Smart Backpacker: El Nido Island Hopping Tour (Tour C and D)

Amazing El Nido!

My last trip in El Nido was year 2011. I was able to have only Tour A and Tour B. But this 2014 tour was different. I was able to have all the tours in two days (normally, 4 days). How?? I simply combined the 4 tours. Thanks to Hadefe Travel and Tours.

Hadefe Travel and Tours

Mr. Hanny Enor

ERC Plaza Bldg. Room 208, 2^nd Floor

Brgy. San Pedro, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines

Tel. No. 048-434-1746, Mobile No. 0920-952-3280, 0917-849-6877

BDO Acct. No. 504-0199555 (Savings Account)

Puerto Princesa City Palawan Branch

Email: h_enor@yahoo.com

The 4 tours are as follows:

Tour A (P1,200)

Small lagoon, Big lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, 7 Commando

Tour B (P1,300)

Cathedral Cave, Codugnon Cave, Panggalusian Island, Snake Island, Pinagbayutan Island

Tour C (P1,400)

Hidden Beach, Matinloc Shrine, Secret Beach, Talisay, Helicopter Island

Tour D (P1,200)

Cadlao Lagoon, Pasandigan Beach, Paradise Beach, Natnat Beach, Bukal Island

I combined Tours C and D.

Secret beach, Talisay Beach, Matinloc Shrine, Tapyutan Island Beach, Hidden Beach, Helicopter Island, Cadlao Lagoon, Pasandigan Beach, Ipil Beach, Natnat, Paradise Beach

Day 2 of our 4 day tour in El Nido, Palawan and we paid only P1,700/pax.

I was with my travel buddies, namely: Lester, Jen and Rico. We are supposed to be 14 but for this adventure we were only 4 but the number did not deter the fun, excitement and adventure while we were in El Nido. We had the best times of our lives for 4 days!!

On with the tour. We were fetched in Rommel of Hadefe. he was also our tour guide in Tour A and B.

It took us 1 hour and 30 minutes before reaching our first destination - Secret Beach.

The waters going to the first spot was rugged and tough as we were nearing the open seas without any islands on the horizon.

The boat was docked 30 meters away from the small opening of the Secret Beach and we had to swim in order to enter the lagoon inside. First destination and it was already marked with FUN!

We had to rent anew our snorkels (P150/pax) in order to enjoy the underwater adventure El Nido offers to its tourists. The place was simply spectacular!

We snorkeled and dive for about an hour and we forgot the word "time."

Second day of snorkeling and we simply cannot get enough of it.

After staying for about an hour (we saw a stingray while going back to the boat), we transferred to our next spot - Matinloc Shrine. Along the way we saw, the Talisay Beach but the boatman decided that we should not take our lunch there due to the number of tourists already on the beach.

The Shrine houses a chapel. They actually hold weddings in this spot.

Our boat was docked at the back of the Shrine.

The best part is ascending towards the top of the island.

Reaching the top, you will be able to see this magnificent view of El Nido!

We descended and walked towards the opposite side of the island - the port.

And we simply had to release a little bit of our energy and excitement!!

Then, we docked at one of the beaches in Tapyutan Island and partake our buffet lunch.Another good spot to do snorkeling. Before eating, I spent 1 hour snorkeling.

Aside for Shimizu Island and Papaya Island, Tapyutan Island also offers the best spot for snorkeling. One can see a variety of fish and corals while snorkeling.

And I snorkeled...

And snorkeled (good thing I have my Olympus underwater camera).

After lunch, we traveled to our next spot for 20 minutes and we reached - Hidden Beach. If you have a big boat, the boat will not be able to pass through the small channel if it is low tide. Good thing we have a small boat only.

There are 2 ways of going to the beach. One is through a small cave opening and the other one is directly towards the small channel. We opted to walk in the small channel.

There were foreigners inside the Hidden and why not have a picture with them. It won't hurt. Hidden Beach is the best spot in Tour C.

They were even kind enough to give me a jumpshot!

And also a photo op with my travel buddies.

Then, we went to the next stop - Helicopter Island.

The weather worsened while we were at the Helicopter Island. The waves were strong and we decided not to snorkel in this island.

Good thing the weather changed drastically and we went to - Cadlao Lagoon. The lagoon is the best spot in Tour D.

Apart from the Secret Beach, I think Cadlao is the number one spot for this tour.

We stayed for an hour and enjoyed the spot.

Then, we moved to the next spot - Pasandigan Beach. It was already 4 pm when we reached Pasandigan. But since we had enough beach for the day, we decided just to have sightseeing experience (without docking) in Ipil Beach, Natnat Beach and Paradise Beach. Sabi nga namin - "Boundary na kami sa beach for the day!"

Past 4 pm, we went back to the town of El Nido filled with happy memories, a lifetime adventure and smiles written on our faces!

It's Really More Fun in El Nido!

El Nido Municipal Tourism Office

Phone: +639177887024

Email: elnidotourism@gmail.com

Website: www.elnidotourism.com

4 comments:

AnonymousSeptember 7, 2014 at 1:18 PM
Hi! I just have a question. At what beach in Tapiutan Island did you do have your lunch? The snorkeling seems great! I think there are several beaches in Tapiutan so I just want to make sure we request our guide to bring us to the beach with best snorkeling - we're doing a private tour since we're a big group so we can customize our trip.
AnonymousNovember 19, 2014 at 7:50 AM
Hi! I just want to ask if combining the tours are recommended and worth it? Were you in a hurry to get to the next beach? I wasn't aware that this can be done. I will be in El Nido in Jan and although my friends and I (4 in total) already agreed on Tour A and C (which seem to be the most popular choices), I would like to explore El Nido as much as possible especially if it's just a couple of hundreds more. Also, were there other passengers in the boat or just you and your friends? Thanks!

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

El Nido Island Hopping Tour (Tour C and D)

4 comments: