El Nido: Island Hopping Tour A Lagoons and Beaches

Paradise comes with a boat queue. El Nido Tour A packs Bacuit Bay’s best-known sights into one full day, with the Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Seven Commandos Beach, and a snorkeling stop. I especially like the chance to kayak through the Big Lagoon and the consistently helpful boat crews, including guides such as Buddy, Dexter, John, and Kuya Gerald. The main drawback is simple: these are El Nido’s most popular places, so crowded water and busy beaches are part of the deal.

At about $23 per person, this eight-hour trip gives you a boat, guide, life vest, lunch, and several major sights for less than many comparable full-day outings. You still need to budget for the 400 PHP environmental fee, the 200 PHP Big Lagoon entry fee, and rental costs for a kayak or water gear.

The tour works best if you want a classic El Nido day without arranging a boat yourself. A private boat can give you a quieter start and more control, while the shared trip is the better bargain. Pack light, bring cash, and do not count on Big Lagoon entry until it is confirmed, since access is limited.

What Makes Tour A Worth Your Day

• Big Lagoon by kayak: The calm water and giant limestone walls create the trip’s most memorable setting, but kayak rental and entry cost extra.
• Four very different stops: You get a mix of lagoon scenery, a hidden rock passage, a sandy island, and a palm-lined beach.
• Lunch included: The buffet-style meal has earned strong praise for its range of fish, meat, vegetables, and fruit.
• Helpful crew: Guides often take photos, assist with kayaks, and help guests board and leave the boat.
• Private option available: A private group may reach stops earlier and enjoy quieter moments before shared boats arrive.
• A full eight-hour outing: You get a proper day on the water, though late departures or long waits can reduce time at the best stops.

Why Tour A Is El Nido’s Classic Choice

Tour A is the standard first taste of El Nido because it covers the scenery most people picture when they think of Bacuit Bay: pale sand, clear water, and huge limestone cliffs rising from the sea. You are not choosing between one grand attraction and a string of filler stops. The day gives you several distinct settings.

The boat tour is available as a shared or private experience. On a shared boat, you trade some control for a very low price. A private group costs more, but it can be worthwhile if you care about an earlier departure, a flexible pace, or more room for your own party.

You should expect up to four stops in total. The exact order can change, and Big Lagoon access is not guaranteed because the number of visitors allowed inside is limited. If admission has closed, the boat visits another location instead.

The guides speak English and Tagalog. The strongest part of the service is practical rather than theatrical. Crew members help people in and out of the boat, keep an eye on less confident swimmers, take pictures on phones, and assist with kayaking. Dexter, Buddy, John, Nathan, Mark, and Kuya Gerald are among the guides praised for their energy and care.

Secret Lagoon: A Short Passage Into the Rocks

Secret Lagoon gives Tour A its most unusual stop. From the boat, you make your way toward a gap in the jagged limestone wall, then enter a small enclosed area hidden within the rock.

This is not the broad, open-water feeling of Big Lagoon. The appeal is the change in scale. You go from Bacuit Bay’s wide views to a tight natural passage and a sheltered pocket surrounded by stone. It feels more like finding a small room inside the cliffs than arriving at another beach.

The entrance can involve uneven footing and water around the rocks, so you should move carefully. Aqua shoes are useful, but they are not included. You can rent them if available, along with fins and other water gear.

Secret Lagoon is also one of the places where the crowds matter most. The space is naturally limited, and several boats arriving together can make the visit feel hurried. If you are on a private tour, an early arrival may give you a calmer look at the area.

Shimizu Island: Sand, Swimming, and Lunch

Shimizu Island brings the classic beach stop. Expect clear water, pale sand, and a setting suited to swimming, sitting in the sun, and looking back toward the limestone formations.

This stop helps balance the more active parts of the day. If you are not a strong swimmer, you can still enjoy the beach and remain near the boat or shore, depending on the conditions. One senior group with limited mobility received careful help from the crew throughout the day, but the activity is still not officially suited to wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

Lunch is served during the day, often around an island stop. The meal is included, which makes the $23 starting price especially good value. The food has been described as a generous buffet with fish, meat, vegetables, and fruit. Several people found it better than expected for a boat excursion, though one practical complaint concerned the organization of the lunch service.

Do not expect a restaurant meal or a quiet table for two. You are eating as part of a busy boat day, and timing may depend on the arrival of other groups. Still, the amount and variety make this more than a token packed lunch.

Seven Commandos Beach: The Easygoing Beach Stop

Seven Commandos Beach is the most relaxed-looking stop on the route. Coconut trees line the white sand, and the water is inviting for a swim or a short paddle.

After the rockier lagoon settings, this beach gives you room to stretch out. You can swim, dry off, take pictures, or simply enjoy a slower section of the day. Cold drinks and ice cream may be available for purchase at the island stops, so keep some cash handy.

The tradeoff is popularity. Seven Commandos is not a private beach, and the sand can fill quickly when several boats arrive. The beach remains attractive, but your photographs may include other groups, and finding a quiet patch is not guaranteed.

If you want to make the most of this stop, bring a change of clothes and a dry bag or waterproof pouch for small items. Large bags and luggage are not allowed on the tour, and there is no reason to carry more than you need.

Big Lagoon: The Main Event

For many people, Big Lagoon is the reason to choose Tour A. The water sits between towering limestone walls, and the scale of the place is hard to appreciate from a busy town beach. A kayak lets you move at your own pace and see more than you would by simply swimming near the boat.

Kayaks are rented separately. Recent visitors have paid about 300 pesos for a kayak that holds two people, while the official entry fee is 200 pesos. The activity description lists the Big Lagoon fee separately, so prepare for extra payments beyond the advertised tour price.

The kayaking itself is generally calm rather than strenuous, but you still need to follow the crew’s instructions and wear the provided life vest as required. If you are traveling alone or have never kayaked before, ask for help. One guide volunteered to accompany a solo participant, and several crew members have been praised for assisting people in the water.

Timing makes a big difference here. One late departure meant the boat arrived after the lagoon had filled, leaving less quiet time. A private tour may reach the lagoon before shared boats, but it is not a magic pass around visitor limits. Entry can still close, and the itinerary may change if capacity has been reached.

Some people have found the kayaking section longer than expected, while others wanted more time in the lagoon. That tells you something useful: Big Lagoon is the stop most likely to determine whether the day feels perfectly paced or slightly uneven.

Snorkeling: Pretty Water, Uneven Conditions

A snorkeling stop is included, giving you a chance to see Bacuit Bay from below the surface. The underwater scenery can be excellent, and one participant described the snorkeling as among the best of an entire Philippines trip.

Conditions vary. One snorkeling area was found underwhelming, with few fish and sharp coral making it difficult to reach the beach. Do not assume every stop will deliver a full reef spectacle. Water clarity, weather, tide, and the exact site used all matter.

Fins and aqua shoes are not included, but they may be rented. Aqua shoes are particularly sensible if the route involves coral or rough footing. If you are not a swimmer, tell the crew early. The boat staff have assisted non-swimmers with kayaks and water activities, but you should still be honest about your comfort level.

The tour includes life vests, which is reassuring for anyone who is less confident in open water. Sunscreen, swimwear, and a complete change of clothes are essential.

Lunch, Crew Care, and the Human Side of the Trip

The scenery gets the attention, but the crew can make or break a boat day. Here, the most consistent praise goes to the guides and captains for being friendly, patient, funny, and willing to help.

Guides have taken photos on guests’ phones, explained the stops, helped with boarding, and supported people who needed extra care. Names frequently praised include Buddy, John, Dexter, Nathan, Mark, Jordan, Jojo, Kuya Gerald, Kuya Arnold, and Angelo. Your guide will depend on the departure, but the pattern is clear: attentive service is a major strength of this operation.

There are a few limits. Some guides speak quickly, which can make explanations hard to follow. One person also waited nearly an hour for missing passengers, and another group began about an hour late. Shared tours depend on the whole boat, so an absent passenger can affect everyone’s schedule.

Lunch is one of the better-value features. You get a substantial meal without paying for a separate restaurant stop. If organization matters more to you than quantity, be prepared for the serving process to feel less polished than the food itself.

Crowds, Weather, and the Eight-Hour Pace

Tour A visits El Nido’s most popular places, so crowded conditions are not an occasional surprise. They are a normal part of the route. You may see several boats at the same beach or wait your turn at a lagoon entrance.

The best response is to adjust your expectations rather than expect solitude. You are paying for access to famous scenery at a low shared-tour price, not for a private island. A private group can improve the timing, especially early in the day, but it costs more.

Weather is another factor. The trip can still be enjoyable in rain, and several people had good days despite wet conditions. Yet rain can reduce visibility, make rocks slippery, and change how appealing a beach stop feels. Bring sunscreen even if the morning is cloudy, and pack dry clothes for the ride back.

The advertised duration is eight hours, and the outing has been known to last the full time. That is a long day in sun, wind, and salt water. You should plan nothing demanding immediately afterward.

What to Pack and What to Leave Behind

Bring your passport or another accepted ID, swimwear, sunscreen, a change of clothes, and cash. Cash covers the environmental fee if you have not already paid it, the Big Lagoon charge, kayak rental, and drinks or ice cream.

Pack lightly. Luggage and large bags are not allowed. Plastic bottles are also prohibited, so check the boat operator’s current guidance and use an allowed reusable container if appropriate.

Motion sickness medicine is worth considering if boat travel affects you. One participant specifically advised carrying it, and an eight-hour outing gives seasickness plenty of time to become an unwelcome travel companion.

The meeting point can vary according to the option you book. Check your confirmation carefully rather than assuming every departure leaves from the same stretch of beach.

Is $23 Good Value?

Yes, provided you account for the add-on fees. The headline price covers the boat, licensed guide, life vest, and lunch, while the day includes several major El Nido sights. That is a strong package for a full day in Bacuit Bay.

The real cost rises after the 400 PHP environmental fee, 200 PHP Big Lagoon entry fee, and optional kayak rental. If you want fins or aqua shoes, add those too. Families should multiply the extras carefully, since kayak rental and destination charges can change the total more than expected.

The shared option is best for budget-minded visitors who want the classic route. The private option makes more sense for couples, families, or small groups who value an earlier arrival and a more flexible pace. It will not remove all crowds, but it may give you quieter moments at the stops.

Who Should Book Tour A?

I would choose this tour if you are visiting El Nido for the first time and want the famous sights in one day. It suits swimmers, casual kayakers, beach lovers, photographers, and anyone who prefers a ready-made day rather than negotiating a boat charter.

It can also suit non-swimmers if you tell the crew and use the beach, boat, or kayak options sensibly. The staff have shown patience with older guests and people who need help, but the activity is officially not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

I would think twice if your top priority is empty beaches, silence, or a slow schedule. Tour A is popular because it is good, which means you share the good stuff with many other boats.

Should You Book El Nido Tour A?

Book it if you want the best-known El Nido sights at a very low base price, with lunch and an attentive crew included. The Big Lagoon kayak is the day’s strongest moment, and the combination of Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Seven Commandos Beach, and snorkeling gives you plenty of variety.

Choose the private option if you can afford it and care about timing. Choose shared Tour A if value matters most and you can accept crowds, possible delays, and extra fees.

I would book this as a first El Nido island day, but I would arrive prepared: confirm the meeting point, pay or bring proof of the environmental fee, carry cash, pack light, and keep your schedule free for the full eight hours.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour A last?

The tour lasts eight hours. Check the available starting times when booking.

What places does Tour A visit?

The route includes the Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Seven Commandos Beach, and a snorkeling area, with up to four stops in total.

Is Big Lagoon guaranteed?

No. Big Lagoon entry is limited. If admission is no longer available, the boat visits a different location.

Is the Big Lagoon entry fee included?

No. The Big Lagoon entry fee is listed as 200 PHP and must be paid separately.

Is kayaking included?

No. Kayaks are available to rent separately. Recent bookings have mentioned about 300 pesos for a two-person kayak.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the tour price. It is served during the day and may include fish, meat, vegetables, and fruit.

Is the El Nido environmental fee included?

No. The El Nido eco-tourism development fee is 400 PHP. If you have already paid it, show your receipt to the guide before boarding to avoid paying again.

What languages does the guide speak?

The tour is offered with guides who speak English and Tagalog.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card, swimwear, sunscreen, a change of clothes, and cash. Large bags, luggage, smoking, and plastic bottles are not allowed.