El Nido Island Hopping Tour A

Beautiful water, simple pleasures. El Nido Island Hopping Tour A packs lagoons, snorkeling, white sand, and towering limestone cliffs into a nine-hour day for $27 per person. I like the mix of swimming and beach time, and I especially like that a picnic lunch and a DOT-licensed guide are included.

The best moments should come at Shimizu Island, where you can snorkel among corals and fish or stay on the beach, then at Seven Commando Beach, where a small bar serves drinks. The main catch is the extra cost: you must pay the listed 400-person environmental fee and 200-person lagoon fee before the tour.

Key points to know before you book

• Shimizu Island gives you a choice: snorkel over corals, look for fish, or simply rest on the fine white sand.
• Seven Commando Beach adds an easy final stop: its long beach and small bar make it a relaxed place for a drink.
• The scenery is classic El Nido: limestone cliffs covered with thick vegetation rise around the water and beaches.
• Lunch is included: useful on a full nine-hour outing, especially since the schedule covers several water-based stops.
• Pickup depends on your hotel: accommodation in El Nido proper receives pickup, while visitors staying outside town must reach Petron Gasoline Station near the port.
• Budget for 600 pesos in listed fees: 400 pesos for the environmental fee and 200 pesos for the lagoon fee, paid separately.

Why Tour A remains a popular El Nido day out

El Nido is known for sharp limestone cliffs, clear coastal water, small beaches, and enclosed lagoons. Tour A brings these features together in one full-day boat trip, so you do not need to arrange separate outings for swimming, snorkeling, and beach time.

I like this format because it gives you variety. A day spent only on a beach can begin to feel repetitive. Here, you can move from calm lagoon scenery to coral and fish, then finish on a broad strip of sand with a drink nearby.

The price looks low at $27, but you should judge it with the required fees added. The listed environmental fee is 400 pesos per person, and the lagoon fee is 200 pesos per person. That means at least 600 pesos in additional charges, unless the local operator explains the wording differently when you book. Kayak hire and mask and snorkel rental also cost extra.

The total price still offers fair value for a nine-hour outing because it includes the boat, a guide, life vest, lunch, and pickup within El Nido proper. It is not an all-inclusive beach day, though. Bring money for fees, drinks, and any equipment you want to rent.

Setting out from El Nido proper

Pickup is included when your accommodation is within El Nido proper. That is convenient, but the boundary matters. If you stay outside town, you need to take a tricycle to El Nido town proper and meet your assigned guide at Petron Gasoline Station near El Nido Port.

This detail can save you a rushed start. Check your hotel location before paying for the tour, then allow time for the tricycle ride if you are outside the pickup zone. The meeting point is specific, so do not assume a hotel pickup applies to every property in the wider El Nido area.

The activity lasts about nine hours. That is a long day in sun, wind, and salt water, but it also gives the tour enough time for several stops instead of one quick photo break. You will want breakfast before pickup, sunscreen that is biodegradable, and a waterproof bag for your phone and spare clothes.

The guide service is in English or Tagalog. A DOT-licensed tour guide is included, which gives you a designated person for the day rather than leaving you to manage each stop on your own.

Lagoons framed by limestone cliffs

The lagoon portions are a major reason people choose Tour A. You can expect calm water, dramatic limestone formations, and cliffs covered with vegetation. These cliffs give El Nido its particular look, with pale rock rising sharply above green plant cover.

The appeal is visual as much as physical. You may spend part of the stop swimming, taking photographs, or simply looking up at the rock walls. If a kayak is available to rent, it can offer a quieter way to see the water, but kayak rental is optional and not included in the advertised price.

You should also expect other boats and activity around a popular route. Tour A is one of El Nido’s most popular island-hopping choices, so this is not the outing for someone seeking a private, silent coast. Its strength is easy access to famous scenery, not isolation.

Bring a waterproof camera if photographs matter to you. A regular phone is a poor companion around open boats and frequent swim stops unless it is protected in a waterproof case or bag.

Shimizu Island brings the best choice of the day

Shimizu Island offers two clear ways to spend your time. You can enter the water with a mask and snorkel to look at corals and hundreds of fish species, or you can stay ashore on the fine white sand.

That choice is valuable because not everyone wants the same kind of beach day. Strong swimmers can make the most of the water, while you can still enjoy the island if you prefer not to snorkel. A life vest is included, and snorkeling gear may be rented if you do not bring your own.

The coral and fish are the main attraction beneath the surface. The provided details also note a chance of seeing sea turtles. Treat that as a lucky possibility, not a promise. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, and you should avoid touching coral or animals if you encounter them.

The beach provides a useful pause between water activities. You can dry off, rest in the shade if available, and eat or wait for the group without feeling that you must snorkel every minute. Pack beachwear that is comfortable for both swimming and sitting on sand.

Seven Commando Beach and the final drink

Seven Commando Beach is described as a long white sand beach, making it a pleasant final stop after the lagoon and snorkeling portions. The beach gives you room to walk, swim, or relax instead of squeezing all your time into a small patch of sand.

A little bar serves drinks here. That is a small detail, but it changes the mood of the stop. You can buy a drink and enjoy the beach without needing to leave immediately for the boat. Drinks are not listed as included, so carry some extra cash.

The timing of this stop can matter. After several hours outside, you may be ready for an easy beach break rather than another active water session. If you are prone to seasickness, however, the boat ride between stops may be the part you find hardest, even if the beach stops themselves are comfortable.

Lunch, equipment, and the real cost

A picnic lunch is included, which is one of the practical strengths of this trip. You do not need to arrange a separate meal during a nine-hour excursion, and a provided lunch keeps the day moving between stops.

The description also notes a buffet lunch in connection with the tour experience. Since the exact menu is not provided, I would not book this expecting a particular dish or dietary arrangement. If you have food restrictions, ask the provider before departure.

The included equipment is basic but important:

• Motorized boat
• Life vest
• Picnic lunch
• Hotel pickup within El Nido proper
• DOT-licensed tour guide

Mask and snorkel equipment are optional extras. You can bring your own goggles and snorkeling gear, which may be the better choice if you care about fit and comfort. Sunscreen should be biodegradable, and a waterproof bag will protect valuables from spray and wet clothing.

The extra fees deserve attention. The listed charges are 400 pesos per person for the environmental fee and 200 pesos per person for the lagoon fee. The information also refers to an eco tax, so confirm at booking whether the environmental fee and eco tax are the same charge. Do not assume the $27 covers every payment connected with the day.

What the reviews reveal about reliability

The available rating is 4 out of 5 from five reviews. One verified booking from the United States, dated April 23, 2025, gave the experience 5 out of 5 and described it as excellent.

A verified booking from the United Kingdom, dated January 1, 2025, gave it 4 out of 5. That account is useful because it mentions multiple morning problems, yet the tour still went ahead, covered the planned activities, and included an enjoyable buffet lunch and beautiful beaches.

That tells me two things. First, the provider can show flexibility when the start of the day does not go smoothly. Second, you should keep your expectations practical. A popular island boat trip can involve delays or changes, and a good outcome may depend on the guide’s ability to adjust.

I would book this for the scenery and range of stops, not for clockwork precision. The positive feedback gives the provider credit for continuing with the day despite early issues. Still, do not schedule an important evening connection immediately after a nine-hour tour.

Who will enjoy Tour A most

This outing suits you if you want a broad taste of El Nido in one day. It works especially well for first-time visitors who want lagoons, beach scenery, snorkeling, and limestone cliffs without arranging several separate activities.

You will probably enjoy it if you:

• Like moving between several coastal stops
• Want the option to swim or stay on the beach
• Enjoy snorkeling over corals and looking for fish
• Prefer a guided boat day with lunch included
• Are staying in El Nido proper and can use the included pickup

It may not suit you if you are prone to seasickness. The activity uses a motorized boat and lasts nine hours, so the boat time is not a minor part of the experience.

It is also less suitable if you want a private trip or dislike popular routes. Tour A is popular by design. You are paying for access to well-known natural sights, not for a secluded expedition.

Practical ways to make the day better

Use biodegradable sunscreen and apply it before pickup. Reapply during the day, especially after swimming. The combination of sun, pale sand, and open water can catch you off guard.

Pack a waterproof bag, beachwear, goggles, snorkeling gear, and a waterproof camera. Even if you plan to rent equipment, bringing your own goggles can make the snorkeling stop easier and more comfortable.

Bring cash for the environmental and lagoon fees, optional equipment, and a drink at Seven Commando Beach. The provided information does not state whether card payment is available, so cash is the safer choice.

If you stay outside El Nido proper, plan your route to Petron Gasoline Station near El Nido Port before the morning of the trip. You are responsible for taking a tricycle into town, and confusion over pickup can spoil an otherwise simple start.

Finally, leave some energy for the return ride. Nine hours on the water is rewarding, but tiring. A light evening plan fits this tour better than a late dinner reservation you cannot change.

Should you book this Tour A experience?

Book it if you want the classic El Nido combination: lagoons, limestone cliffs, coral, fish, white sand, and a full day on the water. The included lunch, guide, boat, life vest, and town-proper pickup make the $27 starting price attractive, even after you add the listed 600 pesos in fees.

I would skip it if seasickness is a serious concern, if you need a private and quiet boat day, or if you want every cost included upfront. For everyone else, Tour A is a practical first look at El Nido, with enough swimming and beach time to balance the sightseeing.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Island Hopping Tour A last?

The tour lasts about 9 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $27 per person. The environmental fee of 400 pesos per person and lagoon fee of 200 pesos per person are paid separately.

What is included in the tour?

The tour includes hotel pickup within El Nido proper, a DOT-licensed tour guide, a motorized boat, a life vest, and a picnic lunch.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Mask and snorkeling equipment are optional extras. You may also bring your own goggles and snorkeling gear.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is included for accommodations within El Nido proper. If you stay outside town, you need to take a tricycle to El Nido town proper and meet your assigned guide at Petron Gasoline Station near El Nido Port.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide service is available in English and Tagalog.

Can I cancel the tour or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve now and pay later option lets you book without paying immediately.