El Nido’s island-hopping tours are split into four standardized routes — A, B, C, and D — each covering a different cluster of islands in Bacuit Bay.
When most travelers start planning an island-hopping trip, the first tours they usually hear about are Tour A and Tour C.
Tour D, on the other hand, is often described as the quieter and less popular option. That can make many travelers wonder: Is El Nido Tour D worth it, or should I spend my time on the more famous routes?
After spending a full day exploring this serene northern route, I would say that El Nido Tour D is absolutely worth considering — especially if you prefer a slower, more peaceful day on the water rather than chasing the most famous attractions in El Nido.
In this guide, I’ll break down exactly what El Nido Tour D includes, how much it costs, what you can expect from each stop, and what travelers really say about the experience.
What is El Nido Tour D
El Nido Tour D is built almost entirely around Cadlao Island, the largest island visible from El Nido Town, and is often described as the “lagoons and quiet beaches” route. The standard itinerary typically includes Small Lagoon, Cadlao Lagoon, Paradise Beach, Pasandigan Beach, and Serenity Beach.
Unlike Tour A, which is famous for Big Lagoon, or Tour C, which is known for Secret Beach and dramatic limestone scenery, Tour D has a calmer character. The overall experience is less about ticking off El Nido’s most famous Instagram locations and more about enjoying a combination of emerald lagoons, quiet beaches, swimming, kayaking, and a relaxed island lunch.
One reason I think Tour D deserves more attention is that it offers two lagoon experiences in a single day. Small Lagoon provides a more intimate and enclosed environment, while Cadlao Lagoon offers a different landscape surrounded by impressive limestone formations, shallow milky-blue waters, and a beautiful white-sand beach. The white sand sits right at the edge of the lagoon, so you can step off the kayak straight onto the beach.
In general, Tour D offers a more relaxed and less crowded experience than Tours A and C. If you want to spend a peaceful day surrounded by beautiful scenery, it can be a surprisingly rewarding choice.
Quick Overview – El Nido Tour D itinerary (Shared/Joiner)
- Price: PHP 1,500 (about US$25) per person, excluding the PHP 200 Lagoon fee
- Duration: Usually around 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Main Stops: Small Lagoon, Cadlao Lagoon, Paradise Beach, Pasandigan Beach, Serenity Beach
- Activities: Swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, island hopping
Note:
Itinerary may be adjusted depending on weather, sea conditions, and daily operating arrangements. Prices are subject to change.
El Nido Tour D price
The tour price depends on whether you choose a shared joiner tour or a private boat.
Based on current published prices, shared tours start at approximately PHP 1,500 per person when booked directly with local agencies in El Nido Town or through online platforms like Klook and KKday.
A standard package generally includes the boat, a guide, life vests, and a Filipino island-style buffet lunch. The tour usually departs in the morning and returns to El Nido Town in the late afternoon, lasting approximately seven hours.
However, please note that local environmental fees and optional rentals are excluded from the standard package:
- Eco-Tourism Development Fee (ETDF): PHP 400 per person. This fee is valid for 5 days across all island-hopping tours in El Nido, so be sure to keep your paper ticket safe.
- Lagoon User Fee: PHP 200 per person (applicable if your itinerary includes Small Lagoon).
- Kayak Rental: PHP 300 for a small kayak (2 people) or PHP 350 for a large kayak (3 people), at Small Lagoon or Cadlao Lagoon.
- Snorkel Mask Rental: PHP 150.
- Water Shoes Rental: PHP 150 (highly recommended to protect your feet against sharp coral and sea urchins).
- Fin Rental: PHP 150 for short fins, PHP 400 for long fins.
If you have the budget, prefer privacy, or are traveling with family or a group of friends, you might want to consider renting a private boat. Private boat rates typically range between PHP 7,500 and PHP 30,000, depending on boat size and group count, giving you complete flexibility over your itinerary and schedule.
El Nido Tour D review
My overall El Nido Tour D review is positive, but I would not say it is the best tour for every traveler.
The biggest advantage of Tour D is its atmosphere. Compared with the busier Tour A and Tour C routes, Tour D is often less crowded, giving travelers more time to swim, kayak, take photos, and enjoy the scenery without feeling rushed. The itinerary also offers a good balance between lagoons and beaches, creating a varied island-hopping experience.
However, Tour D may not deliver the same dramatic “wow factor” as Tour A or C for first-time visitors. If you have always dreamed of visiting Big Lagoon or Secret Beach and only have one day for island hopping, I would recommend choosing Tour A or C first.
That said, if you have two or more days in El Nido, Tour D can be an excellent second-day option. Alternatively, if you are short on time, you can book a one-day combo tour with H Hospitality Travel & Tours. They offer combinations such as Tour A + D, Tour B + D or Tour C + D, allowing you to experience more destinations within a limited schedule.
I would particularly recommend Tour D to repeat visitors, couples seeking a more peaceful experience, photographers, families with young children, and anyone who prefers a refreshing, low-stress way to explore a quieter side of El Nido.
Where to Book El Nido Tour D
Tour D is sold through the same channels as the other three routes, so booking it is straightforward. What changes is how much flexibility you get and how far ahead you need to commit.
Your hotel or hostel
Most places to stay in El Nido Town work with a boat operator and can add you to a joiner tour for the next morning. This is the easiest option if you are already in town and happy to take whatever boat has space. Ask at reception the evening before.
Directly with the operator
Messaging an operator on WhatsApp or by email gets you a straight answer on what the boat actually stops at, which matters more on Tour D than on the other routes because the snorkelling stop varies between companies. H Hospitality Travel & Tours publishes its Tour D and combo prices online, so you can compare before you message anyone.
Online platforms
Klook and KKday both list Tour D and let you lock in a date before you arrive. Useful in peak season from December to April, when the better boats fill up early.
Local agencies in town
The shops along Rizal Street sell every tour and will tell you which boats are going out the next day. Worth walking in if your dates are flexible — you can see the actual boat and ask about group size before you pay.
El Nido Tour D itinerary: Small Lagoon
Though historically associated with Tour A, Small Lagoon is frequently included in modern Tour D itineraries — and it is undoubtedly one of the major highlights of the entire trip.
Nestled inside Miniloc Island, Small Lagoon is an absolute masterpiece of nature. The entrance to the lagoon is framed by dramatic limestone cliffs, giving you the magical feeling of entering a hidden, secret chamber.
Compared with Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon feels more intimate. The entrance is relatively narrow, and visitors can explore the area by kayak, allowing them to fully appreciate the lagoon’s stunning surroundings.
Kayaking is by far the most popular activity here, but it usually comes with an additional rental cost. The lagoon also has a separate entrance fee, so I’d recommend checking the latest details with your tour operator before departure.
El Nido Tour D itinerary: Cadlao Lagoon
Cadlao Lagoon is another major highlight of the El Nido Tour D itinerary.
Tucked away on the western side of Cadlao Island, this breathtaking lagoon is ringed by towering, jagged limestone cliffs and filled with vibrant, crystal-clear turquoise waters.
The calm waters here are ideal for swimming and floating, while kayaking and snorkeling are absolute must-try activities. You can paddle your kayak deep into the inner chamber of the lagoon to explore its hidden corners, or snorkel around the entrance area to spot colorful butterflyfish, reef fish, and bright blue starfish resting on the sea floor.
One of the best things about Cadlao Lagoon is how peaceful it feels compared to El Nido’s busier stops. If you are looking for stunning landscapes without the heavy crowds, this may become one of your favorite stops on the entire route.
El Nido Tour D itinerary: Paradise Beach
Paradise Beach is located on the southern shore of Cadlao Island. As the name suggests, the beach offers the classic tropical island experience: clear water, soft sand, tropical and dramatic natural scenery, all of which make it a perfect photo stop.
This area is quiet and peaceful, and boat captains usually stop here to prepare lunch. Visitors can stretch out on the sand or snorkel right off the shore, where the waters are home to vibrant coral beds and plenty of colorful reef fish. It’s unhurried, gorgeous, and incredibly relaxing.
You can slow down, enjoy lunch, and take a rest here, recharging for the rest of the tour.
El Nido Tour D itinerary: Serenity Beach
Serenity Beach is a tranquil, secluded cove tucked beneath Cadlao Lagoon. It’s a small spot, but lives up to its name, offering a serene and quiet island charm.
The beach is perfect for snorkeling, with crystal-clear waters that allow for excellent fish sightings. It’s also known as a great place to enjoy lunch during El Nido tours, where visitors can relax and take in the pristine surroundings.
Note:
This stop may be swapped for nearby Nat-Nat Beach, Ipil Beach, or Bukal Beach, depending on sea conditions and daily operating arrangements.
El Nido Tour D itinerary: Pasandigan Beach
Pasandigan Beach (also referred to as Wonderland or Pasandigan Cove) is located on the western coast of Cadlao Island. Framed by steep limestone cliffs and lush rainforest, this picturesque bay features calm, clear blue water ideal for swimming and marine exploration.
What makes Pasandigan Beach extra special is its vibrant underwater life. This is a great snorkeling stop, as the reef directly offshore is healthier and less damaged than many high-traffic spots in Bacuit Bay. You may have the chance to spot clownfish, sea turtles, sea stars, and schools of damselfish gliding around coral heads.
If sea conditions and tides allow, visitors may also have the opportunity to explore the nearby cave, adding an extra sense of adventure to the experience.
Today, Wonderland has developed a small beachfront resort on the island. Visitors who choose to go ashore may find additional facilities such as swings, hammocks, and relaxing beach areas where they can enjoy the scenery.
Pro-Tip: Some operators may require guests to purchase drinks or spend a minimum amount when using the resort facilities, so check the latest arrangements with your tour operator in advance.
Depending on your operator, this stop may also be the final destination before heading back to El Nido town, which makes it a nice, low-key way to close out the day — one last swim with a dramatic cliffside view before the boat turns back toward the harbor.
What Travelers Say About Tour D
Beyond my personal review, travelers who have done all four routes tend to describe Tour D in similar terms: the most relaxed of the classic routes, with stress-free pacing, fewer boats at each stop, and Cadlao Lagoon as the standout scenery. It is most often recommended as a second or third tour rather than a first one.
Overall, I think the difference comes down to expectations. If you want:
- Famous attractions + dramatic scenery + first-time El Nido highlights → Tour A or C may be better.
- Peaceful lagoons + beautiful beaches + a slower pace → Tour D may be the better choice.
The most important thing isn’t whether Tour D is objectively better than Tour A or C — the real question is what kind of travel experience you personally want.
El Nido Tour D FAQ
A shared joiner tour starts at around PHP 1,500 per person. On top of that you pay the PHP 400 Eco-Tourism Development Fee, a PHP 200 Lagoon User Fee if your route includes Small Lagoon, and any equipment you rent on the day. A private boat starts at around PHP 7,500 depending on boat size and group count.
Most operators ask you to meet at the town beach around 8:30 a.m. and depart at 9:00 a.m., returning between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. That works out to roughly seven hours on the water. Departure and return times shift with sea conditions and your operator’s schedule.
Small Lagoon was moved from Tour A to Tour D and is now part of most Tour D itineraries, but not every operator includes it. It carries a separate PHP 200 Lagoon User Fee, and access is by kayak only. Confirm with your operator before booking if Small Lagoon is the reason you are choosing this route.
If you have two or more days in El Nido, yes. Tour D gives you two lagoons and several quiet beaches without the crowds you get on Tour A and Tour C. If you only have one day and have never been to El Nido, Tour A or Tour C will give you more of the famous scenery.
The dry season runs from December to May, and December to March usually brings the calmest seas and the most reliable island-hopping conditions. June to November is the wet season, when tours are more likely to be cancelled or rerouted.
Conclusion
So, is El Nido Tour D worth it? After spending a full day on it, my answer is a clear yes.
While Tours A and C may remain the focus of travel magazines, Tour D is El Nido’s true hidden treasure. Sometimes the best island-hopping day isn’t the one with the most famous destination — it’s the day you spend a few hours swimming in clear water, kayaking through a quiet lagoon, eating lunch on the beach, and soaking in the scenery without constantly checking the time.
With world-class lagoons like Cadlao and Small Lagoon, pristine powder-white beaches like Paradise and Pasandigan, Tour D delivers an authentic, relaxing tropical island experience that will stay with you long after your tan fades.
More El Nido Tour Guides
- El Nido Tour A itinerary and booking tips
- El Nido Tour B complete island hopping guide
- El Nido Tour C price, itinerary and snorkeling guide
- El Nido Tour B vs Tour D: which one to pick
- El Nido private tour honest review
