4 Days Philippines El Nido Group Tour – Classic Island Hopping in Palawan
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At a Glance
El Nido Island Hopping Tour – Best Island Hopping Adventures in the Philippines
Palawan is renowned as the Best Island in the Philippines, and within Palawan, El Nido stands out as the premier destination with its exceptional islands and beaches. Join our 4 Days Philippines El Nido Group Tour to experience the Classic Island Hopping in Palawan. Enjoy the pristine and unspoiled beaches while immersing yourself in the tropical paradise filled with natural beauty and thrilling sea activities.
Spend 4 days in El Nido for El Nido Island Hopping Tours A and C which will take you to wonderful lagoons, and lovely beaches, and provide a cultural touch. You can marvel at the iconic El Nido scenery, including the breathtaking Big Lagoon, and participate in a mix of kayaking and potentially snorkeling activities. You will also discover hidden beaches, encounter unique rock formations, visit cultural sites, and experience a variety of scenic landscapes.
Day Itinerary
Day 1
El Nido Arrival | Pick-up Service & Hotel Check-in, Free Time Explore
Kumusta! Welcome to El Nido. Upon arrival, meet your driver and head to your hotel for check-in. You can explore El Nido Town on your own freely.
As one of the most popular tropical paradises on Palawan Island, El Nido is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the natural beauty and adventure of the Philippines. This coastal town is home to an abundance of stunning white sandy beaches and incredible lagoons waiting for you to explore. Besides, El Nido is renowned for its stunning sunsets, which are considered by many to be among the best in the world.
Arrival Ideas:
Welcome to Palawan,The Philippines’ Best Island. There are two main airports you can fly into to get to Palawan by direct flight: El Nido Airport (ENI) & Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS). El Nido Airport (ENI) is a smaller airport located closer to El Nido, a popular tourist destination in Palawan known for its stunning beaches and islands. You can get to El Nido from Puerto Princesa by car (270km) or by ferry. Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS) is the busiest airport in Palawan. Most airlines offer direct flights to Puerto Princesa from major cities in the Philippines, such as Manila (MNL), Cebu (CEB), Iloilo City (ILO), Clark (CRK), Caticlan (MPH, Boracay). In some cases, there might be seasonal or occasional direct flights to Puerto Princesa from Taipei (TPE) in Taiwan. It’s best to check with airlines directly for the latest availability. If you need help with Philippines flight ticket booking, feel free to contact us
Day 2
El Nido Island Hopping Tour A (Lagoons & Beaches) | Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, 7 Commando Beach, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach
El Nido got its name from the Spanish phrase for “the nest” because of the edible bird nests made by swiftlets that can be found in the crevices of its limestone cliffs. This destination is renowned as the “Heaven on Earth”, and it comprises 45 islands and islets (Bacuit Archipelago), many of which are uninhabited. Enjoy your days in El Nido is with the crystal clear waters, white sand beaches, stunning lagoons, amazing limestone cliffs, magical marine life, rocky islets, and perfect weather!
For the first El Nido Island Hopping tour in the Bacuit Bay (Tour A), you will have fun in the tropical dreamland by hoping to Miniloc Island for lagoons**, Shimizu island** for snorkeling, and Seven Commando Beach for relaxation.
You may start the world-class island hopping tour in El Nido by a boat ride to Miniloc Island, where you can visit its breathtaking lagoons, including the Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon. The Big Lagoon is a must-visit destination of El Nido in Bacuit Bay. You can access it by outrigger boat, and during low tide, you can walk or kayak through the channel. Once inside the lagoon, you will be awestruck by the stunning natural swimming hole with emerald green waters, surrounded by towering limestone cliffs. Depending on the tide, you may need to scramble or swim through a small crevice on the rock’s surface to reach the Secret Lagoon. Although the Secret Lagoon may not be a secret anymore, it remains one of the most photographed attractions in El Nido, offering a hidden world waiting to be explored. After that, you may have a lunch stop at Payong-Payong Beach, one of the picturesque white sand beaches on Miniloc Island. Here, you can either experience the thrill of swimming amidst the strong waves or savor the chill vibe of splashing around in gentle waves.
Your next stop on Tour A would be Shimizu Island, which is renowned as one of the top snorkeling spots in El Nido. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to encounter a diverse range of beautiful corals and other marine life. Thanks to its stunning limestone cliffs covered with vegetation, Shimizu Island is considered a representative of the geological beauty of El Nido. Legend has it that the island was named after a diver whose last name was Shimizu. However, it can get a bit crowded during midday as it is also an alternative stopover spot for lunch. Typically, you will enjoy a delicious grilled lunch on the beach, featuring grilled meat and seafood, vegetables, rice, and fresh fruits for dessert.
Finally, you may move to Seven Commando Beach, which has a fascinating story to tell. According to one account, seven soldiers got stranded here during World War II. The beach features a long stretch of white sand lined with coconut trees, providing the perfect spot to have a sunbath and relax. You can also enjoy refreshing drinks while taking in the beautiful ocean scenery. While snorkeling, you may be lucky enough to encounter a few sea turtles, so keep your eyes peeled. After your El Nido Tour A, head back to overnight in El Nido Town
Day 3
El Nido Island Hopping Tour C (Hidden Beaches & Shrine) | Hidden Beach, Secret Beach, Matinloc Straight, Helicopter Island, Tapiutan Island
Are you keen to explore the most beautiful beaches in El Nido? If so, you’ll absolutely love Island Hopping Tour C, which takes you to the world-famous beaches of El Nido in Bacuit Bay, Palawan. Today’s tour is even more popular than Tour A and has captivated the attention of Hollywood blockbuster filmmakers. Exciting stops at Helicopter Island, Matinloc Shrine, Secret Beach, Tapiutan Island, and Hidden Beach cover beautiful islands, beaches, snorkeling spots, and the uncanny Matinloc Shrine.
Departing from El Nido Pier, you’ll first arrive at Helicopter Island (Dilumacad Island), named for its rock formations that resemble a helicopter from a distance. Although some visitors may find it challenging to see the similarity, the island’s towering limestone cliffs covered in lush vegetation and pristine beaches are a sight to behold. The island boasts excellent snorkeling spots and underwater tunnels that advanced divers will appreciate. Viewing the colorful corals and small fish in the clear waters is a super enjoyable experience. The island is also one of the nesting grounds for sea turtles living near the province, so if you visit during the right season, you might get the chance to see the release of baby turtles into the waters. With 300 meters of white sand beach, it’s an excellent place to swim, relax, and enjoy the beautiful beachscape.
The next stop would be Matinloc Island, home to the unique Matinloc Shrine since 1982. Known as the Shine of Our Lady of Matinloc, this spiritual oasis provides a stunning panoramic view of Tapiutan Island, which lies opposite Matinloc Island. These two neighboring islands form the narrow Tapiutan Strait, home to some of the best snorkeling spots in the area, such as Talisay Beach and Star Beach (with starfish), which are fantastic spots to see the beauty of the coral reefs. After admiring the clear sea and the limestone landscapes and learning the stories behind the Matinloc Shrine, you may enjoy a delicious barbecued lunch before heading off to Secret Beach. Accessing Secret Beach can be a bit of a challenge as you need to swim through a cave to enter, but your guide help you enter this little paradise. Once inside, you can relax on the small beach or snorkel and see some pretty fish at the entrance. It is said that Alex Garland, author of the novel-turned-film “The Beach,” lived and wrote his bestseller in El Nido, likely inspired by the Secret Beach’s beauty.
Meanwhile, Hidden Beach is a popular stop perfect for swimming and resting. This small paradisiac cove concealed by limestone rock and impossible to see from the open sea. Its powdery white sand and crystal-clear waters make it a must-visit spot in El Nido. In fact, Hidden Beach was so beautiful that Survivor Sweden finished their three-month filming at this beach. The Hidden Beach is also a great spot for snorkeling, where you can easily see various species of corals and fish.
After exploring the hidden beaches and shrines on El Nido Tour C, it is time to go back to El Nido town for overnight
Day 4
El Nido Departure | Depart Philippines, Airport See-off
Time to say goodbye to El Nido, the Heaven on Earth. It is time to end your 4 Days Palawan El Nido Group Tour. Your driver will transfer you to the airport and you will continue on your next destination.
- English-speaking guide;
- Ferries as listed in the itinerary;
- Admission tickets for all attractions listed in the itinerary;
- Accommodation as listed in the itinerary;
- All ground transportation during sightseeing;
- Airport Transfers: complimentary at fixed times;
- Meals listed in “breakfast” or “lunch” in the above day to day itinerary;
- 24/7 customer support
- Travel Insurance
- Philipines TourEntry visa fees
- Philipines TourInternational Flights
- Philipines TourPersonal expenses
- Philipines TourSingle room supplement
- Philipines TourRecommended optional activities: It may offer optional activities that are not included in the tour price, such as scuba diving, hot spring, etc.
- Philipines TourTips or gratuities for guides and drivers
- Lunches / Dinners
- Early check in to the hotel
- Late check out from the hotel
- Tours and sightseeing which are not mentioned in the program
