El Nido’s four iconic island hopping tours — Tour A, B, C, and D — are the backbone of most visitors’ Palawan itineraries. But which one should you book? This in-depth 2026 comparison breaks down every stop, crowd level, sea conditions, price, and the honest pros and cons so you can pick the right tours for your trip.
El Nido Tours at a Glance
| Tour A | Tour B | Tour C | Tour D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direction | South (inner lagoons) | North (rocky islands) | Far north (open sea) | South (close islands) |
| Highlights | Small Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island | Snake Island, Pinagbuyutan, Cathedral Cave | Helicopter Island, Hidden Beach, Matinloc Shrine | Cadlao Lagoon, Paradise Beach, Bukal Beach |
| Crowd Level | Very high ⚠️ | Medium | Medium–high | Low ✅ |
| Sea Conditions | Calm (sheltered) | Moderate | Choppy in wet season ⚠️ | Calm (sheltered) |
| Snorkelling | Good | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
| Swimming | Good | Good | Excellent (Hidden Beach) | Excellent |
| Duration | ~7 hours | ~7 hours | ~7–8 hours | ~6–7 hours |
| Typical Price (2026) | ₱1,500–2,500 | ₱1,500–2,500 | ₱1,800–2,800 | ₱1,500–2,500 |
Tour A — The Classic (Most Popular)
Tour A is El Nido’s most iconic itinerary and the one most travellers do first — but it’s also the most crowded. If you visit during peak season (January–April), expect to share the Small Lagoon with dozens of kayaks.
Tour A Stops
- Small Lagoon — The jewel of El Nido. A narrow karst entrance opens into a luminous emerald lagoon. Rent a kayak (₱200) to explore independently. Arrive before 9am to beat the crowds.
- Big Lagoon — Larger, swimmable, surrounded by towering limestone cliffs. Stunning at low tide when the water turns impossibly clear.
- Secret Lagoon — A tiny hidden pool accessed via a gap in the rocks. Surreal. Gets crowded by 10am.
- Shimizu Island — Best snorkelling on Tour A. Coral reefs, sea turtles, and colourful fish. Lunch is served here.
- 7 Commandos Beach — White sand, calm water, shade. Popular lunch/last stop. Can feel crowded but remains beautiful.
Who Should Book Tour A?
✅ First-time El Nido visitors who want the classic experience. ✅ Travellers who prioritise lagoon scenery over snorkelling. ❌ Skip if you hate crowds — try Tour D or an early-morning private tour instead.
Tour B — The Hidden Gem
Tour B heads north into a cluster of dramatic, less-visited islands. It’s often rated by repeat visitors as their favourite — better snorkelling than Tour A with noticeably fewer crowds.
Tour B Stops
- Snake Island (Vigan Island) — Famous for a curved sandbar that resembles a snake at low tide. Best viewed from the viewpoint hike (10–15 min, worth it).
- Pinagbuyutan Island — Arguably the best snorkelling in all of El Nido. Giant clams, diverse coral, crystal-clear water. Outstanding.
- Cathedral Cave — A cathedral-ceiling sea cave you enter by boat. Awe-inspiring acoustics and light. Unique to Tour B.
- Pangalusian Island — White sand beach, clear water, turquoise shallows. Quiet and postcard-perfect.
- Cudugnon Cave — A pre-colonial burial cave with ancient pottery remnants. Small and dry — accessible at most tides.
Who Should Book Tour B?
✅ Snorkellers and marine life enthusiasts (Pinagbuyutan is exceptional). ✅ Travellers seeking a slightly quieter alternative to Tour A. ✅ Cave and geology lovers. ❌ Bad in rough weather — the northern route gets choppy from June–October.
Tour C — The Far-North Adventure
Tour C travels furthest from El Nido town and is widely considered the most scenic itinerary. The trade-off: it requires calm seas (check conditions before booking during wet season), and the route is exposed to open water on the way out and back.
Tour C Stops
- Helicopter Island — Named for its shape from above. Excellent snorkelling and a long stretch of quiet beach. Often the best snorkel stop across all four tours.
- Hidden Beach — Only accessible via a swim through a narrow rock gap or by kayak. An entirely enclosed white-sand beach — genuinely magical. Best swimming beach in El Nido.
- Secret Beach — Another enclosed beach, this one accessed by swimming underwater through a submerged rock entrance. Memorable experience.
- Matinloc Shrine — A dramatic abandoned Catholic shrine built into a cliff face. Photogenic views, quirky history.
- Tapiutan Island — Scenic cliff-lined coastline with excellent snorkelling and fewer crowds than Tour A stops.
Who Should Book Tour C?
✅ Swimmers who want Hidden Beach (one of the Philippines’ best). ✅ Photographers seeking dramatic cliff-and-sea scenery. ✅ Visitors during dry season (November–May, ideally January–April). ❌ Avoid in rough weather — the exposed crossing to Matinloc gets uncomfortable in waves. ❌ Not suitable for poor swimmers (Hidden Beach requires a short swim).
Tour D — The Underrated Local Favourite
Tour D is the least-known of the four tours — and deliberately so. Operators often don’t push it as hard. But among travellers who’ve done all four, Tour D frequently surprises as a favourite: calm seas, gorgeous beaches, and dramatically fewer tourists than Tours A or C.
Tour D Stops
- Cadlao Lagoon — A vast, serene lagoon inside the largest island visible from El Nido town. Peaceful paddling, towering karsts, almost no crowd. Exceptional.
- Paradise Beach — Wide, white, and soft — everything you’d expect of a “paradise beach.” Calmer and quieter than 7 Commandos.
- Bukal Beach — An enclosed cove with ankle-deep turquoise water. Ideal for families and non-swimmers.
- Pass Island — A small islet with clear snorkelling and shade. Good for a relaxed afternoon swim.
- Nat Nat Beach — Rustic, windswept, and virtually empty. A favourite of travellers who want an authentic beach moment without the social media crowds.
Who Should Book Tour D?
✅ Families with young children (calm, sheltered beaches). ✅ Travellers who’ve already done Tours A and C and want something new. ✅ Anyone who hates crowds — Tour D runs far fewer boats. ✅ Can be done year-round (sheltered from most swells). ❌ Doesn’t have the dramatic enclosed lagoons of Tour A — if that’s your priority, do A first.
Which El Nido Tour Is Best? (Honest Verdict)
| If you want… | Book |
|---|---|
| The famous lagoons (iconic El Nido) | Tour A |
| Best snorkelling + least crowds | Tour B |
| Most scenic + best swimming beach | Tour C |
| Peaceful, crowd-free, family-friendly | Tour D |
| Best overall combination (2 tours) | Tour A + Tour C |
| Best for repeat visitors or week-long stays | All four tours |
Our recommendation for first-timers with 3+ days: Do Tour A on your first morning (depart 7:30am to beat the crowd), Tour C on a calm-weather day, and Tour D on your last day for a peaceful send-off. If you have a 4th day and love snorkelling, add Tour B.
Private vs Group Tours: Which Should You Choose?
| Group Tour | Private Tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ₱1,500–2,800 | ₱5,000–15,000 for whole boat |
| Crowd level on stops | High (same schedule as others) | Flexible — arrive early at each stop |
| Itinerary flexibility | Fixed | Customisable |
| Best for | Solo travellers, budget travellers | Couples, families, 4+ friends |
If you’re travelling with 4+ people, a private boat often costs a similar per-person price to a group tour — and you control the schedule.
Practical Tips for All El Nido Tours
- Depart early. All group tours leave El Nido beach around 9–10am. Going private lets you depart at 7:30am — you’ll have the first stop to yourself for 30–45 minutes.
- Bring cash. Kayak rentals at lagoons (₱200/kayak), beach fees (₱200/person), and snorkel gear rental are paid cash at each stop. Budget an extra ₱500–800 per person.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen only. Palawan is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve — chemical sunscreens are banned. Bring mineral SPF.
- Bring a dry bag. You will get wet on transfers. Phones, cameras, and wallets need waterproofing.
- Book your tour the day before. Peak season operators fill up fast, especially for private boats.
Environmental Tip
El Nido introduced a tourist environmental fee (around ₱200 per person, included in most tour prices). Do not touch or stand on coral. Palawan has some of the most pristine marine ecosystems in the Philippines — help keep it that way.
For more planning help, read our island hopping packing guide and best time to visit El Nido guide.
