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

Limestone cliffs frame an unforgettable day. El Nido Tour A brings you to Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, and Seven Commandos Beach, with lunch, a guide, boat transport, and key environmental fees included. I like the strong mix of scenery and swimming, and I like that the $50 price covers more than just the boat ride.

The main catch is transport confusion outside El Nido Town Proper. If your hotel is in Lio, Nampacan Beach, Meregmeg, or another outlying area, confirm your pickup and return before paying. The day can also involve slippery rocks, tight spaces, crowded beaches, and rented equipment of uneven quality.

Key points before you book

• Big Lagoon gives you the classic El Nido view: Towering limestone walls surround clear blue water, making this the visual centerpiece of the day.
• Secret Lagoon requires care: You may need to pass through a low, rocky opening, especially tricky at high tide.
• Shimizu Island is the lunch stop: Expect a beach meal, swimming, shade from cliffs, and time to enjoy the water.
• Snorkeling equipment costs extra: Masks, fins, aqua shoes, and kayaks are not included, so plan your gear and cash.
• Pickup is limited: Roundtrip transport is included only within El Nido Town Proper, not every hotel area.
• The tour has mixed practical feedback: The scenery and crew receive praise, but transport coordination, extra fee requests, and a damaged kayak caused serious problems on some departures.

What the $50 price really covers

At $50 per person, this is a reasonable package if you want the major Tour A stops without arranging a boat, guide, lunch, and port transport separately. You get a roundtrip motorized boat, English-speaking guide, island lunch, drinking water, life vest, guide fee, lagoon fee, and environmental fee.

That bundle matters in El Nido. The tour is not simply a boat trip where you pay at every beach. Several important charges are already handled, including the environmental fee and lagoon fee. Still, bring Philippine pesos for optional rentals, snacks, and unexpected transport costs.

The price does not include a snorkeling mask, fins, aqua shoes, or kayak. You can bring your own snorkeling gear, which may save money and give you equipment you trust. If you rent a kayak, inspect it closely before leaving the beach. One serious incident involved a three-person kayak that leaked badly and eventually sank. That is not a minor inconvenience, especially when it costs 500 pesos and causes you to miss part of the stop.

The experience lasts about eight hours. That gives you a full day on the water, but it also means an early start, strong sun, repeated boat boarding, and limited time at each location. I would treat this as a sightseeing and swimming day, not a slow beach holiday.

Morning pickup and the trip across Bacuit Bay

Pickup is included from hotels within El Nido Town Proper. After booking, the operator says it will email to confirm your hotel details, then send pickup information two days before the trip. On the morning itself, you are asked to wait in the hotel lobby for a driver holding a sign with your name.

That sounds simple, but location rules matter. Several bookings ran into trouble because accommodation outside the included zone was treated differently. One person was told a bus would collect them, then met by a tuk-tuk driver asking for 250 pesos. Another had to arrange and pay for the return trip after being told pickup was not available outside town.

I would send your exact hotel name and location before the cancellation deadline. Ask one direct question: Is roundtrip transport included from this address, and if not, how much will it cost? Save the answer in writing. This small step can prevent a needless argument at the start or end of an otherwise beautiful day.

Once underway, you travel by motorized boat with a life vest available on board. The guide speaks English and handles the stops, timing, and general assistance. The crew has been praised for being friendly, helpful, and fun, which is important when you are stepping from a boat onto uneven shorelines.

Big Lagoon: El Nido’s postcard opening scene

Big Lagoon sits on Miniloc Island and is surrounded by tall limestone cliffs. The water and rock walls create the kind of view that explains why Tour A is one of El Nido’s most popular outings.

The stop lasts about an hour and is listed for a photo visit. That wording matters. You should expect time to admire the cliffs and water, but not unlimited freedom to wander. Depending on conditions and crowd levels, you may spend much of the stop photographing the entrance and surrounding rock formations.

Big Lagoon is most valuable for its setting. The cliffs rise sharply from the water, giving the place a grand scale that is difficult to appreciate from shore. Bring a dry bag or waterproof phone case if you want photos near the water, and keep your belongings secure while boarding and leaving the boat.

A kayak can make a lagoon stop more active, but kayak rental is extra. Ask about the available craft before committing, and check for leaks, unstable seats, or damaged fittings. You do not want an optional activity to become the story of your day.

Secret Lagoon: a short passage to a natural pool

Secret Lagoon is reached from a white sand beach on Miniloc Island. The beach itself is attractive, but the real point is the small opening through the rocks that leads to a natural pool hidden behind the cliffs.

At low tide, you may be able to wade into the entrance. At high tide, the passage can become more awkward, and you need to watch your head. The route is rocky and may be slippery, so water shoes are more useful here than ordinary flip-flops.

Inside, the feeling changes quickly. The open beach gives way to a tight rock passage and then a contained pool. It is a clever natural feature, but it is not ideal for anyone who dislikes cramped spaces or struggles with uneven footing.

The stop includes time for swimming and may offer kayaking or a hop-on, hop-off style visit, depending on the day’s arrangements. Do not assume that every optional activity is included in the $50 price. The basic package covers the boat, guide, lunch, water, and specified fees, not kayak hire or snorkeling equipment.

Shimizu Island: lunch, coral, and a welcome break

Shimizu Island is the lunch stop, and it may be the most comfortable pause of the day. You can eat on or near the white sand beach, swim in clear water, and find shade beneath the limestone cliffs.

The water around the island is suited to snorkeling, with fish and coral close to shore. The tour description also notes that you might encounter sea turtles while snorkeling. That is a possibility, not a promise, so enjoy the reef and marine life without treating turtle sightings as guaranteed.

I like the logic of placing lunch here. After several boat movements and visits, you get a proper break rather than eating on the move. The stop also leaves room for a swim after the meal, which helps the day feel less rushed.

Pack a towel and a dry bag. Keep sunscreen, phone, and spare clothing protected from spray. One practical complaint from a booking involved a shortage of forks, with food running out before replacements arrived. That may not happen on your departure, but bringing a small reusable utensil would be sensible if you care about an easy lunch.

Payong-Payong Beach: the quietest pause

Payong-Payong Beach sits on the southern side of Miniloc Island. Cliffs, unusual rock shapes, clear water, and shady trees give it a more restful character than the lagoon stops.

This is the place to slow down. You can swim, snorkel, take photos, or sit on the sand. There are no listed sports or organized activities, which is a benefit if you want a calm hour instead of another round of scheduled entertainment.

The gentle water makes swimming inviting, but conditions can change. Keep your life vest nearby when required, listen to the guide, and use reef-safe, biodegradable sunscreen. Coral is easily damaged by careless contact, fins, and ordinary sunscreen runoff.

Payong-Payong also shows why a Tour A day is more than a checklist of famous names. Big Lagoon delivers scale, Secret Lagoon delivers curiosity, and this beach gives you room to breathe. If you are traveling with older family members or children, that change of pace can be welcome.

Seven Commandos Beach: the final swim

Seven Commandos Beach stretches for about 320 meters, with white sand, coconut palms, and limestone cliffs. Though it is associated with El Nido’s mainland, you reach it by boat, which keeps the beach feeling separate from town.

The name has several explanations, including stories about stranded soldiers, a fishing boat, or a carved stone found by local people. None is confirmed here, but the competing stories add a little local character to an otherwise straightforward beach stop.

This is another swimming and kayaking stop. It is a good place to finish because you can enjoy the sand and water after the more confined Secret Lagoon passage. If clouds gather or rain arrives, the return can become less comfortable, so keep a light cover and dry storage handy.

The tour description presents the day as suitable for children, seniors, and people with disabilities. That broad claim should be considered alongside the real terrain: boat transfers, beach landings, a rocky passage at Secret Lagoon, and possible slippery surfaces. If you have mobility needs, contact the operator before booking and ask which stops can be adapted.

The parts that deserve caution

The strongest positive pattern is simple: the crew is often described as friendly, helpful, and entertaining, while the places themselves are repeatedly praised for their beauty. That combination matters. A good guide can make boat loading, meal timing, and crowded stops much easier.

The weak point is not the route. It is coordination. Pickup boundaries were not always clear, and return transport caused confusion for some people staying outside town. Do not rely on a general promise of hotel pickup if your accommodation is in Lio, Nampacan Beach, or Meregmeg.

There was also a complaint about an attempt to collect 400 pesos for an environmental fee that had already been paid. Keep your booking confirmation and payment details available. If someone asks for an included charge again, ask for a clear explanation before handing over cash.

Boat safety deserves ordinary attention. A separate booking reported smoking inside a small gasoline-powered boat, which is not a practice you should accept casually. Follow crew instructions, wear the life vest as directed, and speak up if equipment or onboard behavior feels unsafe.

Who will enjoy this eight-hour day

I would recommend Tour A to you if this is your first visit to El Nido and you want the major sights in one organized outing. It suits people who enjoy swimming, short beach stops, snorkeling, dramatic cliffs, and a full schedule.

Families may appreciate the included guide, lunch, and life vests, but children should be watched closely around the Secret Lagoon passage and boat transfers. Seniors can enjoy the scenery and beach time, though mobility limitations should be discussed in advance.

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people over 95 years old, according to the provided restrictions. It may also be a poor fit if you want a private, quiet day, dislike getting wet, or prefer long stretches at one beach.

Bring a sun hat, swimwear, towel, sunscreen, flip-flops, beachwear, and hand sanitizer or tissues. A second hat may sound excessive, but the sun can be fierce and a wet hat is not much use. Add water shoes, snorkeling gear, and a waterproof bag if you have them. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

Is El Nido Tour A worth booking?

At $50, I think this is good value for a first El Nido island day. The route covers five distinct stops, lunch and water are included, and the main lagoon and environmental charges are built into the price. The scenery is the reason to book, and the friendly crew can make the long day enjoyable.

I would book it only after confirming pickup in writing. I would also bring my own snorkeling gear and water shoes, inspect any rented kayak, and keep proof that the environmental fee is included.

Book this tour if you want the classic El Nido sights with practical basics handled for you. Skip it in favor of a more private arrangement if transport uncertainty, crowding, or fixed stop times would spoil the day.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour A last?

The tour lasts about eight hours, including pickup, the boat trip, five island and beach stops, and the return to El Nido.

What places are included?

The route includes 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 only for hotels within El Nido Town Proper. Hotels in Lio, Nampacan Beach, Meregmeg, and other areas outside the stated zone may need separate transport.

Are snorkeling masks and fins included?

No. Snorkeling masks and fins are not included. You may bring your own or arrange rental equipment separately.

Is kayak rental included?

No. Kayak rental is not included in the tour price.

Are the lagoon and environmental fees included?

Yes. The lagoon fee and environmental fee are listed as included. Keep your booking confirmation with you in case there is any confusion.

Is the tour suitable for children, seniors, and people with disabilities?

The day is designed to be accessible for children, seniors, and people with disabilities, but Secret Lagoon includes a rocky passage and the tour involves boat and beach transfers. Confirm your specific needs with the operator before booking.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also allows you to reserve now and pay later.