El Nido Tour A, B, C or D? Which Tour Is Best?
Trying to choose between El Nido Tour A, B, C or D? I did Tour A with my daughters and we loved it! Each tour offers something slightly different. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you choose the best El Nido island hopping tour for your trip.
El Nido Tours A, B, C & D Tour Comparison
🏝️ TOUR A — Best for first-time visitors Big Lagoon • Secret Lagoon • Beautiful beaches
🏖️ TOUR B — Best for caves & sandbars Snake Island • Caves • Quieter islands
🤿 TOUR C — Best for snorkelling & hidden beaches Hidden Beach • Secret Beach • Helicopter Island
🌴 TOUR D — Best for quieter island hopping Small Lagoon • Cadlao Lagoon • Beaches
Our pick: Tour A ⭐
We only had time for one island hopping tour in El Nido and chose Tour A. For a first visit, I’d choose it again — mainly because of the incredible Big Lagoon.
El Nido Tour A
Tour A is the classic El Nido island hopping tour, and it's the one we personally did.
The biggest highlight is Big Lagoon, where you leave the main boat behind and explore by kayak beneath the enormous limestone cliffs.
Tour A generally includes stops around:
Big Lagoon
Secret Lagoon
Shimizu Island
Payong-Payong Beach
Seven Commandos Beach
Current Tour A routes centre around Big Lagoon, although exact beach stops can vary.
I found Tour A really easy to do as a family. Just don't expect to have the lagoons to yourself!
Tour A is incredibly popular, and there can be plenty of other boats and kayaks around. But honestly, Big Lagoon is spectacular enough that I'd still choose it again.
El Nido Tour B
Tour B is quite different from Tour A.
Instead of being all about the famous lagoons, it's more focused on caves, islands and sandbars, with stops generally including Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave and Cathedral Cave.
It's also worth considering if you've already done Tour A or want to see a different side of Bacuit Bay.
El Nido Tour C
If I had time to add a second island hopping day in El Nido, Tour C would probably be my next choice.
Tour C usually visits places including Hidden Beach, Secret Beach, Talisay Beach and Helicopter Island, with more emphasis on beaches and snorkelling.
El Nido Tour D
Tour D is the one I'd look at if you want a quieter alternative to the more popular tours.
It's another lagoon-focused trip, but instead of Big Lagoon you'll usually visit Small Lagoon and Cadlao Lagoon, along with quieter beaches and coves around Cadlao Island.
Which Island Tour Should You Choose?
If you only have time for one island-hopping trip, I'd recommend Tour A.
If you have enough time for two island hopping days, I'd do Tour A + Tour C. You'd get the famous lagoons on one day and more hidden beaches and snorkelling on the other.
Only have 1 day? You can combine Tour A & Tour C into one day tour with a speed boat. Which is a great option if you're short on time but want to see as much as possible?
Is El Nido Island Hopping Worth It?
Absolutely.
Yes, it's touristy. Yes, there are lots of boats.
But once you're kayaking beneath those enormous limestone cliffs with that insanely blue water around you, you understand why everyone comes here.
Island hopping was easily one of our highlights in El Nido.
What to Bring on an El Nido Island Hopping Tour
Dry bag (they are sold everywhere in El nido at a great price)
Reef-safe sunscreen
Hat
Water
Towel
GoPro/underwater camera/waterproof phone pouch
Some cash for ice cream
Keep your environmental fee receipt! We were able to use ours for multiple days in El Nido, so don't throw it away after your first tour.
Where to Stay in El Nido
We stayed in Corong Corong, just outside El Nido town, and loved it!
It' also really convenient that island hopping tours leave directly from Corong Corong Beach, so you don't need to travel into El Nido town to join a tour.
More El Nido & Philippines Guides
🇵🇭 Philippines With Kids – Our complete family travel itinerary.
🏝️ Where to Stay in El Nido – The best areas and where we stayed.
🚤 El Nido to Coron Expedition – Our incredible 3-day boat trip.
🌴 3 Days in Moalboal – How we planned our time in Moalboal.
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