El Nido Island Tour A

El Nido saves its best scenery for the water. This eight-hour island trip brings you to Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-payong Beach, and Seven Commandos Beach, with limestone walls and pale sand doing most of the entertaining. I like the strong mix of sights, from a famous lagoon to easy beach time, and I like that the price includes a guide, life vest, boat permit, lunch, and town hotel pickup. The main concern is timing: boat dispatch can wait for Coast Guard clearance, and one poor experience involved a long delay, crowded lunch conditions, and no return pickup.

At about $22 per person, this is a low-cost way to see several of El Nido’s signature places in one day. The guides have earned praise for their friendly attitude, and the boat has been described as roomy and well maintained. Still, you should budget for the 200-peso lagoon fee, 400-peso environmental fee, and possible kayak or snorkeling rental costs. This is a busy shared boat day, not a quiet private escape.

Key points to know before you book

• Big Lagoon is the day’s main prize: Expect dramatic limestone walls, a safety briefing, sightseeing, and the option to rent a kayak for 300 pesos per hour.
• Five stops fill the day: You visit Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, Payong-payong Beach, and Seven Commandos Beach.
• The schedule can shift: Meet before 8:30 a.m., but boat departure usually falls between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m., depending on Coast Guard clearance.
• Lunch is simple and picnic-style: It is included, but seating may be limited at a crowded beach.
• Extra fees matter: The 200-peso lagoon charge and 400-peso environmental fee are collected at the booking office.
• Town pickup has limits: Free hotel pickup applies only within El Nido Town, and you should confirm the return arrangement before departure.

Five El Nido stops in one long day

Island Tour A is the classic El Nido route for good reason. It packs several different settings into one boat trip: a grand lagoon, a smaller enclosed lagoon, a snorkeling island, a quiet beach stop, and a beach known for its sand and open water.

You will not spend hours at every location. The expected stay is about 40 to 50 minutes per stop, though boat dispatch and local conditions can affect the day. That pace lets you see a lot, but it also means you need to move when your guide calls the group back.

The tour uses a shared boat and includes a licensed guide who speaks English and Tagalog. Life vests and the boat permit are included. The service has received praise for friendly staff, a good attitude, and a roomy, well-maintained boat. That practical comfort matters when you are spending most of the day on the water.

Starting at Cliffside Travel and Tours

Your morning begins at the Cliffside Travel and Tours booking office beside El Nido Cliffside Cottages. Plan to arrive before 8:30 a.m., even though the boat may not leave until between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m.

That gap is not necessarily poor organization. Boat dispatch depends on Coast Guard clearance, so the final sailing time can change. Still, you should treat the early meeting time as real. Bring water, sun protection, and patience for the waiting period.

Free hotel pickup is available within El Nido Town only. If you stay outside town, the included pickup does not apply. Also, confirm how the return will work before you board. One serious complaint involved a passenger being left without the expected return transfer and paying for a tuk-tuk back to the original pickup point.

The day usually ends at El Nido Beach between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. That is a wide window, so do not schedule a tight airport transfer, ferry connection, or important dinner reservation immediately afterward.

Big Lagoon brings the biggest scenery

Big Lagoon is the stop that gives Tour A its signature view. Tall limestone cliffs surround calm water, creating the kind of enclosed setting that makes El Nido famous.

You can expect a safety briefing, guided sightseeing, and time for photographs. The boat may bring you near the entrance, after which the group can explore the area according to local operating rules. A kayak is available for an extra 300 pesos per hour.

The kayak fee is worth considering if you want more control over your route and photographs. From a kayak, you can move at your own pace rather than staying with the boat group. But the rental is not included, and the schedule only allows limited time, so ask how long you can use it before paying.

Big Lagoon is also the most important stop to protect with your energy and camera battery. If conditions are cloudy, the water may not look as bright as it does in promotional photographs. One positive experience still found the destinations beautiful despite poor weather, but the sea did not show the expected blue color.

Shimizu Island adds a beach and snorkeling break

Shimizu Island gives the day a change of rhythm. After the towering cliffs of Big Lagoon, you get a smaller island setting where swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling fit naturally into the stop.

A snorkeling mask is not included. Masks are available for rent at the beach during boat dispatch, so arrange one early if you want to spend time looking underwater. The supplied information does not promise a particular marine-life display, so think of snorkeling here as an optional activity rather than the central reason to choose the tour.

The island is also where the picnic lunch may be served, although lunch can be held at one of the tour stops. The meal is included, but it is described as simple. Bring a flexible attitude rather than expecting a restaurant meal.

The boat and guide team can help you with basic arrangements, but you remain responsible for keeping track of your mask, phone, towel, and other belongings while moving between the boat and beach.

Secret Lagoon is small, enclosed, and popular

Secret Lagoon offers a different kind of view from Big Lagoon. Instead of a broad waterway framed by cliffs, you reach a more enclosed setting where the appeal comes from the hidden-feeling entrance and rock formations.

The stop is handled as a short boat-to-shore visit, with about 40 to 50 minutes as the general guide. Expect other tour boats and a steady flow of people, especially because Tour A is a well-known route. The name suggests solitude, but you should not book this trip expecting to have the place to yourself.

Wear secure footwear if you have it, and keep your hands free when moving over wet areas. The provided details do not specify the exact access conditions on the day, and water levels and local control can affect how the stop works. Follow the guide’s instructions rather than trying to force your own route.

The 200-peso lagoon fee is collected at the booking office, not folded into the advertised tour price. Ask staff to confirm exactly which lagoon charge it covers so you understand your total cost before departure.

Payong-payong Beach slows the pace

The stop listed as 48WC+77 corresponds to Payong-payong Beach in the tour description. It is one of the day’s simpler beach visits, useful after the more structured lagoon stops.

Here you can swim, sit on the sand, sunbathe, or take photographs. The tour also allows time for beach activities such as volleyball, depending on the conditions and available space.

This stop helps make Tour A suitable for mixed groups. One person can swim while another rests in the shade or photographs the cliffs. The tradeoff is that beach time can feel brief when the group must stay on schedule.

As with the other stops, the experience depends on weather, sea conditions, and how many boats arrive at the same time. The white sand is the attraction, but the setting may feel less peaceful during a busy sailing period.

Seven Commandos Beach closes the sightseeing loop

Seven Commandos Beach is the final named stop and gives you one more stretch of white sand before the boat returns to El Nido Beach.

It is a good place to leave the more dramatic lagoon scenery behind and enjoy a final swim or rest. You may also find opportunities to buy something at the beach, though the supplied information does not guarantee particular vendors or prices, so do not count on this for lunch or supplies.

Because this comes late in the day, you may be tired, sunburned, or ready for a shower. Save enough water and sunscreen for the final stop. If weather has been rough, the boat ride back may also feel less comfortable than the morning trip.

Lunch is included, but keep expectations modest

A picnic lunch is part of the price, and that is helpful at $22. You do not need to arrange a separate meal while moving between islands.

The meal may be served at one of the islands, and one account described a simple lunch eaten on the boat. Another poor experience found the lunch area extremely crowded, with little room to sit. That contrast tells you what to expect: the food is a useful inclusion, but the setting is not guaranteed to be relaxed.

Carry a small snack if you need regular food or have dietary requirements. The tour details do not promise a special menu, restaurant seating, or accommodation for specific diets.

You should also pack a reusable water bottle, though the tour description does not state that drinking water is included. Keep your bag compact. You will be stepping between boat and beach several times, often with wet feet and limited dry space.

What the $22 price really covers

The base price is attractive because it includes the boat trip, five destinations, guide, life vest, boat permit, picnic lunch, and free pickup within El Nido Town.

The advertised cost does not cover everything. Add these required charges:

• 200 pesos for the lagoon fee
• 400 pesos for the environmental fee
• 300 pesos per hour for a kayak at Big Lagoon, if you choose one
• Snorkeling mask rental, if needed

That still can be good value for a full day on the water, especially if you want the standard El Nido highlights without arranging several separate trips. The price is less compelling if your main goal is privacy, flexible timing, or long stays at each beach.

The low price usually means a shared group experience. You will follow the boat’s schedule and the guide’s instructions. In return, you get a simple way to reach places that would be difficult to visit independently.

Service strengths and practical weak points

The strongest service comments focus on attitude and equipment. Guides have been praised for being helpful and friendly, and the boat has been described as roomy and well maintained. The licensed guide is available if you need assistance, which is reassuring during boarding, swimming stops, and lagoon visits.

The main weak points are timing and transfers. A delay of more than an hour can make the day feel rushed, especially when every stop has a short time limit. Coast Guard clearance explains some changes, but it does not make waiting comfortable.

The return transfer issue deserves special attention. Since one person had to pay for a tuk-tuk after being left at the wrong point, confirm the exact return plan at the office. Ask whether the boat returns directly to El Nido Beach and whether hotel drop-off is included, or only morning pickup.

Weather is another factor. Cloud cover and rougher water can reduce the bright colors you expect from El Nido photographs. The cliffs and beaches remain worthwhile, but the day may look less postcard-like.

Who will enjoy Tour A most

I would choose this tour if you want to see El Nido’s best-known natural sights in one day and you are comfortable sharing a boat.

It suits:

• First-time visitors with limited time in El Nido
• Couples and friends who want a mix of scenery, swimming, and beach stops
• Families who appreciate an included guide, life vests, and lunch
• Budget-conscious visitors who want five destinations for one modest fare
• People who enjoy an active day but do not need long, quiet stays at each location

I would think twice if you dislike early starts, uncertain dispatch times, crowded beaches, or simple picnic meals. A private boat may offer more control, but this option is aimed at keeping costs low and covering the classic route.

What to bring for the eight-hour day

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, hat, waterproof phone protection, and cash in Philippine pesos for the fees and rentals. Wear footwear that can handle wet sand and uneven access points.

Keep valuables to a minimum. You will spend much of the day moving between boat and shore, and dry storage may be limited. A small waterproof bag is more useful than a large backpack.

Arrive early at the booking office, even though the boat may not leave until later. Use the waiting time to settle the fees, arrange a snorkeling mask if needed, and confirm your return transport.

If you hope to kayak Big Lagoon, ask about availability and timing before the boat leaves. The rental is charged by the hour, so knowing the rules in advance helps you avoid paying for time you cannot use.

Should you book El Nido Island Tour A?

Book it if you want the classic five-stop El Nido route at a budget price and you can accept shared transport, changing departure times, and busy beaches. Big Lagoon is the strongest reason to go, while Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, Payong-payong Beach, and Seven Commandos Beach give the day variety.

Before paying, add the 600 pesos in required fees to your calculation, then ask about hotel pickup and the exact return point. If you need a calm lunch, guaranteed solitude, or a precise finish time, choose a different arrangement. If you want a practical first look at El Nido’s limestone cliffs and white-sand beaches, Tour A offers plenty for the money, provided you arrive prepared for a full and sometimes untidy island day.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Island Tour A last?

The tour lasts about eight hours. It generally finishes at El Nido Beach between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at the Cliffside Travel and Tours booking office beside El Nido Cliffside Cottages. You should arrive before 8:30 a.m.

When does the boat leave?

Boat dispatch is usually between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. The exact time depends on Coast Guard clearance.

Which destinations are included?

The five destinations are Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, Payong-payong Beach, and Seven Commandos Beach.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic lunch is included and may be served at one of the islands. The meal is described as simple, and seating conditions can vary.

Are the lagoon and environmental fees included?

No. A 200-peso lagoon fee and a 400-peso environmental fee are collected at the booking office.

Is a kayak included?

No. Kayak rental at Big Lagoon costs 300 pesos per hour.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live tour guide speaks English and Tagalog.