El Nido Tour B Route Covering Snake Island Sandbar and Pinagbuyutan Island Cave Exploration
On prices: the figures on this page were gathered in September 2026 and are given as bands rather than current quotes. Rates, fees and timetables change every season - check with the operator before you book.
El Nido Tour B Snake Island Sandbar
Walk the 300-metre S-shaped sandbar of Snake Island at low tide. It connects two limestone outcrops in the middle of Bacuit Bay. This is the defining moment of El Nido Tour B, a route that trades the lagoons for quieter caves and a panoramic sandbar view. Climb roughly 50 metres up the island’s viewpoint for a photo of the sandbar’s full curve against the karst seascape. Tour B attracts fewer boats than Tour A. Snake Island feels uncrowded for most of the day.
Book El Nido Tour B at an office in El Nido town the day before. The tour costs 1,200-1,500 PHP per person, excluding the mandatory environmental fee paid in cash at the port. At the time of writing that fee is 200 PHP per person, collected by the El Nido Municipal Tourism Office and valid for 10 days. Your bangka departs between 08:30 and 09:30, returning by 17:00.
El Nido Tour B Pinagbuyutan Island Cave Exploration
Pinagbuyutan Island hosts two distinct cave stops. Enter Cudugnon Cave through a low, tight entrance into a natural chamber lit by a skylight opening. The sea cave is believed to have been a pre-colonial burial site. The second stop, Cathedral Cave on the same island, requires kayaking or swimming into a high-ceilinged vaulted chamber that echoes. Rent a kayak on the spot for an extra charge to explore Cathedral Cave fully.
The Lunch Stop on Pinagbuyutan
Pinagbuyutan Island also serves as a common lunch stop. Crews set up a grilled buffet on the sand: fish, chicken, pork, rice, vegetables, and fruit. You get beach time here to swim and rest under the coconut palms before moving to the next stop.
Tour B El Nido Island Hopping Route
The full El Nido Tour B route covers five stops over seven to eight hours. After Snake Island, you visit Cudugnon Cave and Cathedral Cave on Pinagbuyutan Island. The tour includes at least two snorkelling stops, usually near Pinagbuyutan Island and Entalula Beach. Visibility ranges from 5 to 20 metres, with the clearest water from November to May. The final stop is Entalula Beach, a white-sand beach backed by limestone cliffs, for more swimming and relaxing.
What to Bring and When to Go
Carry at least 1,000 PHP in small bills for the environmental fee, kayak rentals, and tips. Dry bags are essential. Protect electronics from spray during the longer boat legs. Book Tour B between November and May when sea conditions are calmest. Avoid June to October. The southwest monsoon brings rougher seas that cancel tours.
| Feature | Tour B: Caves and Sandbar | Tour A: Lagoons |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Caves and sandbar walk | Lagoons and secret beaches |
| Key Stops | Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave, Cathedral Cave | Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon |
| Crowd Level | Fewer people and boats | 40+ visitors at Small Lagoon by 10am |
| Boat Ride | Longer legs between stops | Shorter hops between lagoons |
| Best For | Photography, cave exploration, avoiding crowds | Lagoon scenery, kayaking |
| Not For | Travellers seeking lagoons | Travellers seeking caves and solitude |
El Nido Tour B Boat Cost PHP
The boat cost for a shared El Nido Tour B is 1,200-1,500 PHP per person. This price covers the bangka, guide, and lunch. Budget an additional 200 PHP per person for the environmental fee, paid in cash at the port on the day of your tour. The fee is issued by the El Nido Municipal Tourism Office and is valid for 10 days.
Payment is cash-only at most El Nido town booking offices. Withdraw PHP before arriving. ATMs in town run dry, especially on weekends. The boat cost does not include kayak rentals at Cathedral Cave, which are an extra 200-300 PHP payable on the spot.
Who Should Book El Nido Tour B
Book El Nido Tour B if you prioritise cave exploration, sandbar photography, and smaller crowds over the lagoons. It suits travellers with a higher tolerance for longer boat rides and those who have already seen similar lagoons elsewhere. The raw beauty and historical elements of the caves appeal to adventure-minded couples and small groups.
Skip Tour B if your main goal is to see El Nido’s famous lagoons. That is Tour A. Also avoid Tour B if you want a snorkelling-focused itinerary, which is the domain of Tour C. The tour is not suitable for very young children or anyone with mobility issues. The cave entrances are tight and you spend a long time on the water.
Read next
-
El Nido Hotels That Match Your Tour A Departure and Generator Schedule
El Nido hotels sorted by generator reliability during brownouts and distance to the Tour A bangka departure, whether you stay in noisy town proper or isolated Nacpan Beach.
-
Big Lagoon
Big Lagoon El Nido is entered by kayak and governed by tides. Learn how Tour A timing, water depth, and dry-season crowds shape the visit to Miniloc Island.
-
Nacpan Beach
Nacpan Beach El Nido is a 45-minute tricycle trip to a four-kilometre sand twin beach with Calitang. Here is the fare, the shack setup, and why shade is absent.
-
El Nido Tour A Small Lagoon Swim-Through and Big Lagoon Kayak Crowd Timing
El Nido Tour A hits Small Lagoon, Big Lagoon, and Secret Lagoon in Bacuit Bay. Here is the crowd timing for each stop, the kayak cost, and the 200 PHP environmental fee.
-
El Nido Tour C Secret Beach and Matinloc Shrine Itinerary
El Nido Tour C takes you to Secret Beach, Matinloc Shrine, and Helicopter Island on the most weather-exposed island-hopping route in Bacuit Bay.
-
El Nido Tour D Cadlao Lagoon and Small Lagoon Kayaking Route
El Nido Tour D visits Cadlao Lagoon, Small Lagoon, and Pasandigan Beach on a route that promises fewer crowds but depends heavily on departure timing.
-
El Nido Tour A B C D Compared Which Island Hopping Route to Book
El Nido Tours A, B, C, and D each cover different Bacuit Bay stops — Tour A packs Small Lagoon, Tour C reaches Secret Beach, and Tour D offers a quieter Small Lagoon alternative.