El Nido Palawan, Philippines has been the 'trending' destination for a couple years now and of course I wanted to see what all the hype was about. Towering limestone rock formations, crystal clear turquoise waters, idyllic white sand beaches, and picture perfect sunsets, needless to say El Nido did NOT disappoint!
No trip to El Nido would be complete without taking a few boat tours...okay ALL the boat tours. I mean costing around $20 or less per person per tour its a great deal! You spend the day on the water and get to explore parts of El Nido that you can only see via these organized tours.
There are four tour options A, B, C, or D. All tours leave at 8 am and arrive back in El Nido town around 4 pm so you have a full, fun day of exploring on the water. Here is a breakdown of each tour.
Tour A:
Tour A 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. During the day, you will discover beautiful lagoons, beaches and snorkeling spots where you can swim, snorkel, and/or kayak. Price for Tour A is P1200 ($22 USD) and includes a lunch buffet on the beach, water, a snorkel and a mask. Look up to tour prices here.
This was my favorite tour 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!
Tour B:
Tour B takes your able 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 tour is perfect if your looking to do more island hopping than snorkeling and swimming.
Price for Tour B is P1300 ($24 USD) and includes a lunch buffet on the beach, water, a snorkel and a mask. Book your tour here.
Tour C:
Tour C 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 tour I many people choose this one because it stops at one of the most famous islands of the Bacuit archipelago, Dilumacad island! But its 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 P1400 ($26 USD) and includes a lunch buffet on the beach, water, a snorkel and a mask. Click here for tour prices and availability.
Tour D:
Tour D will take you to see some of the most beautiful beaches in Palawan. You will have the 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 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 P1200 ($22 USD) and includes a lunch buffet on the beach, water, a snorkel and a mask. Book me now!
*Notes these tour has options of “counter-the-clock” and “reverse order” for private tours, which are designed to allow you to avoid the crowds during your island hopping day and they do cost extra. Can we say insta worthy?
Tips before you book your tour:
Make sure you ask how many people are on the tour already cause 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.
Bring lots of sunscreen 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 buy with a selection of beer, rum and water to buy. And its cheap, like .50 cents a beer!
What are you waiting for? Book the tours and have the time of your life! Follow along @imjess_traveling to see me frolic across the globe. Thanks for reading and aloha!