El Nido:Private Tour D with Highlights Small & Cadlao Lagoon

El Nido’s quieter side is worth seeing. I like the mix of kayaking at Small Lagoon and Cadlao Lagoon, plus the slower beach stops at Pasandigan, Paradise, and Bukal. I also like the modest $24 starting price, which includes the boat, guide, lunch, mask, snorkel, and life jacket. The main catch is that several important costs sit outside that price, including the environmental fee, Small Lagoon fee, and kayak rental.

This is a six to seven-hour boat day for people who want more than a quick photo stop. You get limestone cliffs, clear water, short swims, beach time, and a guided route through El Nido’s island country. The schedule is active but not punishing, though you should think twice if you get seasick or have trouble moving in and out of a boat.

The strongest praise focuses on the relaxed pace, uncrowded feel, good lunch, and friendly crew. That matters in El Nido, where the best day is not always the one with the most stops. Tour D gives you several chances to slow down and enjoy the water instead of racing from one sight to the next.

Key points to know before booking

• Small Lagoon kayaking: You can paddle through clear water enclosed by tall limestone cliffs, with time for swimming, snorkeling, and photos.
• Cadlao Lagoon by kayak: This one-hour stop brings emerald water and dramatic rock formations in a more peaceful setting.
• Several beach breaks: Pasandigan, Paradise, Serenity, and Bukal are all named in the tour details, although the timed route specifically lists Paradise Beach for lunch.
• Lunch is included: You receive a meal and one bottle of drinking water, but extra meals and drinks are not covered.
• Extra fees add up: Kayak rental, the environmental fee, and the Small Lagoon access fee are separate from the advertised price.
• Private group option: A private group is available, and the English-speaking guide leads the experience.

What the $24 price really covers

At $24 per person, this tour looks like a strong value. Your basic package includes a licensed tourist boat, licensed captain, licensed local guide, lunch, a mask, a snorkel, a life jacket, and one bottle of water. That is a useful bundle for a full day on the water.

The headline price does not tell the complete cost, however. You need to budget PHP 400 per person for the environmental fee, valid for five days, and PHP 200 per person for one-time access to Small Lagoon. A kayak costs PHP 300 for two people or PHP 350 for three people.

Optional items include water shoes at PHP 100 per pair and a towel at PHP 100 each. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Before you commit, add the required fees and the kayak cost to the advertised rate so you know what the day will actually cost.

Even with those additions, the tour can offer good value if you want a guided boat outing with lunch and equipment already arranged. The value is weaker if you already have access to a kayak, do not plan to enter Small Lagoon, or prefer to organize each beach stop independently.

Starting from Marber’s or Marbers Beach Club

The tour has two possible starting points: Marber’s or Marbers Beach Club. The exact meeting point depends on the option you book, so check your confirmation carefully rather than assuming the departure will be at your hotel or a familiar pier.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not part of the package. Plan your own way to the meeting point and allow enough time to find it. The tour ends at Dockyard, which is useful to know if you have an evening reservation, a transfer, or another activity planned.

You should arrive ready for water rather than dressed for a standard sightseeing tour. Wear swimwear under comfortable clothes, bring an extra set of clothes, and keep your sunscreen, phone, camera, and snacks in something that can handle spray.

The 40-minute secret stop

The first listed stop is a secret stop lasting about 40 minutes. It includes a photo stop, a visit, and a guided tour, but the exact place is not named in the available details.

That uncertainty is part of the appeal, but it also means you should not book this tour for one particular attraction at this stage of the route. Think of it as a flexible opening stop where the guide can help you get settled, take photos, and enjoy a first look at El Nido’s cliffs and water.

This is also a good time to ask the guide about the order of later stops. The general description names Pasandigan Beach and Serenity Beach, while the timed route names Paradise Beach as the lunch stop. The locations may reflect different names used for the beach sequence, or the exact route may vary. Ask for clarification if seeing a specific beach matters to you.

Cadlao Island and one hour on the water

The route then reaches Cadlao Island for about an hour of kayaking. Cadlao Lagoon is known for its emerald water and striking rock formations, giving you a close view of the area rather than a quick pass from the boat.

The included mask and snorkel are useful here and at the other water stops, but the kayak is an extra charge. For two people, the PHP 300 rental works out to PHP 150 each. A three-person kayak costs PHP 350 total, which can make sense for a small group if everyone is comfortable sharing the space.

Kayaking gives you a better feel for the lagoon than staying aboard the main boat. You can move at your own pace, look into the clear water, and take photos from a lower angle. The tradeoff is that a kayak requires some balance and physical effort. If you are not confident in the water, keep your life jacket on and follow the guide’s instructions.

Cadlao Lagoon is likely to be one of the most peaceful parts of the day. It is not presented as a long, strenuous paddle, but you should still expect wet hands, sun exposure, and some effort getting into and out of the kayak.

Paradise Beach lunch and the beach-time question

Paradise Beach on Cadlao Island is listed as the one-hour lunch stop. Lunch is included, which keeps the day simple and avoids the need to search for food between boat rides and water activities.

A one-hour lunch break is a sensible length. You have time to eat, sit on the sand, swim if conditions allow, and dry off a little before returning to the boat. Do not expect a long beach stay here, since the tour still has Small Lagoon and Bukal Island ahead.

The broader tour description also names Pasandigan Beach, with white sand, turquoise water, and thick greenery around it. It describes the beach as a quiet place for swimming, sunbathing, and a picnic by the sea. Since the formal route lists Paradise Beach rather than Pasandigan Beach at this point, confirm the day’s beach sequence before departure.

That detail matters if you have chosen Tour D for a particular shoreline. The general experience remains clear: you receive a beach stop and an included lunch, but the precise name and order may depend on the operating plan.

Small Lagoon and the main kayaking stop

Small Lagoon is the tour’s signature stop. The water is clear, and steep limestone cliffs surround the narrow entrance and inner lagoon. The setting feels enclosed and calm, with the rock walls doing most of the visual work.

You have about an hour for sightseeing and kayaking. That is enough time for a short paddle, photos, and a swim if you move efficiently. It is not a full day in the lagoon, so you will want to have your camera ready and listen when the guide explains where to go.

Small Lagoon can be the busiest-feeling part of an island day, even when the rest of the route is calm. The tour’s private group option may help your day feel more personal, but it cannot remove other boats or visitors from the attraction. The separate PHP 200 Small Lagoon access fee also means this stop carries a cost beyond the base price.

Use biodegradable sunscreen and avoid touching plants or marine life. Clear water and coral areas are easy to damage, and the instructions specifically ask you to protect the natural surroundings. If you bring a phone or camera, keep it secure around the kayak and avoid letting photography distract you from boat-safety directions.

Bukal Island for swimming and photos

Bukal Island is the final named stop before returning to Dockyard. The schedule gives you about an hour for photos, a visit, and swimming.

The water is described as clear, with marine life making snorkeling a good option. This is a pleasant way to end the active part of the day because you can choose your level of effort. Swim and use the mask and snorkel, take photos from shore, or simply sit on the beach if your energy is fading.

Bring your own towel or rent one for PHP 100. A towel becomes especially useful after several water stops, since the boat ride back can feel cool when you are wet and exposed to wind. Extra clothes are just as important. The day is built around repeated swims, not one isolated stop.

Pasandigan, Serenity, and the changing route

The tour description also mentions Serenity Beach, with soft white sand and gentle waves. It is presented as a calm place to rest, meditate, and enjoy the surroundings without a packed schedule.

Pasandigan and Serenity may be part of the wider route description rather than separate stops on every departure. The timed itinerary identifies the secret stop, Cadlao Island, Paradise Beach, Small Lagoon, and Bukal Island. Because of that difference, you should treat Pasandigan and Serenity as possible stops and ask the operator for the final route.

This is not a reason to reject the tour. Island routes can shift with conditions, timing, and local operating plans. It is simply a reason to avoid promising yourself five separate beach stops when the day may focus more heavily on Cadlao, Paradise, Small Lagoon, and Bukal.

The pace, group size, and crew

The trip lasts six to seven hours. That is long enough to feel like a full El Nido outing without taking your entire day and evening.

A licensed captain handles the boat, and a licensed local guide leads the route in English. The crew is one of the tour’s strongest assets. The positive feedback describes the day as relaxed, not overcrowded, with a good lunch and a pleasant crew. That combination is more useful than flashy extras when you are spending hours on a small boat.

A private group is available. If you value a quieter pace, want more help with kayaking, or are traveling with people who have different swimming abilities, the private option may be worth considering. The supplied price is stated per person, so confirm the private-group rate and group size before paying.

The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or those prone to seasickness. You will need to move between the boat, beach, water, and kayak. If you are sensitive to boat motion, ask whether a calmer departure time is available, but do not assume the sea will be smooth.

What to pack for the day

Keep your packing simple and practical:

• Swimwear and an extra change of clothes
• Sunglasses and biodegradable sunscreen
• A towel, or PHP 100 for a rental towel
• A camera or waterproof phone protection
• Snacks and extra water
• Comfortable footwear or optional water shoes

One bottle of drinking water is included, but the instructions encourage bringing your own bottle and staying hydrated. Extra water also helps reduce plastic waste.

Smoking, alcohol, drugs, littering, touching marine life, and touching plants are not allowed. These rules are easy to follow and important in a lagoon environment where careless contact can damage coral and other small living things.

Who will enjoy Tour D most?

I would choose this tour if you want a balanced El Nido day with kayaking, beaches, snorkeling, and a guide to handle the route. It suits couples, friends, and small private groups who want a mix of scenery and water time rather than a single beach stay.

It is also a good fit if you prefer a calmer outing. The available feedback gives the relaxed, uncrowded feel particular praise, along with the lunch and crew. Those are meaningful strengths for a six to seven-hour boat day.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is a perfectly fixed beach checklist. The descriptions do not match completely on Pasandigan, Serenity, and Paradise, so confirm the exact route. I would also look elsewhere if you cannot handle boat motion, need step-free access, or dislike paying extra for the main kayak activity.

Should you book El Nido Tour D?

Book it if Small Lagoon and Cadlao Lagoon are high on your list and you want a reasonably priced guided day with lunch, snorkeling gear, and a licensed crew. The calm pace, attractive water stops, and good crew feedback give it a strong case.

Before booking, add the PHP 400 environmental fee, PHP 200 Small Lagoon fee, and PHP 300 or PHP 350 kayak rental to the advertised price. Then confirm the meeting point, private-group details, and whether Pasandigan or Serenity will be included.

For a first El Nido outing, Tour D offers a well-rounded sample of the area: cliffs, lagoons, white sand, swimming, and time to sit down for lunch. It will not suit every body or every budget, but for active visitors who want a full water day without a frantic schedule, it is a sensible choice.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour D last?

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

What places are included on the route?

The timed route includes a secret stop, Cadlao Island, Paradise Beach on Cadlao Island, Small Lagoon, and Bukal Island. The wider tour description also names Pasandigan Beach and Serenity Beach, so confirm the exact beach sequence before departure.

Is kayaking included in the price?

No. Kayak rental costs PHP 300 for a two-person kayak or PHP 350 for a three-person kayak.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included at the Paradise Beach stop. Meals not mentioned in the package are not included.

What equipment is provided?

The tour provides a mask, snorkel, and life jacket. A towel and water shoes are optional rentals, priced at PHP 100 each.

Are there extra entrance or environmental fees?

Yes. The environmental fee is PHP 400 per person and is valid for five days. Small Lagoon access costs PHP 200 per person for one-time entry.

Is the tour private?

A private group option is available. The tour also includes a licensed English-speaking local guide, captain, and tourist boat.