El Nido Island Hopping Tours A B C D: Complete Guide 2026

El Nido's island-hopping tours are the reason most people visit Palawan. Four standardized routes — Tours A, B, C, and D — cover the Bacuit Archipelago's 45 islands, taking you to lagoons, hidden beaches, snorkelling sites, and limestone caves by traditional bangka outrigger boat.

This guide covers exactly what each tour includes, which stops are worth it, how much everything costs, and how to book.

Overview: The Four Tours

All tours include: boat, crew, snorkelling gear (basic), lunch (usually grilled fish, rice, vegetables), and environmental fee collection assistance.

Tour A — The Classic (Most Popular)

Stops: Big Lagoon → Small Lagoon → Secret Lagoon → Seven Commandos Beach → Shimizu Island → Entalula Island

Tour A is El Nido's most iconic route and the most visited. Big Lagoon — enclosed by 200m vertical limestone cliffs with turquoise water — is the defining El Nido image. Small Lagoon is accessed by kayak (₱200 rental) through a narrow rock opening. Secret Lagoon requires swimming through a crevice in the cliff.

Best stops:

• Big Lagoon — kayak through the entrance for the full experience (arrive early to beat crowds)
• Secret Lagoon — small hidden beach inside a limestone enclosure
• Seven Commandos Beach — classic white-sand beach for lunch and swimming

Crowd warning: Tour A is the most crowded. Big Lagoon at 11am–1pm can have 20+ boats simultaneously. Book early departure (6–7am) to arrive before the rush.

Cost breakdown:

• Tour price: ₱1,200–1,400
• Kayak rental (Big Lagoon): ₱200
• Environmental fee: ₱200 (if not yet paid)
• Lagoon entrance fees: ₱200 each (Big + Small Lagoon)
• Tips for crew: ₱100–200 (optional but appreciated)

Tour B — The Sandbar & Caves

Stops: Snake Island → Pinagbuyutan Island → Cudugnon Cave → Cathedral Cave → Bukal Island

Tour B is the least visited of the four tours, making it the best choice for avoiding crowds. Snake Island — a tidal sandbar that appears and disappears with the tide — is the highlight: a narrow strip of white sand connecting two islands, surrounded by shallow turquoise water.

Best stops:

• Snake Island sandbar — arrive at low tide (check tide tables) for the full sandbar experience
• Pinagbuyutan Island — long white-sand beach with good snorkelling at the rocky edges
• Cudugnon Cave — small limestone cave with a beach inside, accessible by swimming

Tide timing matters: Snake Island sandbar is only visible at low tide. Ask your tour operator to check tide tables and time the visit accordingly.

Best for: Travellers who've done Tour A, those wanting fewer crowds, sandbar photography.

Tour C — Beaches and Hidden Coves

Stops: Helicopter Island → Matinloc Shrine → Hidden Beach → Secret Beach → Talisay Beach

Tour C covers the southern part of the Bacuit Archipelago with a different character from Tour A — more beaches, fewer lagoons. Helicopter Island (named for its shape from the sea) delivers iconic views. Secret Beach is accessible only by swimming through a narrow underwater passage — one of El Nido's most dramatic experiences.

Best stops:

• Secret Beach — swim through an underwater rock passage into a hidden cove (requires confident swimming)
• Helicopter Island — best photographed from the boat approaching the island
• Talisay Beach — long, quiet beach with good snorkelling

Swimming ability required: Secret Beach involves a 3–5m underwater swim through a rock passage. Not suitable for non-swimmers or those uncomfortable underwater.

Best for: Confident swimmers, beach lovers, those wanting an alternative to Tour A's lagoon crowds.

Tour D — The Hidden Gem

Stops: Cadlao Lagoon → Paradise Beach → Nat Nat Beach → Bukal Island

Tour D is the least-known and least-crowded of the four tours, covering the northern part of the archipelago near Cadlao Island. Cadlao Lagoon is a quieter alternative to Tour A's lagoons — similar limestone scenery with far fewer boats. Paradise Beach lives up to its name: a long, pristine white-sand beach with excellent snorkelling.

Best stops:

• Cadlao Lagoon — similar to Big Lagoon but significantly less crowded
• Paradise Beach — El Nido's best-kept secret beach, often nearly empty
• Nat Nat Beach — quiet cove with good snorkelling

Best for: Repeat visitors, those who've done Tours A and C, travellers prioritizing solitude over iconic locations.

Private Tours vs Group Tours

Group tours (₱1,200–1,600): Join 10–15 other travellers on a shared bangka. Fixed itinerary, fixed timing, lunch included. Best value for solo travellers and budget-conscious visitors.

Private tours (₱6,000–15,000/boat): Hire the entire boat for your group (up to 6–12 people). Customize your itinerary, set your own pace, arrive at stops before group tours. Cost per person is similar to group tours for groups of 4+.

Private tour advantages:

• Arrive at Big Lagoon before 9am (before group tours)
• Skip stops you don't want, spend longer at favourites
• No waiting for other passengers
• Better photos without crowds

Booking Tips

Where to book: Tour operators line El Nido's main street (Real Street). Walk in the day before — prices are fixed by the local tourism office, so there's no advantage to booking far ahead. Reputable operators include El Nido Boutique & Art Café, Tao Philippines, and dozens of licensed operators.

When to book: Book the evening before your tour. Same-day booking is possible but tours fill up in peak season (December–March).

What to bring:

• Reef-safe sunscreen (regular sunscreen damages coral — some operators check)
• Waterproof bag for phone and valuables
• Water shoes (rocky beach entries, sea urchins)
• Extra cash (₱500–1,000 for fees, kayak rental, drinks)
• Towel (not provided)
• Snorkelling mask (tour gear is basic — bring your own if possible)

Environmental fees: Pay the ₱200 Eco-Tourism Development Fee at the tourism office before your first tour. It's valid for 10 days and covers all four tours. Lagoon entrance fees (₱200 each for Big and Small Lagoon) are paid separately on Tour A.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which El Nido tour is best?

Tour A is the most iconic — Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, and Secret Lagoon are El Nido's defining attractions. Do Tour A first. If you have 2+ days for tours, add Tour C (best beaches) or Tour D (fewest crowds). Tour B is worth it specifically for Snake Island sandbar at low tide.

How much do El Nido island-hopping tours cost?

Group tours cost ₱1,200–1,600 per person depending on the tour. Add ₱200 for the environmental fee (one-time, 10-day validity), ₱200 per lagoon entrance fee on Tour A, and ₱200 for kayak rental at Big Lagoon. Budget ₱2,000–2,500 total for Tour A with all fees.

Can you do multiple tours in one day?

No — each tour takes 6–7 hours including travel time. Most visitors do one tour per day. With 3–4 days in El Nido, you can comfortably complete all four tours.

What is the best time to do Tour A?

Book the earliest departure (6–7am) to arrive at Big Lagoon before the midday rush. By 11am, Big Lagoon has 15–20 boats simultaneously. Early morning light is also better for photography.

Are El Nido tours cancelled in bad weather?

Yes — tours cancel when seas are rough, typically during the southwest monsoon (June–October). Tour operators assess conditions daily. If your tour cancels, you receive a full refund or can reschedule. Wet season (June–October) sees 30–50% cancellation rates; dry season (November–May) cancellations are rare.

Browse our El Nido region page for live hotel rates and resort comparisons. See our Best Time to Visit El Nido guide for seasonal tour conditions and our Best Beaches in El Nido guide for detailed beach profiles at each tour stop.