PRIVATE El Nido Tour D Island Hopping

Two beaches, one long Palawan day.

This private El Nido island-hopping trip gives you a simple way to spend roughly seven to eight hours on the water, with stops at Ipil Beach and Paradise Beach. I like the included lunch, environmental fee, lagoon entrance fee, licensed guide, and boat costs because they reduce the number of charges you need to sort out during the day.

I also like the private-group format, with a listed price of $1,065 for up to eight people. The main concern is value: the published route names only two beach stops, and the price is high unless you are sharing it with a fairly large group. There is also a mismatch between the stated limit of eight people and the separate maximum of ten, so I would confirm the exact group size before paying.

Key points to know before booking

• Ipil Beach is a short 30-minute stop, so expect a quick visit rather than a long beach stay.
• Paradise Beach receives one hour, making it the main named beach stop on the route.
• The $1,065 price is per group, not per person, which changes the value considerably for groups of six to eight.
• Snorkeling equipment, a kayak, and tricycle transport are extra, so plan for possible added costs.
• The meeting point is El Nido Port, with a 9:00 am start and return to the same place.
• The tour has a mixed service record, including one serious complaint about a missed pickup and rude phone communication.

What Tour D actually offers

El Nido is known for its island-hopping routes, and Tour D is presented here as a private outing focused on two named beaches. That is important because the title may suggest a longer list of classic stops, but the supplied schedule specifically gives you Ipil Beach and Paradise Beach.

The full outing lasts about seven to eight hours, yet the listed beach time totals only 90 minutes. The remaining time is likely used for boat travel, lunch, loading and unloading, and any lagoon-related activity connected with the included entrance fee. Since no additional stop is clearly named, I would ask for the final route before departure.

That question matters. You may be happy with a relaxed boat day and two beaches, or you may expect a packed schedule with several coves and swimming areas. The published details support the first expectation more strongly than the second.

The private format can be useful for families, couples traveling with friends, or any group that prefers to share one boat rather than join a larger public departure. You have a fixed group price, so the cost per person falls sharply as more people join. At eight people, the price works out to about $133 per person. With four people, it is about $266 each. For two people, it becomes a costly beach outing.

The stated maximum is unclear. The price covers up to eight people, while the additional information says the activity can have a maximum of ten. I would not assume that nine or ten people are covered by the same price. Get written confirmation of the boat capacity and the final charge.

Meeting at El Nido Port at 9:00 am

The tour begins at El Nido Port, listed at Serena Street in El Nido. The scheduled start is 9:00 am, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

That return arrangement is handy. You can leave your hotel transfer planning until after the boat trip, rather than arranging a separate drop-off at another location. The information does not include hotel pickup as a standard feature, and tricycle transport is specifically excluded, so you should plan your own way to the port.

This is also where the one serious service warning matters. One customer reported that no one arrived at the requested pickup point and described the phone response as rude. The operator replied that there had been a misunderstanding about the pickup location and apologized for the unpleasant call.

The practical lesson is simple: do not rely on an assumed pickup arrangement. If you are meeting at El Nido Port, confirm the exact meeting place, the name of the boat or guide, and what to do if you cannot find the group. Keep your booking confirmation available on your phone.

The port can be a busy place during a morning departure. Allow enough time to find the meeting point without rushing. The tour starts at 9:00 am, so arriving just before that may leave little room to solve a location mix-up.

Ipil Beach: a brief first stop

Ipil Beach is scheduled for 30 minutes, with admission included. That is enough time to step ashore, look around, take a few photos, and enjoy a short break from the boat.

It is not enough time for a leisurely beach visit. You will need to keep an eye on the departure time, especially if the boat anchors offshore and you transfer by a smaller craft or wade through shallow water. The available information does not specify how boarding works, so listen closely to the guide’s instructions.

The short stop may work well as an introduction to the day. You get a quick taste of the coast before reaching the longer visit at Paradise Beach. I would treat Ipil as a scenic pause rather than the central reason to choose this trip.

There is no stated snorkeling equipment included. If I wanted to swim or look underwater at Ipil, I would ask ahead of time if equipment can be rented or brought independently. The tour includes life vests and a first aid kit, but those items are for safety and should not be confused with recreational gear.

A 30-minute stop also means that the tour is not designed around spending long stretches at one beach. If your ideal day includes reading, swimming, and lingering in one quiet spot, the schedule may feel rushed here.

Paradise Beach: the main beach visit

Paradise Beach receives one hour, twice as long as Ipil Beach. That makes it the clearest centerpiece of the listed route.

An hour gives you more breathing room. You can walk along the shore, take photographs, sit with your lunch if the timing works that way, or enjoy the beach without immediately watching the clock. Still, it is a short visit by beach-day standards, so do not expect an entire afternoon at Paradise Beach.

The name suggests a classic Palawan beach setting, but the supplied details do not describe its sand, water conditions, shade, facilities, or swimming quality. I would avoid building your decision around a specific picture of the place. The tour confirms the stop and its one-hour duration, not the precise conditions you will find on the day.

Weather is a real factor. The operator says the experience requires good weather and may offer a different date or a full refund if poor conditions cause cancellation. That is reassuring for a boat trip, but it also means your schedule needs some flexibility.

If Paradise Beach is the stop you care about most, ask whether lunch is served there or on the boat. Lunch is included, but the timing and location are not stated. That small detail can affect how much beach time you actually have.

Lunch and the useful inclusions

Lunch is included, which is one of the practical strengths of the package. A full day around the islands can make food planning awkward, so having lunch arranged keeps the group from needing to search for a meal during the outing.

The exact menu is not provided. If anyone in your group has dietary restrictions, ask the operator before departure rather than assuming the meal can be changed. The same applies to drink arrangements, since the supplied information confirms lunch but does not list beverages.

The tour also includes:

• A licensed tour guide
• Boat fees
• A licensed tourist boat
• Life vests
• A first aid kit
• Environmental fee
• Lagoon entrance fee

These inclusions make the quoted price easier to understand. Boat charges and environmental fees can otherwise appear as surprise extras at the port. A licensed guide and safety equipment are also useful on a private boat day, especially for a group unfamiliar with local procedures.

The lagoon entrance fee needs clarification. No lagoon is named in the two-stop schedule, yet the fee is included. That may indicate an additional lagoon-related stop, or it may be a general charge tied to the route. I would ask exactly which lagoon or activity the fee covers.

The wording about the boat is not very precise, but it confirms that boat fees and a licensed boat are part of the package. Ask about the boat’s capacity if your group is near the stated limit. Comfort matters more when you are spending seven or eight hours aboard.

What costs extra, and why it matters

Three items are specifically excluded: snorkeling equipment, kayak use, and tricycle transport.

Snorkeling gear can be a meaningful extra if you want more than beach time. The route information does not promise snorkeling at either stop, and no equipment is supplied. Ask if you should bring your own gear or arrange rental locally.

A kayak is also not included. If the lagoon entrance fee relates to a lagoon stop, kayak use may be relevant there, but that connection is not explained. Do not assume kayaking is part of the day simply because it appears as an optional service.

Tricycle transport is excluded, so getting to and from El Nido Port is your responsibility unless a separate arrangement is confirmed. This is easy to overlook when comparing the total price with other tours.

The price is $1,065 per group of up to eight. For a full eight-person group, it can be reasonable for a private boat day with lunch, guide service, boat fees, and environmental charges included. For a small party, the same price is much harder to justify, particularly with only two clearly listed beach stops.

I would compare the price on a per-person basis before booking:

• Two people: about $532.50 each
• Four people: about $266.25 each
• Six people: about $177.50 each
• Eight people: about $133.13 each

These figures do not include snorkeling gear, kayak use, or tricycle rides. They do show why this package is aimed at a larger private group rather than a solo visitor or couple.

The service warning you should take seriously

The tour has a rating of 3 from two recorded ratings, so the sample is small. Still, the one detailed complaint describes a missed pickup and an unpleasant phone exchange. That is not a minor issue when you are standing at a port with a full day scheduled.

The operator’s response says the problem came from a misunderstanding over the pickup location and includes an apology for the language used during the call. That explanation gives useful context, but it does not erase the need for a clear meeting plan.

I would send a written message before the day begins and confirm:

• El Nido Port as the meeting point
• Serena Street as the listed location
• The 9:00 am start time
• The guide or boat contact
• The exact number of people in your group
• Whether the itinerary includes a lagoon stop
• How optional gear is arranged

This takes only a few minutes and may prevent the most serious problem described in the available service record.

There is no named guide in the supplied details, so you cannot select the guide by name or rely on a particular person’s reputation. The package does promise a licensed guide, which is useful, but ask for the guide’s name and contact information once the booking is confirmed.

Weather, timing, and the feel of the day

A seven-to-eight-hour boat trip is a full outing, even though the named beach stops add up to only 90 minutes. Much of your day will involve traveling between locations, lunch, waiting for the group to board, and time on or around the boat.

That may suit you if you like a slower rhythm and want a private day without a crowded schedule. It may disappoint you if you want every hour filled with beaches, swimming, and named attractions.

Good weather is required. If conditions are poor, the operator says you can move to another date or receive a full refund. The policy also allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded, and changes within that period are not accepted.

Keep the local timing in mind. The cut-off is based on local time, not necessarily the time where you booked the tour. If your plans are uncertain, make changes early.

The mobile ticket is convenient because you can keep the booking on your phone. I would still save the confirmation offline in case your connection is weak near the port.

Who will get the best value

I think this tour suits a group of friends or a family that can share the $1,065 price across six to eight people. A private format gives your party control over the company you keep, and the included lunch, boat fees, environmental fee, and guide service simplify the day.

It may also suit you if Paradise Beach is your main goal and you prefer a short, focused route. The one-hour stop gives it more attention than Ipil Beach, and the return to El Nido Port keeps the day’s transport fairly simple.

I would be cautious if you are a couple, a solo visitor, or a small group of three. The cost per person rises quickly. I would also look elsewhere if you want a clearly published schedule with many named sites, guaranteed snorkeling equipment, or kayak use included.

Families should note the safety inclusions. Life vests and a first aid kit are provided, and most people can participate. The information does not give specific accessibility details, so anyone with mobility concerns should ask how boarding and beach landings work before booking.

Should you book this private El Nido tour?

Book it if you have a large group, want a private boat day, and are comfortable confirming the route details in advance. The included guide, lunch, boat costs, environmental fee, life vests, first aid kit, and lagoon entrance fee give the package a solid practical base.

I would not book it without clarifying the two important uncertainties: why the lagoon fee is included when no lagoon is named, and whether the group limit is eight or ten. I would also confirm the meeting arrangement in writing because of the reported pickup dispute.

For eight people, the price can make sense. For two, it is difficult to recommend at full cost unless privacy matters more to you than the number of stops. The route is best for people who value a private setting and a manageable two-beach schedule, not for anyone expecting a long list of included activities.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin and end?

The tour begins at El Nido Port at Serena Street in El Nido. It ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 am.

How long does the island-hopping trip last?

The experience lasts approximately seven to eight hours.

Which beaches are included?

The listed stops are Ipil Beach for 30 minutes and Paradise Beach for one hour. Admission to both is included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the tour price, although the menu and serving location are not specified.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment, kayak use, and tricycle transport are not included.

How much does the private tour cost?

The listed price is $1,065 per group for up to eight people. The additional information gives a maximum of ten participants, so confirm the exact group limit and price if your party has more than eight people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather cancels the experience, you are offered another date or a full refund.