El Nido: Hidden Beaches and Lagoons Boat Hopping Tour D

These lagoons feel like a movie set.

Tour D is a full-day boat loop in El Nido that mixes classic sights with quieter water time, so you spend more of the day in the sea than in transit. I like the packed lunch plus the free swimming and snorkeling time that fits the scenery. One thing to plan for: extra fees and optional rentals can add up fast, especially the lagoon kayak time.

I love that Tour D focuses on water, not just photo stops. You get time at multiple beaches and lagoons with a licensed guide and life vests on board. You’ll also notice the pacing tends to feel more relaxed than the bigger, more crowded routes. A possible drawback is the start can feel a bit chaotic at the meet area, so arriving early helps.

Key takeaways before you go

• Small Lagoon first means you can hit the best light and water before the day gets busy.
• Snorkel and swim access at Nat Nat and Paradise Beach suits beginners and confident swimmers alike.
• Cadlao Island lagoon time is a big highlight if you want calmer water moments.
• Kayak is the wildcard cost at Small Lagoon and Cadlao Lagoon, so bring cash if you want to do it.
• Guides like Mark, Jordan, Arnold, and TJ show up as examples, often with a fun, photo-friendly style.
• Pace usually feels less rushed than other tour packages, with stops that leave room to actually enjoy.

A 7-hour boat day built around Small Lagoon and Cadlao

Tour D is set up for the kind of El Nido day where you stop counting landmarks and start counting swim sessions. After pickup at Marber’s Beach Club and a short safety briefing, you head out onto crystal-clear water and spend the day hopping between lagoons and sandy stretches.

The itinerary is built around emerald water and calm bays. Small Lagoon and Cadlao Island are the early anchors, then the day stretches out with beach time at Nat Nat and Paradise Beach, plus another island stop that keeps you moving but not frantic.

Your money at work: what Tour D includes for about $23

At around $23 per person, Tour D feels like strong value because the basics are covered. You get a licensed tour guide, a full boat tour, entry fees (with a few stated exclusions), life vests, and a packed lunch.

Here’s the reality check: some costs are not included and you should treat them like part of the budget, not surprises. You’ll need to pay an El Nido eco-tourism development fee (400 PHP) before boarding unless you already have proof of payment. Small Lagoon also has a separate entry fee (200 PHP). On top of that, water shoes, fins, and kayaks are optional rentals, and kayak rental at Small Lagoon and Cadlao Lagoon is about 350 PHP per person per kayak.

If you look at it this way, Tour D’s price pays for the boat day and guide, while your extra choices mostly shape how much time you spend kayaking versus just floating, swimming, and snorkeling.

Meeting point reality: Marber’s Beach Club and getting on the boat fast

Your meeting point is Marber’s Beach Club. This is one of those places where the tour feels smooth once you’re on board, but the handoff can be a little chaotic before boarding. The good news is that once the crew is organized, it usually runs well.

My practical advice: arrive a bit early and keep your cash and essentials ready. You’ll be happier when you do not have to hunt for your group while everyone else is charging toward the same dock.

Also note what you can bring. No luggage or large bags. And please do not bring plastic bottles, even though it’s tempting to grab a drink and hope for the best.

Small Lagoon: the rocks, the color, and the time you actually get

Small Lagoon is the first big stop. You’ll see those natural rock formations rising like sculptures, with water so clear it can look unreal until your feet hit the surface. This is a water-first location, and the whole vibe is calmer than the main jump-off beaches.

What makes this stop work for most people is the mix of scenery and activity time. You can swim, and if you want to reach more tucked-in areas, you’ll likely want the kayak option. Kayak rental at Small Lagoon is about 350 PHP per person per kayak, so if lagoon access and extra exploration matter to you, budget for it.

Consideration: Small Lagoon has an entry fee of 200 PHP, which is separate from what you paid for the tour. Plan to have cash ready.

Cadlao Island lagoon time: why it’s worth the wait

After Small Lagoon comes Cadlao Island. This is where the day starts to feel like an actual island-hopping movie scene, especially when you get that lagoon calm and the shoreline turns into a sandy picture.

Cadlao is also a key stop for people who like both floating time and a little movement. You can swim in the lagoon area, and if you rent a kayak at Cadlao Lagoon (also around 350 PHP per person per kayak), you can extend your reach into the water spaces that are harder to access by foot.

One smart way to do Cadlao: treat it as your main “slow down” moment. Do your swimming, then take a breather and let the water do the work. The better you pace yourself here, the less you feel you’re running on a schedule.

Nat Nat Beach and Paradise Beach: calmer water for snorkeling and beginners

Next up are Nat Nat Beach and Paradise Beach. These stops are praised for being friendly to people who are snorkeling for fun or just want to relax in shallow water.

What you’ll like most at these beaches is that the water feels forgiving. Shallow zones and calm waves are part of the appeal, and they give you room to float, splash, and see marine life without feeling like you’re fighting currents.

This is where your sunscreen and sun hat earn their keep. Even on a boat day, the sun can hit hard once you’re out on the water. Bring sunglasses too, because glare on bright water is real.

Practical note: if you have your own aqua shoes or fins, that’s great. If not, rentals are available, but they are not included in the base price.

Bukal Island and the last stretch of the day at sea

Bukal Island rounds out the experience and keeps the day from feeling like a checklist. By this point, you’ve already done the iconic lagoon moments, so Bukal reads more like a closing act with scenery and more time to enjoy the sea.

From a pacing standpoint, this stop matters because it prevents the day from ending right after the best lagoon highlights. You still have energy, you still get water time, and it helps the day feel complete rather than chopped up.

Pacing, crowd levels, and why Tour D can feel more relaxed

Tour D is often chosen by people who want the El Nido experience without the constant crowd pressure. Even on busy days, this route tends to feel less hectic than the most popular variants, with enough space at stops that you can spread out.

The most commonly praised pattern is that you get more time at each location without that feeling of being shoved from one spot to the next. Several guides are described as attentive and good at helping people settle in, including playful, photo-friendly energy from the crew.

Two small things to keep expectations realistic:

• A few people mention the start can be messy at the meeting area. Arrive early to avoid stress.
• If there’s a technical issue on the boat, delays can happen. When that happens, the timing at each stop shifts, sometimes even affecting crowd levels in your favor.

Lunch on a boat day: what to expect from the packed meal

Boat tours live or die by lunch, and Tour D does not treat food like an afterthought. You get a packed lunch included in the tour.

The lunch is repeatedly described as delicious and varied, often with options that feel more substantial than a token snack. That matters because the day is seven hours long and you’ll be in the sun. A good lunch makes the later snorkeling and kayaking moments much more enjoyable.

What to bring, what to pay extra, and how to avoid money surprises

Here’s the practical checklist I’d follow for Tour D.

Bring

• Sunglasses and sun hat
• Swimwear (you’ll want it on early)
• Sunscreen
• Cash

Pay attention to extra costs

• El Nido eco-tourism development fee is 400 PHP, required before boarding unless you already paid and can show your receipt copy.
• Small Lagoon has an entry fee of 200 PHP.
• Kayak rental at Small Lagoon and Cadlao Lagoon is about 350 PHP per person per kayak.

Rentals that may matter

• Aqua shoes and fins are available to rent, but not included.
• Kayaks are also available to rent, and kayak rental comes with that separate fee mentioned above.

One more “do not skip this” item: follow the no plastic bottle rule. It’s listed as not allowed, and your day goes smoother if you come prepared.

Who Tour D is best for, and who should skip it

Tour D is a great fit if you want a classic El Nido mix:

• swimming and snorkeling time
• lagoon scenery that looks like it’s been staged
• a relaxed pace with multiple water stops

It also suits last-day travelers. The tour feels like it hits the highlights without needing you to be on a tight multi-day loop of tours.

Skip it if you fall into the stated “not suitable” categories. It’s not suitable for pregnant women and it’s not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users. If that’s your situation, it’s worth looking for a different format that puts less emphasis on boat movement and water entry.

Should you book Tour D?

If your priority is time on the water with lagoons and beaches that feel calmer than the busiest routes, I think Tour D is a smart book. The included guide, life vests, boat tour, and lunch make it good value. The stops you’ll remember are Small Lagoon and Cadlao Island, then Nat Nat and Paradise Beach for swim and snorkeling time.

Book with your eyes open on costs and logistics. Budget extra for the eco-tourism fee, the Small Lagoon entry fee, and decide early whether kayaking is part of your plan. If you want the lagoon experience to feel extra adventurous, bring cash for the kayak rentals. If you’d rather just float, swim, and snorkel, you can still have a fantastic day, just be clear about what you want to access.

If you like an El Nido day that feels like a movie scene but still practical and well-run, Tour D is one of the easiest ways to get there.