EL NIDO: Sharing/Joiner Island Hopping Tour A w/BUFFET LUNCH

El Nido saves its best water for Tour A. I like the mix of Big Lagoon kayaking and easy beach time, and the five-stop route gives you a full day of Palawan scenery for about $23 per person. The buffet lunch, fruit, water, life jacket, boat, captain, guide, and crew are included, which makes the base price appealing.

The trade-off is that Tour A is popular, so the same famous stops can feel crowded. I would also allow extra patience for the morning meeting time and bring cash for the environmental and lagoon fees. On one trip, a boat waited nearly an hour for canoes at Big Lagoon, while another departure was delayed by a lunch mix-up.

Key points to know before booking

• Big Lagoon is the main event: Kayaking gives you a quiet way to see the cliffs and green-blue water, but kayak rental costs extra.
• Five stops fill the eight-hour day: You visit 7 Commandos Beach, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, and Payong-Payong Beach.
• The price is strong for a shared boat: At $23, the tour includes lunch, fruit, water, safety equipment, crew, and a licensed guide.
• Expect extra government fees: The environmental fee is 400, and the lagoon entrance fee is 200.
• The route can change: Weather and conditions may affect the order or choice of stops.
• Bring your own practical beach kit: Pack cash, a waterproof bag, beachwear, biodegradable sunscreen, a change of clothes, and waterproof shoes.

What Tour A gives you for $23

El Nido Tour A is the classic introduction to Palawan’s island scenery. In one long day, you move between white-sand beaches, snorkeling sites, limestone walls, and sheltered lagoons. You get the postcard views, but you also get the practical realities of a shared boat day: fixed timing, popular stops, and a route shaped by weather.

At $23 per person, the value is good if you want to see several major sites without arranging a private boat. The buffet lunch and basic drinks help keep costs under control, although you should still carry cash for the 400 environmental fee and 200 lagoon fee. Kayaking at Big Lagoon is an additional cost, so ask about the current rental price before setting off.

The activity lasts about eight hours. Pickup is free within El Nido Town and Corong-corong, but hotel drop-off is not included. The stated meeting point is Beachfront Travel and Tours. Start times can vary, so check the confirmed time carefully and arrive early. One booking showed a mismatch between the app time and the actual departure, so a quick confirmation with the operator is sensible.

The tour uses a licensed tourist boat with a licensed captain, guide, and crew. English and Tagalog are available. Safety equipment includes a life vest or jacket, and plastic bags, smoking, alcohol, drugs, and littering are not allowed.

7 Commandos Beach starts the day gently

The first stop is 7 Commandos Beach, a broad strip of pale sand backed by coconut trees and limestone cliffs. The name comes from a local story about seven commandos who supposedly stayed here after World War II. You do not need to know the story to enjoy the place, but it adds a little character to what might otherwise be just another beach stop.

You get about an hour for swimming, photographs, a walk, or a cold drink. The water is clear and inviting, and the beach has simple bars and small shops. That convenience is useful, though it also means this is not a completely untouched shore.

I would use this first stop to get comfortable in the water and take your main beach photographs. The sun can be strong, so biodegradable sunscreen and a change of clothes are practical choices. If you want a quiet beach, do not expect much solitude here, especially when several boats arrive together.

Big Lagoon is worth the extra kayak cost

Big Lagoon is the visual centerpiece of Tour A. The boat passes through a narrow opening between tall limestone cliffs, then enters a broad enclosed stretch of calm water. The cliffs give the area the feel of a natural stone bowl, and the water shifts between blue and green depending on light and depth.

Kayaking lets you move at your own pace and reach quieter corners that are difficult to see from the main boat. This is one of the most worthwhile optional costs on the tour, especially if you enjoy a little activity rather than simply taking photographs from the deck. You can paddle, stop for pictures, and look down into clear water while the cliffs rise around you.

There are two cautions. First, kayak rental is not included. Second, the lagoon can become slow and crowded when several boats arrive at once. One account describes a wait of almost an hour in open water while canoes were being organized. If the weather is poor, the lagoon experience may be less rewarding, and the entrance fee may still be payable even if you decide not to go in.

Ask the crew how the entrance and kayak arrangements work before paying. This small step can prevent confusion later.

Shimizu Island combines snorkeling and lunch

Shimizu Island is the main water stop. The island is named after a Japanese diver associated with its waters, and the surrounding reefs offer a good chance to see colorful fish and other sea life. Bring a waterproof camera if you have one, but do not let the camera replace time in the water. The snorkeling is one of the strongest parts of this route.

This is also where lunch may be served, although the guide chooses the lunch stop. The buffet is described as generous, with several choices, fruit, and drinks. Because the lunch location can change, do not assume it will always be on Shimizu Island or under the same type of shade.

The food earns particularly warm praise, and that matters on an eight-hour boat trip. A good meal saves you from buying lunch at a beach stall and gives you a proper break between swims. Water is listed as included, but one account said drinking water was not offered freely on the boat, while another described water and soda being served. I would bring a refillable bottle or extra drinking water anyway.

Snorkeling conditions depend on weather, visibility, and the number of boats in the area. You might find excellent fish viewing, but this is a shared excursion, not a private reef trip.

Secret Lagoon feels more adventurous

Secret Lagoon is reached through a small opening in the limestone wall. Getting through the entrance is part of the fun, although it can be awkward when the area is crowded or the water is moving. Inside, the enclosed pool is surrounded by steep rock walls and has a tucked-away, quiet feel.

This stop is less about a long swim and more about the unusual setting. You can take photographs, look around, and snorkel if conditions allow. The entrance is narrow, so keep your belongings in a waterproof bag and avoid carrying anything that can easily snag or fall.

The name sets high expectations. In practice, the word secret does not mean private. Tour A is one of El Nido’s most popular routes, and other boats may arrive at the same time. Still, the rock opening and enclosed water make this a memorable stop, especially if you enjoy unusual natural formations.

Payong-Payong Beach can be the day’s calmest stop

Payong-Payong Beach is smaller and quieter in feel than 7 Commandos Beach. It has soft sand, clear water, vegetation, and rock formations close to shore. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or simply sit in the shade and let the day slow down.

This stop may be especially welcome after the more organized lagoon visits. One booking described a change to a prettier, less crowded beach for a calmer final stop. Since the guide may adjust the route, your exact last beach can differ from the planned schedule.

The beach also gives you a chance to buy a cocktail or another cold drink if local sellers are operating there. Carry cash, since drinks and small purchases are not included. If you want to avoid an end-of-day scramble, keep a dry set of clothes in your waterproof bag.

The shared-boat rhythm matters

The listed timetable gives roughly one hour at each major stop. That is enough for a swim, photographs, or a short snorkeling session, but it is not enough to explore every beach at length. The day works best if you decide in advance what matters most to you.

If kayaking is your priority, move efficiently at the beach stops and listen for the crew’s return instructions. If snorkeling matters more, keep your gear ready before the boat reaches Shimizu Island or Payong-Payong Beach. If you prefer to relax, you can skip an activity and enjoy the scenery from the shore.

The crew has been praised for being friendly, helpful, and focused on keeping the day pleasant. That personal effort can make a difference when the schedule gets busy. At the same time, organization has not always been perfect. A late departure and a lunch delay have both occurred, so I would not book a flight, bus, or other fixed appointment immediately after the tour.

Weather can change the order or selection of stops. That is not necessarily a flaw. Lagoons and beaches are more enjoyable when the operator responds to sea conditions rather than forcing the exact printed route.

What to bring for a more comfortable day

Pack lightly, but pack for wet conditions. Your most useful items are:

• A waterproof bag for phone, wallet, camera, and dry clothes
• Beachwear and a full change of clothes
• Biodegradable sunscreen
• Waterproof shoes for rocky or wet areas
• Cash for government fees, drinks, and optional purchases
• A camera or waterproof phone case
• Extra drinking water, even though water is listed as included

A life jacket is provided, but you should still follow the crew’s instructions around the boat, lagoon entrances, and snorkeling areas. Plastic bags are prohibited, which is a sensible rule in a place that depends on clean water and beaches. Bring a reusable bottle and take all personal rubbish back with you.

Who will enjoy this Tour A experience?

I would choose this tour if you are visiting El Nido for the first time and want a broad sample of the area. It suits couples, friends, and families who want beaches, snorkeling, kayaking, and photographs in one outing rather than spending the day at a single island.

It also works well for budget-minded visitors. The boat, crew, lunch, fruit, and safety equipment are included at a low starting price. That makes the extra government fees easier to accept, though you should calculate the total before booking.

This is less suitable if you want silence, privacy, or a flexible schedule. The shared format means you follow the group, and the most famous locations can be crowded. A private boat or a less famous route may suit you better if avoiding other boats is your top concern, but that will usually cost more.

The tour is also not ideal for anyone with a tight evening commitment. Eight hours on the schedule does not guarantee an exact return time, especially when the morning begins late or weather changes the plan.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

Book it if you want strong value and variety. For about $23, you can see five major El Nido locations, eat a buffet lunch, snorkel, swim, and add kayaking at Big Lagoon. The scenery is the reason to come, and this route gives you plenty of it.

Go in with realistic expectations. You may share the best beaches with many other boats, wait for lagoon access, or encounter a change in timing. Bring water, confirm the start time, budget for the 400 environmental fee and 200 lagoon fee, and keep your schedule open after the tour.

If that sounds manageable, Beachfront Travel and Tours offers a well-priced introduction to El Nido’s famous island route. The best parts are the Big Lagoon kayak, the snorkeling around Shimizu Island, and the chance to finish with a quieter beach. The main weakness is organization during busy periods, not the natural beauty itself.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour A last?

The tour lasts about eight hours. Starting times vary, so check availability and confirm the meeting time before the day of departure.

What places does the tour visit?

The planned stops are 7 Commandos Beach, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, and Payong-Payong Beach. Destinations may change because of weather.

Is kayaking at Big Lagoon included?

No. Kayak rental is an additional cost. Ask about the current rental arrangement and price before entering the lagoon.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch is included, along with fruit and water. The guide chooses the lunch stop, so it may not always be at the same island.

Are entrance and environmental fees included?

No. The environmental fee is 400, and the lagoon entrance fee is 200. These are listed as government taxes.

Is hotel pickup available?

Free pickup is available within El Nido Town and Corong-corong. Drop-off back to your hotel is not included.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide service is available in English and Tagalog.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option lets you keep your plans flexible.