El Nido:Private Tour D with Highlights Small & Cadlao Lagoon

El Nido Tour D takes you beyond the busiest postcard stops, with kayaking at Small Lagoon and Cadlao Lagoon as the day’s main attractions. Limestone cliffs, clear water, quiet beaches, and a small-boat setting give this outing a calm, scenic feel.

I like that lunch is included and that the route gives you real time at the water, not just quick photo stops. I also like the flexible private-group option, especially for families or friends who want to set their own pace. The main catch is the extra cost of the environmental fee, Small Lagoon access, and kayak hire, which can make the $24 headline price less than the final total.

Key points at a glance

• Small Lagoon kayaking: Paddle through clear water enclosed by tall limestone cliffs, with one hour set aside for the stop.
• Cadlao Island by boat and kayak: Spend about an hour around Cadlao Lagoon, known for emerald water and striking rock formations.
• Lunch at Paradise Beach: The midday beach stop gives you time to eat, swim, and rest rather than rushing from one site to the next.
• Bukal Island finish: End with swimming, photos, and time near marine life in clear coastal water.
• Extra fees matter: Add PHP 400 for the environmental fee, PHP 200 for Small Lagoon access, and PHP 300 for a two-seat or PHP 350 for a three-seat kayak.
• Private option available: The tour is offered with an English-speaking guide and can be booked for a private group.

What El Nido Tour D is really like

This is a full half-day on the water, lasting about six to seven hours. You meet at one of two possible starting points, Marber’s or Marbers Beach Club, depending on the option you book, and finish at the Dockyard.

The boat is licensed, as are the captain and local guide. That matters in El Nido, where the day depends on tides, weather, access rules, and safe handling of the boat around limestone coves. You also receive a life jacket, mask, and snorkel.

The feel of the trip is scenic rather than sporty. You can kayak, swim, snorkel, take photos, or simply sit on the beach. Still, this is not a shore-based sightseeing tour. You spend much of the day exposed to sun, wind, saltwater, and boat movement, so bring the right gear and expect a basic outdoor outing.

The strongest appeal is variety. You get a lagoon enclosed by cliffs, another lagoon on Cadlao Island, a beach lunch, and a final swim stop. The route gives you several ways to enjoy El Nido instead of asking you to spend the entire day doing only one activity.

The secret stop gives the morning a quiet start

The first scheduled stop is a secret location, with about 40 minutes for a photo stop and guided visit. Since the exact place is not named in advance, you should think of this as a flexible scenic pause rather than a major attraction with a fixed checklist.

That can be useful early in the day. You have time to look around, take pictures, and get comfortable with the boat before the longer lagoon visits begin. The guide leads the stop, so this is also your first chance to ask about the route and the conditions.

Do not book this tour expecting a precise list of every small cove. The secret stop is intentionally less specific. Its value comes from adding one unscripted-feeling piece to a route that otherwise has clear main stops.

Cadlao Lagoon brings the best quiet-water scenery

The tour then heads to Cadlao Island for about an hour of kayaking. Cadlao Lagoon is known for emerald water and large rock formations, making it one of the most visually striking parts of the route.

Kayaking changes the pace here. From a boat, you see the lagoon as scenery. From a kayak, you move closer to the water and can look around at your own speed. The clear water and enclosed rock setting make this a good place for photos, provided you protect your camera and phone from splashes.

Kayak rental is not included. The listed rates are PHP 300 for a two-seat kayak and PHP 350 for a three-seat kayak. Those are per kayak, not per person, so sharing can keep the added cost modest.

The water activity requires some physical effort, even if the lagoon itself is calm. If you are not comfortable paddling, you can still enjoy the boat ride and scenery, but you should not assume that every part of the tour will be passive. People with mobility impairments may find boarding, transfers, and beach access difficult, and the tour is not recommended for anyone prone to seasickness.

Paradise Beach is the practical lunch break

After Cadlao Lagoon, the route pauses at Paradise Beach on Cadlao Island for about an hour. Lunch is included, along with one bottle of drinking water.

This stop works as more than a meal break. You have time to sit on white sand, swim, and recover from the morning’s heat. A beach lunch also keeps the day from feeling like a string of rushed arrivals and departures.

The supplied trip details also refer to Pasandigan Beach and describe Serenity Beach as part of the overall experience. The timed route specifically names Paradise Beach for lunch, so the exact beach sequence may depend on the operating plan for your departure. If a particular beach is important to you, confirm the stops before booking.

Bring snacks anyway. Snacks are listed among the recommended items, and one bottle of water may not be enough for six or seven hours outdoors. You are also encouraged to bring a refillable bottle to reduce plastic waste.

Small Lagoon is the signature stop

Small Lagoon is the most distinctive part of the tour for many people. You enter a narrow, cliff-framed setting where the water is clear and the rock walls make the place feel enclosed and still.

One hour is scheduled for sightseeing and kayaking. The lagoon is also suitable for swimming and snorkeling, so you can choose how active you want to be. I like this structure because you are not forced to paddle the whole time. You can kayak for a while, then float, swim, or take photos.

Small Lagoon access costs PHP 200 per person for one entry. This is separate from the environmental fee of PHP 400 per person, which is valid for five days. The distinction is easy to miss when comparing prices, so include both fees in your budget.

Kayaks are also extra at PHP 300 for two seats or PHP 350 for three seats. If you want to kayak at both Cadlao Lagoon and Small Lagoon, ask how the rental works for the day. The supplied details list the rates, but they do not say if one rental covers both stops.

The water and cliffs make this a popular photo setting, but the experience depends on the number of boats and the conditions on the day. A private group may give you more control over your timing, though access rules and lagoon fees still apply.

Bukal Island closes the day with swimming

The final scheduled stop is Bukal Island, with about an hour for photos, a visit, and swimming. It is described as a calm place with clear water and marine life, making it a natural finish after the more enclosed lagoon stops.

This is where the included mask and snorkel can be useful. You can look for marine life in the water, or stay on the beach if you have had enough sun and paddling. The stop is not only a quick final photograph. One hour gives you room to choose your own pace.

The route finishes at the Dockyard. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the starting point and from the ending point. Since the meeting point can vary by booking option, check the confirmed location carefully before the morning of the tour.

What the $24 price includes, and what it does not

At $24 per person, the base price is attractive for a guided boat day that includes lunch, safety equipment, and several major stops. You are paying for a licensed tourist boat, captain, local guide, mask, snorkel, life jacket, lunch, and one bottle of water.

The final cost is higher once required or likely extras are added:

• Environmental fee: PHP 400 per person, valid for five days
• Small Lagoon access: PHP 200 per person for one entry
• Kayak: PHP 300 for two seats or PHP 350 for three seats
• Water shoes: PHP 100 per pair, optional
• Towel: PHP 100 each, optional

Hotel transport is not included, and neither are meals beyond the listed lunch. If you already have a towel and suitable footwear, you can avoid those optional charges.

The value is strongest if you want a guided day with lunch and several locations in one booking. The value is weaker if you only want to visit one lagoon or if you already have access to a boat and equipment. For most people comparing half-day island outings, the low starting price is appealing, but you should compare the complete cost rather than the advertised base amount.

How to prepare for the boat and water

Wear swimwear under comfortable clothes and bring extra clothing for changing. The tour includes several water stops, so a dry change of clothes will make the ride back much more pleasant.

Pack sunglasses, sunscreen, a camera, snacks, and water. Biodegradable sunscreen is specifically recommended because ordinary products can harm marine life. Apply it before boarding and reapply after swimming.

Water shoes are optional at PHP 100 per pair. They may help on beaches or around rocky entry points, but the supplied information does not promise that every stop has a particular type of shore. A towel is also optional to rent, though bringing your own is simpler if you have room.

Smoking, alcohol, drugs, littering, touching marine life, and touching plants are not allowed. These rules are especially important in lagoons and shallow coastal areas, where careless contact can damage the very places you came to see.

The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or people prone to seasickness. You will need to handle a boat-based day with swimming, kayaking, and beach access. If the sea is usually hard on you, take that warning seriously.

Private groups and the pace of the day

A private group option is available, and that can make a real difference for families, couples, or friends traveling together. You may have more room to discuss when to swim, how long to take photographs, and how much time to spend kayaking, subject to the day’s schedule and local access rules.

The guide speaks English. No individual guide names are provided, so you should not expect to select a particular guide in advance.

The trip received a 4.9 rating from eight verified bookings. The strongest themes in the available comments are a relaxed atmosphere, a good lunch, a friendly crew, and a route that did not feel overcrowded. Those points fit the design of the tour: it has several stops and avoids making the whole day one long beach stay.

Eight ratings are useful but still a small sample. Treat the high score as encouraging rather than a guarantee of a certain crowd level or weather pattern. Conditions at sea can change the feel of any El Nido boat trip.

Who should book this El Nido outing?

I would choose this tour if you want a compact introduction to El Nido’s lagoons and beaches, especially if Small Lagoon is high on your list. It suits people who like mixing kayaking, swimming, snorkeling, photos, and a simple beach lunch.

It is also a good fit for a group that values a private option. Families and friends can share kayaks, spread the extra rental cost, and enjoy a flexible day without arranging a boat, captain, guide, lunch, and equipment separately.

I would think twice if you dislike boat travel, struggle with seasickness, or need step-free access. I would also compare other routes if you want a very quiet beach day with minimal activity. This outing keeps moving between locations and includes several water-based stops.

Final decision: good value with a few costs to plan for

Book El Nido Tour D if you want Small Lagoon, Cadlao Lagoon, lunch, and Bukal Island in one organized outing. Its best features are the mix of scenery, the included lunch and safety gear, and the relaxed pace reported by the strongest available feedback.

Before paying, add the PHP 400 environmental fee, PHP 200 Small Lagoon fee, kayak rental, and your transport to and from the Dockyard. If that complete price still works for you, this is a practical way to see several of El Nido’s most scenic water spots without arranging every part yourself.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour D last?

The tour lasts about six to seven hours. Availability should be checked for the starting time offered on your chosen date.

Where does the tour start?

The available starting locations are Marber’s and Marbers Beach Club. The exact meeting point may depend on the booking option.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour finishes at the Dockyard. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Is the tour private?

A private group option is available. The tour is also described as an English-guided activity.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at Paradise Beach is included, along with one bottle of drinking water.

Is kayak rental included?

No. Kayak rental costs PHP 300 for two seats or PHP 350 for three seats.

What extra entrance and environmental fees should I expect?

The environmental fee is PHP 400 per person and is valid for five days. Small Lagoon access costs PHP 200 per person for one entry.

What equipment is provided?

The tour includes a mask, snorkel, life jacket, licensed boat, licensed captain, and licensed local guide. Water shoes and towels are optional extras.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.