After breakfast, it is time to begin your El Nido Island Hopping Tour (El Nido Tour B) to witness some of Palawan’s best islands and caves. This tour would covers the highlights of Snake Island, Pinagbuyutan Island, Cudugnon Cave, Cathedral Cave, Entalula Island, and Papaya Beach (if time permit). It is an amazing journey that combines sandbars, caves, and uniquely-shaped islands. Furthermore, your El Nido Island Hopping today (tour B) is often less crowded than tour A.
Your first stop on El Nido Island Hopping Tour B will be Snake Island (Vigan Island). Known for its winding sandbar visible only at low tide, Snake Island is one of the most unique spots in El Nido to experience the feeling of walking in the middle of the sea. The island gets its name from its S-shaped sandbar, which connects it to the mainland (Bacuit Archipelago). At low tide, you can walk on the sand stripe between the two islands and admire the crystal-clear waters and white-sand beaches. At high tide, the sandbar is two feet underwater, creating a beautiful sight. Snake Island also offers a quick hike up to a stunning viewing point at the top where you can take in a bird's eye view of the sandbar. Enjoy the views of the white sand stretching out like a long snake, winding its way along the island.
Next, you'll hop to Pinagbuyutan Island (Ellis Island), where you'll marvel at the dramatic towering limestone cliffs that shoot straight up from the sea, topped off with lush jungle vegetation. This gumdrop-shaped island is a favorite destination in El Nido. Pinagbuyutan Island is also known as Survivor Island due to its appearance on the popular reality TV show, Survivor, and it is said to be the inspiration for the movie “The Beach”, along with other beautiful attractions in El Nido like the Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon. Pinagbuyutan Island is perfect for swimming and snorkeling, as there are some excellent reefs to explore just offshore. Take in the colorful underwater life beneath the emerald-colored water. It's also the perfect place for a lunch break, where you can relax on the long beach and enjoy the breeze under the coconut trees.
After lunch, you'll head to Cudugnon Cave which offers a unique perspective of El Nido's islands through an enormous cavern hidden behind an inconspicuous hole in the limestone wall. During World War II, locals used the cave as a hiding place from invaders. It is also believed to be a Neolithic burial site for ancient Palawenos and settlers from Borneo. Experts have discovered artifacts such as jewelry, pottery, and human bones dating back to the Chinese Song Dynasty (960-1279 A.D.). To enter Cudugnon Cave, you'll need to squeeze through a small rocky hole before reaching the well-lit cave with a high ceiling. Take your time exploring the beautiful limestone and marble walls inside the cave, and don't forget to search the crevices of the cave's roof where swallows (swiftlets) and bats reside. You know that El Nido got its name from the Spanish phrase "the nest", and the swiftlets are the owners of these nests. After the cave exploration tour, you can relax on the secluded white sand beach near the cave's entrance.
If time permits, you can make a photo stop at the Cathedral Cave on Pinasil Island. As your boat approaches the cave, you'll be amazed by the huge cavern with an opening even higher than the Puerto Princesa Underground River. This stunning shallow cave features towering walls shaped like cathedral spires. It's also an important nesting site for swiftlets, whose nests made of dried saliva are the main ingredient in the exotic bird’s nest soup.
You'll also have the opportunity to visit picturesque Entalula Island, which boasts a pristine beach and perfect snorkeling and swimming opportunities. Take in the beauty of the crystal-clear waters and the amazing rock formations, including the free-standing diamond-shaped rock. Enjoy the serene and peaceful atmosphere of this beautiful island before concluding your El Nido Tour B today.
Dining:
Breakfast,Lunch
Accommodation:
Economy Class Hotel in EI Nido