El Nido Island Tour B

El Nido Island Tour B takes you from the town beach to five very different stops: a sandbar, two beach islands, and two caves. That mix gives you more variety than a simple beach day, with time for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and a picnic lunch along the way.

I like the low $24 price, especially since a guide, life vest, boat permit, lunch, and hotel pickup within El Nido Town are included. I also like the easy rhythm of the day: roughly 40 to 50 minutes at each stop, with the boat ride to the first destination taking about 20 to 30 minutes.

The main caution is the schedule. Boat dispatch can move from 9:00 to 10:00am while the Coast Guard checks conditions, and bad weather or mechanical trouble can cut the route short. One booking ended after only one stop when the boat needed help, though the guides and crew handled the problem well.

Key points to know before booking

• Five stops in one day: Snake Island, Pinabuyutan Island, Entalula Island, Cathedral Cave, and Cudugnon Cave.
• A strong budget price: The $24 fee covers the guide, life vest, boat permit, picnic lunch, and pickup within El Nido Town.
• Expect a late-morning start: Meet at the Cliffside Travel and Tours office before 8:30am, then wait for boat clearance.
• Caves add variety: Cathedral Cave and Cudugnon Cave break up the beach stops with limestone walls and enclosed spaces.
• Bring extra money for rentals: Kayaks cost 300 pesos per hour at Entalula Island, and snorkeling masks are rented separately.
• Weather matters: The route depends on Coast Guard clearance, and a boat problem or rough conditions can change the day.

What the $24 price really buys you

At $24 per person, Island Tour B is priced as a budget group excursion rather than a private boat day. That matters in El Nido, where transport, permits, equipment, and lunch can quickly push up the cost of a coastal outing.

Your fee includes the five-stop boat route, a licensed tour guide, a life vest, a boat permit, and pickup from a hotel within El Nido Town. Picnic lunch is also described as part of the day. That is a useful package for you if you want to see several places without arranging each piece yourself.

The price does not include the 400-peso environmental fee. You also pay extra to rent a kayak or snorkeling mask. Kayak hire at Entalula Island is listed at 300 pesos per hour, while mask rental is available at the beach before the boat leaves.

I would judge the value by your priorities. If you want an affordable first look at El Nido, the cost is appealing. If you want a private boat, long swims at each stop, or complete control over the schedule, this is not the right format.

Starting at the Cliffside Travel and Tours office

Your morning begins at the Cliffside Travel and Tours booking office beside El Nido Cliffside Cottages. You need to arrive before 8:30am. The boat does not leave at a fixed minute, since dispatch is listed between 9:00 and 10:00am depending on Coast Guard clearance.

That hour of flexibility is worth taking seriously. I would avoid booking another morning activity on the same day, and I would keep your plans loose after the tour as well. The advertised end time is around 3:00 to 5:00pm, a two-hour window that reflects weather, boat loading, and sea conditions.

Hotel pickup is included only within El Nido Town. If you are staying outside that area, you should confirm your own way to the meeting office before booking. The tour is run by Cliffside Travel and Tours, a tourism-accredited agency based in El Nido.

Snake Island and the first stretch of open water

The boat ride to the first stop takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Snake Island is known for its striking sandbar, which gives you a chance to walk across a pale strip of sand with water on both sides. The name refers to the shape of the sandbar, not to a snake-focused attraction.

This is likely to be one of the most visual stops of the day. You can expect time for photographs, a swim, or simple sunbathing. The visit is limited to about 40 to 50 minutes, so you will want to choose between walking the sandbar and spending time in the water rather than trying to do everything at a slow pace.

The value of Snake Island is its sense of place. You are not just stopping at another beach. You are seeing how sand and shallow water form a temporary-looking path between parts of the coast. Still, conditions can affect how the sandbar looks, and the tour information does not promise a particular tide or water level.

Pinabuyutan Island for a beach break

Pinabuyutan Island brings you back to the classic El Nido scene: bright sand, clear water, and tall limestone formations. The stop is suited to swimming and sunbathing, with roughly 40 to 50 minutes to enjoy the shore.

I like having this beach stop after the first destination because it gives the day a change of pace. Snake Island is about the sandbar and the view, while Pinabuyutan is more about settling into the water and beach.

The short stop also shapes your expectations. You will have enough time for a swim and a few photographs, but not an unhurried beach afternoon. Keep your belongings together and listen for the guide’s call back to the boat. The point of Tour B is variety across five locations, not long stays at one beach.

Entalula Island, lunch, and optional kayaking

Entalula Island is another white-sand stop and one of the places where you can spend time swimming, sunbathing, and eating. Kayak rental is available here for 300 pesos per hour, which gives you an optional activity if you want to paddle rather than stay on the beach.

The picnic lunch is served at one of the islands, and the supplied details place eating at the beach or restaurant among the possible activities. The exact lunch location can depend on the day’s route and conditions. You should not assume that every listed activity happens at every stop.

The meal received especially strong praise in one booking, so food is not an afterthought in the way it can be on some low-cost boat trips. Still, the available information does not give a fixed menu. If you have dietary needs, ask Cliffside Travel and Tours before departure rather than counting on a particular dish.

Entalula is also where the extra kayak fee becomes relevant. If you already know you want to paddle, bring 300 pesos per hour in addition to the environmental fee. If not, the beach, water, and lunch offer enough to fill a short visit.

Cathedral Cave and Cudugnon Cave

The two cave stops give Tour B its most distinctive character. Cathedral Cave is named for its large limestone interior, with rock shapes that can suggest the high ceiling of a cathedral. Cudugnon Cave offers another close look at El Nido’s limestone formations, this time in a more enclosed setting.

These are not ordinary beach stops. You may spend less time swimming and more time looking at the rock walls, openings, and shadows. The guide is there to assist you, and the tour includes a licensed guide who speaks English or Tagalog.

The cave visits are also the part of the itinerary most affected by access and sea conditions. The supplied details do not promise how far inside you will go or whether every cave will be entered in every weather situation. Treat the caves as planned highlights, not guarantees independent of Coast Guard clearance.

If you prefer a day with changing scenery, these stops are a major reason to choose Tour B. If you want every minute spent in open water, another route with more beach time may suit you better.

Swimming, snorkeling, and what to bring

The tour allows swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and volleyball. Snorkeling masks are not included, but you can rent one at the beach during boat dispatch. That makes it easy to add snorkeling, though you should budget for the rental and confirm the current price before setting out.

A life vest is included. You should use it as directed by the crew, especially during boat transfers and any rough water. The guide is available if you need assistance, which is helpful for anyone less confident around boats or unfamiliar with the stops.

For this kind of day, I would bring swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and cash for the environmental fee and rentals. Keep your camera or phone protected around the caves and boat. The tour lasts about eight hours, so it is wise to carry anything you need for a full day by the water, though the supplied information does not specify onboard storage or shower facilities.

Timing, weather, and the real risk of a missed itinerary

The biggest practical issue is not the number of stops. It is the sea.

The boat dispatch time depends on Coast Guard clearance, and the tour can run until 5:00pm instead of ending at 3:00pm. That makes this a poor choice for a flight, bus, or tightly timed evening plan on the same day.

There was also a serious disruption on one booking. The boat broke down, another boat had to assist, and the group reached only one stop and lunch. The guides and captain handled the situation well, but good staff cannot restore lost sightseeing time.

That incident should not automatically rule out the tour. Boat excursions depend on weather and equipment, and a single problem does not tell you how every departure will go. It does show why you should keep your schedule flexible and confirm the cancellation terms before paying.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Palawan plans may shift. Once you are inside the 24-hour window, do not assume a full refund will still apply.

The guide service and group-tour feel

The tour provides a licensed guide who speaks English or Tagalog. No individual guide names are supplied, so you should not expect to request a particular person when booking.

The guide’s role is practical: helping with the route, giving assistance, and keeping the group moving between the five destinations. That matters because each stop lasts only about 40 to 50 minutes. Without clear timekeeping, a group tour like this could easily lose one of its planned visits.

You should expect a shared boat experience rather than a quiet private cruise. The supplied details do not give a maximum group size, so ask the operator if space is important to you. The experience will suit you best if you enjoy meeting the day as it comes and can accept changes to the route.

The current rating is 3.7 from three reviews, which is a mixed but understandable result. The strongest praise centers on friendly guides, an itinerary that matched expectations, and very good food. The low score came from the boat failure and weather-related disruption, not from a complaint about the guides.

Who should book Island Tour B

I would recommend Tour B to first-time visitors who want a broad taste of El Nido at a low price. You get beaches, a sandbar, caves, swimming, lunch, and a guide in one day. That is a useful introduction before deciding if you want a slower private boat outing later.

It also suits active beachgoers who like options. You can snorkel, rent a kayak, play volleyball, or simply sit on the sand. The caves add a little more interest than an itinerary made entirely of beaches.

You may want to skip it if your schedule cannot absorb a late finish, if you need a guaranteed route, or if you strongly dislike shared group excursions. The boat dispatch window and weather risk are real considerations, not fine print to ignore.

Should you book El Nido Island Tour B?

Book it if you want good variety for $24 and can keep the rest of your day open. The five-stop plan is appealing, the lunch and basic boat needs are covered, and the caves make the route more than a standard beach hop.

I would book with two conditions: budget the 400-peso environmental fee plus any equipment rental, and accept that weather or mechanical trouble can shorten the day. If you can live with that uncertainty, Island Tour B is a practical, affordable way to see several sides of El Nido in one outing.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Island Tour B last?

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

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 is between 9:00 and 10:00am, depending on Coast Guard clearance.

Which destinations are included?

The route includes Snake Island, Pinabuyutan Island, Entalula Island, Cathedral Cave, and Cudugnon Cave.

Is hotel pickup included?

Free pickup is included for hotels within El Nido Town only. Pickup outside El Nido Town is not listed as included.

Are snorkeling equipment and kayaks included?

No. Snorkeling masks can be rented at the beach during boat dispatch. Kayak rental is available at Entalula Island for 300 pesos per hour.

What is not included in the tour price?

The 400-peso environmental fee is excluded. Kayak rental and snorkeling mask rental are also extra.