El Nido: Island Hopping Tour B Cudognong Cave & More

Snake Island’s shifting sandbar is the star here, but the real pleasure is the quieter route through Bacuit Bay. You get caves, reef snorkeling, white sand, and a full Filipino lunch for about $25 per person, with guides such as Jake, Angelo, Arnold, and Dexter praised for keeping groups safe and cheerful.

I like the smaller feel of this trip, and I like that it reaches places that can feel less crowded than El Nido’s most famous routes. The catch is that the price does not include the 400 PHP environmental fee, and you may need to rent aqua shoes, fins, or a kayak.

Key points to know before booking

• Snake Island is a sandbar, not a snake encounter: Its curving strip of sand changes with the tide and makes the best photo stop.
• Cudugnon Cave adds real context: The cave is linked to Japanese soldiers who hid there during World War II.
• Popolkan is the main water stop: Expect swimming and snorkeling around reefs with fish and coral.
• The group can be pleasantly small: One booking had only 13 people, while other departures may vary.
• Lunch is included: Meals have been described as generous, with meat and fish served on the island.
• Budget for extras: The tourism fee and rental gear are separate from the advertised price.

Why Tour B is a smart alternative in El Nido

El Nido’s island-hopping tours are often identified by letters. Tour B is a good choice if you want more than postcard beaches. Its stops mix a sandbar, open water, caves, snorkeling, and a final beach stop, so the day has more variety than a simple beach cruise.

The route also tends to feel calmer than Tour A. That does not mean you will have every site to yourself, and group sizes can change by departure. Still, one recent trip had only 13 people, and another had just five. That smaller setting matters when you are getting in and out of a boat, listening to a guide in a cave, or trying to find a clear patch of water for snorkeling.

The boat ride lasts about six hours from start to finish. You meet at the assigned point, board with a licensed guide, and return to the same starting area. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so leave time to reach the meeting point on your own.

Snake Island and the changing sandbar

Snake Island is not named for snakes. Its name comes from a long sandbar that curves through the water and changes shape with the tide. From the boat, you can see why it became one of El Nido’s favorite photo stops.

The sandbar is the main attraction, so tide conditions affect the look of the visit. At low tide, more sand is exposed and the shape is easier to appreciate. At higher tide, the strip can be less dramatic, though the water around it still gives you a fine place for photographs and a short walk.

Do not plan on this being a long beach day. The value is in seeing the unusual formation and the open view across Bacuit Bay. Bring a hat and sunscreen, since shade may be limited on exposed sand.

Snake Island is also a common place for lunch on this route. That sounds simple, but it is part of the appeal. Eating a prepared meal near the water gives the middle of the trip a relaxed pause before the cave and beach stops continue.

Popolkan Beach for coral, fish, and swimming

Popolkan Beach brings the focus back to the water. The area is known for reefs and marine life, and this is where you can swim or snorkel in clear tropical water.

Your exact visibility will depend on weather and sea conditions. One group had an excellent snorkeling stop, while another still enjoyed the day despite rain and overcast skies. That is useful to remember: the water can remain pleasant in cloudy weather, but strong sun usually gives you the brightest colors.

Snorkeling equipment is not included in the tour price. Fins and aqua shoes are available to rent, and you should ask about current rental costs before boarding. Aqua shoes are especially useful around rocky entries and cave approaches, but the supplied information does not confirm that every stop requires them.

If you are not a confident swimmer, tell the guide early. Life vests are included, and the crew has been praised for helping children and making sure people felt safe. Still, this is a boat-and-water day, not a dry sightseeing tour.

Cudugnon Cave and a wartime story

Cudugnon Cave, also written as Cudognong in some tour descriptions, gives Tour B more substance than a chain of beach stops. The cave is associated with Japanese soldiers who hid there during World War II, and your guide can explain the story during the visit.

The entrance and approach can be hard to reach. One recent visitor described the caves as impressive but difficult to access, so expect uneven footing and a physical scramble rather than a smooth walkway. This is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

The cave is worth visiting for two reasons. First, the rock formation gives you a close look at the unusual geology around Bacuit Bay. Second, the wartime connection links this quiet place to a tense period in Palawan’s past. Listen closely to the guide, since the story helps turn a quick cave stop into something you will remember.

Wear swimwear under light clothing and use footwear with a secure grip. You may get wet, and loose sandals are not ideal around rock. Pack only what you can carry easily, since there is no reason to bring a large beach bag into a cave.

Cathedral Cave from the water

Cathedral Cave is another striking rock formation along the route. The name comes from its high interior shape, which gives the space a church-like feel when viewed from the entrance or water.

Cave visits are usually brief compared with the beach stops, but they break up the day nicely. You move from bright open water into shadowed rock, then back to the boat and the bay. The contrast is one reason Tour B works well for people who want a varied half-day.

Conditions inside and around the cave can change with tide and weather. Follow the guide’s instructions rather than forcing your way into a narrow area. The trip includes life vests, but it does not promise kayaks, so do not assume you can paddle inside every cave. Kayaks are listed as available for rent.

Entalula Island and the final beach stop

Entalula Island is known for its white sand beach. After the sandbar, snorkeling, and caves, this stop gives you the classic tropical finish: pale sand, blue water, and time to swim or simply sit near the shore.

The beach is also a good place to slow down. Six hours sounds generous, but each boat stop includes loading, unloading, swimming, photographs, and movement between sites. Do not expect long, unhurried hours at every island.

The snorkeling near rock faces can be particularly rewarding. One group found clown fish in this kind of area, so keep an eye on the shallows and edges rather than looking only into open water. Fish sightings are never guaranteed, but the route gives you several chances to see marine life.

Lunch, guides, and the feel of the boat

Lunch is included, which helps make the $25 price attractive. Meals have included a mix of meat and fish, and several people found the food generous and tasty. Expect a practical island meal rather than a restaurant service, with the setting doing much of the work.

The guide can shape the whole day. Jake, Angelo, Arnold, Dexter, and Rene were singled out for humor, support, organization, or good explanations on different departures. You should not book on the assumption that one named guide will lead your trip, but the repeated praise for the crew’s attitude is encouraging.

The crew also appears to pay attention to mixed abilities. One family had help with a child throughout the day, and other groups appreciated guides who checked that everyone felt included. Even so, the activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and you should be comfortable boarding a boat and moving around rocky or sandy areas.

Some departures may combine people booked through different operators. That can happen on shared island-hopping boats, and it may affect the group size and exact feel of the day. Ask at the meeting point which boat and guide are assigned if that matters to you.

What the $25 price really covers

At about $25 per person, this is strong value for a six-hour boat trip with five main stops, a licensed guide, life vests, and lunch. You are paying for access to several parts of Bacuit Bay in one outing, rather than arranging separate boat transfers.

The headline price is not the final cost for everyone. Add the 400 PHP El Nido Tourism Development Fee, also called the environmental fee, before boarding. If you already paid it, carry the receipt and show it to the guide so you do not pay twice.

Snorkels, fins, aqua shoes, and kayaks are not included. Rental prices are described as reasonable, but you should carry cash. Also check the meeting details for your selected option, since the meeting point can vary.

A Big Lagoon entry fee of 200 PHP is also listed among possible exclusions. Big Lagoon is not one of the main stops described for this Tour B route, so ask the operator to clarify if that charge applies to your booking. This is a small but useful step that can prevent confusion on the morning of the trip.

Weather, tides, and what to pack

Sun and tide make a real difference here. Low tide can reveal more of Snake Island’s sandbar, while rain or cloud can soften the colors in the water. Even in poor weather, the caves and the group atmosphere can keep the day enjoyable, but you should not book this expecting perfect beach photographs in every forecast.

Bring:

• Sun hat
• Swimwear
• Sunscreen
• Cash
• A receipt for the environmental fee, if already paid

Aqua shoes are a sensible rental if you do not own them. Fins may help at Popolkan, while a kayak could be useful around some cave areas if offered for your departure. None of these rentals is included, so decide how much gear you want before the boat leaves.

Keep your belongings compact and protect anything sensitive from splashes. The supplied details do not promise dry storage, so a waterproof pouch is a practical choice, though it is not required.

Who should choose this six-hour route

I would choose Tour B if you want a quieter alternative to El Nido’s busiest circuits, like mixing beaches with caves, and care about seeing more of Bacuit Bay than one famous lagoon. It also suits people who enjoy a social boat day, since the guides and crew play a big role in the mood.

Families can find it workable, especially with life vests and an attentive crew, but parents should consider the cave access and water time. Children need to be comfortable around boats, swimming stops, and uneven surfaces.

You may prefer another activity if you have limited mobility, dislike getting wet, or want a luxury boat with every piece of gear included. The route is practical and good value, not a private charter. Group size, guide, meeting point, and exact stop timing can vary.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your El Nido plans are still moving, but the environmental fee and gear costs still need to be planned separately.

Should you book El Nido Tour B?

Yes, if your ideal El Nido day includes a changing sandbar, reef snorkeling, two caves, and a white sand beach without the price of a private boat. The smaller group potential, friendly crew, and included lunch give it a strong value-to-effort ratio.

I would book it after confirming three things: the meeting point, the current rental costs, and whether the Big Lagoon fee applies to your selected departure. Pack for sun and wet conditions, accept that tides may change the sandbar, and be ready for a rough approach at Cudugnon Cave.

Tour B may not have the instant fame of El Nido’s best-known lagoon routes, but that is part of its appeal. You get a fuller mix of scenery and stories, often with fewer people around. For a half-day outing at about $25, it is an easy recommendation for active visitors who want variety and good local guidance.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour B last?

The tour lasts six hours, including the boat trip and stops at Snake Island, Popolkan Beach, Cudugnon Cave, Cathedral Cave, and Entalula Island.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes a licensed tour guide, the boat tour, life vests, and lunch.

Is the El Nido environmental fee included?

No. The 400 PHP El Nido Tourism Development Fee is not included. If you already paid it, show your receipt to the guide before boarding.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Aqua shoes, fins, snorkeling equipment, and kayaks are available to rent but are not included in the listed price.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The meeting point can vary depending on the option booked.

Is this tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, partly because some cave approaches can be difficult to reach.