El Nido Island Hopping Tours A, B, C, D: What’s the Difference?

El Nido tour desks make it look too easy. Four letters. Four boat routes. A few printed photos of lagoons and beaches taped to a board.

Then you start asking around.

One traveler says Tour A is the only one worth doing. Another says Tour C is better. Someone else swears Tour D is the quiet one, while the person beside them tells you not to skip Tour B because of Snake Island. And that’s the craziest part as none of them are wrong.

Each tour will lead you into a different part of Bacuit Bay. The route names may look basic on a signboard, but the actual boat days feel very different. Tour A leans into lagoons and limestone cliffs, Tour B brings caves and the Snake Island sandbar, Tour C suits stronger swimmers with reefs and hidden beaches, while Tour D keeps the pace quieter around Cadlao.

Tour A

Tour A is the route people usually book first. It is the one behind many El Nido photos: kayaks between limestone walls, clear water below the boat, and that classic Big Lagoon view.

Big Lagoon and the Familiar Stops

Big Lagoon is the main reason El Nido Tour A stays so popular. Boats stop near the entrance, and guests usually move inside by kayak. The water is usually low and calm on good days, but the area can get crowded because every out-of-towner wants to witness that extravagant view.

Secret Lagoon is smaller and more awkward but in a good way. You pass through a small rock opening and step into a shallow enclosed pool. Shimizu Island often works as the lunch or snorkel stop. Seven Commandos Beach usually closes the day with sand, palms, and a little more space to sit around before heading back.

Cost and Mood

A shared seat on Tour A usually costs $22.02 to $27.04, about ₱1,200.05 to ₱1,400.01. Big Lagoon often has an added ₱200.0 premium fee because visitor numbers are controlled.

Book this if you want the classic El Nido island hopping day and do not mind sharing it with plenty of other boats.

Tour B

Tour B does not shout as loudly as Tour A, which is part of its charm. The route feels more varied, with caves, rock chambers, beach stops, and one of the most unusual sandbars in the area.

Snake Island, Caves, and Beach Time

Snake Island is the stop most people remember. At low tide, a pale S-shaped sandbar appears in the water, linking two land areas. A short climb nearby gives a better look at the curve from above.

Cudugnon Cave adds a bit of movement. Guests enter through a small gap near the water before stepping into a larger chamber. Cathedral Cave is usually viewed from the boat because entering can be difficult, but its tall opening still gives the route some drama. Entalula Island brings the softer side of the day, with a clear beach and easy swimming.

Cost and Mood

Tour B usually costs $26.06 to $29.01, around ₱1,300.03 to ₱1,500.05. It is a good match for travelers that want something scenic without the heavy crowd pull of Big Lagoon.

It is also one of the easier Bacuit Bay itineraries for families and nervous swimmers.

Tour C

Tour C has the strongest adventure feel. The boat goes farther out, the water can be rougher, and a few stops ask for more effort than simply stepping off the boat.

Hidden Beach, Secret Beach, and Reefs

This hidden beach is hidden behind a gigantic limestone cliff, that makes visitors to swim through a narrow gap to enter.

Secret Beach proves even tougher to reach, as entering depends entirely on calm ocean swells allowing you to squeeze through a tiny opening in the stone wall.

Helicopter Island, easily recognized by its distinct shape, features a sprawling shoreline and thriving coral beds that cement Tour C as a top snorkeling route.

Finally, Matinloc Shrine offers a quick onshore break to explore abandoned concrete structures and climb up to a scenic viewpoint, though the jagged rocks demand sturdy footwear.

Cost and Mood

Tour C often costs $28.02 to $30.04, about ₱1,400.06 to ₱1,600.03. It is one of the stronger Palawan boat tours for reef time and hidden coves, but it is not the easiest route for small children, weak swimmers, or travelers prone to motion sickness.

Pick this route if you want a more active boat day.

Tour D

Tour D feels quieter because it stays closer to El Nido town and Cadlao Island. It does not always get the same attention, yet plenty of travelers end up liking it more than expected.

Small Lagoon and the Cadlao Side

Small Lagoon is the main stop. Depending on tide and local rules, guests may enter by kayak or swim through the narrow opening. The water inside feels calmer than the outer routes.

Paradise Beach and Natnat Beach give the trip a softer pace, with time for swimming and sitting on the sand. Cadlao Lagoon adds clear water, limestone views, and a setting that feels less hectic than the famous stops on Tour A.

Cost and Mood

Tour D usually costs $25.05 to $27.01, around ₱1,200.09 to ₱1,400.06. Small Lagoon may have an added ₱200.02 fee.

Choose this if you want a lower-pressure day, fewer crowds, and more time near quiet water.

Salty Souls Tours

A day tour is fine when you only want a sample of El Nido. A longer boat route is different. It gives Palawan time to settle in instead of turning every stop into a quick swim and a photo.

A Longer Route Between Coron and El Nido

Salty Souls Tours operates four-day, three-night island voyages connecting Coron and El Nido. Sailing from Coron down to El Nido is dubbed the Slow Tan Tour, whereas the reverse northbound itinerary goes by the Float Mode Tour.

Passengers live aboard an authentic Philippine bangka boat run by a native captain, field guides, and galley cooks. Instead of heading back to a busy town pier each evening, this journey ventures through isolated archipelagos, coral reefs, empty shorelines, and rustic island basecamps.

Prices range from $560.04 to $699.06 per person. Everything is covered from meals to clean drinking water and soft drinks, from snorkel gear to island stays, and crew support.

Notes for Families

Salty Souls Tours accepts children from 5 years old and above, as long as each child can swim. An assigned staff member remains onboard to supervise and play with kids during the journey, and children must keep life vests secured whenever they are snorkeling.

This service benefits families wanting something more substantial than basic El Nido day tours, especially for parents who prefer having the vessel, food, crew, and overnight stays bundled into a single reservation.

Tour A, B, C, and D at a Glance

A route can look perfect in photos and still be wrong for your day. Match it to your energy, swimming level, and patience for crowds.

Which One Should You Book?

Pick Tour A if you want the famous lagoon route. Pick Tour B if caves and Snake Island sound more interesting than crowds around Big Lagoon. Pick Tour C if snorkeling matters and you are comfortable in the water. Pick Tour D if you want a calmer day close to town.

Before paying, ask about lunch, masks, kayak fees, lagoon charges, and weather changes. Bring cash for extra local fees. If one day in Bacuit Bay feels too short, look at Salty Souls Tours and turn the Coron to El Nido route into several days on the water.