El Nido Island Hopping Tour C with Hidden and Secret Beaches

Helicopter Island

Helicopter Island, known locally as Dilumacad, takes its nickname from its outline: seen from El Nido town, the long, low island and its tall rock look like a helicopter resting on the sea. It has one of the longest white-sand beaches in Bacuit Bay, a small cave at one end and good snorkelling over coral close to shore.

Many boats on El Nido Tour C stop here first, about thirty minutes from town. Expect around forty-five minutes to an hour to swim, snorkel and photograph the rock from the beach. Fins and water shoes are not part of this option and can be rented in town before you board. The sand here is fine and bright, so sunglasses and a hat are welcome.

Matinloc Island and the Matinloc Shrine

Matinloc is a long, narrow island on the western edge of Bacuit Bay, facing the open sea. On its shore stands the Matinloc Shrine, a small Catholic shrine built in the 1980s and now quiet and partly abandoned, with whitewashed walls and a statue looking out over the water. Your guide tells the local stories behind it.

Behind the shrine, a short and steep climb over sharp limestone leads to a viewpoint high on the cliffs, with sweeping views of the islands and the deep blue water below. The entry fee for the shrine is paid locally. Allow about forty-five minutes, wear water shoes for the rocks and take care on the uneven path.

Secret Beach

Secret Beach is one of the most exciting moments of any El Nido island hopping day. From the boat you swim to a small opening in the limestone wall, then pass through it into a hidden cove with a pocket of sand and a pool of calm water completely surrounded by cliffs. It feels like a private hideaway carved into the island.

Getting through depends on the waves and tide, so the guide decides when it is safe, and life vests make the swim easier. Expect around thirty to forty-five minutes here. Because the entrance is narrow, boats sometimes wait their turn, and it is best enjoyed slowly once you are inside.

Hidden Beach

Hidden Beach is tucked into a fold of the Matinloc coast, a cove of turquoise water framed by jagged black limestone towers. The boat anchors just outside and you swim in over coral and sand into a sheltered bay that opens onto a small beach hidden from the sea.

The water inside is often glass-calm even when the open sea is lively, which makes it a favourite for floating and photos. Snorkellers spot reef fish around the rocks near the entrance. Plan for about forty-five minutes. Please do not climb on the fragile rock formations, and take all rubbish back to the boat. Morning visits are usually calmer and less crowded than early afternoon.

Talisay Beach and lunch

Talisay Beach lies on Tapiutan Island, with soft sand, shady trees and a clear, gently shelving bay that is pleasant for swimming. On many days it is the lunch and rest stop of Tour C, a quieter beach after the more adventurous swims at Secret and Hidden Beach.

Lunch is usually grilled fish, seafood, rice, vegetables and fruit, served on board or on the beach. Halal-certified food is limited in El Nido, so tell us your dietary needs and we pass them on; seafood and vegetarian choices are easy. There is a snorkelling stop on the way back, where the guide picks the calmest reef of the day. Snorkel gear can be rented in town if you did not bring your own.

Is El Nido Tour C worth it, and the best time to go

Is El Nido Tour C worth it? For many travellers it is the most beautiful of the four routes, with the tallest cliffs and the most hidden beaches. It does involve more swimming than Tours A and D, so it best suits people who are comfortable in the sea. The boat ride to Matinloc is longer and more exposed than other routes.

For that reason Tour C is the first route to be cancelled when the sea is rough. The best time to visit El Nido for Tour C is the calm dry season, from about March to May, and December to February is also good on calm days. From June to November typhoons and strong winds often stop this route; the coast guard decides each morning.