El Nido: Island Hopping Tour B Cudognong Cave & More

Look beyond El Nido’s busiest lagoons. This six-hour boat trip through Bacuit Bay takes you to Snake Island, Popolkan Beach, Cudognong Cave, Cathedral Cave, and Entalula Island for $25 per person. I like the smaller, calmer feel of this route, and I like that it mixes beaches, snorkeling, sandbars, and caves instead of repeating the same kind of stop all day.

The crew is another strong point. Guides such as Jake, Angelo, Arnold, Dexter, and Rene have earned praise for keeping groups safe, cheerful, and on schedule. My main caution is practical: the route can involve awkward cave access, and the environmental fee, rented gear, and some possible site charges can add to the advertised price.

The best reasons to choose Tour B

• A quieter route through Bacuit Bay: Tour B generally feels less crowded than Tour A, with some groups numbering around 13 people or fewer.
• Snake Island’s changing sandbar: Tides shape the narrow strip of sand, so the view can look different from one visit to the next.
• Cudognong Cave’s wartime story: The cave is linked to Japanese soldiers who hid there during World War II.
• Good variety in six hours: You get beaches, snorkeling, caves, rock formations, and a boat ride without spending a full day at sea.
• Lunch is included: The meal has been praised for its generous variety, including meat and fish on some departures.
• A strong value at $25: The boat, guide, life vest, and lunch are included, though extra fees still matter.

Why Tour B can be the smart El Nido choice

El Nido’s famous boat tours are often judged by how many famous sights they pack into a day. Tour B takes a different approach. It gives you a string of natural stops around Bacuit Bay, with more time for swimming, beach walks, and exploring rock formations.

At $25, the basic value is good. You are paying for a licensed guide, boat transport between islands, a life vest, and lunch. That is a fair price for six hours in one of Palawan’s most scenic areas, especially if you want an active day without booking a private boat.

The strongest reason to choose this tour is the atmosphere. Several groups have been notably small, including one with only five people and another with 13. That matters. A smaller boat makes it easier to get help from the crew, find a place to sit, and enjoy a quieter stop when the bay is busy.

Still, do not assume every departure will be tiny. Boat size and meeting arrangements can vary by the option you book. If group size is important to you, ask before paying.

Setting out from El Nido

You meet the boat at the location assigned to your booking. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to the starting point and return there after the tour.

Before boarding, you must have paid the El Nido Tourism Development Fee, also called the environmental fee or EDTF. It costs 400 Philippine pesos. Keep the receipt with you and show it to the guide, since you may otherwise be asked to pay again.

The boat ride is part of the appeal. Bacuit Bay is framed by steep limestone formations, open water, and small beaches that appear between the rock walls. The boat is your transport, lunch table, and home base for the day, so bring only what you need and protect phones or cameras from splashes.

The tour runs for about six hours. Starting times depend on availability, and the exact order of stops can change with tides, weather, and local operating conditions. That flexibility is normal for island trips, but it means you should not expect a minute-by-minute schedule.

Snake Island and the sandbar shaped by the tide

Snake Island is usually the most instantly recognizable stop. Its name comes from the long, winding sandbar that reaches into the water. It is not a snake-filled island. The shape simply resembles one from above.

This is the classic photo stop, but it is more than a place to take pictures. You can walk along the sandbar, look back toward the green and gray rock formations, and see how the shallow water changes color around it. At low tide, more sand is exposed and the shape becomes clearer. At high tide, the sandbar may be partly covered, which can make the visit less dramatic.

That tide issue is worth taking seriously. One group found the sandbar enjoyable even when the water was high, but the sight would have been more striking with more exposed sand. If you have a choice of dates or departure times, ask how the tide may affect the stop.

Wear secure footwear if you plan to walk far along the sand. The sandbar can be slippery near the water, and the boat may not stop directly beside dry, easy ground. Aqua shoes are not included, but they can be rented.

Popolkan Beach for swimming and reef life

Popolkan Beach is the tour’s main water stop. The appeal here is simple: clear tropical water, a sandy shoreline, and nearby reef life for snorkeling.

The water can look especially inviting on a bright day, but overcast weather does not necessarily ruin the stop. Several groups still enjoyed swimming and snorkeling in cloudy conditions. Weather does affect visibility, color, and the comfort of getting in the water, so keep your expectations realistic during the wet season.

The coral and fish are among the tour’s most praised features. You may find the snorkeling more rewarding than the beach itself, especially if you enjoy watching smaller reef fish close to the rocks. Bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them. Fins and other equipment are available to rent, but they cost extra.

A life vest is included, and you should use it if you are not a confident swimmer. The crew has received strong praise for helping children and nervous swimmers, but the tour is still not suited to people with mobility impairments. Getting between the boat, beach, rocks, and cave areas can require climbing, stepping over uneven surfaces, or moving through shallow water.

Cudognong Cave and its World War II story

Cudognong Cave gives the day more depth than a standard beach cruise. The cave is associated with Japanese soldiers who hid there during World War II. Your guide can explain the local story while you look into the dark opening and the surrounding limestone.

Do not picture an easy walk into a broad, paved cavern. Access can be difficult. One recent group found the caves impressive but hard to reach, which is useful warning for anyone with limited balance or joint trouble.

The setting is dramatic because the cave is part of the island’s natural rock structure, not a built attraction. You get a chance to see how the limestone formations create pockets, openings, and sheltered spaces around the bay. The history also gives the stop a human connection, reminding you that these quiet islands have not always been peaceful holiday settings.

Bring a small waterproof light only if permitted by the crew, and avoid touching rock surfaces or disturbing anything inside. The supplied information does not promise a long cave exploration, so think of this as a guided look at an important site rather than a full spelunking trip.

Cathedral Cave and the drama of Bacuit Bay

Cathedral Cave is another rock formation stop, known for its high, church-like interior. The boat approach is part of the experience. You see the opening from the water, surrounded by the towering limestone walls that make Bacuit Bay so distinctive.

The cave may be viewed from the boat rather than explored on foot. That can be a plus if you prefer a comfortable sightseeing stop after swimming, but it may disappoint you if you expect a long walk inside. Ask the guide how close conditions allow the boat to get.

This is also where weather matters. Gray skies can flatten the colors, while bright light brings out the contrast between the rock, water, and surrounding vegetation. Even so, the scale of the formations remains impressive in changing weather.

Entalula Island and the white-sand finish

Entalula Island is known for its white-sand beach. After caves and snorkeling, it gives you a chance to slow down, wade in the water, and enjoy a classic Palawan beach setting.

The beach is the kind of place where you will want a few unhurried minutes rather than a rushed photo stop. Walk along the sand, swim if conditions allow, and look back at the rock formations from shore. The island can also be a welcome place for lunch or a rest, depending on the day’s schedule.

One thing to watch is that the exact lunch location can change. Lunch is included, and the food has been praised as generous and tasty, with mixed selections of meat and fish on some trips. However, a separate charge may apply if the boat takes you to a private island or site that charges an entrance fee. Ask the crew before agreeing to an optional stop or extra location.

Lunch, gear, and the real cost

The $25 price looks attractive because the main pieces are covered: boat transport, a licensed guide, life vests, and lunch. For a six-hour trip, that is solid value, particularly when the group is small and the crew gives personal help.

Budget for the following extras:

• El Nido Tourism Development Fee: 400 PHP
• Aqua shoes, snorkel gear, fins, or kayak rental
• Big Lagoon entry fee, listed at 200 PHP
• Any additional entrance charge connected with a private island or optional stop

The Big Lagoon fee deserves clarification. Big Lagoon is not part of the core list of Tour B stops provided here, but some departures have included it or have had route details that differ. Confirm the day’s stops and any entrance fees before boarding.

Lunch is one of the tour’s better value points. You are not left to buy food at each island, and the meal can be substantial enough to feel like a proper break. If you have dietary needs, the supplied information does not promise special meals, so ask the operator before booking.

Guides can make or break the day

The crew gets unusually strong praise for friendliness, humor, and safety. That matters on a boat tour, where a good guide can turn a basic schedule into a relaxed day rather than a queue of hurried stops.

Jake has been called a legend, while Angelo was praised for making everyone feel included and safe. Arnold was singled out for humor and time management. Other praised guides include Dexter and Rene. You may not get one of those guides, but the pattern is clear: crew performance is a major part of this experience.

The best guides do more than point at scenery. They help you get on and off the boat, explain the cave story, watch the clock, and check that less confident swimmers are comfortable. That support is especially useful when the water is choppy or cave access is awkward.

Weather, crowds, and what can change

Palawan weather can shift the mood of the day. Rain may reduce visibility and make the sandbar less striking, but it does not automatically ruin the trip. Groups have still enjoyed the caves, beaches, lunch, and crew in all-day rain.

The route is also less predictable than a land tour. Tides affect Snake Island, sea conditions affect boat access, and local decisions can change the order of stops. You should see the published route as a strong guide, not a guarantee that every stop will look exactly like a postcard.

Crowds are another variable. Tour B is often quieter than Tour A, but popular stops can still attract several boats. A small group helps, yet it cannot control how many other boats are in Bacuit Bay that day.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose Tour B if you want variety, a smaller-group feel, and a mix of natural scenery and local history. It suits confident swimmers, beach lovers, photographers, and anyone who would rather visit several different kinds of places than spend the day at one famous lagoon.

It is also a good choice for families with older children, especially because the crew has been praised for helping children in the water. You still need to judge your child’s comfort with boat transfers, uneven ground, and cave access.

I would be cautious if you have mobility limitations, dislike getting wet, or want a fully predictable schedule. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the cave stops may be physically demanding. It is also not the best pick if your main goal is kayaking, since kayaks are not included and Tour B is built around moving by boat.

Practical packing advice

Bring a sun hat, swimwear, sunscreen, and cash. Cash is useful for the environmental fee, equipment rental, and any unexpected site charge.

I would also pack a waterproof phone pouch, a dry bag, a towel, and footwear that can handle both sand and uneven rock. Only the first four items are specifically required in the supplied tour information, but the extra protection makes sense for a boat day.

Keep your receipt for the environmental fee accessible. If you already paid it, showing proof can prevent a second payment. Before the boat leaves, confirm what gear is available, what costs extra, and where lunch will be served.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now while paying later. Those terms are useful if your Palawan plans depend on weather or ferry connections.

Should you book El Nido Tour B?

Book it if you want a well-priced, six-hour outing with good variety and a quieter feel than the most crowded El Nido routes. Snake Island, the reefs at Popolkan, Cudognong Cave, Cathedral Cave, and Entalula Island each offer something different, and lunch plus a helpful crew make the price easier to justify.

Just budget for the 400 PHP environmental fee and equipment rentals, and confirm any extra entrance charges. If you accept some tide and weather uncertainty, Tour B is one of the better choices for seeing more of Bacuit Bay without spending a full day or paying for a private boat.

FAQ

How long is El Nido Tour B?

The tour lasts approximately six hours. Starting times depend on availability.

What places does Tour B visit?

The listed stops are Snake Island, Popolkan Beach, Cudognong Cave, Cathedral Cave, and Entalula Island. Routes can vary by departure conditions.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the tour price. The meal has been described as varied, with meat and fish served on some departures.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The meeting point depends on the option booked, and you return to the same starting point after the tour.

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 the guide.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Aqua shoes, fins, snorkeling equipment, and kayaks are not included. These items may be available to rent for an additional charge.

Is Big Lagoon included in Tour B?

Big Lagoon is listed with a 200 PHP entry fee, but it is not included in the core list of Tour B stops provided here. Confirm the exact route and fees before departure.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Cave access, boat transfers, beaches, and uneven surfaces can be difficult.