Private El Nido Island Hopping to the Best Beaches and Lagoons

Big Lagoon on Miniloc Island

Big Lagoon is the most famous sight in El Nido: a wide body of emerald water enclosed by sheer limestone cliffs on Miniloc Island, with a narrow channel opening to the sea. Motorised boats are no longer allowed inside, so visitors paddle in by kayak, gliding over shallow water that turns from turquoise to deep green as the walls close in. Kayaking here is included on this tour, along with the lagoon entrance.

Entry to Big Lagoon is managed with set time slots to protect the site, and our crew plans the day around your slot. Expect about an hour to paddle through the lagoon, stop for photos and swim in the clear water inside. Is Big Lagoon worth visiting? It is the picture most people have of El Nido, and seeing it on a private boat lets you arrive without being rushed.

Cadlao Island and Cadlao Lagoon

Cadlao is the largest island in Bacuit Bay, a forested limestone massif rising more than 600 metres straight out of the sea just opposite El Nido town. Its jagged silhouette is the backdrop of every El Nido sunset. On its shore lies Cadlao Lagoon, a calm, sheltered inlet of clear water ringed by cliffs and greenery, much quieter than the lagoons of Miniloc.

Kayaking in Cadlao Lagoon is included, and the water is usually smooth enough for beginners and children with life jackets. Look for small fish over the sandy bottom and the strange rock shapes of the cliffs above. Plan on about an hour here; with your private boat you can stay longer if the lagoon is quiet and you want a slow swim.

White-sand beaches and snorkelling

Between the two lagoons, the crew takes you to white-sand beaches of Bacuit Bay, chosen on the day according to the wind, the tide and how busy each spot is. These are long stretches of pale sand framed by limestone and coconut palms, with clear shallow water that is perfect for swimming and a reef close by for snorkelling with parrotfish, clownfish and corals.

Snorkel masks are not included, so bring your own or rent one in town; water shoes are also useful on rocky landings. Lunch is a Filipino buffet of grilled fish, chicken, rice, vegetables and fruit, served on board or on a beach. Halal food is limited in El Nido, but fish and vegetable dishes are easy; tell us your needs when booking and we will arrange it.

Your private boat day

Booking a private El Nido boat tour means the boat is reserved only for your group. The crew and guide give you their full attention, set off at the time agreed and adjust the order of stops to avoid crowds or catch the best light. You can linger at a beach you love, skip a stop or add more snorkelling time, all within the day's route and the bay's rules.

It is the most comfortable way for families with young children, couples on a special trip and friends who want space and quiet. The boat is a traditional outrigger with shade and seating, and towels and life jackets are provided for everyone. The tour is priced per person with a minimum of two travellers.

Corong-Corong and planning your trip

The tour starts in Corong-Corong, the beach area just south of El Nido town, known for its calm water and sunsets behind the islands. It is about five minutes by tricycle from the town centre. How to get to El Nido: fly from Manila to El Nido's small airport at Lio in about one hour twenty minutes, or drive from Puerto Princesa in about five to six hours.

The best time to visit El Nido is the dry season from December to May, when the sea is calm and the water clear. From June to November the monsoon and typhoon season can bring rough seas, and the Coast Guard may suspend boat trips for safety; when that happens we move your date. Mornings are usually calmer and less crowded at the lagoons.