From hidden lagoons and limestone caves to lunch on a world-renowned beach, GURUS Travel Diaries explores six destinations in one unforgettable day aboard a private La Pêcheuse speedboat.
With its dramatic limestone cliffs, turquoise lagoons, and beautiful beaches, El Nido has earned its reputation as one of the Philippines’ most extraordinary destinations. But planning an island-hopping adventure here presents an interesting dilemma: with so many places to explore, how do you decide which ones to visit?
Traditional island-hopping tours generally follow established routes, each covering a different selection of attractions. While these are excellent ways to discover Bacuit Bay, I wanted something more flexible for our GURUS Travel Diaries coverage. I wanted to experience the famous lagoons, discover beautiful beaches, and explore as much of El Nido as possible without spending the entire day rushing from one destination to another.
That’s what drew me to La Pêcheuse El Nido, a speedboat tour operator specializing in customized itineraries, early departures, and experiences designed to avoid the busiest crowds. Rather than following a fixed route, its private tours allow guests to discuss their preferred destinations and build an itinerary around their interests, with faster travel between islands making it possible to cover more ground.
On September 28, 2026, we experienced that approach firsthand, visiting Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Entalula Island, Snake Island, and Cudugnon Cave in a single adventure.
An Early Start Across Bacuit Bay
Our day began at approximately 7:45 a.m., when our guide, Nhoan, picked us up from Amari El Nido, where we were staying. He accompanied us to Corong-Corong Beach, near Mahogany Beach Resort, where we waited for our speedboat and prepared for the excursion.
I’m not usually enthusiastic about setting an alarm while on vacation, but this was one morning when getting up early made perfect sense. La Pêcheuse’s approach is built partly around timing. By departing ahead of the larger tour boats and traveling faster between destinations, the company aims to give guests more opportunities to enjoy El Nido’s popular attractions before the busiest periods.
Our captain, Kuya Nonong, would navigate us through Bacuit Bay, while Nhoan accompanied us throughout the tour. We were also joined by Mariane Joyce Bacomo Ignacio, who helped oversee our experience. Having the opportunity to meet the people behind La Pêcheuse added a personal touch to the day, something I always appreciate when covering hospitality and travel experiences.
The itinerary was developed around our interests, with the final route guided by local knowledge and sea conditions. And unlike a conventional group tour, having a private speedboat meant we could experience the journey at our own pace. With six destinations ahead of us, I was especially curious to see how much difference that flexibility would make.
Big Lagoon: A Palawan Icon
Our first destination was Big Lagoon, one of the places I’d been most excited to experience in person. Its towering limestone cliffs and beautiful turquoise waters are among El Nido’s most recognizable sights, but photographs hardly prepare you for the scale of the landscape.
Surrounded by enormous rock formations and water that shifts between shades of blue and green, I found myself appreciating just how extraordinary Palawan really is. It’s one thing to admire these places in travel photographs and another to see them firsthand.
For me, Big Lagoon was also a reminder of why I wanted to bring more Philippine destinations to an international audience through GURUS Travel Diaries. We have incredible natural attractions worth traveling across the world to experience, and this was a beautiful way to begin our day.
Secret Lagoon: Beauty Beyond the Cliffs
Our second stop, Secret Lagoon, offered an entirely different perspective. While Big Lagoon impresses with its vast surroundings, Secret Lagoon is known for its smaller, enclosed setting hidden among limestone formations.
What fascinated me was how two destinations in the same area could feel so different. One offers an expansive landscape dominated by towering cliffs, while the other invites visitors to discover a more secluded natural setting.
It was a wonderful contrast and another example of why El Nido deserves more than a quick visit. There are so many different landscapes to experience, even within the same island-hopping adventure.
Shimizu Island: Another Side of El Nido
Next was Shimizu Island, known for its limestone scenery, clear waters, and snorkeling opportunities. After exploring two lagoons, this stop introduced another side of Bacuit Bay’s remarkable geography.
By this point, I was beginning to appreciate the advantage of our customized itinerary. Instead of concentrating on one type of attraction, we were able to experience a combination of lagoons, islands, beaches, and other natural landmarks.
Shimizu Island added another beautiful coastal setting to our journey, and with three destinations still ahead, the day was far from over.
Entalula Island: Lunch on One of the World’s Best Beaches
Of all our stops, Entalula Island was one of the most memorable, partly because I hadn’t expected it to become such a highlight.
Entalula Beach earned the No. 1 position in The World’s 50 Best Beaches’ 2026 ranking, bringing international attention to another extraordinary corner of Palawan. Standing there, surrounded by beautiful sand, clear water, and dramatic limestone scenery, it wasn’t difficult to understand the recognition.
But what made our visit especially memorable was that we actually had lunch there.
Rather than stopping briefly for photographs, we had time to enjoy the island as part of our La Pêcheuse experience. The company includes a barbecue lunch in its tour packages, and having ours in such a beautiful setting made an ordinary part of the day’s itinerary feel like an occasion of its own.
I also had the chance to capture underwater footage at Entalula using a DJI Osmo Action Cam 6 rented from Horizon Hunter Rentals for our Palawan adventure. We wanted to document more than the usual photographs taken from boats and beaches, and having the camera allowed me to capture another perspective of El Nido’s waters.
A special thank you to Horizon Hunter Rentals for helping make those underwater memories possible.
Entalula was easily one of those destinations I would return to without hesitation. There’s something particularly wonderful about discovering a place that exceeds your expectations, especially when you hadn’t anticipated it becoming one of your favorite moments of the trip.
Snake Island: A Sandbar and an Unexpected Friend
Our fifth destination was Snake Island, famous for the distinctive sandbar that gives the island its name. It’s one of El Nido’s most recognizable natural formations and a wonderful place to appreciate the surrounding coastal landscape.
But as beautiful as the sandbar was, I have to admit that something else stole my attention: a very friendly dog I met there.
Yes, of all the incredible things we experienced that day, meeting the sandbar pup became one of my favorite memories. I even got to play with him, although unfortunately, I didn’t capture that particular moment on video.
It’s funny how traveling works. You spend so much time preparing to document extraordinary landscapes, only to discover that an unexpected encounter can become just as memorable. I went to Snake Island excited about the sandbar and left with a story about a dog.
Next time, though, I’m definitely getting that video.
Cudugnon Cave: Beyond the Beaches
Our final destination was Cudugnon Cave, bringing a different dimension to our island-hopping experience. After a day surrounded by open water, beaches, and lagoons, visiting a limestone cave offered a welcome change of scenery.
Cudugnon Cave is also known for its archaeological significance, with the site associated with evidence of early human activity in the area. It’s a reminder that El Nido’s appeal extends beyond its famous coastal landscapes to places connected with the region’s history.
Ending our excursion here made the variety of our itinerary even more apparent. In one day, we’d explored two lagoons, visited beautiful islands, enjoyed lunch at Entalula, discovered Snake Island’s sandbar, and experienced a cave.
Six destinations, each offering something different. It was exactly the kind of variety I’d hoped to experience when we first planned the tour.
What Makes La Pêcheuse Different?
After spending the day exploring Bacuit Bay, I understood why La Pêcheuse emphasizes flexibility as much as speed. The advantage isn’t simply reaching destinations faster; it’s having more options for how you spend your time.
The company’s private speedboat tours allow guests to discuss their preferred destinations, departure times, and activities. Routes are planned with consideration for weather and sea conditions, while early departures help reduce the likelihood of encountering the busiest tour periods.
Of course, no operator can guarantee that a popular lagoon or beach will be completely free of other visitors. But thoughtful scheduling and faster travel can make a meaningful difference, particularly for travelers with limited time in El Nido.
The practical arrangements also made the day easier. La Pêcheuse’s advertised packages include snorkeling masks, a barbecue lunch, coffee, and drinking water. During our preparations, the team also confirmed that towels would be provided and recommended bringing aqua shoes and additional cash for optional activities such as kayaking.
Complimentary hotel pickup is available within the company’s designated El Nido town and Corong-Corong service area, which included our accommodation at Amari El Nido. Having Nhoan meet us at the hotel was a convenient way to begin the experience.
For couples, families, or groups looking for a more personalized way to explore the islands, these details contribute to an experience that feels thoughtfully arranged.
La Pêcheuse Tour Packages and Pricing
La Pêcheuse offers both private and shared speedboat experiences, providing options for travelers with different budgets and preferences.
Private Speedboat Tour — ₱23,000 (approximately US$365)
The advertised private charter accommodates up to six guests and includes exclusive use of the boat, a customizable itinerary, preferred departure-time arrangements, and the opportunity to discuss lunch preferences. Additional guests are listed at ₱3,000 (approximately US$48) each.
For six travelers, the base charter cost works out to approximately ₱3,833 (US$61) per person, excluding applicable fees. While the total charter price is a significant expense, sharing it among a group makes the private experience more accessible.
Shared Speedboat Tour — Advertised at ₱3,000 (approximately US$48)
The shared option accommodates groups of approximately six to twelve guests, follows an operator-suggested itinerary, and has a scheduled 9:30 a.m. departure. Travelers should confirm the per-person pricing directly with La Pêcheuse when making reservations.
Both options advertise snorkeling equipment, a barbecue lunch, coffee, and drinking water.
Additional Fees: Published rates exclude the ₱200 Eco-Tourism Development Fee and a ₱200 entrance fee per person for Big or Small Lagoon, where applicable. Kayaking and other optional activities may incur additional costs.
US dollar equivalents are approximate as of October 20, 2026. Prices, inclusions, and applicable fees should be confirmed directly with La Pêcheuse before booking.
