Tour A, B, C or D? How El Nido's island-hopping tours differ, what each one covers, and how to pick the right day on Bacuit Bay.
El Nido's island-hopping is organized into lettered routes around Bacuit Bay. Tour A covers the famous lagoons (Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island and 7 Commandos Beach), Tour B focuses on caves and beaches (Snake Island, Cudugnon Point, Cathedral Cave), Tour C goes to the hidden beaches and Matinloc Shrine, and Tour D is the quiet one, built around Cadlao Island and its lagoon.
A join-in (shared) tour is the budget-friendly default and follows a fixed route with a set group. A private boat costs more but lets you set your own pace, skip crowded stops, and reorder the day around the tide. For couples and families, the flexibility of a private boat is often worth it; solo travelers usually do well on a join-in tour.
Most tours depart from El Nido's pier mid-morning and make four to five stops, mixing snorkeling, short island walks and a long beach lunch. Bring a dry bag, reef-safe sunscreen and cash for the environmental fee and optional kayak rentals, since card payments rarely work at the small island stops.
First-timers should pick Tour A or C: A for the iconic lagoons, C for Matinloc Shrine and the more dramatic coastline. If you have two days, combine A and C and leave B or D for a second afternoon. Weather can reshuffle everything, so treat your operator's advice on wind and swell as the final word.
Where to stay, how to get there, and what to do — the complete El Nido destination guide puts the whole picture in one place.
Plan Your El Nido TripPrices vary by season, boat type and tour, and change often. Join-in tours are the cheapest option and private boats cost several times more. Confirm the current price and inclusions on the tour's booking page before you go.
Yes, swimming and kayaking are allowed in Big Lagoon, depending on the day's conditions and local rules. Some sections are protected, so follow your guide's instructions about where to swim.
The dry months from roughly December to May bring the calmest seas and clearest water. Tours still run in the wet season, but wind and swell can cancel or reroute trips on short notice.
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