This submit was written by Ashley Yap, BMTM’s Director of Brand Relations.
Planning an island hopping tour on El Nido may be pretty easy – you simply want to select one of many 4 that’s provided all around the island. Each itinerary gives one thing a bit totally different – tour A takes you to the well-known Big Lagoon, tour B to the Snake Island, tour C to the Helicopter Island, and tour D to the Cadlao Lagoon. I visited El Nido in November 2022 and joined excursions A, B and C throughout my 5-day keep on the island. Here’s my trustworthy evaluate of the tour C that can assist you resolve if it’s for you:
How to Book El Nido Tour C:
I booked all of my El Nido excursions by way of Klook, which I extremely advocate, as I didn’t need to spend any extra time searching for a gaggle tour while on the island. Because of that, I used to be capable of plan my days on the island forward of time, and in case you are a Type A like me, you’d admire that, too.
I used to be stunned to see that the tour is marketed at a better value on the island, which, whereas I’m certain it’s negotiable, I very a lot desire to have had it booked on-line. El Nido can be a really cash-based island, so when you ebook the tour in particular person, you’ll more than likely need to pay in money. Speaking of which, come to the island with ample money! Even although there appear to be loads of ATMs on the island, they don’t at all times work. Currency change charges are very poor…I realized that the arduous method.
Book El Nido Tour C right here
How Much is El Nido Tour C?
El Nido Tour C itself prices $22.59, making it the most costly tour out of the 4 itineraries. My guess is that that is primarily as a result of route that takes longer to get to. In addition, tour C gives the best alternative for coming head to head with sea turtles and is understood for having the perfect snorkeling. Note that you’ll want to pay an entrance price to the Matinloc Shrine (200 PHP or about $4) and a rental price for a 2-person kayak (300 PHP or about $5). If you wish to lease a masks and snorkel set, it’s one other 150 PHP (about $3). There’s additionally a obligatory environmental price to pay at 200 PHP, which is legitimate for 10 days and can be utilized for different excursions. These charges are collected in money solely. Definitely take these charges into consideration when planning your journey.
El Nido Tour C Itinerary:
Hotel switch is just not included on this tour. You can prepare for a tricycle experience for about 300 PHP to the meetup level, which is Klook’s counter at Jhanna’s Inn, earlier than 8:30am. then, relying in your luck, your group might depart anytime between immediately to an hour later, relying on the coastal guard clearance. This is the truth of group excursions, don’t let it spoil your day! Once you board the boat, you have to placed on a life jacket for the boat to go away. The tour information launched himself and the remainder of the boat crew, which include a cook dinner, a captain, and two boatmen.
First cease: Helicopter Island (45 minutes)
It took some time to get to Helicopter Island, however it was definitely worth the wait! The tour’s first cease is without doubt one of the most well-known islands of the Bacuit archipelago. The conventional identify is Dilumacad Island, however it took on the identify Helicopter Island as a consequence of its form – though some assume it extra intently resembles a camel or a dolphin… You’ll simply need to resolve for your self! We did snorkeling right here, and although the climate was cloudy and windy, the visibility underwater remained clear and the colourful corals and small fish have been pleasant.
Second Stop: Matinloc Shrine (1.5 hours)
Once a spot that hosted a convent and a college, the Matinloc Shrine is now the place guests can stroll round and discover the eerie but charming land that legends say is haunted by a ghost. Here you’ll do a 3-minute hike up the limestone hill and luxuriate in a fowl’s-eye view from the highest. We additionally explored the deserted constructing whereas the crew ready our lunch.
Lunch was served in a shaded space, and we had a shock go to from the native monkeys. Though deserted, the Matinloc Shrine is guarded, and it appeared just like the guards’ primary job is to shoo the monkeys away.
Third Stop: Secret Beach (45 minutes)
After our lunch, the wind appeared to select up once more, and we had a considerably rowdy experience to the third cease, Hidden Beach. To enter the seashore, you might want to swim by way of a small gap within the limestone, which was a little bit of an journey for me as the ocean was tough. I loved it, however in case you are not a really assured swimmer, the tour guides will seize your life jacket and enable you enter. Inside Hidden Beach, there are a number of small swim holes and a small seashore to calm down on, however I higher loved snorkeling with the fish on the entrance.
Fourth Stop: Hidden Beach (45 minutes)
As the identify suggests, this cease is hidden from plain sight. The boat will cease outdoors the seashore, and you’ll do a mixture of swimming and ducking to get to the seashore. The calm and serene waters inside make an fascinating distinction to the waves of the open sea simply meters away. It was low tide after we arrived, and we loved exploring tiny octopuses camouflaging the corals. Our tour information additionally talked about that child black-tip sharks can typically be noticed right here too.
Extra Stop (a shock): Cadlao Lagoon (45 minutes)
I’m not certain what occurred, however our tour information added an additional cease to the Cadlao Lagoon, which is supposedly the spotlight of El Nido Tour D for us. Cadlao is the biggest island of the Bacuit archipelago and is dwelling to the most effective lagoons and the enjoyable Nat Nat Beach. The dramatic entrance is stuffed with corals and an abundance of fish. This can be identified to be the least crowded in comparison with lagoons visited by different excursions.
No complaints from me as a result of I completely beloved this place, maybe much more so than the well-known Big Lagoon! I rented a kayak right here and loved kayaking across the rock formations on child blue waters. I additionally noticed a stingray right here.
Book El Nido Tour C right here
Is Tour C Worth It?
Tour C was the final of the three island hopping excursions I did on El Nido, and I anticipated myself to really feel a bit out of it, however I used to be pleasantly stunned by how a lot I loved your complete itinerary! Each cease had one thing distinctive to supply, and the buffet lunch was scrumptious, with an enormous number of dishes to dig into. While I didn’t get to see any turtles on this tour, I used to be impressed by the corals and colourful fish I noticed whereas snorkeling.
This tour can be much less crowded in comparison with Tour A. There have been solely 13 of us onboard, in comparison with 22 on Tour A. That mentioned, a number of different boats have been at every cease, so keep in mind your boat identify and get again onboard on time! If you could have time for two excursions on El Nido, I positively advocate this and tour A.
READ NEXT:
El Nido Tour A: Is the Group Tour Worth It?
What to Bring on Your Trip
You will likely be out on the ocean your complete day, so it’s finest to return ready! Here’s every little thing I introduced on my island hopping journey, they usually all match right into a 10L dry bag:
I hope this text offers you a transparent overview of what to anticipate on El Nido Tour C. If you have an interest in testing the opposite group excursions on El Nido, learn these subsequent:
- El Nido Tour A evaluate (group tour)
- El Nido Tour B evaluate (group tour)
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