El Nido Island Hopping Tour A

El Nido Tour A puts you among towering limestone cliffs, clear lagoons, and white sand beaches in one long day on the water. You will swim, snorkel, eat a picnic lunch, and finish at Seven Commando Beach, where a small bar serves drinks.

I like the useful mix of lagoon scenery and beach time, plus the chance to see coral, many fish species, and perhaps a sea turtle. At about $27 per person, the boat, guide, life vest, lunch, and town pickup make this a fair deal. The catch is that the environmental and lagoon fees cost extra, and people prone to seasickness may find nine hours on a boat tiring.

Key points to know before booking

• Shimizu Island adds a proper snorkeling stop: You can look over coral and fish, or stay on its fine white sand.
• Seven Commando Beach ends the day on an easy note: Expect a long beach, time to relax, and a small bar serving drinks.
• The scenery is the main event: Limestone cliffs covered with vegetation rise around the water and lagoons.
• Lunch is included: A picnic buffet gives you a meal without needing to find food during the tour.
• Pickup depends on your hotel: Accommodation in El Nido proper is covered, while hotels outside town require a tricycle ride to Petron near the port.
• Budget for extra charges: The environmental fee is 400 per person and the lagoon fee is 200 per person, with kayak and snorkeling gear rental also optional.

Why Tour A is so popular in El Nido

Tour A works because it gives you several classic El Nido experiences in one trip. You get the pale beaches people come for, the high limestone formations that frame the coast, calm-looking lagoons, and a chance to swim among coral and fish.

The day lasts about nine hours, so this is not a quick scenic cruise. It is a full outing, with time spent getting between stops as well as time in the water. That longer schedule is useful if you have limited time in El Nido and want a broad introduction to the area rather than one short beach visit.

I especially like the balance of active and quiet moments. You can snorkel at Shimizu Island, then choose to sit on the sand. Later, Seven Commando Beach gives you another chance to swim or simply stretch out by the shore with a drink from the small bar.

The trip is less appealing if you want a private, slow-paced boat day. Tour A is one of the most popular routes, and the supplied details do not promise a private boat or a small group. You should also be comfortable with a full day at sea.

Setting out from El Nido proper

Pickup is included when your accommodation is within El Nido proper. If you are staying outside the town center, you need to arrange a tricycle to El Nido town proper and meet your assigned guide at the Petron gasoline station near El Nido Port.

That detail matters. Do not assume the boat will collect you from a resort outside town. Allow enough time for the tricycle ride and meeting point, since a late arrival could make the morning more stressful.

A DOT-licensed guide accompanies the trip, with English and Tagalog available. The guide handles the day’s route and practical arrangements, while the motorized boat provides transport between the stops. Life vests are included, which is useful even if you plan to spend most of the day on the beach.

The morning can have its complications. One booking on January 1, 2025 had several problems early in the day, yet the operator still completed the planned activities. That suggests some flexibility when the schedule does not start perfectly, but it also gives you a sensible expectation: boat tours depend on coordination, weather, port arrangements, and timing.

Limestone cliffs and the lagoon stops

The lagoon portions are a major reason to choose Tour A. El Nido is known for steep limestone cliffs covered with vegetation, and the boat brings you close to these formations from the water.

The effect is different from looking at a beach from shore. The cliffs rise around the route, making the scenery feel enclosed in places. Water, rock, and greenery do most of the work here. You will want a waterproof camera because the best views are around the boat and at the water’s edge.

The tour information refers to beautiful lagoons rather than giving a detailed stop-by-stop sequence. That means you should confirm the exact route and access arrangements with your guide on the day. A lagoon fee is not included, and the listed charge is 200 per person.

Kayak rental is optional. If kayaking is available at your lagoon stop, it may be worthwhile for getting a closer look at narrow water passages or viewing the cliffs from a lower position. It is not part of the base price, so ask about the cost before accepting the rental.

Bring a waterproof bag for phones, wallets, and spare clothes. Even if you do not plan to swim at every stop, boat spray and wet boarding areas can make ordinary bags a poor choice.

Shimizu Island for sand and snorkeling

Shimizu Island is the clearest active stop on the route. You can snorkel to see coral and many species of fish, or stay on the beach and enjoy the fine white sand.

That choice makes the stop work for mixed groups. One person can swim while another stays dry. You do not need to treat the day as a nonstop water-sports program, though you should still expect to be around the sea for much of the schedule.

Snorkeling gear is not included. You can bring your own mask and goggles or ask about renting equipment. The information lists mask and snorkeling gear as optional, so check the price and availability before the boat leaves if seeing the coral is important to you.

Use biodegradable sunscreen. It protects your skin while reducing the chance of bringing unsuitable chemicals into the water. Apply it before boarding and bring more for the day, since a long boat trip and repeated swimming can remove it quickly.

The chance of seeing a sea turtle adds a pleasant bit of possibility, but it is not guaranteed. You should book this stop for the beach and snorkeling conditions described, not for a promised wildlife encounter.

A picnic lunch between the water stops

Picnic lunch is included in the price. One booking specifically praised the buffet lunch, which is useful confirmation that the meal is more than a token snack.

A meal served during a full-day boat trip saves you from carrying enough food for nine hours or searching for a restaurant between stops. It also keeps the day moving. You can eat, rest, and return to the route instead of losing time arranging lunch separately.

The supplied details do not list the dishes, drinks, or dietary options. If you have food restrictions, ask before booking or contact the operator in advance. Do not assume special meals are available.

Bring water if you prefer a particular drink, and keep your expectations practical. This is a beach picnic, not a restaurant meal. Its value is convenience and a proper break in the middle of a long outing.

Seven Commando Beach and the small bar

Seven Commando Beach provides a relaxed final stop. It has a long stretch of white sand, and a small bar serves drinks.

After snorkeling and boat rides, this is a good place to slow the pace. You can swim, walk along the sand, sit under shade if available, or buy a drink. The beach gives the tour a softer finish than ending immediately after a lagoon visit.

Bring some cash if you want to buy something at the bar, since the tour price only includes the picnic lunch and listed services. The information does not state which payment methods the bar accepts or what drinks cost.

The beach may also be your best chance to take simple photographs without being focused on getting back into the boat. Keep your waterproof bag nearby, and remember that beach conditions and stop duration can affect how much free time you get.

What the $27 price really covers

At $27 per person, Tour A offers solid basic value. Your price includes hotel pickup within El Nido proper, a DOT-licensed guide, motorized boat transport, a life vest, and picnic lunch.

Those inclusions matter because boat transport is the core cost of the day. You are not paying only for access to a beach. You are paying for a guided route that connects lagoons, snorkeling water, and beaches over roughly nine hours.

The advertised price is not the final total. Add the 400 per person environmental fee and the 200 per person lagoon fee listed for the tour. That brings the known required extras to 600 per person, before any kayak rental, mask rental, snorkeling gear, drinks, or tricycle fare from an outlying hotel.

This is still a reasonable package if you want a full day and do not need private transport. It becomes less attractive if you already have your own boat plans or want to avoid extra charges. Write down the base price and compulsory fees together when comparing tours.

Packing for a hot day on the water

Pack lightly, but do not leave out the practical items. The most useful kit includes:

• Sunscreen, preferably biodegradable
• Beachwear and a change of clothes
• Waterproof camera or phone protection
• Waterproof bag
• Goggles
• Your own snorkeling mask and gear, if you have them

A towel is not listed among the inclusions, so bringing one is sensible. The same applies to drinking water and cash for optional purchases, since these are not specified as included.

Wear beach clothing that works for both swimming and sitting on a boat. Secure loose items before the boat moves. Seasickness medication is worth considering if you know you are sensitive, although people prone to seasickness are specifically advised against this tour.

Do not make the common mistake of applying sunscreen once and forgetting about it. You will have a long day with sun exposure, swimming, and reflection from the water. Reapply during the trip.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend Tour A to you if you want a first look at El Nido’s famous coastal scenery and prefer one organized day over arranging several separate outings.

It suits couples, friends, and families with different ideas about how to spend time at the beach. Snorkelers get a coral and fish stop, while less active members of the group can relax on the sand. The included lunch also makes the day easier for anyone who does not want to plan meals while moving between islands.

It is less suitable for you if you get seasick, dislike long boat days, or need a highly private schedule. The nine-hour duration is a real commitment. People who want deep snorkeling time may also prefer to bring their own gear, since rental is optional and not guaranteed in the base price.

The mixed feedback on the day’s operation is worth keeping in mind. One booking described morning problems but still reported that the operator completed the activities. I would allow patience for delays and focus on the whole day rather than expecting every transfer to run exactly on time.

Booking and cancellation details

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which helps if your El Nido schedule may change.

Pickup is included only for accommodation in El Nido proper. If you are outside that area, plan for a tricycle to Petron gasoline station near El Nido Port, where you meet your assigned guide.

The tour is offered with an English or Tagalog-speaking guide. Before booking, check the available start time for your date and confirm the meeting instructions, especially if you are not staying in town.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

Book it if you want a well-priced, full-day introduction to El Nido’s lagoons, limestone cliffs, snorkeling water, and beaches. The strongest reasons are the mix of stops, the included boat and lunch, and the flexibility for some people to snorkel while others enjoy the sand.

Go in with a realistic budget. The $27 headline price excludes 600 per person in listed environmental and lagoon fees, plus any gear, kayak, drinks, or transport needed from outside town. Bring your own snorkeling equipment if you care about the underwater stop, and prepare for a long day on the water.

For most first-time visitors who are comfortable at sea, this is a sensible way to see several classic El Nido sights in one outing. If you are prone to seasickness or want a quiet private boat day, choose a different plan.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Island Hopping Tour A last?

The tour lasts about nine hours. Starting times depend on availability for your chosen date.

What stops are included on Tour A?

The route includes lagoon stops, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commando Beach. Shimizu Island offers snorkeling, coral, fish, and white sand, while Seven Commando Beach has a long white sand shore and a small bar.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is included for accommodation within El Nido proper. If your hotel is outside the town proper, you need to take a tricycle to Petron gasoline station near El Nido Port and meet your assigned guide there.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic lunch is included, and one booking specifically enjoyed the buffet lunch.

Are snorkeling equipment and kayaks included?

No. Kayak rental, masks, and snorkeling gear are optional extras. You can bring your own goggles and snorkeling equipment.

What extra fees do I need to pay?

The environmental fee is 400 per person, and the lagoon fee is 200 per person. These charges are not included in the tour price.

What languages does the guide speak?

The tour is available with a live guide who speaks English or Tagalog.

Can I cancel the tour for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later to keep your plans flexible.