BLOG, DESTINATIONS, INTERESTS, ITINERARIES, PALAWAN, PHILIPPINES, REVIEWS, TRAVEL, TRAVEL RESOURCES

El Nido Palawan Island Hopping: Guide to the Best Tours

WHAT'S IN THIS GUIDE?

El Nido Palawan is a stunning island destination in the Philippines known for its white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and limestone cliffs. One of the best ways to experience all that El Nido has to offer is by going island hopping. There are a variety of different island hopping tours available, each with its own unique itinerary.

Traveling to El Nido Palawan for the first time? This detailed and curated travel guide will make it easy for you to navigate your way inside, save money, and maximize your time.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 🌈 Shell (@shellwanders)

Follow me in Instagram >>

Follow me in Youtube >>

Get Started

How to Get to Palawan

✓ ENTRY POINT MANILA (NAIA)

By Airplane (Cebu Pacific, Airasia, or Philippine Airlines)

Direct flights are available.
Travel time is around 1 hr and 15 mins.

By Ferry (2-GO)

It has 2 trips in a week. (Tuesday and Friday at 1:30 pm)
Travel Time is about 30 hours.
The Minimum Price is around PHP 1200 (SGD 30, $ 24, € 20) – PHP 1800 (SGD 45, $ 36, € 30).

✓ ENTRY POINT CEBU (Mactan Cebu International Airport)

By Airplane (Cebu Pacific, Airasia, or Philippine Airlines)

Direct flights are available.

✓ ENTRY POINT CAGAYAN DE ORO (Laguindingan Airport)

By Airplane (Cebu Pacific, Airasia, or Philippine Airlines)

Flights are available with a stop-over in the Cebu area.
Flight Duration is 2 Hours 30 Minutes.

Exact location: Palawan, Philippines

MAP ON HOW TO GET TO PALAWAN

How to Get Around Palawan

By Tricycle
1. Offers the cheapest way to travel around Palawan.
2. Maximum of 4 passengers.
3. On average, you can expect to pay PHP 10.00 (SGD 0.25,$ 0.2, € 0.17) per person.

By Motor Bike Rental
1. Recommending you to use a mode of transport with a driver.
2. Small car rental price starts at PHP 700 (SGD 17.5,$ 14, € 12) per day.

By Car Rental
1. Recommending you to use a mode of transport with a driver.
2. Small car rental price starts at PHP 2500 (SGD 62.5,$ 50, € 42) per day.

By Bus and Mini-Van
1. Most fares cost around PHP 400 (SGD 62.5,$ 50, € 42). Standard trip from Puerto Princesa to El Nido.
2. Travel time takes around 6 to 9 hours.

By Private Van
1. Puerto Princesa to El-Nido costs around PHP 600 (SGD 15,$ 12, € 10)
2. It can accommodate up to 8-10 passengers.

By Ferries and Boats
1. El Nido to Coron. Most fares cost around PHP 2000 (SGD 50,$ 40, € 34).

🏷️10% OFF Private Mactan-Cebu Airport Transfers (CEB) for Cebu or Mactan

🏷️ 5% OFF 4G WiFi (MNL Airport Pick Up/Delivery) for the Philippines

🏷️10% OFF [SALE] Oslob Whale Shark Watching from Cebu City or Mactan Island

🏷️18% OFF Private Cebu & Mactan Twin City Tour

Philippines 3G/4G internet data sim card & pocket WiFi rental

RENT WIFI AND INTERNET DATA HERE >>

See more blogs & travel guides

🏷️13 Best Things to Do in Ormoc, Leyte

🏷️Ultimate Cebu Bucket List (101 Things to Do in Cebu)

🏷️10 Things to Do in Tacloban City, Leyte

🏷️10 Things to Do in Palawan

🏷️12 Things to Do in Isabel, Leyte

🏷️36 Best Things to Do in Baguio

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

What’s in EL Nido Palawan?

El Nido is a municipality in the province of Palawan, Philippines. It is known for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and limestone cliffs. El Nido is a popular tourist destination, and there are many things to see and do in the area.

Here are some of the top things to do in El Nido Palawan:

1. Island hopping: One of the best ways to see El Nido Palawan is by island hopping. There are four different island hopping tours available, each of which takes you to a different part of the archipelago.

Tour A

Big Lagoon: This lagoon is one of the most popular spots in El Nido Palawan. It is surrounded by limestone cliffs and has crystal-clear water. You can swim, snorkel, and kayak in the lagoon.
Small Lagoon: This lagoon is smaller than Big Lagoon, but it is just as beautiful. It is located on the island of Miniloc and can only be accessed by boat.
Secret Lagoon: This lagoon is the most hidden of the three. It is located on the island of Lagen and can only be accessed by swimming through a small cave.
Shimizu Island: This island is home to a white sand beach and a mangrove forest. You can swim, snorkel, and relax on the beach.

Tour B

Snake Island: This island is named for its long, S-shaped sandbar. The sandbar is exposed at low tide, making it a great place to walk or swim.
Cathedral Cave: This cave is located on the island of Cadlao. It is a large cave with stalactites and stalagmites. You can kayak through the cave or swim in the crystal-clear water.
Hidden Beach: This beach is located on the island of Dilumacad. It is a small, secluded beach that is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing.

Tour C

Matinloc Island: This island is home to two lagoons, Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon. The lagoons are surrounded by limestone cliffs and have crystal-clear water. You can swim, snorkel, and kayak in the lagoons.
Twin Lagoons: These lagoons are located on the island of Matinloc. They are smaller than Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon, but they are just as beautiful. You can swim, snorkel, and kayak in the lagoons.
Secret Beach: This beach is located on the island of Matinloc. It is a small, secluded beach that is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing.

Tour D

Cadlao Island: This island is the largest island in El Nido. It is home to a mangrove forest, a coral reef, and several beaches. You can swim, snorkel, kayak, and hike on the island.
Pasandigan Beach: This beach is located on the island of Cadlao. It is a long, white sand beach with crystal-clear water. You can swim, snorkel, and sunbathe on the beach.
Dilumacad Island: This island is home to a small beach and a mangrove forest. You can swim, snorkel, kayak, and hike on the island.

2. Swimming: El Nido has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The water is crystal-clear and the sand is white and soft. You can swim, snorkel, and sunbathe on the beaches.

3. Snorkeling and diving: El Nido is home to a diverse marine life. You can snorkel and dive to see coral reefs, fish, and other marine animals. The water is clear and the visibility is excellent. You can see a variety of fish, including clownfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish. You can also see turtles, rays, and even sharks.

4. Hiking: There are several hiking trails in El Nido. You can hike to waterfalls, viewpoints, and other scenic spots. The hiking trails are well-maintained and offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

5. Kayaking: Kayaking is a great way to explore the islands and lagoons of El Nido. You can paddle through the clear water and see the coral reefs and fish up close. You can also kayak to secluded beaches and coves that are not accessible by boat.

6. Relaxing: El Nido is a great place to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature. You can spend your days swimming, sunbathing, and reading a book. You can also get massages, facials, and other spa treatments.

No matter which island hopping tour you choose, you are sure to have an unforgettable experience. El Nido is a truly magical place, and island hopping is the best way to see it all.

Exact Location

El Nido Palawan

How to get to El Nido Palawan:

There are several ways to get to El Nido, Palawan. The most common way is by plane. There are direct flights from Manila, Cebu, and Boracay to El Nido. The flight time is about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Another way to get to El Nido is by bus. There are buses that depart from Manila and Puerto Princesa to El Nido. The bus ride takes about 12 hours.
Finally, you can also get to El Nido by boat. There are ferries that depart from Coron and Puerto Princesa to El Nido. The ferry ride takes about 4 hours.
Once you arrive in El Nido, you can get around by tricycle, jeepney, or boat. Tricycles are the most common mode of transportation in El Nido. They are a good option for getting around town and to the beach. Jeepneys are a cheaper option, but they are also slower. Boats are a good option for getting to the more remote beaches and islands.

Estimated time to spend in the place El Nido Palawan?

You will spend around 5 hours – 8 hours in this place.

Are food and drinks available in the area in El Nido Palawan?

There are many food places available near the area.

How much are the Entrance Fee and Other Noted Fees in El Nido Palawan?

Depends exactly on the tour you want to avail.

Are there souvenirs sold in El Nido Palawan?

Yes. Located at the rear of the bakeshop, there is a small souvenir store that offers a diverse range of affordable souvenir items including shirts, key holders, accessories, and other miscellaneous items. For tourists with limited time to purchase travel memorabilia, the store provides a convenient option to obtain their souvenirs.

Opening and Closing Time?

This historical landmark is perfect for students, history lovers, families, solo travelers, couples, or groups of friends who appreciate Philippine history’s richness.