Towering limestone rock formations, crystal clear turquoise waters, idyllic white sand beaches, and picture perfect sunsets are all ways to describe El Nido. The best way to experience this tropical paradise is by taking any of the awesome El Nido tours.
These El Nido boat tours are epic in so many ways, you get to hang out on a classic double outrigger sailboat, snorkel some incredible spots and even drink beer on a kayak if you want.
I spent a week in El Nido, taking island hopping boat tours everyday and let me tell you they did not disappoint! There are several different tours to choose from and by the end of this article, you’ll learn what El Nido tour is best for you.
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Things to Know About El Nido Tours
Before you embark on a boat tour in El Nido, let’s go over a few things. All the El Nido tours listed in this post are boat tours. There are four El Nido boat tours that you can take – A, B, C, or D.
All group tours leave at 8 am and arrive back in El Nido town around 4 pm, so you will have a full day of fun on the water. Each tour costs about $25. Those are all wins in my book
There are also private tours available which I will discuss in more detail later on. A El Nido Private boat tour of course is awesome, you get to experience the same top attractions in El Nido and avoid the crowds to have a more intimate experience.
⛵️ Travel Tip: If you are looking for more of an adventure take an overnight boat trip on Big Dream Boat Man Coron.
El Nido Tour A
Tour A El Nido is one of the most popular tours in El Nido. This tour will stop at Small Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island and Seven Commando Beach.
You will discover beautiful lagoons, beaches and snorkeling spots where you can swim, snorkel, and/or kayak. Price for Tour A is 1200P ($23 USD) and includes a lunch buffet on the beach, water, a snorkel and a mask.
This was in my opinion the best tour in El Nido because I really enjoyed renting a kayak and exploring Small Lagoon. As a bonus there are locals selling beers for $.50 out of their kayaks and they come right up to you! Your own personal floating bar.
El Nido Tour B
Tour B El Nido takes you to do some snorkeling, enjoy white sand beaches, and you get to visit a cave and discover a very unique sandbar in the middle of the sea. This tour stops at Snake Island, Pinagbuyutan Island, Entalula Beach, Cudugnon Cave, and also a snorkeling sight.
This El Nido boat tour is perfect if you are looking to do more island hopping than snorkeling and swimming. Price for Tour B is 1300 Pesos ($24 USD) and includes a lunch buffet on the beach, water, a snorkel and a mask.
El Nido Tour C
Tour C El Nido is probably the most popular of all the El Nido tours. This tour will take you on a journey to explore beautiful islands, beaches and snorkeling spots. On this tour you will stop at Helicopter Island, Matinloc Shrine, Secret Beach, Star Beach, and Hidden Beach.
If you only have time for one boat tour in El Nido, many people choose to tour El Nido on this tour because it stops at one of the most famous islands of the Bacuit archipelago, Dilumacad island!
Dilumacad island is commonly know as Helicopter Island because of its shape. Although, some think it looks more like a camel, a dolphin or even a dinosaur. I personally thought it looked like a chicken drumstick.
Price for Tour C is $30 USD and includes a lunch buffet on the beach, water, a snorkel and a mask.
El Nido Tour D
Tour D El Nido will take you to see some of the most beautiful beaches in Palawan. You will have time to relax on the white sands and/or snorkel around and admire the colorful coral and exotic fish species.
The beaches that you stop at on this El Nido tour are Ipil Beach, Cadlao Lagoon, Paradise Beach, Pasandigan Beach, Natnat Beach, and Bukal Beach.
This tour is perfect if you’re looking to spend some time on exotic beaches and take it easy in between snorkels. Price for Tour D is 24 USD and includes a lunch buffet on the beach, water, a snorkel and a mask.
💡 Travel Tip: These tour has options of “counter-the-clock” and “reverse order” for a El Nido private tour, which are designed to allow you to avoid the crowds during your island hopping day. This does cost extra.
El Nido Private Tours
A private boat tour around El Nido is a luxurious and personalized scape into the pristine beauty of Palawan’s turquoise waters and limestone karst formations. Aboard your private boat, you’ll have to freedom to craft your own itinerary and hit many of the top sights I listed above.
Glide through hidden lagoons with crystal-clear waters, snorkel in the vibrant coral gardens, and relax on secluded white-sand beaches. These are all things that await you when you opt for an El Nido private tour.
Tips for El Nido Boat Tours
- Make sure you ask how many people are on the tour already because the boats are small and it can get crowded quick. We would always ask and decide which tour to do based on the lowest number of people.
- Sunscreen – This is my go to reef safe sunscreen I use daily. Bring lots of it as it gets hot real quick and the sun is relentless.
- No need to bring your own beer, there will be men on kayaks rowing by with a selection of beer, rum and water to buy. And it’s extremely affordable, like .50 cents a beer.
- Snorkel gear will be provided by the tour.
Have you experienced one of these El Nido Tours? Let fellow travelers know in the comments below 👇.
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My hubby and I are celebrating our anniversary and we want to enjoy it El Nido.
Can we book the tours A, B, C, or D upon arrival?
Thanks!
Hi! Yes you can book when you are on El Nido..there are several shops in town. We got lucky and had most of our tours only half full because we traveled during slow season. I hope the same goes for you. Happy anniversary, you’re picking a great place to celebrate!
HiJess,
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I asked about “can we book the tours ( A,B, C, D) upon arrival”.
The right one is:
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