El Nido: Island Hopping Tour A

El Nido saves its best scenery for the water. I like the mix of Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and Shimizu Island, and I like that an English-speaking guide, boat, lunch, and town pickup are included. The main catch is that the $34 price does not cover the environmental fee, lagoon fees, or mask and snorkel rental.

This is an eight-hour outing around Bacuit Bay, built for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and easy beach time. The crew has earned praise for being kind and attentive, but you should confirm the pickup point in WhatsApp because the listed meeting location has caused confusion.

Key points to know before booking

• Four major Tour A stops: Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and Shimizu Island form the main route.
• The $34 price is a fair starting point: A boat, guide, lunch, and hotel pickup in El Nido Town are included, but several extra charges still apply.
• Bacuit Bay is the star: Clear water, limestone islands, beaches, lagoons, and snorkeling make the setting more important than the commentary.
• Pickup needs checking: Send a WhatsApp message and confirm the nearest hotel before departure, especially if the app gives you a meeting point.
• Bring your own snorkeling kit if possible: Mask and snorkel rental is not included, and the tour also asks you to bring water, sunscreen, snacks, and spare clothes.
• This is an active day: You need to be comfortable with water activities, and the outing is not suitable for non-swimmers, pregnant women, or people with back problems.

What the $34 El Nido Tour A includes

At $34 per person, this tour offers a useful bundle for a full day on Bacuit Bay. You get a boat, professional guide, lunch, and pickup from hotels in El Nido Town. For a day built around several islands and lagoons, that makes the base price appealing.

Still, the headline rate is not the final cost. You need to budget for the 400 Philippine peso environmental fee and a 200 peso lagoon fee. Mask and snorkel equipment also cost extra, while personal expenses remain your responsibility.

That does not make the outing poor value. It simply means you should compare the advertised price with your likely total before booking. If you already have snorkeling gear and stay in El Nido Town, you can keep the added costs easier to control.

Pickup is included only within El Nido Town. If your hotel sits farther away, you may need to pay a tricycle fare yourself. The exact pickup arrangement deserves attention because the meeting point shown in the app has reportedly been incorrect. Contact the operator through WhatsApp and ask for the nearest hotel or confirmed pickup location.

Starting the day around Bacuit Bay

You should be ready 15 minutes before the arranged pickup time. The tour lasts about eight hours, so this is not a quick look at one beach. It is a full day of moving between water stops, shorelines, and island scenery.

The guide speaks English, which helps with basic instructions for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and boarding the boat. The available feedback also gives the crew strong marks for being friendly and attentive. That matters on a water-based outing, where clear directions and a helpful attitude can make the day easier.

The exact boat size and group size are not specified, so you should not assume a small private outing. The price and shared-tour format suggest you may be joining other people, but the supplied details do not confirm the number. If personal space or a quiet boat matters to you, ask before paying.

Lunch is included, which is useful because the schedule occupies most of the day. You should still carry water and snacks, as recommended, since the timing and amount of food are not described in detail.

Big Lagoon: the signature stop

Big Lagoon is the most famous name on Tour A, and it is easy to understand why it anchors the route. You can expect a broad water setting surrounded by the steep limestone scenery associated with El Nido. The clear water gives the stop its visual appeal, while kayaking offers a slower way to look around than simply staying on the boat.

This is a good place to focus on scenery and movement. If you kayak, you can set your own pace and look into the water and along the rock walls. If you prefer swimming, the lagoon provides another way to enjoy the setting, though you should follow the guide’s directions and stay within the permitted areas.

Big Lagoon also comes with a practical warning: it is likely to be one of the busiest stops on a popular route. The available feedback specifically notes that the places can be crowded, though this was expected and did not spoil the day. Go for the setting, not for solitude.

You should also remember that the lagoon fee is separate from the tour price. That extra charge is tied to the appeal of visiting such a well-known natural site, but it still affects the final budget.

Small Lagoon and a closer look at the water

Small Lagoon offers a more enclosed setting than Big Lagoon. Its name suggests a tighter, more intimate space, and the main appeal is getting closer to the water and rock formations by swimming or kayaking.

This stop is best for people who like active sightseeing. You are not simply stepping off the boat for a quick photo. The tour encourages water activities, so bring swimwear, comfortable clothing, and shoes that can handle wet conditions.

A dry change of clothes is especially useful after several water stops. The tour specifically advises you to bring extra clothes, and that advice is worth following. Staying damp for the rest of an eight-hour day is no fun, especially if you plan to continue swimming after lunch.

As with Big Lagoon, you may find other boats and groups in the area. The route’s popularity is part of the bargain. You receive access to striking scenery and several famous stops, but you should not expect every lagoon to feel empty.

Secret Lagoon and the pleasure of discovery

Secret Lagoon adds a different kind of stop to the day. Rather than being only a broad open-water view, it gives you a more tucked-away place to explore, swim, and take photos.

The name creates high expectations, so keep them in check. This is a well-known stop on El Nido’s established routes, not a place guaranteed to feel unknown. The attraction comes from the enclosed setting and the change of pace, not from complete isolation.

You will want to follow the guide’s instructions here. The tour does not allow touching marine life or plants, and that rule matters in every lagoon. Keep your hands to yourself, avoid standing on sensitive areas, and enjoy the surroundings without treating them like props.

Bring a camera, but protect it from water. The supplied packing advice also includes sunscreen, a hat, and water. Those items become more important as the day continues and shade may not always be available.

Shimizu Island for lunch and beach time

Shimizu Island brings the day back to open beach space. It is listed as one of the main Tour A stops and is tied to swimming, snorkeling, and a relaxed break by the sea. With lunch included, this is likely the point where you can slow down and enjoy time away from the boat.

The island suits mixed groups well. Strong swimmers can spend time in the water, while people who prefer a calmer break can remain on the shore. The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers, but you do not need to treat every minute as a race from one activity to the next.

Snorkeling equipment is not included, so check your options before departure. You can bring your own mask and snorkel or plan for a rental cost. The water is a central part of the tour, and arriving without the gear you want may limit your best chances to see marine life.

The exact lunch menu is not provided, so you should not book this outing based on a particular dish. Think of the meal as a practical included break during a long day on the islands.

Where Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave, and Matinloc Shrine fit

The information for this activity also describes Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave, and Matinloc Shrine. These are associated with other route choices, especially Tour B, while Tour C combines destinations from Tours A and B. They should not automatically be treated as part of the standard Tour A day.

This distinction matters when you are comparing El Nido tours. Tour A centers on the four lagoon and island stops described above. Tour B shifts toward Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave, and Matinloc Shrine. Tour C mixes the two groups, while Tour D focuses on Cadlao Island and its beaches.

If one of those other places is your priority, select the matching route rather than assuming Tour A covers everything. The options give you a useful way to match the day to your interests, but the tour names are easy to mix up when you are booking quickly.

Water activities, safety, and what to pack

Tour A is not a sightseeing cruise where you remain dry on the boat. Swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking are central to the plan. Comfortable clothes and shoes for water activities will make the day easier, and extra clothes give you a way to change afterward.

Pack light, but cover the basics:

• Swimwear and spare clothes
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Water and snacks
• Camera
• Mask and snorkel, if you have them
• Comfortable shoes suitable for wet conditions

Smoking is not allowed, and you must not touch marine life or plants. Those rules protect the places you are visiting and help keep the experience respectful.

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or non-swimmers. The supplied information does not give a detailed accessibility assessment beyond those restrictions, so you should contact the operator if you have another mobility or medical concern.

The tour provider also offers kayaking, but the exact equipment and instruction details are not provided. If you are new to kayaking, ask the guide for directions before setting out. In clear water, it is tempting to focus on photos and scenery, but basic attention to boat traffic and the guide’s instructions remains important.

Crowds, crew service, and the real mood of the day

The strongest praise goes to the boat crew’s attitude. The crew has been described as very friendly and attentive, which is exactly the kind of service you want during a long day of boarding, swimming, eating, and changing locations.

At the same time, the famous sites can be crowded. That is not a surprise on El Nido’s best-known route, but it changes the mood. You may spend part of the day waiting for a clear photo or sharing a lagoon with several other groups.

I would treat the crowds as the main tradeoff for the price and route. You get access to the classic sights without paying for a private boat, but you give up some control over timing and quiet. If your dream is an empty beach and complete freedom, ask about a private or less popular route instead.

The rating information available for this activity is 4 out of 5 from three reviews, so it gives a generally positive but limited signal. I would place more weight on the specific practical points: good crew service, expected crowds, and the need to confirm the pickup location.

Pickup, cancellation, and planning details

The operator asks you to confirm the nearest hotel through WhatsApp. Do that before the morning of the tour if possible, especially if your accommodation is outside central El Nido Town. You should not rely only on the location shown in the booking app.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are arranging several Palawan activities and want to keep your plans flexible.

Starting times depend on availability, so check the date carefully. The tour lasts eight hours, and the day can feel longer if you arrive without water, snacks, sun protection, or dry clothes.

Who should book El Nido Tour A?

I would recommend Tour A if you want the classic El Nido combination: famous lagoons, island scenery, beach time, and clear water activities in one full-day outing. It is a good fit for couples, friends, and active families whose members can swim and are happy to share a boat.

The tour also suits you if value matters more than privacy. The included boat, guide, lunch, and town pickup make $34 a sensible base rate, even after the environmental and lagoon fees. Just remember that equipment and some transport costs are separate.

I would hesitate if you cannot swim, have back problems, are pregnant, or want a completely quiet day. I would also pause if your main goal is Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave, Matinloc Shrine, or Cadlao Island, since another route may fit better.

Should you book it?

Book Tour A if Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and Shimizu Island are the sights you most want to see. Confirm your pickup point in WhatsApp, budget for the extra fees, and bring your own snorkeling gear if you have it.

Skip it in favor of another route if you want the destinations connected with Tours B, C, or D, or if crowds and shared transport would bother you. For an eight-hour introduction to El Nido’s famous water scenery at a moderate starting price, this is a practical choice, provided you understand what the $34 does and does not cover.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour A last?

The tour lasts eight hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $34 per person.

What stops are included on Tour A?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is included for hotels in El Nido Town. Hotels farther from town may require a separate tricycle fare.

How do I confirm the meeting point?

The pickup details should be confirmed through WhatsApp using the nearest hotel. Be ready 15 minutes before pickup.

Is lunch included?

Yes, lunch is included.

Are snorkeling equipment and lagoon fees included?

No. Mask and snorkel rental is not included. The environmental fee is 400 pesos, and the lagoon fee is 200 pesos.

Is an English-speaking guide available?

Yes, the tour includes a live English-speaking guide.

Who should not take this tour?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or non-swimmers.