Discover El Nido — Attraction in El Nido

This company was reviewed very well which in part was why we went with them. We had a very poor experience though. I would not book again. Please DO NOT book tour C. Do not enter the Shrine Island. It is not worth paying extra to see a shrine that you can see from the parked boat. As soon as you go on that island you will need to pay 100 pesos which we were told before booking was OPTIONAL. And it truly is. However, my guide was not good and pressured me to go on the island saying the shrine is nice and there is a "viewpoint" to walk to on the island. Again, you can see the shrine from the boat, there are no hiking trails on the island, and the view point takes all of 30 seconds. When I asked if I could go snorkelling instead near the parked boat he pushed back this idea. Other tour companies will give you an option to either do the shrine Island or go a bit further to the secret lagoon (which was a stop on our tour we never went to by the way). This was never offered. And the snorkelling (which I just went ahead and did since I was done so quickly looking at the other things) was actually so beautiful by the island! Untouched and the water was very calm and protected there. So there was no flexibility. There was dishonesty. Which really, many things could go wrong on a tour... But when you have a guide that isn't looking out for your best interest.. then the tour will be terrible. There is beautiful snorkelling available, but I was instead pressured into doing something I didn't want to do. This guide and another crew member also when snorkelling spent their whole time swimming privately with two girls on the trip, and focussed on them heavily with picture taking at another stop. This is very unprofessional. There are other guests on the tour that would appreciate attention and most guides know to treat everyone equally. I have done very informative snorkelling trips where, for example, the guide will lead a group of individuals to good spots and keep an eye out for everyone. We were dropped in at helicopter island and given no direction. Very poor snorkelling sight as well with choppy waters and many jelly fish that day. Life jackets were not mandatory and it was quite a windy day with VERY choppy waters. A girl actually called for help and nearly drowned in these waters as the guides didn't inform people it would be safer to wear life jackets in these conditions. Other tours would mandate lifejackets or atleast say to people not wanting to wear jackets to watch out because it will be difficult to tread today. So honesty is an issue. Safety was an issue. Another thing, our boat broke down at lunch (engine propeller got caught in the snorkelling area rope) and we needed to transfer to another companies boat. This of course is not intended, but be aware! If the boat breaks on you, there is no replacement boat from the company when everyone is already out for the day. And had there not been another company doing a tour near by then we would have been stuck. ABOVE ALL, this company IS NOT doing eco tourism. Please do not go to hidden beach. Hence, don't do Tour C. Boycott this. Multiple ships drop anchor on what is now dead coral to enter the beach and every tour including ours was seen stepping all over the coral/rocks to get to the beach. There would be beautiful coral there I'm sure if tour groups weren't going to this beach. It was very sad. We also were initially given the option to rent shoes which was confusing to me because again, when our guide "highly recommended" and pressured us to rent them. Another 100 pesos gone that wasn't told to us , and the shoes were used to walk on dead corals. The only highlight was we had a good lunch mostly of mixed seafood and side dishes. Not too many good things to say. When we went back to the office to drop our gear off there was not a word about the boat breaking down, or the service. I'm sure some days are so lovely with this company... But we unfortunately had a very poor day. I would suggest booking elsewhere or going with a private tour if you...

⚠️I would not recommend this company at all - there are plenty of other places to choose from. If you do book a tour, make sure not to get a guide called AJ.

We booked a private tour for tour A to do the tour in a different order in order to avoid crowds (this is the main reason to do a private tour), however when we were on the boat AJ told us it wasn’t possible and we had to do the same order as everyone else. AJs behaviour was appalling during the trip - picking up a hermit crab to show us, tossing it around in his hands and then chucking it across the beach. He also harassed a cat on the beach by pouring sea water on it to the extent that it ran at him and actually attacked his legs. Further to this the tour lost some of our clothes overboard when they moved the boat while we were on a beach and there was only 500ml of water each for the full day tour. Finally at the end of the tour AJ left us on the beach instead of escorting us back to the Discover Centre.

After the tour when we complained AJ then lied about everything saying he offered us more water, he told us not to leave clothes out, we left him on the beach while he returned the snorkels (something we actually did ourselves) and that we didn’t ask to do the tour in a different order. Additionally the tour agency, gave him our hotel address (despite us saying we did not want to talk to him , given his attitude) where he found us on the beach two days later and straight away just accused us of lying - no introduction / apology or willingness to accept feedback.

We additionally spoke to the manager at Discover El Nido who defended AJ and did not even try to remain neutral. In fact, he told us additional lies from AJ - we did say he could verify these were lies with other people that we interacted with on the tour. He did not seem willing to accept any feedback (even for basic suggestions such as having more water on board) and told us we shouldn’t let something like loosing clothes overboard make us upset. In the end they offered us a PHP2,000 discount from a total fee of PHP12,800 but refused to compensate for the lost clothes. For reference a group tour is about PHP1,200 per person and if you use Discover you should book this option and check who your guide is in advance.

Overall the experience was not at all what was expected or advertised and the communication and attitude of everyone involved...

An Unforgettable Island Hopping Adventure

Our recent experience with Tour C was nothing short of spectacular. From the moment we set sail, it was clear that we were in for an extraordinary adventure, and a lot of that had to do with the incredible crew—our tour guide and captain.

The Tour Guide: Our tour guide was not only knowledgeable but also incredibly engaging and personable. He brought the islands to life with his stories, sharing fascinating insights into the local history, culture, and natural environment. His enthusiasm was contagious, and he made sure that every moment of the tour was enjoyable. Whether it was guiding us through the best snorkeling spots or pointing out hidden gems on the islands, he truly elevated the entire experience.

The Captain: Equally impressive was our captain, whose skill and expertise made the journey smooth and enjoyable. Navigating the boat with ease, he ensured that we felt safe and comfortable throughout the trip. His calm demeanor and friendly attitude added to the relaxed atmosphere, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the beauty of the surroundings.

The Tour Itself: Tour C took us to some of the most stunning and diverse locations in the area. Each island offered something unique, from breathtaking lagoons to secluded beaches, making every stop a highlight in its own right. The itinerary was well-paced, allowing us to fully appreciate each destination without feeling rushed.

We were particularly impressed by the attention to detail and the way the crew went above and beyond to ensure everyone had a fantastic time. Whether it was helping with snorkeling gear or sharing tips on how to spot marine life, their dedication to providing an exceptional experience was evident.

Tour C exceeded all our expectations, and much of that is thanks to our amazing tour guide and captain. Their professionalism, passion, and warmth made this tour one of the best we’ve ever experienced. If you’re looking for a memorable island-hopping adventure, we highly recommend booking this tour—you won’t be disappointed! Love from...