The El Nido Tour C was one of my favorite experiences during my trip to the Philippines.
If you’re looking for a fun-filled day of exploring picturesque islands, basking on white-sand beaches surrounded by impressive limestone cliffs, or snorkeling in crystal-clear waters in search of Nemo, Tour C is right up your alley!
In this guide, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about El Nido island hopping tour C, including what to expect, places you’ll visit, and the best time to go.
I’ll also provide information on the cost of the tour and how to book it at a discount rate, so you can make the most of your trip without breaking the bank.
So let’s dive in!
Top Pick
BEST EL NIDO ISLAND HOPPING TOUR C
Want to save money? Book this awesome El Nido Tour C for only 1,200 pesos instead of 1,400 pesos! Includes buffet lunch, life jacket and a licensed tour guide.
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Read more about Palawan Philippines:
- How to plan your El Nido itinerary?
- El Nido Tour A: What to expect
- What to do in Port Barton Palawan?
- Ultimate Palawan itinerary
Price of El Nido Tour C
The El Nido island hopping tour C costs 1,400 pesos for a group tour, which is around USD 25. If you check at any travel agency in EL Nido, you’ll find that they all offer the same price.
However, if you want to save money, I recommend booking your El Nido Tour C in advance on Klook here as it costs only 1,200 pesos!
CLICK HERE TO BOOK EL NIDO TOUR C ON KLOOK
Note that the tour price doesn’t include the eco-tourism development fee which costs an additional 200 pesos.
So you’ll end up paying 1,400 pesos if you book on Klook or 1,600 pesos if you book directly in El Nido.
Tip: The eco-tourism development fee can also be used for tours A and C and is valid for 10 days. Just remember to keep the ticket if you’re doing other tours.
Alternatively, you can book a private tour, but it will be considerably more expensive, costing around 10,000 pesos.
What to expect during Tour C El Nido?
I personally went on Tour A and Tour C during my trip to El Nido and Tour C was my favorite as the islands were more picturesque in my opinion.
Each location we visited had some of the most dramatic rock formations and clearest water. We saw various species of fish, including the famous clownfish (Nemo) and some pretty impressive corals.
Keep in mind that the islands on Tour C are farther away from the mainland, so the waves can sometimes be a bit rough. If you are prone to seasickness, I recommend taking medication before the tour.
The sand is soft at most beaches but I suggest wearing water shoes to protect your feet from the sharp corals, especially at Hidden Beach and Secret Beach.
Water shoes can be rented anywhere in El Nido for 100 pesos per day or you can buy a pair for about 300 pesos.
I also recommend bringing a waterproof bag and phone case since you have to wade in the water to get on the boat. Note that you also have to swim to get to Hidden Beach and Secret Beach as the boat can’t dock near the shore.
Another thing you should know is that the El Nido Palawan Tour C normally lasts around 7-8 hours, starting at 9-9.30 a.m and ending at 4-5 p.m.
The tour I booked had about 22 people but each boat can accommodate around 15 to 25 people.
All tours come with a licensed tour guide, life jacket, and buffet lunch, but water isn’t always included, so it’s best to bring your own.
In case you forget to bring water, you can still buy drinks on some of the islands, and you may also come across locals who sell ice cream and coconuts from their kayaks.
The food served during lunch normally consists of fish, chicken, vegetables, rice, noodles, and fresh fruits.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK EL NIDO TOUR C
El Nido Tour C Itinerary
Helicopter Island
Shaped like a helicopter, this is usually the first stop on Tour C. The island is stunning and features powdery white sand and towering limestone cliffs.
Keep in mind that Helicopter Island is very popular so it can get crowded after 10 a.m. Luckily our tour group was among the first ones to arrive so we had the place almost to ourselves.
Cadlao Lagoon
After spending about one hour at Helicopter Island, we then made our way to Cadlao Lagoon.
Famous for its pointy rock formations, Cadlao Lagoon is normally part of Tour D. However, our boat captain decided to take us there for a kayaking session.
Again we spent about one hour exploring the lagoon and swimming in the crystal-clear water. Remember to bring your mask and snorkel so you can check out the stunning corals!
Note that there is a fee of 300 pesos for a double kayak or 350-400 pesos for a triple kayak. They also have clear kayaks, but those cost around 500 pesos.
Unfortunately, there are no single kayaks available, so even if you’re traveling alone, you’ll still have to pay 300 pesos.
Calmung Beach
Our next stop on the El Nido island hopping tour C was Calmung Beach on Matinloc Island.
We had a delicious buffet lunch which consisted of chicken, prawns, vegetables, rice, noodles, and fresh fruits.
Top Pick
BEST EL NIDO ISLAND HOPPING TOUR C
Want to save money? Book this awesome El Nido Tour C for only 1,200 pesos instead of 1,400 pesos! Includes buffet lunch, life jacket and a licensed tour guide.
Hidden Beach
This beautiful white-sand beach is hidden behind a large rock formation and can only be accessed by swimming.
Initially, I was hesitant to jump into the water as the waves were a bit rough but our guides were very patient and helped every single one of us get to the beach safely.
While it’s no hidden gem, it’s definitely a must-see as it boasts some of the most impressive rock formations.
The coral reefs are stunning and I even had the opportunity to see several clownfish while snorkeling.
Secret Beach
This is another beach that’s only accessible by swimming through a small opening in the limestone cliffs. The corals here are beautiful and home to many fish.
Matinloc Shrine
Our final stop was Matinloc Shrine. Here you’ll find a small gazebo housing a statue of Virgin Mary.
But the highlight for me was the short trail leading to a viewpoint with a panoramic view of the ocean and nearby islands.
Keep in mind that it costs an extra 200 pesos to enter Matinloc Shrine which is why some boat tours might skip it.
Should you book a group or private tour?
I don’t normally do group tours but since the private ones were too expensive, I didn’t have much choice. However, I had a great time on the group tour as there were only about 22 people and everyone was super friendly.
Keep in mind that even if you book a private tour, you’ll still be following the itinerary set by the operator.
Ultimately, whether you choose a private or group tour depends on your preferences and budget.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK EL NIDO TOUR C
Best time to do El Nido Island Hopping Tour C
The best time to take the island hopping tour is during the dry season which falls between December and April.
The rainy season runs from May to November, with July and August experiencing the highest amount of rainfall.
I personally did the tour in November and although a local told me that it usually rains a lot during this time of the year, the weather was sunny the entire day.
Where to Stay in El Nido?
Since most tour operators don’t provide hotel transfers, I recommend staying in El Nido Town so you’re within walking distance of the meeting point.
I personally stayed at Frendz Hostel and Spin Designer Hostel. Both are located in the middle of town and offer dorms (mixed and women-only) and private rooms as well as free high-speed Wi-Fi.
Frendz Hostel has a great social vibe with friendly staff. The rooms are clean and there’s even a rooftop bar and pool offering a stunning view of the ocean. They also organize daily activities like island hopping, karaoke, game nights, and more. Check rates and availability here.
Spin Designer Hostel is more laidback and better suited for those who don’t want to party every night. It’s slightly more expensive though but the room rate also includes breakfast. Check rates and availability here.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HOTELS IN EL NIDO
I hope you found this guide to El Nido island hopping tour C helpful. Remember to book your tour on Klook here to get a discount! And, if you have any questions, let me know in the comments below.