El Nido: Island Hopping Tour B Cudognong Cave & More

El Nido Tour B trades the famous lagoons for a more varied day of sandbars, caves, reefs, and quiet beaches. The most memorable stop is often Cudugnon Cave, where Japanese soldiers hid during World War II, though reaching its opening can be awkward on foot and by boat.

I like the smaller-group feel reported on many departures, with some boats carrying about 13 people and others even fewer. I also like the mix of stops: Snake Island gives you a striking sandbar, Popolkan offers snorkeling, and Entalula finishes the day with soft white sand.

The main catch is that the $25 price does not include the 400 PHP El Nido Tourism Development Fee, and rentals for aqua shoes, fins, or a kayak cost extra. This is also a poor fit if you have limited mobility, since cave access and beach landings can be difficult.

Key points to know before booking

• Snake Island’s sandbar changes shape with the tide, so the walk and photo opportunities can look different from one departure to the next.
• Cudugnon Cave adds real history to the day, but the approach may be physically demanding.
• Popolkan is the main snorkeling stop, with coral and fish in clear water.
• Entalula Island brings the classic beach finish, with white sand and calm tropical water.
• Smaller boats are a major advantage, especially compared with the larger groups used on some other El Nido routes.
• Lunch is included, and several departures have served a generous spread of meat and fish.

What Tour B is really like

Tour B is a six-hour boat outing through Bacuit Bay, beginning and ending at the same meeting point. You board with a licensed guide, receive a life vest, and spend the day moving between beaches, caves, sandbars, and snorkeling water.

The route has a good rhythm. You are not stuck at one beach for most of the day, but you also get enough time at each stop to swim, take photos, eat, or look around. That variety makes Tour B a strong choice if you want more than a single lagoon and a quick beach stop.

The exact meeting point can vary by the option you book, so check the confirmation carefully. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You will need to make your own way to the departure point in El Nido.

The tour has a rating of 4.4 from 217 bookings, with especially strong marks for the crew, lunch, smaller groups, and the less crowded route. Guides have included Jake, Angelo, Arnold, Dexter, and Rene on different departures. Your guide may be someone else, but the guide makes a real difference here because the day includes local stories, safety help, and several water entries.

Snake Island and its changing sandbar

Snake Island is named for its long, winding sandbar, not for an abundance of snakes. The sandbar shifts with tides and currents, so the shape you see is never quite fixed. From the water, it can look like a pale ribbon reaching between small islands.

This is one of the tour’s best photo stops. You can walk along the exposed sand, look back toward Bacuit Bay, and see how the sea cuts around the island. The sandbar is also a pleasant place to get your bearings at the start of the day.

Tide matters here. At low tide, more of the sandbar appears and the walk can feel longer. At high tide, the exposed strip may be narrower or partly covered. One useful tip is to avoid judging the stop only by photographs taken at a different time of day.

Snake Island may also be used as the lunch stop, depending on the boat’s schedule. That makes practical sense: you get a scenic setting and time to dry off before the next activity. Bring cash for any extra purchases, and keep your phone protected from water during the boat ride and beach landings.

Popolkan Island for coral and clear water

Popolkan is the tour’s main stop for swimming and snorkeling. The water is described as clear and blue, with coral and fish close enough to make the stop worthwhile even if you are not an expert swimmer.

I like that Popolkan brings some life beneath the surface into a route otherwise centered on beaches and caves. You can swim, float, or use rented snorkeling gear to look at the reef. The available equipment is not included, so bring your own mask and fins if you have them, or plan to pay a rental fee.

The boat carries life vests, which is useful for anyone who is not fully comfortable in open water. Still, this is a sea tour, not a controlled pool setting. Follow the guide’s instructions, especially when getting off the boat or moving over shallow reef.

Water conditions can change the quality of this stop. On a cloudy or rainy day, the colors may look less brilliant, but the snorkeling can still be enjoyable. Several departures have had good conditions and memorable fish sightings, including clown fish around rock faces near one of the beaches.

Cudugnon Cave and its wartime story

Cudugnon Cave gives Tour B more substance than a simple beach circuit. Japanese soldiers used the cave as a hiding place during World War II, and the guide can explain the story while you look at the opening and interior.

The cave is reached from the water, and the approach is not always easy. Some visitors have found the cave impressive but hard to reach. Expect uneven footing and a landing that may require care. If you have mobility limitations, this stop could be uncomfortable or impossible, which is why the tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

You do not need to be a history specialist to appreciate the stop. The cave connects the dramatic rock formations of Bacuit Bay with a specific event from the region’s past. That human detail changes the way you see the rock shelter. It is no longer just a pretty formation for a quick photograph.

Take your time here, but do not rush the climb or scramble. Aqua shoes are useful on this type of outing, and they are available to rent if you do not bring your own. Ask about the rental cost before setting off so you are not surprised later.

Cathedral Cave and the power of the rock formations

Cathedral Cave is another chance to see the tall limestone formations that shape Bacuit Bay. The name comes from the cave’s large interior form, which can feel more like a natural hall than a small beach grotto.

Boat access and lighting conditions affect what you can see. The cave is best treated as a short exploration stop, not a long walk through an underground passage. Your guide will help with the approach and explain where it is safe to enter.

Caves are a highlight of Tour B, but they also make this route less relaxed than a beach-only trip. You may climb over rocks, step through shallow water, or wait while the boat positions itself. Wear swimwear, bring a hat and sunscreen, and keep your hands free when moving near the cave entrance.

Entalula Island and the final beach stop

Entalula Island is known for its white sand beach and is a fitting final stop. After the cave visits and snorkeling, you can slow down here with a swim or a walk along the shore.

This is the beach stop that best matches the classic El Nido postcard. The sand is bright, the water is tropical blue, and the island gives you time to enjoy the setting without having to do anything complicated. If you want a quiet finish, Entalula is likely to be your favorite part of the route.

One benefit of Tour B is that its stops are not limited to one type of scenery. Entalula is beautiful, but it means more when it follows the sandbar at Snake Island, the reefs at Popolkan, and the caves. You get a fuller picture of Bacuit Bay instead of repeating the same beach experience several times.

Lunch, group size, and the guide

Lunch is included in the price. Departures have served mixed spreads of meat and fish, and the meal has often been one of the strongest parts of the day. It is served during the island route, commonly around a beach or sandbar, rather than in a formal restaurant.

The food can be generous, but remember that the setting and exact menu may vary. If you have dietary restrictions, ask the operator before booking because no special meal information is provided here.

Group size may be the biggest practical reason to choose Tour B. Some departures have carried around 13 people, while one small group had only five. That is much more intimate than a 36-person boat, and it can make a real difference when boarding, snorkeling, eating, or listening to the guide.

Do not assume every departure will be tiny. Boat size and group numbers can change. Still, Tour B generally has a reputation for feeling less crowded than Tour A, and its route reaches parts of the bay that other standard tours may skip.

The guide is central to the experience. A good guide keeps the group moving, helps with water entries, shares the World War II story, and makes sure less confident swimmers are not left behind. Guides called Jake, Angelo, Arnold, Dexter, and Rene have received particular praise on different dates. Arnold was known for keeping the group on schedule while making people laugh, and Angelo was noted for being supportive and safety-minded.

What the $25 price includes

At $25 per person, this is strong value for a six-hour day if you want transport between several island stops. The price includes:

• Boat transportation
• A licensed tour guide
• Life vests
• Lunch

You are paying for a full route, not simply a boat ride to one beach. The included lunch also helps keep the total cost under control.

The advertised price does not include the 400 PHP El Nido Tourism Development Fee. You must pay this environmental fee before boarding, unless you already paid it. Keep the receipt and show it to the guide so you do not pay twice.

Snorkeling gear, fins, aqua shoes, and kayaks are not included. Some local tour shops may offer packages with equipment bundled in, so compare the full cost rather than looking only at the headline price. The online booking price may still be worthwhile for flexible cancellation and reserve-now, pay-later terms, but the final amount depends on what equipment you need.

One past departure also involved an extra charge connected with lunch at a private island. That is not listed as a standard fee for this activity, so ask the guide about any optional landing or island charges before agreeing to them.

What to bring for a smoother day

Pack lightly, but bring the right basics. A sun hat, swimwear, sunscreen, and cash are specifically useful. Cash covers equipment rentals, the environmental fee if you have not paid it, and any optional costs.

Aqua shoes are worth considering. The caves and beach landings may involve rocks, and regular flip-flops are not ideal in wet conditions. If you do not own a pair, rentals are available.

Bring a dry bag or waterproof phone pouch if you have one. The tour includes repeated boat transfers and water activities, so keeping your phone, wallet, and spare clothes dry matters.

Cloudy weather does not necessarily ruin the day. Several departures have still been enjoyable in rain or overcast conditions, especially because the caves and group atmosphere remain part of the experience. However, sunshine gives the water and sandbar their best color, so keep your expectations flexible.

Who should book Tour B?

I would choose this tour if you want a broad El Nido day with beaches, reefs, caves, history, and a good chance of a smaller boat. It suits couples, friends, solo visitors, and families with older children who can manage uneven cave approaches and open-water swimming.

It is also a smart choice if crowded routes bother you. Tour B is often quieter than Tour A, and the stops feel less focused on the most heavily photographed lagoon sites. You still get excellent scenery, but with more variety and, at times, more breathing room.

I would choose another activity if your main goal is a famous lagoon, easy access, or a very gentle beach day. The route includes rock landings, snorkeling, and cave access. Anyone with limited mobility should avoid it, and anyone who dislikes getting wet or climbing over uneven ground may find the day tiring.

Should you book this El Nido tour?

Book Tour B if you want good value and variety rather than the biggest name on the El Nido menu. For $25, you receive six hours of boat transport, a guide, lunch, and access to several different settings across Bacuit Bay.

Before paying, confirm the meeting point, the environmental fee, equipment rental prices, and the likely group size. Bring cash and water shoes, and expect the cave sections to require more effort than the beaches.

My pick would be Tour B for a second day in El Nido, or for anyone who prefers a less crowded route. It is especially appealing when the guide is active and attentive. The changing sandbar, wartime cave, clear snorkeling water, and white beach give the day enough range to feel like a real exploration of the bay, not just a series of quick photo stops.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour B last?

The tour lasts six hours, including the boat ride and visits to the island and cave stops.

What places does the tour visit?

The advertised route includes Snake Island, Popolkan Island, Cudugnon Cave, Cathedral Cave, and Entalula Island.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the tour price.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Aqua shoes, fins, snorkeling equipment, and kayaks are not included, but they may be available to rent.

Do I need to pay an environmental fee?

Yes. The 400 PHP El Nido Tourism Development Fee must be paid before boarding unless you have already paid it. Keep your receipt and show it to the guide.

What languages does the guide speak?

Guides speak Tagalog and English.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The meeting point can vary according to the option booked.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments because cave access and beach landings can be difficult.