El Nido, on the northern tip of Palawan, is the single most photographed corner of the Philippines - and almost everyone who goes there does at least one island-hopping tour through Bacuit Bay. The local tourism office long ago organized the bay's best lagoons, caves and hidden beaches into four standardized routes: Tour A, Tour B, Tour C and Tour D. Each covers a different cluster of islands. The problem? The names tell you nothing, and every operator on the main beach sells all four. This guide breaks down exactly what you get on each, with real 2026 prices, so you can book the right tour the first time.
How El Nido Island Hopping Works
All four tours run by traditional bangka outrigger boat, depart from El Nido town beach in the morning (most leave around 9am, though early 7am departures beat the crowds), and return mid-to-late afternoon. Every tour includes a crew, snorkeling gear, and a freshly grilled buffet lunch served on one of the beaches - fish, pork, chicken, rice, and a mountain of tropical fruit. You will need to add the mandatory Environmental Eco-Tourism Development Fee of PHP 200 (valid 10 days, covers all tours) plus small per-site entrance fees on some routes.
Sharing a boat with 8 to 15 others is the standard joiner experience. If you want flexibility, you can charter a private boat for roughly PHP 5,000 to 9,000 and mix sites from different tours. Either way, once you have decided which islands you want to see, you can compare boat tour operators and prices on our El Nido activities page and lock in a slot before the popular dates sell out.
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Tour A - The Lagoons (PHP 1,400 to 1,800)
Tour A is the flagship and the most popular island-hopping route in the entire Philippines. If you only do one tour, this is it. The headline stops are the two lagoons that put El Nido on the map.
- Big Lagoon - you paddle a kayak (or float on the boat at low tide) through a cathedral of towering limestone walls into emerald-green shallows. Genuinely jaw-dropping.
- Small Lagoon - swim through a narrow rock arch into a secluded inner pool surrounded by cliffs.
- Secret Lagoon - reached through a low crack in the rock that you squeeze through at low tide.
- Shimizu Island - one of the bay's best snorkeling reefs, and usually the lunch stop.
- Seven Commandos Beach - a long white-sand beach with a beach bar selling fresh coconuts.
Tour A is stunning but also the most crowded. Book the earliest possible departure, head straight for Big Lagoon, and you will have that first golden hour nearly to yourself. Kayak rental at Big Lagoon is an extra PHP 250 to 400.
Tour B - The Caves & Beaches (PHP 1,300 to 1,600)
Tour B is the most underrated of the four. It draws noticeably fewer boats than Tour A while delivering comparable scenery and arguably better snorkeling.
- Snake Island - a curving sandbar that snakes between two islands; climb the small viewpoint for the classic aerial-style shot.
- Cudugnon Cave - a dramatic limestone cavern you duck into, once used as an ancestral burial site.
- Cathedral Cave - a soaring sea cave you view from the boat.
- Pinagbuyutan Island - a striking standalone karst peak with a quiet beach and excellent snorkeling.
- Entalula Beach - a calm, often near-empty beach, frequently the lunch stop.
If you have already done Tour A and want more without the rush hour on water, Tour B is the smart second choice.
Tour C - The Shrine & Hidden Beaches (PHP 1,400 to 1,800)
Tour C heads to the outer islands of the bay, so it involves longer open-sea crossings - meaning sea conditions matter more here. In exchange you get the most cinematic hidden beaches in El Nido.
- Hidden Beach - tucked behind a wall of rock you swim around to reach a secluded cove of powder sand.
- Secret Beach - you dive through an underwater crack in a cliff to surface inside a hidden white-sand pocket (rumored to have inspired Alex Garland's novel). You must be able to swim to enter.
- Matinloc Shrine - an abandoned clifftop chapel with the single best panoramic viewpoint in Bacuit Bay.
- Helicopter Island (Dilumacad) - named for its shape; powder-fine sand and great snorkeling.
- Star Beach / Tapiutan - vibrant coral for the final snorkel.
Tour C is the favorite of photographers and strong swimmers. Skip it on rough-sea days.
Tour D - More Islands & Beaches (PHP 1,200 to 1,500)
Tour D is the least-visited route, which is exactly why we love it. It is also the cheapest and stays closer to the mainland, so it runs on days when Tour C is cancelled due to swell.
- Cadlao Lagoon - an enclosed emerald lagoon beneath El Nido's tallest karst peak, far quieter than Big Lagoon.
- Ipil Beach and Pasandigan Beach - long, calm, mostly private stretches of sand.
- Natnat Beach - good snorkeling close to town.
- Paradise / Bukal Beach - relaxed swimming and lunch.
Tour D is ideal if you want lagoon-and-beach scenery without the crowds, or as a gentler option for families with young kids.
Which El Nido Tour Should You Choose?
- Only have one day? Do Tour A - the lagoons are unmissable.
- Two days? Tour A + Tour C for the iconic lagoons plus the dramatic hidden beaches.
- Want fewer crowds? Tour B and Tour D are the quiet picks.
- Best snorkeling? Tour B (Pinagbuyutan) and Tour C (Star Beach) edge it.
- Three or four days? Do all four and finish with a tricycle trip to Nacpan Beach (not on any tour).
Combo Tips to Save Money & Time
Many operators offer a combined Tour A + C on a single boat for around PHP 2,500 to 3,000, hitting the highlights of both in one long day. If you are short on time this is the highest-impact option. For a special occasion, a private charter lets you cherry-pick the best sites - Big Lagoon from Tour A, Hidden Beach from Tour C, Cadlao from Tour D - and avoid every other boat's schedule. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a dry bag, and water shoes for the rocky cave entrances.
El Nido is a journey in itself: most travelers fly into Puerto Princesa and take a 5-to-6-hour van north, or fly direct to Lio Airport on AirSWIFT. Lock in the best fare early on our flights to Palawan page, and once your dates are set, browse where to stay in El Nido so you are based close to the town beach where the boats depart.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between El Nido Tours A, B, C and D?
Each tour covers a different cluster of islands in Bacuit Bay. Tour A focuses on the famous Big and Small Lagoons; Tour B covers caves and quieter beaches like Pinagbuyutan; Tour C visits the dramatic Hidden Beach, Secret Beach and Matinloc Shrine on the outer islands; and Tour D hits more relaxed beaches and Cadlao Lagoon closer to the mainland. Tour A is the most popular and crowded, while Tours B and D are the quietest.
How much does El Nido island hopping cost in 2026?
Joiner tours range from about PHP 1,200 to 1,800 per person depending on the route, with Tour D the cheapest and Tours A and C the priciest. On top of that you pay a one-time PHP 200 Eco-Tourism Development Fee (valid 10 days for all tours) plus small entrance fees at certain sites. A private boat charter costs roughly PHP 5,000 to 9,000.
Which El Nido tour is best for first-timers?
Tour A is the best choice for first-timers because it includes the Big and Small Lagoons, the scenery El Nido is most famous for. If you can do two tours, pair Tour A with Tour C for the hidden beaches.
What is included in an El Nido island hopping tour?
Standard joiner tours include the boat and crew, snorkeling gear, and a freshly grilled buffet lunch served on a beach. Not included: the PHP 200 environmental fee, per-site entrance fees, kayak rental at Big Lagoon (about PHP 250 to 400), and tips for the crew.
Can I do all four El Nido tours?
Yes, and many travelers do. Plan three to four days in El Nido to comfortably complete Tours A, B, C and D, ideally booking the earliest departures to beat the crowds. Some operators also sell combined A+C tours in a single day if you are short on time.
