El Nido Tour B is often overlooked in favor of the iconic Tour A — and that’s exactly what makes it special. While Tour A draws the biggest crowds to the northern lagoons, Tour B heads to the southern islands and offers excellent beaches, a dramatic cave, and one of El Nido’s most photographed natural formations: Snake Island’s sandbar. This 2026 guide covers every stop, tips for getting the most out of the tour, and how to book.
Tour B Overview
- Route: Southern Bacuit Archipelago islands
- Duration: Full day (~7–8 hours on the water)
- Departs: ~9am from El Nido town pier (earlier on private boats)
- Returns: ~5pm
- Cost: ₱1,200–₱1,500/person (shared tour, lunch included)
- Park fee: ₱200–₱400 (paid separately at pier)
- Includes: Bangka boat, life jackets, snorkel gear, beach lunch
- Best for: Travelers who’ve done Tour A, beach lovers, couples, photographers
Tour B Stops
1. Snake Island (Vigan Island)
The most visually striking stop on Tour B. Snake Island is a slender sandbar that snakes between two islands in an S-curve visible from above. At low tide, you can walk the full sandbar with shallow water on both sides — it’s one of El Nido’s most photographed scenes. Some operators offer a short hike up the island’s hill for an aerial perspective.
- Best for: Photography, sandbar walking
- Tide matters: Visit at low to mid tide; at high tide, much of the sandbar submerges
- Crowds: Can be busy midday; arrive as early in the tour as possible
2. Entalula Beach
A private-feeling stretch of white sand with calm, clear water and good snorkeling on the adjacent reef. This is typically where beach lunch is served — fresh grilled fish, rice, and vegetables. The setting (a quiet beach with limestone cliffs) is quintessential El Nido. Less crowded than Tour A lunch beaches.
- Best for: Swimming, snorkeling, beach lunch
- Snorkeling: Good reef on the beach’s eastern end
3. Cathedral Cave (Cudugnon Cave)
A dramatic limestone cave with a cathedral-like interior — high vaulted ceilings, stalactites, and shafts of light breaking through cracks in the rock. You enter by wading or swimming through the cave entrance. Inside, the scale and silence are impressive. Pre-Hispanic pottery fragments have been found here (now in museums), giving the cave historical depth.
- Best for: Exploration, photography
- Access: Swim or wade through entrance at chest height
- Note: Bring a waterproof phone case or underwater camera
4. Pinagbuyutan Island
A forested island with a beautiful white sand beach and clear water ideal for snorkeling. This stop often has fewer visitors than the main Tour A sites. The island’s coconut palm-lined beach is postcard-perfect, and the reef offshore has healthy coral and good fish diversity.
- Best for: Relaxed beach time, snorkeling
- Wildlife: Monitor lizards are often seen on the beach
5. Pangalusian Island (Some Operators)
Some Tour B itineraries include a stop near Pangalusian Island (home to Pangulasian Island Resort) for additional snorkeling. Check your specific operator’s route — Tour B itineraries can vary slightly between companies.
Tour B vs Tour A: Which is Better?
| Factor | Tour A | Tour B |
|---|---|---|
| Iconic scenery | Outstanding (lagoons) | Good (Snake Island sandbar) |
| Snorkeling | Good | Good |
| Crowds | Very high | Moderate |
| Beach time | Limited | More relaxed pace |
| Cave exploration | None significant | Cathedral Cave |
| Photography | Lagoon shots | Sandbar aerials, cave interior |
Do Tour A first for the must-see lagoon experience. Do Tour B as your second tour — it’s less dramatic but more relaxed, and Snake Island is genuinely spectacular at the right tide.
Tips for Tour B
- Check the tide schedule — Snake Island is best at low tide; ask your operator or check a tide chart the night before
- Bring an underwater camera — Cathedral Cave rewards it; the light through the cave entrance is beautiful
- Start early on a private boat — reach Snake Island before the group boats and you’ll have the sandbar nearly to yourself
- Reef-safe sunscreen only — you’ll be in the water at Entalula and Pinagbuyutan; protect the reef
- Confirm your operator’s exact stops — Tour B itineraries vary; ask before booking which islands are included
How to Book Tour B
Walk into any tour office on El Nido’s main strip (Calle Hama) and book Tour B for the following day. It’s rarely sold out except during Holy Week. Pay the ₱200 Environmental User Fee at the tourism office if you haven’t already. Pay the national park fee (₱200–₱400) at the pier on departure day.
For a full overview of all tours, compare with our guides to Tour A, Tour C, and Tour D. For tips on getting the most from any tour, see our island hopping tips guide.
