It’s solely pure to anticipate a vacation spot to alter, particularly if acquired extra common and the inevitable growth creeps in. El Nido is a type of locations the place I’ve seen change since visiting the place a number of occasions since early 2000 and even lived briefly as an area. Lately, I used to be capable of return as quickly because the pandemic restrictions began easing. Apart from doing the El Nido Cover Stroll, I used to be capable of be part of the El Nido Island Hopping Tour A. I seen and noticed some minor modifications in how they do the excursions nowadays since I final visited.
El Nido Island Hopping Excursions
There are 4 El Nido Island Hopping Excursions out there and every of them had a set of highlights. These are the up to date ones from my final go to within the final quarter of 2022.
- Tour A: Large Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, 7 Commandos Seaside (Value – P1,200)
- Tour B: Pangulasian Island, Pinagbuyutan Island, Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave, Cathedral Cave (Value P1,300)
- Tour C: Helicopter Island, Secret Seaside, Hidden Seaside, Matinloc Shrine, Star Seaside (Value P1,400)
- Tour D: Small Lagoon, Cadlao Lagoon, Pasandigan Cove, Nat Nat Seaside, Bucan Seaside, Paradise Seaside (P1,200)
Whereas these are the usual excursions, it’s attainable to mix excursions for the day.
One main change from my final tour right here is that they separated the entry to the Large and Small Lagoons. Earlier than you’ll be able to entry each lagoons in Tour A. Now the Small lagoon is included in Tour D.
Stunning to see Pangulasian island in Tour B. Earlier than, they now not permit the general public on this non-public resort island. I wasn’t capable of take tour B so I wasn’t certain if they permit vacationers to land on the island or simply snorkel alongside its waters.
Apart from the tour charges, there’s a P200 environmental payment for every customer to El Nido.
All excursions are actually launched on the port in Barangay Buena Suerte. They use a floating dock system right here for the boats. I believe this can be a welcome change and extra organized. Earlier than, guests board boats from the primary seaside or close to the resorts the place they’re billeted. Coastguards are additionally strict in checking the variety of individuals on the boats and carrying life vests.
The Guides
Probably the most vital change I seen right here is the guides and boatmen. I assume plenty of them went by way of “Tour Information Coaching” right here as they now have set scripts. That’s one other welcome growth as they brush up their data of the islands and share it with guests. Their photographic expertise are leveled-up too. At the very least now they know how you can take first rate vacationer images and trick photographs. Although somewhat draw back right here is the recommended experiences on among the websites which I’ll element later.
El Nido Island Hopping Tour A Websites
I gained’t delve a lot into the small print of the excursions as I had extensively shared them earlier than however will simply share what modifications or what I seen from the tour.
Seven Commandos Seaside
The Seven Commandos Seaside was the primary cease of the tour. We got here simply in time and we had this good stretch of seaside all to ourselves. It’s nonetheless spectacular with a beautiful backdrop of the Taraw Cliffs. I seen there have been cottages on what gave the impression to be a personal resort. There have been additionally some “photographic set-ups” there for vacationers.
I used to be additionally glad to see quite a lot of the endemic Palawan Hornbills and Slender-billed Crows close to the rock face. The few individuals there don’t appear to note them and I assume are oblivious to their significance.
Shimizu Island
Our lunch and snorkeling cease is at Shimizu Island. Lunch on these journeys was all the time a deal with as boatmen and their cooks can get inventive with the presentation of their meals. These guys didn’t disappoint.
What I loved most was the snorkeling and freediving as I used to be with a bunch of freedivers. We had a great period of time underwater.
Secret Lagoon
There’s a substantial quantity of crowd throughout our island hopping day. I seen it extra once we visited the Secret Lagoon as we needed to wait some time to get contained in the lagoon. It’s the identical previous lagoon however made extra “thrilling” because the guides added actions for vacationers. Guests had been requested to create a circle and do a round group swim whereas the information takes a photograph and video from a excessive perch on the limestone rocks.
Large Lagoon
One of many vital modifications right here, as I discussed earlier, is the non-inclusion of the Small Lagoon on this tour. One other is that outriggers or tour boats are now not allowed to go inside the massive lagoon. That’s one other welcome growth for me. This fashion, it lessens the impression on this waterway.
As an alternative of bringing the boats in, there are actually rental kayaks simply on the entrance of the lagoon passage. I had been seeing the kayak leases throughout my final go to however now they carried out the leases because the necessary means to discover the lagoon. Rental is P300 per kayak which may be shared by two.
Since I take pleasure in kayaking, I preferred that they provided this selection for guests. It permits guests to discover the massive lagoon at their very own tempo and time.
Island Hopping Ideas
The EL Nido Island Hopping tour lasted round 7–8 hours. We had been again earlier than 5 PM within the afternoon. Some suggestions earlier than becoming a member of the tour:
- Waterproof your stuff. Finest to make use of a dry bag when island hopping because the trip may be splashy at occasions.
- Deliver solely what you want like sunblock, devices, energy financial institution, shades, hat, and many others
- Deliver some snacks and additional water. Whereas a meal and snacks are supplied on tour, it could be good to have snacks that you just prefer to nibble on between island journeys.
Ferdz Decena is an award-winning journey photographer, author and blogger. His works has discovered print in publications resembling Singapore Airways’s Silver Kris, Philippine Airways’ Mabuhay, Cebu Pacific’s Smile and Seair InFlight. He has additionally lent his experience to varied organizations just like the Oceana Philippines, Lopez Group Basis, Save the Youngsters and World Imaginative and prescient, contributing high quality pictures for his or her advertising and marketing supplies.
