El Nido Tour D Complete Guide: Cadlao Lagoon, Bukal Beach & Hidden Coves (2026)

What Is El Nido Tour D?

El Nido Tour D is the least crowded of the four standard island-hopping tours — and that is precisely its greatest selling point. While Tours A and C draw boatloads of visitors to their famous lagoons and cliff formations, Tour D quietly delivers intimate coves, a stunning enclosed lagoon on Cadlao Island, and long stretches of white beach where you may find yourself almost alone. If you have already done Tours A and C, Tour D is the essential third chapter.

Tour D at a Glance

Detail	Info
Duration	~8 hours (departs ~9:00 AM, returns ~5:00 PM)
Stops	5 stops (Cadlao Lagoon, Bukal Beach, Pasandigan Cove, Nat-Nat Beach, Cadlao Island snorkel)
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)
Crowd level	Low — the quietest standard tour
Best for	Repeat visitors, couples, solitude seekers, kayaking
Snorkelling	Good at Cadlao Island reef

All 5 Stops on El Nido Tour D

Stop 1: Cadlao Lagoon

Cadlao Lagoon is the centrepiece of Tour D and a direct rival to Tour A’s Small Lagoon for sheer beauty. Cadlao Island is the largest island in Bacuit Bay, and the lagoon carved into its southern face is a cathedral of limestone — towering walls rise 80-100 metres on three sides, enclosing calm, mirror-clear water that shifts from emerald to deep cobalt depending on the light.

• Kayaking: Kayaks are included on most Tour D packages. Paddling into the deeper recesses of the lagoon, past overhanging rock formations, is one of the best experiences in El Nido
• Swimming: The lagoon floor drops to 4-6 m — ideal for swimming and floating. No strong currents
• Birdwatching: Cadlao Island is a known habitat for the Philippine cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia). Early morning arrivals have the best chance of spotting them on the cliff face
• Crowds: Significantly lighter than Big Lagoon on Tour A — rarely more than 2-3 boats at any one time
• Time here: ~90 minutes

Stop 2: Bukal Beach

Bukal Beach is a long, curved stretch of white sand on the eastern shore of Cadlao Island, framed by coconut palms and calm shallows. It is one of the best swimming beaches on any standard tour — the gradient into the water is gentle, the sand is fine, and the turquoise water is exceptionally clear.

• Wide beach — rarely feels crowded even when multiple tour boats stop
• Shallow entry makes it accessible for all ages and swimming abilities
• Lunch is typically served here: fresh grilled fish, rice, and local fruit
• Good snorkelling at the rocky headland on the northern end of the beach
• Time here: ~75 minutes (includes lunch)

Stop 3: Pasandigan Cove

Pasandigan Cove (sometimes listed as Paradise Beach on older operator maps) is a small, sheltered inlet with powder-white sand and water so clear you can see the bottom at 4 m depth. The cove is surrounded by low jungle vegetation rather than sheer cliffs, giving it a lush, tropical feel distinct from Tour C’s dramatic limestone stops.

• Excellent for swimming and paddleboarding (some operators bring boards)
• The seagrass beds at the eastern end of the cove are a good area to spot dugong (rare but reported)
• Very low foot traffic — one of the least-visited spots on any standard tour
• Time here: ~45 minutes

Stop 4: Nat-Nat Beach

Nat-Nat Beach is a secluded strip of white sand accessible only by boat, tucked along the coast between Cadlao Island and the mainland. The name is a reminder to bring insect repellent — sand flies (locally called nat-nat) can be present in the early morning and at dusk, though they are rarely a problem during the midday tour window.

• Completely undeveloped — no facilities, no vendors, just beach
• Good snorkelling directly off the beach at the rocky southern point
• The backdrop of jungle-covered hills and distant limestone karsts makes this one of the most photogenic beach stops in all of El Nido
• Time here: ~45 minutes

Stop 5: Cadlao Island Reef (Snorkelling)

The final stop is a snorkelling break at a reef off the western coast of Cadlao Island. The coral here is healthy and well-preserved compared to more heavily visited snorkel sites on Tours A and B, benefiting from Tour D’s lower visitor numbers.

• Diverse coral species: branching Acropora, brain corals, sea fans
• Regular sightings of sea turtles, particularly green turtles (Chelonia mydas)
• Depth ranges from 2-8 m — suitable for both snorkellers and free-divers
• Time here: ~45 minutes

Stop-by-Stop Comparison

Stop	Best Activity	Crowd Level	Swim Required?	Time
Cadlao Lagoon	Kayaking / swimming	Low	Optional	~90 min
Bukal Beach	Beach swim / lunch	Low	No	~75 min
Pasandigan Cove	Swimming / snorkel	Very low	Optional	~45 min
Nat-Nat Beach	Beach / snorkel	Very low	No	~45 min
Cadlao Reef	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, kayak
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

Note on kayaks: Tour D is one of the few standard tours where kayaking is a genuine activity (Cadlao Lagoon) rather than just an option. Confirm that the kayak is included before booking your specific operator, as a small number of budget operators charge extra.

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

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, Pasandigan	Low	Good	Solitude, kayaking, repeat visitors

What to Pack for Tour D

• Insect repellent — the only tour where this is particularly recommended; Nat-Nat Beach earns its name at dawn and dusk (less of an issue midday)
• Reef-safe sunscreen — Cadlao reef is well-preserved; keep it that way
• Dry bag — protect your camera and phone during kayaking in Cadlao Lagoon
• Waterproof camera — the lagoon and reef offer excellent photo and video opportunities
• Rashguard — UV index regularly exceeds 11 in El Nido; kayaking exposes you to full sun
• Water shoes — useful for the rocky snorkel entry points at Bukal Beach and Cadlao reef
• Cash 200-500 PHP — environmental fee at town hall before departure

Best Time of Year for Tour D

Tour D is excellent year-round, as Cadlao Island’s sheltered western coastline is somewhat protected from the north-east monsoon swells that affect Tours A and C during November-February. The lagoon itself is always calm regardless of season.

Dry season (November-May): Ideal conditions across all stops. Cadlao reef visibility reaches 8-12 m. Beaches are pristine.

Wet season (June-October): Tour D is actually one of the better wet-season options precisely because Cadlao Lagoon remains sheltered. Lush vegetation makes Pasandigan Cove and Nat-Nat Beach particularly photogenic during and just after the rainy season. Reef visibility drops to 3-6 m after heavy rain.

How to Book El Nido Tour D

• El Nido Tourism Office (Real Street, in front of Town Plaza) — the official shared tour booking point; Tour D is less popular than A and C so slots are usually available even on the day
• Accredited private operators — beach road operators; confirm Tour D route includes Cadlao Lagoon kayaking before paying
• Your hotel — convenient but 200-400 PHP more; reasonable for Tour D given its lower crowd levels make timing less critical
• Online platforms — Klook and Viator offer Tour D; useful if you want a confirmed slot before arriving

Booking tip: Tour D rarely sells out. Unlike Tours A and C in peak season, same-day booking is usually possible even in December-February. This makes Tour D a good backup if you miss the early booking window for higher-demand tours.

Best Tour Combinations

Most visitors in El Nido for 3-5 days choose two or three tours. Here are the most popular combinations:

Stay Duration	Recommended Combination	Why
2 days of touring	Tour A + Tour C	The iconic lagoons (A) plus best scenery and snorkelling (C)
3 days of touring	Tour A + Tour C + Tour D	Adds the quietest, most secluded experience to the classic pairing
4 days of touring	All four tours	Complete the full El Nido island-hopping experience
Repeat visitor	Tour C + Tour D	Skip the busy Tour A; focus on scenery and solitude

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tour D worth doing if I have already done Tours A and C?

Absolutely. Tour D offers a completely different experience: lower crowds, kayaking in Cadlao Lagoon, undeveloped beaches at Nat-Nat and Pasandigan, and healthy reef snorkelling. Many repeat visitors to El Nido rate Tour D as their favourite precisely because the reduced crowds allow a more authentic and relaxed experience.

Is Tour D suitable for beginners and non-swimmers?

Yes — Tour D is the most accessible of all four tours. No stop requires swimming through passages or cliff climbing. Cadlao Lagoon kayaking is beginner-friendly (calm, shallow water). Life jackets are provided on all boats. Non-swimmers can comfortably enjoy every stop.

What is the difference between Tour D and Tour A?

Tour A focuses on the famous lagoons of the southern Bacuit Bay archipelago (Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon) and draws the highest visitor numbers. Tour D heads north to Cadlao Island, the largest island in the bay, visiting its enclosed lagoon, beaches and snorkel sites with far fewer tourists. Tour A is for iconic bucket-list experiences; Tour D is for tranquillity and discovery.

Does Tour D include kayaking?

Most Tour D operators include kayaks at Cadlao Lagoon as part of the standard package — it is one of the defining features of the tour. Confirm this when booking, as a small minority of budget operators charge an additional 100-200 PHP per kayak.

Why is it called Nat-Nat Beach?

“Nat-nat” is the local Filipino term for sand flies (also called no-see-ums or biting midges). The beach earned the name because sand flies are present in the vegetation bordering the sand, particularly at dawn and dusk. During midday touring hours they are rarely a problem, but bringing insect repellent is still recommended as a precaution.

Final Verdict: Should You Do Tour D?

If you value solitude, authentic discovery, and kayaking over ticking off famous Instagram spots, Tour D may be your single favourite day in El Nido. Cadlao Lagoon rivals anything on Tour A for beauty, and the combination of Bukal Beach, Pasandigan Cove, and Nat-Nat Beach delivers a full day of pristine beaches without the crowds that increasingly define Tours A and C in peak season.

For a complete picture of El Nido island hopping, read our full comparison of all four El Nido tours, or dive deeper with our Tour A guide, Tour B guide, and Tour C guide.

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