El Nido:Private Tour D with Highlights Small & Cadlao Lagoon

El Nido Tour D brings together two of the area’s best-known lagoon stops with quiet beaches and a simple island-hopping schedule. The highlight is kayaking through Small Lagoon, where tall limestone cliffs close around clear water and make the short paddle feel far more special than a standard beach stop.

I like the mix of active and lazy time. You can paddle at Cadlao Lagoon, swim and snorkel at Bukal Island, then eat lunch beside the sea at Paradise Beach. I also like the private-group option, plus the calm pace praised in the strongest feedback, with good lunch and a friendly crew.

The main catch is the extra cost. At $24 per person, the tour is inexpensive, but kayak hire, the environmental fee, and the Small Lagoon access fee are not included. The route also uses several beach names, so confirm the exact stops before you set out.

Key points to know before booking

• Small Lagoon is the main event: Kayak through clear water framed by towering limestone walls.
• Cadlao Lagoon adds a quieter paddle: You get about an hour for kayaking and sightseeing around emerald water and rock formations.
• Lunch is served at Paradise Beach: The one-hour stop gives you time to eat and swim without rushing.
• The day includes several water stops: Bukal Island offers swimming, snorkeling, and photo time, while the secret stop is planned as a guided visit.
• The advertised price is only the starting cost: Add PHP 300 for a two-seat kayak, PHP 350 for a three-seat kayak, PHP 400 for the environmental fee, and PHP 200 for Small Lagoon access.
• The tour is best for mobile swimmers and paddlers: It is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or those prone to seasickness.

Why Small Lagoon deserves the first big look

Small Lagoon is the strongest reason to choose this route. Instead of simply stepping off the boat for a quick photograph, you get time to kayak for about an hour through water enclosed by limestone cliffs.

The setting changes as you move from open sea into the lagoon. The cliffs create a more sheltered, intimate feel, and the clear water gives you plenty to look at while paddling. You can also swim, snorkel, and take photographs, although your guide will ask you not to touch marine life or nearby plants.

Kayak rental is separate. Expect to pay PHP 300 for a two-seater or PHP 350 for a three-seater. That is a modest add-on, especially if two or three people share one boat, but it matters when comparing this tour with packages that include kayaks.

You should also budget PHP 200 per person for one-time Small Lagoon access. The environmental fee is PHP 400 per person and is valid for five days, which is useful if you plan another approved island-hopping trip during the same period.

Cadlao Lagoon brings a quieter hour

Cadlao Lagoon is scheduled for about an hour of kayaking. Its emerald water and dramatic rock formations provide a different mood from Small Lagoon. The appeal here is less about ticking off a famous sight and more about having time to paddle, look around, and enjoy the stillness.

The tour description presents Cadlao Lagoon as a peaceful retreat, and that fits the shape of the day. You are not being rushed from one quick photograph to the next. One current score of 4.9 from eight ratings includes praise for a relaxed outing that was not overcrowded, which is an important point for anyone who dislikes packed boat tours.

Still, conditions can affect the experience. The supplied information does not promise a fixed amount of time on the water beyond the one-hour schedule, nor does it give a daily crowd forecast. Your guide and boat captain will manage the timing and local conditions, so treat the schedule as a useful plan rather than a guarantee of solitude.

Paradise Beach is the practical lunch stop

After the Cadlao Lagoon visit, the boat heads to Paradise Beach on Cadlao Island for about an hour. This is your planned lunch break, and the tour includes lunch plus one bottle of drinking water.

I like this stop because it gives the day a needed pause. A lagoon tour with several water activities can become tiring, especially under the tropical sun. Sitting on white sand, eating, and taking a swim makes the schedule feel more human.

The lunch details are not specified, so do not book this expecting a particular menu. Meals not mentioned are excluded, and you should bring snacks if you tend to get hungry between stops. A reusable water bottle is also useful, since the package includes only one bottle and the advice for the day is to reduce plastic use.

Paradise Beach should not be confused with the other beach names used in the tour description. Pasandigan Beach and Serenity Beach are also mentioned as possible places to relax, but the timed itinerary specifically lists Paradise Beach for lunch. Confirm the exact beach sequence with the operator before departure.

The secret stop adds flexibility

The second scheduled stop is called a secret stop, with 40 minutes for a photo stop, visit, and guided tour. That wording leaves the location less defined than the lagoons and beaches.

This can be a pleasant change of pace. You get a short guided visit without needing to decide where to go next, and the stop may give you another chance to photograph the cliffs, sea, or nearby shore. At the same time, you should not book the trip because you expect a particular landmark here. The attraction is the unannounced part of the route, not a named sight with a detailed description.

Your live guide speaks English and leads the visit, while the licensed boat captain handles the boat. No guide names are provided, so you will not be able to request a particular guide based on the available details.

Bukal Island finishes the water time

Bukal Island is the final major stop before the boat returns to Dockyard. The planned hour includes a photo stop, a visit, and swimming.

The clear water and marine life make this a useful place for snorkeling. Masks and snorkels are included, as are life jackets. The equipment helps keep the day simple, though you should bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a camera if you want to make the most of the stop.

Bukal Island also works well as a gentler finish. After kayaking at two lagoons, you can decide how active you want to be. Swim, snorkel, or stay on the beach and take photographs. The tour rules are straightforward: do not touch marine life, plants, or litter.

Optional water shoes cost PHP 100 per pair, and a towel costs PHP 100. Neither is required, but water shoes can be useful if the shore is rocky or uncomfortable underfoot. The information does not specify the beach surface in enough detail to promise that you will need them.

Pasandigan and Serenity Beach need clarification

The wider tour description names Pasandigan Beach and Serenity Beach as relaxing stops. Pasandigan is described as a quiet white-sand beach with turquoise water and lush surroundings, while Serenity Beach is presented as a calm place with soft sand and gentle waves.

These descriptions sound appealing, but the timed itinerary does not list them by name. It lists Paradise Beach for lunch and Bukal Island for the final stop. That difference may reflect alternate routing, changing local conditions, or marketing language that groups several possible beaches under the same tour.

For a careful booking decision, ask the operator which beaches are included on your departure date. Do not assume that Pasandigan, Serenity, and Paradise Beach are all guaranteed stops. The named schedule gives you a clearer promise: Cadlao Island for kayaking, Paradise Beach for lunch, Small Lagoon for kayaking and sightseeing, and Bukal Island for swimming.

What the $24 price really covers

At $24 per person, this is a strong starting price for a six to seven-hour island-hopping day. The package includes a licensed tourist boat, licensed boat captain, licensed local guide, mask and snorkel, life jacket, lunch, and one bottle of water.

The price is less all-inclusive than it first appears. Plan for these required or likely additions:

• Environmental fee: PHP 400 per person, valid for five days
• Small Lagoon access: PHP 200 per person for one-time entry
• Two-seat kayak: PHP 300
• Three-seat kayak: PHP 350
• Water shoes: PHP 100 per pair, optional
• Towel: PHP 100 each, optional

For two people sharing a kayak, the kayak cost is reasonable. For a solo visitor, the extra charges are more noticeable because fees are charged per person while the boat add-on is shared. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and the meeting point can vary between Marber’s and Marbers Beach Club depending on the option selected.

The value is best if you already plan to stay near the departure point and want a full day on the water without paying for private transport on land. Check the final total before booking, since the base rate does not tell the whole cost.

A private group can make the schedule easier

A private group is available, which changes how useful this tour may be for you. Private does not mean every extra fee disappears, but it can give your party a more personal setup and may make it easier to discuss pacing with the guide.

The published feedback is especially positive about the relaxed feel, the crew, and the lunch. Those are practical strengths. A calm pace matters when you are trying to kayak, swim, eat, and take photographs in one day. A pleasant crew also helps when you need assistance with equipment or want to understand how the route will work.

The experience is conducted in English. If you are booking a private group, confirm whether the boat and guide arrangement matches your preferred group size, since the supplied information does not state a maximum number of people.

Timing, comfort, and what to pack

The outing lasts six to seven hours, with availability depending on the selected starting time. You will begin at either Marber’s or Marbers Beach Club and finish at Dockyard.

Bring swimwear, sunglasses, sunscreen, a towel, a camera, snacks, and water. Wear comfortable clothes that dry quickly, and pack an extra outfit for the return journey. Biodegradable sunscreen is recommended to help protect the water and marine life.

Seasickness is the biggest comfort concern. This is a boat-based day with several stops, so anyone prone to motion sickness should think carefully before booking. The tour is also not suitable for people with mobility impairments, since boarding the boat, moving between shore and water, and using kayaks can be physically demanding.

Smoking, alcohol, drugs, littering, touching marine life, and touching plants are not allowed. These rules are not fussy extras. The lagoons and beaches are the reason to come, and careful behavior keeps them usable for the next group.

Who should book El Nido Tour D

I would choose this tour if you want a full island day with two lagoon experiences rather than a beach-only cruise. It suits active couples, friends, and families with confident swimmers who like to alternate kayaking with beach time.

It is also a good fit if you value a slower, less crowded feel. The available feedback highlights a relaxed outing, good lunch, and a nice crew, which are exactly the details that can make a long boat day comfortable rather than tiring.

I would look elsewhere if you need hotel pickup, want every fee included upfront, dislike boat travel, or need an accessible route. You should also compare other El Nido routes if your main goal is a particular named beach, since the beach stops here need a little clarification.

Should you book this tour?

Book it if Small Lagoon and Cadlao Lagoon are your priorities and you are happy to pay the extra access and kayak fees. The combination of clear water, limestone cliffs, lunch on Cadlao Island, and a final swim at Bukal Island gives you a varied six to seven-hour day for a low base price.

Before paying, confirm the departure point, the exact beach stops, kayak cost, and total environmental and lagoon fees. With those details settled, El Nido Tour D offers a practical mix of paddling, swimming, snorkeling, photos, and quiet beach time, with a schedule that should suit you best if you prefer a relaxed outing over a race through the islands.

FAQ

How long does the El Nido Tour D experience last?

The tour lasts approximately 6 to 7 hours. Starting times depend on availability when you book.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes a licensed tourist boat, licensed boat captain, licensed local tour guide, mask and snorkel, life jacket, lunch, and one bottle of drinking water.

Is kayak rental included?

No. A two-seat kayak costs PHP 300, while a three-seat kayak costs PHP 350.

How much are the environmental and Small Lagoon fees?

The environmental fee is PHP 400 per person and is valid for five days. Small Lagoon access costs PHP 200 per person for one-time entry.

Where does the tour start and finish?

The starting point may be Marber’s or Marbers Beach Club, depending on the option booked. The tour finishes at Dockyard.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Is this tour suitable for people with mobility impairments or seasickness?

The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or people prone to seasickness.