El Nido: Island Hopping Tour A

El Nido Tour A puts the famous lagoons of Bacuit Bay within one busy, beautiful day. You’ll paddle or swim through clear water, visit limestone-framed coves, and stop at Shimizu Island for beach time and snorkeling. The Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon are the main reasons to book.

I like the simple value: for $34, you get a boat, lunch, a guide, and hotel pickup in El Nido Town. I also like the variety, since the day mixes lagoons, a beach, swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking. The drawback is crowding, plus several extra costs: the environmental fee, lagoon fees, and your own mask and snorkel are not included.

Key points to know

• Four main stops: Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and Shimizu Island form the core of Tour A.
• Eight hours on the water: Plan for a full day, with pickup and return timing affected by the day’s schedule.
• Extra fees apply: The environmental fee is 400.00, and lagoon fees are 200.00.
• Bring your own gear: A mask and snorkel are not included, so pack them if you want to explore below the surface.
• Hotel pickup has limits: Pickup is available in El Nido Town only. Hotels farther away may require a tricycle at your own cost.
• Expect popular places: The famous stops can be crowded, so go for the scenery and variety rather than solitude.

Why Tour A is El Nido’s classic day out

El Nido is best understood from the water. The town itself is the practical base, but the real show lies across Bacuit Bay, where islands rise from clear sea and narrow lagoons cut into pale limestone.

Tour A works well because it gathers several of the area’s best-known sights into one route. You are not spending the whole day at one beach. Instead, you move between open water, enclosed lagoons, a small island, and places suited to swimming or snorkeling.

That variety matters. If one stop feels crowded, another may offer a different kind of pleasure. Big Lagoon gives you scale. Small Lagoon feels more enclosed. Secret Lagoon adds a short access adventure. Shimizu Island gives you time on the beach and in the sea.

The tradeoff is popularity. These are not quiet, little-known corners of Palawan. The famous lagoons draw many boats, and the main appeal is seeing them in person, not having them to yourself.

Starting the morning in El Nido Town

Pickup is offered from hotels in El Nido Town, and you should be ready 15 minutes before the scheduled time. If your hotel is outside town, confirm the arrangement before the morning of the trip. A tricycle fare may be charged separately, and the meeting point can be a nearby hotel rather than your own door.

This is one detail worth checking in advance through WhatsApp. The meeting instructions say the operator will send the nearest hotel, so do not rely only on an app pin. A recent booking had an incorrect meeting point shown in the app, and communication afterward was not especially smooth. A quick message asking for the exact pickup hotel can prevent a rushed start.

The tour is led in English by a live guide. The available information does not provide the guide’s name, so you should not expect a named private guide. This is a shared outing built around the boat route, the stops, and the crew.

The boat and lunch are included. Personal purchases are not, so bring some cash or another way to cover small expenses. Pack water and snacks as well, since only lunch is specifically included.

Big Lagoon: the grand opening scene

Big Lagoon is the stop that gives Tour A its strongest visual punch. The name is accurate. You enter a large enclosed body of water framed by steep limestone walls, with clear water and a dramatic sense of space.

This is a place for looking as much as swimming. The rock walls, water color, and narrow entrance create the classic El Nido view. Bring your camera, but protect it from splashes. A phone or camera is useful here, though the most memorable part is simply moving through the lagoon by boat, kayak, or in the water.

Kayaking is one of the listed activities, but equipment details are not specified. Ask the guide how kayaking is arranged on the day. You should also expect an extra lagoon fee, listed separately at 200.00.

Big Lagoon can be crowded. That does not erase its beauty, but it changes the mood. You may share the entrance and the best viewpoints with other boats. If your ideal day means total peace, this route may disappoint. If you want to see one of El Nido’s signature places without arranging separate transport, it earns its place on the itinerary.

Small Lagoon: tighter, quieter in feel

Small Lagoon offers a different setting. Instead of the broad scale of Big Lagoon, you get a more confined space where the limestone walls feel closer and the water activities become more central.

This is a good place to swim or kayak, depending on conditions and how the boat crew organizes the stop. Comfortable clothes and shoes for water activities are important. You may need to move through shallow water or wet areas, so bring extra clothes for changing afterward.

Small Lagoon is also a place where your own mask and snorkel can be useful. They are not included in the tour price. If you plan to look below the surface, bring your own set or arrange one before departure rather than assuming gear will be waiting on the boat.

The lagoon fees are an important part of the budget. The advertised price is $34 per person, but the total cost is higher once you add the 400.00 environmental fee, the 200.00 lagoon fees, and any equipment or transport costs. The tour remains a reasonable package for a full day, but it is not an all-inclusive $34 experience.

Secret Lagoon and its short access adventure

Secret Lagoon is less about a long stretch of beach and more about reaching an enclosed pool through a narrow opening in the rock. The stop gives the day a small sense of discovery, though it is another popular place rather than a private secret.

Wear swimwear and footwear that can handle water. The information for this tour does not specify the exact approach conditions, so follow the guide’s instructions and avoid carrying loose items that could be damaged or dropped.

This is also a good point to keep expectations sensible. Secret Lagoon is a compact attraction, not a full afternoon stop. You visit, swim if conditions allow, take in the rock setting, and continue to the next location.

Do not touch marine life or plants. That rule protects the bay’s shallow-water environment and keeps the experience from becoming a hands-on encounter with fragile natural features.

Shimizu Island for beach time and snorkeling

Shimizu Island adds a welcome change of pace. After the enclosed lagoons, you get a more open beach setting and time for swimming or snorkeling in Bacuit Bay.

The island is one of the better stops for simply relaxing. You can cool off in the sea, take photographs, and enjoy lunch as part of the day’s rhythm. The exact lunch menu is not provided, so bring snacks in case you need something extra or have dietary needs that may not be covered.

Snorkeling is part of the tour’s appeal, but the mask and snorkel are not included. This is easy to overlook when comparing prices. Pack your own equipment if you have it, and bring sunscreen that you can apply without touching coral, plants, or marine life.

Shimizu Island is not presented as a private beach. Like the lagoons, it can be busy. Still, the combination of a beach stop, lunch, and time in the water helps keep the day from feeling like a series of quick photo stops.

What the $34 price really covers

At $34 per person, Tour A offers good basic value for an eight-hour outing. The boat is included, along with an English-speaking guide, lunch, and hotel pickup in El Nido Town. Booking these pieces separately could be more work, particularly if you are staying only a few days.

The price needs careful reading, though. You will also need to budget for:

• A 400.00 environmental fee
• Lagoon fees of 200.00
• Your own mask and snorkel
• Personal expenses
• Tricycle fare if your hotel is outside El Nido Town

The figures are given as 400.00 and 200.00, but the currency is not specified in the tour information. Confirm the currency and payment method before departure.

For a first visit to El Nido, I see the value in paying for convenience. You get a full route, lunch, boat transport, and a guide in one booking. The price is less attractive if you already have a private boat, your own equipment, or only want one quiet beach.

Comparing Tour A with the other routes

The operator presents four route choices. Tour A visits Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and Shimizu Island.

Tour B goes in a different direction, with Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave, and Matinloc Shrine. Tour C combines destinations from Tours A and B, while Tour D focuses on Cadlao Island, the largest island in Bacuit Bay, and its beaches.

This comparison helps you choose based on your interests. Pick Tour A if lagoons, swimming, kayaking, and the familiar El Nido scenery matter most. Tour B is more suitable if you prefer a mix of a sandbar, cave, and shrine. Tour C may appeal if you want a broader sample of the area, while Tour D is aimed at beaches and Cadlao Island.

The highlight information also names Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave, and Matinloc Shrine alongside Tour A, but the detailed Tour A route identifies the four main stops above. Confirm the exact day’s route before booking if one of those other locations is especially important to you.

Packing for eight hours on Bacuit Bay

Keep your packing simple and practical. You will want:

• Swimwear and an extra change of clothes
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Water and snacks
• A camera in a waterproof case
• A mask and snorkel
• Comfortable clothing and shoes suited to water activities

You should be ready 15 minutes before pickup. A hat helps during the open-water portions, and extra clothes make the return journey more comfortable.

Smoking is not allowed. Touching marine life and plants is also prohibited. The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers, pregnant women, or people with back problems. These limits matter because the day involves boat travel and water activities, not simply sitting on a beach.

The information does not describe the boat size, group size, or exact departure time. Check availability for the starting time and ask about the meeting point before you pay.

The crew and the feel of the day

The crew is described as friendly and attentive, which matters on a day involving repeated boarding, swimming stops, and wet equipment. Good crew service can make the difference between a smooth shared outing and a tiring one.

At the same time, communication about pickup deserves care. Ask the operator to confirm the nearest hotel and save the WhatsApp conversation. That is a small step, but it is especially useful if the app displays a different meeting point.

Expect a standard shared boat experience rather than a private, custom-paced excursion. The route is designed to cover several major stops within eight hours. That means you gain variety and convenience, but you have less control over how long you stay at each place.

Who should book El Nido Tour A

I would recommend this tour to a first-time visitor who wants to see several famous parts of Bacuit Bay without arranging a boat independently. It suits people who enjoy swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, beach stops, and dramatic scenery in one packed day.

It is also a sensible choice for visitors watching their budget. The base price is modest for the length of the trip, even after the extra fees. Just calculate the complete cost before booking.

I would hesitate if you dislike crowds, cannot swim, have back problems, or need a highly flexible schedule. You may also prefer another route if Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave, Matinloc Shrine, or Cadlao Island is your top priority.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those options are useful if your Palawan plans are still shifting, but you should still confirm the pickup point and extra fees before the day arrives.

Should you book it?

Book Tour A if you want El Nido’s best-known lagoons, a beach stop, lunch, and boat transport in one eight-hour package. The scenery is the main reward, and the crew’s friendly service adds to the appeal.

Do not book it expecting empty lagoons or a private boat. Add the environmental and lagoon fees to your budget, bring your own snorkeling gear, and confirm the pickup hotel by WhatsApp. With those details settled, this is a practical, good-value introduction to Bacuit Bay.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour A last?

The tour lasts eight hours.

Which places does Tour A visit?

Tour A visits Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and Shimizu Island.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is included for hotels in El Nido Town only. If your hotel is farther away, a tricycle fare may be charged separately.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a professional guide, boat transport, lunch, and hotel pickup from El Nido Town.

Are snorkeling equipment and entrance fees included?

No. A mask and snorkel are not included. The environmental fee is 400.00, and lagoon fees are 200.00.

Is the tour suitable for non-swimmers?

No. The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers. It is also not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems.

Can I cancel the booking or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.