Island hopping in El Nido: Tour A, B, C or D – which is worth it?
Updated October 28, 2026 · 7 min read
The letters are routes, not quality grades. For most first-time visitors, Tour A is the safest choice because it combines a lagoon experience with beaches and a varied day on Bacuit Bay. Choose Tour C when dramatic hidden beaches and snorkelling matter more than kayaking; Tour B for caves and the Snake Island sandbar; and Tour D for a quieter-feeling lagoon-and-beach route. None is universally best, and advertised stops can change with weather, tides and access limits.
The short comparison
| Route | Character | Typical named stops | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tour A | Lagoons and beaches | Big Lagoon or Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Seven Commandos | A first El Nido boat day |
| Tour B | Caves and sandbar | Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave, Cathedral Cave, Entalula | Travellers who prefer landforms to famous lagoons |
| Tour C | Hidden beaches and snorkelling | Hidden Beach, Secret Beach, Helicopter Island, Tapiutan Beach | Strong swimmers and beach scenery |
| Tour D | Smaller lagoons and beaches | Cadlao-area lagoons and beaches; stops vary by operator | A less obvious alternative to A and C |
The most-reviewed local option on GetYourGuide is the Island Hopping Tour A Lagoons and Beaches. It is listed for 6–8 hours, from €21.75, with 4.4 from 2,006 reviews. Treat that starting price as a comparison point: lagoon user fees, the local environmental fee, kayak hire or hotel transfer may be separate depending on the selected option.
Tour A: the broad first-day choice
Tour A works because its day changes texture. You move from limestone walls and enclosed water to lunch and open beach stops. The leading offer explicitly names Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island and Seven Commandos; other Tour A products may feature Big Lagoon instead. That distinction matters. Do not assume that every product carrying the letter A includes the same lagoon, kayak or fee.
The drawback is popularity. The route attracts many first-time visitors, and limited lagoon slots can shape the order of the day. A private boat gives your group control over its rhythm, but it cannot override protected-area access, sea conditions or congestion.
Tour B: caves, sandbar and a different landscape
Tour B is the useful answer for someone who has already seen a lagoon or dislikes following the most famous route. The Tour B Cudugnon Cave and More names Popolkan Beach, Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave, Cathedral Cave and Entalula Island. It is listed for six hours from €24.67.
Its appeal is variety rather than one headline stop. Snake Island is tide-dependent, and cave access can be affected by conditions. If one named place is essential, ask the operator how the route is handled on your date instead of treating the itinerary as a guarantee.
Tour C: the strongest beach scenery
Tour C is the better match when Hidden Beach and Secret Beach are the reason you came. The Island Hopping Tour C: Hidden Beaches and Shrine also names Helicopter Island and Tapiutan Beach. It runs for 6–8 hours and starts at €26.13, with 4.4 from 802 reviews.
This route can demand more confidence in the water: access to a hidden beach may involve swimming through an opening when conditions allow. Read the exact option and tell the operator before booking if you are not a confident swimmer. A life jacket helps flotation; it does not turn a sea passage into a dry walk.
Tour D: smaller lagoons, fewer headline names
Tour D suits travellers who want lagoon scenery without building the entire day around Big Lagoon. The Hidden Beaches and Lagoons Boat Hopping Tour D advertises up to three sandy beaches and two lagoons, with time for swimming, snorkelling and kayaking. It is listed for 6–7 hours from €43.64.
The trade-off is recognition: fewer travellers arrive with a fixed picture of Tour D, and operators can describe the route differently. That can be an advantage if you value the day itself over ticking off a famous name, but it makes checking the current stop list more important.
Shared or private?
A shared boat is usually the sensible choice for one or two people. A private boat becomes more attractive for a family or group that wants to keep its own pace, yet the displayed starting price may depend on group size. Compare the final checkout total and what is included, not a per-person figure against a whole-boat figure.
Whichever route you choose, take the environmental-fee receipt if you have already paid it, and keep cash available for clearly disclosed local charges. Ask whether lunch, drinking water, snorkelling equipment, kayak hire and lagoon fees are included. Those five details explain much of the apparent price gap between similar titles.
My recommendation
For a first visit, book Tour A unless Hidden Beach is your non-negotiable stop. It has the deepest review base and gives the clearest introduction to why Bacuit Bay is distinctive. Pick C for beach drama, B for caves and the sandbar, or D when you deliberately want the less famous lagoon route.
