El Nido Group Tour A with Beach Lunch

Paradise comes with a boat schedule. El Nido Tour A packs Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, Payong-Payong Beach, and Seven Commando Beach into about seven hours. I like the mix of kayaking and snorkeling with long stretches for swimming and resting, and I like that lunch is served on the beach, not in a restaurant between stops. The main drawback is that the advertised price does not cover a kayak, mask, snorkel, drinks, or pickup outside El Nido Town.

This is a classic island-hopping day, with up to 50 people on the boat. That makes it sociable and affordable, but not quiet or private. You should also be ready to walk through shallow seawater and climb a boat ladder at several stops, which matters if you have limited mobility or are bringing young children.

Key points to know before booking

• Big Lagoon takes about 90 minutes, and kayaking costs P400 per kayak for two people.
• Shimizu Island is the main snorkeling stop, though the fish can be small and not especially plentiful.
• Lunch is served on a beach, while water and soft drinks must be purchased separately.
• Small children may need smaller life jackets, so request them before departure.
• Boat access is physical, with water crossings and ladder climbs at different stops.
• The P400 environmental fee is valid for 14 days, useful if you plan another island trip soon.

Why Tour A remains El Nido’s classic island day

El Nido’s appeal is easy to understand once you see the limestone cliffs rising straight from the sea. The islands feel carved rather than built, with narrow openings, bright water, pale beaches, and quiet coves that are reached only by boat.

Tour A gives you several different versions of that scenery in one day. Big Lagoon supplies the grand views. Shimizu Island brings snorkeling. Secret Lagoon adds a small adventure. Payong-Payong Beach slows the pace, and Seven Commando Beach gives you a proper palm-lined beach stop.

At $44.95 per person, the tour offers good value if you want the major sights without hiring a private boat. The price includes the lagoon entrance, environmental fee, beach lunch, and pickup within El Nido Town. It does not include every activity, so your final cost depends on what you rent and buy.

A kayak costs P400 for two people, making it P200 each if you share. A mask and snorkel set costs P100. Those are reasonable local charges, but it is still worth carrying enough cash and knowing what is included before you board.

The group can reach a maximum of 50 people. That is not a small outing, so expect a shared boat atmosphere rather than a private island picnic. The tradeoff is simple: you pay less, meet other people, and see five popular locations in one organized day.

Big Lagoon: the grand opening act

Big Lagoon is the visual centerpiece of the route. Clear turquoise water runs between tall limestone cliffs, creating the sort of view that makes people reach for their phones before the boat has even stopped.

You have about 1 hour and 30 minutes here. Kayaking is the best way to appreciate the lagoon because it lets you move at a slower pace and look up at the rock walls instead of only seeing them from the boat. Swimming and snorkeling are also listed activities, though the still water and dramatic cliffs are likely to be the main attraction for many people.

The kayak is not included, but the rental price is easy to split between two people. If you want to paddle, arrange it early rather than assuming a kayak will simply appear when you reach shore.

This stop can be busy, especially because Big Lagoon is one of El Nido’s most popular sights. A group tour cannot control how many boats are nearby. Still, the scale of the cliffs and the unusual shape of the lagoon give the stop plenty of impact even when other boats are present.

Bring a waterproof bag. You may need to keep your phone, wallet, towel, and spare clothing protected while moving between the boat and the water. Suitable footwear is also useful because this day involves wet entries, slippery surfaces, and ladder climbs.

Shimizu Island: snorkeling with modest expectations

Shimizu Island is scheduled for another 1 hour and 30 minutes. The island is known for clear water, coral reefs, and tropical fish, so this is the tour’s main snorkeling stop.

The snorkeling should be treated as a pleasant look at local sea life, not as a major marine expedition. The fish may be small, often smaller than your palm, and you should not expect thick schools at every turn. A few larger fish may appear, but the overall appeal is the combination of warm water, reef, and island scenery.

Mask and snorkel rental costs P100 per set. You can also swim if you prefer not to snorkel. That makes the stop flexible for mixed groups, since one person can explore the reef while another stays near the beach or boat.

The crew and lifeguards are an important part of this stop. They have been helpful with people who have limited mobility, but the physical demands remain. You need to walk in the water and use a ladder to get back onto the boat, so ask for assistance before you enter rather than waiting until you are tired.

Payong-Payong Beach: a useful pause in the middle

Payong-Payong Beach gives the day a quieter rhythm. It is described as a secluded beach surrounded by limestone cliffs and greenery, with pale sand and shallow clear water.

You have about an hour here. That is enough time for a swim, a short walk, or simply a break from the boat. After the more activity-focused stops, this pause matters. Island tours can become tiring when every stop demands snorkeling, paddling, or rushing ashore.

The shallow water may appeal to families, but do not assume that every part of the tour is easy for children. Life jacket sizing is worth checking in advance. If you are bringing small children, request smaller life jackets before the boat leaves.

Payong-Payong is also a good place to use your beach lunch if the timing works that way, though the supplied details do not specify exactly at which stop the meal is served. Lunch is included, but drinks are not. Pack or purchase water and soft drinks separately.

Secret Lagoon: a short entrance with a big payoff

Secret Lagoon is reached through a small opening in a limestone wall. That narrow entry is the memorable part of the stop. You move from the open sea into a sheltered pool enclosed by rock, which gives the place its sense of discovery.

The scheduled time is 1 hour and 30 minutes. Expect to swim, look around, and take in the unusual setting rather than spend the entire time on a demanding activity. The entrance can require careful movement, and the water access is another reason to bring footwear that handles wet conditions.

The name suggests a remote private hideaway, but this is a well-known stop on a popular route. The word secret describes the hidden pool, not guaranteed solitude. With a group of up to 50 people, the experience may feel more social than secluded.

Even so, it offers a different kind of scenery from Big Lagoon. Big Lagoon is wide and open. Secret Lagoon is compressed and enclosed, with the small opening creating the transition. I would consider it one of the tour’s more distinctive stops, especially if you enjoy places that require a little physical effort to enter.

Seven Commando Beach: finish with sand and palms

Seven Commando Beach is the final listed stop, with about 1 hour and 30 minutes to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or relax beneath the coconut palms. Its white sand and blue water make it an easy place to finish the day.

This is the stop for doing less. After kayaking, snorkeling, walking in water, and climbing ladders, you may be happier with a slow swim or a cool drink than another activity. Drinks are not included in the tour price, so budget for them if you want something beyond the included lunch.

Seven Commando is popular, so do not expect an empty beach. The appeal is its straightforward beauty and the chance to enjoy a proper shoreline before returning to El Nido. A fresh coconut is part of the appeal described for the tour, but it should be treated as an optional purchase rather than an included item.

The long stop also helps balance the schedule. You get several active locations, then enough time at the last beach to dry off and recover before the boat ride home.

What lunch and the boat day are really like

The beach lunch is one of the strongest features of this outing. Eating beside the water makes the middle of the day feel like part of the island experience rather than an interruption.

The exact menu is not specified, so you should not book this expecting a particular dish. Bring your own water or buy drinks during the day, since beverages are excluded.

The tour starts at 9:00 a.m. and lasts about seven hours. The five scheduled stops add up to roughly 6.5 hours, leaving time for boat travel, boarding, and transitions. That is a full day, but not an unusually long one for an El Nido island tour.

Free pickup is offered within El Nido Town. Pickup outside town carries an extra charge. Confirm the meeting or pickup details when booking, especially if your accommodation is beyond the town area.

A mobile ticket is offered, and confirmation arrives when you book. The experience is near public transportation, and service animals are allowed. Those details are useful, but the day’s main practical issue is access to the boat and water, not transportation around town.

The physical side: water crossings and ladder climbs

This tour is suitable for most people who can participate in normal swimming and beach activities, but it is not a sit-back-and-watch excursion. You may need to enter the water from the boat, walk through shallow water, and climb a ladder every time you return aboard.

That can be manageable for many people, but it becomes tiring over five stops. Wear footwear suitable for seawater and bring a waterproof bag for valuables. Avoid carrying anything you cannot protect from getting wet.

The crew and lifeguards have helped older people and those with limited mobility. That is encouraging, but assistance does not remove the need for physical movement. If you have mobility concerns, contact the provider before booking and explain exactly what you can manage.

Families should plan ahead. One useful tip is to request small life jackets in advance for young children. Do not wait until the boat is loading, when the available sizes may be limited.

Is $44.95 good value?

For $44.95, the tour gives you five major stops, a beach lunch, the lagoon entrance, pickup in town, and the environmental fee. That is strong value if you want a full introduction to El Nido’s island scenery and do not need a private itinerary.

The additional charges are clear:

• Kayak: P400 per kayak for two people
• Mask and snorkel: P100 per set
• Environmental fee: P400 per person, valid for 14 days
• Lagoon entrance: P200 per person, included
• Drinks: not included
• Pickup outside El Nido Town: extra charge

The environmental fee is especially useful if you plan another eligible island trip within 14 days, since the fee remains valid during that period. Ask how the fee is recorded or confirmed so you can use it later if applicable.

The tour is less valuable for someone who dislikes group schedules, already has a private boat, or wants long, quiet stretches on empty beaches. In that case, paying more for flexibility may make sense. For a first island day, though, the amount of scenery and activity included is hard to dismiss.

Who should book El Nido Tour A?

I would recommend this tour to you if you want:

• A first look at El Nido’s famous lagoons and beaches
• A reasonably priced full-day boat trip
• A mix of kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, and beach time
• Lunch included in a scenic setting
• A structured plan instead of arranging several stops yourself
• The chance to share the day with a larger group

I would think twice if you want a private or quiet outing. A group of up to 50 people can mean more waiting, more noise, and less control over how long you stay at each location.

I would also be cautious if you have serious mobility limitations. The guides and lifeguards can help, but water crossings and boat ladders are built into the day. Families should request child-sized life jackets ahead of time and bring footwear that will stay secure in the water.

The snorkeling is best for casual swimmers who want to see some reef and small fish. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, keep expectations moderate. The cliffs, lagoons, and beaches are the stronger attractions.

Cancellation and weather details

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 9:00 a.m. start time. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and cancellations inside that period are not refunded.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy is important in El Nido, where sea conditions can affect both comfort and safety.

Should you book this tour?

Book El Nido Tour A if you want the classic island-hopping day at a fair price, with the major lagoon, reef, beach, and Secret Lagoon experiences in one outing. The beach lunch and varied itinerary give it more range than a simple sightseeing cruise.

Before you commit, add the kayak and snorkeling costs if you want those activities, arrange small life jackets for children, carry water, and prepare for wet transfers and ladder climbs. If you accept the group size and come ready for a busy day, this is a practical and scenic introduction to El Nido.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour A last?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 a.m.

Is pickup included?

Free pickup is available within El Nido Town. Pickup outside El Nido Town may cost extra.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and served on the beach.

Are drinks included?

No. Water, soda, and other drinks are not included.

Does the tour include a kayak?

No. Kayak rental costs P400 per kayak, and the kayak is suitable for two people.

Are masks and snorkels included?

No. A mask and snorkel set costs P100.

Is the environmental fee included?

Yes. The P400-per-person environmental fee is included and is valid for 14 days.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can choose another date or receive a full refund if the tour is canceled because of poor weather.