What El Nido Tours does

El Nido Tours is a Philippines-based online tour-booking platform and intermediary, founded in 2014 by Ethan Reyes and headquartered in El Nido, Palawan. The company curates and books licensed local tour operators for island-hopping and adventure experiences across the Bacuit Archipelago — more than 50 islands of limestone karst, lagoons, and beaches — operating through two complementary revenue streams: direct online bookings processed via elnido.tours and affiliate-referral commissions earned when travelers book through listings on GetYourGuide and Viator. Its core product portfolio centers on the four standardized island-hopping routes (Tour A through D) with prices of $54–$57 per person for shared bangka boat tours and $143–$153 per person for private charters, alongside specialty experiences including a 50ft Seacret luxury catamaran operated with El Nido Yachting Club at $155/person, a three-day Coron-to-El Nido Castaway Expedition at $322/person, scuba diving, jeepney overland tours, and a UNESCO-listed Underground River day trip.

Underlying operations rely on traditional Filipino bangka outrigger boats with shaded canopies and small-group sizes (typically 10–18 passengers), licensed local guides, an all-inclusive pricing model (buffet lunch, snorkel gear, life jackets), and flexible 24-hour cancellation. Distribution runs through the direct website, third-party OTAs (GetYourGuide, Viator/TripAdvisor), SEO-driven travel guides comparing routes and seasons, and an email newsletter. The company is founder-owned with no institutional backing, no subsidiaries, and a single operational base, with recognition including the 2024 Philippines Palawan Excellence Award and 2023 Best El Nido Tour Operator designation. Cumulative traveler count attributed to the founder stands at 8,200+ since 2014, and current individual tour booking counts (e.g., 718+ on Tour A group, 886+ on Private Tour A) indicate substantially higher recent platform throughput.

The target customer is the international and domestic tourist visiting El Nido — first-time Palawan visitors, couples, families with children, solo travelers, and adventure seekers — purchasing experiences priced at the low-to-mid hundreds of dollars per person, with seasonal demand concentrated in the December–April and July–August high seasons that frequently sell out days to weeks in advance.

Name

El Nido Tours

Legal name

El Nido Tours

Website

https://elnido.tours

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Short description

El Nido Tours is a Philippines-based online booking platform and intermediary connecting international travelers with licensed local operators for island-hopping tours, private charters, and multi-day expeditions across El Nido's Bacuit Archipelago, serving tourists visiting Palawan.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adventure Tour Operator Services

NAICS

Tour Operators (56152), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (48721)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Surf, Kitesurf & Wind Sports Adventures (THAJABAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Destination Yacht Cruises (Island-Hopping & Archipelago Routes) (THAEADAI), Eco-Cruises & Small-Ship Nature Cruises (Expedition Cruising) (THAAAEAK)

Keywords

• Island hopping tours
• Boat tour packages
• Lagoon excursions
• Scuba diving tours
• Travel booking platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Lewes

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Tour Booking Commissions: Acts as an intermediary booking platform connecting travelers with licensed El Nido tour operators. Earns affiliate commissions when customers book through their recommended links to GetYourGuide, Viator, or direct operator bookings. Website contains affiliate links to certified and official El Nido tour operators.
2. Direct Tour Bookings: Online tour reservations processed through their platform with various island hopping tours ranging from group tours ($54-57/person) to private tours ($143-153/person) and multi-day expeditions ($322).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

El Nido Tours is an online booking platform and tour intermediary that curates, markets, and sells island-hopping and adventure tours across El Nido and the Bacuit Archipelago in Palawan, Philippines. It offers the four standardized island-hopping routes (Tour A, B, C, D) plus private boat versions, multi-day expeditions, luxury catamaran sailing, scuba, kayak, jeepney and dirt bike tours, fulfilling bookings through licensed local boat operators.

Product overview

El Nido Tours is a tour booking platform offering island hopping tours and adventure experiences in Palawan, Philippines. The core offering consists of four standardized island-hopping routes (Tour A, B, C, D) covering the Bacuit Archipelago's lagoons, beaches, and caves via traditional bangka boats. Premium private boat versions of all four tours provide exclusive access with customizable timing. Additional products include multi-day expeditions (Coron to El Nido), luxury catamaran sailing, land-based adventures (jeepney tours, dirt bike tours), scuba diving experiences, and inland excursions (Underground River). The company operates as an intermediary connecting travelers with licensed local tour operators.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• El Nido Tour A – Group Island Hopping with Buffet Lunch Shared bangka boat island-hopping tour covering Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, and Seven Commando Beach with buffet lunch, snorkeling gear, and expert local guide. Most popular route for first-time visitors to El Nido.
• El Nido Tour B – Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave & Buffet Lunch Beach and cave-focused shared island-hopping tour visiting Snake Island sandbar, Cudugnon Cave (Neolithic archaeological site), Cathedral Cave, Entalula Beach, and Pinagbuyutan Island with snorkeling and buffet lunch.
• El Nido Tour C – Helicopter Island, Secret Beach & Buffet Lunch Outer-islands shared island-hopping tour covering Helicopter Island, Matinloc Shrine, Secret Beach, Hidden Beach, and Tapiutan Island with the best snorkeling of the standard routes and buffet lunch included.
• El Nido Tour D – Cadlao Lagoon, Paradise Beach & Buffet Lunch Quietest shared island-hopping route covering Cadlao Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Nat Nat Beach, Paradise Beach, Pasandigan Cove, and Bukal Island with buffet lunch, best for travelers seeking uncrowded experiences.
• Private El Nido Tour A – Lagoons, Beaches & Private Buffet Lunch Exclusive private boat charter following the Tour A itinerary with dedicated captain and guide, customizable timing and pace, and private buffet lunch.
• Private El Nido Tour B – Snake Island, Entalula & Private Buffet Lunch Exclusive private boat charter covering Snake Island, Cathedral Cave, Cudugnon Cave, and Pinagbuyutan Island with private lunch and flexible scheduling.
• Private El Nido Tour C – Helicopter Island, Secret Beach & Private Buffet Lunch Exclusive private outer-islands charter covering Helicopter Island, Secret Beach, and hidden coves with full control over timing, route, and pacing plus private lunch.
• Private El Nido Tour D – Cadlao Lagoon, Nat Nat Beach & Private Buffet Lunch Exclusive private quiet-lagoon charter covering Cadlao Lagoon, Nat Nat Beach, and secluded spots with private lunch and personalized pace.
• El Nido Private Beach Hopping All-Inclusive Tour Full-day private boat tour to El Nido's most scenic beaches with all-inclusive service, designed for couples, families, or friends with flexible itinerary.
• Coron to El Nido Castaway Expedition – 3 Days 2 Nights 3-day/2-night island-hopping expedition from Coron to El Nido visiting remote islands, beachfront basecamps, bonfires, and snorkeling. Includes overnight accommodation in native huts, all meals, drinks, and snorkel gear.
• El Nido Seacret Luxury Catamaran Group Island Adventure Premium 50ft catamaran sailing experience with El Nido Yachting Club visiting 3-4 islands including Big Lagoon, Hidden Beach, and Helicopter Island with onboard food and snorkel gear.
• Big Lagoon Kayaking & El Nido Island Adventure Full Day Full-day kayak-focused tour covering Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, and Seven Commando Beach with grilled seafood lunch and snorkel gear.
• Discover Scuba Diving in El Nido – Beginner-Friendly Reef Experience Beginner-friendly discover scuba diving experience with certified professionals. No prior skills required; includes orientation, confined water training, and real dives with maximum 4 students per divemaster.
• El Nido Jeepney Adventure Tour with Lunch – Off-Road & Scenic Land-based adventure using traditional Filipino jeepney vehicles covering Lio Beach, Bulalacao Waterfalls, boodle fight farm lunch, Nacpan Beach sunset, and a beach club pool party.
• Private Full-Day Underground River Tour from El Nido & Lunch Private day trip to the UNESCO-listed Puerto Princesa Underground River with hotel pickup, scenic drive, kayak ride through the cave with audio guide, and lunch at Sabang Wharf.
• El Nido Scenic Highlights – Relaxed Beginner-Friendly Day Trip Beginner-friendly dirt bike tour exploring northern El Nido's beaches, rice fields, and dirt paths using Honda CRF150L motorcycles with integrated riding lessons from experienced guides.

Quantifiable outcome

• 8,200+ travelers guided since 2014
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Licensed El Nido Tour OperatorscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEl Nido Tours curates and recommends licensed, vetted tour operators in El Nido. They partner with the best local boat operators and guides to fulfill bookings made through their platform. The company acts as an intermediary connecting travelers with these certified operators.
• GetYourGuidecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party travel marketplace where El Nido Tours lists certified El Nido tour operators. Affiliate partnership generating commissions on bookings referred through the platform.
• Viator (TripAdvisor)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party travel marketplace listing El Nido tour experiences with verified reviews and booking integration. Affiliate partnership for booking referrals.
• El Nido Yachting ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with El Nido Yachting Club for the Seacret Luxury Catamaran Group Island Adventure - a 50ft catamaran sailing experience to stunning islands.
• AirSWIFTminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal airline partner operating direct flights from Manila to El Nido Airport (ENI), near the tour operations base. Mentioned as the primary air access option for visitors.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• TourRadar: Online marketplace specializing in multi-day guided tours and small-group adventures, including Philippines itineraries. Comparable in addressing adventure-leaning travelers seeking packaged island experiences.
• Backstreet Adventures: Southeast Asia motorcycle and adventure tour operator offering guided dirt-bike and overland trips. Comparable in addressing adventure-seeker travelers in the Philippines and broader Southeast Asia with packaged, guide-led experiences.

Direct peers

• Philippine Divers: Palawan-based dive operator offering scuba experiences in El Nido and Coron that overlap with El Nido Tours' Discover Scuba product line. Comparable target customer (adventure divers) and overlapping Palawan operating territory.
• El Nido Yachting Club: Local El Nido operator running the Seacret catamaran experiences that El Nido Tours resells. Directly comparable in product format (luxury island-hopping day trips) and shares a strategic partnership with El Nido Tours.
• Tao Philippines: Philippine adventure and expedition operator running multi-day island-hopping journeys (e.g., Coron to El Nido). Closely comparable product mix, geography, and small-ship expedition format to El Nido Tours.

Broad incumbents

• GetYourGuide: Global tours and activities marketplace that powers El Nido Tours' affiliate distribution. Overlaps in offering El Nido and Palawan experiences to international travelers, but operates globally across thousands of destinations.
• Klook: Asia-headquartered tours and activities marketplace listing El Nido operators. Competes for the same traveler demand and overlapping distribution, but operates as a broad multi-vertical platform rather than a single-destination specialist.
• Viator (TripAdvisor): Tripadvisor-owned tours marketplace with strong El Nido and Philippines listings. Mirrors GetYourGuide as a parallel global distribution and competitor channel for the same island-hopping bookings.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about El Nido Tours