El Nido: Island Hopping TOUR A with Lunch, Transfer & EDTF

Big Lagoon is the star of this eight-hour day, with towering limestone cliffs wrapped around clear blue water. Tour A then moves through Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, and Seven Commandos Beach, giving you a good sample of El Nido’s famous scenery in one boat trip.

I like the way the $50 price includes lunch, boat transport, guide service, drinking water, and the lagoon and environmental fees. I also like the mix of stops: you get dramatic rock scenery, swimming, snorkeling, a sandy beach, and time to simply sit in the sun. The main caution is transport. Pickup is included only within El Nido Town Proper, and communication about hotels outside that area has caused problems.

Key points to know before booking

• Big Lagoon sets the tone: Limestone cliffs and clear blue water make this the most scenic stop of the day.
• Secret Lagoon requires care: You may need to pass through a low, rocky opening, so water shoes and attention to the tide are useful.
• Shimizu Island is the lunch stop: Eat, swim, and snorkel beside a small white-sand beach framed by cliffs.
• Equipment costs extra: Snorkeling masks, fins, kayaks, and aqua equipment are not included in the $50 price.
• Seven Commandos is the relaxed finale: Expect white sand, coconut trees, swimming, and optional kayaking.
• Check your pickup point closely: Free roundtrip transport applies to El Nido Town Proper only, not Lio, Nampacan, Meregmeg, or other outlying areas.

Why Tour A is El Nido’s classic first boat day

El Nido has several island-hopping routes, but Tour A gives you the broadest first look at the area’s signature scenery. The day is built around limestone cliffs, sheltered coves, beaches, and shallow water rather than a single long beach stop.

You will leave from El Nido, spend about an hour at each main location, and return after roughly eight hours. That pace keeps the day moving, though it also means you will not have unlimited time at any one site. If you want a slow beach day, this may feel busy. If you want to see the famous places in one outing, the structure works well.

The English-speaking guide leads the day, handles the boat schedule, and helps direct you at the stops. The crew has been praised for being friendly and helpful, and the guides have also been described as fun. That matters on a boat day, since a clear explanation about where to swim, where to wait, and how to board can make the difference between a relaxed outing and a confused one.

This is not a private charter. A group boat is implied, but the exact group size is not provided, so expect shared transport and shared stop times. You should also be ready for changes in the order of stops, since tide and port conditions can affect how the day runs.

Big Lagoon: the most dramatic stop

Big Lagoon sits on Miniloc Island and is surrounded by tall limestone cliffs. The cliffs are the reason this stop feels so different from a normal beach visit. Instead of an open shoreline, you enter a broad natural basin where rock walls rise around calm blue water.

The stop is listed as both a visit and a photo opportunity, with about an hour here. Bring your camera, but also take a moment to look away from the screen. The scale of the cliffs is easy to miss if you spend the whole stop trying to frame the perfect picture.

Kayaking may be available here for an additional charge, but kayaks are not included. If you choose to rent one, confirm the price and inspect the equipment before setting off. A reported problem with a rented kayak included a leak that caused it to take on water and become unsafe. That is a useful reminder to check the hull, seat, and drain area before paying.

Swimming conditions and access can vary by the day. Follow the guide’s instructions, wear your life vest when required, and keep your belongings in a waterproof bag. A dry bag is particularly helpful when moving between a boat, a beach, and wet equipment.

Secret Lagoon and the rocky entrance

Secret Lagoon is reached from a white-sand beach on the southern side of Miniloc Island. The entrance is partly hidden behind limestone, which gives the stop its name and makes the approach more interesting than simply walking down a beach.

You may pass through a narrow, cave-like opening to reach the pool. Watch your head, especially when the tide is high. At low tide, you can usually wade through the entrance, but the rocks may be slippery and uneven.

This is where water shoes earn their place in your bag. Flip-flops may work on the sand, but they are less helpful on wet rock. Move slowly, keep one hand free for balance, and do not rush because other people are waiting behind you.

The lagoon is a good stop for swimming and photographs, but the enclosed space can feel tight when many boats arrive at once. You may find the experience more enjoyable by taking your photo quickly, then stepping aside so others can pass. The appeal here is the unusual entrance and small natural pool, not a long stretch of open swimming.

Kayaking may also be offered, but it is an extra. The included boat ride gets you to the island, while rental gear is your responsibility.

Shimizu Island: lunch beside the cliffs

Shimizu Island is the practical middle stop and the usual lunch location. It has a white-sand beach, clear water, and cliffs that provide shade after time in the sun.

Lunch is included in the $50 price, which improves the value of the day. You do not need to find a restaurant between stops, and the meal is served while you are already at one of the prettiest beach locations. Drinking water is also included.

Bring patience and keep expectations sensible. A shared island lunch is a simple meal, not a restaurant service. One meal caused frustration when cutlery arrived late and food had run out before it could be used properly. That appears to have been a service problem rather than the stated plan, but it is still smart to carry tissues or hand sanitizer and, if needed, ask for utensils as soon as lunch begins.

After eating, you can swim or snorkel near shore. The island is known for fish and coral, and the clear water gives you a good chance to see marine life. Sea turtles are possible in the wider snorkeling areas, but sightings are not guaranteed. Do not chase or touch marine animals, and use reef-safe sunscreen to reduce harm to coral.

The island’s local story says it was named after a scuba diver called Shimizu, whose remains were found after he disappeared while exploring underwater tunnels. Treat this as local legend rather than a verified historical account, but it adds a human detail to an otherwise purely scenic stop.

Payong-Payong Beach: a quiet hour to slow down

Payong-Payong Beach is a small, sheltered stop with pale sand, trees, clear water, and unusual rock shapes. Compared with Big Lagoon, it feels less about one famous view and more about having time to swim, sit, and take photographs.

The water is described as suitable for snorkeling, with fish and coral close to shore. Gentle waves make it a pleasant place for a swim, though conditions can still change with tide and weather.

There are no special sports or organized activities here. That is a benefit if you want a break from boarding boats and moving between sites. You can sit in the shade, cool off in the water, or simply enjoy the setting without feeling that you need to buy another activity.

A beach stop also brings small practical concerns. Sand gets into everything, and the tropical sun can become tiring by the fourth or fifth stop. Reapply reef-safe sunscreen, drink water, and use a hat. The day includes drinking water, but you should still monitor your own hydration.

Seven Commandos Beach and the final swim

Seven Commandos Beach is a long white-sand beach lined with coconut trees and limestone cliffs. It is technically connected to the El Nido mainland, but boat access gives it a more remote feel.

This is a good final stop because it leaves room for a swim, a walk along the sand, or a last set of photographs. Kayaking may be offered for an additional fee, but the beach itself is enough for many people. After a full day of boat transfers and snorkeling, you may prefer to sit under the trees rather than add another activity.

The name has several local explanations. One version connects it to stranded soldiers. Other stories link it to a fishing boat or a carved stone found by local people. The exact story is less important than the fact that the beach has a name with several competing explanations, which is common in places shaped by oral tradition.

Watch the weather as the day ends. A sudden rain shower can make the return and hotel transfer less comfortable, especially if you are staying outside the included pickup zone. Keep a dry bag or waterproof pouch for your phone, wallet, and documents.

What the $50 price really covers

At $50 per person, this tour offers good value if you want the standard El Nido sights without arranging each part yourself. The price includes:

• Roundtrip port transfer within El Nido Town Proper
• Motorized boat transport
• Island lunch
• Drinking water
• Lagoon fee
• Environmental fee
• Life vest on board
• English-speaking guide

The included fees are important. El Nido’s popular sites involve environmental and access charges, and having them included makes the final cost easier to understand.

The price does not include transfers for hotels outside El Nido Town Proper. It also excludes snorkeling masks, fins, aqua equipment, and kayaks. You can bring your own snorkeling gear or ask about rental costs before the boat leaves.

The transport boundary deserves extra attention. Lio, Nampacan Beach, and Meregmeg are specifically excluded. Some bookings have involved last-minute confusion, extra tuk-tuk charges, or uncertainty about the return ride. Send the exact hotel name before booking and get clear confirmation about both directions. Do not assume that the word pickup means every hotel in the El Nido area.

The transport issue is the main weakness

Pickup within El Nido Town Proper is meant to be included. On the day, you are asked to wait in your hotel lobby for a driver holding a sign with your name. Pickup details are supposed to be confirmed by email, with a reminder two days before the trip.

That sounds simple, but the boundary between town and outlying areas can create trouble. One booking involved a promised vehicle that did not arrive, followed by a tuk-tuk driver asking for 250 pesos. Another required guests to arrange and pay for transport because the accommodation was outside town, even though the location had been shared earlier.

The practical lesson is simple: confirm the exact pickup policy in writing. Ask three questions:

• Is my hotel inside El Nido Town Proper?
• Is the trip to the port included?
• Is the return ride to my hotel included?

Also confirm that the environmental fee is already paid. The package includes it, yet one person was asked for another 400 pesos. Keep your booking details available and do not pay a second time without checking with the operator.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would choose Tour A if this is your first full day in El Nido and you want a mixture of scenery, swimming, snorkeling, and beach time. It suits couples, families with older children, and active adults who do not mind boarding a shared motorized boat several times.

The operator says the day is designed to work for children, seniors, and people with disabilities. That said, the actual terrain can still be demanding. Secret Lagoon involves a rocky passage, beaches require getting on and off the boat, and the boat itself may move with the water. Anyone with limited mobility should ask specific questions before booking rather than relying only on the general accessibility statement.

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people over 95 years old. It is also a poor fit if you dislike sun, wet clothes, rocky footing, or shared schedules.

What to pack for the boat

Keep your packing list short, but make each item useful:

• Reef-safe, biodegradable sunscreen
• Hat or sun cover
• Swimwear and a towel
• Water shoes
• Flip-flops for the beach
• Snorkeling mask and fins if you own them
• Waterproof bag for your phone and wallet
• Hand sanitizer or tissues
• Drinking water if you prefer more than the included supply

Water shoes are the most useful item. They help at Secret Lagoon and on rocky shorelines. A waterproof bag is nearly as helpful, particularly if rain arrives or you rent a kayak.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. Smoking on a small motorized boat has also been raised as a safety and comfort concern, so ask the crew about the rule if this matters to you.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

Book it if you want El Nido’s famous lagoons and beaches in one organized day, and if your hotel is clearly inside El Nido Town Proper. The combination of Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, and Seven Commandos Beach gives you strong variety for the price.

I would be more cautious if your accommodation is outside town, if you need guaranteed special assistance, or if you plan to rent equipment. Confirm transport, inspect any kayak before paying, and bring your own snorkeling gear when possible.

For most first-time visitors, Tour A is a sensible introduction to Bacuit Bay. Just treat the $50 as the starting price for the included package, not a promise that every extra transfer or piece of equipment is covered.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour A last?

The activity lasts about eight hours, including the boat ride, island stops, lunch, swimming, and the return to El Nido.

Which places are included in Tour A?

The stops are Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, and Seven Commandos Beach.

Is lunch included?

Yes. An island lunch and drinking water are included in the price.

Is hotel pickup included?

Roundtrip transfer is included within El Nido Town Proper only. Hotels in Lio, Nampacan Beach, Meregmeg, and other areas outside the stated zone may require separate transport.

Are snorkeling gear and kayaks included?

No. Snorkeling masks, fins, aqua equipment, and kayaks are not included. You may bring your own gear or pay separately for rentals.

Can I cancel the tour or pay later?

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