El Nido: Hidden Beaches and Lagoons Boat Hopping Tour D

Small Lagoon is the star here: a narrow opening in the rock leads to clear green water surrounded by steep limestone walls. Tour D also favors quieter beaches, so you get more time to swim, snorkel, and take photos without spending every stop in a crowd.

I like the unhurried pace and the mix of kayaking, snorkeling, and beach time. The packed lunch is another plus, with several people describing it as plentiful and tasty. The weak spot is the meeting point at Marber’s Beach Club, where instructions can feel muddled, and departure may run late.

Key points to know before you book

• Small Lagoon is the main attraction: Kayaking or swimming through its rock-lined entrance is the most memorable part of the day.
• Tour D is usually quieter: It is a good alternative to the busier routes, especially if you have already seen El Nido’s most famous stops.
• Two lagoon stops offer water time: Cadlao Lagoon and Small Lagoon give you chances to kayak, snorkel, or swim.
• The beaches are gentle and beginner-friendly: Nat Nat and Paradise Beach have shallow water and calmer waves.
• Budget for extras: The 400 PHP environmental fee, 200 PHP Small Lagoon entry fee, and kayak rentals are not included.
• Expect a full day outdoors: Bring cash, sun protection, swimwear, and a dry plan for your phone and camera.

Why Tour D is often the calmer El Nido route

El Nido has several boat-hopping circuits, and Tour D is a smart pick when you want dramatic rock formations without treating every stop like a timed photo queue. It visits the same kind of scenery that makes El Nido famous, but the route leans toward smaller beaches, lagoons, and less crowded water.

You spend about seven hours on the boat and at the stops. That is long enough to make the trip feel worthwhile, but not so long that you are left far from town after dark. The boat returns to the same meeting area at Marber’s Beach Club.

The activity has a 4.3 out of 5 rating from 301 bookings, and its strongest pattern is clear: people value the quiet stops, friendly crews, good lunch, and time allowed at each location. A few practical problems repeat too: the start can be disorganized, some boats leave late, and the guiding may be light on spoken information.

Meeting at Marber’s Beach Club

Your day begins at Marber’s Beach Club. Bring the environmental fee receipt if you have already paid it. The El Nido Tourism Development Fee, also called the EDTF, costs 400 PHP and must be settled before boarding unless you can show proof of payment.

Allow extra time to find the right group and boat. The meeting area can feel hectic, with unclear directions before departure. Once you are on board, the day is generally much more orderly.

A short safety briefing comes before the boat heads into the open water. Life vests are included, and the tour has a licensed guide. English and Tagalog are the working languages.

The exact guide depends on the departure. Past guides named Jordan, Mark, Arnold, TJ, and others have been praised for helping with photos, keeping the group involved, and watching out for comfort. Do not count on a formal lecture at every stop, though. Some guides focus more on practical help and fun than on long explanations about geology or local ecology.

Small Lagoon: the day’s strongest stop

Small Lagoon is the reason many people choose Tour D. You pass through a narrow opening between limestone walls and reach a pocket of still, green water. The rock formations make the place feel enclosed and quiet, especially when your boat arrives ahead of the main crowd.

Kayaking is the usual way to enjoy this stop. You can paddle into the lagoon, look up at the sheer rock, and move at an easy pace. Swimming is also possible, but the lagoon is most special when you can slowly explore its corners from the water.

The Small Lagoon entry fee is 200 PHP and is not included. Kayak rental is also extra. The listed rental estimate is about 350 PHP per person per kayak, though amounts mentioned by past participants have varied, so carry enough cash and confirm the current price before you set out.

This stop can lose some of its charm if the water is crowded. Tour D’s less common route helps, but no El Nido boat trip can promise an empty lagoon. If you want a quieter experience, being ready at the meeting point and getting onto the boat promptly may help your group reach the first stops at a favorable time.

Cadlao Island and its second lagoon

Cadlao Island brings another dose of pale rock, clear water, and sheltered swimming. The itinerary includes time at Cadlao Lagoon, where you can kayak or stay in the water without feeling rushed.

This is a good place to choose your own level of activity. Strong swimmers may prefer to snorkel or swim, while others can rent a kayak and enjoy the scenery from above the water. One useful detail is that you do not have to kayak at every stop. You can stay on the boat or swim instead, though the lagoon is easier to explore with a kayak.

The two lagoon stops make Tour D a better fit for people who want more than beach lounging. They also mean added costs if you rent equipment at both locations. Ask the crew about the current rate before paying, as the advertised estimate and prices quoted in past accounts have not always matched.

Nat Nat Beach for easy swimming

Nat Nat Beach is one of the gentler stops. Shallow water and calm waves make it suitable for beginners, and you can swim without needing advanced water skills.

The appeal is simple: soft sand, open sea, and enough time to get in the water rather than merely take a quick photo. Snorkeling is part of the day, and the area can offer marine life close to shore. Conditions vary, so do not expect a major reef expedition every time.

Nat Nat is also a useful pause between the more dramatic lagoon stops. After kayaking or moving around the boat, a quiet beach gives you room to dry off, eat, and settle into the slower rhythm of the trip.

Paradise Beach and its marine life

Paradise Beach combines a sandy shoreline with shallow water and calmer waves. It is another approachable swimming stop, and snorkeling here has been a highlight for several people on the boat.

Bring your own mask and fins if you have them, though the activity information specifically says aqua shoes and fins are not included. Rentals may be available, but you should not assume the exact gear or price until you ask the crew.

The beach can be especially pleasant for families with older children and adults who prefer floating or wading to deep-water swimming. Pregnant people, wheelchair users, and people with mobility impairments are not considered suitable for this activity, partly because getting in and out of a boat and moving between beach and water can be demanding.

Bukal Island and the lesser-known stops

Bukal Island rounds out the island-hopping route with more rock formations, clear water, and beach time. The exact order of stops may change with sea conditions, boat timing, or crowd levels, so treat the schedule as a guide rather than a minute-by-minute promise.

The appeal of Bukal is its quieter feel. You are not visiting one giant attraction with a long list of facilities. You are spending time in a small natural setting, swimming, taking photos, and watching the light move across the water.

The itinerary also mentions up to three sandy beaches and two lagoons. Names can vary slightly in descriptions of the final beach stop, with Pasandigan Beach appearing in one account. That is normal for an island route where the crew may adjust the final location to suit conditions.

Lunch, snorkeling, and the rhythm of the day

A packed lunch is included, and it is more than a token snack. The meal has been described as varied, with chicken, seafood, and enough food for the group. Dietary details are not provided, so if you have a strict dietary need, ask before booking.

Lunch matters on a seven-hour boat trip. You will spend much of the day in the sun, and swimming or kayaking works up an appetite quickly. Bring water in a permitted reusable container, but note that plastic bottles are not allowed.

Snorkeling is available at the beach and lagoon stops. The marine life can be excellent, particularly around Paradise Beach and the lagoon areas, though visibility depends on weather and water conditions. If snorkeling is your main goal, Tour D is a stronger choice than a route focused only on viewpoints and beaches.

The boat itself provides the transport between stops, and life vests are included. Smoking and large bags are not allowed. Pack light: swimwear, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, cash, and a small waterproof pouch are the practical basics.

Price and the real cost of the day

At $23 per person, this is a strong value for a seven-hour boat trip that includes a guide, boat transport, entry fees listed in the package, life vests, and lunch. You are paying for a full day of scenery and several water activities rather than a short ride to one beach.

The headline price does not cover everything. Set aside money for:

• 400 PHP for the El Nido Tourism Development Fee
• 200 PHP for Small Lagoon entry
• Kayak rental at Small Lagoon and Cadlao Lagoon
• Aqua shoes, fins, or other optional equipment

The kayak estimate is about 350 PHP per person per kayak, but confirm the current amount with the crew. If you plan to kayak at both lagoons, these extras can add a noticeable amount to the basic fare.

Even with those costs, the tour offers good value if you want a full day at sea and plan to use the water activities. It is less appealing if you want a fully all-inclusive experience with no cash payments after booking.

What can go wrong, and how to handle it

The main practical complaint is the start. Meeting instructions may not be clear, and a boat can leave late because of a technical problem or a slow boarding process. That delay can be frustrating, especially if you have planned another activity that evening.

Once underway, the crew tends to earn strong marks for being helpful, friendly, and attentive. Guides may take photos, assist with kayaking, and make sure people are comfortable. Still, the guiding style is not always formal. If you want detailed information about Palawan’s geology, wildlife, and local culture, ask questions directly.

The time at each stop is generous. That is good news if you like swimming, taking photos, or moving slowly. One downside is that confident kayakers or strong swimmers may feel they have extra time after seeing a lagoon thoroughly.

Weather can also change the mood of the day. Rain at a final beach stop does not cancel the scenery, but it can make the boat ride and beach time less comfortable. Keep a dry layer and protect your phone.

Who should book Tour D

I would choose this tour if you want:

• A quieter alternative to El Nido’s most crowded circuits
• Two lagoon stops with kayaking and swimming
• Several beaches rather than one long stay at a single island
• A relaxed pace with a proper lunch
• A good chance to snorkel and see marine life
• A full day outdoors at a low starting price

I would look elsewhere if you need wheelchair access, have limited mobility, are pregnant, or dislike boarding small boats. I would also think twice if you want a tightly timed trip with constant commentary and no extra charges.

Tour D works particularly well as a second El Nido boat day. If you have already done Tour A, this route gives you a different pace and more secluded-feeling stops. It can also work as your only island-hopping trip if lagoons and snorkeling matter more to you than checking off every famous beach.

Should you book El Nido Tour D?

Yes, if your priorities are quiet beaches, lagoon kayaking, and time in the water. The mix of Small Lagoon, Cadlao Island, Nat Nat Beach, Paradise Beach, and Bukal Island gives you a broad taste of El Nido without making the day feel like a rushed checklist.

Book it with realistic expectations. The meeting point may be confusing, departure may slip, kayak rentals cost extra, and the guide may not provide a detailed speech at every stop. Bring cash, arrive early, pack light, and confirm the equipment fees.

For many people, that trade-off is worthwhile. Tour D offers some of El Nido’s best scenery, a good lunch, friendly crew support, and a better chance of quiet beach time than the most popular routes.

FAQ

How long is El Nido Tour D?

The tour lasts about seven hours, including the boat journey and time at the beaches and lagoons.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at Marber’s Beach Club in El Nido.

Which places does the tour visit?

The listed stops include Small Lagoon, Cadlao Island, Cadlao Lagoon, Nat Nat Beach, Paradise Beach, and Bukal Island. The route can include up to three beaches and two lagoons.

Is kayaking included?

No. Kayak rental is extra at Small Lagoon and Cadlao Lagoon. The estimated cost is about 350 PHP per person per kayak, but you should confirm the current fee.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A packed lunch is included. Past menus have included chicken and seafood, with enough food for the group.

Do I need to pay an environmental fee?

Yes. The El Nido Tourism Development Fee costs 400 PHP and must be paid before boarding. If you already paid it, show your receipt to avoid paying again.

Is the Small Lagoon entry fee included?

No. Small Lagoon has a separate 200 PHP entry fee.

What languages does the guide speak?

Guides speak English and Tagalog. Private groups are available, and the tour provider is Corazon Travel & Tours.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, sunscreen, and cash. Large bags, smoking, and plastic bottles are not allowed.