Island Hopping in El Nido
El Nido is the gateway to the Bacuit archipelago: a maze of black-limestone karsts, hidden lagoons and beaches you can only reach by boat. The standard A/B/C/D tours have made it the most-Instagrammed destination in the Philippines — but the real magic happens when you customize the itinerary with a private captain and avoid the busiest islands at peak hours.
What to see and do
Tour A: Big & Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island. Tour B: Snake Island, Pinagbuyutan, Cudugnon Cave. Tour C: Hidden, Secret and Matinloc Beach (premium reef). Tour D: Cadlao, Paradise Beach, Bukal. For experienced travelers, ask your captain about Nacpan Beach combo tours or multi-day expeditions to Coron.
Best months to visit
December to May is dry season. March and April offer the calmest waters but also the heaviest tourist load — go in late November or early June for a quieter experience with comparable weather.
How to get there
Fly Manila → Puerto Princesa, then a 5–6 hour van transfer to El Nido town. Direct flights into El Nido airport (ENI) from Manila or Cebu are pricier but skip the road. All boat tours depart from El Nido pier.
Local operators in El Nido
Compare and contact local crews and captains directly.
El Nido Tour Package (CMT Travels)
Island hoppingCMT Travels. Gran operador El Nido.
El Nido Island Hopping (Aqua Amigo)
Island hoppingAqua Amigo consolida tours.
El Nido Private Tour
Charter / privadoVIP, hoteles, city+island hopping. Encaje charter.
El Nido Tour Guide Association
Guías oficialesAsociación de guías. Posible partner institucional.
Bay Backpackers El Nido
Island hoppingTours backpacker.
Elnidoislandhopping.com (Aqua Amigo)
Island hoppingOficina Aqua Amigo.
Frequently asked questions
What is the price of a private boat in El Nido?
A private pumpboat for tours A, B, C or D runs roughly USD 25–32 for up to 6 passengers. Premium yacht charters or multi-day expeditions to Coron range USD 70–128 per person.
Do I need to book El Nido tours in advance?
In peak season (Christmas, Easter, March–April) yes — quotas and entrance permits sell out by mid-morning. ready2hop.com puts you in direct contact with local captains so you can reserve days ahead via Messenger.
What's the difference between joining tour A or customizing my own?
Shared tours follow a fixed route with up to 25 passengers per boat. A custom private charter lets you swap islands, time visits before the crowds, and add stops like Nacpan or Snake Island that aren't on the standard list.
Are environmental fees included?
El Nido charges a PHP 400 Ecotourism Development Fee (valid 10 days) plus a small terminal fee at the pier. Tour operators almost never include this — pay it in cash at the office near the beach.