El Nido Island Hopping: Tours A, B, C and D Compared

If you only do one El Nido tour, make it Tour A for the Big Lagoon, or Tour C if you prefer quieter beaches and snorkelling. Tour B is the gentlest and best with children; Tour D is the shortest boat ride and suits a half-relaxed day. With two days, Tour A plus Tour C covers the most famous scenery in Bacuit Bay.

The lettered system is regulated by the municipality, so every operator visits roughly the same stops for each letter. What differs is the boat size, the group, the lunch and how early you leave. Below is what each tour usually includes, as of 2026; exact stops can change with tides, weather and lagoon quotas.

How the El Nido tour system works

All boats depart from El Nido town beach or nearby Corong-Corong. Tours run for most of the day, typically from around 9:00 to 16:00 or 17:00, and include a barbecue lunch on a beach. Before your first tour you pay the Eco-Tourism Development Fee, a municipal environmental fee that is valid for several days; keep the receipt, because guides check it. Some sites, notably the Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon, have visitor quotas and time slots, which is one reason itineraries sometimes swap stops.

The four tours at a glance

Tour A: the lagoons

Tour A is the one on most postcards. The Big Lagoon on Miniloc Island is a basin of turquoise water ringed by black limestone cliffs, explored by kayak or by swimming in from the boat. The Secret Lagoon is reached through a small opening in the rock, a short scramble at low tide. Lunch is usually on Shimizu Island or nearby, and the day often ends at Seven Commandos Beach, a palm-lined strip with a small bar.

Choose it if you want the signature scenery. Expect the most boats of any tour, especially at the lagoons around midday. Our El Nido Tour A with the Big and Secret Lagoons follows this route.

Tour B: caves and the Snake Island sandbar

Tour B heads south. Snake Island is named after a curving sandbar that appears at low tide, connecting it to the mainland; a short climb gives a view of the bar and the bay. Cudugnon Cave is a historical site where archaeological finds were made, entered through a small gap. Cathedral Cave on Pinasil Island is seen from the boat, and Pinagbuyutan is a tall island with a beach on its base.

It is the least strenuous of the four and works well with young children or non-swimmers. There is less snorkelling than on A or C. See El Nido Tour B with Snake Island and Cudognong Cave.

Tour C: hidden beaches and the best snorkelling

Tour C goes to the outer islands, Matinloc and Tapiutan, so the boat ride is longer and the sea can be choppier. In return you get Hidden Beach, a cove enclosed by cliffs; Secret Beach, reached by swimming through a gap in the rock when conditions allow; the abandoned Matinloc Shrine with a viewpoint over the sea; and Helicopter Island, named for its silhouette. The coral around Tapiutan and Matinloc is often the best on any standard tour.

Choose it if you are a confident swimmer and enjoy snorkelling. It is sometimes cancelled when the open sea is rough. Book it as El Nido Tour C with hidden beaches and Matinloc Shrine.

Tour D: Small Lagoon and Cadlao

Tour D stays close to town around Cadlao Island and the coast north of it. The Small Lagoon on Miniloc, which used to be part of Tour A, is now commonly visited on D: you kayak or swim through a narrow entrance into a quiet pool. Cadlao Lagoon sits on the island facing El Nido town, and Paradise Beach and Pasandigan are quiet white-sand stops.

It is a good choice for a second or third day, or if you want a slightly shorter day on the water. See El Nido Tour D with the Small Lagoon and Cadlao Island.

Which tour should you choose?

• Only one day: Tour A. If you have seen the lagoons in photos too many times, Tour C.
• Two days: A and C.
• Three days: A, C and either B or D.
• With small children: B or D.
• Keen snorkellers: C first.
• Photographers: A early in the morning, or a private boat that reaches the lagoons before the crowds.

Shared tour or private boat?

Shared tours put you on a bangka with up to about 20 other guests and follow a fixed order. A private boat costs more but lets you start earlier, change the order to dodge crowds, linger where you like and combine highlights from different letters, within the rules. For couples, families or small groups who care about timing, a private boat tour with the Big Lagoon, islands and Cadlao Lagoon is often the better day.

What to bring

• Water shoes. Many landings are on sharp rocks or coral, especially at the Secret Lagoon.
• A dry bag for your phone, cash and the fee receipt.
• Reef-safe sunscreen and a rash guard; the sun on the water is intense.
• Your own snorkel mask if you have one that fits; rentals are available.
• Small change for kayak rental at the lagoons and drinks on the beaches.

Tips from the ground

Book tours for the first days of your stay so weather cancellations can be moved. Ask whether your tour visits the lagoons in the morning or afternoon; timing affects both crowds and light. Do not stand on coral or feed fish, and take your rubbish back to the boat. Finally, accept that boats are shared with many others in peak season; the scenery is still worth it.

FAQ

Which El Nido tour is the best?

Tour A is the most famous because of the Big Lagoon. Many repeat visitors rate Tour C higher for its beaches and snorkelling. It depends on whether you want the classic views or fewer crowds and better coral.

Can I do two tours in one day?

Not with standard shared tours, which last most of the day. A private boat can combine selected stops from different tours into one itinerary.

Do I need to know how to swim?

Life jackets are provided, and Tours B and D are fine for non-swimmers. Tour C involves more swimming and sometimes rougher water.

Is the Eco-Tourism Development Fee included?

It is a municipal fee paid separately and valid for several days. Check the current amount and validity locally, as it can change.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The coast guard can suspend tours on rough days. Tour C is cancelled first because it goes furthest out. Your operator will usually move you to another day.