El Nido is one of my favorite places in the Philippines. I’ve visited this beautiful destination on four different occasions and have tried just about all of the activities and tours… twice. That’s why it’s not too difficult for me to suggest what people should actually do when they tell me they only have one day or one week. I decided to make this 4-day El Nido Itinerary as most people visiting El Nido seem to stay for more than a couple of nights but less than a week.
In this El Nido itinerary, I will share with you how to get to El Nido, what tours you should do, which day-trips to make, where to stay and tips on how to maximize your days if you are on a tight schedule. If you want to view all of the best things to do in El Nido and decide which ones you are interested in you can check my other guide: 20 Best Things To Do in El Nido

TOP 3 PLACES TO STAY IN EL NIDO
El Nido has a mix of luxury resorts, budget hotels and backpacker hostels. I’ve stayed in all three of those categories over the years and these are my favorite picks.
- My TOP Pick: Cadlao Resort: I simply love the sunset view from their infinity pool. Simple!
- Beachfront: Piece Lio: The perfect, peaceful beach setting for your vacation.
- Best Resort: Panorama Resort: – Best overall vibe with awesome design, restaurant and pool
EL NIDO FOUR DAY ITINERARY
Okay so this is a strategic itinerary so that you aren’t too tired but also don’t waste any of your valuable vacation time. In four days I suggest a minimum of two days island-hopping and one beach day. I’ll detail it all below and you can change it up to suit your needs as you go. In this El Nido 4-day Itinerary, you are going to go island hopping twice, climb Taraw Peak, visit Nacpan Beach and grab a few cheeky sunset drinks at the beach bars. Sound like a plan? Sweet, let me take you through it day by day.
EL NIDO ITINERARY: DAY 1
Okay, we all know El Nido is famous for it’s island hopping so today you will head out on El Nido Island Hopping Tour A. It’s the most popular tour in El Nido. Everyone wants to see the Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon. I don’t blame them they are both epic. This tour is a good mix of snorkeling and sightseeing, hanging on beaches and swimming. It can get crowded but that is the nature of the beast in El Nido. The most beautiful places are the most popular more often than not. Here’s how the day looks:
- Departure from El Nido Town (7:30 AM)
- Small Lagoon
- Big Lagoon
- Secret Lagoon
- Shimizu Island
- 7 Commando Beach
- Return to El Nido (around 4:00 PM)
SEVEN COMMANDO BEACH
Coconut trees lined Seven Commando beach and we, of course, sipped on a few after a quick snorkel. Our boat docked here for a 45-minute chill/exploration session. Many people snorkeled but we just hung out on the beach and had a swim. The rocks in El Nido are incredibly sharp, Seven Commando Beach was no exception. Wear shoes if you are planning on exploring in caves and on rocks like us. On my second visit to Seven Commando Beach, I also did a beach clean-up. El Nido is making great changes but trash on the islands still remains prevalent.



BIG LAGOON EL NIDO
Cruising up the lagoon was our first real look at how dramatic the cliffs and landscape was in El Nido. The lagoon has a narrow entrance and the boats manage to navigate alongside each other as everyone on board arches their necks checking out the intense cliffs. The boat glides across the glassy water, almost crystal as the narrow entrance finally opens up into a giant lagoon. The boat did a slow circle in the lagoon letting us take in the sights before heading back out the narrow stretch. The Big Lagoon is arguably the highlight of the El Nido Island Hopping Tour A.


LUNCH AT SHIMIZU ISLAND EL NIDO
Our guides had been cooking on the grill all morning as we cruised around from island to island. It was time to see what they had produced. It was an absolute feast.
I’ll be honest I’ve been on some tours where you get a cruddy sandwich and a bag of chips. This blew it out of the water. Grilled pork and chicken, fresh grilled fish and fruits and of course an abundance of rice.
There was plenty for everyone as we sat around on the logs watching monitor lizards amongst the trees. A bit of exploration post-lunch never hurts and we found a very shallow spot for a couple of jumps.



SECRET LAGOON EL NIDO
This spot was amazing but probably my least favorite as there were more than fifty tourists crammed into a tiny lagoon at once. We had to swim to a small hole and clamber through. One through sun shone down into a tennis court-sized lagoon, totally enclosed by sharp cliffs. It was a great spot but a little bit of an anti-climax.
However, the beach around the corner once back out of the lagoon was really cool. The landscape here was by far my favorite spot of the day and I camped on my favorite spot at the front of the tour boat as we left snapping a few shots to capture the entire scene. I have never seen anything like it before in my life.
The second time I visited Secret Lagoon on El Nido Island Hopping Tour A, I was armed with a drone. It gave me a whole new perspective on the lagoon and the scale of the beach. I’ve added those photos below.




SMALL LAGOON EL NIDO
Our last stop of the day would be the small lagoon. By now I had become a bit desensitized to the majestic beauty all around me. But the small lagoon hit another chord.
We were offered kayaks as we arrived but also given the option to swim. Being the cheap guys Jorden and I were of course we swam. It wasn’t too far just a few hundred yards both ways.
Swimming through this lagoon was beautiful, calming and a great way to end the day. We went as far in as we could and just spend a while floating on our backs taking in everything around us.
The second time I visited Small Lagoon was actually with the Red Bull Cliff Diving team, which was a whole new experience. They had set up ladders to a platform and were jumping from 21m and 27m for their competition. I’ve put the video below about this epic experience.


EL NIDO ITINERARY: DAY 2
The island hopping in El Nido is incredible, but I suggest taking a day off in between your island hopping trips so you don’t’ wear yourself out. That doesn’t mean I’m suggesting you don’t explore on day two. In fact, day two is going to be a big adventure.
Firstly, you have an optional activity and it depends on whether you are capable of waking up for sunrise or not. If you are a true adventurer you will be up for it without question. The first activity of the day is hiking Taraw Peak for Sunrise.
HIKING TARAW PEAK FOR SUNRISE
Expect extreme humidity. That’s what to expect! Holy hell this was the most humid climb of my life. But seriously, expect a short, steep intense climb and then to enjoy an epic, epic view for sunrise on jagged rocks. If you like adventure and miss this one in El Nido, you messed up!
The trail winds through the small neighborhood before throwing you into the jungle. From the first minute, you are clambering more than following a trail or ‘climbing’. The jagged rocks mean that you are constantly concentrating so you don’t misplace a step as they are unforgiving.
There are sections that are relatively vertical but nothing too extreme. There were lots of amateur hikers and climbers both male, female, young and old on the trail so don’t be scared of this hike because of the sharp rocks.
There were a few sections that were a bit sketchy but there is always something to hold on to. I’d say the level of difficulty for this hike is moderate to above average because of the rock clambering. I don’t want to discourage you from climbing Taraw Peak but some people may struggle or get frightened so I made sure to take these two photos in probably the two most sketchy spots.
Once we cleared the final little ascent the view opened up and what a view it is. You have a birds-eye view over El Nido town and the entire bay, where the island-hopping boats are all lined up for another day of touring. We could see all the way out to Cadlao Island and beyond.
Full blog post: Taraw Cliff Sunrise Hike
NACPAN BEACH
After heading up Taraw Peak for sunrise, head back to your hotel and grab breakfast. Next, you will either rent a motorbike or a van and head out on a day of beach hang-outs and exploration.
We split the small cost of the moped between two people and you have your transport sorted for the day for a few dollars. Gasoline is usually only a couple of dollars. You will need to leave your passport with the rental person but that is fair, remember you have their bike!
Nacpan Beach is about 30 minutes away from El Nido town and one of the most pristine beaches in the area. The water clarity is perfect and coconut trees and chill cafes and bars line the beach. Down to the right is empty shoreline to hang out on and down to the left is a small hill to explore.
I remember hearing that there was great shrimp at Nacpan Beach and I can testify that it is true. My lunch was beautiful and I topped it off with a mango smoothie for good measure. Sorry, I forgot to take a photo, but let’s be honest you can’t taste a photo. Just trust me to get the shrimp.


CHECK OUT VERDE SAFARI BEACH
After Nacpan Beach our next stop was Duli Beach.. or so we thought. It was a 30-minute drive and after 40 minutes we thought we had finally arrived.
The beach looked amazing but our map told us we had actually arrived at Verde Safari Beach. It was a blessing in disguise as this was an amazing stretch of shoreline that was entirely empty. A few fishing boats were resting on the shore in front of rows of coconut palms.

SURF OR HANGOUT AT DULI BEACH
With less than an hour before the sun would set we finally arrived at Duli Beach. A few small huts were scattered along the beach and only two local kids were trying to surf the whitewash.
Jorden and I grabbed the GoPro and headed out deep into the thick of the action. The locals thought we were drowning and were preparing a rescue before I came back and told them we were fine. Jorden headed in and I spent the entire sunset floating around in the impact zone.
The waves were big but not barreling clean. This was one of my favorite nights from our one month trip in the Philippines.


EL NIDO ITINERARY: DAY 3
Okay, day three and it’s time to get back on board the island-hopping circuit. This time I suggest going on El Nido Island Hopping Tour C. It is the other, very impressive tour with hidden lagoons and snorkeling with turtles. However, if you were about overwhelmed by the crowds on your Tour A, I suggest picking Tour B this time. I’ve detailed all of the tours with photos and guides in this blog post so you can review, which one looks best to you.
TOUR C ITINERARY
- Departure from El Nido Town (7:30 AM)
- Hidden Beach
- Matinloc Shrine
- Secret Beach
- Star Beach
- Tapiutan Island
- Lunch Break
- Return to El Nido (around 4:00 PM)
Tour C in El Nido is probably the second-most popular tour behind Tour A. Everyone flocks to Tour A for the big and small lagoons but Tour C has epic snorkeling and a couple of secret beaches!

HELICOPTER ISLAND
The first island on the itinerary of Tour C in El Nido is the famous Helicopter Island. It isn’t hard to figure out how this island earned it’s name with a distinctive helicopter shape, visible from a side profile. It is incredibly busy… always but you can still have a great time here. You can hang out here on the beach or go for a bit of a walk but the best way to explore Helicopter Island is with your snorkel and mask.
When your boat docks walk down towards the left (while facing the island) and then snorkel around the corner. Here you will get away from the crowds and be able to explore some beautiful coral. There are also some unique shelves and rock formations under the cliffs if you go far enough.

MATINLOC SHRINE (OR NEARBY BEACHES)
Matinloc Shrine is a bit of a weird stop on an island hopping tour and it is probably the least impressive thing to do on Tour C. It is essentially an abandoned shrine.
Your captain will likely ask if you do indeed want to visit or just go snorkeling/visit another beach. I believe it costs extra to visit as well. All you do is get off and go look inside the abandoned building. Bit of a waste of time when there are beautiful beaches, reefs, and turtles nearby!
We chose to visit a nearby beach instead (no extra fee) and went snorkeling and exploring. The beauty of the area near Matinloc Shrine is that there are lots of different beaches, coves, and snorkel spots so your captain should be able to pick a spot that isn’t crazy crowded!
LUNCH SPOT
Our captain took us to an amazing snorkel spot and beach but we just hung out on the boat and ate there. We snorkeled after but there was no need to get out and unpack the food we just ate it straight on the boat. I can’t remember the name of this spot for the life of me but most of the tours will choose lunch at one of a few spots.
HIDDEN BEACH
Hidden Beach is a cool little cove hiding behind the karst limestone cliffs. Your boat will drop you at the entrance and you swim/wade through the water until you make your way into the cove after about 200m.
It is usually very crowded in here although it is incredibly beautiful. If this cove was empty it would be one of my favorite places in El Nido but both times it has been full of life jackets and hundreds of people so it is often a bit more manic than magic. Nonetheless, I’ve always enjoyed sitting on the sand here and admiring the jagged cliffs and the beautiful scenery.
On my second visit to Hidden Beach, we did a cleanup and carried out 1.5 bags of trash and even swam out with it. It’s great to leave places better than when you found them and added a challenge to our Hidden Beach experience.

SNORKEL SPOT (TURTLES!)
Our final stop of the day was right next to Matinloc Shrine again where our captain told us there was a great reef. He wasn’t wrong and our guides even spotted a couple of turtles for us to swim with. There was a huge drop-off and it was an epic spot for free-diving and getting a closer look at the coral below.
There were some really cool table corals and lots of fish in this area. We were the only tourists enjoying this spot, which is what I liked about Tour C in El Nido. It seemed a bit more flexible than Tour A, which was all about the lagoons. Tour C was a bit easier to change depending on what you were interested in.


EL NIDO ITINERARY: DAY 4
Today you have two options you either take it easy at your hotel, or the beach and then rent a kayak and paddle out to the nearby Cadlao Island OR you buckle up for one more day of island-hopping but this time on one of the less crowded routes by joining Tour B. I personally loved Tour B. We hardly saw anyone at the beaches and caves when we visited and it was very relaxed compared to Tour A and Tour C. I’ll share below the Tour B experience but also my experience kayaking out to Cadlao Island so you can decide.
TOUR B
The El Nido Tour B itinerary is designed for adventurers who love exploring hidden gems and unique coastal features. Here’s what you can typically expect:
- Snake Island – Famous for its long, curving sandbar that connects the island to the mainland at low tide. It’s a perfect spot for walking, taking photos, and enjoying panoramic views.
- Cudugnon Cave – A historical and cultural site where you can explore a fascinating cave once used as a hideout by locals during World War II.
- Cathedral Cave – A majestic limestone cave with towering ceilings, resembling a cathedral. It’s often viewed from the boat due to the narrow entrance.
- Pinagbuyutan Island – A peaceful island with white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and stunning limestone formations, perfect for relaxing or snorkeling.
- Pangalusian or Lagen Beach (depending on the tour operator) – A serene beach stop to end the day with some quiet time and breathtaking scenery.

PINAGBUYUTAN ISLAND
Pinagbuyutan Island is probably my favorite island in El Nido. It has huge towering cliffs that shoot straight down dramatically over the small stretches of the beach below. There’s nothing more than a shack and coconut trees on this desolate island. When we rolled in there was just one local selling coconuts and no other tourists. It stayed that way for most of our visit.
It’s a small, uninhabited island located in the Bacuit Archipelago of El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. The island is known for its striking limestone karst formations, which rise dramatically from the sea, making it incredibly picturesque and popular spot for photography. The island’s white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters make it ideal for various water activities, such as snorkeling, swimming, and kayaking. The surrounding coral reefs are rich in marine biodiversity, attracting divers and snorkelers. Pinagbuyutan is part of the protected area of the El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area, ensuring its natural beauty remains preserved.
We walked around the edges of the island in between the tall grass and scattered palms. This is how island hopping is supposed to be. Quiet, relaxing and away from the crowds. Luckily for us, we were in no rush and actually spent several hours at Pinagbuyutan Island. There are also some great snorkeling spots just off the shore with beautiful reefs waiting to be discovered below the surface. Pinagbuyutan is the highlight of Tour B in my opinion.
Full blog post: Pinagbuyutan Island in El Nido




ENTALULUA BEACH OR PAPAYA BEACH
One of the stops on Tour B in El Nido will be Entalula or Papaya Beach. Both are awesome and we hung out at Papaya Beach. It is quite similar to Seven Commando Beach, which you will find on Tour A. Beautiful clear water, a nice sandy beach with a backdrop of coconut trees.
This is a great stop to relax and chill on the beach with your friends. There aren’t too many activities here other than just hanging out and maybe sipping on a coconut from the local stand.
We did a beach clean-up at this stop and collected several large bags of trash. El Nido is making great changes but trash on the islands still remains prevalent. I have posted the video of the cleanup below.



SNAKE ISLAND
Snake Island is an epic spot, one I didn’t even know about until we arrived. So often in El Nido, all of the focus is on lagoons and secret beaches that anything else is almost pushed to the side. Anywhere else in the world and Snake Island would be the number one attraction.
This beautiful island arcs out into a sandbar that connects to the mainland at low tide. This area reminded me of a mini French Polynesia with the steep, green hills as a backdrop to the cerulean blue water.
Snake Island is one of the most unique spots in El Nido as it connects the mainland to an island at low tide while at low tide it is a sandbar two feet under water. Officially known as Vigan Island, Snake Island has become one of the top locations to visit in El Nido. The island’s name was unofficially changed from Vigan Island to Snake Island due to the unique ‘S’ shape of the sandbar. It’s best to visit at low tide when the sandbar is most exposed and can be explored by foot.
I really enjoyed this spot and flying the drone here was so much fun with something to look at in all directions. Snake Island was a great surprise and not a spot I had seen before so it was great to be exploring something a little different in El Nido on Tour B.
Full blog post: Snake Island in El Nido






CUDUGNON CAVE
On Tour B there are two caving opportunities. The first cave is Cudugnon Cave, which was actually super cool. The boat parks on the beach and then you crawl through a little hole into a hidden area inside the cliffs.
Here there are amazing rock formations and you can actually keep climbing up pretty high. It was remarkable that this cave exists hidden inside the cliff walls, out of view from passing boats.

CATHEDRAL CAVE
The second cave was pretty wild. Cathedral Cave was incredible and one of my favorite caves I’ve visited in the Philippines. You jump off the boat and either swim or kayak in. We swam inside despite our guide saying there were snakes. I’m still not sure if he was serious or not!
Inside huge stalagmites and stalactites hang from the roof and grow from the floor. It is mindblowing to look around at the rock formations inside this sea cave. Under the surface, the water has a luminescent glow so definitely bring your snorkel to enjoy this cave. We explored it all the way to the back where things get quite creepy and gross but it is here that you can see the luminescent glow of the blue water on the walls.
Make sure you go all the way to the back of the cave to look back towards the entrance to check that out.


KAYAKING IN EL NIDO
The paddle to Paradise Beach took us less than 40 minutes at a leisurely pace from El Nido Town. Only one other kayaker was resting on the shore and he left soon after we arrived. For the first time in El Nido, we had an entire beach to ourselves. We both took off exploring, climbing trees and discovering small caves and coves.
There were huge amounts of rubbish on the beach that had been swept in from elsewhere. Aside from the rubbish, it was a beautiful little spot to castaway for an hour or so.
We jumped back into our kayak and continued to head towards Dilumacad/Helicopter Island without actually trying to reach it. All we planned on doing was exploring several of the beaches that Tour A didn’t visit.
We pulled into a little bay close to Pasandingan Cove that had a great rock for jumping from. Unfortunately, all the rocks in El Nido are incredibly sharp, which makes cliff jumping almost impossible in some locations. The cliffs always look amazing but they are not climber friendly whatsoever.
As the sun began to lower we quickly paddled back to prime position just outside of the harbor. From the town you cannot see the sunset unless you walk for 30 minutes. We positioned ourselves looking straight into the sun as it slowly lit up the sky. We ended up being late returning our kayak but enjoying the sunset from the kayak with our feet dangling in the warm water is one of the moments I won’t forget from our one month trip in the Philippines.



I hope this activity guide helps you plan out your four days to the fullest and you have the time of your life following this El Nido itinerary.
ISLAND HOPPING ‘OPTIONS’ IN EL NIDO
I was lucky enough to experience Tour A, Tour B and Tour C and Tour D. However, don’t stress about which ‘letter tour’ will be the best. It’s El Nido, you are going to be visiting lagoons and beaches that will blow your mind no matter what tour you are on.
- BIG DREAM BOAT MAN TRIP: 3-NIGHT Island Hopping Expedition to all of the top spots on a crossing from El Nido to Coron! I did it and it’s my favorite Palawan experience BY FAR!
- EL NIDO ISLAND HOPPING TOUR A: Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Miniloc Island, Shimizu Island, Snorkel with turtles at Seven Commando Beach, BBQ Lunch
- EL NIDO ISLAND HOPPING TOUR B: Snake Island, Pinagbuyutan Island, Cudugnon Cave, BBQ Lunch
- EL NIDO ISLAND HOPPING TOUR C: Helicopter Island, Secret Beach, Matinloc Shrine, Talisay Beach, BBQ Lunch
- EL NIDO ISLAND HOPPING TOUR D: Island, Pasandingan Beach, Small Lagoon, Natnat Beach, BBQ Lunch

WHERE TO STAY IN EL NIDO
- (Value) Spin Designer Hostel: Let’s go for Spin! This rad hostel is located at the bustling town of El Nido. This property is highly recommended by many travelers as the service is superb. Spin Designer Hostel also provides a shared kitchen with a barbecue facility. It is value for money and very close to shops and beach. If you stay here you will make friends with like-minded strangers and be in the prime location for the nightlife, island hopping and hiking Taraw Peak. The beach literally steps away.
- (Most Insta-worthy) Panorama Resort: Panorama Resort is an exotic boutique resort tucked between Corong-Corong Beach and Maremigmeg Beach, is a 3-star property that features a panoramic view of the mountains in El Nido. The resort is very insta-worthy and has a lot of amenities including a private beach, outdoor and indoor swimming pool, and free WiFi. It offers an amazing sunset view and chill vibe to guests.
- (Luxury Resort) Las Cabanas Beach Resort: This incredible beach resort is situated perfectly on the shore of Las Cabanas beach in El Nido. It offers a peaceful sanctuary from the harsh realities of the outside world. The resort is picturesque and provides easy access to island hopping and other activities. It has rooms with sea and garden views, and the beachfront cottages are single standalone units.

ARE YOU KEEPING UP WITH MY EL NIDO SERIES?
You want to go island-hopping in El Nido but aren’t sure whether TOUR A,B,C or D will be better? Take a look at my El Nido Island Hopping Guide that compares all of the four tours to help you pick the best one for you. One of the best ways to explore Palawan is with Big Dream Boat Man on their 3-night Island-Hopping Tour to avoid the crowds and visit all the best spots between El Nido and Coron. I’ve done it and loved it!
Wondering what there is to do in El Nido? I’ve been twice and spent almost 30 days in El Nido so I’ve got some great recommendations for you in my Travel Guide to El Nido: 20 Awesome Things To Do
Which region will you choose for your accommodation in El Nido? I’ve broken each region down and given you suggestions for budget, value and luxury in El Nido Town, Lio Beach and Las Cabanas Beach in this guide: Where to stay in El Nido or check out my Guide to the 16 Best El Nido Resorts or for some luxury the 13 Best Overwater Bungalows in The Philippines.
Of course, everyone loves the island hopping in El Nido, but it can be hard to figure out which tour is best for you. I’ve done a full review about each tour.
- My review and photos of: Island Hopping Tour A
- My review and photos of: Island Hopping Tour B
- My review and photos of: Island Hopping Tour C
- My review and photos of: Island Hopping Tour D
If you are considering which island to visit in Palawan, here is a helpful Guide Comparing El Nido vs Coron or you can visit El Nido and then take the ferry to Coron.

Angel Jane
Saturday 21st of November 2020
Ive been in El Nido and Puerto Princessa last year. I like the calm environment. So relaxing. So natural. I like the people and the cleanliness of them. But no one knows that it was the last. I mean now that there were corona virus, I'm afraid of. So the next destination if corona virus already vanished, is Coron. I heard of it but never been there.
johnxtian
Thursday 18th of July 2019
These are really amazing pictures! My wife and I have been planning to go to El Nido, but it seems that it always slips through our 20 fingers! I have been following your blog and it amazes me every time really. In fact you inspired me to create a blog.
In case you visit the Philippines again, you might wanna give Kinatarcan island in the northern part of Cebu. I linked it to my post. It's really nice and unspoiled.
irene
Tuesday 11th of June 2019
Its amazing how you make people see, how beautiful the world is through these photos! great pics1
Sharon Rausch
Friday 31st of May 2019
Thank you so much for sharing your helpful information. It's very unique post. Good job.