El Nido Tour D – Lagoons & Beaches Premium tour(Private / Shared)

Cadlao Lagoon is the star here, with clear turquoise water boxed in by steep limestone walls. From there, you move through Small Lagoon and four beaches, so this seven-hour island-hopping day gives you both water time and quiet sand stops. I like the mix of kayaking and swimming, and I like that the route includes less crowded places such as Nat Nat Beach.

I also like the practical setup: hotel pickup, boat transport, drinking water, lunch, fruit, and an experienced crew are included. Guides such as Joshua and Bernard have been singled out for kind, attentive service. The main caution is simple: the tour depends on good weather, and pickup arrangements should be confirmed carefully because one unhappy customer reported waiting without contact.

Key points

• Cadlao Lagoon opens the day with the strongest scenery, clear water, limestone walls, and a good setting for kayaking.
• Small Lagoon adds a more enclosed setting, with kayaking, swimming, and possible cliff jumping.
• Four beach stops spread out the pace, from the soft sand of Nat Nat Beach to the quiet picnic feel of Serenity Beach.
• Private tours include a kayak, while the supplied details do not promise one for shared departures.
• Lunch includes seafood, pork or chicken, and fruit, giving you a proper midday meal rather than a quick snack.
• Budget for extra fees, including the environmental fee, a lagoon entrance charge, and snorkel-mask rental.

Cadlao Lagoon sets the tone

The first stop is Cadlao Lagoon, a compact inlet surrounded by limestone walls. The water is described as turquoise and clear, and the setting gives you the classic El Nido combination: sharp rock, bright water, and a small passage that feels far removed from town.

You have about an hour here. That is enough time to kayak toward the shore, swim, and look back at the walls around you. On a private tour, a kayak is included, which makes this stop easier and better value. On a shared tour, check exactly what water equipment is supplied before you pay.

Cadlao Lagoon works best for anyone who wants more than a quick photo stop. You can move slowly through the inlet and take in the surrounding views from the water. The one limitation is that an hour passes quickly if you want to kayak, swim, take pictures, and simply sit still.

Small Lagoon brings the closest rock walls

Small Lagoon is another compact inlet ringed by limestone. Its tighter setting gives it a different feel from Cadlao Lagoon. You are not just looking across a wide bay. You are moving into a confined natural space, with rock rising around the water.

The planned stop lasts about an hour and includes kayaking and swimming. Cliff jumping is also listed as an option, but you should only do that if the crew confirms the conditions and the location is suitable. Life jackets are supplied, and you should use one as directed.

Small Lagoon is likely the most active part of the day. It is also where the extra charges matter most. The inclusions list does not cover all entrance costs, and the fee information specifically lists PHP 200 per person for Big Lagoon, while the stop here is Small Lagoon. Ask the operator which entrance fee applies to your actual route. A snorkeling mask costs PHP 150 per person if you need to rent one.

Nat Nat Beach offers a softer pause

After the lagoons, Nat Nat Beach gives you a chance to slow down. It has soft white sand and clear water, with an hour set aside for swimming and rest. The stop is described as usually less crowded, which makes it useful after the more active lagoon visits.

This is a good place to do very little. You can wade, sit on the sand, or take a short swim without feeling that you need to keep moving. The appeal is not a long list of activities. It is the change of pace.

If you want a full beach day, four separate beach stops can feel generous. If you prefer more time at one place, the one-hour schedule may feel clipped. That is the trade-off built into a route with six stops.

Pasandigan Cove rewards swimmers and snorkelers

Pasandigan Cove is presented as a nature-focused beach with interest both on land and underwater. You have about an hour for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing on the sand.

Bring your own mask if you have one. A rental is available for PHP 150 per person, but that cost is not part of the tour price. The tour supplies drinking water and life jackets, though the listed inclusions do not say that snorkel gear is included.

Pasandigan is a useful middle stop because it breaks up the beach time with something active. Snorkeling conditions can vary with weather and water clarity, so keep your expectations sensible. The tour offers the chance to snorkel, not a guarantee of a particular marine sighting.

Paradise Beach is made for a longer exhale

Paradise Beach brings powdery white sand, emerald water, coconut trees, and a quiet setting. The planned hour here is aimed at unwinding: wading, sunbathing, swimming, or sitting beneath the trees.

This is the sort of stop that makes the route feel like more than a checklist of famous sites. You are given time to enjoy the setting rather than being rushed straight back to the boat. Still, the schedule remains structured. If you find a beach you love, you may wish you had two hours instead of one.

Lunch may be served during the beach portion of the day, depending on the crew’s timing. The meal includes fruit and a choice of seafood, pork, or chicken according to the details supplied. One positive account specifically described the lunch as good and varied, which matters on a seven-hour boat trip.

Serenity Beach ends the route quietly

The final stop is described as Serenity Beach in Bacuit Bay. It is a small white-sand beach intended for relaxation and a picnic. The surrounding setting gives you one last chance to sit, swim, and enjoy the water before returning to El Nido’s floating dock.

Ending on a quiet beach is a smart choice. After kayaking and snorkeling, you can use this hour as a gentle finish rather than squeezing in another demanding activity. It also gives you a natural place for lunch or fruit, though the exact meal timing can vary.

Do not confuse the name with a large resort beach. The information describes a small, peaceful place. That is the point, but it also means facilities are not detailed. Bring practical sun protection and keep your belongings organized on the boat.

Seven hours means a full but active day

The total duration is about seven hours, with roughly one hour at each of six stops. Add boat movement, loading, lunch, and time between locations, and you have a full day on the water.

The schedule gives you variety. You will see lagoons, beaches, rock walls, snorkeling areas, and picnic spots in one outing. I like that balance because it prevents the day from becoming six copies of the same beach stop.

The cost is less flexible than the itinerary. With a listed price of $40 per person, the tour can be good value if you want transport, crew service, lunch, water, and multiple locations handled in one booking. The real price is higher after the environmental fee, possible lagoon entrance fees, and mask rental.

The environmental fee is PHP 400 per person and is valid for five days. That is useful if you plan another water excursion within that period, but you should still include it in your holiday budget. The supplied details also list PHP 200 per person for Big Lagoon, even though Big Lagoon is not one of the named stops here. Confirm the correct charge before departure.

Private and shared options need careful checking

The experience is described as private or shared, but the additional information says it is a private activity in which only your group participates. The clearest practical reading is that the private option is the confirmed choice, while the shared option needs clarification before booking.

A private tour gives your group more control over the pace and stops. It also includes a kayak according to the inclusions. That makes it the better fit for families, couples, or friends who value flexibility and want to avoid uncertainty about equipment.

A shared departure may lower the cost, but the supplied information does not spell out the group size or confirm that kayaking is included. Ask those two questions directly. The answer affects both comfort and value.

Crew service can shape the whole day

The strongest part of the service is the crew. Joshua is identified as a guide who stayed helpful and kind throughout a private outing. Bernard is also praised for being informative and helpful. Another account described an attentive driver and boat crew, along with a smooth ride and a well-equipped boat.

That human side matters. Island hopping is not only about the scenery. You need clear directions around a kayak, help getting on and off the boat, sensible timing, and someone paying attention to the group. The crew service appears to be a real strength when the operation runs as planned.

There is one serious service warning. A Spanish-language account reported that hotel pickup did not happen, nobody arrived at the agreed meeting place, and phone calls went unanswered. That is a sharp contrast with the positive reports. Confirm your pickup time, meeting point, and contact number the day before. If you are collecting a group, have the operator confirm the arrangement in writing.

What to pack for the lagoons and beaches

The boat supplies drinking water and life jackets. The tour also includes a picnic lunch with fruit. For everything else, pack lightly but thoughtfully.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and a dry bag or waterproof pouch for valuables. If you own a snorkeling mask, take it to avoid the PHP 150 rental charge. The tour details do not promise that snorkel gear is included.

Wear footwear that you can manage around a boat and beach. The information does not specify facilities at each stop, so keep your personal items easy to carry. A small bag is more useful than a large suitcase on a day with repeated boarding and beach landings.

You should also be ready for changes caused by the weather. The operator requires good conditions, and a poor-weather cancellation can lead to another date or a full refund. That is the main weather protection offered. The standard booking is otherwise non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons, so do not book until your plans are firm.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would choose this outing if you want a broad look at El Nido in one day. It suits people who like to mix kayaking, swimming, snorkeling, boat scenery, and beach time rather than spending the whole day in one place.

It is also a strong match for a private group that values attentive help. The names Joshua and Bernard give you useful points of reference, though you cannot assume either guide will lead your departure. Ask who is assigned to your group.

Families and less confident swimmers can benefit from the supplied life jackets and crew support, but the day still involves repeated boat transfers and water activities. Anyone who dislikes a structured schedule may prefer a slower private plan with fewer stops.

The route also suits budget-minded visitors who want lunch and transport bundled together. At $40 per person, it is not the complete cost once fees and optional mask rental are added, but it covers the major basics.

Should you book El Nido Tour D?

Book it if your priority is variety: two lagoons, four beaches, lunch, boat transport, and a full day outside El Nido. Cadlao Lagoon and Small Lagoon provide the strongest scenery, while Nat Nat, Pasandigan, Paradise, and Serenity give you room to swim and rest.

I would favor the private option, especially because kayaking is listed as included there and because a private group has more control over the pace. Before paying, confirm the pickup details, the exact entrance fees, the guide assignment, and whether your departure is private or shared.

The tour is not the best choice for someone who wants guaranteed weather, a slow beach day, or a fully refundable booking. But if you accept the seven-hour schedule and check the logistics carefully, it offers a solid way to see several sides of El Nido in one outing.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour D last?

The tour lasts about seven hours, including the lagoon and beach stops, boat travel, meal time, and the return to El Nido’s floating dock.

What places does the tour visit?

The route includes Cadlao Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Nat Nat Beach, Pasandigan Cove, Paradise Beach, and Serenity Beach in Bacuit Bay.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is listed as included. Because one reported experience involved a missed pickup and unanswered calls, confirm your pickup time and meeting point before the tour.

Is kayaking included?

Kayaking is listed as included for private tours only. The supplied details do not confirm kayaking for shared departures.

Are entrance fees included?

No. The environmental fee is PHP 400 per person and is valid for five days. The details also list a PHP 200 per-person entrance fee for Big Lagoon. Ask which entrance charges apply to your exact route.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. A snorkeling mask can be rented for PHP 150 per person. The tour details do not state that snorkel equipment is included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can receive a different date or a full refund. The normal booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons.