Best Tours In El Nido: A, B, C, D? Here’s How To Choose

Want to find the best tours in El Nido but not sure what the deal is with Tours A, B, C and D?

We were exactly the same when we got there! There wasn’t much info around and everything sounded kind of the same.

So we put together this guide to save you the confusion. You’ll end up knowing exactly which tour to book according to YOUR needs!

Our personal favourites are Tour A and Tour C. They’ve got the best snorkelling, plus some of our favourite spots in El Nido like Big Lagoon, Hidden Beach, Secret Lagoon, and Helicopter Island.

But depending on what you’re after (adventure, chill time, fewer crowds), another tour might suit you better.

You’ll find what each tour includes, which ones are worth prioritising, and a few things we wish we’d known before booking (like the sneaky extra fees).

Let’s get into it, here’s everything you need to know to pick the right El Nido tour for you!

In a hurry? Here are some EPIC tours in El Nido: 

How to pick between tours A, B, C & D in El Nido

The island-hopping tours in El Nido are split into four main options (A, B, C and D), each one focusing on a different part of Bacuit Bay:

Tour A: The highlights, including Big Lagoon

If it’s your first time in El Nido or you’re only doing one tour, this is the one to pick! It hits all the highlights, including:

• Big Lagoon (must rent a kayak to enter)

• Secret Lagoon (accessible by swimming through a small cave)

• Shimizu Island

• Seven Commandos Beach

Big Lagoon is the main highlight. You’ll paddle across the bright green water into a massive karst-lined lagoon. There are hidden rock grooves near the back that only fit a kayak, so ask your guide where to go!

The other spot we loved was Secret Lagoon, which is completely hidden behind the rocks. You’ll crawl through a narrow cave into a circular pool surrounded by cliffs, it’s quite an experience!

This tour is perfect if you like mixing things up with a bit of kayaking, swimming, and relaxing beach time.

Here’s an epic tour A in El Nido if you’re interested! It includes lunch.

The downside is that these spots will be crowded during peak season, especially Big Lagoon. It’s still worth it, though!

Tour B: Relaxing day with caves and quiet beaches

Tour B skips the famous lagoons and focuses on caves, sandbars, and laid-back islands.

There’s less swimming required on this tour (compared to tours A and C), so it’s a good option for families, less-confident swimmers, or anyone just keen on a chilled-out day.

The usual stops include:

• Snake Island

• Cudugnon Cave

• Cathedral Cave

• Popolkan Island

• Entalula Island

• Pinagbuyutan Island

Snake Island is the highlight – at low tide, you can walk along a winding sandbar across the ocean! Don’t forget to do the 10-15 minute walk to the lookout to take in the views.

Cudugnon Cave is another great spot, packed with history. It was once a burial site and even a hiding place during WWII! Access is only possible at low tide through a tiny hole in the rocks.

This tour is ideal if you want a breather from the crowds, explore some caves, and spend more time chilling on wild beaches. Snorkelling is decent too, especially at Popolkan and Pinagbuyutan.

This is a great tour B that can be either private or shared, plus lunch.

Tour C: Adventure pick with open-water snorkelling

Tour C is the adventure pick. It heads out to the far reaches of Bacuit Bay and has the best snorkelling out of all the tours.

It’s our favourite overall! The usual stops include:

• Hidden Beach (wade through shallows to reach)

• Secret Beach (swim through a narrow tunnel)

• Helicopter Island

• Tapiutan Island

• Matinloc Shrine

We LOVED Hidden Beach, it was one of our favourite spots in El Nido. Getting there is half the adventure, as you’ll wade through the water through a passage to get there!

Snorkelling is great throughout the tour as well. For example, Helicopter Island has heaps of parrotfish and giant clams on the seabed, it’s quite a scene!

The sea is a bit rougher in this area, though, so tours might be cancelled last minute due to bad weather. Try to book this one early in your visit to give you wiggle room to reschedule if necessary!

Here’s an epic tour C that includes our favourite spots, plus lunch.

Tour D: Chill beaches and small lagoons

Tour D skips the famous spots, focusing on the beaches and lagoons around Cadlao Island, which is right near El Nido town.

This is the least popular tour, mostly because it’s harder to run (shared tours often don’t go unless they have enough people). But that makes it the best pick if you want something peaceful.

Usual stops:

• Small Lagoon (with a few cliff-jumping spots)

• Pasandigan Beach (famous for the local sea turtles)

• Cadlao Lagoon

• Nat Nat Beach

• Bukal Beach

• Paradise Beach

Small Lagoon is a mini version of Big Lagoon, while Cadlao Island is huge and it’s where most stops in this tour are. There are cliffs, reef patches, and the beautiful Cadlao Lagoon to explore.

This tour is perfect if you want to do a bit of snorkelling in calm waters and visit some lovely yet underrated spots in the area!

Here’s an excellent tour D that includes lunch and entry fees!

The shared tours do need a minimum amount of people, though. This might lead to cancellations in low season, so you might need to book a private trip to make it happen.

3 Things to know before booking a tour in El Nido

1) Hidden costs

Most tours don’t include the following in their prices, you will have to pay for this with cash:

• Entrance fees to attractions. Anywhere between ₱200-₱400, depending on the attraction. For example, last time we went (March 2024) the entry to Big Lagoon was ₱200 per person.

• Kayak rental. You’ll need a kayak for certain places like Big Lagoon or Small Lagoon, which costs around ₱250.

• Snorkelling gear, reef shoes. We brought our reef shoes and snorkelling masks, but rented the fins. You can rent them from the tour provider or in town, and can cost between ₱200 (short fins) and ₱400 (long fins).

• Lunch. Some tour operators include it in the price, while others offer it for a fee. This can cost an extra ₱200-₱500 per person, but you can bring your own.

There’s also the El Nido Eco-Tourism Development Fee (ETDF) which is mandatory. It helps preserve El Nido as the beautiful place it is despite all the tourism.

It used to cost ₱200 but they increased it to ₱400 in 2025. The ETDF is valid for 10 days and you pay it to the tour operator, which they transfer to the municipality.

😍 Bank recommendation: We love using Wise because you can withdraw ₱12,000 free of charge and their exchange rates are unbeatable… Plus a free debit card! Check it out here.

2) Check the departure time

Most tours leave by 8:30-8:45am and the departure point is usually El Nido port or somewhere nearby.

You’ll have to factor in the time to get from your accommodation to the boat, plus having breakfast!

This might include paying for a trike / tuk tuk ride to the meeting point, which can cost anywhere from ₱50 to ₱200 depending on the distance.

So we recommend choosing your accommodation carefully! We stayed at Cuna Hotel and at Happiness Hostel. Both were excellent and at walking distance from the meeting point – 10 min and 5 min, respectively.

3) Packing list

Make sure to bring the following:

• A dry bag. The operator might rent it for a fee, but you can purchase one in town.

• Reef shoes. You’ll have to walk over rocks, coral, or slippery surfaces, plus protect your feet from sea urchins.

• A towel and a change of clothes.

• A reusable water bottle.

• Cash for extras (snorkel hire, food, lagoon access, etc).

And don’t skip breakfast! You’ll need the energy for all the snorkelling. But don’t go overboard either, there’s nothing worse than having a full stomach while bobbing in a boat on windy seas.

5 awesome tours in El Nido, Palawan

Note: Most of the links included are GUARANTEED to have the lowest price available, 24-hour free cancellation, and “Reserve Now, Pay Later” features. Take advantage of that!

1) Best tour A: Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Seven Commandos

8 hours | Shared or Private Tour | Check tour here

Best for: First-time visitors who want to explore the highlights of El Nido, with a mix of swimming, kayaking, and chilling out at the beautiful beaches.

This is the classic Tour A in El Nido and a solid pick if you’re keen to see what makes Bacuit Bay so special. You’ll stop at up to four locations, including:

• Big Lagoon, beautiful spot where you’ll kayak through the lagoon

• Secret Lagoon, hidden behind towering limestone cliffs

• Shimizu Island, great for a snorkel or lazing on the beach

• Seven Commandos Beach, lined with coconut trees and white sand

It’s a great all-rounder tour and ideal if you’re new to El Nido or short on time!

Pros:

Cons

Best activity in El Nido. The lagoon kayaking is the highlight but each visit is unique in its own way. Amazing place and a must do

-Dhiresh

2) Best tour C: Hidden Beach, Secret Beach, Helicopter Island, Matinloc Shrine

Full-Day | Shared or Private Tour | Check tour here

Best for: Anyone who’s done tour A and it’s after some really good snorkelling.

This tour C is ideal if you’re looking to get off the beaten path and snorkel at some really good places! You’ll stop at a mix of iconic and hidden spots, including:

• Secret Beach, tucked away behind limestone cliffs (you’ll swim through a narrow opening to get there).

• Hidden Beach, only visible at low tide.

• Helicopter Island, named for its shape (solid snorkelling here).

• Tapiutan or Talisay Beach for lunch.

• Matinloc Shrine, a spiritual site with an epic view of the bay.

This one has a bit of everything – beaches, snorkelling, and even a cultural stop to learn more about the area. If you’ve done Tour A, definitely book this one next.

Pros:

Cons

Lovely tour – we were able to see so much and spend a great day on the boat and had a lot of time in the water for swimming and snorkelling. Would definitely recommend it!

-Helene

3) Best tour B: Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave, Cathedral Cave

Full-Day | Shared or Private Tour | Check tour here

Best for: Travellers who want a unique mix of island scenery, WW2 history, and reef snorkelling in Bacuit Bay.

This tour focuses more on caves and sandbars, compared to the previous ones that focus more on the beaches. The pace is more relaxing than the other ones, too! You’ll visit:

• Snake Island, known for its long sandbar.

• Cudugnon Cave, where Japanese soldiers once hid during WW2.

• Cathedral Cave, a sea cave with towering limestone walls.

• Popolkan Island, full of marine life and coral reefs.

• Entalula Island, with powdery white sand and clear water.

This one’s great if you’ve already done Tour A or C and want to know some underrated spots in El Nido.

Pros:

Cons

The crew was incredibly entertaining and supportive! The guide was knowledgeable and friendly. We were a small group and the spots were not crowded which I highly enjoyed. The lunch was a banquet of meats and fish. The tour couldn’t have been better

-Andre

4) Best tour D: Small Lagoon, Cadlao Island, Paradise Beach

Full-Day | Shared or Private Tour | Check tour here

Best for: If you’re after a quieter day exploring the lesser-known white sandy beaches and lagoons of El Nido, with plenty of time to snorkel and swim.

This Tour D is the best option if you want a chill day checking out some underrated gems of El Nido! You’ll visit:

• Small Lagoon, a stunning spot for kayaking and swimming (entry fee required).

• Cadlao Island, the biggest island in Bacuit Bay (has a lovely lagoon).

• Nat Nat and Paradise Beach, both are great for relaxing.

• Bukal Island, another off-the-beaten-track stop depending on sea conditions.

It’s slower-paced, so it’s perfect if you’re looking to skip the crowds and just enjoy a chill day on the water.

Pros:

Cons

Good locations visited and the last lagoon (small lagoon) was amazing to kayak and swim in. The diving options were great as well. Really good tour that offers a bit of everything.

-James

5) 3D2N El Nido island-hopping to Coron

3D2N | Small Group | Check itinerary here

Best for: Adventurers keen on a raw, off-the-grid experience sailing from El Nido to Coron with beach camping, snorkelling, and no fixed itinerary.

We did a tour like this on our last visit to the Philippines (but from Coron to El Nido), and it was the highlight of our 2-month trip!

You’ll island-hop your way through the remote islands between El Nido and Coron, including the pristine Linapacan Islands.

These are places most tourists never go to, so don’t miss your chance!

The route is flexible, as it’s based on the sea and weather conditions. You’ll do heaps of snorkelling and swimming, stopping at different reefs and uninhabited islands.

You’ll stay in traditional beach huts as well. We personally enjoyed this as we were able to experience the island life at its fullest, but we know this is not for everybody.

Pros:

Cons

It was an amazing 3 days. If you don’t do it you will be definitely missing something. JJ is the best guide ever and his crew is amazing and hard working. We went to iconic beaches and slept on lonely islands, had good Filipino food everyday and nice snorkelling spots. If there would be 10 stars I would have given 10 🙂

-Robin

FAQs

The bottom line

No matter which tour you pick in El Nido, you’re going to see some unreal scenery- limestone cliffs, secret lagoons, and pristine beaches that look out of a postcard.

But to help you choose:

• Tour A is best if it’s your first time or you can only do one full-day tour.

• Tour C is the best for adventure and snorkelling.

• Tour B is great if you’re after a more chilled day.

• Tour D is ideal if you’re chasing something peaceful and low-key, just check it’s running first!

We reckon doing two tours is the sweet spot if you’ve got time. And remember to bring cash for the extras like entry fees and kayak rental so there are no surprises on the day!

You’re in for a good time, El Nido really is as good as everyone says!