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El Nido Island Hopping Tour B: Everything You Need to Know

El Nido Island Hopping Tour B: Everything You Need to Know

Tour B in El Nido is like uncovering a hidden treasure chest of adventure and beauty. Known for its quieter vibe compared to the other island-hopping tours, this trip takes you to secret beaches, mysterious caves, and stunning sandbars that feel like they belong to another world. It’s perfect for those who want a mix of exploration and relaxation, with plenty of opportunities to snorkel, swim, or just soak up the tropical vibes. Whether you’re paddling into hidden lagoons or walking along pristine shores, Tour B is your ticket to discovering the quieter, more enchanting side of El Nido.

TOUR B EL NIDO ISLAND HOPPING ITINERARY

I was lucky enough to experience Tour A, Tour B and Tour C. 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.

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Cathedral Cave – A majestic limestone cave with towering ceilings, resembling a cathedral. It’s often viewed from the boat due to the narrow entrance.
  4. Pinagbuyutan Island – A peaceful island with white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and stunning limestone formations, perfect for relaxing or snorkeling.
  5. Pangalusian or Lagen Beach (depending on the tour operator) – A serene beach stop to end the day with some quiet time and breathtaking scenery.

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.

an island with a sandy beach and some trees.
H Hotel El Nido - Vegan Friendly Hotel Managed by H Hospitality Group
  • 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

ISLAND HOPPING ‘OPTIONS’ IN EL NIDO

I was lucky enough to experience Tour ATour 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.

El Nido

TOUR B EL NIDO ISLAND HOPPING

In this section, I will break down each of the stops of Tour B, so you get a good understanding of what you are in for. It will also help you decide if you would prefer Tour B or one of the other tour options in El Nido. They’re all good, i’ve done them all but naturally there are certain itineraries that may appeal to you more than others.

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.

 

YouTube video

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. 

Cudugnon Cave is a significant natural landmark in the El Nido. The cave is known for its impressive limestone formations, stunning rock textures, and rich historical and cultural significance. Cudugnon Cave is not just a geological marvel, but also an archaeological site, with evidence of ancient human habitation, including pottery fragments and tools dating back to the pre-Hispanic period. The cave’s spacious interior is home to a large opening that lets in natural light, creating a beautiful interplay of shadows and illumination on the cave walls.

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.

3 BEST EL NIDO TOURS

WHERE TO STAY IN EL NIDO

  • (Value) Spin Designer HostelLet’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 ResortPanorama 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 ResortThis 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.
H Hotel El Nido - Vegan Friendly Hotel Managed by H Hospitality Group

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.

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.

a man sitting on a boat in the middle of the ocean.