PRIVATE El Nido Tour D Island Hopping

El Nido Tour D is a long, sea-focused outing built around two beach stops rather than a packed string of lagoons and coves. You start at El Nido Port at 9:00 a.m., visit Ipil Beach for 30 minutes, then get a full hour at Paradise Beach before returning to port.

I like the private group format, which lets up to eight people share the $1,065 cost, and I like that lunch, boat fees, entrance charges, and safety equipment are already covered. The main caution is value: with only two named beach stops, this can feel expensive unless your group wants privacy and a slower day on the water.

Key points to know before booking

• Two beach stops only: Ipil Beach receives 30 minutes, while Paradise Beach gets a longer one-hour visit.
• Private pricing: The advertised $1,065 rate covers a group of up to eight people, not each person separately.
• Lunch and core fees included: Boat charges, guide service, environmental and lagoon fees, a life vest, and a first aid kit are covered.
• Extras cost more: Snorkeling equipment, a kayak, and tricycle transport are not included.
• A full-day outing: The activity lasts about 7 to 8 hours and begins at 9:00 a.m.
• Check pickup details carefully: The tour begins and ends at El Nido Port, and a past booking problem involved confusion over a pickup location.

What El Nido Tour D actually offers

The name suggests a broad island-hopping day, but the supplied schedule names just two stops: Ipil Beach and Paradise Beach. That matters when you compare this trip with other El Nido boat options. You are not buying a long list of separately identified beaches and lagoons. You are buying a private boat day with time at two beaches, along with the boat ride between them.

The total duration is about seven to eight hours, beginning at 9:00 a.m. and ending back at the port. Since the listed beach time adds up to only 90 minutes, the rest of the day is taken by getting out on the water, moving between locations, organizing the stops, and having lunch. I would approach this as a relaxed boat excursion, not as a rapid-fire sightseeing circuit.

The tour is operated by Natural Arts Travel and Tours. A licensed tour guide is included, but no guide name is supplied, so you cannot choose a particular guide in advance from the available information.

Ipil Beach, a short first stop

Ipil Beach is scheduled for 30 minutes, with admission included. That is enough time for a quick look, a swim if conditions allow, or a few photographs, but it is not a long beach visit. You will want to keep your expectations in check here. Thirty minutes passes quickly once the boat arrives and everyone gets organized.

I would treat Ipil Beach as a brief introduction to the day rather than the main event. If your group likes to linger, sit quietly, or spend time in the water, the short stop may feel rushed. If you prefer variety and want to see more than one place, the limited time gives the outing some movement without taking up the whole morning.

No specific facilities, water conditions, or snorkeling arrangements are provided. The practical point is simple: admission is covered, but your own pace may be limited by the fixed schedule.

Paradise Beach gets the longer visit

Paradise Beach receives one hour, making it the more substantial beach stop in the schedule. That extra half hour compared with Ipil Beach gives you more breathing room for photos, swimming, or simply sitting by the water, depending on the conditions that day.

I like the way this timing gives the tour a clear center. You are not expected to spend equal time at every stop. Ipil Beach is a short pause, while Paradise Beach is where you have the better chance to settle in.

Still, one hour is not an entire afternoon. You should not book this trip expecting unlimited beach time at Paradise Beach. The boat must follow its schedule, and the full experience includes transport and lunch as well as the two stops.

The available information calls Paradise Beach one of the attractions included in the package, but it does not provide details about facilities, shade, changing areas, or water activities. Bring sensible expectations and ask the operator about current conditions if those details matter to you.

What the $1,065 group price means

The price is $1,065 per group, for up to eight people. Divided evenly, that works out to about $133.13 per person for a full group of eight. For four people, the same rate becomes about $266.25 per person, and for two people it is about $532.50 each.

That math is central to the booking decision. This price can make sense for a full group that values having a private arrangement rather than paying individually for a shared boat. It is much harder to justify for a small party, especially when the scheduled beach time totals only 90 minutes.

The price includes several costs that can otherwise complicate a boat day:

• A licensed tour guide
• Boat fees
• A licensed tourist boat
• Life vest
• First aid kit
• Lunch
• Environmental fee
• Lagoon entrance fee

These inclusions give you a clearer final cost. You are not being asked to add the main boat charge or the environmental fee after booking. The presence of a life vest and first aid kit is also useful reassurance for a day spent on the water, though normal care and attention are still necessary.

The wording says the group price covers up to eight people, while the activity information gives a maximum of 10 participants. I would clarify this before paying if your party has nine or 10 people. The safest reading is that the advertised $1,065 rate is for up to eight, while the larger maximum may refer to the activity’s overall capacity.

The extras that can change your plans

Snorkeling equipment is not included. A kayak is also not included, and tricycle transportation is separate. Those exclusions are easy to overlook when you see that entrance fees and lunch are covered.

If you want to snorkel, ask in advance how equipment is arranged and what it costs. Do not assume that a life vest counts as snorkeling gear. The included life vest is safety equipment, while mask, snorkel, and related equipment are listed separately.

The kayak exclusion matters if you hoped to paddle independently at one of the stops. The schedule does not promise kayak use, so treat it as an optional extra rather than part of the basic outing.

Tricycle transport is also not included. The stated meeting point is El Nido Port, at Serena Street, and the tour ends back at that same meeting point. If you need a tricycle to reach the port or return afterward, budget for it separately. The supplied information does not say that hotel pickup is included.

Starting at El Nido Port at 9:00 a.m.

You meet at El Nido Port at 9:00 a.m. The tour ends at the port, which gives you a fixed place to begin and finish the day. I like this arrangement because it is easy to understand, but it does put the responsibility on you to reach the port on time.

A past booking problem involved a missed pickup and a disagreement over the pickup location. The operator later described it as a misunderstanding and apologized for the unpleasant phone exchange. That incident does not tell you that every departure will go badly, but it does give you a useful booking lesson: confirm the exact meeting point in writing and do not rely on an assumed hotel pickup.

Use the address provided for the tour: El Nido Port, Serena Street, El Nido, Palawan. If your accommodation is elsewhere, arrange your own tricycle and allow enough time to arrive before 9:00 a.m. Since the tour starts and ends at the same port, your return plan can also be organized around that location.

Lunch, safety, and included charges

Lunch is included, which makes the day easier to budget. The information does not specify the menu, dietary choices, serving time, or whether drinks are included, so ask the operator directly if food is important to your plans.

A life vest and first aid kit are included with the licensed tourist boat. I see this as a basic but worthwhile part of the package. You should still ask any safety questions before departure, especially if someone in your group is not comfortable on boats.

The environmental fee and lagoon entrance fee are included. Even though the itinerary names beaches rather than a detailed set of lagoons, the entrance charge is part of the package as provided. This reduces the chance of surprise costs at the destination.

The activity requires good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted.

Who will get the most from this private trip

This tour makes the most sense for a group of friends or family members who can fill most of the eight-person allowance. The per-person cost drops sharply when the group is full, and a private arrangement can be more comfortable than sharing a boat with strangers.

It may also suit you if your priority is a straightforward beach day with lunch included. The schedule is not overloaded, and the two stops give the outing a simple shape. You will know where you are going and roughly how long you will spend at each beach.

I would be more cautious if you are traveling alone or as a couple. The group price becomes costly very quickly for a small party. I would also compare other El Nido tours if your main goal is to visit many distinct lagoons, spend hours snorkeling, or use a kayak.

The tour can work for people who prefer an organized outing rather than arranging a boat independently. A licensed guide, boat, life vest, first aid kit, lunch, and major entrance charges are already part of the package. That convenience has real value, but it needs to be weighed against the limited number of scheduled beach stops.

My verdict on the experience

I like the clear inclusions, the private group setup, and the longer hour at Paradise Beach. I also appreciate that the tour returns to its starting point, which keeps the day’s transport plan simple.

The weak point is the price relative to the stated schedule. At $1,065, you are paying for a group boat experience with two beaches and 90 minutes of listed beach time. That can be fair for eight people who want privacy, but it is a poor fit for a small group unless the private format matters a great deal.

The communication issue around a past pickup also deserves attention. Confirm the port meeting point, ask about any transport you need, and clarify the maximum group size if you have more than eight people.

Should you book El Nido Tour D?

Book it if you have a large group, want a private boat day, and like the idea of spending time at Ipil Beach and Paradise Beach without managing the major fees yourself. The included lunch, guide, boat, environmental charge, lagoon fee, and basic safety equipment make the cost easier to understand.

Skip it, or compare other options first, if you are a small party or want a packed day of lagoons and water activities. Ask about snorkeling gear and kayaking before booking, since neither is included. For the best value, gather close to eight people and confirm every pickup detail in writing.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts at El Nido Port on Serena Street in El Nido, Palawan. It ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour begin?

The stated start time is 9:00 a.m.

How long does the activity last?

The tour lasts approximately 7 to 8 hours.

Which beaches are included?

The scheduled stops are Ipil Beach and Paradise Beach. Ipil Beach is scheduled for 30 minutes, and Paradise Beach is scheduled for one hour.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the tour price.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment, a kayak, and tricycle transportation are not included.