Which El Nido tour should I do first?

Tour A is the usual first choice for the Big Lagoon and the Secret Lagoon. If you have two days, add Tour C for the outer islands, or Tour B or D for quieter routes. A private boat lets you combine the best-known stops in one day.

What is the El Nido eco-tourism fee?

The Eco-Tourism Development Fee (ETDF) of PHP 400 is paid by every visitor joining a boat tour, in cash before boarding. It is not included in our prices. Keep the receipt and show it on later tours so you do not pay again.

Are lagoon fees included?

The Big Lagoon fee of PHP 200 is paid locally on Tour A and on the private boat tour, and entry is limited each day. The Small Lagoon fee and kayak are included in Tour D. The Matinloc Shrine on Tour C has its own small entry fee.

Can I travel from El Nido to Coron by boat?

Yes. Our three-day expedition goes by traditional boat through the Linapacan and Culion islands to Coron, with two nights in beach huts. Guests must be at least 16.

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El Nido sits at the northern tip of Palawan, facing Bacuit Bay, where steep limestone islands rise out of clear water around lagoons and white beaches. Most days here are spent on a boat. The four classic island-hopping routes each cover a different part of the bay: Tour A for the Big Lagoon and the Secret Lagoon, Tour B for the Snake Island sandbar and Cudognong Cave, Tour C for the outer islands and the Matinloc Shrine, and Tour D for the Small Lagoon and the calm beaches close to town.

Our own local guides run every trip, in English. Besides the shared tours, you can book a private boat for a day that combines the best-known stops with kayaks at two lagoons, or join a three-day expedition by traditional boat to Coron, with nights in native huts on island beaches.

A few practical notes. Every visitor on a boat tour pays the El Nido Eco-Tourism Development Fee (ETDF) of PHP 400 in cash before boarding; keep the receipt, as it stays valid for several days of tours. The Big Lagoon charges PHP 200 and limits daily entry, and the Small Lagoon fee is included in Tour D. Bring cash, swimwear and sunscreen, and expect weather or the coast guard to change a route now and then. Prices shown are estimates and are confirmed with your booking.

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El Nido Tours: Island Hopping A to D | Helios Travels