Private Speedboat Charter — El Nido & Bacuit Bay
Fully private. Twin-engine fast boat. Up to 8 guests. Your route, your pace — arriving at Big Lagoon before the tour boats, reaching the outer islands in under an hour. Locally owned, 2,000+ Google reviews, DOT-accredited.
Most El Nido tours use traditional outrigger boats — comfortable, authentic, and right for many travellers. But if you want to cover more islands, arrive at the highlights before the crowds, travel as a completely private group, and spend more time in the water than in transit, a private speedboat charter changes the equation.
Why Speedboat Over Outrigger for El Nido?
The distance from El Nido pier to the outer Tour C islands — Matinloc Shrine, Hidden Beach, Secret Beach — is roughly 22 km across open Bacuit Bay. Here is what that looks like in real time:
| Journey | Outrigger Bangka | Seatours Speedboat |
|---|---|---|
| Town pier → Tour C outer islands | 1.5–2 hours | 45 minutes |
| Islands visited per day | 3–4 (standard tour stops) | 5–7 (custom route) |
| Group aboard | 20–25 strangers | Your group only (max 8) |
| Itinerary flexibility | Fixed Tour A/B/C/D route | Fully customisable |
| Arrival at Big Lagoon | 8:30–10:00 (with the crowds) | 07:30 (before crowds) |
| Price per person (8 guests) | ₱1,500–2,500 joiner tour | ₱4,750/person (₱38,000 split 8 ways) |
The math is clear: for families, couples, honeymoon pairs, or groups of four or more who want a private experience, the speedboat charter is competitive on price and vastly superior on the experience.
Our Speedboat Fleet
Seatours operates a fleet that includes dedicated speedboat charter vessels — not repurposed fishing boats. Our charter speedboats are:
- Twin-engine 30ft fibreglass hulls — stable in light chop, rated for Bacuit Bay sea conditions
- MARINA-registered and inspected — all safety requirements including life vests for every guest, GPS navigation, first-aid kit, and satellite communication
- Shaded deck and enclosed forward cabin — essential for full-day El Nido sun; the cabin is useful for young children and guests sensitive to heat
- Fresh water wash-down station — rinse off salt water before the ride back to town
- Dedicated prep/support boat for Premium charters — carries extra gear, keeps the main deck uncluttered
Every captain holds a MARINA small-vessel licence and has navigated Bacuit Bay for a minimum of five years. They know the tides at Big Lagoon, the best entry point at Small Lagoon, and which sandbars are exposed at low tide.
Pricing Tiers
Premium Private Speedboat
Entire speedboat exclusively for your group. Dedicated host, separate prep boat, island-grilled lunch, snorkel gear, hotel pickup and drop-off. The complete private experience.
Book Premium Private →Semi-Private Speedboat
Share the speedboat with a curated small group. Still far smaller and faster than any bangka tour. Great for solo travellers or couples who want the speed advantage at a per-person price.
Book Semi-Private Day →What's Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in El Nido (Corong-Corong, town centre, and Las Cabanas area)
- Twin-engine speedboat exclusively for your group
- Licensed captain with 5+ years Bacuit Bay experience
- Dedicated onboard host
- Island-cooked lunch — fresh grilled fish, prawns, vegetables, rice, fresh juice
- Full snorkel gear for every guest (mask, snorkel, fins)
- Drinking water throughout the day
- Entrance coordination at each stop (environmental fees paid separately: ₱200/person in cash)
Not included: ₱200/person environmental fee (paid in cash on arrival), alcoholic beverages, underwater camera rental.
Sample Custom Itinerary
The route below is one example of what a private speedboat charter day looks like. Your actual route is set the evening before with your captain based on your priorities and conditions:
- 07:15 — Hotel pickup, Corong-Corong beach launch
- 07:45 — Big Lagoon, Miniloc Island — arrive before the joiner tours; kayak the full length in near-silence
- 09:00 — Small Lagoon — snorkel the cave entrance at optimal low tide
- 10:00 — Secret Lagoon — squeeze through the karst gap, swim inside
- 11:00 — Shimizu Island — reef snorkel with sea turtles (seasonal)
- 12:30 — Pinagbuyutan Island — island-grilled lunch on the beach; your host sets up a proper spread
- 14:00 — Matinloc Shrine — hike the viewpoint, explore the ruins
- 15:00 — Hidden Beach — swim through the rock channel to the pocket beach
- 16:30 — Speedboat return to El Nido (45 min)
- 17:15 — Hotel drop-off
Note: Big Lagoon has a daily visitor quota. Your captain coordinates entry timing. Conditions may adjust the order of stops.
Why Seatours for Your Private Charter
- Locally owned, El Nido–based — we are not an aggregator or a Klook/Viator reseller. Every peso you pay goes directly to a Filipino-owned, El Nido–based family business.
- 2,000+ verified Google reviews — among the highest review counts of any direct El Nido tour operator, all on Google. Verifiable at the link on our homepage.
- DOT-accredited, MARINA-registered, DTI-certified — full regulatory compliance. Ask any operator for these credentials; not all can produce them.
- Instant online booking — pick a date, pay 50% deposit via PayPal or credit card, receive confirmation in seconds. No WhatsApp negotiation, no uncertainty.
- Free cancellation 14 days out — plus 100% refund or free rebook for any coast guard or weather cancellation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast is a speedboat compared to an outrigger in El Nido?
Our twin-engine speedboat covers the distance to the Tour C outer islands in approximately 45 minutes. A traditional outrigger (bangka) takes 1.5–2 hours on the same route. Over a full day, this difference means 2–3 more island stops and genuinely early arrival at the most popular spots before joiner tour groups arrive.
What does the private speedboat charter include?
Hotel pickup, twin-engine speedboat exclusively for your group, licensed captain, dedicated host, island-grilled lunch, snorkel gear for all guests, drinking water throughout, and hotel drop-off. The only additional cost is the ₱200/person environmental fee paid in cash on arrival at the first island.
How many people fit on the private speedboat?
Maximum 8 guests. This is a firm cap — both for safety and because 8 guests is the right size for a genuinely private, comfortable day. The speedboat has proper seating for 8 plus crew, and the shaded deck gives everyone space to spread out.
Can I combine Tour A, B, C, and D stops on one private charter day?
Yes, within reason. The government limits each island visit to a quota, and some stops require separate zone fees. In a single full day you can realistically cover 5–7 highlights. Mixing the best stops from Tours A and C in one day (Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Matinloc, Hidden Beach) is the most popular custom route — and impossible on any standard joiner tour.
Is Seatours the same as booking through Klook or Viator?
No. Seatours Palawan is a direct, locally-owned operator. Klook and Viator are booking platforms that take 20–30% commission on every booking — which either increases the price or reduces what the operator can provide. Booking directly with us guarantees you the actual boat in our photos, our actual crew, and direct communication via WhatsApp. No middlemen, no inflated prices.
Ready to Book Your Private Speedboat Charter?
Pick a date, pay 50% deposit, get confirmed in seconds. The captain will WhatsApp you the evening before with your pickup time and personalised route.
Book Premium Private Charter →Questions? WhatsApp us at +63 949 861 4393