El Nido Island Tour D

Quiet coves, bright water, and five island stops. El Nido Island Tour D gives you a full day among Palawan’s famous limestone cliffs, with visits to Small Lagoon, Cadlao Lagoon, Paradise Beach, Bukal Beach, and Pasandigan Beach. At $22 per person, it is one of the more affordable ways to get onto the water and see several of El Nido’s best-known coastal sights.

I like the route’s five-stop variety, especially the mix of lagoons and beaches. I also like that Tour D can feel less crowded than the better-known Tours A and C, which makes the day calmer and more pleasant. The main drawback is the loose departure schedule: you meet before 8:30 a.m., then may wait until the boat leaves between 9 and 10 a.m., depending on Coast Guard clearance.

Key points to know before booking

• Small Lagoon and Cadlao Lagoon are the scenic centerpieces: Expect limestone walls, calm water, and an optional kayak rental at Small Lagoon.
• Tour D can be quieter than Tours A and C: This is useful if you prefer less congestion at the stops.
• The $22 price does not cover every cost: Add the 400-peso environmental fee, 200-peso lagoon fee, and any kayak or snorkeling-mask rental.
• The morning includes a waiting period: Meet at the Cliffside Travel and Tours office before 8:30 a.m., but boat dispatch may not happen until 9 to 10 a.m.
• Lunch is included: A picnic lunch is served at one of the islands, though the amount may feel modest if you have a large appetite.
• The day is active but flexible: You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, play volleyball, or eat at a restaurant during the stops.

What Tour D is really like

This is a classic El Nido island-hopping day. You gather at the Cliffside Travel and Tours booking office beside El Nido Cliffside Cottages, then move as a group to El Nido Town Beach for the boat departure.

The meeting time is before 8:30 a.m. That does not mean the boat leaves immediately. Dispatch usually takes place between 9 and 10 a.m., depending on Coast Guard clearance. You may wait around town or at the beach before boarding, so do not plan a tight activity for the early evening.

The first boat ride takes about 20 to 30 minutes. After that, each stop lasts roughly 40 to 50 minutes. With five destinations, lunch, and boat transfers, the full day can end anywhere from 3 to 5 p.m. The advertised duration is eight hours, but local sea conditions and departure clearance can affect the exact finish.

That flexible timing is normal for island tours in El Nido, but it is still worth knowing. I would bring water, sun protection, and something small to eat in case lunch is later than expected or not quite enough for you.

A licensed guide is available throughout the trip. The tour operates in English and Tagalog, and the guide can assist when you need help at the boat, beach, or lagoon.

Small Lagoon: the first major stop

Small Lagoon is likely to be one of the most memorable parts of the route. Tall limestone cliffs frame a narrow water entrance, creating a sheltered setting that feels very different from an open beach.

A kayak is available here for 300 pesos per hour. The kayak is not included in the tour price, so bring cash if you want to paddle farther into the lagoon. This extra charge is a point worth considering, especially if you assume all lagoon activities are covered by the basic fare.

You can also stop near a small beach when renting a kayak. That gives you a place to pause and enjoy the cliffs from the water, rather than simply arriving by boat, taking a quick look, and leaving.

Small Lagoon can be beautiful, but your enjoyment depends partly on timing and crowd levels. Since the tour may be quieter than Tours A and C, Tour D can offer a more comfortable visit. Still, the lagoon fee is separate, and kayak availability and conditions may affect how much time you spend paddling.

If you want the most active part of the morning, this is the place to use your kayak budget. If you would rather keep costs down, you can enjoy the lagoon from the boat and beach area without renting one.

Cadlao Lagoon and the limestone cliffs

Cadlao Lagoon adds another enclosed-water setting to the route. Its appeal comes from the same natural combination that makes El Nido famous: pale limestone cliffs, clear coastal water, and small beaches tucked into the rock.

The two lagoons give Tour D a stronger scenic focus than a route made up only of beaches. You get time to swim and take in the cliffs, but you also get the distinctive feeling of entering a protected cove surrounded by stone walls.

A 200-peso lagoon fee is collected at the booking office. This is separate from the 400-peso environmental fee, so your actual cost is higher than the advertised $22. The fees are still modest compared with the cost of arranging a private boat, but they matter when you are comparing tours or setting a daily budget.

Cadlao Lagoon is also a good reminder that this is not a sightseeing cruise where you simply remain on board. You should expect to get wet, climb in and out of the boat, and move between the boat, beach, and water. Pack your phone and camera in a waterproof pouch.

Paradise Beach: time for a slower pace

Paradise Beach gives the day a change of rhythm. After the narrow lagoons and cliff walls, a white sand beach offers room to swim, sunbathe, and simply sit by the water.

You can use this stop for the activities that are harder to fit into a lagoon visit. Sunbathing is easy, swimming is straightforward, and volleyball may be available as part of the beach time. The tour also allows time to eat at a restaurant, depending on the stop and local arrangements.

The beach stops are useful for anyone who does not want every minute filled with snorkeling or kayaking. You can take photos, cool off in the water, or rest while other people stay active.

Do not expect the same kind of scenery at every stop. The lagoons provide the dramatic cliff setting, while Paradise Beach is more about open sand and a relaxed break. That contrast makes the route feel more varied.

Bukal Beach and Pasandigan Beach

Bukal Beach and Pasandigan Beach complete the five-stop route. The available information does not give a detailed schedule for each beach, so the exact order and time at each site may change. The general plan allows about 40 to 50 minutes per destination.

These stops give you more chances to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, and take in Palawan’s coast without rushing through only one famous attraction. If you enjoy beach hopping, this repeated change of setting is part of the value.

The tradeoff is that 40 to 50 minutes passes quickly. You may need to choose between swimming, snorkeling, photos, and lunch rather than doing everything at every beach. Snorkeling masks can be rented at the beach during boat dispatch, but the rental cost is not included.

I would decide before departure which activities matter most to you. If swimming is your priority, skip the long photo session at one stop. If you want to snorkel, arrange your mask early so you do not lose time later.

Lunch, boat comfort, and the pace of the day

A picnic lunch is included and served at one of the islands. That is a real benefit at this price because you do not need to arrange a separate meal during an eight-hour outing.

The amount of food may not suit every appetite. One person found the lunch less generous than meals on other island tours, while still describing the overall trip positively. I would carry a small snack, especially if you eat a large breakfast or expect a late lunch.

Boat comfort is another point to watch. One account described the boat as small and found the seating rules less comfortable than on other boats. In that case, passengers were not allowed to sit on the benches in the way they had on previous tours. Boat arrangements can vary, but you should be prepared for a basic local excursion rather than a spacious cruise.

The boat also moves as part of a larger group during the town-to-beach transfer. You may gather at the office, wait for the group, and then continue to the beach for boarding. That extra stage can make the morning feel less direct.

Still, a smaller boat or less crowded route can have an upside. Tour D has been praised for visiting attractive places without the heavy crowds associated with Tour A. If peace at the stops matters more to you than a polished boat setup, that balance may work in your favor.

How Tour D compares with the busy routes

The strongest reason to choose Tour D is the chance to avoid some of the crowding found on Tour A. One person who had been moved from Tour D to Tour A found the alternative route much more crowded and disappointing because it did not visit the places originally wanted.

That experience points to a practical booking concern. If Tour D is important to you, confirm the route when your booking is finalized and again before departure. There has been at least one case where a confirmed Tour D reservation was changed to Tour A shortly afterward.

Tour A is not necessarily a bad choice. It can work if you plan to take several El Nido tours and do not mind visiting busy locations. But if you chose Tour D specifically for its lagoons, beaches, or lower crowd levels, a last-minute route change would matter.

Tour D also appears to suit people who have already seen some of El Nido’s busiest sites and want a calmer day. The scenery remains the main attraction, but the mood can be less hurried.

Is $22 a good value?

At $22 per person, the base price is attractive. You receive boat transport, a tour guide, life vest, boat permit, picnic lunch, and free hotel pickup within El Nido Town.

You also receive five destinations in a full-day outing. If you arranged separate transport, meals, and boat access yourself, the convenience alone would be useful. The price works particularly well for a budget-conscious visitor who wants a straightforward way to see El Nido’s coast.

But the headline price is not the final cost. You need to add:

• 400 pesos for the environmental fee
• 200 pesos for the lagoon fee
• 300 pesos per hour for a kayak at Small Lagoon, if you choose to rent one
• Snorkeling-mask rental, if needed

The extra fees are clearly part of the practical calculation. One person preferred paying more upfront and having kayaking included rather than being asked to pay separately at the lagoon. I understand that view. If you know you want to kayak, budget for it from the start.

Even with those additions, Tour D can be good value if you want five coastal stops, lunch, and a guide without paying for a private tour. Its value falls if you expect premium boat comfort, generous meals, or every activity to be included.

Who will enjoy this El Nido day?

I would recommend Tour D to you if you want:

• A full day on the water for a modest base price
• A mix of lagoons and white sand beaches
• Fewer crowds than the most popular routes, when the schedule operates as planned
• Time for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and beach activities
• A guided group outing with hotel pickup in El Nido Town

It is less suitable if you need a precise schedule or dislike waiting before boarding. It may also disappoint you if you expect a large boat, generous lunch, or included kayaking.

Families and first-time visitors can benefit from the simple structure, life vests, guide support, and included meal. Active visitors should bring cash for the kayak and snorkeling equipment. Couples and photographers may especially appreciate the limestone scenery and the quieter feel at some stops.

The tour is not designed around luxury. It is a practical local boat day, with changing departure times and basic arrangements. That is part of the experience, for better and worse.

Booking details that matter

Meet at the Cliffside Travel and Tours booking office beside El Nido Cliffside Cottages before 8:30 a.m. Free pickup is available from hotels within El Nido Town only, so confirm whether your accommodation falls within that area.

Boat dispatch takes place at El Nido Town Beach between 9 and 10 a.m., subject to Coast Guard clearance. The tour ends at El Nido Beach, usually between 3 and 5 p.m.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Palawan schedule is still changing. The guide service is offered in English and Tagalog.

Bring sun protection, swimwear, a waterproof bag, and cash for the environmental fee, lagoon fee, kayak, and mask rental. A snack is sensible because lunch portions may feel light to some people.

Should you book El Nido Island Tour D?

Book Tour D if you want five scenic stops, lower potential crowd levels, and a low starting price. Small Lagoon and Cadlao Lagoon give the route its strongest visual appeal, while Paradise, Bukal, and Pasandigan beaches add room to swim and rest.

I would not book it expecting a carefully timed premium excursion. The morning wait can be long, the boat may feel basic, and the lunch and optional activities are not as generous as some other tours. Confirm that Tour D will operate as planned, then bring cash for the add-ons.

For a budget-minded day among El Nido’s cliffs and beaches, this is a solid choice. Its best feature is not luxury. It is the chance to see several beautiful places in one day without following the busiest route.

FAQ

Where does El Nido Island Tour D start?

The meeting point is the Cliffside Travel and Tours booking office beside El Nido Cliffside Cottages. You should arrive before 8:30 a.m.

Where does the boat leave from?

The boat dispatches from El Nido Town Beach, usually between 9 and 10 a.m., depending on Coast Guard clearance.

How long does the tour last?

The activity is listed as eight hours. The tour usually ends between 3 and 5 p.m., depending on the departure time and conditions.

Which destinations are included?

Tour D includes Small Lagoon, Cadlao Lagoon, Paradise Beach, Bukal Beach, and Pasandigan Beach.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic lunch is included and served at one of the islands.

What is included in the $22 price?

The price includes the island-hopping boat trip, life vest, tour guide, boat permit, picnic lunch, and free hotel pickup within El Nido Town only.

What extra fees must I pay?

You must pay a 400-peso environmental fee and a 200-peso lagoon fee at the booking office. Kayak and snorkeling-mask rentals cost extra.

How much does a kayak cost at Small Lagoon?

Kayak rental at Small Lagoon is available for 300 pesos per hour.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.