Snorkeling El Nido: Caves, Snake Island & Pinagbuyutan

Walk across Snake Island's sandbar, then snorkel untouched reefs

Island Hopping Tour B in El Nido, Palawan combines snorkeling at Pupulkan and Pinagbuyutan Island with visits to Cudugnon Cave (where you squeeze through a narrow opening into a limestone chamber) and Cathedral Cave, viewed from the boat. A guide leads the full day. Lunch is included. The tour runs 6 to 7 hours and operates subject to weather.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Cathedral Cave45m · entry included
2. Snake Island45m · entry included

El Nido Island Hopping Tour B

• Snorkel at Pupulkan
• Explore Cudugnon Cave
• View Cathedral Cave from boat
• Visit Snake Island sandbar
• Swim and lunch at Pinagbuyutan Island

The experience

The day starts with Cudugnon Cave, where you arrive on a secluded beach framed by limestone cliffs and squeeze through a narrow rock opening to enter a spacious chamber with towering walls and natural light filtering through openings above. Cathedral Cave follows: best seen from the boat, where your guide explains its formation and the story behind its name. Then comes Snake Island, where an S-shaped sandbar winds through shallow turquoise water. You walk across the powdery white sand with crystal-clear water on both sides, perfect for photos and a swim.

Pinagbuyutan Island is where the snorkeling happens. The waters stay calm and clear close to shore, and the reef here feels untouched compared to busier spots in the bay. You snorkel just off the beach, then eat a freshly prepared lunch under the trees with views across the water. Public transportation gets you to and from the meeting point. A guide in English or Filipino leads the whole tour and shares details about each stop.

The tour runs 6 to 7 hours, which leaves the rest of your day free. Weather can change the itinerary or cancel the departure, so the operator confirms conditions before you go.

What’s included

• Lunch on Pinagbuyutan Island.
• public transportation to and from the meeting point.
• a guide in English or Filipino for the full day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (5 and older) · Child (2 to 4 years) · Infant (under 2)

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish and Filipino

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 17.95

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Corazon Travel and Tours

Is this one for you?Six to seven hours leaves room for breakfast or a late dinner elsewhere in El Nido, but not a second full activity. Choose this tour if you want snorkeling and cave exploration in one outing and can commit the middle of your day to it.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Filipino.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 4 years); Infant (under 2).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Cudugnon Cave like inside?

Cudugnon Cave opens into a spacious chamber with towering limestone walls, unique rock formations, and natural light coming through openings in the ceiling above. You reach it by squeezing through a narrow rock opening on the beach: the only entrance to the cave.

Can I snorkel at every stop on this tour?

Snorkeling happens at Pupulkan and Pinagbuyutan Island, where the water stays shallow and calm close to shore. Snake Island is for wading and photos across the sandbar, and Cathedral Cave is viewed from the boat.

How long is the full tour, and does it leave time for other activities?

The tour runs 6 to 7 hours, which leaves the morning or late afternoon free depending on your start time. Public transportation is included to and from the meeting point.