EL NIDO: Sharing/Joiner Island Hopping Tour A w/BUFFET LUNCH

Big Lagoon is the star of this eight-hour El Nido boat trip, but Tour A gives you more than one postcard stop. You can kayak through a narrow opening in the cliffs, snorkel near Shimizu Island, squeeze into Secret Lagoon, and finish with sand, sun, and a cold drink at 7 Commandos Beach.

I like the mix of activities and the price. At $23 per person, the trip includes a licensed boat, crew, guide, buffet lunch, fruit, and water. I also like the flexible feel of the day: you can paddle at your own pace, swim, snorkel, or simply sit under a tree while the crew handles the boat.

The main caution is crowding. Tour A is El Nido’s best-known route, so several boats may arrive at the same places together. The schedule can also be loose, and you should budget separately for the environmental fee, lagoon fee, and kayak rental.

Key points to know before booking

• Big Lagoon is the main event: Kayaking lets you move beyond the boat and see the cliffs from water level.
• Five stops create a full day: You visit 7 Commandos Beach, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, and Payong-Payong Beach.
• Snorkeling is strongest around Shimizu Island: Bring a waterproof phone pouch if you want underwater photos.
• Lunch is included: Expect a buffet with fruit, though bring extra water because drink service can vary.
• The $23 price is attractive: Government fees and optional kayak hire are not included.
• Expect changing plans: Weather, tides, lagoon access, and crowd levels can alter the order or destinations.

Why Tour A remains El Nido’s classic boat day

El Nido’s Tour A works because it combines the area’s main ingredients in one outing: white sand, clear water, limestone walls, snorkeling, kayaking, and a beach lunch. You do not need to choose between a quiet swimming stop and a more active paddle. The route gives you both.

The day normally begins with pickup within El Nido Town or Corong-corong and a meeting at Beachfront Travel & Tours. The advertised duration is eight hours. Each major stop is planned for about an hour, although boat travel, queues, weather, and lagoon rules affect the real timing.

This is a shared boat, or joiner, tour. That keeps the cost low, but it also means you are following a group schedule. If you want to linger in one place, avoid busy stops, or set your own departure time, a private boat may suit you better.

7 Commandos Beach starts the day with sand and sun

7 Commandos Beach is usually the first stop, and it is an easy introduction to El Nido. You get a strip of pale sand backed by coconut trees, limestone cliffs, and clear turquoise water. The name comes from a local story about seven commandos who supposedly lived here after World War II.

You can swim, take photos, sunbathe, or order a cold drink from one of the simple beach bars. Small shops and rustic refreshments make this feel less remote than some of the other stops, which is useful if you want a drink or snack before the boat moves on.

I like this stop for its simple pleasure. There is no complicated activity to learn, and you can get into the water quickly. The drawback is that it can feel busy, especially when several Tour A boats arrive close together. If you prefer quiet beaches, use the hour for a swim and a quick walk rather than expecting solitude.

Big Lagoon is worth the extra planning

Big Lagoon is the reason many people choose Tour A. The boat passes through a narrow entrance, then the cliffs open into a broad pool surrounded by high gray limestone walls. The water shifts between blue and green, and the enclosed setting gives the stop a calm, almost theatrical feel.

Kayaking is the best way to experience it. From a kayak, you move close to the rock walls and see the lagoon from a lower angle than you would from the tour boat. It also gives you more freedom to explore the edges and quieter corners within the allowed area.

Kayak rental is not included in the $23 price, so ask about the current charge before committing. If you would rather not paddle, you can stay on the boat, swim where permitted, or enjoy the views. Still, if Big Lagoon is your priority, I would set aside money for the kayak.

This is also the stop most likely to test your patience. One account describes waiting nearly an hour in open water while kayaks were brought into the lagoon. Access can depend on congestion, weather, and local operating rules. You also pay a separate lagoon entrance fee of 200 Philippine pesos, and that charge may not be refundable if conditions make kayaking unattractive.

Bring sun protection here. You may spend time waiting on the boat or sitting in a kayak with little shade. Use biodegradable sunscreen, and keep your phone and camera in a waterproof bag.

Shimizu Island combines lunch and snorkeling

Shimizu Island is the practical middle stop. It gives the group a place to eat, but it is also one of the better locations for snorkeling. The waters around the island contain coral and small colorful fish, making this the place to bring your mask, underwater camera, and patience.

The island is named after a Japanese diver who explored the surrounding water. You do not need to know the story to appreciate the setting: a small beach, trees for shade, shallow water, and limestone formations make it a pleasant break from the boat.

The buffet lunch is included. The exact menu is not specified, but the meal is described as having several choices, with fruit also included. Drinks need a little attention. Water is listed among the inclusions, and one account describes water and soda being served, but another specifically wished for more drinking water and advised bringing some. I would bring a refillable bottle or extra bottled water rather than depend on the boat supply.

Lunch can be the most social part of a shared trip. You eat near the beach, then have time for swimming or snorkeling. Keep your expectations sensible: this is a group beach meal, not a private island picnic.

Secret Lagoon requires a little scrambling

Secret Lagoon is reached through a small opening in the limestone. You may need to squeeze through the entrance, so carry only what you need and leave bulky bags on the boat if the crew allows it.

Inside, the enclosed lagoon feels very different from the open beaches. Cliffs surround the water, and the narrow entrance makes the place feel tucked away. Depending on conditions and crowding, you may use the stop for photos, swimming, or snorkeling.

The entrance can be awkward for anyone who dislikes tight spaces or slippery footing. Waterproof shoes are useful, and you should follow the guide’s instructions rather than rush through the opening. The listing describes snorkeling here, but conditions and access can change, so do not assume the stop will offer a long swim.

Some departures may replace or adjust a stop when weather or water conditions change. That is normal for an island trip. The exact order is less important than having a crew willing to protect the group when the sea turns rough.

Payong-Payong Beach offers a calmer finish

Payong-Payong Beach is smaller and more sheltered in feel than 7 Commandos. Soft sand, clear water, plants, and rock formations make it a good place to slow down near the end of the day.

You can swim, snorkel, take pictures, or sit in the shade. This is also where a flexible guide can improve the experience. A beach with fewer boats may be a better final stop than following the printed order exactly, especially if the usual location is crowded.

The beach is not a major attraction with lots of facilities, and that is part of its appeal. Bring your own cash if you want drinks or snacks elsewhere, but do not expect every stop to have a shop. The water and fruit included on the trip help, but a small personal supply is still wise.

Food, equipment, and what the price really covers

At $23 per person, this is strong value if you want a full day on the water without arranging a private boat. The price includes:

• Pickup within El Nido Town and Corong-corong
• Licensed tourist boat
• Licensed captain, guide, and crew
• Buffet lunch
• Water and fruit
• Life vest or jacket
• English or Tagalog guiding

You still need to pay the 400 Philippine peso environmental fee and the 200 Philippine peso lagoon entrance fee. Kayaking costs extra, and the price does not include hotel drop-off. Those additions do not make the trip poor value, but they do make the advertised fare less than your final cost.

The boat is described as good and serviceable rather than luxurious. That is suitable for a day built around beaches and water. You are paying for access, lunch, crew, and a route through El Nido’s famous sites, not for a quiet yacht or a private cabin.

Bring cash for fees, drinks, optional kayaking, and any beach purchases. Pack a change of clothes, beachwear, biodegradable sunscreen, waterproof shoes, a waterproof bag, and a camera. Plastic bags, smoking, alcohol, drugs, and littering are not allowed.

How organized is the day?

The crew is generally described as friendly, helpful, and professional. That matters on a trip with kayaks, snorkel stops, changing water conditions, and several people moving between boat and beach. Good instructions can make the day feel easy.

The weak point is timing. One departure had confusion over whether the start time was 8:30 or 9:00, with the group also told to arrive 15 minutes early. Another departure left late and reportedly spent too long at a beach because lunch had not arrived with the boat.

I would confirm the meeting time directly on the morning of departure and arrive early. Keep the first hour flexible. A loose start does not necessarily ruin the day, but it can shorten later stops.

Because this is a shared excursion, you should also expect a few pauses while the crew gathers everyone. The group may be called back to the boat at a set time even if you are still enjoying the water. That is the tradeoff for a low-cost itinerary covering five locations.

Crowds, weather, and the real El Nido experience

Tour A is popular because it includes the places people most want to see. The same popularity creates queues, boats lined up near beaches, and shared water space at the lagoons. You will not have these places entirely to yourself.

Weather can change the route. Destinations may be adjusted, and kayaking may be less appealing or unavailable if conditions are poor. That flexibility is sensible, but it means you should not treat every stop as guaranteed in precisely the printed order.

The natural setting is still the main reward. Limestone cliffs rise from clear water, small beaches break up the boat ride, and snorkeling gives you a look below the surface rather than only from the deck. Please use biodegradable sunscreen and take all rubbish back with you. Protecting these places matters more than squeezing in one extra plastic-wrapped snack.

Who will enjoy this Tour A trip?

This tour suits you if you want the main El Nido sights in one day, like switching between swimming and sightseeing, and prefer a low price over privacy. It is also a good fit for first-time visitors who want an easy introduction to the islands.

Families and mixed-age groups may appreciate the choice of activities. One person can kayak, another can snorkel, and someone else can stay on the beach. The life jackets, crew, and guide add basic support, though you should still be comfortable around open water.

You may want another option if you dislike crowds, need precise timing, or want a slow beach day. The route can feel repetitive when many boats arrive together, and the loose organization may frustrate anyone with a tight schedule.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking make it easier to keep plans flexible. Check the starting time and pickup details before you commit, since the day may begin later than the time shown in an app.

Should you book Beachfront Travel & Tours Tour A?

Book it if you want Big Lagoon, snorkeling, five major stops, and lunch at a very competitive price. The crew is often praised for being friendly and helpful, and the strongest parts of the day are the kayaking, Shimizu Island snorkeling, and the range of scenery packed into eight hours.

Go in knowing that entrance fees and kayak hire cost extra. Bring water, arrive early, expect some crowding, and accept that weather may change the route. With those points in mind, this is a sensible first El Nido boat trip and a good-value choice for an active day on the water.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour A last?

The tour lasts about eight hours, including the boat journey and stops at the beaches, lagoons, and snorkeling areas.

What destinations are included?

The planned stops are 7 Commandos Beach, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, and Payong-Payong Beach. Weather and local conditions can change the destinations or order.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch and fruit are included in the tour price.

Is kayaking included at Big Lagoon?

No. Kayak rental is an additional cost. The lagoon entrance fee is also separate.

What government fees must I pay?

You must pay a 400 Philippine peso environmental fee and a 200 Philippine peso lagoon entrance fee, according to the supplied tour details.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

Pickup is free within El Nido Town and Corong-corong. Drop-off back at your hotel is not included.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide service is available in English and Tagalog.