El Nido: Island Hopping Tour A Lagoons and Beaches

The best part of this El Nido island-hopping tour is the mix: one day takes you from the narrow entrance of Secret Lagoon to the broad, calm waters of Big Lagoon, then on to beaches and snorkeling water. It gives you the classic Bacuit Bay sampler without a luxury price tag.

I like the helpful boat crew, who can take photos, assist with kayaks, and look after nervous swimmers. I also like the generous lunch, which includes meat, fish, vegetables, and fruit. The tradeoff is crowding, especially at Big Lagoon, and a late departure can cost you precious quiet time.

Key points at a glance

• Big Lagoon is the main event: Kayaking through its towering rock walls is the activity’s most memorable part, but entry and kayak fees cost extra.
• Four stops keep the day varied: Expect a mix of lagoons, beach time, and snorkeling rather than eight hours of sitting on the boat.
• Lunch is included: The buffet-style meal is widely praised for its range and quantity.
• Private tours buy you time: A private boat can reach stops before shared groups and pause at a more comfortable pace.
• Bring cash and a light bag: You’ll need money for fees, rentals, drinks, and ice cream, while large bags and plastic bottles are not allowed.
• Crowds are part of the deal: Tour A is popular, so even beautiful places can feel busy during the main hours.

Why Tour A is El Nido’s classic day on the water

At $23 per person, this eight-hour trip is a strong-value way to see Bacuit Bay. The price covers the boat, licensed guide, life vest, and lunch, which means the main cost is clear from the start. You still need to budget for the 400 PHP El Nido Tourism Development Fee, the 200 PHP Big Lagoon entry fee, and optional equipment.

You get a full day rather than a short scenic cruise. The boat links several very different places, and that variety matters. Secret Lagoon feels enclosed and dramatic, Big Lagoon gives you room to paddle, Shimizu Island offers beach and swimming time, and Seven Commandos gives the day a classic palm-lined beach stop.

I would choose this tour if you want the standard El Nido highlights in one outing. It is less suitable if you want empty beaches, a slow private picnic, or long snorkeling sessions at every stop.

The exact order can change, and the day includes up to four stops in total. Big Lagoon entry is limited, so if permits are gone, the boat visits another location instead. That rule is worth taking seriously when comparing tours. You are paying for a strong route through Bacuit Bay, not a fixed guarantee that every named stop will be available.

Secret Lagoon, where the first stop gets tight

Secret Lagoon is reached through a small opening in the limestone rocks. The attraction is not a huge open body of water. It is the feeling of passing through the rock wall into a tucked-away pool.

This stop can involve a narrow entrance, uneven footing, and sharp coral near the water. Aqua shoes are useful, but they are not included. You can rent them, along with fins and kayaks, or bring suitable footwear if you already have it.

The setting is memorable, but do not expect solitude. Tour A is popular, and a small entrance naturally creates a bottleneck when several boats arrive together. If you dislike squeezing through tight spaces or have difficulty stepping from the boat onto uneven ground, this may be the hardest stop physically.

The crew can help with boarding and disembarking, and several guides are praised for being patient with people who do not swim well. Still, the activity is officially not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. Assistance from a kind crew member is not the same as accessible infrastructure.

Big Lagoon kayaking is worth the extra cost

Big Lagoon is the stop to protect on your mental schedule. Its calm water and steep limestone walls create a huge natural corridor for kayaking. From the seat of a kayak, you move quietly into the lagoon instead of simply looking at it from the tour boat.

Kayaks are optional and cost extra. The listed tour price does not include the rental, and recent visitors commonly paid around 300 pesos per kayak, with one kayak holding two people. The official information gives the rental as an additional cost, so bring cash and confirm the current rate before setting off.

You also pay a 200 PHP Big Lagoon entry fee. Because access is limited, Big Lagoon may be unavailable even when the tour is operating. If the quota has been reached, you will visit a different spot. That is not a fault with the crew, but it is an important distinction when you are booking for a specific lagoon.

Timing affects this stop. A late start or a long wait for missing passengers can mean arriving after several other boats. One outing reportedly began about an hour late and found the lagoon full. A private boat can help, since it may reach the site ahead of the shared groups, but it cannot remove the official entry limit.

For most people, the extra kayaking fee is sensible. It gives you a better view of the rock walls and some freedom to move at your own pace. If you have never kayaked, the crew can help. One guide, Dexter, even paddled with a solo participant who was new to kayaking.

Shimizu Island brings sand, swimming, and lunch

Shimizu Island is the straightforward beach stop. Expect clear water, pale sand, and time to swim or sit on the beach. After the enclosed lagoons, this open setting gives your day a welcome change of rhythm.

This is also where the lunch experience matters. The meal is included and is described as a substantial buffet with meat, fish, vegetables, and fruit. The food will not turn the boat into a restaurant, but the quantity makes a difference after swimming and kayaking.

Lunch organization can be less polished than the food itself. One person found the serving process could be better organized, so expect a practical boat-tour meal rather than a quiet table service. Bring patience, take what you need, and keep track of your belongings while everyone eats.

You can buy cold drinks and ice cream at some island stops, but these purchases are extra. Cash is useful throughout the day, especially because the tour price does not cover the environmental fee, lagoon admission, or rental gear.

Seven Commandos Beach adds the easy beach break

Seven Commandos Beach is lined with coconut trees and white sand. It is the most relaxed stop of the four, with room for swimming, sunbathing, and photographs.

The beach is beautiful, but it is not a secret. Boats gather here, and the beach can feel busy. That is the central compromise of Tour A: you get famous El Nido scenery at a low price, but you share it with other boats.

I like this stop for people who do not want every minute filled with snorkeling. A non-swimmer can enjoy the sand, take photos, or use a kayak at another stop. The crew has also been praised for helping people who are not confident in the water, though you should still wear the provided life vest and follow safety instructions.

If your priority is the quietest possible beach, a private trip is the better choice. On a shared boat, the day follows the pace of the wider tour schedule.

Snorkeling is part of the day, but expectations matter

The tour includes a snorkeling area so you can see Bacuit Bay below the surface. Bring swimwear, sunscreen, and a change of clothes. Fins and aqua shoes are available to rent, but they are not included in the base price.

The underwater experience can vary by stop and conditions. One snorkeling area was described as average, with few fish and a difficult approach over sharp coral. That does not cancel the value of the day, but it does mean you should not book this trip as a dedicated snorkeling expedition.

The strongest reason to choose Tour A is the combination of lagoons and beaches. Snorkeling adds another activity, but the rock scenery and kayaking are more reliable highlights. If underwater life is your main goal, ask about other El Nido routes before booking.

Shared boat or private boat?

The shared option gives you the lowest price and a social day on the water. It is a good fit for solo visitors, couples watching their budget, and anyone who wants the standard route without arranging a whole boat.

The drawbacks are predictable. You may wait for other passengers, leave later than planned, and spend time at each stop according to the group’s schedule. A late departure can be especially costly at Big Lagoon, where the water may be crowded by the time you arrive.

A private group costs more, but it can be a smart upgrade for couples, families, or a small group. You have more control over the pace, and a private boat may reach each stop before the shared boats. One private outing with only two passengers was able to enjoy quieter moments before the larger groups arrived.

Private does not mean every site will be empty or that Big Lagoon entry is guaranteed. It simply gives you more control over departure, movement, and time at each stop. For a special occasion, that control may be worth more than the savings of the shared fare.

What the crew adds to the day

The crew is a major part of the experience. Guides such as Buddy, John, Mark, Dexter, Nathan, Angelo, Jordan, and Jojo have been singled out for friendly help, safety care, humor, and photo assistance. Staff often take pictures on your phone, which is useful when you want a group shot without handing your camera to another visitor.

The best support comes during boarding, disembarking, and kayaking. That matters because the boat, shore, coral, and small lagoon entrances can make simple movements awkward. Several crew members have helped older passengers and people who were not strong swimmers.

Guide quality can vary in communication style. One guide spoke quickly and seemed impatient when asked to repeat information. If you need instructions repeated, ask early and clearly. English and Tagalog are available, but the pace of the explanation may not suit everyone.

The safety basics are clear: life vests are included, and the staff pay attention to passengers in the water. You should still take responsibility for your own comfort. Wear the vest, use rented footwear around coral, and tell the crew if you are uneasy in the water.

What to pack, and what not to bring

Keep your packing simple. You need:

• Passport or ID card
• Swimwear
• Change of clothes
• Sunscreen
• Cash
• A small waterproof pouch for valuables

Large bags and luggage are not allowed. Plastic bottles are also prohibited, and smoking is not allowed. Follow those rules before you reach the meeting point, since space on an island-hopping boat is limited.

Your meeting point may vary by the option you book, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Check the exact meeting instructions before the morning of the trip. The 400 PHP environmental fee must be paid before boarding, unless you have already paid it and can show the receipt.

The full outing lasts eight hours, though the exact start time depends on availability. Plan for a complete day rather than a quick morning activity. If you get seasick easily, bring your usual motion-sickness medicine. One full-day participant specifically advised doing so.

Who should book this El Nido tour?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors who want the famous Bacuit Bay sights in one day. It also suits budget-conscious couples, families with confident swimmers, and solo visitors who prefer a ready-made plan.

It works well for mixed groups because not every stop demands the same activity. Strong swimmers can snorkel or kayak, while others can stay on the beach, take photos, or enjoy the scenery from the boat. The crew can help, but children and non-swimmers still need close supervision.

I would hesitate if you use a wheelchair, have major mobility limitations, or need fully accessible paths. The boat and shore transfers are not designed for that. I would also look elsewhere if your top priority is solitude, technical snorkeling, or a completely fixed itinerary.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those options are useful when your Palawan plans are still shifting, but always confirm the meeting point and extra fees before paying.

Should you book Tour A?

Yes, if you want the classic El Nido day at a very low base price. The strongest combination is Big Lagoon kayaking, the unusual entrance to Secret Lagoon, two white-sand beach stops, a filling lunch, and a crew that usually takes its service seriously.

Go in with realistic expectations. You will share famous places with other boats, Big Lagoon access is limited, and the extra costs can raise the final price. If possible, leave on time, carry cash, and consider a private boat if quiet stops matter more than savings.

For most first visits, this is a sensible choice. The price buys a lot of scenery and activity, and the day has enough variety to remain interesting from the first rock opening to the final beach stop.

FAQ

How long does the El Nido Tour A experience last?

The tour lasts eight hours. Starting times depend on availability, so check the available departure times when booking.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes a licensed tour guide, the boat tour, life vests, and lunch.

Is the El Nido environmental fee included?

No. The El Nido Tourism Development Fee, also called the environmental fee, costs 400 PHP and must be paid before boarding. If you already paid it, show your receipt to avoid paying twice.

Is kayaking at Big Lagoon included?

No. Kayaking is an optional extra, and the kayak rental is not included. Aqua shoes and fins are also available to rent at an additional cost.

Is entry to Big Lagoon guaranteed?

No. Entry is limited. If admission is no longer available, the tour visits a different location.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The meeting point can vary depending on the option booked.

What languages are available, and can I book a private group?

Guides speak English and Tagalog. A private group option is available, as well as shared tours.