El Nido Island Hopping Tours: The Complete Guide to Tours A, B, C & D

If there is one thing you absolutely cannot skip in Palawan, it is the El Nido island hopping tours. Towering limestone cliffs, hidden lagoons you reach by kayak, powder-white sandbars, and water so clear it looks photoshopped — this is the bucket-list scenery that put El Nido on the map. But with four standard tour routes (cleverly named A, B, C and D), combo options, joiner versus private boats, and a tangle of fees, first-timers can feel overwhelished before they even step on a boat.

This guide breaks down every El Nido boat tour in plain language: exactly what you will see on el nido tour a b c d, which one to pick, what is included, current price ranges, the permits you will pay, and the smartest order to tackle them over 2 to 4 days. We will also show you how basing yourself on the quieter side of the bay at Bucana Beach makes the whole experience calmer, cheaper, and more memorable.

How El Nido Island Hopping Works

El Nido's coastline sits inside Bacuit Bay, a protected archipelago of roughly 45 islands and islets. Because the highlights are spread out, the local tourism board long ago organised the most popular spots into four numbered day-tour routes. Each tour is a full day (roughly 9:00 AM to 4:00–5:00 PM) on a traditional outrigger boat called a bangka.

A typical day looks like this:

• Morning pickup from El Nido town pier (or a meeting point near your accommodation)
• 4 to 5 stops for swimming, snorkelling, lagoon exploring and beach time
• A fresh grilled lunch served buffet-style on a beach or boat
• Return to town by mid-to-late afternoon

You can book a joiner tour (you share the boat with other travellers, usually 10–20 people) or a private tour (just your group). More on that choice below.

El Nido Tour A — Lagoons & Beaches (The Classic First Day)

Tour A is the most popular route and the one most people do first. It is home to the iconic Big Lagoon El Nido, the single most photographed spot in all of Palawan.

Stops on Tour A:

1. Big Lagoon — A jaw-dropping channel of emerald water hemmed in by sheer karst walls. You glide in by boat or paddle through it by kayak. Going early or paying the kayak add-on rewards you with calmer water and fewer crowds.
2. Small Lagoon — Reached through a narrow gap in the rock that you swim or kayak through. Quieter and more intimate than its big sister.
3. Secret Lagoon — A hidden pool accessed via a tiny crack in a limestone cliff that you squeeze through.
4. Shimizu Island — A reliable snorkelling stop, often where lunch is served, with colourful fish around the coral.
5. 7 Commandos Beach — A long, palm-fringed stretch of white sand. The perfect mellow finish with a fresh buko (coconut) in hand.

Best for: First-timers, lagoon lovers, anyone who wants the postcard shot. If you only have time for one tour, many travellers choose A.

Tip: Big Lagoon now requires a separate kayak in many cases, and entry is sometimes time-slotted to protect the lagoon. Going with an operator who knows the schedule (we can help arrange this) saves you a long wait.

El Nido Tour B — Caves, Sandbars & History

Tour B is the most underrated route and the quietest of the four. It mixes beaches with caves and a famous sandbar, so it appeals to travellers who want variety beyond lagoons.

Stops on Tour B:

1. Snake Island (Vigan Island) — A spectacular S-shaped sandbar that appears at low tide, connecting two islands. Climb the small viewpoint for a top-down photo.
2. Pinagbuyutan Island — A dramatic, cone-shaped karst island with a gorgeous strip of beach at its base.
3. Cudugnon Cave — A historic cave you crawl into through a small entrance; once a shelter and archaeological site.
4. Cathedral Cave — A towering sea cave you view from the boat, with cliffs that resemble a cathedral facade.
5. Entalula Beach — A peaceful, picture-perfect cove, often used for lunch.

Best for: Travellers who want fewer crowds, a bit of history, and that famous Snake Island sandbar shot.

El Nido Tour C — Hidden Beaches & Shrines (Often the Favourite)

Tour C is the route most repeat visitors call their favourite. It ventures further out to the Matinloc and Tapiutan islands, delivering the most dramatic cliff scenery and the best snorkelling of the four routes.

Stops on Tour C:

1. Hidden Beach — Tucked behind a wall of rock, this secluded cove is reached by swimming around or through a gap. Stunning and sheltered.
2. Secret Beach — The inspiration behind Alex Garland's novel The Beach. You swim through a small crack in a cliff to reach an enclosed lagoon-beach hidden inside the island.
3. Matinloc Shrine — An abandoned shrine complex with a short hike to a panoramic viewpoint over the bay. The view is one of the best in El Nido.
4. Helicopter Island (Dilumacad Island) — Named for its shape, with a long beach and excellent snorkelling.
5. Star Beach — A vibrant snorkelling spot rich with marine life and coral, a great way to end the day.

Best for: Snorkellers, photographers, repeat visitors, and anyone chasing the most epic cliff-and-cove scenery. If you have time for two tours, A + C is the most popular combination.

El Nido Tour D — The Quiet Lagoons & Beaches

Tour D is the newest and least crowded route, focusing on islands and lagoons closer to El Nido town and Cadlao Island. It is a gentler, more relaxed day.

Stops on Tour D:

1. Cadlao Lagoon — A serene, shallow lagoon below Cadlao Island (the tallest island in the bay), with beautiful turquoise water.
2. Paradise Beach / Pasandigan Beach — A wide, soft-sand beach ideal for swimming and lounging.
3. Natnat Beach — A quiet snorkelling beach with good coral close to shore.
4. Bukal Island — A small island with clear water and a calm, off-the-radar feel.

Best for: Families, travellers who have already done A/B/C, and anyone who wants a slower, crowd-free day on the water.

El Nido Tour A B C D: Which Should You Pick?

Here is the quick decision guide for el nido tour a b c d:

• Have one day? → Tour A (Big Lagoon + the classics) or Tour C if you prioritise snorkelling and scenery.
• Have two days? → Tour A + Tour C — the unbeatable combo that covers lagoons and the best cliffs/beaches.
• Have three days? → Add Tour B for caves and the Snake Island sandbar.
• Have four days? → Finish with Tour D for a relaxed, crowd-free wind-down (and keep one day as a buffer for weather).

Combo Tours

Some operators offer combo tours that pull the best stops from two routes into a single day (for example, "A + C combo"). These are great if you are short on time, but be realistic: you will see highlights, not everything, and the day feels rushed. If you can spare the days, separate tours are more rewarding.

What's Included on an El Nido Boat Tour

Most standard El Nido boat tours include:

• Boat and crew for the full day
• A fresh buffet lunch — typically grilled fish, pork or chicken, rice, vegetables, and tropical fruit served on a beach
• Snorkelling gear (mask and snorkel) — fins are sometimes extra, so confirm
• Bottled or refilled drinking water
• Life jackets and basic safety equipment

Usually NOT included:

• Environmental fee and permits (see below)
• Kayak rental at Big Lagoon / Small Lagoon (an add-on, see below)
• Towels, alcohol, and personal extras
• Hotel pickup outside the standard meeting points (ask in advance)

Prices, Environmental Fees & Permits

Prices shift with season, fuel, and operator, so treat these as general ranges rather than fixed quotes.

Joiner tour (per person, shared boat):

• Roughly PHP 1,400–2,000 per tour, lunch included.

Private tour (whole boat for your group):

• Roughly PHP 7,000–14,000+ depending on group size, boat, and route.

Kayak add-on:

• Roughly PHP 300–600 per kayak (often required at Big Lagoon).

The El Nido Environmental Eco-Tourism Development Fee (ETDF):

• A mandatory permit of around PHP 200–400, valid for about 10 days, that you buy once and can use across multiple tours. Keep the receipt — you will be asked to show it.

These fees fund conservation in Bacuit Bay, so they are non-negotiable and well worth it. Always confirm with your operator what is and isn't bundled before you pay.

Private vs Joiner Tours: Which Is Right for You?

Joiner tours are budget-friendly and social — perfect for solo travellers, couples, and anyone happy to share the day with a friendly group. The trade-off is a fixed itinerary and busier stops.

Private tours cost more but give you flexibility: a customised route (mix stops from different tours), your own pace, earlier starts to beat crowds at Big Lagoon, and the whole boat to yourselves. For families, special occasions, or groups of 4+, a private boat is often surprisingly good value per head.

What to Bring on Your El Nido Island Hopping Tour

Pack light but pack smart:

• Reef-safe sunscreen (regular sunscreen is discouraged to protect the coral)
• Rash guard or light long-sleeve for sun protection in the water
• Dry bag for your phone, cash, and valuables
• Water shoes / sandals — many landings are rocky
• A waterproof phone case or GoPro for the lagoons
• Cash for fees, drinks, and tips (no ATMs on the islands)
• A hat, sunglasses, and a light towel
• A change of clothes for the ride home

The Best Order Over 2–4 Days

To avoid burnout and beat the crowds, here is a suggested rhythm:

• Day 1 — Tour A: Start with the showstoppers (Big Lagoon) while you are fresh.
• Day 2 — Tour C: The scenic, snorkel-heavy favourite.
• Day 3 — Tour B: Caves, history, and the Snake Island sandbar.
• Day 4 — Tour D (or rest): A relaxed final day, or a buffer in case weather cancels an earlier tour.

Always build in one flexible day. Bacuit Bay tours can be cancelled for rough seas, especially in the wetter months, and you will be glad of the spare time.

Base Yourself at Bucana Beach

Here is a secret most guidebooks miss: you do not have to stay in busy, noisy El Nido town to do the island hopping tours.

Bucana Beach is a peaceful beachfront destination just 25 minutes from El Nido town, in Zone 3, Barangay Bucana, Palawan. You wake up to the sound of the sea instead of tricycles and bars, then head out to the same world-class tours — refreshed and ready. We sit on the quieter side of the area, so you trade crowds for calm without sacrificing access.

Why island hoppers love staying here:

• Easy tour pickups — we can help organise your El Nido island hopping tours (A, B, C, D, combos, joiner or private) and coordinate transfers.
• Quieter, calmer base — come back to a tranquil beach, not a party street.
• Two great properties to choose from:
  • The Sanctuary — our serene beachfront retreat. Book The Sanctuary on Booking.com
  • Zhaya's Beach & Cottages — rated a strong 8.4, relaxed and great value. Book Zhaya's Beach & Cottages on Booking.com

Ready to plan your trip? Message us and we will help you map out the perfect 2–4 day island hopping itinerary, sort your permits, and get you on the right boat.

• Website: thesanctuary.ph
• Phone: get in touch

Stay where it is quiet, hop where it is stunning. That is the Bucana Beach way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which El Nido tour is best?

Tour C is most often named the favourite for its dramatic cliffs, hidden beaches, and best-in-bay snorkelling, while Tour A is the most popular for the iconic Big Lagoon. If you can only do one, choose A for the classic lagoon experience or C for scenery and snorkelling. If you can do two, A + C is the unbeatable combination.

Can you do all 4 tours?

Yes. Many travellers do all four over 3 to 4 days. We recommend spacing them out (one per day) so you do not get island-hopping fatigue, and leaving one flexible day in case a tour is cancelled for weather. Combo tours can also compress highlights from two routes into a single day if you are short on time.

How much do El Nido boat tours cost?

As a general range, joiner tours run roughly PHP 1,400–2,000 per person including lunch and snorkel gear, while private tours start around PHP 7,000 and rise with group size and route. On top of that you will pay a one-time environmental eco-tourism fee of about PHP 200–400 (valid ~10 days) and an optional kayak rental of around PHP 300–600 at Big Lagoon.

Is lunch and snorkel gear included?

Usually yes. Standard El Nido island hopping tours include a fresh grilled buffet lunch served on a beach plus a mask and snorkel. Fins are sometimes an extra charge, so confirm with your operator. Bring your own reef-safe sunscreen, dry bag, water shoes, and cash, as those are not provided.

Do I have to stay in El Nido town to join the tours?

No. You can stay on the quieter coast at Bucana Beach, just 25 minutes from town, and still join all four tours. We help arrange pickups, permits, and transfers so you get the same world-class island hopping with a calmer, more relaxing home base at The Sanctuary or Zhaya's Beach & Cottages.

Planning your El Nido adventure? Let Bucana Beach help you organise your island hopping tours and a peaceful beachfront stay. Visit thesanctuary.ph or call get in touch.