El Nido sits at the northern tip of Palawan, the gateway to Bacuit Bay — a sweep of 45 limestone islands famous for hidden lagoons, white sand coves, and intact coral reefs. Most of those highlights are only reachable by bangka (outrigger boat), which is why island hopping is the single most-booked activity in town. To manage capacity and protect the bay, the El Nido Tourism Office has consolidated all stops into four fixed routes: Tour A, Tour B, Tour C, and Tour D.
This guide compares the four tours head-to-head — stops, snorkeling quality, crowds, cancellation risk, and the mandatory fees — so you can pick the right one (or right combination) for your trip.
Why island hopping is essential in El Nido
Bacuit Bay’s signature views — Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Hidden Beach, Helicopter Island — are not accessible by land. A handful of beaches (Nacpan, Lio, Maremegmeg) can be reached by tricycle, but the lagoons, caves, and offshore reefs require a tour. For an itinerary perspective on which beaches to visit overland, see our El Nido island hopping tips.
Tour A: The Classic Lagoons Route
Tour A is the most popular and the typical first-day pick for first-time visitors. The route stays inside Bacuit Bay and focuses on the iconic karst lagoons. Read more on our dedicated Tour A complete guide.
Big Lagoon
An emerald lagoon enclosed by towering limestone cliffs, accessed through a narrow channel. You can swim, kayak, or simply float. Big Lagoon is a separately managed protected area: visitors pay an additional ₱200 environmental fee at the entrance, on top of the standard ETDF.
Small Lagoon
Entry is through a narrow cleft in the cliff wall; visitors swim or kayak through. The inner pool is calmer and feels secluded.
Shimizu Island & other stops
Shimizu Island is consistently rated among El Nido’s best snorkeling spots — intact table corals, sea fans, and tropical fish. Other Tour A stops include Secret Lagoon (a hidden pool behind a rock wall) and 7 Commando Beach for lunch.
Best for: first-time visitors who want the bucket-list shots.
Tour B: Caves and Sandbars
Tour B is quieter than A and trades lagoons for cave geology and sandbars. See the full Tour B guide for stop-by-stop detail.
- Snake Island — named for the curving sandbar that emerges at low tide, connecting two islets.
- Cudugnon Cave — an archaeological site where pottery dating to China’s Song Dynasty (960–1279) has been found; also used by locals as a hideout during WWII.
- Cathedral Cave — a soaring sea-level cavern, viewed from the boat.
- Pinagbuyutan Island — fine white sand framed by palms and cliffs; often called the prettiest beach on Tour B.
Best for: travelers who’ve done Tour A or who enjoy caves and quieter spots.
Tour C: Open Sea & Hidden Beaches
Tour C ventures to the outer rim of Bacuit Bay, which means more open water and the highest cancellation risk in rough seas. Detail on the route is in our Tour C complete guide.
- Helicopter Island (Dilumacad) — named for its profile; calm 1–4 m shallows are friendly for beginner snorkelers.
- Hidden Beach — only revealed at low tide between two rock walls.
- Secret Beach — accessed by swimming through a fissure in the cliff; famously rumored to have inspired Alex Garland’s novel The Beach.
- Matinloc Shrine — an abandoned chapel with a viewpoint over the archipelago.
- Star Beach — typical lunch stop.
Best for: travelers chasing snorkeling and remote beaches.
Tour D: The Quiet Alternative
Tour D is the lowest-profile route, deliberately skipping the most-photographed spots. Expect fewer crowds and a slower pace.
- Cadlao Lagoon — on Cadlao, the largest island in Bacuit Bay; calm shallows are beginner-friendly for snorkeling.
- Paradise Beach, Pasandigan Beach, Bukal Beach, Natnat Beach — quieter white-sand coves.
- Ipil Beach — common lunch stop.
Best for: return visitors, families, anyone craving quiet.
Tour A vs B vs C vs D comparison table
| Tour | Theme | Signature stops | Snorkeling | Crowds | Cancellation risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tour A | Classic lagoons | Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Shimizu Island | High (Shimizu) | High | Low |
| Tour B | Caves & sandbars | Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave, Pinagbuyutan | Moderate | Moderate | Low |
| Tour C | Open sea & beaches | Helicopter Island, Hidden Beach, Secret Beach | High | Moderate | Higher (sea state) |
| Tour D | Hidden coves | Cadlao Lagoon, Paradise Beach, Pasandigan | Moderate | Low | Low |
Exact stop order is decided on the day based on weather and crowding.
Costs & ETDF fees
Two mandatory official fees apply to every island-hopping visitor:
- Eco-Tourism Development Fee (ETDF) — raised to ₱400 per visitor in 2024, valid for 10 days, paid at the port or your hotel. Funds coral protection and municipal projects.
- Big Lagoon (and similar) per-site fee — an extra ₱200 collected at certain lagoon entrances.
Shared-tour pricing typically runs ₱1,200–₱1,800 per person (lunch, snorkel gear, and life vests included). Private boats run roughly ₱6,000–₱10,000 per boat per day and give you flexibility to mix stops. For a deeper price breakdown, see our island hopping cost guide. Prices are typical market ranges — confirm with your operator.
Pre-trip tips
- Sun protection: long sun-shirts, a hat, and reef-safe sunscreen. Boats offer little shade.
- Gear: mask/snorkel are provided, but bringing your own is more hygienic.
- Cash: ETDF, the Big Lagoon fee, and any drinks are cash-only (Philippine peso).
- Seasonality: the dry season (November–May) has the calmest seas; Tour C is more likely to be cancelled in the June–October rainy season.
- Snorkeling angle: if your priority is the underwater experience, also see our El Nido snorkeling guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do all four tours in one day?
No. Each tour is a full-day excursion (roughly 9 AM–4 PM), so you can only do one per day. To cover all four, plan at least four full days.
Which tour should I do first?
Most travelers and operators recommend starting with Tour A for the iconic lagoons. If you have 3+ days, add Tour C or D for snorkeling and quieter beaches.
Why does Tour C get cancelled so often?
Tour C ventures into open water at Bacuit Bay’s western rim, so it’s more sensitive to swell. Operators typically decide the night before or the morning of, and either reroute or refund.
Can I book a private boat instead?
Yes. Private charters let you mix stops across tours (e.g., Big Lagoon plus Hidden Beach in one day) — but confirm the operator has secured a Big Lagoon slot, since daily quotas apply.
Is the ETDF fee mandatory?
Yes. The Eco-Tourism Development Fee is a municipal ordinance; no boat will take you to the tour sites without proof of payment.
Sources
- Municipality of El Nido — El Nido Collects Fees to Fund Environmental Protection
- Guide to the Philippines — El Nido Island Hopping: Tours A, B, C, D
- Snorkeling Report — Snorkeling El Nido, Palawan – Tour A
- Featured image: Pexels / Ferdie Cayanga (CC0)
