El Nido Tour D – Lagoons & Beaches Premium tour(Private / Shared)

Lagoon color is the main event. El Nido Tour D combines Cadlao Lagoon, Small Lagoon, and four beach stops into an approximately seven-hour boat day. For me, the strongest points are the chance to kayak at the lagoons and the unusually generous mix of quiet beaches, including Nat Nat, Pasandigan, Paradise, and Serenity Beach.

I also like that the price starts at about $40 per person, with hotel pickup, boat transport, crew service, life jackets, drinking water, and a picnic lunch included. The main concern is coordination. One serious complaint describes a missed pickup and unanswered calls, so I would confirm the meeting point and pickup time directly before setting out.

Key things to know before booking

• Cadlao Lagoon gives you a colorful opening stop: clear turquoise water, limestone walls, and a good setting for kayaking.
• Small Lagoon may be the highlight: you can kayak, swim, and, where permitted, make cliff jumps in its narrow limestone inlet.
• Four beach stops spread out the day: Nat Nat, Pasandigan, Paradise, and Serenity each offer a different place to swim, snorkel, picnic, or rest.
• Kayaks are included only on private tours: ask exactly what is included if you choose a shared departure.
• Budget for extra fees: the environmental fee is PHP 400 per person for five days, and a snorkeling mask costs PHP 150 per person.
• The crew gets strong praise: Joshua and Bernard are specifically named for being attentive, helpful, and informative.

Why Tour D works for a lagoon and beach day

El Nido has several island-hopping routes, and this one is built around water time rather than a long list of sights. You move from a large, open lagoon to a compact inlet, then spend the rest of the day among beaches and coves around Cadlao Island and Bacuit Bay.

That mix matters. A lagoon gives you dramatic limestone scenery and calm water for paddling. A beach gives you space to slow down. By the middle of the day, you are not simply rushing from one photo stop to the next. You have time to swim, snorkel, sit on the sand, or eat lunch beside the water.

The tour lasts about seven hours, though the posted schedule gives roughly one hour to each of six stops. Since boat transfers must fit into that period, the exact time at every location can vary. Think of the timing as a useful guide rather than a promise that every stop receives a full sixty minutes.

The tour is offered as private or shared, but the details need careful checking. The information says a private group participates only with its own party, while the tour title also advertises a shared option. Kayak use is listed as included for the private tour only. If kayaking is central to your plans, ask before paying.

Cadlao Lagoon: a colorful first stop

Cadlao Lagoon opens the day with the sort of scenery people come to El Nido to see: turquoise, clear water surrounded by tall limestone formations. The lagoon has a broad, open feel compared with Small Lagoon, giving you a fine first look at the area’s cliffs and water.

The planned activity here is kayaking toward the shore. That is more rewarding than simply taking a quick boat photograph because you get to move at water level and look back toward the surrounding rock. The lagoon is also suitable for swimming, although the main description places particular emphasis on paddling and the views.

A useful practical point: admission is listed as free, but the kayak is included only on the private tour. If you are joining a shared tour, do not assume one will be waiting for you. Ask about the rental arrangement and cost.

Cadlao Lagoon is best for people who want scenery without spending the entire day on a beach. It also sets the tone for the trip: bring a waterproof bag for small items, keep your life jacket available, and expect the boat schedule to shape your time in the water.

Small Lagoon: narrow walls and active water time

Small Lagoon is a compact inlet enclosed by limestone walls. Its tighter shape gives it a different mood from Cadlao Lagoon. The space feels more enclosed, and kayaking lets you move into the inlet rather than viewing it only from the boat.

You can kayak and swim here, with cliff jumping also listed as an option. That last activity is not for everyone, and you should treat it as optional rather than part of the basic promise of the tour. If you do not want to jump, you can still enjoy the rock walls, paddle, and swim.

Admission is not included. The supplied cost information specifically lists a PHP 200 entrance fee for Big Lagoon, not Small Lagoon, so the exact charge for this stop should be confirmed before departure. This is a good example of why you should ask for a full fee breakdown rather than rely only on the headline price.

Small Lagoon is likely to appeal most to you if you prefer doing something active. It is also the stop most likely to become the day’s favorite, thanks to the combination of kayaking, swimming, and close limestone scenery.

Nat Nat Beach: soft sand and a quieter pause

Nat Nat Beach, on Cadlao Island, offers soft white sand and clear water. The description presents it as a place that is often less crowded, which gives you a chance to rest after the lagoon stops.

This is a simple stop, and that is its strength. You can swim, sit on the sand, or enjoy a slower stretch of the day without needing to keep paddling. The beach also offers a chance to use your own snorkeling gear if you bring it, though a mask can be rented for PHP 150 per person.

Do not expect a major activity program here. Nat Nat is about the basic pleasures of an island stop: sand, water, and time to breathe. If you want nonstop action, one hour may feel long. If you like a quiet beach between boat rides, it should suit you well.

Pasandigan Cove: swimming and snorkeling

Pasandigan Cove is described as a nature-focused stop, with points of interest both on land and underwater. The planned activities are swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing on the isolated beach.

This is where the extra snorkeling cost becomes relevant. A mask is not included and costs PHP 150 per person. If you already own a mask, bringing it may save a small rental charge, though only the listed rental price is confirmed here.

The cove seems designed for variety. You can spend time in the water, look around the shoreline, or simply use the beach as a quiet break. Snorkeling conditions can depend on weather and water clarity, so keep expectations sensible. The tour provides access to a good setting for snorkeling, but it cannot guarantee a particular amount of marine life.

Pasandigan works especially well for couples, families, and small groups who want the day to alternate between activity and rest. You are not forced into one kind of beach stop.

Paradise Beach: a classic island postcard

Paradise Beach brings the familiar combination of white sand, greenish water, coconut trees, and a remote setting. It is presented as a place to wade, sunbathe, relax, and forget about daily pressures for a while.

The name may sound grand, but the appeal is straightforward. You get a beautiful place to stop, and the schedule gives you time to enjoy it rather than merely passing by for a photograph. The beach is also a natural setting for lunch or a quiet break, depending on how the crew organizes the day.

There is little information about facilities, shade, or changing areas, so plan around a simple beach visit. Bring sun protection and keep your belongings secure and dry. The tour includes drinking water, but you should not assume that every beach has shops or other supplies.

Paradise Beach is likely to be your favorite if you value scenery and relaxation over snorkeling. It is also a good counterpoint to Small Lagoon, which asks you to paddle and swim in a tighter space.

Serenity Beach near Bacuit Bay: the picnic ending

The final listed beach stop is Serenity Beach in Bacuit Bay. It is described as a small white-sand beach with a quiet feel and a good setting for a picnic.

This stop gives the day a gentle finish. After kayaking and swimming, you can settle down, eat fruit, and enjoy the surrounding cliffs and water without needing to chase another major attraction. The picnic lunch includes fruit and a selection described as seafood plus pork or chicken, giving you more substance than a simple snack.

Food quality can vary from day to day, but the menu offers useful choice. If you have dietary restrictions, ask the provider before booking because no special meal arrangements are stated.

Serenity Beach may not be the largest or most dramatic stop, yet its smaller scale can be a benefit. You get a final pause rather than one more crowded-feeling attraction. The itinerary identifies the area as part of Bacuit Bay, so the boat ride and setting remain part of the experience even after the beach time ends.

What the $40 price really includes

At approximately $40 per person, the tour can offer fair value if the listed inclusions are delivered. You are paying for about seven hours on the water, boat transport, hotel pickup, crew service, life jackets, drinking water, and lunch with fruit.

The private option can be particularly useful for a group that wants more control. One guest received permission to create a bespoke itinerary, and the crew agreed to adjust the destinations. That does not mean every private booking can change the route, but it is worth asking about flexibility before you book.

The shared option may cost less or suit solo visitors, but the information does not give a separate shared price or confirm kayak access. Ask these questions directly:

• Is the $40 rate for private or shared service?
• How many people will share the boat?
• Is kayaking available, and is it included?
• Which entrance and environmental fees must you pay?
• Is hotel pickup confirmed for your accommodation?

The environmental fee is PHP 400 per person and remains valid for five days. A PHP 200 fee is listed for Big Lagoon, although Big Lagoon is not one of the six stops described here. That mismatch should be cleared up before departure so you know which charges apply to this particular route.

Crew service and the pickup warning

The strongest service reports focus on the crew. Joshua is praised for being kind and helpful from start to finish. Bernard is described as helpful and informative, while another account highlights an attentive driver and boat crew. Those details matter on an island day because a good guide can make boarding, swimming, lunch, and timing feel much easier.

The boat is described as smooth and fully equipped, though the provided information does not list every piece of equipment. Life jackets and drinking water are included, which are practical basics for a full day at sea.

Pickup is the weak point. Hotel pickup is advertised, but one Spanish-language complaint describes waiting at a designated meeting spot from 8:30 to 9:00 in the morning, with no representative arriving and no one answering the phone. One bad account does not prove that every pickup fails, but it is too specific to ignore.

I would confirm the following on the day before departure:

• Your exact pickup time
• Your exact meeting point
• The name and phone number of the local contact
• Whether pickup is at your hotel or at the floating dock
• What time you should return to El Nido

The tour ends with drop-off at the El Nido floating dock. Do not assume that the return point is your hotel unless that has been clearly arranged.

Who will like this tour most

This experience fits you if you want one full day combining lagoons, beaches, swimming, and a picnic lunch. It is especially suited to couples, families, and small groups who want both active stops and time to rest.

You should also consider it if you are interested in a private trip. The possibility of adjusting the route, plus included kayaking on the private option, may justify choosing it over a fixed shared departure.

It may not suit you if you want a highly structured luxury outing with every fee and transfer detail settled in advance. The pickup complaint and unclear kayak and entrance-fee information mean you need to ask questions before payment.

It is also not ideal if you dislike boat days, beach time, or changing weather. The experience requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund. The booking itself is non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons, so do not prepay until your schedule is firm.

What to bring and what to clarify

Bring sun protection, swimwear, a towel, and a waterproof way to protect your phone and money. A snorkeling mask costs PHP 150 to rent, while kayaks are listed as included only for private tours.

Your life jacket and drinking water are supplied, and lunch with fruit is included. Still, confirm any food needs in advance because no special diet policy is provided.

Before booking, confirm the tour type, group size, kayak access, pickup arrangement, applicable entrance fees, and environmental fee. These questions are more useful than simply comparing the $40 headline price with another island tour.

Should you book El Nido Tour D?

I would book this tour if you want a well-rounded El Nido day with standout lagoon scenery and several chances to slow down on white-sand beaches. Small Lagoon and Cadlao Lagoon give the trip its strongest visual appeal, while Nat Nat, Pasandigan, Paradise, and Serenity Beach prevent the day from feeling like one long swim stop.

I would choose the private version for a small group that values flexibility and kayaking. I would choose the shared version only after confirming the group size, kayak availability, and pickup details.

The service record is mostly encouraging, with specific praise for Joshua, Bernard, and the attentive crew. But the pickup complaint and unclear extra fees deserve a quick check. If the operator confirms those details clearly, Tour D offers a good balance of active water time, quiet beaches, lunch, and classic El Nido scenery for the price.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour D last?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours.

What places does the tour visit?

The route includes Cadlao Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Nat Nat Beach, Pasandigan Cove, Paradise Beach, and Serenity Beach in Bacuit Bay.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is listed as included, but you should confirm the exact pickup time and meeting point before the tour.

Is the tour private or shared?

Both private and shared options are advertised. The information also says that a private activity is limited to your own group.

Is kayaking included?

Kayaking is listed as included for the private tour only. Confirm availability and cost if you choose a shared tour.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The tour includes a picnic lunch with fruit. The food selection is described as seafood plus pork or chicken and fruit.

Are snorkeling masks included?

No. A snorkeling mask costs PHP 150 per person.

What extra fees may apply?

The environmental fee is PHP 400 per person and is valid for five days. A PHP 200 entrance fee is also listed for Big Lagoon, though Big Lagoon is not named among the stops in this route, so ask which fees apply.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. Personal cancellations and amendments are non-refundable.