El Nido Tour B is the island-hopping route that serious snorkellers and cave explorers put at the top of their list. While Tour A steals the headlines with its famous lagoons, Tour B quietly delivers the best snorkelling in all of Bacuit Bay at Shimizu Island, plus a succession of dramatic sea caves, a shape-shifting sandbar, and one of El Nido’s most beautiful beaches.
If you’ve already done Tour A and want something different — or if incredible underwater visibility and pristine coral reefs are your priority — Tour B is your answer.
El Nido Tour B at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Duration | ~7-8 hours (typically 9am–5pm) |
| Shared Tour Price | ₱1,500–₱2,000 per person (lunch included) |
| Private Boat Price | ₱8,000–₱15,000 for the whole boat |
| Best For | Snorkellers, cave explorers, sandbar seekers |
| Difficulty | Easy to Moderate — some cave swimming required |
| Environmental Fee | ₱200 per person (if not yet paid) |
| Group Size (shared) | Typically 8–15 people per boat |
| Lunch | Fresh seafood BBQ on the beach |
Tour B Stops: Complete Breakdown
1. Shimizu Island — Best Snorkelling in El Nido
Shimizu Island is the crown jewel of Tour B and arguably the single best snorkelling site in the entire Bacuit Archipelago. Unlike most El Nido stops which feature sandy beaches with reefs offshore, Shimizu Island has no beach at all — the limestone walls plunge directly into the ocean, and the water clarity here regularly exceeds 20 metres.
The coral coverage is extraordinary — up to 80% of the reef is intact, a rarity in Southeast Asia where bleaching and tourism pressure have decimated reefs elsewhere. Giant clams the size of dinner tables sit on the sandy bottom. Schools of neon anthias, parrotfish, and wrasse dart through the coral formations. Hawksbill turtles are common visitors. On lucky days, white-tip reef sharks cruise the deeper channels.
Best for: Advanced snorkelling, underwater photography, marine life immersion
Time at stop: 60–90 minutes
Depth: 3–20m (surface to sandy bottom)
Facilities: None — open water entry from the boat
2. Cudugnon Cave — Ancient Burial Site
Cudugnon Cave is one of the most significant archaeological sites in Palawan. In the 1990s, researchers discovered ancient burial jars and artefacts estimated to be over 1,000 years old inside the cave — evidence of a pre-colonial indigenous community that used this coastal cave as a sacred burial ground.
Today, visitors can enter the cave by wading through knee-deep water at the entrance. Inside, stalactites and rock formations create a cathedral-like atmosphere, and the cave opens to a small interior chamber with an interpretive display about the archaeological finds.
Best for: History and culture lovers, cave photography
Time at stop: 30–45 minutes
Access: Wade through shallow water to enter — bring waterproof shoes if possible
Note: Archaeological artefacts must not be touched or disturbed
3. Cathedral Cave
Cathedral Cave earns its name from the soaring limestone chamber within — when the sun hits the cave entrance at certain angles, the light refracts through the water and illuminates the interior in shades of turquoise and gold. The effect is genuinely cathedral-like.
Visitors swim through a low passage (about 1.5m clearance at the entrance — wear a life jacket) to reach the main chamber. Inside, a small beach appears at low tide, and the cave branches into several side passages worth exploring with a waterproof torch.
Best for: Cave exploration, photography, adventurous travellers
Time at stop: 30–45 minutes
Tide dependency: Best at mid-tide when the entrance has clearance but the interior beach is accessible
Skill level: Comfortable swimmers only
4. Snake Island Sandbar (Vigan Island)
Snake Island is Tour B’s most photographed stop — and for good reason. The island, officially called Vigan Island, has a dramatic S-shaped sandbar that extends 500m across the bay at low tide, curving like a snake’s body between two sections of sea.
Walking the sandbar is one of El Nido’s signature experiences: the water on either side is knee-deep and warm, and the views of the surrounding limestone karst islands are outstanding. At the right tide, the sandbar narrows to just a few metres wide, with water on both sides — the photos are unmissable.
Best time to visit: 1–2 hours before low tide for maximum sandbar exposure
Time at stop: 45–60 minutes
Swimming required: No — the sandbar is walkable
Facilities: Small café and restrooms at the island (₱50–100 for use)
5. Pangalusian Island / 7 Commandos Beach (Lunch Stop)
Most Tour B boats take lunch at either Pangalusian Island or 7 Commandos Beach — one of El Nido’s longest and most beautiful white-sand beaches, fringed by coconut palms and backed by a hillside of jungle. This is the place to relax, swim in calm water, and enjoy the classic El Nido island-hopping BBQ lunch.
What’s for lunch: Fresh grilled fish, garlic rice, mixed vegetables, fresh pineapple, and soft drinks — cooked by your boatmen on the beach
Time at stop: 60–75 minutes
Facilities: Basic restrooms, small snack shacks
Tour B vs Other El Nido Tours
| Feature | Tour A | Tour B | Tour C | Tour D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Lagoon | Big & Small Lagoon | No | No | Cadlao Lagoon |
| Best Snorkelling | 3 stars | Shimizu Island 5 stars | 3 stars | 4 stars |
| Caves | Cathedral Cave (Tour A version) | Cudugnon + Cathedral Cave | No | Cudugnon (optional) |
| Sandbar | No | Snake Island | No | No |
| Best Beach | 3 stars | 7 Commandos 5 stars | Hidden Beach 5 stars | Helicopter Island 4 stars |
| Crowds | Busiest tour | Moderate | Moderate | Quietest |
| Best For | First-timers, lagoon lovers | Snorkellers, cave explorers | Couples, romance | Marine life, drift divers |
Our recommendation: Do Tour A first — its lagoons are iconic and the most important first El Nido experience. Then do Tour B on day 2 for the best snorkelling in Bacuit Bay plus the cave and sandbar experiences Tour A doesn’t offer.
How to Book El Nido Tour B
Option 1: Walk-in Booking (Best Price)
Walk along Calle Real (El Nido’s main street) and book directly with any of the dozens of tour operators. Prices are fixed by the local tourism association at ₱1,500–₱2,000 per person for a shared tour including lunch. Booking the day before is usually sufficient except in peak season (December–March).
Option 2: Pre-Book Online
For guaranteed availability in peak season, book in advance via Klook Tour B or KKday. Both platforms offer trusted operators with English-speaking guides, snorkel gear included, and free cancellation.
Option 3: Private Boat Charter
For groups of 4+, a private Tour B boat (₱8,000–₱15,000 for the whole boat) lets you customise your stops, spend longer at Shimizu Island, and avoid sharing the sandbar with 50 strangers. Ask your hotel to arrange directly with a trusted bangka owner — often the best value and most flexible option.
What to Bring on Tour B
- Your own snorkelling mask — Shimizu Island is where equipment quality really matters; rental masks often have poor seals
- Rash guard — essential for the cave swimming and open-water snorkelling (sun exposure is intense)
- Reef-safe sunscreen only — chemical sunscreen is banned in El Nido’s Marine Protected Area
- Waterproof shoes or sandals — Cudugnon Cave entry requires wading; rocky boat entries are common
- Waterproof phone case or GoPro — Shimizu Island and Cathedral Cave produce stunning photos
- Seasickness tablets — Tour B’s route crosses more open water than Tour A
- ₱500–₱1,000 cash extra — for tips, drinks, and any additional entry fees
Best Time for Tour B
| Season | Conditions | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| November – April | Dry season, calm seas, 20m+ visibility at Shimizu | Ideal |
| December – March | Peak season — book in advance, most crowded | Great (busiest) |
| April – May | Hot, calm, excellent visibility, fewer tourists | Best value window |
| June – September | Wet season — tours run but some cancellations | Check day before |
| October | Shoulder month — improving conditions | Increasingly good |
Tide tip for Snake Island: Check the tide table for your visit day. Plan to arrive at Snake Island 1–2 hours before low tide for the most dramatic sandbar exposure. Your tour operator knows the pattern — ask them specifically when they’ll time the Snake Island stop.
Sample Tour B Itinerary
- 8:30am — Meet at El Nido Town Wharf; pay environmental fee if not yet paid
- 9:00am — Depart by bangka toward southern Bacuit Bay
- 9:45am — Arrive Shimizu Island; 90 min snorkelling in pristine coral garden
- 11:15am — Cudugnon Cave archaeology stop; 40 min exploration
- 12:00pm — Cathedral Cave; 40 min swim-through and interior exploration
- 12:45pm — Snake Island sandbar; 60 min walk, photos, wade
- 1:45pm — 7 Commandos Beach or Pangalusian Island for beach BBQ lunch; 75 min
- 3:00pm — Free time on the beach; optional swimming and snorkelling
- 4:00pm — Begin return to El Nido Town Wharf
- 4:45–5:00pm — Back at wharf
Frequently Asked Questions: El Nido Tour B
What is El Nido Tour B?
El Nido Tour B is an island-hopping route visiting Shimizu Island (best snorkelling in Bacuit Bay), Cudugnon Cave (ancient burial site), Cathedral Cave, Snake Island sandbar, and 7 Commandos Beach. It focuses on caves, snorkelling, and sandbars — complementing Tour A’s famous lagoons.
Is Tour B or Tour A better?
Tour A and Tour B offer completely different experiences. Tour A is famous for its lagoons (Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon). Tour B is best for snorkelling (Shimizu Island is unmatched in Bacuit Bay), cave exploration, and the Snake Island sandbar. If you can only do one, Tour A is the classic first choice. If you have two days, do both — they don’t overlap.
Is El Nido Tour B good for beginners?
Yes — Tour B is suitable for beginners. Shimizu Island snorkelling is in calm, clear water at 3–15m. The cave stops require swimming but no special skills. Snake Island sandbar requires no swimming at all. Life jackets are provided throughout the tour.
What makes Shimizu Island special?
Shimizu Island is widely considered the best snorkelling site in El Nido. Its coral coverage reaches 80% intact reef — extraordinary by Southeast Asia standards. Marine life includes giant clams, hawksbill turtles, reef sharks, and dense schools of reef fish. The island has no sandy beach — the limestone walls drop directly into gin-clear water with 15–20m visibility.
Is Snake Island really shaped like a snake?
Yes — at low tide, the 500m sandbar curves in a distinctive S-shape between two sections of sea. The “snake” shape is most visible from above (drone photos) and most dramatic to walk when the sandbar narrows to just a few metres wide. Visit 1–2 hours before low tide for maximum effect.
More El Nido Tour Guides: Tour A: Big Lagoon Guide | Tour C: Hidden Beach Guide | Tour D: Helicopter Island & Sharks | Island Hopping Cost Guide | 20 Best Things to Do in El Nido
