Summary
El Nido’s famous for having some of the finest island scenery in the Philippines, and the best way to see it is on a shared boat tour.
The island hopping tours in El Nido are categorized into 4 unique areas of coverage: A, B, C, and D. Each tour offers amazing experiences!
This page specifically covers El Nido Tour B and highlights the stunning sights you can expect, including Snake Island, Pinagbuyutan Island, Entalula Island, Cudugnon Cave, and Cathedral Cave.
Stay tuned for more general information and a comprehensive map of all the other Palawan tours soon!
El Nido Tour B – What To Expect
El Nido Tour B includes 5 scenic island stops, and you can anticipate spending approximately 45-60 minutes at each major stop (with the exception of Cathedral Cave).
Although your tour guide might suggest 30-45 minutes at each stop, it usually leans closer to an hour because of stragglers (which is perfectly fine!).
The entire tour typically runs from 9 AM to 4 PM (or later), which includes a couple of hours spent on the boat traveling between islands. However, don’t worry, because even the travel time is scenic and filled with fantastic photo opportunities!
Lunch
A complimentary lunch on the boat is included with every tour, featuring a typical spread of grilled fish, pork, chicken, vegetables, rice, and an abundance of fresh fruit such as pineapple and watermelon.
All the food was delicious. Some guests may have concerns about hygiene or food preparation safety during these boat tours, but throughout our extensive experiences (over two dozen tours), we encountered no issues at all (and we certainly enjoyed our meals!).
Rules
At the beginning of the tour, your guide will briefly explain some essential island hopping rules.
One critical rule is that picking up coral, sand, or animals such as starfish is prohibited. This is a beneficial rule, as it helps protect the islands from the heavy influx of tourists that visit each year.
Life jackets are mandatory during boat travel; however, they are not strictly enforced except when leaving the harbor, as that is the only time the coast guard is likely to be observing.
Although plastic water bottles are technically not permitted on the boat tours, enforcement is lax, and many guests still bring them. Just ensure you properly dispose of them when you return to El Nido town!
Conservation Fee
There is a mandatory conservation fee / tourist tax of 200 pesos ($4 USD) per person for island hopping in El Nido.
This fee is separate from the cost of your tour; however, the ticket remains valid for 10 days, meaning you’ll likely only need to pay once. Just remember not to lose your ticket, or you will have to purchase a new one!
Things To See – Tour B
• Snake Island
This location features a long sandbar that connects Vigan Island with mainland Palawan, allowing for a fun walk across it!
The nickname Snake Island is derived from the snakelike shape of the sandbar as seen from above.
These aerial images were captured with a drone, but similar views are accessible by taking a short hike to the island’s summit.
• Pinagbuyutan Island
This gumdrop-shaped island is one of the most cherished spots in El Nido.
Beneath the grand rock formations sits a semi-circular beach, accompanied by photogenic palm trees and ample space to explore.
Pinagbuyutan Island appears tailor-made for remote living, which might explain why many tours choose to have their lunch break here.
• Entalula Island
Continuing with the list of breathtaking beaches on Tour B, a stop at a small haven on Entalula Island awaits.
This enchanting beach boasts fine white sand, shady palms, and a striking rock formation resembling an Indian arrowhead.
• Cudugnon Cave / Beach
This fascinating limestone cave on mainland Palawan allows exploration inside, featuring a high ceiling.
While the cave itself is stunning, the surrounding beach and scenery are truly remarkable.
It’s also a fantastic spot for drone enthusiasts!
• Cathedral Cave
This brief (5-15 min) stop at a sea cave near Lagen Island offers a glimpse into a captivating natural formation.
Cathedral Cave is characterized by its high ceiling; however, due to the entrance being too narrow for most tour boats, your crew will typically anchor outside and let you capture pictures of the cave from a distance.
Best El Nido Tour Packages
Klook provides highly-rated El Nido boat tours at competitive prices.
Their package for Tour B is priced at 1,300 pesos ($25 USD) and includes most of the popular stops: Snake Island, Pinagbuyutan Island, and both caves, while swapping out Entalula Beach for another lovely location called Papaya Beach. Additionally, you’ll receive a complimentary lunch and hotel pickup. This package offers superior value compared to various tour companies available in El Nido town!
Moreover, booking an online tour enables you to pay via credit card or PayPal, alleviating the need to frequently visit ATMs (which are often unreliable in El Nido).
More Palawan Travel Tips
For additional insights about Palawan island in the Philippines, explore my comprehensive El Nido Travel Guide featuring free tips, captivating photos, and more information.
El Nido Hotels
Where We Stayed
We opted for David’s Guesthouse in El Nido town, priced at 1,600 pesos ($31 USD) per night. This amount secured us a clean double bed with cold A/C and a private bathroom.
It is essential to keep in mind that El Nido is a relatively remote town in the Philippines, and the hotel offerings are still catching up with the rising demand. Therefore, luxury should not be expected at this price range.
Nonetheless, we found this to be one of the best budget-friendly hotel choices in town. The location was fantastic—just a 3-minute walk to the beach and close to the best restaurants—and the owner was incredibly helpful in arranging all our island hopping tours!
It’s prudent to watch for price fluctuations from time to time to secure a good deal.
