El Nido Island Hopping Tour C with Lunch

Some beaches are reached through a keyhole. El Nido Island Hopping Tour C packs Bacuit Bay’s best-known coves into a 6 to 8-hour boat trip, with lunch, a local guide, and round-trip boat transfers included. I especially like the chance to swim through a narrow rock opening into Secret Lagoon Beach, and I like that the route combines striking limestone scenery with time to simply swim and sit on the sand.

The main catch is the extra cost. The $32 price does not cover the ₱400 government fee, the ₱300 Matinloc Shrine entrance, or optional equipment rentals. You should also check the transfer terms carefully, since hotels outside downtown El Nido can incur a $50 van surcharge.

Key Things to Know Before Booking

• Secret Lagoon requires a short swim through a narrow rock opening, so it is not a simple walk-off-the-boat stop.
• The group can include up to 30 people, which keeps the cost down but may make the small coves feel crowded.
• Lunch is served on an island beach, giving the middle of the day a slower, more relaxed break.
• The advertised price is only the starting cost, with government and Matinloc fees payable separately.
• Tour C includes four main stops of about 30 minutes each, with Matinloc Island or its shrine referenced separately in the route details.
• Weather matters, and poor conditions can lead to a new date, an alternative tour, or a full refund.

What Your Day in Bacuit Bay Looks Like

The tour begins at 9:00 a.m. at Mabuhay Sports Bar in El Nido. If your hotel is in downtown El Nido or Corong-Corong, round-trip arrangements are part of the package, but the meeting details should still be confirmed when you book.

From there, you board a boat for a full day among the limestone islands of Bacuit Bay. The exact order of the stops can change, and the listed 30-minute periods are estimates rather than strict appointments. Your guide may suggest a schedule, but the group can decide to stay longer or move on sooner.

That flexibility can be useful. A beach may be pleasant and quiet when you arrive, or it may be busy enough that a shorter visit makes sense. The tradeoff is that you do not get a fully fixed timetable. If you want complete control over every minute, a private boat would suit you better.

The boat carries up to 30 people, so this is a shared outing rather than a quiet private cruise. The larger group helps keep the price reasonable, but small beaches and narrow rock passages can feel busy when several boats arrive together.

Hidden Beach: A Natural Swimming Pool

The first listed stop is Hidden Beach, surrounded by tall limestone rock formations. Its swimming area is described as resembling a natural infinity pool, with clear water enclosed by rock.

This stop is about the setting rather than a long beach walk. You can expect time for swimming, floating, and taking in the walls of stone around you. The enclosed shape gives the water a calm, pool-like appearance, though the available swimming space can feel limited when the group is in the water.

I like this as an early stop because it introduces the character of Tour C quickly. You are not spending the morning on an ordinary open beach. You are moving through a bay shaped by cliffs, narrow passages, and small pockets of sand.

The planned time is roughly 30 minutes. That is enough for a swim and a look around, but not enough for a slow, extended beach visit. Bring only what you need from the boat, and keep your camera protected from splashes.

Secret Lagoon and Its Tiny Entrance

Secret Lagoon is the most distinctive stop on this route. It is separated from the open sea by a small, keyhole-like opening in a rock wall. To reach the white sand beach inside, you must swim through a narrow crevice.

That entrance is the point of the visit. It feels more active than simply stepping onto a beach, and it gives the stop a sense of discovery without requiring a difficult hike. Once inside, you find a sandy area enclosed by limestone.

You should be comfortable in the water before booking. The opening is described as door-sized, and access is by swimming, so this is not ideal for anyone who cannot swim or who feels uneasy in tight spaces. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

There is an important cost detail here. The tour information lists Secret Lagoon as an included stop, but the cost section also says the Secret Lagoon entrance is at your own expense. The separate fee list names the government fee and Matinloc Shrine fee but does not provide a specific Secret Lagoon amount. Ask Corazon Travel and Tours to confirm the current charge before you pay, since the information is not fully consistent.

The planned visit is about 30 minutes. That may sound short, but the passage itself takes part of the time. If the opening is busy, you may spend more of the stop waiting your turn than you would expect.

Dilumacad Island, Also Called Helicopter Island

Dilumacad Island is also known as Helicopter Island because of its shape. The island gives Tour C another change of pace after the enclosed coves and narrow entrance at Secret Lagoon.

The provided schedule allows about 30 minutes here. You may use that time to swim, look at the island from the water, or take photographs of its distinctive outline. The information does not promise a particular snorkeling site or a long beach stay, so I would treat this as a short scenic stop rather than plan your whole day around underwater viewing here.

Snorkeling equipment is available for ₱150 per person, but it is not included. Aqua shoes are also available to rent for ₱150. These extras matter because the route includes swimming and rocky coastal areas, yet you should not assume that gear comes with the boat fare.

Tapiutan Beach for Sand and Swimming

Tapiutan Beach is the most straightforward beach stop on the route. It is described as a good place to play in the sand and swim in the water, which makes it a useful counterpoint to the more enclosed locations.

I like having an open beach in the schedule. After squeezing through a rock opening and swimming in a natural pool, you get a place where you can slow down. This is also likely to be one of the better stops for a relaxed picnic lunch, since the package promises lunch on a beautiful island beach.

The information does not specify exactly where lunch is served, so the guide may choose the most practical beach based on conditions and the day’s schedule. Expect a simple picnic-style meal rather than a restaurant lunch. If you have dietary restrictions, provide them at booking time.

The stop is listed at about 30 minutes, although lunch may affect how the schedule works in practice. Since stop times are flexible, ask the guide early about the meal location and how much time you will have to eat and swim.

Matinloc Island and the Extra Shrine Fee

Matinloc Island is named in the route description, and a Matinloc Shrine entrance fee of ₱300 per person is listed separately. However, the four-stop itinerary specifically gives times for Hidden Beach, Secret Lagoon, Dilumacad Island, and Tapiutan Beach, without a separate detailed Matinloc stop.

That means you should clarify what the day’s boat route includes. The tour description says the C route includes Matinloc Island, while the itinerary concentrates on four other locations. The operator also notes that premium stops can have limited capacity and assigned time slots. If a premium stop is unavailable on your date, the operator may change the destination and will not collect an additional permit fee for that unavailable stop.

This is not necessarily a problem, but it is a detail worth settling before departure. Ask if Matinloc Shrine is definitely scheduled, if the ₱300 fee applies on your date, and how it fits into the four main stops.

Lunch, Towels, and What Comes With the Boat

The $32 package includes lunch, a local guide, boat transfers, and towels. Those inclusions make the trip easier than arranging a boat and food on your own, especially if you want one organized day rather than several separate bookings.

The guide is an important part of the experience. A positive account specifically praised guide Jason and his team for being accommodating, reassuring, and helpful. That is encouraging for a day involving boat transfers, swimming through a narrow opening, and a schedule shared by a large group.

Still, lunch and towels do not mean every comfort is included. Snorkeling equipment costs ₱150, and aqua shoes cost ₱150. Government fees cost ₱400 per person, and the Matinloc Shrine entrance is ₱300 per person. The tour description also refers to park fees and entrance costs as separate from the base price.

Bring practical beach clothing, sun protection, and a way to protect valuables from water. The supplied details do not specify whether dry bags or lockers are available, so do not count on either one.

Is $32 Good Value?

At $32 per person, Tour C is priced as an affordable group outing for El Nido. You get a full day on the water, lunch, a guide, boat transfers, and several of the bay’s best-known stops. For someone who wants the classic island-hopping experience without arranging each part independently, that is a useful package.

The real price is higher once the extra fees are added. At minimum, you should budget for the ₱400 government fee. If Matinloc Shrine is part of your day, add ₱300. Optional snorkeling equipment and aqua shoes add another ₱150 each if you rent them.

The possible $50 van surcharge is the biggest cost warning. It applies at check-in if your hotel is outside downtown El Nido, and the supplier requires it. Since this charge can change the value of the booking considerably, confirm your hotel’s location and the transfer price before you commit.

A group size of up to 30 keeps the base price accessible. You pay less than you would for a private boat, but you give up privacy and some control over the schedule. The value is strongest for solo visitors, couples, and small groups who want a ready-made route and do not mind sharing the boat.

Who Will Enjoy This Tour Most?

This tour suits you if you want a full day of swimming, beach time, and dramatic rock formations with the main arrangements handled for you. The route offers enough variety to keep the day moving: an enclosed swimming area, a narrow rock passage, an island shaped like a helicopter, and a conventional sandy beach.

It is also a good fit if you enjoy active sightseeing. Secret Lagoon requires a swim through a tight opening, and several stops involve getting in and out of the water. Children can join, but an adult must accompany them.

You may want another option if you need a private schedule, dislike crowded boats, or cannot swim through a confined passage. You should also think twice if you want a slow beach day. Thirty-minute stop estimates and a maximum group of 30 mean the day is designed around seeing several places, not settling into one quiet cove.

Booking Details That Matter

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the operator asks for the full names and nationalities of all participants for documentation. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and dietary needs should be supplied in advance.

The tour runs only in favorable weather. If conditions cause a cancellation, you can choose another date or an alternative tour, or receive a full refund. The normal cancellation policy allows a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made later are not accepted for a refund.

Premium stops have limited capacity and time slots, so booking early makes sense. The experience had been booked at least five times in the previous week, and its overall rating was 4.5 from 11 reviews. That is a positive signal, though the sample is small.

Final Verdict: Book It If the Extra Fees Are Clear

I would book El Nido Tour C if I wanted a convenient, low-cost way to see several famous parts of Bacuit Bay in one day. Secret Lagoon’s narrow entrance, Hidden Beach’s rock walls, and the island lunch give the route real variety, while guide Jason and his team have been praised for being helpful and reassuring.

Before paying, I would confirm three things: the total government and entrance fees, the exact status of Matinloc Shrine, and the $50 transfer surcharge for my hotel. If those costs fit your budget, this is a strong choice for an active group day. If not, a private arrangement or a simpler beach outing may offer better value.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Mabuhay Sports Bar in El Nido, Palawan.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 6 to 8 hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the tour price.

Are boat transfers included?

Yes. Boat transfers and local guide services are included.

Is hotel pickup included?

Round-trip transfers are available from hotels in El Nido or Corong-Corong. Hotels outside downtown El Nido may require a $50 van transfer surcharge at check-in.

What government fee must I pay separately?

The government fee is ₱400 per person and is not included in the listed tour price.

How much is the Matinloc Shrine entrance fee?

The listed Matinloc Shrine entrance fee is ₱300 per person.

Can I rent snorkeling equipment?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is available to rent for ₱150 per person.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can choose an alternative tour or date, or receive a full refund if the tour is canceled because of poor weather.