8 Great Tours For Exploring El Nido, Palawan

tours in el nido
Carmela
Carmela 
Updated
| 4 min read

There’s nothing like going to the beach and soaking under the sun, especially if you’re in a paradise like El Nido, Palawan. It is gifted with nature’s best and true enough, every visit gives you a different experience: island hopping, underwater adventures, cultural immersion, and much more! To help you explore this majestic island, here’s a list of breathtaking El Nido tours you shouldn’t miss. Take your pick or try them all–there’s really nothing to lose.

Tip from Content Creator

Canopy Walk El Nido Canopy Walk El Nido
If you're visiting the area, I recommend trying peaks 1-3 of the canopy walk view at Canopy Walk El Nido. You will find gorgeous views of the water and surrounding town and can get up close to El Nido's cliffs.

1. El Nido island hopping: Hidden beaches and shrine tour (from 36 USD)

Matinloc Shrine
Source: Photo by user Charizsa Timkang used under CC BY 2.0

This tour will take you to the most talked about spots in El Nido, Palawan, including hidden white sand beaches, limestone-walled islands, enchanting lagoons, and scuba diving/snorkeling spots. Transportation to and from the hotel is provided, as well as a tour guide and a private tour boat for you and your companions.

You can have lunch on the beach as you learn more about rock formations, natural treasures, and local history. You can bring your own snorkeling gear or what’s provided on the tour. Must-try snorkeling spots are found in Kulasa Beach and Matinloc Shrine, both of which are included in the itinerary.

El Nido island hopping: Hidden beaches and shrine tour

Price: from 36 USD

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2. El Nido ecotourism dive safari tour (from 90 USD)

Diving near an island off El Nido
Source: Photo by user interestedbystandr used under CC BY 2.0

Locals and tourists alike wouldn’t let an El Nido tour pass by without taking a dive in some of the island’s best-kept marine life sanctuaries. In this tour, you will have the chance to explore three diving sites in one day. You will also witness a spectacular view of Bacuit Bay in between.

First-class equipment is provided and a skilled diving instructor will ensure your safety. Lunch and coffee/tea is also available during break time. Those who visit between February to June often gets the best diving experience, as the waters are extremely clear during this season.

El Nido ecotourism dive safari tour

Price: from 90 USD

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3. Paddling and island hopping tour for couples (from 28 USD)

tours in el nido | paddling and island hopping tour for couples
Source: instagram

Are you traveling with your partner? This tour is not to be missed! It comes with an intimate island hopping experience, including a tour of Shimizu Island, Commando Beach, Small Lagoon, and Big Lagoon. You and your loved ones can paddle together to explore the vast, pristine waters surrounding some of the world’s breathtaking rock formations.

Take a dip and explore the marine life or simply stare at the beauty of nature. Lunch and roundtrip sea transfer by longtail boat is provided. You will also have your own tour guide.

Paddling and island hopping tour for couples

Price: from 28 USD

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4. Bacuit Bay private tour (from 75 USD)

Long boats await island hopping passengers to explore Bacuit Bay
Source: Photo by user Liisalaukkanen used under CC BY-SA 3.0

This tour is perfect for families and groups of friends who want to explore Bacuit Bay to the fullest. You will board a private boat with free snorkeling gear. A well-prepared Filipino meal will be served for lunch to complete your El Nido experience.

Bacuit Bay is one of the most majestic sites in El Nido, offering unique, white sandy beaches. Make sure to bring your underwater camera with you to capture all your adventures!

Bacuit Bay private tour

Price: from 75 USD

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El Nido Tour Guide

Rosalyn Capablanca

Rosalyn Capablanca

From Palawan Paradise, greetings! Hello, my fellow nomads! Your guide to Palawan, the Last Frontier, is me, Rosa! I live in a tropical oasis surrounded by luscious flora and blue lakes. Together, let me be your ticket to paradise as we discover Palawan's wonders.Palawan is well known for its breathtaking islands, each with an individual allure. The most well-known locations are Puerto Princesa, Coron, and El Nido. Bright coral reefs, secret lagoons, and majestic limestone cliffs are the main attractions of El Nido. Coron is home to gorgeous scenery, World War II wreck dive locations, and lakes that are glistening with clarity. The capital, Puerto Princesa, serves as a point of entry for the Underground River, one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Palawan's landscapes are a mix of lush rainforests, limestone karst formations, and captivating beaches. The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature, showcases an underground river winding through a mesmerizing cave system.Palawan is not just a destination; it's a journey into a tropical paradise where nature's wonders unfold at every turn. Whether you seek adventure, relaxation, or cultural immersion, Palawan invites you to explore its breathtaking landscapes and vibrant marine life.

5. El Nido island hopping: Lagoons and beaches including lunch (from 32 USD)


The jaw-dropping combination of limestone, rock formations and white sand beaches are some of the reasons why visitors keep coming back to El Nido. You shouldn’t miss this tour if you want to see them for yourself. It will take you to the Small and Big Lagoons, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and the historical Seven Commandos Beach, where Japanese commandos stayed during World War ll.

You will have time to explore the beaches and snorkel while your tour guide prepares a mouth-watering meal for lunch.

El Nido island hopping: Lagoons and beaches including lunch

Price: from 32 USD

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6. El Nido island private safari

El Nido, Palawan, Philippines
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Jerick Parrone used under CC BY-SA 2.0

This tour will take you away from the crowds into an intimate El Nido experience. It features a three-day and two-night trip around El Nido, with Tao style camping and one-of-a-kind island living in Northern Palawan. Here, you can explore local organic farms and learn about the Tao community’s education and training centers.

Not only will you be immersed in nature and local living but you will also take part in supporting this community through The Tao Kalahi Foundation. Part of the tour fee will be donated to their projects.

El Nido island private safari

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7. El Nido island hopping: Caves and coves tour including buffet lunch (from USD 34.0)

tours in el nido | el nido island hopping: caves and coves tour including buffet lunch
Source: www.viator.com

There are caves and coves to explore in El Nido and you can get up close to these wonders on this tour. Your itinerary includes a trip to Pangalusian Island and Pinagbuyutan Island, both of which offer white sandy beaches and healthy underwater marine life. Vigan and Snake Island is another stop. It is famous for its S-shaped formation with a nearby cliff, offering a picturesque view of Bacuit Bay.

And finally, don’t miss the wonderful cave experience that awaits you at Cadugnon Point and Cave where you can explore a cathedral-like rock formation and climb a small limestone hill, offering a panoramic view of greens and blues.

Tip from Content Creator

Pinagbuyutan Island

Photo of Pinagbuyutan Island shared by content creator from the Philippines, Johnny Ferniz.

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El Nido Biscuit Bay Island Hopping Day Trip with Buffet Lunch

Duration: 7 hours

8. El Nido island cruise with buffet lunch (from USD 30.0)

Natnat beach on Cadlao Island - panoramio (1)
Source: Photo by user Tuderna used under CC BY 3.0

How about exploring El Nido’s islands and beaches for one whole day and enjoying a sumptuous buffet under the sun? If this sounds like a good day for you, hop on this tour. It will take you to El Nido’s finest: Ipil Beach, Cadlao Island, Pasandigan Beach, Natnat Beach, Bukal Beach and Paradise Beach.

Roam around each island and take advantage of the pristine waters for up to an hour. Enjoy snorkeling with your buddies or simply savor each other’s company while you take a private boat ride through El Nido’s land and water formations.

Tip from Content Creator

El Nido, Palawan El Nido, Palawan El Nido, Palawan

Photos of El Nido, Palawan, shared by content creator from the Philippines, Ria Katrina

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El Nido Island– and Beach-Hopping Cruise with Buffet Lunch

Duration: 8 hours

No place you'd rather be

It sounds like a lyrics to a song, but it’s true! If you’re a water baby who loves to dive, snorkel, swim, and simply feel the water, there’s no place you’d rather be but in El Nido, Palawan. There’s much to see and experience here, intimately or with a group–under the sun, over white sand, and on and under the water!

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Carmela Ann Santos is a freelance writer and a licensed teacher from the Philippines. Her top destinations would include any place with a clear view of cloud formations and peaceful waters. She...Read more

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