The main reason that tourists and backpackers head to this northern town on Palawan is to go island hopping in El Nido, and for good reason!
From beautiful powder white beaches on otherwise deserted islands to taking a kayak to explore Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon and Secret Lagoon, from seeing the Matinloc Shrine and the stunning views of the bay from the cliffs above to exploring Hidden Beach, accessible through a small hole in the rocks, there is something for everyone when island hopping in El Nido!
There are various operators and travel agents throughout El Nido offering the chance to go island hopping in El Nido and broadly all of these operators offer the same options at the same price.
The options when island hopping in El Nido come in the form of 4 different tours referred to by locals and tourists alike as El Nido Tour A, B, C and D.
El Nido Tour A and C are the two most popular tours but all 4 tours offer the chance to visit different islands, lagoons and beaches and so I wouldn’t discourage you from any of the tours.
Have a look at the destinations for each tour and pick the one that sounds best for you.
What to Expect when Island Hopping in El Nido
Whilst there are a lot of tour operators in El Nido offering tours for island hopping in El Nido – and we mean a lot! – they all offer broadly if not exactly the same tour. In addition, each of the different tours is broadly the same with just the destinations changing.
If you choose to go island hopping in El Nido then expect a full day’s tour starting around 9 am and finishing around 5 pm. Lunch, drinks and water are included in the price of the tour and you will be taken out in the beautiful and unique Bangka boats.
You will likely visit two destinations in the morning and either have lunch at the second destination or aboard the boat. Expect a lot of barbequed fish (delicious!) together with rice and various veggies, followed by fresh fruit. There is always plenty of food, so you won’t go hungry!
In the afternoon you will visit the rest of the destinations before heading back to El Nido. All boats are equipped with life jackets for safety and snorkelling equipment that you can use, free of charge, at any of the destinations to have a look under the surface.
If you book El Nido Tour A then you will need some extra cash if you wish to hire kayaks. The Bangka boats are too large to enter Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon and Secret Lagoon and so you can either swim or other operators are on hand to offer kayaks for hire.
I would personally recommend the kayaks, as Big and Small Lagoon are both too large to properly admire and appreciate when actually in the water, you’ll be so tired! We hired one kayak for P250 for a single ($5) or P400 ($8) for a double and it was great fun to coast around the inside of the lagoons and see everything below the surface in the crystal-clear water.
You will have plenty of time at each destination (usually around 45 minutes to an hour) and the guides on the boat are quite relaxed so you don’t feel rushed.
One thing to bear in mind is the weather and sea conditions. Some of the destinations are only accessible in good weather and so occasionally you won’t be able to access all the places advertised. If this happens, you will be taken to a different destination, so you don’t lose out entirely. This is more common with some of the more distant beaches and not that common with the bigger attractions like Big Lagoon.
If that has piqued your interest, then the next question is which tour to take! To help you choose, I describe each tour in more detail below as well as give you some more information about each destination on each tour. If after that you are still undecided then perhaps do what we did and take more than one tour on your trip to El Nido!
The Tours
El Nido Tour A
Destinations: Miniloc Island (which includes Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon and Secret Lagoon), Shimizu Island; and Seven Commando Beach.
Perfect for: Adventurers and animal lovers
Along with Tour C, El Nido Tour A is one of the most popular tours for island hopping in El Nido. This is because you get to explore the beautiful and picture-perfect lagoons by kayak and it offers some of the best snorkelling opportunities – with sea turtles being sighted at Seven Commando beach!
The destinations for El Nido Tour A are as follows:
Big Lagoon, Miniloc Island
On the east side of Miniloc Island lies a narrow strip of white sand and shallow crystal-clear water suddenly turns dark blue as you enter Big Lagoon.
It can only be explored by kayak as the entrance is too shallow for boats. Surrounded by limestone cliffs and home to a variety of different sea creatures to meet (or look at from your kayak!) Big Lagoon is a sight not to be missed when island hopping in El Nido.
Small Lagoon, Miniloc Island
Big Lagoon’s little sister, it’s more secluded and hidden than Big Lagoon but just as impressive. Again, it’s only accessible by Kayak so paddle in and explore the caves, corners and crannies and see what you can find!
Secret Lagoon, Miniloc Island
A small hidden gem on the other side of the island that you have to swim through an opening in the cliffs to get to, but the green shallow waters are well worth your efforts!
Shimizu Island
Considered to be one of the best places to snorkel in El Nido because of the magnificent corals and colourful fish that inhabit them, it’s no wonder that Shimizu Island is one of the most popular Islands in Bacuit Bay.
Seven Commando Beach
Okay, not an Island as it’s located on El Nido Mainland but you can only get there by boat. Nevertheless, it is a popular destination for island hopping in El Nido.
Supposedly named after seven Japanese commandos who were on the island even after the war was over, Seven Commandos Beach is arguably one of the most beautiful beaches in El Nido.
El Nido Tour B
Destinations: Snake Island, Pinagbuytan Island, Entalula Island Beach and Cudugnon Cave
Perfect for: Beach bums and adventurers
If you prefer beaches to lagoons, El Nido Tour B is for you. Walking in paradise on Snake Island in the middle of the ocean, lazing on some of the whitest beaches in El Nido and then taking in the views at Cudugnon Cave makes for a truly special tour.
The full list of destinations for Tour B is as follows:
Snake Island
You’ll be glad to hear that the island does not get its name because of any scaly inhabitants! It’s named Snake Island because it is a long, snake-like strip that connects the two sides of this beautiful tropical island.
Pinagbuyutan Island
One of the most striking islands in El Nido, with dramatic cliffs springing straight up out of the ocean and covered with lush jungle, the island has some of the whitest sand beaches in El Nido, including Ipil Beach and some of the best snorkelling that Bacuit Bay has to offer.
Entalula Island
If you’re looking for powder white sand beaches in El Nido then Entalula Island is the place for you. It’s the perfect destination whilst island hopping in El Nido to swim, relax, take in the view and work on your tan.
Cudugnon Cave
Located on the mainland, west of Lagen Island, the cave is part of an archaeological site with bones found at the site suggesting that it could have been a Neolithic burial site. Climbing in can be a bit of a challenge (particularly if you are tall!) but it’s well worth it for the view inside.
El Nido Tour C
Destinations: Helicopter Island, Matinloc Shrine, Secret Beach, Star Beach and Hidden Beach
Perfect for: Beach bums and explorers
One of the most popular tours and El Nido Tour C is the one the locals will recommend to you as well.
For this variation on island hopping El Nido, your tour will take you to some of the best islands Bacuit Bay has to offer and offers great variety as well. From some of the coolest beaches in El Nido to religious sites and real hidden gems that you have to risk your life to see (well, that might be a slight exaggeration!).
This was our favourite tour whilst island hopping in El Nido and I would not hesitate to recommend it.
The full list of destinations for Tour C is:
Helicopter Island
Officially named Dilumacad Island but known as Helicopter Island because of the shape it takes as you approach it from a distance. Blessed with soft cream sand, laze on this beautiful beach, wade in the waters, and forget the rest of the world exists.
Matinloc Island
Home to the Matinloc Shrine, Matinloc Island used to host a convent and school which is now abandoned. The main building is completely empty and looks like it has been ransacked. Good fun to wander around, although debatable how structurally sound the building now is!
Matinloc Island is also home to Secret Beach which can only be accessed by swimming through a concealed, and pretty small hole in the cliffs. It’s very difficult to find but if you are island hopping in El Nido your tour guides will show you the way!
Access is not for the faint-hearted as you have to navigate the small gap (with rather sharp edges!) through somewhat choppy waves so the timing is everything! But when you’re through, the view is no joke! There’s white sand on the land and colourful fish in the sea, all enclosed by imposing limestone cliffs – incredible!
To the north of Matinloc Island lies Hidden Beach, a beautiful white sand beach “hidden” behind the limestone cliffs. This hidden gem is definitely one of the best beaches in El Nido. The water is shallow so you can get to the beach easily but be careful of the corals which are home to lots of colourful fish – we saw lots of clown fish here!
Tapiutan Island
Tapiutan Island features a number of the best beaches in El Nido for diving, snorkelling and swimming including the beautiful Star Beach.
El Nido Tour D
Destinations: Ipil Beach, Cadlao Lagoon, Paradise Beach, Pasandigan Beach, NatNat Beach and Bukal Beach
Perfect For: Beach bums and those seeking calm and tranquillity!
For island hopping in El Nido, Tour D is a great choice if you want to enjoy the peace and tranquillity that the biggest island in Bacuit Bay, Cadlao Island, offers.
Together with tour B, this tour is generally less popular than El Nido Tour A and C and so it’s a great option to avoid the crowds.
The islands and beaches of Tour D are as follows:
Cadlao Lagoon, Cadlao Island
Home to emerald waters, Cadlao Lagoon has some lovely shallow coral gardens off the beach to be explored and it’s a perfect place to be explored by kayak, which your tour company will have on board for you to hire if you are island hopping in El Nido.
The Beaches of Cadlao Island
Cadlao Island also had some of the best beaches in El Nido, having been described as a “mini-Tahiti” by Lonely Planet.
Paradise Beach, Pasandigan Beach and NatNat Beach are all incredible beaches to experience.
Bukal Island
Located next to Cadlao Island, Bukal Island is known for its beach named Bukal Beach which is famous for its intimate and secluded nature.
Island Hopping in El Nido – Cost and Booking
Being one of the most popular things to do in El Nido, you may think that the tours offering island hopping in El Nido may be super expensive but actually, I think they are really good value.
The cost of island hopping in El Nido will differ depending on which one you do. However, they last the full day and include lunch so they are good value for money. Remember, if you are visiting Big or Small Lagoon (Tour A) or Cadlao Lagoon (Tour D) you should carry some extra cash to pay for a kayak to explore these.
Prices do also change by season and occasionally by the operator but the latest prices I have heard of are below:
El Nido Tour A – 1,200 P/$24
El Nido Tour B – 1,300 P/$26
El Nido Tour C – 1,400 P/$28
El Nido Tour D – 1,200 P/$24
Once you have chosen a tour that is right for you, head into El Nido and speak with the agents to book on.
In our experience no one operator is better than the rest; most offer the same options as all the others. The most important factors are usually the maximum number of people on a particular tour, to avoid overcrowding, and then an update on how many people are booked for the day you wish to go.
You can book a tour when you arrive in El Nido but if you wish to book island hopping in El Nido in advance then we would suggest checking out El Nido Paradise which has plenty of information about each of the tours and allow you to book in advance.
Equally, if you prefer a private tour of Bacuit Bay then again El Nido Paradise can accommodate you!
How to Get There
For island hopping in El Nido, all tours start along the El Nido beachfront and so I would suggest arriving in El Nido the night before (at least!) given the early start in the morning.
In terms of getting to El Nido, many people fly from Manila to Puerto Princesa, the main airport in Palawan and one of the main airports in the whole of the Philippines. From there, you can get a bus all the way to El Nido which takes around 4 hours. It’s not the most comfortable journey, as the road into El Nido is pretty bumpy but it should only cost you £10/$15.
Alternatively, you can fly directly to El Nido airport. The airport is owned by AirSwift and we are told it used to be a private airport which would explain its appearance. It is very small and very laid back and definitely one of the more stress-free airports we have been to!
Flights to El Nido airport are more infrequent and can be more expensive than Puerto Princesa but can save time if you are on a strict timetable. Equally, if you have come from Puerto Princesa and don’t want to go all the way back to get a flight out of Palawan, El Nido airport is a good option for onward travel.
Lastly, some hardy souls come via ferry from Manilla via Coron! It is an unbelievable experience if you have the time and Coron is a beautiful place to visit if you get the chance. Total travel time is around 14.5 hours although if you are going to take this route I would definitely suggest stopping at Coron for at least a night to break up the journey and take in this slice of paradise.
For more details on getting to El Nido, have a look at my Mini Guide; Things to do in El Nido which has a detailed section on how to get to El Nido.
Where to stay when Island Hopping in El Nido
You will certainly want somewhere to lay your weary head after a long day of island hopping in El Nido so below are a selection of my favourite places to stay in El Nido depending on the type of accommodation you prefer.
I have more options and more detailed reviews of accommodation in my Mini Guide; Things to do in El Nido so feel free to take a look for more on the many varied places to stay in this beachfront town.
Apartment/Bungalow: Tandikan Apartments
Tandikan offers a number of cottages along the El Nido beachfront with the option of fan or air conditioning in each. The price includes a basic breakfast which can be eaten outside of your cottage overlooking the beach.
The cottages are basic but clean and comfortable and the location is super-relaxing whilst being very close to the ‘action’ in the middle of El Nido.
A common complaint I hear about accommodation in El Nido generally concerns poor Wi-Fi and electrical blackouts. The infrastructure in El Nido was not set up for the influx of tourists that El Nido has experienced over the past few years and so the electricity supply is strained.
Blackouts happen throughout El Nido and should be expected wherever you stay (perhaps with the exception of the beach resorts which have numerous backup generators). Equally, Wi-Fi can be inconsistent at best and Tandikan is no exception.
If you are looking for a cheap, beachside cottage with breakfast before a day of island hopping in El Nido then this place is perfect. It often has rooms available for walk-ins as well if you prefer to simply turn up in a town and find a place to stay!
Hostel: Frendz Hostel
Frendz is located in town but just away from the chaos of Hama Street. It has six-bed dorms as well as family and double rooms.
The amenities are great as well with a bar, restaurant and a pool! A bit more expensive than the hostels on Hama Street, but you get big bang for your buck here.
Beach Resort: Cadlao Resort and Restaurant
A step up in quality but worth every penny/cent if your budget allows! Cadlao resort is located in a quiet and peaceful spot outside of the main town but close enough to walk in.
The food is very good, the staff are friendly and the rooms are spacious and comfortable. The real selling point is the view and the pool though; it is the perfect place to unwind after a long day of island hopping in El Nido!
Booking is essential for this one.
Best time to go Island Hopping in El Nido
Generally, the dry/summer season is from October to May and so this is considered to be the best time to visit for island hopping in El Nido as the weather is at its best and the sea at its calmest (reducing the chance of destinations being inaccessible due to weather). During March and April, temperatures can reach 35°C.
Of course, the flip side to that is that El Nido, and the tours for island hopping in El Nido, are at their busiest and so this is something to factor in.
June to September is the wet/winter season although temperatures during this time are still between 25-30°C. El Nido (and Palawan generally) doesn’t experience typhoons, which can be a danger in the rest of the Philippines during this season but there is however far more rain and unpredictable weather during this period with rainfall at its highest in September.
Again, I would suggest taking a look at my Mini Guide; Things to do in El Nido if you are planning a trip here which gives more detail on the best time to go and factors to consider. If you are planning a wider trip to the Philippines, check out my Manual; Backpacking the Philippines which offers advice and tips for a trip around the whole of this magical island country.
So let’s go island hopping in El Nido!
If there is one thing you have to do in the Philippines, it’s go island hopping in El Nido. It is a fantastic experience and one that we’ll remember for a long time and we’re sure you will too. In fact, it might be a great starting point to plan your trip around visiting El Nido, so start in Palawan and see where you can get on the time you have.
So, get planning or pin this blog to your Philippines board and use it when arranging your next adventure!
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