An El Nido island hopping tour is the reason most people come to El Nido: a day on a bangka between the limestone islands of Bacuit Bay, with lagoons, beaches, snorkel stops and lunch on the sand. This buyer's guide explains the four official routes, what is included, the fees paid on top and how to choose between a shared and a private boat.
A standard El Nido boat route for first-time visitors who want lagoons, beaches and swimming in one outing. The trip runs about six hours, so it fits into a single morning and afternoon.
from ~$25 per person
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Suits travelers who want caves and snorkeling stops around Bacuit Bay, including Pupulkan, Snake Island and Pinagbuyutan. A picnic lunch and a guide are included; weather permitting.
from ~$31 per person
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Suits visitors to El Nido who want a shorter island-hopping day. The tour runs about 6 hours and includes a stop at Cudugnon Cave.
from ~$28 per person
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A full-day island hop for travelers who like kayaking and snorkeling, with a buffet lunch on the beach. Lasts 7 to 8 hours; pickup is limited to Corong-Corong between 8 and 9 AM.
from ~$38 per person
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Suits travelers short on time who want to see highlights of two classic El Nido island-hopping routes in one outing. Expect a long day of about seven hours on a speedboat.
from ~$79 per person
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A classic day of five stops among limestone cliffs, including Shimizu Island and Payong-Payong Beach. Suits first-time visitors; a picnic-style lunch is served on the beach with licensed guides.
from ~$39 per person
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Full-day, 8-hour trip suited to confident swimmers, with snorkeling off Helicopter Island and time at Star Beach. Buffet lunch on the beach and hotel pickup are part of the package.
from ~$50 per person
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For travelers who prefer a smaller group on a traditional bangka boat, with snorkeling, kayaking and cave swims across Bacuit Archipelago islands in one day. Led by experienced guides.
from ~$51 per person
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Prices are indicative and may change. The final price is shown by the booking platform. Prices checked: October 17, 2026. We may earn a commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you.
El Nido regulates island hopping by municipal ordinance, so every agency sells the same routes under the same letters, A to D, and the price difference between agencies is small. Shared boats leave the town beach in the morning and return in the afternoon, after four or five stops. Lunch, drinking water, a mask and snorkel are normally included; fins, kayaks and fees usually are not.
In 2020 the municipality also defined smaller packages, known as the Seven Wonders of El Nido, including premium tours built around the Big Lagoon, the Small Lagoon and Matinloc Island, to spread visitors out. In practice, most operators still sell the classic A to D routes, and your guide may change the order or swap a stop on crowded or windy days.
Tour A is the lagoon tour, around Miniloc Island: the Big Lagoon or the Small Lagoon, plus Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Seven Commandos Beach and, on some versions, Payong-Payong Beach. Since 2018 the two big lagoons cannot be visited on the same day, so check which one your booking includes.
Tour B is the cave and sandbar tour: Snake Island and its winding sandbar, Cudugnon Cave, Cathedral Cave, Pinagbuyutan Island and Entalula Beach. It is usually quieter. Tour C goes to the outer islands: Helicopter Island, Matinloc Shrine, Hidden Beach, Secret Beach and Talisay or Star Beach, with some of the best snorkeling. Tour D stays close to town, around Cadlao Island: Cadlao Lagoon, Pasandigan Beach, Natnat or Ipil Beach and Bukal Island.
Every visitor pays the municipal Eco-Tourism Development Fee once, in cash. Operators and travelers report that it rose from ₱200 to ₱400 (about $6.50) in 2024; the ticket covers all tours for 10 days, with discounts for Palawan residents, students and seniors. Each visit to the Big or Small Lagoon adds an environmental user fee of ₱200 (about $3), collected for the protected area. Kayaks inside the lagoons are rented on the spot, around ₱350 (about $6) for a two-seater, and the privately run Matinloc Shrine and Cudugnon Cave charge their own entry, around ₱150-200.
Shared boats keep the cost per person low but follow the crowd, and the lagoon tours bunch up around midday. A private bangka is priced per boat, so it becomes good value for four to six people, and it lets you leave earlier, stay longer at the stops you like and skip the fillers. Combination days, most often A and C, visit the highlights of two routes in one long day, usually on a private boat. For more remote islands, multi-day boat expeditions continue to Coron, and our Coron tours guide covers the routes there.
When PAGASA issues a gale warning or a storm signal, the Coast Guard does not clear tourist boats to sail, and guides may also reroute or cancel when swells build. Tour C, in open water, is the first to go. The southwest monsoon from June to October brings most cancellations; January to April is the most reliable period, as our weather guide explains. Ask your agency for its refund or rebooking policy, and keep a spare day.
The lagoons also have carrying capacities. Under the policy enforced by the Protected Area Office since December 2018, the Big Lagoon takes 60 visitors and 30 kayaks per 90-minute slot, and the Small Lagoon 30 visitors and 15 kayaks per hour. Operators book these slots in advance, so in peak season reserve Tour A at least a day ahead.
Book with an agency accredited by the Municipal Tourism Office and ask exactly what is included: lunch, snorkel gear, fins, kayaks, and which lagoon. Check that there are life jackets for everyone and ask how many passengers the boat takes. A good guide briefs you on the rules: reef-safe sunscreen, no standing on or touching coral, no feeding fish and no shells taken home. See all Palawan tours for the wider list.
Tour A is the most popular for its lagoons, and Tour C is often rated best for beaches and snorkeling. With two days, most travelers do A and C; Tours B and D are quieter.
The Eco-Tourism Development Fee is reported at ₱400 per person, paid once in cash and valid for 10 days. The Big and Small Lagoons charge an extra ₱200 environmental user fee per visit.
Usually not. Under the slot system in force since December 2018, the two lagoons cannot be visited on the same day, so a tour includes one or the other; check which before you book.
Yes. Boats do not sail under a gale warning or storm signal, and Tour C in open water is canceled most often, especially from June to October.
Big Lagoon El Nido's most famous lagoon on Miniloc Island: time slots and visitor caps, kayak rules, fees, the best time of day and the lagoons nearby. 
Nacpan Beach El Nido's long golden beach and its twin, Calitang: how to get there, what to expect, safe swimming and staying overnight. 
El Nido airport & how to get there Lio Airport (ENI) flights from Clark and Cebu, the van from Puerto Princesa, ferries from Coron and the road from Port Barton. 