Practical
What to bring on an El Nido island hopping day
Eight hours on an open boat under an equatorial sun, wet landings at every stop, and two separate things to pay for in cash on islands with no cash machine. The list is short and everything on it matters.
Quick answer
Pesos in cash, a dry bag, a long-sleeved rash top and reef-safe sun cream. The cash covers the 400-peso eco fee and a few hundred more for a kayak at the Big Lagoon; the rest is because a bangka has almost no shade and every landing is wet.
The kit, at a glance
- Cash in pesos
- Essentialeco fee, kayak, drinks
- Dry bag
- Essentialspray and wet landings
- Long-sleeved rash top
- Strongly recommendedthere is little shade
- Reef-safe sun cream
- Yesmuch of this is national park
- Hat that stays on
- Yeswind takes wide brims
- Shoes you can soak
- Yesor carry them
- Towel
- Not always providedcheck the listing
- Snorkel gear
- Usually providedbring your own mask if fussy
- Water
- Usually providedbring extra in March to May
- Lunch
- Included on almost allgrilled fish and rice on a beach
What to bring, in order of what people regret
Five things
The regrets in the reviews are always the same five, and cash is first.
- Enough pesos, in small notes
The eco fee is 400 a person, the kayak at the Big Lagoon is a few hundred more, and drinks are extra. No card machines on the islands and none at the lagoon entrance.
- A dry bag
Bangkas take spray and every landing is on sand, so you wade. A cheap dry bag is the best few dollars you will spend here.
- Something with sleeves
There is almost no shade on a bangka and the day is six to eight hours. A light long-sleeved rash top does more than reapplying cream all day.
- Reef-safe sun cream
Much of Bacuit Bay is protected, and ordinary sun cream is discouraged in the lagoons.
- A hat that stays on
Wind on a moving boat takes brims straight over the side. A cap or something with a cord.
What not to bring
Three things that cause trouble
Small bag, nothing loose, and no assumptions about toilets.
A big bag. Bangkas are narrow and open, with nowhere dry to put luggage. A day pack is the right size.
Anything you would hate to lose. Phones, sunglasses and hats go over the side on every trip somewhere in Bacuit Bay. Straps, cords and closed pockets.
Assumptions about toilets. Some beach stops have them and some do not, and the boat does not. Plan around the stops.
The eco fee in detail — how much, when, and what it covers.
The eco fee→Common questions
What to bring, answered
What should I bring on an El Nido island hopping tour?
Pesos in cash, a dry bag, a long-sleeved rash top, reef-safe sun cream, a hat and shoes you can soak.
How much cash do I need?
400 pesos a person for the eco fee, a few hundred more per kayak at the Big Lagoon, and some for drinks. Bring small notes.
Is there shade on the boat?
Very little. Bangkas have a partial roof at best, which is why a long-sleeved top matters more than sun cream alone.
Is lunch included?
On almost every trip here, yes — grilled fish and rice served on a beach.
Do I need my own snorkel gear?
It is provided, but bring your own mask if you are particular about the fit.
What shoes should I wear?
Ones you can soak, or carry them. Boats land on sand and you wade the last couple of metres.
Go deeper
More on island hopping in El Nido
What it costs
From $23 to $438, plus the 400-peso eco fee.
The verdictWhich tour is best
All twelve ranked, by route rather than by letter.
The lagoonsTour A
Big, Small and Secret lagoons, Shimizu, Seven Commandos.
The quiet oneTour B
Snake Island, Pinagbuyutan, Entalula and two caves.
The far beachesTour C
Hidden Beach, Secret Beach, Matinloc, Helicopter Island.
ComparedTour A or Tour C
Stop by stop, and which to do if you only do one.
