El Nido Tour A vs Tour C: Which One Is Better?
If you’re trying to decide between El Nido Tour A vs Tour C, you’re definitely not alone. Choosing which El Nido tour is best is probably the biggest decision most travellers make when planning their El Nido island hopping experience.
Before arriving in El Nido, I knew the island hopping tours were one of the main things to do, but I honestly had no idea there were so many different options. Once I got there, almost every local I talked to kept telling me that Tour A and Tour C were the best ones to do.
Since I only had a few days in El Nido and wanted time for more than just island hopping, I decided to do Tour C first and then Tour A the very next day so I could compare both back to back.
Honestly, both tours were absolutely fantastic and both are well worth the money, but they ended up feeling surprisingly different once I actually experienced them.
In this guide, I’ll compare Tour A or C based on the scenery, beaches, snorkelling, crowds, stops, and overall experience so you can decide which El Nido island hopping tour makes the most sense for your trip.
El Nido Tour A vs Tour C: What’s the Difference
One thing I did not fully understand before arriving in El Nido was how different these tours actually feel once you’re out on the water. On paper they both look similar, but the experience ended up being surprisingly different.
Tour A is the classic El Nido experience most people imagine when they picture Palawan. It focuses heavily on lagoons, limestone cliffs, turquoise water, and famous postcard locations.
Tour C feels a little more adventurous. The scenery is dramatic, the snorkelling is better, and several of the beaches felt more remote and rugged.
What’s Included in Tour A?
Tour A is the most famous El Nido island hopping tour and is usually considered the “must do” option for first time visitors. If you picture turquoise lagoons, towering limestone cliffs, and the classic postcard scenery Palawan is known for, this is usually the tour people are imagining.
Most Tour A itineraries include:
• Big Lagoon
• Secret Lagoon
• Shimizu Island
• Seven Commandos Beach
• Payong Payong Beach
Big Lagoon was absolutely stunning in person. Kayaking through the narrow shallow channel surrounded by limestone cliffs and unbelievably turquoise water honestly felt like being inside a movie setting.
Secret Lagoon also felt incredibly unique and adventurous. The sharp coral limestone cliffs surrounding the beach almost looked like some kind of alien world rising out of the ocean.
After landing on the beach, you walk across the rocks toward a narrow opening in the limestone wall where you squeeze or swim through into the hidden lagoon itself (water shoes definitely help here). It ended up being one of the most memorable experiences from either tour.
Seven Commandos Beach was another standout for me and honestly one of the better beaches across both Tour A and Tour C. The beach had soft white sand, crystal clear water, palm trees leaning toward the shoreline, and that classic Southeast Asia tropical island feel people travel across the world for. The snorkelling here was decent too, although I still think Tour C had better overall snorkelling.
Tour A is best for:
• First time visitors
• Iconic scenery
• Kayaking
• Calm swimming areas
• Photography
If you want a deeper breakdown of every stop, I wrote a full El Nido Tour A guide with all the details, costs, and what to expect.
Downsides of Tour A
Honestly, there’s not much to complain about with Tour A considering how affordable these El Nido island hopping tours are for the kind of scenery you get to see. Some of the places honestly felt surreal in person.
A few small things did stand out though.
Tour A is very popular, so some stops can get pretty crowded, especially Big Lagoon. The main beach staging area in El Nido before departure also felt a little chaotic and disorganized at times with tons of boats, people, and tour groups all leaving around the same time.
I also thought it was a bit annoying having to pay extra for the kayaks at Big Lagoon since kayaking through the lagoon is one of the main reasons people book Tour A in the first place. Our group shared a three person kayak and I think it worked out to roughly 200 pesos each on top of the ticket price.
Still, once we actually got out into the lagoons and beaches, I pretty much forgot about all of that because the scenery was just so ridiculously beautiful.
What’s Included in Tour C?
Tour C is usually considered the best El Nido island hopping tour for dramatic scenery, hidden beaches, and snorkelling. Compared to Tour A, it felt a little more adventurous overall with more secluded spots, more swimming, rugged limestone landscapes, and excellent snorkelling throughout the day.
Most Tour C itineraries include:
• Hidden Beach
• Secret Beach
• Helicopter Island
• Matinloc Shrine
• Talisay Beach
Hidden Beach is one of the biggest highlights on Tour C. You enter through a narrow gap in the limestone cliffs and suddenly arrive inside a calm hidden cove completely surrounded by towering rock walls and turquoise water.
Secret Beach has a similar adventurous feeling. Instead of walking directly onto the beach, you swim through a small opening in the limestone rocks before emerging into a tiny enclosed beach hidden behind the cliffs.
One thing worth mentioning is that Tour C itineraries can sometimes change depending on tides, weather, and crowds. I visited around Christmas when El Nido was extremely busy, and our tour actually skipped Hidden Beach and Secret Beach entirely. Instead, we visited Cadlao Lagoon, which is normally associated more with Tour D.
Even though I was definitely disappointed to miss two of the main highlights, Cadlao Lagoon still ended up being beautiful with excellent kayaking and calm turquoise water surrounded by limestone cliffs.
Talisay Beach is usually the lunch stop and one of the more relaxing parts of the day. Most tours serve a simple buffet with grilled fish, chicken, rice, vegetables, and fresh fruit while everyone swims or relaxes beside the beach. The scenery here was beautiful with crystal clear water and limestone cliffs rising directly beside the shoreline.
Matinloc Shrine was another standout stop on Tour C. Some tours include a short climb to the viewpoint overlooking the islands and turquoise water below. The cliffs around this area honestly looked incredibly dramatic in person and several nearby snorkelling spots were excellent too.
Helicopter Island is usually one of the final stops and one of the best pure beach locations on the tour. It has a wide stretch of soft white sand, clear water, and more of that classic tropical island feel where people just end up swimming, relaxing, and hanging out before heading back to El Nido.
Tour C is best for:
• Snorkelling
• Dramatic scenery
• Hidden beaches
• Adventure feeling
• More active travellers
If you want the full breakdown of every stop, costs, logistics, and photos, I also wrote a full El Nido Tour C guide with much more detail.
Downsides of Tour C
Like Tour A, there honestly is not much to complain about considering how affordable these tours are for the scenery and experience you get.
That said, Tour C definitely felt a little more physically demanding overall.
Tour C also involves quite a bit more swimming. Depending on the conditions, you may need to swim from the boat to certain beaches or entrances. Some areas can also be a little rocky getting in and out of the water.
I would not say you need to be super athletic, but being reasonably comfortable swimming and moving around in the water definitely helps on this tour. Overall, Tour C felt better suited for slightly more active travellers compared to the calmer and easier pace of Tour A.
Tour A vs Tour C: The Main Differences
Both tours are absolutely worth doing, but they offer pretty different experiences once you’re actually out on the water.
Tour A is more about iconic lagoons and classic Palawan scenery. Tour C feels more adventurous with hidden beaches, better snorkelling, and more swimming throughout the day.
| Category | Tour A | Tour C |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | First time visitors | Adventure and snorkelling |
| Main Highlights | Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon | Hidden Beach, Secret Beach |
| Scenery Style | Classic postcard Palawan | Dramatic and rugged |
| Snorkelling | Good | Much better overall |
| Swimming | Easier and calmer | More active |
| Kayaking | Major highlight | Less important |
| Crowds | Usually busier | Slightly less crowded |
| Difficulty Level | Easier | More physically active |
| Water Conditions | Usually calmer | Can be rougher |
| Best Overall For Most People | Tour A | Tour C for adventure travellers |
What to Bring for El Nido Island Hopping Tours?
El Nido island hopping tours are full days out on the water where you’re constantly getting in and out of the boat, swimming to beaches, and spending hours in the sun. Having the right gear makes a big difference in how comfortable the day feels.
Here’s what I’d recommend bringing based on my experience.
- quick dry towel or micro towel
- sunscreen
- sunglasses
- hat
- reusable water bottle
- snorkel mask
- water shoes
- waterproof phone case
- GoPro camera
- dry bag
- snacks
Water shoes and your own snorkel mask are things I’d strongly recommend. You’re walking on rocky beaches and getting in and out of the boat constantly, and they make everything a lot easier. Having a good quality snorkel mask prevents water from getting into your goggles.
A waterproof phone case is one of those things you don’t think about until you need it. These trips are memorable and you don’t want to be without photos. Same goes for a GoPro if you want footage while snorkeling.
Dry bags are sold all over El Nido, so you can buy one there, but the quality can vary. If you already have a good one, it’s worth bringing.
FAQs
Which El Nido tour is best?
Most first time visitors will probably prefer Tour A because of the famous lagoons and classic Palawan scenery. Tour C is usually better for snorkelling and hidden beaches.
Which tour has better scenery?
Tour A felt more visually perfect and postcard worthy. Tour C felt more dramatic, rugged, and adventurous.
Which tour has better snorkelling?
Tour C had noticeably better snorkelling with better coral, fish life, and visibility overall.
Which tour is better for first timers?
Tour A is probably the safest choice for most first time visitors because it includes the famous lagoons and scenery El Nido is known for.
Which tour is more physically active?
Tour C involves more swimming and slightly rougher water, so it feels a bit more active overall.
Which tour is more crowded?
Both are popular, but Tour A generally felt busier, especially around Big Lagoon.
If you’re still planning your trip, you can also download my free El Nido travel itinerary with hotel recommendations, transport tips, beaches, restaurants, and the best things to do while you’re there.
In Summary – Is Tour A or Tour C Better?
Choosing between El Nido Tour A vs Tour C really comes down to what kind of experience you want most from your trip.
If seeing the famous lagoons, kayaking through unreal turquoise water, and experiencing the classic postcard scenery of Palawan is your priority, Tour A is hard to beat.
If you want better snorkelling, hidden beaches, dramatic limestone cliffs, and a more adventurous day overall, Tour C may end up being your favourite.
Honestly, both tours were incredible and I’d recommend doing both if you have enough time in El Nido.
You can check current prices, availability, and tour options below.
Additional Resources
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- Compare car rentals worldwide with DiscoverCars.
- Download my free El Nido itinerary.