El Nido: Hidden Beaches and Lagoons Boat Hopping Tour D

Less crowd, more coastline. El Nido Tour D is a seven-hour boat day built around Small Lagoon, Cadlao Island, Nat Nat Beach, Paradise Beach, and Bukal Island. I like its calmer route and the chance to swim, snorkel, or kayak without spending every stop shoulder to shoulder with other boats. The main catch is that the advertised price does not cover every cost, and the meeting point at Marber’s Beach Club can feel confusing before departure.

I also like the pace. Guides such as Mark, Arnold, Jordan, and TJ have been praised for helpful service, good photos, and keeping groups comfortable. Still, you should allow for a late start or a little improvisation. A few departures were delayed, and one recent account found some stops too long or less impressive than the lagoons.

Five things to know before you book

• Small Lagoon is the star: Emerald water, steep rock walls, and kayaking make this the most memorable stop for many people.
• Tour D is often quieter: You may find empty beaches or only a few boats, especially compared with the better-known Tour A route.
• Bring extra cash: The 400 PHP environmental fee and Small Lagoon entry fee are separate, while kayak rental costs extra.
• Snorkeling is a real strength: Nat Nat and Paradise Beach can offer calm water and plenty of marine life.
• The boat day runs about seven hours: That includes several stops, lunch, swimming, transport on the water, and time for water activities.
• It is not suited to everyone: The tour is unsuitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, and people with mobility impairments.

Why Tour D can be a better choice than Tour A

El Nido has several standard island-hopping routes, and Tour A is often the first one people hear about. Tour D offers a useful alternative if you want the same grand Palawan scenery with a quieter feel.

The route still gives you the essentials: tall natural rock formations, bright water, sandy beaches, lagoons, and time in the sea. The difference is the mood. Tour D is less about racing between the most famous stops and more about spending a relaxed day around Cadlao Island and its nearby beaches.

You should not expect complete solitude. El Nido is popular, and conditions change from day to day. But the route has repeatedly allowed groups to reach some places with few other boats around. One group found itself alone at Small Lagoon, which is a lucky result at one of El Nido’s best-known sites.

I would choose Tour D if you have already done Tour A, if you dislike crowded swimming areas, or if you want a slower final day in El Nido. If your main goal is to tick off the most famous stops in the region, another route may suit you better.

Meeting at Marber’s Beach Club

The tour begins at Marber’s Beach Club, where you meet the guide and other members of the group. The boat operator provides a short safety briefing before setting out.

This is the least polished part of the experience. The gathering area can be hectic, and instructions about where to wait or how to board may not be obvious. I would arrive early, keep your booking details ready, and ask staff directly where your Tour D group is forming.

The boat ride itself has generally been described as comfortable and not overcrowded. Private groups are available, but the standard experience is a shared boat tour. Group size can affect how quickly you get in and out of the water, so a smaller group is a nice bonus.

Departure times depend on availability. Plan for some flexibility rather than arranging a tight activity immediately afterward. One boat had a technical problem and left about an hour late, while another departure started behind schedule. Delays are not guaranteed, but they are worth allowing for.

Small Lagoon: the highlight of the day

Small Lagoon is the most striking stop on this route. You enter a narrow opening between large limestone rocks and reach clear, green water surrounded by towering stone walls. The setting feels sheltered and quiet, even though it is one of El Nido’s most famous sights.

Kayaking is the classic way to see it. You can paddle through the calm water, look up at the rock walls, and reach corners that are harder to access from the boat. Swimming is also possible, and several people preferred snorkeling or swimming instead of renting a kayak.

There is an important practical point: the Small Lagoon entry fee is listed separately at 200 PHP. Kayaks are also extra. The tour information gives an estimated kayak cost of about 350 PHP per person per kayak, while some recent accounts paid 200 PHP at each kayak location. Prices can change, so ask the guide for the current rate before handing over cash.

You may need a kayak to enter Small Lagoon, so do not assume that the base tour price covers access. Bring enough Philippine pesos for the lagoon fee and equipment. If you are happy simply to swim or remain near the boat, ask the crew what access rules apply that day.

The lagoon can be busy at popular times. Tour D’s less crowded route improves your odds of enjoying it without a wall of kayaks, but it cannot guarantee an empty visit. The best part of this stop is not just the water. It is the combination of paddling, rock corridors, and the enclosed setting.

Cadlao Island and its second lagoon

Cadlao Island gives the tour its broad sense of escape. The island is known here for natural rock formations, calm water, and a lagoon stop that pairs well with Small Lagoon.

The water around Cadlao is suitable for swimming and kayaking, depending on the day’s plan. Some people have found the kayaking stops especially worthwhile, while others felt there was more time than needed at both lagoon locations. That means you are unlikely to be rushed, but you may have a quiet stretch to fill after you have explored the main area.

I see that as a benefit if you want a relaxed day. You can swim, take photos, sit on the boat, or enjoy the scenery instead of being pushed quickly into the next activity. If you prefer a packed schedule with a new sight every 20 minutes, Tour D may feel a little slow.

Cadlao is also a good place to compare your own priorities. Kayaking gives you a closer look at the rock walls, while snorkeling lets you focus on fish and underwater life. You do not have to rent a kayak at every stop, but the crew can explain the options.

Nat Nat Beach and Paradise Beach for easy swimming

Nat Nat Beach and Paradise Beach are the gentler side of the day. Their shallow water and calm waves make them accessible for beginners who are not strong swimmers or who simply want an easy float near shore.

Paradise Beach is especially appealing for snorkeling. The water can be full of fish, and several visits found the marine life more impressive than at snorkeling spots on other El Nido routes. Conditions vary, of course, but you should pack a mask if you own one. The tour provides life vests, but fins and other equipment are not included.

Nat Nat offers the same relaxed beach rhythm. You can swim, snorkel, take photographs, or sit on the sand. These stops matter because they break up the lagoon visits. After kayaking or riding across open water, a shallow beach gives you room to slow down.

One criticism is that not every stop will feel equally special. A recent account found the first of five stops less worthwhile and felt that 30 minutes there was too long. The route may also include Pasandigan Beach or another local stop depending on conditions and the day’s plan. Think of the itinerary as a group of coastal stops rather than a rigid promise that every place will be a personal favorite.

Bukal Island and the quieter beach stops

Bukal Island adds another island-hopping stop to the day, with the focus on sand, clear water, and a more local-feeling setting. It may not have the same dramatic effect as Small Lagoon, but it helps make Tour D feel different from a lagoon-only outing.

The appeal here is space. You can spread out, swim in shallow water, and enjoy a beach without the pressure to move along immediately. Some groups have found themselves with beaches nearly to themselves, which is a major part of the route’s value.

The schedule may include up to three beaches and two lagoons, though the exact order and stop names can change. Weather, sea conditions, boat timing, and crowd levels all affect the day. Your guide should tell you what is planned after the safety briefing.

Do not judge the tour by one beach alone. The strongest day combines the quiet beaches with the two lagoon areas. If you want a full day of famous rock formations and calm water rather than a single landmark, the variety works well.

Lunch, guides, and the feel on board

Lunch is included, and it has received unusually strong praise for an inexpensive boat tour. It has been described as generous, varied, and tasty, with chicken and seafood among the dishes served. You should still bring cash for extras, but you do not need to plan a separate meal during the seven-hour trip.

The guide can make a real difference. Mark has been praised for being kind and taking excellent photographs. Arnold was noted for his enthusiasm and for helping everyone feel comfortable. Jordan and the crew were also singled out for friendly service, while TJ was praised for his warmth and information about Palawan.

The overall service seems strongest when the guide is active and attentive. Guides may help you get into the water, take photos, explain the stops, and keep the group together. English and Tagalog are available.

That said, the level of explanation may vary. One account found the day only lightly guided, with limited English commentary and some signs of improvisation. If you want a lecture at every stop, this may disappoint you. If you mainly want transport, beach time, and friendly help, the informal approach may be just right.

What the $23 price really covers

At $23 per person, Tour D is good value for a full day on the water. The price includes the licensed guide, island boat transport, entry fees listed by the operator, life vests, and a packed lunch.

The phrase entry fees needs careful reading. The 400 PHP El Nido Tourism Development Fee, also called the environmental fee, is not included. You must pay it before boarding unless you already paid and can show your receipt. Small Lagoon also lists a separate 200 PHP entry fee.

Kayaks, aqua shoes, and fins are not included. Kayak rental is optional at some points, but access rules at Small Lagoon may mean you need one there. The listed rental estimate is about 350 PHP per person per kayak, while recent departures have charged different amounts. Confirm the current price locally.

The tour is still inexpensive after these additions, especially with lunch and a full boat day included. The value drops if you dislike surprise costs or plan to rent equipment at every stop. Bring cash, ask what is compulsory, and decide in advance whether swimming alone is enough for you.

What to pack and who should skip it

Pack sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, sunscreen, and cash. Keep your day bag small because large luggage is not allowed. Plastic bottles and smoking are also not allowed.

A reusable water container is a sensible choice if permitted by the operator, but follow the boat crew’s rules about containers. Protect phones and cameras from spray, and bring an extra layer only if you normally get cold after swimming. The supplied information does not promise dry bags or towels, so do not count on them.

The tour suits you best if you enjoy:

• Calm beach swimming
• Snorkeling and spotting marine life
• Kayaking through lagoons
• Scenic boat rides and rock formations
• A slower, less crowded day
• Friendly guides and informal service

It is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people with mobility impairments. Boarding boats, moving around beaches, and getting into the water can be physically demanding.

The activity has a 4.3 rating from 301 reviews, which fits the overall picture: excellent scenery, lunch, and crew, balanced by occasional delays, unclear meeting instructions, extra fees, and uneven guiding.

Should you book El Nido Tour D?

I would book Tour D if your priority is a quieter boat day with strong snorkeling, two lagoon experiences, and enough time at each stop. Small Lagoon is the key reason to choose it, while Paradise Beach and Nat Nat add easy swimming and a good chance to see fish.

I would skip it if you need perfect timing, all costs included, or a tightly scripted guide-led tour. Arrive early at Marber’s Beach Club, carry extra pesos, and ask about kayak prices and the day’s exact stop order.

For $23, this is a strong-value choice for El Nido, especially if you want Tour A scenery with a more relaxed pace. Just treat the schedule as flexible and the extra charges as part of the real cost.

FAQ

Where does El Nido Tour D meet?

The meeting point is Marber’s Beach Club in El Nido.

How long does the tour last?

The boat tour lasts about seven hours.

What locations does Tour D visit?

The planned locations include Small Lagoon, Cadlao Island, Nat Nat Beach, Paradise Beach, and Bukal Island. The route may include up to three beaches and two lagoons.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A packed lunch is included in the tour price, with chicken and seafood among the foods served on some departures.

Are kayak rentals included?

No. Kayaks are available to rent at Small Lagoon and Cadlao Lagoon. The listed estimate is about 350 PHP per person per kayak, though prices may vary.

Do I need to pay an environmental fee?

Yes. The 400 PHP El Nido Tourism Development Fee must be paid before boarding unless you already paid it and can show your receipt.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, or pregnant women.