Bacuit Bay Island Hopping — All 4 Tours from El Nido

Bacuit Bay is the seascape that defines El Nido — 45 limestone karst islands rising vertically from turquoise water, sheltering hidden lagoons, white sand beaches, and one of the Philippines' most protected marine sanctuaries. The four standard tours (A, B, C, D) were created by the local government to distribute visitors across different zones and protect the most sensitive ecosystems.

The Geography: 45 Islands, Limestone Karst, Marine Sanctuary

Bacuit Bay is formed by the Bacuit Archipelago — a cluster of 45 major islands and dozens of smaller islets along the northwestern coast of northern Palawan. The dramatic vertical limestone cliffs (karst towers) were formed over millions of years as coral reef was uplifted above sea level, then eroded by rain and wave action to create the jagged profiles you see today.

The archipelago is protected under the El Nido Marine Reserve and Fish Sanctuary, covering over 90,000 hectares of land and sea. The marine sanctuary status means no commercial fishing, regulated boat access, daily visitor quotas at the most sensitive sites (Big Lagoon has a hard limit), and mandatory environmental fees.

The clearest way to understand the geography: El Nido town sits at the eastern shore of the bay. The inner islands (Tour A) are to the northwest, 3–7 km from town. The outer western islands (Tour C) are 15–22 km from town across open water. Tour B covers the northern fringe. Tour D is the quietest, furthest north.

Tour A — The Classic Lagoon Route

Best for: First-time visitors. Photography. Kayaking. Families with children.

Key stops: Big Lagoon (Miniloc Island), Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, 7 Commandos Beach

• Big Lagoon — the most iconic site in El Nido. Enter through a narrow karst channel into a cathedral-walled lagoon; kayak the full length in water that shifts from turquoise to emerald. Subject to a daily visitor quota — arrive early or go private to beat the groups.
• Small Lagoon — entered by swimming or kayaking through a low cave opening. Once inside, you are in a completely enclosed pool surrounded by karst walls. Best at low tide.
• Secret Lagoon — a hidden pool reached through a chest-high gap in the rock face of Miniloc Island. Snorkel the interior reef.
• Shimizu Island — calm reef snorkel, beach lunch stop, sea turtle encounters (seasonal).
• 7 Commandos Beach — long, palm-lined white sand beach. Ideal final stop before the return trip.

Tour A is the most visited — and for good reason. Do it first, early in the morning if possible.

Tour B — Caves, Cathedral and Quiet Beaches

Best for: Travellers doing a second day. Cave explorers. Snorkellers seeking less-visited reefs. Those who want fewer crowds.

Key stops: Entalula Beach, Cathedral Cave, Cudugnon Cave, Pangalusian Island, Snake Island

• Entalula Beach (El Nido Beach) — 2026 World's 50 Best Beaches #1-ranked beach. Long white sand, calm water, far fewer day-trippers than Tour A beaches.
• Cathedral Cave (Cudugnon Cave) — pre-colonial archaeological site. Pottery shards from the Neolithic period have been found here. Unique historical dimension.
• Pangalusian Island — private resort island with a public beach on one end. Crystal-clear water over a pristine reef.
• Snake Island (Vigan Island) — the famous sandbar that snakes between two islands, visible from a hilltop viewpoint. Dramatic photos, especially at low tide.

Tour B tends to be quieter than A and C. Good second-day option for those who have done Tour A.

Tour C — The Far Western Outer Islands

Best for: Experienced island-hoppers. Those wanting the most dramatic scenery. Snorkellers and swimmers.

Key stops: Matinloc Shrine, Hidden Beach, Secret Beach, Helicopter Island (Dilumacad), Tapiutan Island

• Matinloc Shrine — an abandoned Spanish-era chapel and stone stairs carved into the karst face of Matinloc Island. The panoramic viewpoint from the top of the stairs is one of the best single photo spots in the Philippines.
• Hidden Beach — a pocket beach completely enclosed by karst walls. Reached by swimming through a narrow underwater channel between two rock walls. Surreal.
• Secret Beach — accessed by swimming through a cave opening at Matinloc Island. Inside: a crystal-clear pool fringed by a private white sand beach. Quota-limited entry.
• Helicopter Island (Dilumacad) — shaped like a helicopter from above. Long curved beach, excellent snorkelling reef directly offshore.
• Tapiutan Strait — the deep channel between Tapiutan and Matinloc Islands has strong currents and outstanding drift snorkelling for confident swimmers.

Tour C covers the most ground. Our speedboat charter handles the 45-min crossing to the outer islands; a traditional bangka takes 1.5–2 hours each way.

Tour D — The Northern Quiet Route

Best for: Repeat visitors. Off-the-beaten-path explorers. Snorkellers wanting pristine coral with fewer people. Travellers staying 4+ nights.

Key stops: Cadlao Island, Pasandigan Cove, Bukal Beach, North Tip, Paradise Beach

• Cadlao Island — the largest island in Bacuit Bay. Its hidden coves on the eastern face are not reachable on any standard tour; our private charters can access them.
• Pasandigan Cove — a deeply sheltered bay with excellent snorkelling and almost no other visitors on most days.
• North Tip — the northernmost point of the bay with open ocean views toward Linapacan and the first islands of the El Nido–Coron expedition route.
• Paradise Beach — the name says it. Long, wide, usually empty.

Tour D is the quietest and least-marketed. Genuinely uncrowded. Our private charter guests sometimes combine D stops with their own route.

Which Tour to Choose by Traveller Type

What to Expect on a Bacuit Bay Tour

All four tours follow a similar daily structure:

• 07:00–08:00 — Hotel pickup and transfer to pier or beach launch point
• 08:00–09:00 — First island stop (lagoon entry, snorkel, or beach swim)
• 10:00–11:00 — Second island stop
• 12:00–13:30 — Lunch stop at a beach island (freshly cooked on the boat or on shore)
• 14:00–15:30 — Two more island stops
• 16:00–17:00 — Return to El Nido pier; hotel drop-off

Seatours runs all four standard tours as private charters or as part of our semi-private speedboat day tour. We do not run 20-person joiner bangka tours — our minimum is the private charter (max 4 guests (two couples)) or the semi-private speedboat (also max 4 guests (two couples)).

This matters because it means the experience you have with Seatours on any of the four tours is qualitatively different from the standard joiner tour experience: fewer people, faster transfers, longer time at each stop, and a guide who knows your group's preferences.

Book a Bacuit Bay Tour with Seatours

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bacuit Bay and why is it famous?

Bacuit Bay is a protected marine sanctuary off El Nido, northern Palawan, Philippines — a 45-island limestone karst archipelago containing hidden lagoons, secret beaches, and some of the most photographed coastal scenery in Southeast Asia. Its dramatic vertical karst formations, coloured from turquoise to emerald water, and UNESCO-tentative status make it one of the world's most recognised tropical seascapes.

What is the difference between Tours A, B, C, and D?

Tour A covers the inner lagoons (Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon). Tour B visits caves and less-crowded outer beaches (Entalula, Cathedral Cave, Pangalusian). Tour C goes to the far western outer islands (Matinloc Shrine, Hidden Beach, Helicopter Island). Tour D explores the quiet northern fringe (Cadlao Island, Pasandigan Cove, North Tip). Most travellers do Tour A first, then Tour C second if they have an extra day.

How many islands are in Bacuit Bay?

45 named islands and islets make up the Bacuit Archipelago within the El Nido Marine Reserve and Fish Sanctuary. The four standard tours collectively cover about 15–18 of the most accessible. Private charters can reach an additional 10–15 less-visited islands with the captain's local knowledge.

Is Bacuit Bay a protected area?

Yes. Bacuit Bay lies within the El Nido Marine Reserve and Fish Sanctuary, covering over 90,000 hectares. Commercial fishing is prohibited, boat access is regulated, and daily visitor quotas are enforced at sensitive sites like Big Lagoon. The ₱200/person environmental fee supports reef conservation and island maintenance managed by the El Nido LGU.

Can I do all four Bacuit Bay tours in one trip?

Yes — with 4+ days in El Nido, you can easily cover all four tours. If you want to combine highlights from multiple tours in a single day, a Seatours private charter is the only way to do this — the standard joiner tours are locked to their respective routes. A private speedboat charter lets your captain design a custom route that cherry-picks the best stops from different tours.

Related Pages

• Private Speedboat Charter El Nido — Full guide
• 3 Days 2 Nights El Nido to Coron Expedition — Beyond Bacuit Bay
• El Nido Travel Guide