From Puerto Princesa: Day Trip to El Nido and Island Hopping

El Nido’s limestone walls, clear lagoons, and bright beaches are the reason to take this trip. The island-hopping portion gives you a full day around Bacuit Bay, with stops at Secret Lagoon, Big Lagoon, and Seven Commandos Beach, plus time for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking.

I like that the package includes the practical items that can add up quickly: kayak rental, snorkeling mask, life vest, aqua shoes, lunch, and lagoon fees. I also like the chance to see Palawan’s countryside on the long drive north instead of arranging a separate El Nido stay.

The catch is plain: this is a very long day. You can spend more than 10 hours in a van, and the return ride may be shared or delayed. If you already plan to visit El Nido, booking a local boat there will usually be more comfortable and better value.

Key points to know before booking

• A 20-hour day begins around 4 AM: Plan on roughly five hours each way between Puerto Princesa and El Nido.
• Four major stops shape the boat trip: Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Seven Commandos Beach, and Big Lagoon are the usual highlights, though the route can change.
• Kayaking is included: This is especially useful at the lagoons, where paddling gives you a closer look at the rock walls and water.
• The boat portion is shared: Some departures can carry large groups, and the main sites may feel crowded.
• Lunch is included but simple: Barbecue pork, chicken, seafood, vegetables, and fruit are provided. Vegetarians should bring extra food.
• The ride home needs patience: Delays, vehicle changes, and crowded vans have caused problems, so this is not a good choice if you need a precise return time.

The real shape of this Puerto Princesa to El Nido trip

This excursion is best understood as two separate experiences joined together: a long overland transfer and a classic El Nido boat tour.

You leave your Puerto Princesa hotel in the early morning, usually around 4 AM, in an air-conditioned van. Pickup is available within 15 kilometers of Puerto Princesa City Airport, and you should wait in your hotel lobby at least 10 minutes before the scheduled time.

The drive north takes about five hours. There is a short stop along the way for stretching your legs and buying food, but do not expect a relaxed breakfast stop with much time to spare. Bring water, a snack, and something that helps you sleep in a vehicle.

The upside is that you reach El Nido without booking another hotel or arranging a separate transfer. The downside is that the day becomes a test of stamina. After the boat tour finishes around 4 PM, you face another long ride south, with an expected arrival near midnight.

That tradeoff explains the mixed value. At $360 for a group of up to two, the price is high if you look only at the island tour. It makes more sense if you place a premium on private arrangements, hotel pickup, included gear, and fitting El Nido into a short Puerto Princesa stay.

Arriving early in El Nido

The van should reach El Nido around the morning boat departure time. You may have a chance to eat breakfast at a restaurant near the wharf before boarding, but breakfast is not included.

That detail matters. A 4 AM pickup, five-hour drive, and full afternoon on the water will leave you hungry. Pack something easy to eat and carry cash for breakfast, drinks, and dinner. Dinner is also not included, and many people choose to eat in El Nido before the scheduled 6 PM return drive.

The exact boat route can change. You might begin at Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Seven Commandos Beach, or Big Lagoon. The number of stops can reach five, but the listed route is not guaranteed. Weather, boat arrangements, crowd levels, and local operating decisions can all affect the order.

The tour uses English and Tagalog. Boat operations may be handled by a local company, and the boat identified in one account was Dos Hermanos. That local team was praised for being friendly and helping create a good time on the water, but your exact crew may differ.

Secret Lagoon and the first look at Bacuit Bay

Secret Lagoon is a compact, dramatic stop enclosed by jagged limestone walls. You enter through a narrow opening in the rock, then find a small interior area that feels very different from the open bay outside.

This is one of the tour’s more distinctive moments, but it is also one of the places where crowding matters most. Several boats may arrive close together, and the entrance can feel busy. You may need to wait your turn rather than walk straight in.

Wear water shoes here. The package includes aqua shoes, but bringing your own pair is still sensible if you have them. A towel, dry clothes, and a waterproof way to carry small items will also help, though large bags are not allowed.

Shimizu Island for swimming and snorkeling

Shimizu Island brings the classic beach stop: pale sand, clear water, and a chance to swim or use the included snorkeling mask.

The tour provides life vests, masks, and aqua shoes, so you do not need to rent the basic equipment separately. The water conditions and visibility depend on the weather, and the stop may be more about swimming and enjoying the setting than seeing a large range of marine life.

This is also usually a lunch area or one of the places connected with the midday meal. Lunch includes barbecue pork, chicken, seafood, vegetable salad, and fresh fruit. The meal is practical rather than elaborate, and it is served in a shared setting.

If you do not eat meat or seafood, take the food issue seriously. The vegetarian option may be limited to cucumbers and fruit, so bring your own meal or snacks. Bottled water may not be supplied in generous amounts either. Carry your own water bottle and enough cash to buy more.

Seven Commandos Beach and the value of free time

Seven Commandos Beach is the easygoing beach stop, with coconut trees, white sand, and open water. It gives you a break from the tight spaces of the lagoons and a place to swim, sit, or dry off.

The beauty here is simple. You do not need a long explanation to enjoy a beach with palms and clear water. Still, do not expect solitude. El Nido’s popular boat routes bring many groups to the same beaches, especially during busy periods.

The time at each stop can feel short once you account for boarding, moving between sites, and sharing space with other boats. One useful feature of the tour is the included kayak. If a kayak is available when you arrive, paddling can be the best way to slow the pace and get closer to the rock formations.

You should ask the crew how much time you have before leaving the boat. That small question helps you decide if you want to snorkel, kayak, swim, or simply sit on the beach.

Big Lagoon is the visual centerpiece

Big Lagoon is the stop most likely to justify the long journey for you. High limestone walls surround calm water, and the scale feels larger than at Secret Lagoon.

The included kayak is particularly useful here. Paddling lets you move at your own pace and take in the rock walls from the water instead of viewing everything from a crowded boat. Kayaking was one of the strongest parts of the experience for several people, and I can see why: it gives you more control in a day otherwise governed by a fixed group schedule.

Big Lagoon can also be busy. Boats, kayaks, and people may share the same narrow routes, so this is not a private nature outing. The attraction is the setting, not peace and quiet.

The lagoon fee is included, along with environmental fees and other entry charges. That makes the day easier to budget, since you are less likely to face surprise admission costs at the main stops.

Lunch, equipment, and what the package really covers

The included items are a real part of the value. Your package covers:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Air-conditioned van transport
• The island tour
• Entry and environmental fees
• Lagoon fees
• Life vests
• Snorkeling masks
• Aqua shoes
• Kayak rental
• Lunch
• English or Tagalog guiding

That is a useful list, especially if you are traveling light and do not want to organize gear in El Nido.

Still, included does not mean luxurious. The lunch is shared barbecue food with vegetables and fruit. Bring extra food if you have dietary restrictions, and bring water because the supply may not meet your needs.

Breakfast, dinner, and toiletries are not included. You need swimwear, sunscreen, a towel, a change of clothes, and a passport or other ID. Cash is worth carrying for meals, drinks, and small purchases.

Large bags and luggage are not allowed. Pack a small day bag only, and avoid bringing anything you cannot keep dry or secure.

The long return ride is the main risk

The morning ride may feel manageable because you are heading toward the islands. The return trip is harder. By late afternoon, you may be wet, sun tired, and ready for a shower. The scheduled departure is around 6 PM, but the actual wait can be longer.

There have been cases where the return van left late, collected extra passengers, or became uncomfortably full. Some people expected the same private vehicle in both directions and instead found themselves sharing a crowded ride. One reported vehicle even had extra seats tied in place, which is a serious safety concern.

I would not book this tour if you have a flight, ferry, or fixed appointment in Puerto Princesa that night. The advertised arrival is around midnight, but road delays, waiting for passengers, and vehicle changes can push that later.

The return ride is also where the private option matters most. If you are paying for a private tour, confirm exactly what private means: private boat, private van, or both. Ask if the same vehicle returns with you and if the group size is fixed.

Shared or private: which version makes sense?

A shared trip can reduce the cost per person, but it may also mean a larger van and a full boat. One reported morning van carried 12 people, while another account described more than 20 other tour groups around the island stops.

The private option may give you more flexibility and a more comfortable vehicle, but the price is substantial at $360 for up to two people. For two people who have only one free day, it can make sense. For solo visitors or budget travelers, it is harder to justify.

If you have several days in Palawan, I would stay in El Nido and book a local boat there. That removes the exhausting return transfer and gives you more time in the town. The local cost may also be far lower than this full-day transfer package.

This Puerto Princesa departure suits a very specific situation: you are based in Puerto Princesa, you have no overnight space in El Nido, and you strongly want to see Bacuit Bay anyway.

Weather, mobility, and practical limits

The boat trip depends on favorable weather. If poor conditions cancel the island-hopping portion after you reach El Nido, you may be offered another activity, but it may not include island hopping.

The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. You need to manage a long van ride, boat boarding, wet surfaces, beach landings, and movement between water activities. Ask the operator about your specific needs before paying.

The route and stops may change. That is normal for a sea-based day, but it means you should not treat the advertised order as a promise. The key sites are possible highlights, not guaranteed individual appointments.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if the weather forecast looks uncertain, but they do not remove the physical demands of the trip.

Who should book this El Nido day trip?

I would consider it if you have only one day available, your hotel is in Puerto Princesa, and the alternative is missing El Nido completely. You get a full boat route, kayaking, basic snorkeling equipment, lunch, and transport without having to solve the connections yourself.

I would skip it if comfort matters more than convenience. A five-hour drive each way, crowded boat stops, a basic meal, and an uncertain return transfer can turn a beautiful island day into an exhausting one.

Before booking, ask three direct questions:

• Is the van private for the entire return journey?
• How many people will be on the boat?
• What food and drinking water will be provided?

If the answers are clear and you accept the long day, this can be a practical way to see El Nido from Puerto Princesa. If the answers are vague, spend the night in El Nido and arrange the boat there instead. That is the better choice for most people who have the time.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The full activity lasts about 20 hours. Pickup is usually around 4 AM, the boat tour runs from about 9 AM to 4 PM, and you should reach Puerto Princesa near midnight.

How long is the drive from Puerto Princesa to El Nido?

The drive takes approximately five hours each way, for more than 10 hours of total driving during the day.

What stops are included?

The usual route can include Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Seven Commandos Beach, and Big Lagoon. The tour may make up to five stops, and the order or exact stops can change.

Is kayaking included?

Yes. Kayak rental is included, along with life vests, snorkeling masks, and aqua shoes.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes barbecue pork, chicken, seafood, vegetable salad, and fresh fruit. Breakfast and dinner are not included.

Is drinking water included?

The provided information does not promise a full water supply. Bring your own water bottle and cash to buy more.

Can I choose a private tour?

Yes. Private and small-group options are available. Confirm whether the private arrangement covers the van, the boat, or both.

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card, swimwear, a change of clothes, a towel, sunscreen, water shoes, and cash. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.

What happens if bad weather cancels the boat tour?

The activity depends on favorable weather. If it is canceled after you reach El Nido, you may be offered an alternative activity that does not include island hopping.