EL NIDO: Private Island Hopping Tour A with BUFFET LUNCH

Blue water, limestone walls, and five very different stops make this an easy tour to like. I especially like the combination of Big Lagoon kayaking and the quieter beaches, since you get both scenery and time to swim. The included buffet lunch, drinks, fruit, mask, snorkel, and one kayak also give the $139 price real value.

The main caution is timing. A private booking should make it easier to avoid the busiest periods, but one past booking began late, leaving the main sites crowded and cutting short some planned stops. You should also budget for the 200 lagoon fee and 400 environmental fee, and arrange your own hotel drop-off.

The day runs for about eight hours from Beachfront Travel and Tours, with free pickup from El Nido Town and Corong-corong. I would choose this trip for its broad mix of sights, but I would confirm the starting time and planned route before setting out.

Quick points before you book

• Big Lagoon includes one free kayak: You can paddle below the towering limestone cliffs without paying for the first kayak.
• Five major stops fill the day: Seven Commandos Beach, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, and Payong-Payong Beach each offer a different setting.
• Lunch is included at a beach stop: The guide chooses the lunch location, and Shimizu Island or Payong-Payong Beach may be used depending on conditions.
• Private does not mean fixed: Weather can change the order or replace destinations, so keep a little flexibility in your expectations.
• The crew is a strong part of the day: Guides named in recent trip feedback include Julius and Leonard, while Captain Cyron and Simon also received praise for attentive service.
• Extra government fees matter: Add 600 total for the lagoon and environmental charges, plus any second kayak and your return transport.

What the $139 price really covers

At $139 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see El Nido. It is also not simply a boat ride with a few stops. The price includes pickup within El Nido Town and Corong-corong, a licensed tourist boat, captain, guide, and crew, plus lunch, water, soft drinks, fruit, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, and one kayak.

That package is useful because the small extras add up quickly on a full day. You do not need to rent a mask or snorkel, and you do not need to negotiate separately for the first kayak. A buffet lunch and drinks also remove one common worry on a long day in the sun.

Still, the advertised price is not the final cost. The lagoon entrance fee is 200, and the environmental fee is 400. Those are listed as government charges, not optional add-ons. There is no hotel drop-off, so you will need to make your own way back after the boat returns.

I see the price as reasonable for couples, families, or small groups who value a private outing and want the major Tour A sights in one day. If you are traveling alone or mainly want a short swim and beach visit, the cost may feel high. The value improves when several people share the private boat arrangement and make full use of the kayaking, snorkeling, lunch, and guided stops.

Starting from El Nido Town or Corong-corong

Pickup is free from accommodations within El Nido Town and Corong-corong. You should list your hotel when booking so the operator knows where to collect you. The meeting point is Beachfront Travel and Tours.

The departure time deserves attention. The tour lasts eight hours, but the exact starting time depends on availability. I would request the earliest practical departure, especially if Big Lagoon is your priority. The sites can become crowded, and a late start can weaken one of the main reasons to pay for a private group.

This is also the moment to ask what route is expected that day. The guide chooses the lunch stop, and weather may change the destinations. That flexibility is sensible around open water, but it means the printed order is a plan rather than a promise.

The boat has a licensed captain, licensed guide, and crew. English and Tagalog are available. Life jackets are supplied, and you should wear yours when the crew asks, particularly during transfers and kayaking.

Seven Commandos Beach begins with an easy swim

Seven Commandos Beach is usually the gentlest introduction to the day. You get pale sand, coconut trees, clear turquoise water, and limestone cliffs around the shore. The stop allows time for photos, swimming, sightseeing, and a guided visit, with about an hour scheduled.

The beach has rustic bars and small shops, so you can buy a cold drink or snack if you want something beyond the included refreshments. I would keep this stop simple. Swim, take in the cliffs, and enjoy the first chance to step off the boat without trying to do too much.

The name comes from a local story about seven commandos who supposedly lived here after World War II. It adds a small human detail to an otherwise dramatic setting, though the beach itself is the real reason to stop.

The drawback is that Seven Commandos is one of the familiar El Nido stops. If several boats arrive together, the shore may feel less peaceful than the photographs suggest. This is another reason I would push for an early departure and avoid lingering over shopping when the water is inviting.

Big Lagoon is the visual centerpiece

Big Lagoon is the stop most likely to define your memory of Tour A. The boat passes through a narrow entrance into a broad enclosed stretch of water, with high limestone cliffs forming a natural amphitheater around you. The water shifts between blue and green, and the setting feels much larger once you are inside.

One kayak is included. That matters, because kayaking lets you move quietly into corners that the main boat cannot reach. You can pause for photographs, look down into the clear water, and enjoy the contrast between the small kayak and the massive cliffs above.

The scheduled stop is about an hour, including photos, sightseeing, swimming, and kayaking. That is enough for a good taste, but it is not endless. If your group spends a long time taking photographs at the entrance, you may feel rushed once you start paddling.

Additional kayaks cost extra. If you are traveling with more than one person, ask in advance how the included kayak will be used. You may need to share it or rent another if everyone wants to paddle at once.

Big Lagoon is also where timing matters most. A late start can mean more boats, more waiting, and less of the quiet feeling that makes the place special. I would treat the departure time as a major part of the booking, not a minor detail.

Shimizu Island combines lunch and colorful reefs

Shimizu Island gives the day a useful change of pace. Its shore provides space for a break and lunch, while the surrounding coral reefs offer snorkeling among colorful fish and other sea life. The stop allows about an hour for lunch, swimming, free time, photos, and snorkeling.

The included buffet is one of the tour’s most praised features. Water, soft drinks, and fruit are also supplied. A beach meal has a practical advantage: you can eat, cool off, and get back into the water without losing time searching for a restaurant.

I would not expect the snorkeling to be the strongest part of the day for every person. One recent rating specifically found it less impressive than other snorkeling locations they had visited. Conditions, visibility, and the exact reef area can affect what you see, so treat it as a pleasant extra rather than the sole reason to book.

Bring biodegradable sunscreen and reapply it carefully. The sun reflects off both sand and water, and the day includes several open-air stops. A waterproof bag will protect your phone, cash, and dry clothing while you swim.

Secret Lagoon requires a little care

Secret Lagoon is reached through a small opening in the limestone wall. You squeeze through the narrow entrance and enter a sheltered pool surrounded by rock. That short passage is part of the appeal, but it also requires attention.

Wear secure footwear and move slowly. Waterproof shoes or closed-toe shoes are specifically recommended, and they make more sense here than ordinary flip-flops. The rocks may be awkward underfoot, and you want both hands available as you pass through the opening.

The stop includes photos, sightseeing, guided time, and swimming. It is not a huge place, so the atmosphere depends heavily on how many people are waiting at the entrance. A calm visit can feel almost secretive. A crowded one can feel more like a queue through a rock tunnel.

A guide can make a real difference here. Julius was singled out in recent feedback for helping a visitor through the opening, particularly when a family member needed extra care. The crew also assists people getting on and off the boat. That kind of practical help is worth more than a polished speech when the footing is awkward.

Payong-Payong Beach offers the quietest pause

Payong-Payong Beach is smaller and more secluded than Seven Commandos. It has soft sand, clear water, plants around the shore, and striking rock formations. You can swim, snorkel, take photos, and sit quietly for a while.

This is the stop I would value most if you need a break from the main sights. Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon are dramatic, but Payong-Payong gives you room to slow down. The guide may also choose it for lunch, depending on the day’s conditions and route.

The beach is not a major attraction with a long list of facilities. That is part of its charm, but it also means you should bring what you need from the boat. Water, soft drinks, fruit, and lunch are included, while anything else you buy is your responsibility.

The scheduled hour can pass quickly if lunch is served here. You may need to choose between a long meal, a swim, and snorkeling. I would eat first, then use the remaining time for the water rather than trying to do everything at once.

A private group helps, but does not remove every risk

The private-group format gives you more personal attention than a large shared boat. You can ask the guide questions, request help with equipment, and move at a pace that suits your group within the day’s limits. Families may especially appreciate having crew members help children on and off the boat.

That said, private does not guarantee an empty beach. Your boat still operates within weather, local rules, and the wider flow of boats around El Nido. If it leaves late, the main sites can already be full.

One safety issue deserves plain mention. A past booking reported a kayak maneuver that caused a six-year-old child to fall and hurt a leg. This is an isolated account within an otherwise strong set of ratings, but it is still useful information. Keep children close, follow the guide’s instructions, and ask for help when boarding or transferring.

The overall published score is 4.6 from seven ratings. The strongest praise centers on the crew’s care, the quality of lunch, and the photos and videos made during the day. Leonard was praised for taking photographs and videos at Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon, while Julius was described as funny, engaging, and attentive. Those services are not listed as a formal inclusion, so consider them a welcome bonus rather than something guaranteed.

What to pack for eight hours on the water

You should bring a change of clothes, towel, camera, beachwear, cash, biodegradable sunscreen, and a waterproof bag. Closed-toe or waterproof shoes are useful for Secret Lagoon and uneven shore areas.

Plastic bags, smoking, alcohol, drugs, and littering are not allowed. Pack light, keep belongings secured, and use the boat’s available drinks and fruit rather than bringing unnecessary packaging.

I would put your phone in a waterproof case even if you plan to use a camera. You will be swimming, kayaking, boarding, and walking near water throughout the day. Cash is useful for the government fees and any small purchases at Seven Commandos Beach.

Who should choose this El Nido day trip?

I would recommend Tour A to first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to El Nido in one full day. It gives you the region’s signature ingredients: limestone cliffs, enclosed lagoons, white sand beaches, reef snorkeling, kayaking, and a proper lunch break.

It also suits couples and families who prefer a private group to a crowded shared tour. The attentive crew, supplied safety gear, and included food make the day easier to manage. Families should still take extra care with young children around the kayak and the narrow entrance to Secret Lagoon.

This may not suit you if snorkeling is your top priority. The reefs can be enjoyable, but the quality may not match specialist snorkeling sites. It may also disappoint if you expect a completely empty Big Lagoon or Secret Lagoon. El Nido’s most famous places draw attention for good reason, and other boats may be nearby.

I would also look at another option if you want a relaxed, unhurried day. Five stops in eight hours sounds generous, but each visit is close to an hour, and time disappears during boarding, lunch, photos, and equipment changes.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

I would book it if you want the classic El Nido sights in a private setting and place a high value on helpful crew, a filling buffet lunch, and included equipment. Big Lagoon is the main prize, while Seven Commandos, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, and Payong-Payong keep the day varied.

Before paying, confirm the earliest departure available, ask how the 600 in government fees will be collected, and check whether the route may change with weather. If the operator can start early, this tour offers solid value at $139 per person. If a late departure is unavoidable, you should expect crowds and accept that the private format will not solve every timing problem.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour A last?

The tour lasts eight hours.

Where can I get picked up?

Free pickup is available from accommodations in El Nido Town and Corong-corong. You should provide your hotel name when completing the booking form.

Is the tour private?

Yes. The activity is organized for a private group.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide service is available in English and Tagalog.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch is included, along with water, soft drinks, and fruit. The guide chooses the lunch stop, and the location can change with weather and local conditions.

Is kayaking included?

One kayak is included. Any additional kayak rental costs extra.

What fees are not included in the price?

The lagoon entrance fee of 200 and environmental fee of 400 are not included. Hotel drop-off, extra kayak rental, and anything not specifically listed among the inclusions are also excluded.