El Nido: Private/Exclusive Island Hopping Tour A BEST PRICE!

The main prize here is Big Lagoon, where black limestone cliffs frame startling blue water and a narrow entrance opens into one of El Nido’s most photographed settings. Since you have the boat privately, your guide can adjust the order of stops, which may help you avoid the thickest crowds.

I like the one-on-one attention and the chance to set a calmer pace with your own group. I also like the practical care shown by guides such as Gabi, Jason, Renz, Edward, and Cyron, who have helped with photos, safety, food concerns, and route changes. The catch is that the $135 price does not cover the environmental fee, lagoon entrance fee, or kayak rental, and one recent booking also found the soft-drink and kayak inclusions unclear.

Key points to know before booking

• Big Lagoon is the centerpiece, with time for swimming, photos, and optional kayaking.
• Private boats can change the order of stops, helping you seek quieter beaches and lagoon visits.
• Shimizu Island is the main lunch and snorkeling stop, with a Filipino buffet and time in the water.
• You must carry cash for fees, rentals, drinks, and anything outside the stated inclusions.
• Bring water shoes and a dry bag, since you may need to walk through shallow water to reach the boat.
• The boat is private, but the destinations are not, so popular sites can still be busy.

What this private El Nido day is really like

Tour A is El Nido’s classic lagoon route. It packs several famous stops into about eight hours, beginning with pickup around El Nido and a short tuk-tuk ride of roughly five minutes. Free pickup applies within one kilometer of Corong-Corong Beach, but hotel drop-off is not included.

The point of paying for a private boat is not that you receive an empty island chain. El Nido’s best-known places still attract many boats. The value comes from flexibility, personal attention, and room to pause when a beach or snorkeling spot suits your group.

The guide and crew can help with boarding, safety, photos, and the day’s timing. Several guides have been singled out for taking good pictures, including Renz, Edward, and Cyron. That matters here because getting in and out of a boat, swimming through narrow openings, and keeping phones dry can be awkward when you are managing everything yourself.

Seven Commandos Beach, the easy first stop

The usual first island stop is Seven Commandos Beach, with about 45 minutes for photos, sightseeing, swimming, and a short boat cruise along the coast. Limestone cliffs give the beach a grand setting, while the sand and coconut-water break make it an easy place to settle into the day.

Its name comes from a group of soldiers who were left stranded there during World War II. The historical detail is brief, but it gives the beach a little more character than a simple sun-and-sand stop.

I would treat this as a pleasant opening rather than the main reason to book. Forty-five minutes goes quickly once you step off the boat, take pictures, swim, and get back aboard. If your private guide changes the order to avoid crowds, Seven Commandos could move later in the day or be replaced by another beach, as happened on one private outing where the group skipped it without feeling shortchanged.

Big Lagoon and its black limestone walls

Big Lagoon is the visual star of the route. It sits on Miniloc Island, an area known for its lagoons, and is enclosed by tall black limestone cliffs. The water looks especially striking against the stone, and the small stream-like entrance creates the classic El Nido approach.

You have around 45 minutes here for sightseeing, photos, swimming, and kayaking. Kayaking is not included in the listed price, so you need to budget separately if you want to paddle inside the lagoon. This is one of the most important cost details to check before you go.

The private format helps here. Your guide can try to bring you at a less crowded time, and you do not have to match the pace of a large shared group. Still, Big Lagoon is famous for a reason. Expect other boats and visitors at popular times, even with a private booking.

Bring a dry bag for your phone, wallet, and camera. You may also want water shoes, since the shore and shallow water can include stones and coral. One useful tip from the day-to-day experience of this tour is that you should not assume a kayak mentioned during booking covers lagoon use. A recent booking found that the kayak available was used only to carry bags to the boat, with a separate charge required at the lagoon.

Shimizu Island for lunch and snorkeling

Shimizu Island receives about an hour, making it one of the longer stops. It combines a lunch break with swimming and snorkeling, and the surrounding limestone cliffs provide shade and a sheltered feel when the water is calm.

The included buffet is made up of local Filipino dishes. Food quality can vary by day, and one person found the meal the weak point, while another described the lunch as delicious. I would set your expectations at a straightforward beach buffet rather than a restaurant meal. The practical advantage is having food served during the route without needing to find a separate lunch stop.

This is also a good place to make use of your private crew. If you have a seafood allergy, tell the operator before departure. One couple had a seafood-free lunch arranged after communicating the allergy in advance. That is exactly the sort of small service that makes a private trip worth more than a basic shared boat.

Snorkeling equipment is not included. Masks and snorkels can be rented if you do not bring your own, while fins and water shoes are also excluded. The water may be calm and clear, but conditions change, so follow the guide’s instructions and use the provided life vest when needed.

Secret Lagoon and the narrow limestone opening

Secret Lagoon is a different experience from Big Lagoon. Instead of a broad open view, you enter through a narrow opening in the limestone and reach a small enclosed space that was once a cave. The route includes about 45 minutes for photos, sightseeing, and swimming.

The entrance can be the most memorable part, but it may also feel tight. If you dislike squeezing through narrow spaces or are uncomfortable in shallow, rocky water, this stop deserves some thought. Water shoes are useful here, and you should keep cameras protected until you know the conditions.

The private boat helps with timing, but not necessarily with access. Secret Lagoon is a popular stop, and the space inside is limited. Your guide may be able to place it at a better point in the day, but you cannot count on solitude.

Payong-Payong Beach for a gentler swim

Payong-Payong Beach usually allows about 45 minutes for photos, swimming, snorkeling, and a short cruise. It has rock formations, cliffs, and a small beach, with gentler waves that suit paddling and casual swimming.

I see this as the most relaxed stop on the route. It is a useful counterpoint to the more dramatic lagoons, since you can spend less time squeezing through rock and more time sitting by the water. It can also work well for a quiet picnic or a short rest, although the guide decides where lunch is served and the plan can change with weather.

The beach is not a guarantee of complete peace. El Nido’s famous route is shared by many boats. The real benefit of the private trip is that you can ask to linger if the conditions are good, or move on if the beach is too busy for your taste.

What the $135 price includes, and what it does not

At $135 per person, this is a premium choice compared with a standard shared island-hopping trip. The price is easier to justify for couples, families, or small groups who value privacy, flexible timing, and direct help from the crew.

Included are:

• Private use of the licensed tourist boat
• Licensed guide and crew
• Buffet lunch
• Bottled water
• Life vest
• Free tuk-tuk pickup within one kilometer of Corong-Corong Beach

You pay extra for the government-required environmental fee and lagoon entrance fee. Mask and snorkel rental, fins, water shoes, kayak rental, drinks beyond the stated bottled water, and other personal expenses are also outside the price.

The soft-drink issue deserves attention. One recent booking expected soft drinks, received paper cups and a large bottle of water instead, and was told the drinks were not included. I would confirm the exact beverage arrangement before paying.

The same applies to kayaks. Ask specifically if lagoon kayak use is included, for how many people, and for which lagoon. Written clarification can prevent an awkward surprise once you are already on the water.

The crew is a major part of the value

The strongest pattern in this experience is the crew. Guests have praised guides for being friendly, attentive, professional, and careful about safety. Gabi was praised for arranging visits around the crowds, Jason and Jerry were noted for their warm and professional service, and Renz was appreciated for photos and videos.

Edward received praise for staying attentive and helping with pictures. Cyron adjusted the route, found a quieter lunch shore, and helped a couple avoid busy stops. On another outing, the crew assisted a sick passenger to hospital and stayed in touch afterward. That goes beyond simple sightseeing service.

You should still remember that guide quality and weather can vary. One rainy day was made much better by a cheerful crew, but no guide can turn bad weather into perfect lagoon conditions. Destinations and the lunch location may change according to weather and sea conditions.

Practical preparation for the boat and beaches

Wear swimwear under light clothes and bring a full change of clothes. You may get wet before reaching the boat, since boarding can require walking through water.

Pack a towel, sun hat, beachwear, camera, and cash. A dry bag is especially useful for electronics and documents. Water shoes are a smart addition because several stops can include rock, coral, or uneven footing.

Plastic bottles, littering, smoking in the vehicle, and intoxication are not allowed. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, and the boat, beaches, and water entry points require mobility.

Pickup is limited to within one kilometer of Corong-Corong Beach, and hotel drop-off is not included. Confirm your meeting point in advance so the short tuk-tuk transfer does not become a morning scramble.

Who should book this private Tour A?

I would choose this trip if you are traveling as a couple, family, or small group and want more control than a shared boat provides. It is also a good match if taking photos matters to you, since guides may help find viewpoints and handle pictures while you enjoy the scenery.

The private format suits people who prefer quieter timing, need a food adjustment, or want the flexibility to skip a crowded stop. It also gives you more direct support if someone in your group needs help in the water or on the boat.

I would hesitate if your budget is tight, you dislike extra fees, or you want a completely secluded day. The well-known beaches and lagoons can still be busy, and the final price rises with entrance fees, kayak rental, equipment, and drinks.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity, and you can reserve now and pay later. The tour lasts eight hours, with starting times depending on availability, and the live guide service is offered in English and Tagalog.

Should you book it?

Book this private Tour A if Big Lagoon is high on your El Nido list and you want a more personal day than a shared boat usually allows. The crew’s care, flexible route, photo help, and attention to food needs add real value.

Before booking, ask for the total cost including environmental and lagoon fees, confirm the kayak arrangement, and clarify drinks. Bring water shoes, a dry bag, cash, and patience for changing weather. If those details suit your budget, this is a strong way to see El Nido’s famous lagoons without being tied to a large group’s every move.

FAQ

How long does the private El Nido Tour A last?

The activity lasts eight hours, including the boat route and the listed island and lagoon stops.

Is the boat private?

Yes. The tour provides exclusive use of the boat for your group and is described as a private group activity.

What places does the tour visit?

The route includes Seven Commandos Beach, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, and Payong-Payong Beach. Stops can change because of weather conditions.

Is Big Lagoon included?

Big Lagoon is part of the planned route. The government-mandated lagoon entrance fee is not included in the listed price.

Is kayaking included?

Kayak rental at the lagoon is not included. Confirm the exact kayak arrangement before departure, since the stated booking details and one recent experience did not match.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch with local Filipino dishes is included. The guide decides the lunch location, and it may change with conditions.

Are snorkeling masks and fins provided?

Masks and snorkels are not included, but they can be rented. Fins and water shoes are also not included.

Where is pickup available?

Free pickup is available within one kilometer of Corong-Corong Beach in El Nido, using a tuk-tuk. Hotel drop-off is not included.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat, swimwear, beachwear, a change of clothes, towel, camera, and cash. A dry bag and water shoes are also practical choices based on the wet boarding areas and rocky or coral-covered water.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.