Bacuit Bay, El Nido: Islands, Lagoons and How to See Them

Bacuit Bay is the landscape that made El Nido famous.

Almost everything visitors picture when they think of El Nido is in or around this bay on Palawan’s northwestern coast: giant limestone islands, turquoise lagoons, hidden beaches, coral reefs and traditional bangka boats. El Nido town is the gateway, and the bay is what you came to see.

The wider Bacuit Archipelago has dozens of islands and islets, including Miniloc, Matinloc, Cadlao and Dilumacad. You see them from a boat, and Tour A is the usual first day. Stops and prices vary by operator and season, so check the current itinerary for your dates:

Bacuit Bay at a Glance

Lagoons, Beaches and Tours Beyond the Bay

Many travellers add Nacpan Beach, a dive at South Miniloc, or Kayangan Lake and Twin Lagoon in Coron. These are the current top-rated tours:

Where Is Bacuit Bay?

Directly offshore from El Nido town.

When you stand on the town beach and look out at the limestone islands, you are looking into the Bacuit Archipelago. If you are still working out the journey there, see our guide on how to get to El Nido.

Is Bacuit Bay the Same as El Nido?

No.

El Nido is the wider municipality and the tourism destination. Bacuit Bay is the offshore bay and island group that holds many of its famous sights.

Mainland places such as Nacpan, Duli and Lio are in El Nido but are not part of the offshore island-hopping trips. Our guide to the best beaches in El Nido covers those.

Why Does It Look Like This?

The islands are limestone karst, shaped over geological time by water and erosion.

That process left:

• vertical cliffs;
• caves;
• narrow openings;
• enclosed lagoons;
• sharp pinnacles;
• hidden beaches.

Is the Bay Protected?

Yes. It lies within the El Nido–Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area, which covers both land and sea.

That is why you pay environmental fees, why some lagoons have regulated access and why rules limit what boats and visitors can do at each site.

Miniloc Island

Probably the most famous island in Bacuit Bay. It holds:

• Big Lagoon;
• Small Lagoon;
• Secret Lagoon;
• beaches and snorkeling spots.

Big Lagoon

The signature Tour A stop and the best lagoon for a first visit. Our Big Lagoon guide covers kayaks, access rules and timing.

Small Lagoon

A smaller, enclosed lagoon you enter by kayak. It is on Tour D, on some Tour A boats and on private itineraries; our Small Lagoon guide explains how to check which.

Secret Lagoon

A small enclosed pool you reach through an opening in the limestone. Our Secret Lagoon guide explains how the tide changes the entrance.

Matinloc Island

Matinloc is mostly a Tour C island. Highlights include:

• Hidden Beach;
• Secret Beach;
• Matinloc Shrine;
• snorkeling sites.

Hidden Beach

Tucked behind limestone formations, it is one of El Nido’s most dramatic beach settings.

Secret Beach

You swim or wade in through a gap in the rock from the sea. Whether you can get in depends on the swell on the day.

Cadlao Island

The huge mountainous island you see directly from El Nido town.

Tour D visits parts of the Cadlao area, including a lagoon and quieter beaches.

Cadlao Lagoon

Less famous than Big Lagoon, but a very good stop for kayaking and swimming.

Dilumacad / Helicopter Island

A common Tour C stop, and known to divers for its established underwater sites. Our El Nido diving guide covers those.

Entalula Island

A Tour B beach stop that balances the caves and sandbars elsewhere on that route.

Snake Island

Also called Vigan Island. It is famous for a curving sandbar, not for snakes.

Tour A

Best first tour. Typical highlights:

• Big Lagoon;
• Secret Lagoon;
• Seven Commandos;
• Shimizu or Payong-Payong, depending on the operator.

Choose it for classic El Nido scenery and kayaking. El Nido: Island Hopping Tour A Lagoons and Beaches runs from $25 and is rated 4.4/5 from more than 2,000 reviews.

Tour B

Best for caves, sandbars and variety. Typical highlights:

• Snake Island;
• Entalula;
• Cudugnon Cave;
• Cathedral Cave.

El Nido: Island Hopping Tour B Cudugnon Cave & More runs from $28, rated 4.5/5 from more than 260 reviews.

Tour C

Best for hidden beaches and snorkeling. Typical highlights:

• Hidden Beach;
• Secret Beach;
• Helicopter Island;
• the Matinloc area.

El Nido Island Hopping Tour C: Hidden Beaches & Shrine runs from $30, rated 4.4/5 from more than 790 reviews.

Tour D

Best for quieter lagoons and beaches.

Itineraries vary between operators, so confirm whether yours includes Small Lagoon. El Nido: Hidden Beaches and Lagoons Boat Hopping Tour D (from $50, 4.3/5 from more than 360 reviews) lists Small Lagoon, Cadlao Island, Nat Nat and Paradise Beach, and includes kayak rental and the Small Lagoon entry fee.

Which Tour Should You Choose?

Our island-hopping guide compares every stop, price and inclusion. The short plan by days:

One day

Tour A.

Two days

Tour A, then Tour C.

Three days

A, C and B for the most variety, or swap B for D if kayaking matters more to you than caves.

Four days

Do all four if island hopping is the main reason for your trip.

Best Lagoons

1. Big Lagoon;
2. Small Lagoon;
3. Cadlao Lagoon;
4. Secret Lagoon.

Best Beaches

• Hidden Beach;
• Secret Beach;
• Seven Commandos;
• Entalula;
• Nat Nat.

For a long beach day on your own schedule, mainland Nacpan is easier.

Best for Snorkeling

Tour C usually spends the most time on snorkeling.

Best for Kayaking

Tour A for Big Lagoon; Tour D for Small Lagoon and Cadlao Lagoon, where included.

Best for Families

Tour A works well for many families. Tour B may suit families who prefer caves and sandbars to more exposed swimming stops.

Shared vs Private Boat

Shared tours are the cheapest way to see the bay.

Private boats give families and groups more control over timing, but protected sites still follow the same access rules.

How Long Are Tours?

Most are full days of roughly 6–8 hours.

Environmental Fees

Expect a protected-area environmental fee and, at some lagoons, a separate entry charge.

Ask for the total package price, including kayaks and lagoon fees, before you pay.

Wildlife

The wider protected area supports sea turtles, reef fish, dolphins, dugongs and other marine species.

Do not expect to see all of them on a standard day tour.

Can You Scuba Dive?

Yes. Bacuit Bay has established reef, wall and topography sites, including South Miniloc and Helicopter Island.

Best Time to Visit

The dry season, especially December to April, is the most reliable time for island hopping.

Can Tours Be Cancelled?

Yes. Wind, rough seas and official restrictions can disrupt routes or stop boats for the day.

Schedule your priority tour early in your stay so you have spare days if it is cancelled.

Best 3-Day Plan

Day 1

Tour A.

Day 2

Tour C.

Day 3

Tour B or D.

Bacuit Bay vs Coron

El Nido and Bacuit Bay are best for karst islands, kayaking and hidden beaches.

Coron is best for lakes, lagoons and wreck diving. Our El Nido vs Coron guide helps you split your days.

The two pair well, and the El Nido to Coron expedition links them by boat.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bacuit Bay?

The island-filled bay off El Nido that holds many of its most famous sights.

What is the best tour?

Tour A for first-time visitors.

Which tour includes Big Lagoon?

Tour A.

Which tour includes Hidden Beach?

Tour C.

Which tour includes Snake Island?

Tour B.

Can you explore without a tour?

You need a boat for most offshore sights, so join a shared tour or hire a private boat.

Final Verdict

Bacuit Bay is the reason El Nido became famous.

Start with Tour A, add Tour C, then choose B or D depending on whether caves or kayaking interest you more.

Once you know where the islands sit, El Nido’s lettered tour system is much easier to plan around.