EL Nido Tour D

Beautiful water, simple planning. El Nido Tour D packs several beaches, lagoons, and islands into about seven hours, making it an easy way to see Palawan without arranging boats and vans yourself. At $40 per person, I like the included guide, boat transfer, life vest, picnic lunch, and round-trip pickup from El Nido town center.

I also like the small group limit of 15 people, which should feel more manageable than a large boat outing. The main catch is that kayak rental and some environmental or lagoon charges are not included, so your final cost can rise beyond the advertised price.

Key points to know before booking

• Two lagoons may require paid kayaks: The reported charge was 300 Philippine pesos per lagoon, or 600 pesos total for two.
• Lunch is included: A picnic meal helps keep the day moving without requiring you to find food between stops.
• Transport is handled for you: The package includes a boat with life vests, town pickup, and a van for the inland portion.
• The route mixes beaches and inland scenery: Nat-nat Beach, Pasandigan Beach, Bukal Island, and lagoon stops are part of the experience.
• The group is capped at 15 people: That keeps the outing more social than private, but less crowded than a large public boat.
• The schedule begins at 9:00 a.m.: Plan to be ready for pickup or departure around the stated start time.

What El Nido Tour D is really offering

El Nido is the gateway to the Bacuit archipelago, where steep limestone cliffs rise above clear water and small islands break up the horizon. Tour D gives you a practical way to get out among that scenery for one full day, with a guide and transport taking care of the moving parts.

You are not simply paying for a boat ride. The price covers a connected day of sightseeing, swimming, beach time, lunch, and inland transport. That matters in El Nido, where arranging separate boat trips, transfers, entrance payments, and meals can take time and create confusion.

At the same time, this is not an all-inclusive package. The eco-tourism development fee, lagoon user fee, and kayak rental are excluded. The biggest extra expense is likely the kayaks. One person paid 300 pesos per lagoon and 600 pesos for two lagoons, so bring enough Philippine pesos if you want to paddle rather than enter on foot or wait on the boat.

Starting at 9:00 a.m. in El Nido

The stated starting point is El Nido, Palawan, with free pickup offered from the town center. That is useful if you are staying near the main town area and do not want to find the pier on your own.

The pickup arrangement also helps because the experience uses more than one form of transport. The package includes boat transfer for the island and water sections, plus a van transfer for the inland tour. You get a guide, a life vest, and the basic movement between stops rather than needing to arrange a tricycle, van, and boat separately.

The meeting information also refers to the El Nido pier or docking area. The listed end point is El Nido Airport, while the meeting notes mention the pier, so I would confirm the exact return point before the morning of departure. That small check can save you a scramble with luggage or a later flight.

Nat-nat Beach and the appeal of smaller stops

Nat-nat Beach is one of the named stops on the route. The supplied details do not give a precise visit length or describe its facilities, so I would treat it as a scenic stop for swimming, relaxing, and taking in the coast rather than expect a full resort setup.

That is part of the appeal of a route like this. El Nido is best enjoyed in pieces, with time to step off the boat, look around, and let the setting do the work. You may find that the beach stops give you a welcome change from the more structured lagoon visits.

Do not assume every stop has food, shade, changing rooms, or other services. Lunch is supplied during the day, but the tour information does not promise specific beach facilities. A dry bag, sun protection, and a towel are sensible additions, especially if you plan to swim at more than one stop.

Pasandigan Beach for swimming and downtime

Pasandigan Beach is another named stop, adding a second beach setting to the day. The tour is designed around swimming, exploring, and relaxing, so this is the sort of place where you can slow down instead of treating every stop as a quick photograph.

I like that the route is not limited to one famous viewpoint. You get a broader picture of the El Nido area, with beaches, islands, and lagoons offering different kinds of scenery. One stop may be about clear water, another about pale sand, and another about cliffs or island views.

The tradeoff is time. A seven-hour tour sounds generous, but it must cover transport and several locations. You should expect a sampler of El Nido rather than long, unhurried hours at every beach. If your priority is one quiet shoreline for half a day, a private charter may suit you better.

Bukal Island and the island-hopping portion

Bukal Island is included among the stops, giving the trip an island-hopping feel rather than keeping you close to town. The boat transfer includes a life vest, an important practical detail when the day involves repeated movement between the pier, islands, beaches, and lagoons.

The surrounding Bacuit archipelago is known for white-sand beaches, coral reefs, and dramatic limestone cliffs. The area also includes well-known places such as Miniloc Island, with its Small and Big lagoons, and Shimizu Island, known for fish-filled waters. The Tour D information does not promise that every one of these named islands is visited, so you should not book expecting a complete tour of the whole archipelago.

Instead, think of the trip as a selected route through El Nido’s coastal scenery. You will see several beautiful places in one day, but the exact order and time at each location may depend on the day’s operation and conditions.

The lagoons and the kayak question

The lagoons are likely the visual high point of the day. Clear water, steep karst cliffs, and narrow passages create the kind of setting that makes El Nido famous. The supplied experience details mention lagoon visits, and the only detailed feedback describes spectacular views at two lagoons.

Kayak rental is not included. The reported price was 300 pesos per lagoon, with 600 pesos paid for two. That is an important budget note, because kayaking may be the most natural way to see the inside of a lagoon rather than remaining on the main boat.

You should ask the guide how the lagoon user fee and kayak charge are collected before you arrive at the first lagoon. The listed exclusions confirm that these costs are separate, but the exact payment process is not provided.

The extra fee does not necessarily make the tour poor value. At $40, the base price remains reasonable for a guided day with boat transport, an included meal, town pickup, and several stops. Still, you should judge the trip by the total cost you are willing to pay, not only the headline price.

Lunch and the practical rhythm of the day

A picnic lunch is included, and that is more useful than it may sound. With several stops packed into roughly seven hours, you do not want to lose part of the day searching for a restaurant or waiting for food near the water.

The available feedback gives the boat captain and chefs credit for preparing a very nice lunch. That is one of the strongest practical positives attached to the experience. It suggests that the meal is treated as part of the day rather than an afterthought, although the supplied details do not state the menu or whether special diets can be accommodated.

Bring water and any snacks you personally need, since only the picnic lunch is specifically included. If you have food restrictions, ask CTPH TOUR before booking rather than assuming the meal can be changed.

Group size, guides, and the social side

The maximum group size is 15 people. That is a good middle ground for many visitors. You get the lower price of a shared tour, and you may meet other people during the boat ride, lunch, and beach stops, without joining a very large crowd.

The guide from CTPH TOUR was described as helpful, while the boat captain and chefs also received praise for the day’s service. No guide name is provided, so I cannot promise a particular person or style of guiding.

A shared tour does require flexibility. You will be following a common schedule, and you cannot decide to stay longer at a favorite beach or change the route as you could on a private boat. If you enjoy a social outing and want the logistics handled, the group format is a strength. If you want control over every stop, it is a limitation.

What the $40 price delivers

At $40 per person, Tour D offers solid value for a full half-day-plus outing. You receive the guide, boat transfer, life vest, inland van transfer, town pickup, picnic lunch, and entrance or table fees for the inland tour.

That bundle is especially useful if you are visiting El Nido for a short stay. One booking gives you a clear route and removes much of the planning work. You can spend your energy enjoying the water instead of negotiating separate transfers.

The price needs a small footnote. You still pay the eco-tourism development fee, lagoon user fee, and kayak rental separately. The two-lagoon kayak cost reported was 600 pesos in total, so include that in your budget if paddling is important to you.

I would call the tour good value for an independent visitor who wants a broad taste of El Nido at a controlled cost. It is less attractive if you dislike add-on fees or want a private, slow-paced day.

Timing, weather, and who should book

The tour lasts about seven hours and starts at 9:00 a.m. Most people can participate, and the booking information says it is near public transportation. The experience requires good weather, and the operator may cancel if conditions are poor or if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

That weather rule is sensible for a boat-based day. Conditions affect both comfort and safety, so a change of date or full refund is preferable to forcing the trip ahead. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

I would recommend Tour D to you if you want:

• A reasonably priced shared boat trip
• Several beaches and lagoons in one day
• A picnic lunch without extra restaurant planning
• Pickup and inland transport included
• A group small enough to feel manageable
• Time for swimming and relaxed sightseeing

I would look elsewhere if you want a private boat, a guaranteed visit to a specific famous lagoon, a fully inclusive price, or complete control over the schedule.

Should you book El Nido Tour D?

Book it if you want an efficient introduction to El Nido’s beaches, lagoons, and island scenery for $40, and you are comfortable paying extra for lagoon access or kayaking. The helpful guide, well-regarded lunch, included transfers, and group limit of 15 make the package easy to recommend for a first day around Palawan.

Before paying, ask CTPH TOUR to confirm the exact stops, current lagoon charges, kayak prices, pickup details, and return point. If those details suit your plan, Tour D offers a practical day on the water without the cost or planning burden of a private charter.

FAQ

How much does El Nido Tour D cost?

The listed price is $40 per person.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 9:00 a.m.

Is pickup included?

Yes. Free pickup from El Nido town center is offered.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic lunch is included.

Is boat transportation included?

Yes. Boat transfer with a life vest is included.

Is inland transportation included?

Yes. A van transfer for the inland tour is included.

Is kayak rental included?

No. Kayak rental is listed as an extra cost. The reported charge was 300 pesos per lagoon, or 600 pesos for two lagoons.

What places are included on the route?

Named places include Nat-nat Beach, Pasandigan Beach, Bukal Island, and lagoon stops. The exact order and timing are not specified.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 15 participants.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants may also lead to a different date or a full refund.