Palawan sights
El Nido Island Hopping
The signature Palawan experience — boat tours (A, B, C, D) through Bacuit Bay's maze of jagged limestone islands to hidden lagoons, secret beaches, and coral gardens. The Big and Small Lagoons are the headline stops.
About
Island hopping in Bacuit Bay is the experience that put El Nido — and arguably Palawan — on the world map. Just off the small town of El Nido at the northern tip of mainland Palawan lies an archipelago of dozens of dramatic limestone islands rising sheer from clear emerald water, hiding lagoons, sea caves, white-sand coves, and coral reefs. The classic way to see them is via the standardised boat tours labelled A, B, C, and D, each visiting a different set of stops: Tour A is the most popular, taking in the breathtaking Big Lagoon (often explored by kayak), the Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and Shimizu Island; the others reach spots like Snake Island's sandbar, Hidden Beach, and Helicopter Island. Tours run by traditional outrigger boat with lunch grilled on the beach, and most visitors do at least two over a few days. A daily visitor-management system and eco-fees apply, and the calm, clear conditions of the November–May dry season are ideal.
Good to know
Opening hours and entry fees vary by season — check before you visit.