El Nido Private Tour A w/ Lunch

El Nido saves its best views for the water. This private island-hopping day takes you to Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, Seven Commando Beach, and Payong-Payong Beach, with lunch, transfers, crew, and a licensed guide included. I especially like the private boat format, since you avoid waiting for a large group, and I like the chance to adjust the day around your interests.

I also like that the route aims for quieter stops when possible, rather than simply following the busiest water traffic. Guides such as Darrel, Jul, and RJ have been praised for safety help, local information, and taking photos. The main drawback is the extra cost for a kayak, snorkeling gear, and pickup outside central El Nido, so the $143 price is not fully all-inclusive.

Key points to know before booking

• Five major stops in 7 to 8 hours: The route covers lagoons, beaches, snorkeling areas, and limestone scenery in one full day.
• Private group only: You share the boat with your own party, not with strangers.
• Big Lagoon needs planning: A kayak or stand-up paddleboard is the best way to see it, but a kayak costs P400 pesos.
• Lunch is served at Shimizu Island: Soda, water, and fruit are included with the meal.
• Central pickup is free: Hotel pickup is included around town proper or within 2 kilometers of the public market.
• The crew receives strong marks: The tour has a 4.7 rating from 70 reviews, with 94 percent recommending it.

Why a private boat changes the El Nido day

El Nido’s famous sights are scattered among limestone islands and narrow channels. A shared boat can offer good value, but you may spend part of the day waiting for other people to board, eat, take photos, or return from the water.

This private tour gives your group the boat and guide to yourselves. That matters most at the beaches. You can spend more time swimming at one stop, move along when a place feels crowded, or ask the crew to help with photos and water safety. The advertised route still includes the main sights, but the private format gives the day a less rigid feel.

I would not read customizable as a promise that every stop can be replaced at will. The listed plan is built around five destinations, and weather or local operating conditions can affect the order. Still, a private group has more room to discuss timing and preferences than a large shared excursion.

The crew is an important part of the experience. Captain Oliver has been singled out for keeping the boat safe, while guide Darrel has received praise for helping people in the water, explaining the islands, and taking photographs. Jul and RJ have also been praised for finding good spots when they are less crowded and helping guests get the best pictures.

Those details point to the tour’s strongest quality: practical care. El Nido is beautiful, but its water conditions and rocky shorelines call for a crew that pays attention. You will want to listen closely to instructions around boat transfers, swimming, and lagoon access.

Starting near the public market and police station

Free pickup is offered from accommodations around El Nido town proper or within 2 kilometers of the public market. If you stay farther outside that area, an extra pickup charge applies. This is worth checking before you pay, especially if your accommodation is outside the central zone.

The listed meeting point is El Nido Police Station on C. Hama. The tour returns to that same meeting point at the end of the day. A central meeting point is useful if you are staying nearby, but do not assume the boat will collect you from every resort in the wider El Nido area.

The day lasts about 7 to 8 hours. That is enough time to see all five stops, but it is also a full day in the sun. Bring a hat, drinking water for the gaps between stops, sun protection, and a dry bag for phones and cameras. Soda, water, fruit, and lunch are provided, but personal snacks may still be useful if you get hungry between islands.

The boat crew provides the main working structure of the day. Your guide can explain the route, help keep the group together, and assist with photographs. Since this is a private activity, you can raise concerns directly instead of trying to catch a guide’s attention across a crowded boat.

Big Lagoon: the headline view

Big Lagoon is the visual star of the route. Tall limestone formations rise around calm green-blue water, creating the kind of enclosed scene that makes El Nido famous. The cliffs were formed over millions of years, and their scale is hard to appreciate until you are moving between them by water.

The tour description specifically recommends a kayak or stand-up paddleboard here. That is good advice. A boat can take you toward the lagoon, but a small craft gives you a slower look at the rock walls and narrow water passages. It also lets you stop for photographs without viewing everything from the main boat.

A kayak costs P400 pesos, and this is not included in the advertised price. If you want the classic Big Lagoon experience, budget for it before you arrive. The listing also marks Big Lagoon admission as not included, while the package separately includes a lagoon entrance, so I would ask the operator to clarify exactly which entrance fee is covered for your departure date.

Expect Big Lagoon to be the most popular stop on the route. The private boat helps with flexibility, but it cannot make a famous place empty. Your guide may be able to adjust timing or use a less crowded approach, yet the lagoon remains a major draw.

Plan to spend about 1 hour and 30 minutes here. That sounds generous, but it includes boat access, possible kayak time, photos, and getting back aboard. If everyone in your group wants to paddle, the extra charge and time should be part of your decision before the tour begins.

Shimizu Island: lunch, reef time, and a short break

Shimizu Island is described as a favorite stop for turtle watching and lunch. It is also a place to enjoy the day at a gentler pace after the more dramatic entrance to Big Lagoon.

Lunch includes soda, water, and fruit. Having the meal included is a real convenience on a full-day boat trip, especially since you do not need to arrange a separate restaurant stop. The food is served as part of the island visit, giving you a chance to eat beside the water rather than rushing back to town.

The turtle reference is a possibility, not a guarantee. Wildlife sightings depend on conditions, season, and luck. You should enjoy the island even if no turtle appears.

This is also one of the places where snorkeling may fit naturally into the day. Snorkeling sets cost P100 per set and are not included. The small additional fee is easy to overlook when comparing tour prices, so add it if you want to spend time in the water with equipment provided by the operator.

One particularly strong account of the trip describes swimming with a school of 300 to 400 fish around the reef. That does not mean every departure will bring the same sighting, but it shows why bringing snorkeling gear or renting a set can be worthwhile. If the water is clear, this may become one of the day’s best moments.

Shimizu Island receives about 1 hour and 30 minutes. That gives you time for lunch, a swim, photos, and a little rest. It is a useful middle stop because the tour is not only about rushing from one postcard view to another.

Secret Lagoon: a small entrance with a big payoff

Secret Lagoon combines a beach stop with a short rock passage into a smaller enclosed pool. The attraction is the change in scale. After the open views and tall formations of Big Lagoon, you move toward a more confined space that feels tucked inside the limestone.

The entrance may require care as you move through the rocks. Follow the crew’s instructions and take your time. The tour description presents this as a place to explore and relax, not as a long walking excursion, so expect a compact visit rather than a major hike.

You have about 1 hour and 30 minutes here. That is enough for photographs, a look inside the lagoon, and time on the beach. The beach itself is part of the appeal, so you do not need to spend the entire stop inside the small lagoon.

Secret Lagoon is also a good reminder that El Nido’s famous locations are not all about wide beaches. Some are about the way the water cuts through the rock. If you enjoy unusual natural formations and short explorations, this stop adds variety to the day.

Seven Commando Beach and its simple story

Seven Commando Beach is a long beach on the mainland side of the island area. Its name comes from seven commandos who lived there, with their names appearing on the island’s cliffs.

The beach has a sloping stretch of sand and a quieter feel than the enclosed lagoons. This is the sort of stop where you can swim, walk along the shore, or sit beneath the palms instead of following a tight sightseeing schedule.

The tour allocates about 1 hour and 30 minutes. That makes it one of the better places to slow down. If your group has mixed interests, some people can swim while others stay on the beach and take photos.

Do not expect the same dramatic enclosed setting as Big Lagoon. Seven Commando’s appeal is its open beach and relaxed pace. The difference is welcome, since five stops built around cliffs and lagoons could otherwise feel repetitive.

Payong-Payong Beach: a final postcard stop

Payong-Payong Beach is known for white sand, clear water, and limestone cliffs rising around the shore. It offers the classic El Nido combination in a compact setting.

The water and rock walls make it a good place for photos, but the beach also rewards a slower look. I would use this stop for swimming and a final round of pictures rather than trying to pack in another major activity.

About 1 hour and 30 minutes is allotted here. Payong-Payong is one of the stops with an additional admission cost listed, so ask the operator how that fee is handled. The package includes the environmental fee, but not every individual extra is covered.

The order of stops may change. That can be a benefit on a private tour, particularly if the crew is trying to avoid the busiest periods. You may not visit the sites in the exact order printed in the schedule, and that is not necessarily a problem.

What the $143 price really buys you

At $143 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see El Nido. The value depends heavily on the size of your private group. A couple pays more per person for privacy, while a larger group can spread the cost across more people and get better value from the exclusive boat.

The price includes lunch, soda, water, fruit, a professional licensed guide, crew, environmental fee, lagoon entrance, and free pickup in the central El Nido area. Those inclusions remove several common costs and make the day easier to plan.

The extras are modest individually but important together:

• Kayak: P400 pesos
• Snorkeling equipment: P100 per set
• Pickup outside the central service area: extra charge
• Some listed stop admissions: not included

For me, the private format is the reason to consider the higher price. You are paying for control over the day, direct help from the crew, and no strangers sharing your boat. If your main aim is simply to reach the islands at the lowest possible cost, a shared outing may suit you better.

If you value room to set the pace, take photos without holding up a group, or spend more time at a favorite beach, the price is easier to justify. The strong 4.7 rating from 70 reviews and 94 percent recommendation figure also suggest that the overall package delivers well for many people, though neither number removes the need to check current pickup and entrance charges.

Who will enjoy this private island day

I would choose this tour for a small group of friends, a family, or a couple that wants time together without coordinating with strangers. It is also a good fit if you care about photography, since guides such as Darrel, Jul, and RJ have been praised for taking pictures and helping people find good angles.

The tour suits people who want a broad sample of El Nido in one day. You get two lagoon experiences, several beaches, a reef stop, lunch, and a guide. It is a strong first look at the area.

You should think twice if you dislike boat days, hot weather, or repeated transfers between water and shore. The schedule is long, and the five-stop plan keeps you moving. You also need to be comfortable paying small extras for the activities you want.

The tour notes that most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. It is also near public transportation. Still, specific mobility needs are not described in detail, so you should ask the operator direct questions before booking if you need special assistance.

Weather, cancellation, and practical checks

The experience depends on good weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

I would confirm four things before departure: your pickup location, the kayak and snorkeling charges, which admission fees are included, and the final meeting time. One complaint involved a transfer charge that differed from the amount printed on the booking paperwork. That makes written confirmation especially useful.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, a towel, waterproof storage, and cash for extras. The operator supplies lunch, soda, water, and fruit, but your own phone protection and personal comfort items remain your responsibility.

Should you book El Nido Private Tour A?

Book it if privacy, flexible pacing, and a full list of major sights matter more to you than finding the lowest price. Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, Seven Commando Beach, and Payong-Payong Beach give you a well-rounded day, while the crew’s safety help and photo assistance add real value.

I would be most likely to book this with several friends or family members, since the private price makes more sense when shared across a group. Before paying, confirm the pickup zone and every extra fee, then decide if you want a kayak and snorkeling set.

Skip it if your budget is tight or if you prefer a slow day at one beach. For everyone else, this is a polished, active introduction to El Nido, with enough freedom to feel personal rather than factory-made.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Private Tour A last?

The tour lasts approximately 7 to 8 hours.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity, with a private guide and crew.

Which places does the tour visit?

The scheduled stops are Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, Seven Commando Beach, and Payong-Payong Beach.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch, soda, water, and fruit are included.

Is hotel pickup included?

Free pickup is included from accommodations around El Nido town proper or within 2 kilometers of the public market. Pickup outside that area has an additional charge.

Where does the tour start and finish?

The listed meeting point is El Nido Police Station on C. Hama. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Does the tour include snorkeling equipment?

No. Snorkeling equipment costs P100 per set.

Does the tour include a kayak at Big Lagoon?

No. Kayak rental costs P400 pesos.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can receive a different date or a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.