El Nido Island Hopping Tour D: Small Lagoon, Cadlao Lagoon & Quiet Beaches in Bacuit Bay
Difficulty
easy
Duration
6–7 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for travelers in average physical condition; requires short wades, basic balance getting on/off boats, and light paddling optional in lagoons
Overview
Explore the quieter reaches of Bacuit Bay on Tour D—Small Lagoon, Cadlao Lagoon, and less-crowded beaches—where limestone cliffs, calm lagoons, and a freshly prepared island lunch define a full day on the water.
El Nido Island Hopping Tour D: Small Lagoon, Cadlao Lagoon & Quiet Beaches in Bacuit Bay
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The outrigger rocks gently as dawn light unspools across Bacuit Bay and the limestone towers throw long, shadowed fingers over the water. You step from the sand into ankle-deep water, hand the crew a bag, and let the motor lift the boat out toward Miniloc and Cadlao, where karst cliffs pin small, emerald lagoons like secret rooms. On Tour D the day moves in chapters: paddling into the Small Lagoon, drifting through Cadlao Lagoon, and dropping anchor at less-frequented beaches where the surf is polite and the crowd thins.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Book premium-stop spots early
Small Lagoon has limited capacity; reserve well in advance to secure a time slot and avoid substitutions.
Bring a small dry bag
Keep phone, wallet, and a lightweight layer dry during transfers and shallow wades to the boat.
Wear water shoes
Tidal approaches can require walking through rocks and coral rubble—closed-toe water shoes protect feet and improve traction.
Use reef-safe sunscreen
Protect marine life by choosing biodegradable, reef-safe sunscreen and reapplying before water entry.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Philippine sea hawk and white-bellied sea eagles
- Tropical reef fish such as parrotfish and clownfish
History
Bacuit Bay was historically a fishing and trading corridor; many island names and local lore trace back to indigenous Tagbanua and early coastal communities.
Conservation
Tour operators increasingly enforce no-anchoring zones and encourage reef-safe products; avoid touching corals and take all trash back to El Nido for proper disposal.
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Adventure Hotspots in El Nido
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Snorkel mask and fins
Personal snorkel gear fits better and is more hygienic than rentals and improves your underwater experience.
Water shoes
Protects feet when wading to boats and walking on rock-strewn beaches.
Dry bag (5–10L)
Keeps phone, wallet, and spare clothes dry during boat transfers and shallow water approaches.
Reef-safe sunscreen
Protects skin and prevents harmful chemicals from entering fragile coral ecosystems.
summer specific