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Serena Island is named after the serenity that characterizes this island located in the pristine town of Linapacan, Palawan, Philippines. Relatedly, the name also implies the mythological sirens (or sirena in the local language) said to be dwelling in remote waters and luring sailors with their magical voices. More importantly, the name connotes the purely spiritual experience an encounter with the island brings to the visitor. Upon stepping on this island, nature embraces you right away and you welcome the feeling of being one with it. The idea of an earthly abode of the gods immediately comes to mind as you realize the island’s abundant woods has an effect all its own. The silence of these ancient trees speaks of solemnity and solitude. Before long, your confrontation with this island’s enigmatic trees will make you understand why Buddha chose the woods to be his privileged hermitage on where to meditate the meaning of life.
Serena Island is shaped like a bone with two large hills as promontories at both sides. Bordered in the east and the west by long stretches of white powdery beach, the complimentary presence of these lovely twin beaches is Serena Island’s one immediate and truly remarkable feature. Both beaches are very wide with extremely white, fine sand, commanding stunning views in every direction. Its soft milky sands will beat out any stress-prevention therapy you ever had in your life. Meanwhile, the flat, middle portion of the island is covered with mature coconut plantations. The two hills are covered in virgin rainforest with large tropical hardwoods. Paired with the surrounding clear, sparkling blue waters revealing rich marine life, the island has the makings of an idyllic tropical paradise. At first sight, this inviting waters at once tempts you to take a plunge and get drenched in blueness liquefied. The corals surrounding the island are huge, colorful, and inhabited by many varieties of fish. Just a few meters off the beach, this magnificent fringing reef is ideal for snorkeling. Interestingly, Serena Island is home to the sea cow or dugong, the appearance from afar underwater of which carries a semblance to the figure of a mermaid. This rare animal feeds on a certain kind of sea grass found on the shores of Serena Island. The significant thing about this is that as long as we see these dugong grasses on the beach of the island, we are certain that this species is still thriving, as these grasses themselves will self-phase out upon the extinction of the sea cows.
Serena Island is situated in the quiet municipality of Linapacan, a former harbour of the Spaniards during the colonial times, situated between the beautiful islands of Coron and El Nido in Palawan. It is ideal for a large-scale resort development. Coming from both towns to the island is an approximately four to five worthwhile hours by boat or 1.5 hours via speedboat. No one who comes to Serena Island leaves without a part of themselves left somewhere on the shores of this piece of heaven on earth.
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