community-led conservation and livelihood project highlighting the area’s 412-hectare mangrove forest.

There are a lot of things to do there, from kayaking to bird-watching. But the best way to experience the area is by taking a mangrove tour along the Dewil River. Local guides lead the tour as they explain the different mangrove species and how the ecosystem supports local livelihoods. The tour ends at a boardwalk, built by the community with the help of private companies, providing a closer look at the river’s ecosystem and wildlife.

An El Nido trip is not complete without a day at the beach. But if you are seeking a more secluded area, heading north of the municipality is the way to go. Located in Brgy. Bucana, Duli Beach has everything you want in a beach escape: serene blue water, golden sand, lush greenery, and a laid-back vibe.

We stopped by Taran Beach Club, a new beach, wellness, and stay destination by local travel company Tao Philippines. Apart from the beach and sky, what will lure you in is the site’s architecture. Designed by Filipino designer David Agamos Padadac of Aga Mos, the property combines concrete and bamboo, with sweeping curves inspired by the natural environment.

Apart from its wellness spaces for yoga, mobility, stretching, and other body-work sessions, the food, too, is something to experience. What they put on the table highlights its “farm-to-table and sea-to-seat” approach. Make sure to order their smoky, tangy kinilaw, while their Ann’s Ube Jam and Mila’s Peanut Butter Banana shakes are the perfect drinks to have when you just want to soak in the view.

Bearcat Travel and Yacht Charters is big on bringing the community together. It hosts a variety of events where locals, tourists, and creatives meet. During that month, it co-presented Fête de la Musique El Nido, turning Lio Beach into a shared stage for musicians and audiences from different backgrounds.

The boutique travel company also highlights its environmental commitments through its work with the Centre for Sustainability Philippines and discussions with the Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines and the Sulubaai Environmental Foundation. One of the activities that spotlights its efforts was its “Stories from Land, Sea, and Forest” at its newly opened Bearcat Travel Lounge inside the Lio Tourism Estate. It featured Filipino films “Busong,” “Iyo Ang Dagat” (The Sea is Yours), and “The Foresters,” with talkback sessions, allowing viewers to get a deep dive into cultural heritage and a unique perspective on our connection to nature, identity, and home.

One of the highlights of our trip with Bearcat Travel and Yacht Charters was its Mimosa Brunch Cruise, one of several experiences aboard its flagship vessel, M/Y Isla. The yacht’s other offerings include the Sundowner Cruise, Bacuit Bay Day Cruise, Sunset Splash, and Ultimate Date Night for couples.

Priced at P3,650 per person, the Mimosa Brunch Cruise is designed for couples and small groups and is also available for last-minute bookings. From 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., guests can enjoy hors d’oeuvres and free-flowing mimosas while sailing through the waters of Bacuit Bay. Those looking to explore beneath the surface can also snorkel, paddle, and float in the bay, making for a leisurely morning that can easily stretch into an afternoon of simply enjoying the sea.