Yacht charter El Nido places you in the crown jewel of Palawan – a breathtaking seascape of 45 marble-and-limestone islands scattered across Bacuit Bay, where sheer karst cliffs plunge into lagoons of milky turquoise, white-sand pocket beaches appear and vanish with the tide, and eagle rays glide beneath your hull through water so transparent the seabed seems close enough to touch. The local charter fleet draws from the Philippines’ approximately 15 vessels: 68′–98′ motor yachts whose shallow drafts can nose into the Big and Small Lagoons, 100′+ superyachts that anchor in the deeper channels of Bacuit Bay, and 55′+ catamarans with wide swim platforms ideal for snorkelling and paddleboarding among the karst towers. November to May is peak season – blue skies, calm seas, and water temperatures around 28–30°C – while June and October offer warmer water, fewer day-trippers from the mainland, and more negotiable rates. Daily rates start from roughly $3,000/day plus 12% Philippine VAT and 30–35% APA for fuel, provisions, and lagoon-entry fees. El Nido’s magic lies in sheer density of beauty – you can visit five world-class lagoons, two cathedral-cave snorkel sites, and a hidden beach accessible only by swimming through a rock keyhole, all before the crew serves sunset cocktails on the aft deck overlooking Cadlao Island’s jagged silhouette.
Uncover lagoon-entry logistics, anchorage tips, and the best seasonal windows in our detailed El Nido destination guide.
Plan your Bacuit Bay adventure with curated El Nido charter itineraries linking the Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Matinloc Shrine.
Above you’ll find yachts available for El Nido charters from the Philippines’ fleet of around 15 vessels – motor yachts from 68′, superyachts over 100′, and catamarans from 55′. Weekly rates start from approximately $21,000. Filter by type, guest capacity, length, or rate to shortlist your favourites, then let Boatcrowd’s charter specialists coordinate lagoon permits, provisioning from the town’s growing array of quality suppliers, and onward passage planning to Coron or the Linapacan Strait.
For the peak December–April window, six to nine months’ lead time is essential – El Nido’s global reputation means the best yachts are in high demand over the holidays and into spring. The shoulder months of May and November offer excellent conditions with slightly more availability and can typically be arranged four to five months ahead.
Yes. El Nido’s marine reserve requires an Eco-Tourism Development Fee (ETDF) for each visitor, and individual lagoon and island sites carry additional entry charges. Your charter crew or Boatcrowd broker pre-arranges all permits and fees so you can enjoy each lagoon without queuing at the mainland ticket offices alongside day-trip boats.
The base fee covers the yacht, professional crew, insurance, and standard on-board equipment. Fuel, provisions, beverages, ETDF fees, lagoon-entry charges, and any dive or fishing excursions are funded through the APA (30–35% of the charter fee). Philippine VAT at 12% applies to the base rate, and any unused APA is refunded after the voyage.
Absolutely – the El Nido-to-Coron passage is one of Southeast Asia’s great yacht itineraries, threading north through the Linapacan Strait past pristine uninhabited islands, hidden lagoons, and some of the clearest water in the Pacific. The journey typically takes three to four sailing days with generous stops, and your Boatcrowd broker can plan every anchorage, snorkel stop, and provisioning point along the route.
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