Ape Tours (el Nido And Coron)
Ape Tours (el Nido And Coron)
Ape Tours (el Nido And Coron)
4.5
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Full view
About
WHO WE ARE Ape Tours was born out of a family’s passion for travel, nature, and giving back to the local community. Our team is on a mission to give guests a fun, safe, and memorable time. We take your vacation seriously. ;) We hope to welcome you aboard and take you through the best spots El Nido has to offer. See you soon! WHY CHOOSE US Nature-loving Being in nature clears the mind, brings deep joy, and helps us connect with other people. We love meeting new friends as much as we love our role in helping preserve the beauty that is El Nido. Warmth We’re not just talking about the year-round sunshine in the tropics. All our guests are welcomed as part of our community. Our guided El Nido tours are one for the books and it’s mostl"
El Nido, Philippines
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
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Ape Tours (el Nido And Coron)
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
154 reviews
Excellent
138
Very good
4
Average
4
Poor
2
Terrible
6
Roben
Luzon, Philippines3 contributions
Mar 2022 • Family
A family friend recommended Ape Tours from their recent El Nido trip and it was all worth it. The private tours were inclusive of hotel transfers to and from Corong-Corong port, miscellaneous fees (environmental fee, kayak rentals, entrance fees, etc.) and a very delicious meals (lunch and afternoon snacks).
We booked tours A and C. On our first day, we were joined by Sir Ivan and his friend Richard. We were very lucky to be on board at Wave Quatro (their new boat) which has a capacity of 30 pax. We were only a group of 5 (4 adults and 1 child). We were the envy of group tours as we pass their boats.
Our guide, Sir Rio, was very fun to be with, accommodating with our requests and an excellent photographer. One of the perks of booking Ape tours, you will have a dedicated guide / photographer that will capture all the precious moments and fun activities.
Captain Chris navigated the islands smoothly even their were times that the sea was very restless. Kudos to their chef for preparing a very sumptuous meals and to the rest of the crew that helped our trip to be safe.
Their off shore staffs (including Sir Ron and Sir Jayson) handled / assisted us very well.
We would definitely recommend Ape
Tours to our families and friends. Hope we can book again very soon.
We booked tours A and C. On our first day, we were joined by Sir Ivan and his friend Richard. We were very lucky to be on board at Wave Quatro (their new boat) which has a capacity of 30 pax. We were only a group of 5 (4 adults and 1 child). We were the envy of group tours as we pass their boats.
Our guide, Sir Rio, was very fun to be with, accommodating with our requests and an excellent photographer. One of the perks of booking Ape tours, you will have a dedicated guide / photographer that will capture all the precious moments and fun activities.
Captain Chris navigated the islands smoothly even their were times that the sea was very restless. Kudos to their chef for preparing a very sumptuous meals and to the rest of the crew that helped our trip to be safe.
Their off shore staffs (including Sir Ron and Sir Jayson) handled / assisted us very well.
We would definitely recommend Ape
Tours to our families and friends. Hope we can book again very soon.
Written March 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your kind words Sir Roben. Your feedback means a lot to us. We will continue to walk the extra mile to exceed your expectations. Apetours is here for you anytime you return to El Nido! Safe travels! Cheers!
Written June 15, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Andy L
Cebu Island, Philippines68 contributions
Jan 2020
Did 2 tours with my wife and teen son. Tour C and D.
Great boats, some of the best food we have been served in the Philippines cooked right there on the boat! The banana blossom curry is amazing and I am no vegan.
I would say this company have a great vibe going and organise the order of stops to make it feel as private as possible for the passengers, don't go somewhere to save 100/200 Pesos I wouldn't chance it. The owners are so passionate and enthusiastic and I really liked that they showed a genuine passion for the environment and taking care of it in a sustainable way. So why not 5 star rating. The only slight negative I have already mentioned is that on the busier day it was just too chaotic and the sitting around was over an hour and half. The crews are great guys but I would say at that time of the day the first impressions count and maybe not the best time to be joking around.
Everyone was great but particular praise has to go to Jason and Sarah on our Tour C and to Ivan for the bespoke drone video he made featuring all the guests on the trip. Yes that is a special touch you are not likely to get anywhere else, photos and videos were supplied to all guests after the tours, just take a USB or memory card of some sort. Thanks its a 4.5 from us!
Great boats, some of the best food we have been served in the Philippines cooked right there on the boat! The banana blossom curry is amazing and I am no vegan.
I would say this company have a great vibe going and organise the order of stops to make it feel as private as possible for the passengers, don't go somewhere to save 100/200 Pesos I wouldn't chance it. The owners are so passionate and enthusiastic and I really liked that they showed a genuine passion for the environment and taking care of it in a sustainable way. So why not 5 star rating. The only slight negative I have already mentioned is that on the busier day it was just too chaotic and the sitting around was over an hour and half. The crews are great guys but I would say at that time of the day the first impressions count and maybe not the best time to be joking around.
Everyone was great but particular praise has to go to Jason and Sarah on our Tour C and to Ivan for the bespoke drone video he made featuring all the guests on the trip. Yes that is a special touch you are not likely to get anywhere else, photos and videos were supplied to all guests after the tours, just take a USB or memory card of some sort. Thanks its a 4.5 from us!
Written January 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for this review. Appreciate also for sending feedback on how we can better manage the wait time of the guests before boarding the boat. We hope to have you back again soon. Cheers from apetours!
Written January 18, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Me Myself and I
Tweed Heads, Australia113 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We liked that Ape Tours organised it's own boats - meaning that the agency wasn't just selling for someone else.
Despite being told to arrive by 8:30am, we didn't leave until about 10am. We learnt that the 'powers to be' require all tours to manually register the patrons' names before departure on the morning of the tour (very time consuming). Then, with the 'approval', they must then seek approval from the Coast Guard before being allowed to depart. It would appear there is money exchanged, the sum being negotiable, before a permit being issued. Who said graft!!!
We were promised that we'd visit the same venues as other operators doing Tour C, but that they would follow a different route and mostly would have the places to ourselves. What a lot of rot! We (fortunately) headed most boats, but soon after arrival at each venue we were crowded out by other boats.
At times, the boat stayed moored, even though all were back on board. We were given no explanation as to why.
Lunch was plentiful, but ordinary in taste.
Given our discussions with others using different tour agencies, it appears Ape are better than most. Ape can't be held responsible for government incompetance.
Perhaps the most annoying aspect is that there appears far too many tourists all concentrating on the same spots. That said, due to the Coronavirus, and with an absence of Chinese, what the place would be like in 'high' season is worrying.
Despite being told to arrive by 8:30am, we didn't leave until about 10am. We learnt that the 'powers to be' require all tours to manually register the patrons' names before departure on the morning of the tour (very time consuming). Then, with the 'approval', they must then seek approval from the Coast Guard before being allowed to depart. It would appear there is money exchanged, the sum being negotiable, before a permit being issued. Who said graft!!!
We were promised that we'd visit the same venues as other operators doing Tour C, but that they would follow a different route and mostly would have the places to ourselves. What a lot of rot! We (fortunately) headed most boats, but soon after arrival at each venue we were crowded out by other boats.
At times, the boat stayed moored, even though all were back on board. We were given no explanation as to why.
Lunch was plentiful, but ordinary in taste.
Given our discussions with others using different tour agencies, it appears Ape are better than most. Ape can't be held responsible for government incompetance.
Perhaps the most annoying aspect is that there appears far too many tourists all concentrating on the same spots. That said, due to the Coronavirus, and with an absence of Chinese, what the place would be like in 'high' season is worrying.
Written February 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cris_p_f88
Barcelona, Spain43 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
Our engagement with Ape Tours in El Nido was a mixed bag. Initially, we booked two tours, Tour A and Tour C, with a deposit requirement that felt excessive and lacked a guarantee of securing a spot. Furthermore, Ape Tours' pricing, despite additional inclusions, was nearly double that of other tour operators in town.
Tour A was a positive experience, featuring a knowledgeable guide, inclusive snorkeling gear, and even some complimentary photos.
However, the veneer of professionalism quickly crumbled when faced with two major issues:
* Ape Tours recommended a partner agency for a Coron tour due to their unavailability on our chosen dates (Wander Juan). Shockingly, this partner agency exposed my partner to a potentially hazardous activity. Ape Tours' response to our valid concerns and evidence was a feeble "investigation" that yielded no tangible action or accountability.
* On the day of Tour C, Ape Tours failed to gather enough participants, leaving us with the options of a refund or rebooking through another partner agency. Opting for the refund, the ensuing saga involved persistent delays and unanswered inquiries for days. Frustrated by their lack of transparency, we resorted to a PayPal claim, thankfully resulting in a successful refund.
While the initial tour hinted at promise, Ape Tours' handling of the partner agency issue and the subsequent refund process for an unfulfilled service showcased a complete disregard for customer satisfaction. Our advice is to exercise extreme caution when considering any tours with Ape Tours in El Nido, as our experience suggests they prioritize profit over professionalism
Tour A was a positive experience, featuring a knowledgeable guide, inclusive snorkeling gear, and even some complimentary photos.
However, the veneer of professionalism quickly crumbled when faced with two major issues:
* Ape Tours recommended a partner agency for a Coron tour due to their unavailability on our chosen dates (Wander Juan). Shockingly, this partner agency exposed my partner to a potentially hazardous activity. Ape Tours' response to our valid concerns and evidence was a feeble "investigation" that yielded no tangible action or accountability.
* On the day of Tour C, Ape Tours failed to gather enough participants, leaving us with the options of a refund or rebooking through another partner agency. Opting for the refund, the ensuing saga involved persistent delays and unanswered inquiries for days. Frustrated by their lack of transparency, we resorted to a PayPal claim, thankfully resulting in a successful refund.
While the initial tour hinted at promise, Ape Tours' handling of the partner agency issue and the subsequent refund process for an unfulfilled service showcased a complete disregard for customer satisfaction. Our advice is to exercise extreme caution when considering any tours with Ape Tours in El Nido, as our experience suggests they prioritize profit over professionalism
Written January 23, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We sincerely apologize for the experience you've encountered with Wander Juan. To provide clarity, WE DID NOT FORMALLY ENDORSED YOU TO THEM. When you inquired about our other agency provider, you approached them directly, mentioning our name. We even offered to facilitate the proper endorsement by obtaining your details. Surprisingly, we later discovered that you had approached Wander Juan directly upon reaching our office in El Nido. We took immediate action by addressing your concerns with Wander Juan, confronting the issue directly, and providing you with a screenshot of our conversation. Despite not officially endorsing you to them, we made efforts to ensure that your concerns about their services were communicated to them.
Regarding the El Nido tours that didn't proceed, we sent you a detailed booking confirmation, including all relevant information and potential solutions in case we didn't meet the required headcount. This information was emailed to you, and a screenshot is attached for your reference.
We adamantly deny prioritizing profit over professionalism. Thi is not FAIR. In fact, we proactively managed your expectations by offering solutions in case the required headcount for our El Nido Tour C shared tour was not met. As reiterated earlier, this information was communicated to you via email and is stipulated in the BOOKING CONFIRMATION that you received.
Concerning refunds, our policy stipulates a release within 5-7 days, as clearly indicated in your booking agreement. We fail to understand the issue surrounding this matter.
Written February 29, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Katrina D
14 contributions
Oct 2022 • Family
ApeTours is the best tour provider I’ve ever booked - from the booking experience (prompt and courteous replies) right through the tour provided, everything was fantastic. I booked 2 private tours - Tour A and B in El Nido - and both tours were amazing, especially with our tour guide, Virgel. Everything is included in the price (food, kayaking, floating mat, environmental and entrance fees, even photos provided on USB sticks!) so you don’t have to worry about anything and can just enjoy the day. We also got to experience some beautiful boats with roof decks. Unfortunately, weather was not great for our 2nd tour, but they were quick to inform us of the cancelled tour and offered us to pick another tour, and they also did their best to safely get us to enjoy as many locations as possible. The food prepared fresh on the boat was also awesome. I would not recommend any tour providers in El Nido but Ape Tours!
Written November 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J S
Washington DC34 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
I know it's been a hot minute since our private island tour in El Nido back in June 2022, but I've been reminiscing about those epic days and just had to give a shoutout to Vergil Abus, Ninio Gregorio, Captain Jack Sparrow and other crewmates for making it one for the books.
First off, big props to Vergil for being the ultimate guide extraordinaire. His knowledge of El Nido was next level, and he had us feeling like we were uncovering hidden treasures at every turn. Whether we were cruising through the lagoons of Tour A or diving into the adventures of Tour D, Vergil was the man with the plan, keeping us entertained and informed every step of the way. He also made sure that we were safe throughout the trip and even went out of the way to hand-deliver our pictures just a few hours before we went to our trip to Coron.
And let's talk about Ninio's culinary wizardry for a sec. That guy knows his way around a makeshift kitchen in the boat! From the freshest seafood to mouthwatering Filipino dishes, every bite was a taste sensation. Eating his delicious creations while lounging on a secluded beach was pure bliss. Ninio definitely elevated our island picnic game to a whole new level.
Together, Vergil and Ninio turned what could have been just another day in paradise into an unforgettable adventure. Their laid-back vibes and genuine passion for what they do made all the difference. If you're ever thinking about doing a private island tour in El Nido, I can't recommend these guys enough.
Cheers to Vergil and Ninio for giving us memories that'll last a lifetime.
First off, big props to Vergil for being the ultimate guide extraordinaire. His knowledge of El Nido was next level, and he had us feeling like we were uncovering hidden treasures at every turn. Whether we were cruising through the lagoons of Tour A or diving into the adventures of Tour D, Vergil was the man with the plan, keeping us entertained and informed every step of the way. He also made sure that we were safe throughout the trip and even went out of the way to hand-deliver our pictures just a few hours before we went to our trip to Coron.
And let's talk about Ninio's culinary wizardry for a sec. That guy knows his way around a makeshift kitchen in the boat! From the freshest seafood to mouthwatering Filipino dishes, every bite was a taste sensation. Eating his delicious creations while lounging on a secluded beach was pure bliss. Ninio definitely elevated our island picnic game to a whole new level.
Together, Vergil and Ninio turned what could have been just another day in paradise into an unforgettable adventure. Their laid-back vibes and genuine passion for what they do made all the difference. If you're ever thinking about doing a private island tour in El Nido, I can't recommend these guys enough.
Cheers to Vergil and Ninio for giving us memories that'll last a lifetime.
Written March 23, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ichi Belle
3 contributions
May 2022
Ape Tours service is superb! When I had a 5 day trip in El Nido, our island tour with Ape Tours was the highlight. I tried another operator on another day since Ape Tours was fully booked, and I saw the comparison. Ape Tours is the best.
They may be more expensive compared to other tours, but I assure you that IT IS WORTH IT.
Why I love Ape Tours compared to the others
1. The culture/crowd they have (Ivan, Jason, I forgot the other names) are so cool, amusement to be with, and can be really funny too! They be dancing too!
2. They have a professional photographer (Ivan), but the other staff take really good photos too (Thanks Jayson!), so you won't have to worry about your tour photos (with the posing and perfect scenery too, they guide you!) and they will send it to you via your email after.
3. They have this waterproof bag where you can put your valuables so you don't have to buy a waterproof bag that costs Php 350
4. Better lifejacket. Their lifejackets are way better than the lifejackets of the other tours where it is old and stinky
5. They provide free rent of snorkeling gears.
On some, they have it rented for Php 100, but with Ape Tours it's free!
Till next time, Ape Tours!
They may be more expensive compared to other tours, but I assure you that IT IS WORTH IT.
Why I love Ape Tours compared to the others
1. The culture/crowd they have (Ivan, Jason, I forgot the other names) are so cool, amusement to be with, and can be really funny too! They be dancing too!
2. They have a professional photographer (Ivan), but the other staff take really good photos too (Thanks Jayson!), so you won't have to worry about your tour photos (with the posing and perfect scenery too, they guide you!) and they will send it to you via your email after.
3. They have this waterproof bag where you can put your valuables so you don't have to buy a waterproof bag that costs Php 350
4. Better lifejacket. Their lifejackets are way better than the lifejackets of the other tours where it is old and stinky
5. They provide free rent of snorkeling gears.
On some, they have it rented for Php 100, but with Ape Tours it's free!
Till next time, Ape Tours!
Written July 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jiejiethetraveler
Imus, Philippines9 contributions
Feb 2023
Booked our tour with Ape Tours last month in El Nido and we had the best experience!! Actually the best is an understatement coz what we experienced is unforgettable. Definitely superb service 🙌🏻 Ivan and his staffs are all amazing, super kind, accommodating and super kalog. Everyone inside the boat at singing, dancing and laughing the whole time which is super fun! You'll really see the difference of their tour as compared to other agencies plus we were lucky enough to do the tour using their party boat which is really huge and with roofdeck that can fit more than 10 people sa deck palang alone. Their food is the best as you can see in the photos. Andami, ang sarap and halatang pinagplanuhan talaga. They even offered purified water to make sure that it's safe for drinking given the water situation in El Nido. I will definitely book with them again on our next tour and will recommend them to all of my friends. Thank you so much Ivan, to your fam and staffs. See you again soon!
Written March 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
karagatan
philippines2 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
We opted for Tour A in El Nido and were thoroughly impressed by the transparent booking process and exceptional service delivered by their outstanding tour guides and office staff. While their rates may be slightly higher than those of other operators, the experience was undoubtedly worth it. The abundance of delicious food they provided, coupled with the complimentary photos shared at the conclusion of the tour, made it a truly rewarding choice.
Written February 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
aimee
Philippines1 contribution
Apr 2024 • Friends
El Nido and Coron were truly breathtaking—like stepping into a dream, with their serene beauty and stunning landscapes. We had the pleasure of choosing Ape Tours for our trip, and they exceeded all our expectations. The team was professional and attentive, ensuring everything from the booking process to the tours themselves went smoothly and without a hitch.
Our experience was unforgettable, and we’re so grateful to Paul from Ape Tours Coron and Lito, the talented chef, for adding that extra special touch. A big thank you as well to Vergil and Bigboy, our wonderful guides in El Nido. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience, and we’ll be sure to recommend Ape Tours to anyone visiting this paradise. Thank you, Ape Tours, for making our vacation one we’ll always cherish! ❤❤
Our experience was unforgettable, and we’re so grateful to Paul from Ape Tours Coron and Lito, the talented chef, for adding that extra special touch. A big thank you as well to Vergil and Bigboy, our wonderful guides in El Nido. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience, and we’ll be sure to recommend Ape Tours to anyone visiting this paradise. Thank you, Ape Tours, for making our vacation one we’ll always cherish! ❤❤
Written November 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hola! Hay que reservar? Estaremos en El NIdo del 25 al 29 de abril.
No pasan a buscar por el hotel?
Written March 7, 2017
Apetours P
El Nido, Philippines
sure. add us in facebook Ape Tours . lets talk .
Written August 27, 2017
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.