Island-hopping tours A to D

The four routes

Stops can change with the tide, weather and visitor limits, so treat these as the usual line-up.

The classic first tour and the busiest. Calm water and the scenery El Nido is famous for.

The quietest of the four, with more variety and fewer boats at each stop.

The best snorkelling and the most dramatic cliffs. More open water, so it is rougher on windy days.

Small beaches closest to town. Shortest time on the boat and a good choice in poor weather.

Most people pick A and C. Together they cover the lagoons and the best beaches.

Ask about a combined tour that takes the highlights of A and C. It costs more and makes for a long day.

Shared boats are cheap and sociable. A private boat lets you leave early and reach the lagoons before the crowds.

Tour D or a private boat on route A keeps the boat time short and the water calm.

Visitors pay a local environmental fee, and the lagoons carry their own entry charge. Ask whether both are included in the price you are quoted.

You explore the lagoons by kayak. Rental is usually paid on the spot, so bring cash.

Dry bag, water shoes, reef-safe sunscreen, a towel and small notes. Lunch is normally cooked on the boat.

The coast guard cancels tours when the sea is rough. Leave a spare day in your plan, above all from July to October.

Worth a day if you are staying longer than three nights.

A day trip by scooter or van to the long northern beach. Stay for a late lunch.

The limestone wall behind town. A fixed canopy walk gives the view without the scramble.

The easy evening outing from town, with a zipline across to a small island.

Dive shops in town run day trips and courses in Bacuit Bay for all levels.

North of Nacpan, with surf in the windier months and almost nobody there.

A short jungle walk to a small waterfall and pool, on the road north.