El Nido Island Tour D

Tour D keeps El Nido’s quieter side in view. The five-stop route combines striking limestone cliffs with white sand beaches, and I like that it usually feels less crowded than Tours A and C. I also like the practical package: boat, guide, life vest, picnic lunch, and hotel pickup within El Nido Town are included. The main drawback is the slow morning start and the extra fees for the environmental charge, lagoon access, and optional kayak.

The $22 price looks excellent at first glance, though the required 400-peso environmental fee and 200-peso lagoon fee raise the actual cost. You should also know that the boat may not leave until 9:00 to 10:00am, depending on Coast Guard clearance, and one booking was switched from Tour D to Tour A at short notice.

Key points to know before booking

• Five destinations in one day: Small Lagoon, Cadlao Lagoon, Paradise Beach, Bukal Beach, and Pasandigan Beach form the route.
• Usually quieter than Tours A and C: This can mean a calmer day at the stops, though it is not guaranteed.
• Small Lagoon costs extra to explore by kayak: Kayak rental is 300 pesos per hour and is not part of the $22 price.
• Morning timing is flexible: Meet before 8:30am, but boat dispatch may happen between 9:00 and 10:00am.
• Lunch and basic equipment are included: You receive a picnic lunch, life vest, guide service, and boat permit.
• The tour has mixed consistency: Most posted ratings are highly positive, but one departure was changed to Tour A and another booking had concerns about the boat and lunch size.

Why Tour D can be a smart choice in El Nido

El Nido is famous for its pale beaches and huge limestone formations, but the busiest island routes can turn a beautiful day into a slow-moving procession of boats. Tour D appeals because it visits a different group of places and often carries fewer people than the better-known A and C routes.

That quieter feel matters. You have more room to swim, take photos, or simply sit on the beach without feeling pushed along by a crowd. One rating gave Tour D high marks specifically because its stops were less visited while still being just as attractive.

The route also offers a good mix. You are not spending the entire day at lagoons, nor are you visiting only beaches. Small Lagoon and Cadlao Lagoon provide the dramatic cliff scenery, while Paradise, Bukal, and Pasandigan beaches give you time for swimming, sunbathing, and a slower lunch stop.

I would not call this a private or luxury outing. It is a shared island-hopping trip with a fixed route, a public boat dispatch, and a timetable affected by local clearance. But for $22 per person before required fees, it offers a strong amount of scenery and activity.

The early meeting at Cliffside Travel and Tours

Your morning begins at the Cliffside Travel and Tours booking office beside El Nido Cliffside Cottages. You need to arrive before 8:30am, even though the boat may not leave until somewhere between 9:00 and 10:00am.

That gap is important. The boat dispatch depends on Coast Guard clearance, so the advertised eight-hour outing does not mean eight hours on the water. You may spend part of the morning waiting at the meeting point or at El Nido Town Beach before boarding.

Free pickup is included for hotels within El Nido Town only. If you are staying outside the town area, the supplied information does not promise a pickup, so you should confirm the arrangement before paying.

The boat leaves from El Nido Town Beach. Travel to the first stop takes about 20 to 30 minutes, then each destination generally receives about 40 to 50 minutes. That gives you enough time for a swim or a short look around, but not enough for a long, unhurried stay at every beach.

The guide speaks English and Tagalog and is available during the trip if you need help. The strongest rating praised the tour staff, while another rating found the guides less engaging than guides on other outings. Your experience may depend partly on the assigned guide and the day’s group.

Small Lagoon: the day’s most distinctive stop

Small Lagoon is likely to be the most memorable stop for many people. The setting is typical of El Nido at its best: steep limestone walls, calm water, and a narrow entrance that makes the lagoon feel separate from the open sea.

The standard tour includes the stop, but kayak rental costs an additional 300 pesos per hour. This is not a minor detail. The kayak is the main way to explore farther into Small Lagoon, and one account noted a small beach inside the lagoon that can be reached when you rent one.

If you are happy to stay near the boat and swim, you can avoid the extra cost. If you want to paddle into the enclosed sections, take your time, and reach the little beach, budget for the kayak. I prefer knowing this before arrival because the repeated add-on charges can make a low headline price feel less low.

Small Lagoon is also where the route’s timing can feel tight. With roughly 40 to 50 minutes at each stop, a one-hour kayak rental may be a better fit than trying to rush through the area. Ask at the booking office how rental payment and timing work on your departure day.

Cadlao Lagoon and the limestone walls

Cadlao Lagoon brings another dose of El Nido’s towering rock formations. The point of this stop is the contrast between the pale, open water and the dark, almost vertical limestone cliffs around it.

I like that the route includes two lagoon settings rather than treating Small Lagoon as the only major sight. Cadlao gives you another chance to photograph the rock walls, swim, and enjoy the unusual shape of the coast from the water.

The practical limitation is the same as at Small Lagoon: you receive a short stop, not an open-ended visit. If your priority is taking dozens of photos or spending a long time in the water, the schedule may feel brisk. If you prefer seeing several different places in one day, the 40 to 50 minute pattern works well.

The lagoon fee of 200 pesos is collected at the booking office. That fee is separate from the 400-peso environmental charge, so set aside both amounts before the boat leaves.

Paradise Beach: white sand and an easier pause

Paradise Beach changes the rhythm of the day. After the dramatic cliff scenery of the lagoons, a white sand beach gives you space to swim, lie in the sun, or take a breath.

This is also the sort of stop where the group’s pace matters less. You do not need to paddle into a narrow opening or keep your eyes up for every cliff angle. You can use the time for a simple beach break.

The tour information also mentions volleyball and a restaurant as possible activities during the outing. Exactly which stop offers those options can vary, but Paradise Beach is the kind of place where relaxed shore time makes sense.

Do not expect a full beach day here. The route has five destinations, and each stop is limited. Bring a good plan for your time: swim first, take photos second, then use whatever minutes remain for sunbathing.

Bukal Beach and Pasandigan Beach

Bukal Beach and Pasandigan Beach round out the route with two more coastal stops. Their value is not necessarily one headline attraction, but the chance to see a broader slice of El Nido’s beaches instead of spending the whole day at one famous lagoon.

That variety is one of Tour D’s strengths. You get limestone, enclosed lagoon water, open beaches, and time for swimming across the day. For a first island-hopping outing, that range can feel more satisfying than a route focused on only one type of scenery.

You should keep your expectations practical. The supplied details do not promise special facilities, private access, or long stays at either beach. Treat them as short scenic and swimming stops, with about 40 to 50 minutes available at each.

If you like variety and photographs, the two beaches help justify the route. If you want one beach with several uninterrupted hours, Tour D is not designed for that.

Lunch, swimming, and what you should bring

A picnic lunch is included and is served at one of the islands. That saves you from arranging food during the day, and eating outdoors is part of the appeal of island hopping.

The lunch quality appears less consistent than the scenery. One rating found the meal less generous than meals on other tours and felt portions were nearly insufficient. I would not book this outing expecting a feast. Think of the lunch as useful fuel between swims, not a major dining event.

The tour includes a life vest, but snorkeling gear is not listed among the included items. A snorkeling mask can be rented at the beach during boat dispatch. Kayaking at Small Lagoon is also extra.

The tour information says you can snorkel, swim, sunbathe, and play volleyball. If snorkeling is important to you, arrange the mask early rather than assuming equipment will be waiting at every stop.

A small bag with dry clothes, sun protection, and money for the fees and rentals will make the day easier. The supplied information does not specify storage arrangements on the boat, so keep valuable items protected from water.

What the $22 price really covers

At $22 per person, Tour D is priced as a budget-friendly full-day excursion. The inclusions are useful rather than flashy:

• Boat trip to five destinations
• Licensed tour guide
• Life vest
• Boat permit
• Picnic lunch
• Free hotel pickup within El Nido Town

The required extras are 400 pesos for the environmental fee and 200 pesos for the lagoon fee. Kayak rental at Small Lagoon costs 300 pesos per hour, and a snorkeling mask costs extra as well.

That means the true cost depends on how you use the day. If you skip the kayak and bring or rent only the gear you need, the package remains good value. If you add kayaking and snorkeling equipment, the final amount moves well above the advertised price.

I still think the cost works for someone who wants five places in one day without arranging separate boat transport. The boat, guide, lunch, and permit are already handled. The main question is not if the tour is cheap, but if you are comfortable with the extra charges being paid separately.

The boat and crowd question

Tour D’s quieter route is one of its best selling points, but quieter does not necessarily mean more comfortable. One booking described the boat as small and found the ride less pleasant because people were not allowed to sit on the boat’s benches, while other boats permitted it.

That is a specific operational issue worth checking. Boat assignments can affect comfort, and the information provided does not state the group size, boat dimensions, or seating policy. If you care about having a particular place to sit, ask the office before departure.

The same account did appreciate that Tour D had fewer people than Tour A. That trade-off is easy to understand: a smaller boat may feel cramped, but a less crowded route can make the beaches and lagoons more enjoyable.

There is also a booking reliability concern. One person booked Tour D and received a call confirming it, only to be told five minutes later that the trip had been changed to Tour A. Tour A was described as crowded and did not visit the places originally chosen.

I would confirm the route again the day before and at the morning meeting. If Tour D is the reason you chose this package, make sure the day’s departure is still Tour D before you board.

Who will enjoy this eight-hour outing

I would recommend Tour D to you if you want:

• A varied day with lagoons and beaches
• A route that may be less crowded than Tours A and C
• A low-cost shared boat trip
• Time for swimming, sunbathing, and casual snorkeling
• A guide who can assist in English or Tagalog
• A simple lunch included in the package

It is a good fit for first-time visitors who want to see several famous types of El Nido scenery in one outing. It also suits anyone who values a quieter route more than a polished, premium service.

I would be more cautious if you dislike waiting, expect a large lunch, or want a private-feeling boat. The morning can stretch because of Coast Guard clearance, the boat may be small, and the itinerary can change.

The mixed score of 4.3 from five posted ratings reflects that balance. Several ratings gave the outing five stars and praised the beautiful places, cool staff, and lower crowds. One rating gave it three stars because of the small boat, waiting time, seating rule, and lunch. Another gave it two stars after the route changed from D to A.

Booking, cancellation, and final practical advice

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now-pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Starting times should be checked when you book because the boat dispatch window is flexible.

The most useful booking question is simple: Is Tour D definitely operating on my date? Ask this before you travel to the office. Also confirm hotel pickup if you are staying outside El Nido Town, and ask how kayak and snorkeling rentals are handled.

Bring enough cash for the 600 pesos in required fees, plus any optional rental. Arrive before 8:30am, but prepare mentally for a wait before the boat leaves. The tour can end between 3:00 and 5:00pm, so avoid scheduling a tight onward plan that afternoon.

Should you book El Nido Island Tour D?

Book it if you want five scenic stops, a lower price, and a route that is often calmer than Tours A and C. The combination of Small Lagoon, Cadlao Lagoon, Paradise Beach, Bukal Beach, and Pasandigan Beach gives you a well-rounded day, especially if you are happy with short visits and basic shared-boat service.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed Tour D departure, generous food, a roomy boat, or a tightly controlled schedule. For most budget-minded visitors, I think it is a worthwhile choice, but only after confirming the route and adding the required fees to your budget.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Island Tour D last?

The tour duration is about eight hours. It usually ends between 3:00 and 5:00pm, depending on the day’s timing.

Which destinations are included?

The route includes Small Lagoon, Cadlao Lagoon, Paradise Beach, Bukal Beach, and Pasandigan Beach.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at the Cliffside Travel and Tours booking office beside El Nido Cliffside Cottages before 8:30am. The boat dispatch takes place at El Nido Town Beach.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes the island-hopping boat trip, tour guide, boat permit, life vest, picnic lunch, and free hotel pickup within El Nido Town.

What extra fees do I need to pay?

A 400-peso environmental fee and a 200-peso lagoon fee are collected at the booking office. Kayak and snorkeling mask rentals cost extra.

Is kayaking included at Small Lagoon?

No. Kayak rental is available at Small Lagoon for 300 pesos per hour.