Which El Nido island hopping tour should I book first?

Tour A, it covers Big and Small Lagoon, the two most iconic stops; book the early departure to avoid crowds.

Where should I stay in El Nido?

Corong-Corong for sunsets and value, town centre for restaurants and nightlife, Lio for a calmer, more comfortable beach.

How do I get from El Nido to Coron?

A fast ferry runs in about 3h45, weather dependent; book at least a day ahead and keep a buffer day around it.

Is El Nido worth it if I've already been to Coron?

Yes, the lagoons and beach variety are different enough to justify both, especially with four or more nights available.

Northern Palawan · Must visit

El Nido

Limestone cathedrals, hidden lagoons and a town where the beach you sleep on matters more than the hotel.

El Nido is the postcard image of the Philippines: towering karst walls, secret lagoons and dozens of beaches packed inside Bacuit Bay. The town itself is busy and a little chaotic; the three areas around it, Corong-Corong, town centre and Lio, deliver completely different holidays.

Why visit

Bacuit Bay's lagoons and karst formations are unlike anywhere else in the Philippines
Four distinct island hopping tours (A, B, C, D) let you tailor days to your energy level
Nacpan and Duli give you long empty beaches minutes from a busy town
Three very different bases (town, Corong-Corong, Lio) suit very different trip styles
A genuine mix of backpacker and high-end options exists side by side

Highlights

Tour A: Big and Small Lagoon, book the 07:00 departure to beat the fleet
Nacpan and Duli beaches, twenty minutes from town by tricycle
Las Cabanas Beach at sunset, best seen with a drink in hand from a beach bar
Kayaking into Small Lagoon at opening time before the queue of boats forms

Getting there

Manila to Lio Airport (ENI): 1h20 direct flight
Puerto Princesa to El Nido: 5h30 by van, book an air-conditioned shared van, not the public bus
El Nido to Coron: 3h45 by fast ferry, weather dependent, book a day in advance

My personal recommendation

I match clients to Corong-Corong for sunsets, town centre for restaurants and nightlife, or Lio for comfort and a calmer beach; I inspect all three areas every trip because the right choice depends entirely on how you want to spend your evenings, not your budget.

Best beaches

Nacpan Beach
Four km of open sand, best late afternoon when day-trip buses have left.
Las Cabanas Beach
The town's sunset beach, several bars right on the sand.
Seven Commandos Beach
A short banca ride from town, calm and shaded, good for a lazy afternoon.
Duli Beach
Past Nacpan, a small surf break and one good restaurant, rarely crowded.

Where to sleep: my inspected hotels

I stay in a different area of El Nido, town, Corong-Corong or Lio, on every visit specifically to keep these recommendations current; the tour timings above reflect actual departure conditions, not the operator brochures.

Luxury

El Nido Resorts Lagen Island
Bacuit Bay
Rainforest-backed villas with direct lagoon access; I check the house reef here every time and it stays consistently healthy.
The Birdhouse
Corong-Corong
Small, design-led, adults-focused; good for couples wanting quiet over amenities.

Mid-range

Coco Resort
Corong-Corong
Solid beachfront rooms a five-minute tricycle from town, quieter than staying centrally.
Cadlao Resort & Restaurant
Corong-Corong
Bungalow-style rooms with a good pool, reliably clean, family-run service.

Budget

Greenview Hostel
El Nido town
Clean dorms, decent wifi, five-minute walk to the pier for tours.
Outpost Beach Hostel
El Nido town
Social atmosphere, popular with solo travellers booking tours on the spot.

Best restaurants

Altrove
Wood-fired pizza that consistently beats places charging double.
Republica
Rooftop views over the harbour at sunset; book ahead in high season.
Trattoria Altrove
Sister restaurant with a stronger pasta menu, good for a rest-day dinner.

Best activities

El Nido Tour A
Big and Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island; the most requested tour, book the early slot.
El Nido Tour C
Fewer crowds than Tour A, better for a second day of island hopping without repeating stops.
Nacpan and Duli beach day
Rent a scooter or arrange a tricycle for the full day rather than a return trip.
Sunset sailing from Las Cabanas
A quieter alternative to the beach bars, good for couples.

Hidden places

Cadlao Lagoon
Rarely included in standard tours, a quiet alternative to the crowded Small Lagoon.
Ipil Beach
A short walk from town, mostly used by locals, good at low tide.
Duli Rock Formations
Past Duli Beach, worth the extra fifteen minutes on a scooter for the view alone.

Who is this destination for?

Families

2/5

Couples

5/5

Honeymoon

5/5

Luxury travellers

4/5

Divers

3/5

Backpackers

4/5

Digital nomads

2/5

Adventure travellers

4/5

Common mistakes

Staying in town centre for the view

Town rooms face the street, not the bay; choose Corong-Corong or Lio for the water view instead.

Booking only Tour A

It is the busiest tour; pair it with Tour C or a private itinerary for a quieter second day.

Arriving without a pre-booked van from Puerto Princesa

Walk-up prices are higher and seats sell out in high season; book two days ahead.

Visiting July to September

This is the wettest, roughest window for boat tours in Bacuit Bay; expect cancellations.

Trying to fit El Nido into two nights

You need at least four to do one lagoon tour, one beach day and one rest day for transfers.

Recommended length of stay

Four to five nights: one arrival day, two tour days, one beach day at Nacpan, and a buffer before onward travel.

Perfect itinerary combinations

El Nido + Coron
Four nights El Nido, three nights Coron, connected by the 3h45 fast ferry with a buffer day either side.
El Nido + Port Barton
A quieter finish, three hours south by van, for travellers wanting fewer boats and lower prices.
El Nido honeymoon
Lagen Island for the first three nights, then Corong-Corong for sunset dinners and a change of pace.