El Nido: Hidden Beaches and Lagoons Boat Hopping Tour D

El Nido Tour D is the choice I would make when I want beautiful water without the full island-hopping circus. The route takes you to Small Lagoon, Cadlao Island, Nat Nat Beach, Paradise Beach, and Bukal Island, with time to swim, snorkel, kayak, and eat a proper packed lunch.

I like two things right away: the quieter pace and the chance to spend real time in the water. Several stops can feel far less crowded than the better-known routes, and guides such as Mark, Arnold, Jordan, and TJ have been praised for friendly help and good photos. The catch is the start of the day, which can be disorganized, and several costs are extra.

Key points to know before booking

• Small Lagoon is the star stop: Natural rock walls and clear green water make this the most memorable part of the route.
• Tour D is often quieter than Tours A and C: You may share fewer beaches and lagoons with other boats, though crowd levels change by day.
• Kayaking costs extra: The Small Lagoon and Cadlao Lagoon kayak rental is listed at about PHP 350 per person per kayak.
• Snorkeling is worthwhile: Nat Nat and Paradise Beach offer shallow, calm water, and several people saw plenty of fish.
• Lunch is included: Expect a generous meal with chicken and seafood, according to the food details provided.
• Bring cash and the right gear: You need the PHP 400 El Nido Tourism Development Fee, plus PHP 200 for Small Lagoon entry.

Why Tour D is a smart alternative to the famous routes

El Nido’s boat trips are usually identified by letters, and Tour D is the less obvious pick. Tour A gets much of the attention, but Tour D gives you a similar day of dramatic rock walls, white sand, and clear water with a quieter feel.

That does not mean you will have every stop to yourself. El Nido is popular, and boat traffic changes with the season, weather, and departure time. Still, this route has repeatedly delivered a more laid-back day, with some boats reaching Small Lagoon and the beaches before the main rush.

The tour lasts about seven hours. That is long enough to make the boat ride worthwhile but short enough that you are not trapped at sea all day. You meet at Marber’s Beach Club, receive a short safety briefing, and return to the same meeting area at the end.

The price, about $23 per person, is attractive for a full day with a guide, boat, entry fees listed in the package, life vest, and lunch. But read the fine print carefully. The PHP 400 environmental fee is not included, Small Lagoon charges PHP 200, and kayak rental costs extra. A couple should plan for those additions instead of treating the advertised price as the complete cost.

Meeting at Marber’s Beach Club

The weakest part of the experience appears to be the beginning. The meeting point can feel hectic, with unclear instructions about where to stand and when to board. Once everyone is on the boat, the day generally becomes much more orderly.

Arrive ready to ask questions. Confirm your boat, guide, and payment of the El Nido Tourism Development Fee before boarding. If you have already paid the environmental fee, keep a copy of the receipt and show it to the guide so you do not pay twice.

The boat ride begins after a safety briefing. Life vests are included, and you should use the briefing to clarify where bags can go, how long each stop lasts, and how kayak payments work. This matters because the route includes several water activities, and clear timing helps you decide when to swim, snorkel, take photos, or paddle.

Do not bring a suitcase or large bag. Plastic bottles and smoking are not allowed. A small waterproof bag for a phone, cash, sunscreen, and dry clothing is the sensible choice.

Small Lagoon: the main reason to choose this route

Small Lagoon is the most striking stop. Pale limestone rock rises around clear, emerald-colored water, creating a narrow, sheltered setting that feels very different from an open beach.

The usual way to explore is by kayak. Rental is not included, and the listed cost is about PHP 350 per person per kayak. The separate Small Lagoon entry fee is PHP 200. Bring enough cash, because these are not minor details once you are standing beside the boat ready to go.

Kayaking lets you pass between the rocks and see the lagoon from water level. You can also swim and snorkel here if you prefer not to rent a kayak, but one supplied account says a kayak may be needed to enter the Small Lagoon itself. Ask the crew before you decide to skip the rental, since the exact arrangement may depend on current local rules.

This stop is beautiful, but it is not a place to rush. The rock formations, quiet water, and changing light reward a slow paddle. If your guide is taking photos, give yourself time for both the activity and the scenery. Some guides, including Mark and Arnold, have been singled out for taking good pictures, which is useful when you are busy managing a kayak and wet phone at the same time.

The main drawback is crowding. Small Lagoon can be busy, even on a quieter route. Tour D improves your odds of a calmer visit, but it cannot guarantee an empty lagoon.

Cadlao Island and its calm lagoon

Cadlao Island adds another strong water stop. The island is known here for its natural rock formations and lagoon, where you can swim, snorkel, or rent a kayak.

This is one of the best places to decide how you want to spend your time. Kayaking gives you a wider view of the rock walls and calm water. Swimming is simpler and costs less, while snorkeling lets you focus on marine life rather than scenery.

The listed kayak price applies at Cadlao Lagoon as well, at about PHP 350 per person per kayak. You might find the timing generous, which is good if you want a relaxed paddle but less useful if you prefer a packed schedule with many short stops. One practical strength of Tour D is that the crew generally allows enough time at each place instead of rushing everyone back onto the boat.

The guide service can vary in style. Some guides provide facts and lively commentary, while others keep things informal and let the scenery do the work. That may suit you if you want a peaceful day, but it is worth knowing that this is not always a detailed, lecture-style tour.

Nat Nat Beach for swimming and snorkeling

Nat Nat Beach is one of the quieter beach stops on the route. Its shallow water and calm waves make it approachable for beginners, especially if you are nervous about open-water swimming.

This is a good place to slow down. You can wade in, swim near the beach, or snorkel when conditions are clear. The experience is less about a landmark and more about having time in a pleasant piece of coast without a tight schedule.

The water around Nat Nat has been praised for marine life, but snorkeling conditions are never identical. Wind, rain, tide, and visibility can change what you see. Bring your own mask and fins if you have them, since aqua shoes and fins are not included. Rentals may be available, but the supplied information does not give a fixed price.

Nat Nat may appeal most to you if you value quiet shore time. If you want a long list of dramatic sights with constant commentary, it may feel like a simple stop. That is part of Tour D’s character: fewer frantic transitions and more room to enjoy the water.

Paradise Beach and the best easygoing swim

Paradise Beach offers another sandy stop with shallow water and calm waves. It is a friendly place for beginners, families with older children, and anyone who would rather swim close to shore than snorkel in deeper water.

The snorkeling here can be especially good. You may see plenty of fish in clear conditions, and the beach gives you an easy base for drying off, taking photos, or simply sitting in the shade if you find one available.

The phrase Paradise Beach sets a high bar, but the appeal is straightforward: soft sand, clear water, and a pleasant break from the boat. The stop also helps balance the day. Small Lagoon and Cadlao focus on rocks and paddling, while Paradise Beach gives you a classic beach hour.

Do not assume every stop will feel empty. Some days bring other boats, and weather can affect the water. Still, this beach is one of the route’s better places to enjoy a relaxed swim without needing advanced skills.

Bukal Island and the flexible final stop

Bukal Island is part of the island-hopping circuit and adds another coastal setting before the return to El Nido. The exact feel of the stop can depend on the day’s conditions and the crew’s timing.

Use this part of the tour flexibly. If you have spent the morning kayaking, you may prefer a swim. If the sea has been rough, you may want to stay close to shore. Ask the guide what is best on the day rather than trying to force a particular activity.

Some supplied descriptions also refer to Pasandigan Beach, which suggests that the precise beach sequence can change. That is not unusual for boat trips in El Nido. Weather, tides, local access, and crowd levels can all affect the order of stops.

A little flexibility is helpful. Tour D’s value comes from the overall mix of quiet beaches, lagoons, and water time, not from a rigid promise that every stop will unfold in exactly the same order.

Snorkeling, kayaking, and swimming: what is included

You get the boat, guide, life vest, listed entry fees, and packed lunch. You do not get aqua shoes, fins, or kayak rental.

That setup keeps the base price low, but it means you should budget for the activities you care about. If kayaking is the main reason you want to visit Small Lagoon and Cadlao Lagoon, set aside roughly PHP 350 per person per kayak at each location. Confirm the current rate with the crew, since local prices can change.

You can choose to swim or snorkel instead of renting a kayak in some areas. One useful point from the supplied experience is that snorkeling at the lagoons was considered better than at some stops on other routes, with plenty of marine life. That makes Tour D a strong pick if fish matter more to you than collecting a long list of beaches.

Bring swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. Cash is essential for fees and rentals. Aqua shoes can be useful around rocky areas, but they are not provided.

Lunch is more than a box on the boat

Lunch is included, and the food has been described as generous and varied, with chicken and seafood among the dishes. That is important on a seven-hour outing, since buying food along the route is not part of the plan.

Expect a practical island lunch rather than a restaurant meal. You will be eating during a stop, and the point is to refuel before getting back into the water. The meal has received particularly strong praise, so it is one of the better inclusions for the price.

If you have dietary needs, check with the operator before booking. The supplied information does not specify vegetarian, vegan, allergy, or religious meal options.

The crew can shape the entire day

The crew is a major part of the experience. Guides have included Mark, Arnold, Jordan, TJ, and others, with particular praise for friendliness, humor, photography, and practical help.

A good guide can make a quiet beach feel special, help you get in and out of the boat safely, and position the group away from the busiest areas. Arnold has been noted for enthusiasm and taking photos, while Mark has been praised for kindness and strong photography. Jordan and TJ have also been named positively in connection with relaxed, enjoyable trips.

You should keep expectations realistic. At least one account found the English commentary limited and the tour more improvised than fully guided. If you want detailed information at every stop, the quality of explanation may not be consistent. If you want a friendly crew, flexible timing, and help with photos, Tour D is better suited to you.

The tour is available with Tagalog and English-speaking guides. A private group option is also available, though the supplied details do not give its additional price or exact capacity.

Crowds, delays, and the honest drawbacks

The strongest reason to book Tour D is the chance to avoid the busiest boat traffic. Some outings reach Small Lagoon with very few other boats nearby, and several beach stops may feel nearly private.

That advantage is not guaranteed. A delayed departure can sometimes change the timing in your favor by putting you behind the main crowd, but you should not count on a late start as a strategy. One boat had a technical delay of about an hour, while another trip started late because of waiting at the meeting point.

The pre-boarding process is the most consistent warning. Instructions may be unclear, and the meeting area can feel chaotic. Once underway, the organization appears stronger, with enough time at most stops and a crew that works hard to keep the day moving.

Some people may find the schedule too slow. A few stops can last longer than needed if you have already explored the area. If you would rather visit more places for shorter periods, ask about the timing before you commit. Tour D favors a calm pace over a checklist.

Who should book El Nido Tour D?

I would choose this tour if you want a balance of quiet beaches and memorable lagoons. It suits couples, small groups, solo visitors who enjoy meeting people, and beginners who want calm water for swimming.

It is especially good for you if:

• You want a less crowded alternative to Tour A.
• You enjoy snorkeling and want time in the water.
• You like kayaking but also want the option to swim.
• You prefer longer stops instead of a rushed schedule.
• You value friendly crew service and help with photos.
• You are comfortable carrying cash and paying activity fees separately.

It is a weaker fit if you need wheelchair access, have limited mobility, or are pregnant. The tour is not suitable for those conditions. It is also not ideal if you want a highly structured history-and-geography presentation at every stop.

Practical costs and booking advice

At about $23 per person, the tour offers good value for seven hours on the water. The boat, guide, life vest, and lunch cover the main costs, and the route includes some of El Nido’s most appealing scenery.

Plan beyond the headline price. Add PHP 400 for the El Nido Tourism Development Fee and PHP 200 for Small Lagoon entry. Kayaking at Small Lagoon and Cadlao Lagoon is about PHP 350 per person per kayak, and equipment such as fins or aqua shoes is extra.

The booking terms are flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later. Check available starting times because the listed duration is seven hours, not a fixed departure time.

I would confirm three things before the day begins: where exactly to gather at Marber’s Beach Club, whether you need a kayak to enter Small Lagoon under current rules, and the current rental price. Those three questions prevent most avoidable surprises.

Should you book Tour D?

Book it if you want El Nido’s famous rock-and-water scenery with a calmer rhythm than the busiest routes. Small Lagoon is the standout, but the real strength is the combination of two lagoons, several beaches, good snorkeling, included lunch, and enough time to enjoy each place.

Skip it if every peso must cover every activity, if you need full wheelchair access, or if you dislike flexible schedules and informal guiding. For most able-bodied visitors who bring cash, accept a little meeting-point confusion, and want more time in the water than time on a checklist, Tour D is a strong-value day out with Corazon Travel & Tours.

FAQ

How long is El Nido Tour D?

The tour lasts about seven hours, including the boat trip and stops at the lagoons and beaches.

Where is the meeting point?

You meet at Marber’s Beach Club and return to the same place at the end of the tour.

What places does Tour D visit?

The stated route includes Small Lagoon, Cadlao Island, Nat Nat Beach, Paradise Beach, and Bukal Island. The exact order may vary.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A packed lunch is included, with chicken and seafood among the food mentioned in the tour details.

Is the El Nido environmental fee included?

No. The El Nido Tourism Development Fee, also called the environmental fee or EDTF, costs PHP 400 and must be paid before boarding. Show your receipt if you have already paid it.

Does the tour include the Small Lagoon entry fee?

No. Small Lagoon charges a separate PHP 200 entry fee.

Are kayaks included?

No. Kayaks are available to rent. The listed cost at Small Lagoon and Cadlao Lagoon is about PHP 350 per person per kayak.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments?

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