El Nido Tour C Complete Guide: Helicopter Island, Hidden Beach & Star Beach (2026)

What Is El Nido Tour C?

El Nido Tour C is widely regarded as the most scenic and secluded of the four standard island-hopping tours. While Tour A draws the biggest crowds with its iconic lagoons, Tour C rewards travellers who want dramatic sea cliffs, hidden beaches accessible only by swimming, and a Matinloc Shrine perched above the Pacific. If you only have time for two tours, Tour A and Tour C is the classic combination recommended by most seasoned Palawan visitors.

Tour C at a Glance

Detail	Info
Duration	~8 hours (departs ~9:00 AM, returns ~5:00 PM)
Stops	5 stops (Helicopter Island, Star Beach, Hidden Beach, Matinloc Shrine, Tapiutan Strait)
Shared boat price	~1,500-1,800 PHP per person
Private boat price	~4,500-6,000 PHP per boat
Environmental fee	200 PHP per person (paid at town hall, required)
Best for	Hidden beaches, dramatic cliffs, cliff jumping, less crowded stops
Difficulty	Moderate (some stops require swimming or short climbs)
Snorkelling	Excellent at Helicopter Island and Tapiutan Strait

All 5 Stops on El Nido Tour C

Stop 1: Helicopter Island (Dilumacad Island)

The tour begins at Helicopter Island — named for its shape when viewed from the air, resembling a helicopter with rotors extended. It is the highlight most visitors remember longest.

• Cliff jumping: A popular 4-6 metre jump from the limestone cliff face draws brave swimmers. The jump is unofficial; always assess depth before leaping.
• Snorkelling: Coral gardens along the northern tip shelter parrotfish, sea turtles, and clownfish. Visibility is usually 5-10 m.
• White sand strip: A narrow 50 m beach appears at low tide — perfect for photos. It disappears completely at high tide.
• Time here: ~90 minutes

Stop 2: Star Beach

Star Beach (also called Star Lagoon Beach) is a white-sand cove flanked by towering karst cliffs on three sides. The water is calm, shallow and a brilliant aquamarine — one of the most photogenic stops on any tour.

• Excellent for swimming and wading — depth stays below 1.5 m near shore
• Occasional starfish spotted in the seagrass beds (hence the name) — look, do not touch
• Lunch is served here on most shared tours (usually grilled fish, rice, and fresh fruit)
• Time here: ~75 minutes (includes lunch)

Stop 3: Hidden Beach (Matinloc Beach)

Hidden Beach is the most dramatic stop on Tour C. Completely enclosed by limestone cliffs, the only entrance is a narrow underwater passage you swim through from the boat — roughly 3 metres of swimming, then you emerge into a secret cove with powder-white sand and vivid turquoise water that feels entirely cut off from the world.

• Swimming is required — there is no non-swimming entrance
• Life jackets are provided; non-swimmers can wear one and be guided through by the crew
• The cove holds roughly 30-40 people comfortably; arrive early on shared tours to enjoy it less crowded
• No snorkelling inside — the cove is shallow and calm
• Time here: ~45 minutes

Stop 4: Matinloc Shrine

Matinloc Shrine sits atop a limestone headland with a staircase carved into the rock. A small Catholic shrine stands at the summit; the panoramic views of Bacuit Bay, Helicopter Island, and the surrounding archipelago are arguably the best 360-degree vistas of any Tour C stop.

• ~60 steps up the limestone staircase (moderate fitness required)
• View platform looks across to Tapiutan Island and Helicopter Island simultaneously
• Small lagoon at the base of the shrine is excellent for snorkelling
• Time here: ~45 minutes

Stop 5: Tapiutan Strait

The final stop is a snorkelling session in Tapiutan Strait, the channel between Tapiutan Island and Matinloc Island. Strong currents channelled through this passage create ideal conditions for coral growth, and the underwater scenery here is the richest of any Tour C stop.

• Coral coverage is high — expect staghorn, brain, and table corals
• Fish density is impressive: schools of fusiliers, humphead wrasse, and occasional reef sharks
• Current can be moderate — stay near the boat if you are a less confident swimmer
• Time here: ~45 minutes

Stop-by-Stop Comparison

Stop	Best Activity	Crowd Level	Swim Required?	Allocated Time
Helicopter Island	Cliff jump / snorkel	Medium	Optional	~90 min
Star Beach	Swim / lunch	Medium	No	~75 min
Hidden Beach	Secret cove swim	Low-Medium	Yes (3 m)	~45 min
Matinloc Shrine	Panoramic views	Low	No	~45 min
Tapiutan Strait	Snorkelling	Low	Optional	~45 min

2026 Pricing: Shared vs Private Boat

Option	Price (2026)	Group Size	Inclusions
Shared boat	1,500-1,800 PHP / person	~12-15 pax	Boat, guide, lunch, snorkel gear
Private boat (small)	4,500-5,500 PHP / boat	Up to 6 pax	Same + flexible schedule
Private boat (large)	5,500-7,000 PHP / boat	Up to 12 pax	Same + extra comfort
Environmental fee	200 PHP / person	—	Mandatory, paid at town hall

Pricing tip: Book directly through accredited operators at the El Nido Tourism office for the cheapest rates. Hotel desks typically add 200-400 PHP markup. Private boats are worth it for groups of 4+, as the per-person cost approaches shared rates while giving you flexibility to linger at each stop.

How Tour C Compares to Tours A, B, and D

Tour	Signature Stops	Crowds	Snorkelling	Best For
Tour A	Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon	Very high	Good	First-timers, iconic lagoons
Tour B	Snake Island, Cathedral Cave, Cudugnon Cave	Medium	Moderate	Geology fans, cave explorers
Tour C	Helicopter Island, Hidden Beach, Matinloc	Medium	Excellent	Dramatic scenery, hidden spots
Tour D	Cadlao Lagoon, Bukal Beach	Low	Good	Off-the-beaten-path, uncrowded

What to Pack for Tour C

• Rash guard or UV shirt — UV index in El Nido regularly hits 11-12 (extreme); you will be exposed on open water for hours
• Reef-safe sunscreen — Bacuit Bay is a protected marine sanctuary; chemical sunscreen damages coral reefs
• Dry bag — essential for the Hidden Beach swim-through; protect your phone and valuables
• Waterproof camera or phone case — Tapiutan Strait is the best underwater photography stop of all four tours
• Water shoes — Helicopter Island has sharp coral rocks near the shoreline
• Cash 200-500 PHP in small bills — environmental fee must be paid in cash at town hall before departure
• Motion sickness tablets — the open-water crossing to Helicopter Island can be choppy November-March

Best Time of Year for Tour C

The ideal window is November through May (dry season). Sea conditions are calm, Tapiutan Strait visibility reaches 10-12 m, and the Hidden Beach swim-through is smooth and manageable for all fitness levels.

June to October (wet season): Tours still operate and prices are considerably lower, but the Hidden Beach passage can be rougher when swells push through. Tapiutan Strait visibility drops to 3-5 m after heavy rainfall.

Best time of day: Tours depart at 9 AM. Arriving at Helicopter Island between 9:30-10:30 AM puts you ahead of the noon rush when three or four shared boats converge simultaneously.

How to Book El Nido Tour C

• El Nido Tourism Office (Real Street, in front of the Town Plaza) — official accredited shared tour booking; queue fills from 7 AM on peak days
• Accredited private operators — dozens of operators along the beach road; check the accreditation sticker before paying
• Your hotel — convenient but 200-400 PHP more expensive; fine if convenience is worth the premium
• Online pre-booking — Klook and Viator sell Tour C packages; recommended for December-February when same-day slots sell out by mid-morning

Book the day before if possible. Shared tours frequently sell out by 8 AM on peak season days. For private boats, 48 hours advance notice is strongly recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is El Nido Tour C better than Tour A?

They offer different experiences rather than one being objectively superior. Tour A has the iconic Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon that most visitors consider unmissable. Tour C delivers more dramatic cliff scenery, the unforgettable Hidden Beach swim-through, and the best snorkelling of any tour at Tapiutan Strait. Most visitors with time do both. If choosing only one: first-timers typically prefer Tour A; repeat visitors and snorkelling enthusiasts tend to prefer Tour C.

Can non-swimmers do Tour C?

Yes, with one caveat: Hidden Beach requires a 3-metre swim through an underwater passage. Non-swimmers wearing a life jacket can be guided through by the crew, but it can feel challenging for those uncomfortable in the water. All other stops — Star Beach, Matinloc Shrine, and Tapiutan Strait from the boat — are accessible without swimming.

How much does El Nido Tour C cost in 2026?

Shared boats cost 1,500-1,800 PHP per person. Private boats range from 4,500-7,000 PHP depending on boat size, not including the mandatory 200 PHP environmental fee per person. Prices have risen approximately 10-15% from 2024 levels.

Is Helicopter Island on Tour C or Tour A?

Helicopter Island (Dilumacad Island) is exclusively a Tour C stop. It does not appear on the standard Tour A route. Tour A highlights are Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and Shimizu Island.

Is the cliff jump at Helicopter Island safe?

The cliff jump is informal and not organised by tour operators. The jump site is approximately 4-6 metres above the water. Local guides know the safe entry points. Always confirm water depth and check for underwater rocks before jumping — especially at low tide. Not recommended for non-confident swimmers.

Final Verdict: Should You Do Tour C?

Absolutely — Tour C is essential El Nido. Hidden Beach alone justifies the full day. Pair it with Tour A for the complete El Nido experience, or combine Tour C and Tour D for a two-day itinerary covering the archipelago most dramatic western reaches with relatively light crowds. For snorkellers, Tour C Tapiutan Strait delivers the best underwater experience of all four standard tours.

Ready to plan your El Nido island hopping? Read our complete comparison of all four El Nido tours, our Tour A complete guide, or our Tour B complete guide.

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