El Nido Tour D is the island-hopping route that most travellers don’t book — and that’s exactly what makes it special. While everyone crowds Tours A and B, Tour D takes you to Bulalacao Island, Helicopter Island, Cadlao Lagoon, and Pation Island for uncrowded beaches, world-class snorkelling, and jaw-dropping limestone scenery.
Table of Contents
- What Is El Nido Tour D?
- Tour D at a Glance: Key Facts
- Tour D Stops: Complete Breakdown
- Tour D vs Other El Nido Tours: Which Is Best for You?
- How to Book El Nido Tour D
- What to Bring on Tour D
- Best Time to Do Tour D
- Tour D Marine Life: What You’ll See Snorkelling
- Sample Tour D Itinerary
- Frequently Asked Questions: El Nido Tour D
- Final Verdict: Should You Do Tour D?
- What Is El Nido Tour D?
- Tour D at a Glance: Key Facts
- Tour D Stops: Complete Breakdown
- Tour D vs Other El Nido Tours: Which Is Best for You?
- How to Book El Nido Tour D
- What to Bring on Tour D
- Best Time to Do Tour D
- Tour D Marine Life: What You’ll See Snorkelling
- Sample Tour D Itinerary
- Frequently Asked Questions: El Nido Tour D
- Final Verdict: Should You Do Tour D?
What Is El Nido Tour D?
Tour D is one of four official island-hopping tours in El Nido. It focuses on the northern portion of Bacuit Bay, visiting smaller, less-touristed islands with the best snorkelling of all four tours.
Tour D at a Glance: Key Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Duration | ~7-8 hours (9am-5pm) |
| Shared Tour Price | ₱1,500-₱2,000 per person (lunch included) |
| Private Boat Price | ₱8,000-₱15,000 for whole boat |
| Best For | Snorkellers, couples, shark seekers, photography |
| Difficulty | Easy — gentle snorkelling, no cliff jumps |
| 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 D Stops: Complete Breakdown
1. Helicopter Island (Dilumacad Island)
Helicopter Island (officially called Dilumacad Island) gets its nickname from its helicopter-like shape when viewed from the water. Up close it reveals a 200m white sand beach backed by swaying palms and sheer limestone walls. Snorkelling here has 60-80% coral coverage with parrotfish, wrasse, and the occasional sea turtle.
Best for: Swimming, snorkelling, beach photos | Time at stop: ~60-90 minutes | Facilities: None — bring sunscreen and water
2. Bulalacao Island — Blacktip Reef Sharks
Bulalacao is where Tour D earns its reputation. The island is nicknamed “Shark Fin Island” for its jagged limestone peak — and it has a permanent population of blacktip reef sharks. Sightings are common: the sharks cruise the sandy bottom in 3-5m of water, often visible from the surface. Coral gardens here are some of the healthiest in Bacuit Bay.
Best for: Snorkelling, shark encounters, underwater photography | Time at stop: ~45-60 minutes | Visibility: 10-20m on calm days
3. Cadlao Lagoon
Cadlao Island is the largest island in Bacuit Bay, and its lagoon is one of El Nido’s best-kept secrets. Unlike the lagoons on Tour A which require kayaking, Cadlao Lagoon is accessible by bangka — your boat enters directly into a sheltered bay surrounded by 400m limestone cliffs draped in jungle. The water is a brilliant emerald-green.
Best for: Photography, swimming, peaceful exploration | Time at stop: ~45-60 minutes | Pro tip: Visit in the morning for the best light filtering through the cliff gap
4. Pation Island — Lunch Stop and Sandbar
Most Tour D operators serve lunch at Pation Island, where a small beach and sandbar appear at low tide. Lunch is the classic El Nido island-hopping spread: fresh grilled fish, rice, vegetables, and pineapple cooked by your boatmen on the beach. The snorkelling around Pation’s rocky outcrops reveals moray eels, lionfish, and nudibranch.
5. Cudugnon Cave (Optional)
Some Tour D operators include a short stop at Cudugnon Cave, an archaeological site where ancient burial jars were discovered. It requires a short wade through knee-deep water to enter. Not all operators include this — confirm in advance.
Tour D vs Other El Nido Tours: Which Is Best for You?
| Feature | Tour A | Tour B | Tour C | Tour D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Famous Lagoons | ✅ Big & Small Lagoons | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ Cadlao Lagoon |
| Caves | ✅ Cathedral Cave | ✅ Multiple caves | ❌ | ✅ Cudugnon (optional) |
| Sharks / Marine Life | ⬜ Moderate | ⬜ Moderate | ❌ | ✅ Blacktip reef sharks |
| Crowds | 🔴 Very busy | 🟡 Moderate | 🟡 Moderate | 🟢 Quietest tour |
| Best Beach | ⬜ Good | ✅ Shimizu Island | ✅ Hidden Beach | ✅ Helicopter Island |
| Snorkelling Quality | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | ✅ Best of all four |
| Best For | First-timers | Spelunkers | Romance | Snorkellers & nature lovers |
How to Book El Nido Tour D
Option 1: Shared Tour (Budget-Friendly)
Join 8-15 other travellers for ₱1,500-₱2,000 per person. Walk-in at Calle Real (El Nido main street) or pre-book via Klook or KKday.
Option 2: Private Tour (Best Experience)
A private Tour D boat (₱8,000-₱15,000) gives you complete flexibility: longer at Bulalacao for sharks, skip stops if conditions are wrong, adjust your lunch time. For groups of 4+, private cost per person often rivals the shared tour.
What to Bring on Tour D
- 🩱 Swimwear + rash guard (sun is intense on open water)
- 🥽 Snorkelling mask — bring your own for hygiene and proper fit
- ☀️ Reef-safe sunscreen only — chemical sunscreen is banned in El Nido Marine Protected Area
- 💦 Waterproof phone case or GoPro — shark photos are unmissable
- 💧 Refillable water bottle — boats carry limited water
- 🤢 Seasickness tablets if prone — open water crossing can get choppy Nov-Feb
- 💵 Cash ₱500-₱1,000 extra — for tips, drinks, or last-minute kayak rentals
- 🎒 Dry bag — bangka benches get wet when waves splash in
Best Time to Do Tour D
| Season | Conditions | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| November – May | Dry season, calm seas, best visibility | ✅ Ideal |
| December – March | Peak season — book in advance | ✅ Great (busiest) |
| April – May | Hot, calm, fewer tourists | ✅ Best value |
| June – October | Wet season — tours operate but risk of cancellation | ⚠️ Check day before |
| July – August | Peak typhoon season — Tour D northern route more exposed | ❌ Not recommended |
Tour D Marine Life: What You’ll See Snorkelling
- 🦈 Blacktip reef sharks at Bulalacao — common year-round
- 🐢 Green sea turtles at Helicopter Island reef — frequent
- 🐠 Giant clams, lionfish, moray eels at Pation rocky outcrops
- 🐡 Parrotfish, wrasse, and damselfish at all stops
- 🦑 Octopus and cuttlefish in shallow sandy areas around Cadlao
Snorkelling tip: The blacktip reef sharks at Bulalacao are skittish — approach slowly, avoid sudden movements. They will circle naturally and come within 3-5 metres if you stay calm.
Sample Tour D Itinerary
- 8:30am — Meet at El Nido Town Wharf; pay environmental fee if not yet paid
- 9:00am — Depart by bangka; 30-40 min crossing to northern Bacuit Bay
- 9:45am — Helicopter Island; 90 min beach + snorkelling
- 11:15am — Bulalacao Island; 60 min shark encounter + reef exploration
- 12:35pm — Pation Island beach BBQ lunch; 75 minutes
- 2:00pm — Cadlao Lagoon swimming + exploration; 60 minutes
- 3:15pm — Optional: Cudugnon Cave (30 min) if included
- 4:30-5:00pm — Return to El Nido Town Wharf
Frequently Asked Questions: El Nido Tour D
Is Tour D worth doing if I’ve already done Tour A?
Absolutely — Tour D and Tour A visit completely different islands. Tour D is less crowded and has better snorkelling than Tour A. If you’re spending 4+ days in El Nido, we strongly recommend doing both.
Will I definitely see sharks on Tour D?
Blacktip reef shark sightings at Bulalacao are very common — guides report 80-90% sighting rates on calm-day visits. They are not guaranteed, but it’s the most reliable shark encounter in El Nido. Best visibility November-April.
Can I combine Tour D with Tour A in one day?
Not on a shared tour — each tour is a full day. Some private charter operators create custom multi-island routes (₱15,000-₱25,000 for a whole boat). For most travellers, one tour per day is the right pace.
Is Tour D safe for non-swimmers?
Yes. Life jackets are provided on all boats, and non-swimmers can enjoy the beaches and views. However, snorkelling — the Tour D highlight — requires basic comfort in water.
What’s the difference between shared and private Tour D?
Shared tours (₱1,500-₱2,000/person) join a group of 8-15 tourists. Private tours (₱8,000-₱15,000/boat) give you full flexibility on stops, timing, and pace. For a group of 4-6 people, a private boat works out to a similar per-person cost.
Final Verdict: Should You Do Tour D?
Tour D is El Nido’s best-kept secret. If you have time for two tours, make Tour A your first and Tour D your second. The combination covers El Nido’s iconic lagoons (Tour A) and its best snorkelling plus uncrowded beaches (Tour D).
The blacktip reef sharks alone make Tour D worth doing. Add Helicopter Island’s perfect white-sand beach and Cadlao Lagoon’s emerald cliffs — and you have a full day of memories that will outlast any lagoon selfie. Book early in your trip so you have a backup day if weather cancels. And go private if your group is 4 or more.
📍 More El Nido Guides: Tour A Complete Guide | Tour C: Hidden Beach Guide | Island Hopping Cost Guide | Scuba Diving Guide | 20 Best Things to Do in El Nido
