El Nido Tour D Lagoons & Beaches

El Nido Tour D pairs a kayak-friendly lagoon with a string of beaches, including Paradise Beach and the long white-sand stretch at Natnat. I like that the route gives you time to swim and relax, rather than packing the day with one crowded stop after another.

I also like the grilled lunch and the chance to see Cadlao’s lagoons and beach scenery in one outing. The trade-off: kayak rental, lagoon access and the local eco fee are extra, and weather or low sign-up numbers can change the plan.

What to know before you book

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• Small Lagoon is a headline stop: Kayak across clear water toward a cave you can wade through. The kayak is rented separately.
• The route favors beach time: Expect stops at Cadlao, Paradise, Pasandigan, Ipil and Natnat, though conditions can alter the order or stops.
• The crew is part of the appeal: Guides named Jason, Sam and Mel, and Jeric, have been associated with friendly, hands-on trips. Your guide will depend on the departure.
• Bring cash for fees and rentals: The eco-tourism fee is PHP 400 per person, lagoon access is PHP 200 per person, and kayak rental is listed at PHP 400 per kayak.
• Timing can be unpredictable: The advertised schedule gives an early meet-up and a 17:30 return, but actual starts and finishes can differ. Leave room in your plans.
• Tour D suits a slower day: It is a good fit if you want beaches, swimming and a calmer pace. If you have time for only one island-hopping trip, compare Tours A and C too.

A beach-and-lagoon day with room to slow down

Tour D is an island-hopping trip around El Nido, Palawan, built around Cadlao Island, lagoons and beaches. You travel by boat, get an English-speaking guide, and stop to swim, snorkel, kayak or relax on shore. The included packed lunch is a grilled meal, with seafood, chicken, pork and vegetables listed as sample choices.

The appeal is variety without a tight succession of grand set pieces. Small Lagoon gives the day a distinctive lagoon stop, while the beaches offer time to float, walk the sand or take a break under the palms. That more relaxed rhythm is why I would consider Tour D after a busier day on another route, or for a final island outing when you would rather enjoy the water than race from stop to stop.

This is not a fixed, clockwork itinerary. Tides and weather can alter the route, and a tour with too few participants may be combined with another trip or changed. Some departures start later than the stated meet-up window, while accounts of actual tour lengths vary. Treat the schedule as a planning guide, not a promise that every stop will happen at an exact hour.

Small Lagoon: the kayak is extra

Small Lagoon is one of the day’s most distinctive stops. The lagoon is ringed by rock, and the water-filled cave gives you a reason to paddle rather than simply hop off the boat and swim. The tour description also notes territorial fish and aquamarine water, though visibility and color depend on conditions.

Kayaks are not included in the join-in price. The listed rate is PHP 400 per kayak, and one party reported being charged more than expected. Confirm the current price, how many people can use each kayak and where you may paddle before handing over cash. The lagoon fee is another PHP 200 per person, separate from the kayak rental.

If kayaking is central to your plans, budget for it rather than treating it as an optional surprise. If you skip the rental, ask what you can do at that particular stop. One account described staying on the boat rather than swimming when not kayaking, so do not assume every activity is available from every landing point.

Cadlao Lagoon and its quieter island scenery

Cadlao is known for tucked-away lagoons and white-sand beaches. The route includes Cadlao Lagoon, a clear-water stop suited to snorkeling, and a chance to take in the island’s rock formations. The area’s attraction is not only one famous viewpoint. It is the feeling of moving between small coves and coastal scenery by boat.

A mask and snorkel are available to rent for PHP 150 per set. Bring your own if you have gear you like, or ask about availability and price before setting out. Conditions vary, and some snorkeling may be in deeper water than a beginner expects. A life vest is included, but this is still a water-based day, so be honest with yourself about your comfort in the sea.

Cadlao Lagoon may appear more than once in a changed route, or be combined with another itinerary. Ask the operator what the planned stops are for your date, especially if you have already taken another El Nido tour and want to avoid repeating a lagoon.

Paradise Beach and Pasandigan’s palm-lined shore

Paradise Beach is a good place to trade the boat for sand and a swim. The name sets a high bar, but the draw is straightforward: pale beach, clear water when conditions cooperate, and a chance to slow down. It is also listed as a possible lunch stop, though the precise lunch location can vary.

Pasandigan Beach brings another kind of shoreline, with coconut palms along the coast and water for swimming or snorkeling. These stops make Tour D feel less like a checklist of famous landmarks and more like a beach day with a boat ride between them. That is a plus if your ideal island trip includes time to sit still.

The downside is that conditions and crowd levels can change the mood. A quiet beach on one day may be busier on another, and rain or wind can make a swim less appealing. The crew can help with getting on and off the boat, but expect to get wet during transfers.

Ipil and Natnat: sand, rock and time in the water

After lunch, the route may continue to Ipil Beach and Natnat Beach. Natnat is noted for its long stretch of white sand, while the surrounding area offers rock formations and water to explore. If you enjoy a beach walk, Natnat gives you more room to stretch your legs than a quick stop at a small cove.

The stops are best appreciated at an unhurried pace. You can swim, snorkel or simply take in the coastline, depending on sea conditions and the time available. The itinerary may also include Serenity Beach, as routes and stops can shift. Do not plan your day around a guarantee that every named beach will be visited.

Tour D is sometimes described as less crowded than the best-known El Nido routes. That can make a real difference when you want space to swim or a quieter stretch of sand. It is not a guarantee of solitude, though. Weather, boats and the day’s route all shape the experience.

Lunch, fees and the real cost of the day

The join-in tour starts at US$19.05, an attractive base price for a full day with boat transfer, an English-speaking guide, a life vest and lunch. But the ticket price is not the whole budget. The PHP 400 eco-tourism fee and PHP 200 lagoon fee add PHP 600 per person, before any kayak or snorkel rental. Those fees are not included in the advertised starting price.

The sample lunch includes grilled fish and shrimp, grilled chicken and pork chop, vegetables and fruit. The menu can change with the season and ingredient supply. Dietary needs such as vegetarian meals, gluten intolerance and allergies can be accommodated, but tell the operator in advance rather than waiting until lunch is served. Drinks are not listed as included, so bring water and cash for anything extra.

For a group, private tour prices start at different rates depending on the number of people and whether you choose regular or premium. The displayed starting price falls as group size rises, but check the exact total for your party before booking. A premium private trip has been described with a larger boat, cushioned seats and a toilet, but confirm which features are included in your chosen package.

Timing, weather and practical details

The meet-up is listed for 08:00 to 08:30 near Serena Street and the El Nido docking area. The instructions also name 5313 C. Hama, El Nido Beach, so check your voucher for the exact meeting point and arrive early. The tour lists a 17:30 return, while the stated activity duration is about seven to seven and a half hours. Actual trips have started later and finished earlier, so avoid booking a tight transfer or dinner plan afterward.

Weather is the biggest factor you cannot control. Strong wind, heavy rain and high waves can make the boat ride uncomfortable or lead to cancellation. The operator may cancel for extreme weather or other unforeseen events, with the option to reschedule or request a refund. If the sea is rough, listen to the crew and follow their instructions. A calm, reassuring crew is especially valuable when conditions turn.

Wear swimwear and bring a change of clothes, a towel, hat, sunscreen, water bottle and cash. Aqua shoes may be useful around rocky areas, though they are not listed as required. The tour is not recommended for people with impaired physical mobility and is not wheelchair- or stroller-accessible. Children aged six and older pay the adult rate.

Is Tour D worth booking?

I would choose Tour D if you want a relaxed day of swimming and beach stops, especially after you have already seen some of El Nido’s more popular island routes. Small Lagoon, Cadlao and the long beach at Natnat give the outing enough variety, while the grilled lunch and helpful crew can make the day feel easy to manage.

If you have only one day for island hopping, compare Tours A, B and C before deciding. Tour D’s strength is its gentler pace, not a guarantee that its scenery will outshine every other route. Book it when the beaches and a quieter day appeal to you, and set aside extra cash for fees and rentals. If a kayak or a specific lagoon is essential, confirm its availability for your date first.

FAQ

What is included in the Tour D price?

The tour includes an English-speaking guide, boat transfer, packed lunch and life vest. The eco-tourism fee, lagoon fee, mask and snorkel rental, and kayak rental are not included.

How much are the extra fees?

The eco-tourism fee is PHP 400 per person and the Small or Big Lagoon fee is PHP 200 per person. Mask and snorkel rental is PHP 150 per set, while kayak rental is listed at PHP 400 per kayak.

What time does the tour start and return?

Meet-up is listed between 08:00 and 08:30, with a return time of 17:30. Actual timing can change with weather, tides and other conditions, and some departures have started later.

What food is served for lunch?

The sample picnic lunch includes grilled seafood such as fish and shrimp, grilled chicken and pork chop, grilled vegetables and fruit. The menu can change depending on the season and ingredient availability.

Can the tour accommodate dietary needs?

Yes. The activity information says allergies, gluten intolerance, vegetarian diets and other dietary needs can be accommodated. Share your requirements with the operator before the tour.

Is Tour D suitable for children?

Children aged six and older are charged the same rate as adults. The tour is not recommended for anyone with impaired physical mobility and is not stroller- or wheelchair-accessible.

What happens if the tour is canceled because of bad weather?

For extreme weather or unforeseen events, the operator may cancel the tour. You can choose to reschedule or request a full refund.