Best Day Trips from Palawan: Island Hopping, Lagoons & Hidden Beaches
✅ Last verified on-the-ground: 2026-07-22
Palawan is the long, slim Philippine island that backpackers fly into specifically to disappear for a week. The limestone karst islands offshore are why almost everyone ends up in El Nido.
If you only have time for one base, this is the one. The island-hopping tours out of El Nido are the best day-trip value anywhere in Southeast Asia. For related planning, see our guide on Sea Backpacking Hub. You may also find Day Tour Package Near Manila useful.
Quick Answers
| What | Answer | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest El Nido island-hopping tour | Tours A/B/C/D from any booking counter, same price everywhere | ₱1,200 (~₹2,069) |
| Typical El Nido lagoon entrance fee (Big Lagoon, etc.) | Payable in cash at the lagoon, mandatory | ₱200 (~₹345) |
| Puerto Princesa to El Nido by van | ~5-6 hours, cheapest option on the route | ₱600 (~₹1,034) |
| El Nido to Coron by ferry | ~8-10 hours, overnight option available | ₱1,950 (~₹3,361) |
| Average backpacker day in El Nido (tour + food + dorm) | Realistic one-day spend | ₱1,800 (~₹3,103) |
Subodh’s Pro Tip: Tour price is fixed across El Nido (the boatmen association sets it), so the only thing you negotiate is whether they throw in a mask and snorkel for free. Don’t waste an hour bargaining ₱100. See also: Cebu City 2 Day Itinerary No Beach.
Why El Nido, and Why Day Trips Are How You Do It
El Nido town has two beaches, a handful of streets, and roughly forty tour operators all selling the same four boat trips at the same price. The reason backpackers still rave about it is what’s offshore: around 50 limestone islands scattered across four main bays (Bacuit, Cadlao, Pangulasian, and Dilumacad), most of them with hidden lagoons, white-sand beaches, or coral walls you can snorkel straight off the boat into. For related planning, see our guide on Baguio Complete Travel Guide for Indian Travelers Budget Best Time Things to Do.
Almost nobody does this independently. The boats, the lagoon permits, and the lunch stops are organised by the same operator network, and showing up at the pier without a booking means paying walk-up rates that are 30-40% higher than the counters in town. Book the night before, show up at 8 AM, be back by 5 PM. That’s the loop.
How to Get There
Most travellers arrive via Puerto Princesa (PPS), the only airport with reliable flights from Manila and Cebu. El Nido also has a small airport (ENI) with propeller planes from Manila, more expensive but saves six hours of road.
| Route | Mode | Duration | Cost (PHP) | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manila to Puerto Princesa | Flight (Cebu Pacific / Philippine Airlines) | ~1.5 hours | ₱1,500 to ₱3,500 | Direct on airline sites |
| Puerto Princesa to El Nido | Van (Satur or Cherry Bus) | 5-6 hours | ₱600 (~₹1,034) | See 12go options |
| Puerto Princesa to El Nido | Private van (hostel-arranged) | 5-6 hours | ₱7,000 (~₹12,068) for the whole vehicle | Through your guesthouse |
| El Nido airport to town | Tricycle, fixed rate | 10 minutes | ₱100 (~₹172) | Walk up to the tricycle stand |
| Manila to El Nido direct | Flight (AirSWIFT) | ~1.5 hours | ₱4,500 to ₱7,000 | AirSWIFT website |
Subodh’s Pro Tip: The van from Puerto Princesa is genuinely painful. Six hours on a road that winds through the jungle, one toilet stop, no AC on the budget options. If your Manila-El Nido flight is under ₱6,000, take it. The time saved is worth the extra ₱2,000.
The Four Standard El Nido Tours (A, B, C, D)
This is the decision that matters when you arrive. There are four “standard” island-hopping loops, each named with a letter by the boatmen’s association, each covering a different cluster of islands. Most backpackers do two or three during a stay.
Tour A: Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Seven Commandos Beach
This is the classic El Nido photo loop. Big Lagoon is the headline: a long turquoise corridor between 200-metre limestone walls where you kayak (or swim) through the middle. Small Lagoon is a tight squeeze you access through a crack in the rock. Secret Lagoon is a shallow pool inside a cave that opens onto a small beach. Seven Commandos is the lunch stop, a white-sand beach with a small bar.
Best for: First-timers, anyone who has only one day in El Nido, people who want the postcard shots.
Honest take: Big Lagoon gets crowded between 10 AM and 1 PM. Boats pile up at the entrance and the kayaks bottleneck inside. Go on Tour A on a cloudy day if you can, or be on the first boat out at 8 AM.
Tour B: Snake Island, Pinagbuyutan Island, Entalula Beach, Cudugnon Cave
The most diverse of the four. Snake Island is a sandbar that connects two small islands at low tide. Pinagbuyutan is a cliff-framed beach with good snorkelling off the boat. Entalula is another white-sand cove. Cudugnon is a small sea cave you can wade into. Note: exact stops can vary slightly between operators — confirm the day’s route when you book.
Best for: Travellers who already saw the lagoons and want variety. People who care more about beaches than photo ops.
Honest take: This tour feels less dramatic than A because there are no enclosed lagoons, but the snorkelling is better. Most backpackers rate B as their favourite after doing both.
Tour C: Helicopter Island, Matinloc Shrine, Hidden Beach, Talisay Beach
Helicopter Island (named for its shape from above) has the best reef snorkelling of any standard tour, with clownfish, parrotfish, and the occasional sea turtle sighting. Hidden Beach is exactly what it sounds like, accessed through a crack in the cliff. Matinloc Shrine is an abandoned religious site on a hilltop with views across the whole bay.
Best for: Snorkellers, anyone who wants fewer crowds than Tour A.
Honest take: The boat ride is longer (1.5 hours each way), so this is the most tiring day. Worth it for the snorkelling, skip it if you’ve already done B.
Tour D: Cadlao Lagoon, Pasandigan Beach, Nat Nat Beach, Paradise Beach
The “local” tour, since Cadlao Island is right next to El Nido town. Smaller crowds, easier pace, good for travellers who don’t want the standard Bacuit Bay loops.
Best for: Slow travellers, families, anyone who wants a half-day experience without committing to a full 8-hour boat ride.
Honest take: Less dramatic scenery than A or B, but the trade-off is no crowds. If you’re staying 4+ days in El Nido, this is the “easy” day between bigger tours.
| Tour | Headline stops | Vibe | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon | Postcard lagoons | First day in El Nido |
| B | Snake Island, Pinagbuyutan | Beaches + snorkelling | Second day, beach lovers |
| C | Helicopter Island, Hidden Beach | Best reef, long ride | Snorkellers, day 3 |
| D | Cadlao Lagoon | Easy half-day, low crowds | Slow travellers |
Where to Stay
El Nido’s backpacker zone is concentrated along Calle Hama and the main beach road. Everything is walking distance, almost every guesthouse books tours, and dorm beds hover in the same range across the board.
| Type | Cost/night | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Dorm bed | ₱600 to ₱900 (~₹1,034 to ₹1,552) | Shared rooms, AC, fan, or no cooling depending on the place |
| Private room (budget) | ₱1,200 to ₱2,000 (~₹2,069 to ₹3,448) | Private bathroom, AC, usually in a guesthouse |
| Private room (mid-range) | ₱2,500 to ₱4,000 (~₹4,310 to ₹6,896) | Pool, better location, often includes breakfast |
Walk in and compare two or three places before booking. Most guesthouses along Calle Hama and the beach road have vacancy signs out front, and you can negotiate better rates for stays of three nights or more. El Nido fills up from December to March and on long Philippine weekends — book ahead during those windows.
Subodh’s Pro Tip: Book the first two nights now, not later. El Nido fills up in December to March and on long Philippine weekends. The ₱100 you save by waiting isn’t worth ending up at a guesthouse 20 minutes out of town.
What to Eat
El Nido’s food scene has two halves: Filipino karinderya (local eatery) classics at rock-bottom prices, and a row of beachfront restaurants in town catering to tourists with a mix of Filipino, Italian, and burger menus.
Must-try dishes
- Sinigang (₱180 to ₱250, around ₹310 (~$3.21) to ₹431 (~$4.46)): Tamarind-based sour soup with pork or fish. Available everywhere. Skip if you’re strictly vegetarian.
- Sisig (₱220 to ₱300, around ₹379 (~$3.93) to ₹517 (~$5.36)): Sizzling chopped pork face and ears with onions and chili. Classic Filipino dish, not for vegetarians.
- Adobo (₱150 to ₱250, around ₹259 (~$2.68) to ₹431 (~$4.46)): Chicken or pork braised in soy, vinegar, and garlic. The default Filipino dish.
- Halo-halo (₱120 to ₱180, around ₹207 (~$2.14) to ₹310 (~$3.21)): Shaved ice dessert with sweet beans, jellies, and condensed milk. Perfect after a hot boat day.
- Lechon kawali (₱250 to ₱350, around ₹431 (~$4.46) to ₹603 (~$6.25)): Crispy deep-fried pork belly. Heavy but worth it once.
Vegetarian options
Filipino cuisine is meat-heavy, and El Nido specifically has few pure-veg restaurants. The reliable options are the Indian places that have opened along the main road:
- Ver De El Nido (rating 4.8): Charming spot offering local cuisine with a view. The veg platter here is one of the better meat-free meals in town.
- Piece of Sky El Nido (rating 4.7): Rooftop restaurant with panoramic views and great food. Good for veg breakfasts and the view alone justifies the stop.
- Cloud 9 Elnido (rating 4.8): Chill café with ocean views and delicious drinks. Smoothie bowls, vegetarian all-day breakfast, the best WiFi in town.
- The Funny Lion (rating 4.8): Restaurant with a great view of the ocean and solid Filipino dishes.
Subodh’s Pro Tip: Most Filipino restaurants will do a “vegetable sinigang” if you ask, and several Indian places around town serve proper dal and rice. The bigger problem is breakfast, since Filipino breakfast is garlic rice + egg + meat. Find your nearest café with all-day breakfast and stick to it.
What to Do (Beyond the Standard Tours)
The four tours cover 90% of what backpackers do in El Nido. The remaining 10% is worth knowing about, especially if you’re staying longer than four nights.
Nacpan Beach
A 45-minute tricycle ride north of El Nido town, Nacpan is a 4-km curved beach with almost no development. The water is clearer than El Nido’s main beach, the sand is whiter, and the crowd is mostly other backpackers who came for the day. See Nacpan Beach tours on GetYourGuide.
Cost: Tricycle round trip ₱1,500 (~₹2,586), or join a half-day tour for ₱1,000 (~₹1,724). Time needed: Half day, or full day if you eat lunch at the beach. Honest take: This is the best beach within an hour of El Nido. Worth a half-day even if you’ve already done all four standard tours.
Las Cabanas Beach and Marimegmeg Beach
The sunset beach, 10 minutes south of town by tricycle. Las Cabanas has a row of bars and beanbags on the sand, perfect for an afternoon when you’re not on a boat. The zipline over the water is the main attraction (₱500, around ₹862 (~$8.93)).
Honest take: Worth one sunset, skip the zipline. The bars are the reason to come.
Taraw Cliff Canopy Walk
A guided climb up the limestone cliff behind El Nido town, using fixed ropes and ladders. Roughly 2 hours, ends at a viewpoint over the whole bay.
Cost: ₱1,000 (~₹1,724) including guide. Honest take: Don’t do this if you have a tour the next morning. The climb is genuinely tiring and your arms will protest on the kayak the next day.
Scuba Diving
El Nido has dive shops running day trips to the reefs around the islands. Two-tank dives run ₱3,500 to ₱4,500 (around ₹6,034 to ₹7,758). Most spots are beginner-friendly with mild currents and 15-20 metre visibility. See El Nido scuba tours on GetYourGuide.
Honest take: If you’re already Open Water certified, this is the single best dive value in the Philippines. If you’re not certified, the find-scuba day trips (₱3,000, around ₹5,172 (~$53.58)) are a decent intro but push you toward Coron for the famous wrecks instead.
Coron (Day Trip and Overnight Alternative)
Coron is the other Palawan base, on the north end of the island, 8-10 hours by ferry from El Nido. It’s famous for Japanese WWII wrecks you can dive, plus Kayangan Lake (routinely called “the cleanest lake in Asia”) and Twin Lagoon.
Honest take: Don’t try to do Coron as a day trip from El Nido. The ferry alone is 8 hours each way. Either allocate 3-4 nights for Coron, or skip it and do extra days in El Nido. The honest comparison: El Nido wins for beaches and lagoons, Coron wins for diving and wrecks.
El Nido vs. Coron: The Honest Comparison
This is the question every backpacker Googles. Here’s the breakdown.
| Factor | El Nido | Coron |
|---|---|---|
| Day trip value | Best in the Philippines | Worse, fewer tour options |
| Lagoon access | Direct from town, multiple per day | Kayangan + Twin Lagoon, separate trips |
| Diving | Reef dives, beginner-friendly | Japanese wrecks, world-class |
| Crowd level | High (December to March) | Moderate |
| Cost | Slightly higher (tourist town) | Slightly lower |
| Beach quality | Excellent (Nacpan, Las Cabanas) | Good but less variety |
| Nightlife | Stronger, more bars | Quieter |
For most backpackers, El Nido is the right call. Choose Coron if you’re a certified diver wanting wrecks, or if you’ve already done El Nido and want something quieter.
Getting Connected
Globe and Smart are the two main networks, and coverage in El Nido town is fine but drops to almost nothing on the boat tours. Buy a SIM at the airport on arrival, or at any Globe/Smart store in Puerto Princesa or El Nido.
| Option | Where | Cost (PHP) |
|---|---|---|
| Globe Tourist SIM (8 days, 8GB) | Airport counter or town store | ₱300 (~₹517) |
| Smart Tourist SIM (7 days, 6GB) | Airport counter | ₱250 (~₹431) |
| Nomad eSIM (regional Asia plan) | Buy before you fly, activate on landing | ₹869 (~9 USD) |
Get Nomad eSIM if you’d rather skip the airport counter entirely. WiFi at hostels is functional but slow during peak hours (7-10 PM when everyone’s uploading tour photos).
Daily Budget Breakdown
1 INR ≈ 0.54 PHP at time of writing.
| Category | Budget/day |
|---|---|
| Dorm bed | ₱700 (~₹1,207) |
| Food (3 meals) | ₱600 (~₹1,034) |
| Local transport (tricycle) | ₱200 (~₹345) |
| Activities (tour day) | ₱1,400 (~₹2,414) |
| Misc / drinks | ₱300 (~₹517) |
| Total | ₱3,200 (~₹5,517) |
These figures reflect typical backpacker spending reported by travellers on El Nido tours. On non-tour days you’ll spend around ₱1,800 (~₹3,103), which is roughly what you’ll average across a four-night stay.
Visa / Entry Notes
Indian passport holders get a 30-day visa-free entry to the Philippines for tourism (extendable at any Bureau of Immigration office for around ₱3,030, around ₹4,545, in roughly 29-day increments, plus paperwork). You’ll need:
- A passport valid for 6+ months
- A return ticket (they sometimes ask at check-in)
- Proof of accommodation (a hostel booking printout works)
Don’t overstay. The Philippines charges roughly ₱500 per month for overstays under 6 months on departure, plus additional processing fees, and potential entry issues on future trips.
Common Mistakes
Booking three tours in four days: Tour A and Tour B are enough for most backpackers. Tour C is worth it only if you want the snorkelling. Doing all four in a row is a waste of money and you’ll burn out by day three.
Going in typhoon season without checking: El Nido sits in the typhoon belt. July to September is wet season. Trips get cancelled when waves are over 1.5 metres, which can happen three days in a row. Check the best time to visit the Philippines before you book flights.
Skipping reef-safe sunscreen: The lagoons are protected, and regular sunscreen kills the coral. Buy biodegradable SPF 50 in Manila or Puerto Princesa (₱350 to ₱500, around ₹603 (~$6.25) to ₹862 (~$8.93)). The boatmen check bags.
Paying for “premium” tour upgrades you don’t need: Every booking counter offers “premium” versions with smaller groups, better lunch, and kayaks included. The price jump is ₱500 to ₱800 (~₹862 to ₹1,379) more than standard. Worth it on Tour A if you’re a couple who wants a kayak, skip it for solo backpackers.
FAQ
Is El Nido safe for Indian travellers?
Yes. Petty theft is the main risk (don’t leave phones on the beach during island-hopping stops). The Philippines is generally safe for tourists in the main backpacker zones. For current advisories, check the Indian MEA travel advisory page before flying.
Can I get Indian food in El Nido?
Yes, a handful of Indian restaurants have opened on the main road, mostly North Indian curries and thalis. Prices run ₱300 to ₱500 (around ₹517 to ₹862) per dish. Not as cheap as Bangkok, but better than nothing after a week of rice and pork.
Do I need to book El Nido tours in advance?
No, walk-up booking works fine except during peak season (December to February and Easter week). Book the night before at your hostel counter or any of the operators along the main beach road.
How many days do I need in El Nido?
Minimum three nights to do two tours comfortably. Four nights lets you add Nacpan Beach or a dive day. Five nights is the sweet spot if you’re also planning to climb Taraw Cliff and visit Las Cabanas for sunset.
Is El Nido better than Coron for a first-time Palawan trip?
Yes, for most travellers. El Nido has more variety per day trip, the town has more infrastructure for backpackers, and you can always do Coron as a second stop. Start in El Nido.
What should I pack for El Nido boat tours?
Reef-safe sunscreen, a dry bag for your phone, a quick-dry towel, water shoes (the entry to Small Lagoon is sharp), and a rash guard if you’re prone to burning. Most boats provide masks and snorkels, but bring your own if you have one.
Subodh’s Take
El Nido is the closest thing Southeast Asia has to a perfect first-time backpacking destination. The day trips genuinely are as good as the photos suggest, the cost is still low, and the infrastructure works even for first-timers flying in from Manila. Go in February if you can swing it, do Tour A and Tour B, spend a day at Nacpan, and you’ll understand why people fly halfway across the world for this.
