El Nido Island Hopping: Tours A, B, C, D — Complete Guide

Island hopping is the main reason most people come to El Nido.

The limestone cliffs, turquoise lagoons and tiny beaches seen in photographs of Palawan are largely scattered around Bacuit Bay, rather than sitting directly beside El Nido town. To experience them, you need to get on a boat.

El Nido’s standard island-hopping trips are divided into four routes: Tour A, Tour B, Tour C and Tour D — and they are not simply four versions of the same trip. Each covers distinct terrain: lagoons, caves, hidden beaches, coral gardens, and sandbar picnic spots. You can do multiple tours on consecutive days; many visitors combine A + C or A + D.

If you only have one day, Tour A is the easiest recommendation. If you have two days, Tour A + Tour C gives most first-time visitors the best combination.

El Nido Tours A, B, C and D at a Glance

Published itineraries can change because of weather, closures, tides and local access rules, so always check the actual stop list.

Which Tour Should You Book?

One island-hopping day

Tour A.

Two days

Tour A + Tour C.

Three days

Tour A + Tour C + Tour B for maximum variety, or substitute D if lagoons interest you more than caves.

Four days

Do all four if island hopping is the main purpose of your trip.

Quick Answers: Which Tour Has What?

Which tour has Big Lagoon?

Tour A.

Which tour has Small Lagoon?

Small Lagoon appears on Tour A with the main licensed operators (the current GetYourGuide Tour A itinerary includes it), though some operators run it as part of Tour D. If Small Lagoon is essential, verify the operator’s current route before booking.

Which tour has Secret Beach?

Tour C. Do not confuse Secret Beach with Secret Lagoon on Tour A.

Which tour has Hidden Beach?

Tour C.

Which tour has Snake Island?

Tour B.

Best tour for snorkeling

Tour C generally has the strongest snorkeling emphasis.

Best tour for kayaking

Tour A for Big Lagoon. Tour D for Cadlao-area kayaking where included.

Which tour is least crowded?

Usually B or D, although no popular El Nido route should be expected to be completely empty.

Beyond the four lettered routes, Bacuit Bay is only half of what northern Palawan offers — Coron’s Kayangan Lake and Twin Lagoon and the multi-day El Nido to Coron expedition are the other half. Here are some of the highest-rated experiences in the region:

Tour A: The Classic El Nido Tour

Tour A is what most people picture when they think of El Nido, and the route most first-time visitors should prioritise.

Key stops: Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Seven Commandos Beach

Big Lagoon

Big Lagoon is the main attraction. Visitors normally transfer to kayaks when the tide allows and paddle through a narrow entrance cut in the limestone into a cathedral-like enclosed lagoon. Our full Big Lagoon guide covers kayak rental, timing and how long you actually get inside.

Secret Lagoon

Secret Lagoon is far smaller — you enter through a small opening in the limestone into an enclosed pool, sometimes with a short swim through an underwater cave.

Shimizu Island

Usually used for swimming, snorkeling or lunch.

Seven Commandos Beach

A straightforward sandy beach stop that works well toward the end of the tour.

Who should choose Tour A?

Choose it if:

• this is your first visit;
• you have only one boat day;
• Big Lagoon is a priority;
• you want kayaking;
• you want the classic El Nido experience.

The main disadvantage is popularity. Tour A is the most crowded route: during peak season, the Big Lagoon entrance can queue for 15–20 minutes and the lagoon itself fills with kayaks. Early morning departures (7–7:30am) experience significantly less crowding than mid-morning boats.

Best for: First-time El Nido visitors, photographers, families with older children. Rating: 4.4/5 from 1,900+ bookings on GetYourGuide.

Tour B: Caves, Sandbars and Quieter Islands

Tour B receives less attention, which can be an advantage — it skips the famous lagoons for an exploration of El Nido’s cave formations and sandbars.

Key stops: Snake Island, Entalula Beach, Cudugnon Cave, Cathedral Cave, Pinasil Island

Snake Island

The highlight is a curving sandbar that appears differently according to the tide.

Cudugnon Cave

Adds geological variety to the day and gives Tour B a completely different feel from the lagoon-heavy routes.

Cathedral Cave

A dramatic limestone opening — a large sea cave entered by boat when sea conditions allow, with shafts of light illuminating the interior. Less visually dramatic than Tour A’s lagoons on social media but often more memorable in person.

Who should choose Tour B?

Choose it if:

• you have already done Tour A;
• you want caves and sandbars;
• you prefer a route that feels less like the greatest hits;
• you are staying long enough for three or four boat days.

Best for: Travelers who’ve done Tour A, those interested in geology and cave systems. Rating: Fewer bookings than Tour A; typically highly rated by those who choose it.

Tour C: Hidden Beaches and Snorkeling

Tour C is the strongest competitor to Tour A for the title of best El Nido tour. It covers the outer edge of Bacuit Bay, visiting beaches that feel genuinely remote.

Key stops: Hidden Beach, Secret Beach, Helicopter Island, Matinloc Shrine, Talisay Beach

Hidden Beach

A beautiful stretch of white sand enclosed by limestone walls, accessible only through a narrow gap you swim through.

Secret Beach

Even more tucked away — reached through a narrow opening in the rock. Access depends heavily on sea conditions.

Helicopter Island

A major swimming and snorkeling stop named for its distinctive profile.

Matinloc Shrine

Adds a cultural element: a small chapel on a clifftop with sweeping views over the bay.

Who should choose Tour C?

Choose it if:

• snorkeling is a priority;
• you are comfortable swimming;
• Hidden Beach and Secret Beach are high on your list;
• you already booked Tour A.

Tour C can be more exposed to waves than Tour A.

Best for: Those seeking privacy over famous sights, experienced swimmers. Rating: Slightly less reviewed than Tour A but consistently highly rated.

Tour D: Quieter Lagoons and Beaches

Tour D is the least famous route and can therefore be attractive to repeat visitors — the most peaceful of the four, with space and quiet over headline sights.

Potential stops include:

• Cadlao Lagoon;
• Paradise Beach;
• Pasandigan Cove;
• Nat Nat Beach;
• Small Lagoon (with some operators).

However, current Tour D itineraries vary between operators more than the other routes. If a specific stop is essential, confirm it is included before booking.

Who should choose Tour D?

Choose it if:

• you love kayaking;
• you have already done Tour A;
• you prefer quieter routes;
• you are on a second or third day in El Nido and want to see less-visited areas.

Tour A vs Tour C

Choose Tour A for:

• Big Lagoon;
• kayaking;
• iconic limestone scenery;
• first-time visits.

Choose Tour C for:

• Hidden Beach;
• Secret Beach;
• snorkeling;
• more adventurous swimming.

If you can do both

Do both. They complement one another remarkably well.

Can You Do Tour A and C in One Day?

Combination tours are not always permitted or practical because of regulated lagoon access and route management.

Even where a legal private combination is possible, squeezing the strongest parts of A and C into one day can turn the experience into a race.

If possible, give them separate days.

How Much Do Tours Cost?

Shared tours are commonly advertised in roughly the ₱1,200–₱1,800 range per person (approximately $20–$30), depending on route and operator.

Possible extras include:

• Eco-Tourism Development Fee;
• premium lagoon access fees;
• kayak rental;
• snorkeling equipment;
• towels.

Environmental fee: El Nido charges an ₱600–₱1,500 tourism fee per person (Ecotourism Enterprise Zone fee — amount varies by zone visited). Operators typically include this in their quoted price; confirm before booking.

Always ask for the total expected cost.

Group Tour or Private Boat?

Shared tour

Best for solo travellers, couples and value.

Private tour

Best for families, groups and travellers who value timing flexibility. Private boat charters run ₱4,500–₱7,500 per boat ($75–$130), worthwhile for groups of 4–6 who want a flexible itinerary.

A private boat does not allow you to ignore regulated route and lagoon-access rules.

What Should You Bring?

Bring:

• swimwear;
• sunscreen;
• rash guard;
• hat;
• sunglasses;
• dry bag;
• waterproof phone pouch;
• towel;
• water shoes;
• cash;
• motion-sickness medication if needed.

Weather and Cancellations

Routes can change because of wind, waves, tides and official restrictions.

Tour C is particularly sensitive to open-water conditions.

If your priority tour is important, schedule it early in your El Nido stay rather than on the final possible day. See our best time to visit El Nido and Coron guide for the seasonal picture.

Booking Tips

Book independently through a licensed operator rather than through unlicensed touts on the beach. GetYourGuide lists vetted operators with real reviews, transparent cancellation policies, and fixed prices.

If island hopping is the heart of your Palawan plan, consider going further: the multi-day El Nido to Coron expedition extends the same boat-day rhythm across the remote islands between the two destinations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best tour in El Nido?

Tour A for most first-time visitors.

Is Tour A or Tour C better?

A for lagoons and kayaking; C for hidden beaches and snorkeling.

Which tour includes Big Lagoon?

Tour A.

Which tour includes Secret Beach?

Tour C.

Which tour includes Snake Island?

Tour B.

How many tours should I do?

Two is ideal for most visitors: A + C.

Final Verdict

For a first trip, start with Tour A.

If you have another day, add Tour C.

Choose B for caves and sandbars, and D for quieter kayaking and lagoon-focused sightseeing.

The key is not choosing the letter with the most stops. It is choosing routes that give you different experiences rather than repeating the same day four times.