El Nido Tour A

Four stops, one very full day. El Nido Tour A packs Palawan’s famous Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commando Beach into an eight-hour boat trip. I like the mix of dramatic limestone scenery and time for swimming, and I like that boat transfers, bottled water, lunch, a licensed captain, and a guide are included. The main drawback is that the advertised price does not cover every required fee, and the packed lunch may feel too basic for some people.

This is a classic El Nido island-hopping day, not a quiet private escape. You will share the boat, follow a set route, and spend much of the day moving between stops. The crew and guides have earned strong praise for looking after the group, but the organization can be less polished, especially around hotel pickup, beach departure, and instructions at each stop.

At $27 per person, the tour is inexpensive for an eight-hour outing, but you should budget for the environmental fee, lagoon entrance fee, and possibly a kayak. Bring a passport, swimwear, dry clothes, sun protection, and patience. The water and rock scenery are the stars here, while the practical details need a little planning on your part.

Key points to know before booking

• Big Lagoon is the visual centerpiece: Expect tall limestone walls, clear water, and a memorable boat or kayak setting.
• The total cost is higher than $27: Add the PHP 200 environmental fee and PHP 200 lagoon entrance fee per person, plus PHP 300 for a two-person kayak if you want one.
• Lunch is simple: The included packed meal saves money, but vegetarian choices and portion planning may be limited.
• The crew receives strong praise: The boat team and guides are described as caring and hardworking, even when instructions are not always clear.
• This is an active water day: You need swimwear, a change of clothes, a sun hat, sunscreen, and a passport.
• Seasickness matters: The tour is not suitable for people prone to seasickness or people with high blood pressure.

Why El Nido Tour A remains so popular

El Nido Tour A works because it gives you several different versions of Palawan in one day. You get enclosed lagoons, a beach stop, a lunch break, and open-water boat travel without arranging separate trips.

I like this format for a first visit. You can see the famous scenery quickly and decide which part of El Nido deserves more time later. If your schedule is short, the tour gives you a strong introduction to the island area for a modest starting price.

The tradeoff is pace. Eight hours sounds generous, but moving a boatload of people between several stops takes time. Boarding, collecting belongings, paying fees, waiting for kayaks, and getting instructions can all reduce your time in the water.

The tour is operated by BIZ IT Travel and Tours. English is the stated tour language, and a live guide, licensed captain, and boat transfer are included. You should still ask the guide early in the day about the order of stops, how long you have at each place, and what you need to carry ashore.

Big Lagoon brings the famous El Nido scenery

Big Lagoon is the stop most likely to dominate your photographs. The setting is defined by steep limestone walls and clear water, giving the boat ride a sheltered, enclosed feel.

The lagoon is part of the Miniloc Island area, where the water and rock formations create the classic El Nido view. The route information also describes kayaking through peaceful, clear water in the lagoon area. A kayak costs PHP 300 for two people, so the amount is relatively small if you are sharing with a companion.

I would treat the kayak as an optional extra rather than an automatic requirement. It gives you a quieter way to look around at water level, but it also adds another rental step. If the group arrives and you need to collect your belongings, arrange the kayak, and wait for instructions, valuable sightseeing time can disappear.

The lagoon entrance fee is separate at PHP 200 per person. That fee is easy to overlook when you see the low tour price, so include it in your budget before booking.

Big Lagoon suits you best if you want El Nido’s postcard scenery and do not mind sharing the setting with other boats. It is less suitable if you want long stretches of silence or a completely flexible route.

Secret Lagoon adds a smaller, more enclosed stop

Secret Lagoon offers a different mood from Big Lagoon. Instead of one broad, open-feeling water area, the appeal is the sense of entering a more tucked-away space among the limestone formations.

The route includes a stop at Secret Lagoon and describes clear water and a beach setting in the same general island-hopping program. Conditions can affect how much time you spend in the water, so listen carefully to the guide before leaving the boat.

This is one place where simple preparation helps. Keep your swimwear on, wear footwear that can handle a wet landing if you have it, and avoid bringing anything you cannot secure. The tour specifically recommends swimwear, a change of clothes, a sun hat, and sunscreen. Those are not decorative packing suggestions. You will be exposed to sun and water for much of the day.

Do not expect a private hideaway in the usual sense. The stop is part of a popular shared route, and the experience depends on boat traffic, timing, and the day’s operating conditions.

Shimizu Island is the lunch and beach pause

Shimizu Island provides a welcome change from the lagoon stops. Here you can relax on white sand, swim, and take a break from climbing in and out of the boat.

The island’s name is linked to a Japanese diver who allegedly died in an underwater tunnel nearby. That story gives the place a human detail beyond its beach scenery, connecting local folklore with the area’s foreign influences and dangerous waters. It is a brief historical note, but it adds meaning to a stop that could otherwise feel like only another photo break.

Lunch is included, along with bottled water for each person. The meal is best viewed as practical fuel rather than a culinary highlight. Food quality and quantity have been a clear weak point, with concerns about portions and very limited vegetarian choices. A vegetarian should not assume a satisfying meal unless the operator confirms the menu before departure.

If you eat a large breakfast, bring permitted personal snacks if needed and keep them secure from water. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. Bottled water is supplied, but you should still make sure you have enough to stay comfortable in the heat.

Shimizu Island is also where time management matters. You may want to swim, eat, dry off, take photographs, and reorganize your things before returning to the boat. A clear schedule from the guide helps, but instructions have not always been as detailed as they should be. Ask directly how long you have before you leave the boat.

Seven Commando Beach slows the pace

Seven Commando Beach is the easiest stop to understand: white sand, warm water, and time to relax. After the more enclosed lagoon settings, the open beach gives you room to stretch out and enjoy a less structured part of the day.

I like having a beach stop in the itinerary because the tour would otherwise be a series of short lagoon visits. Seven Commando Beach lets you swim, sit under the sun, and take in the coastal setting without having to navigate a narrow passage.

The sun can be intense, so use sunscreen before you board and reapply during the day. A sun hat and dry change of clothes also make the return journey more comfortable.

Your beach time may feel short if earlier stops run late. That is normal for a tightly scheduled shared boat trip. If relaxing on the sand is your main goal, you may prefer a dedicated beach excursion. If you want variety, this stop rounds out the day well.

Small Lagoon may appear in the route description

The experience details also refer to Small Lagoon and describe kayaking through its calm, clear water. The headline highlights specifically name Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Seven Commando Beach, and Shimizu Island, so you should confirm the exact day’s stop list before departure if Small Lagoon is important to you.

This matters because lagoon access and timing can change the feel of the day. A kayak stop requires additional coordination, and the PHP 300 rental applies to two people. Ask whether the kayak cost is paid directly at the lagoon and whether the stop is part of your specific departure.

The safest approach is to arrive ready for water activity but not to build your entire plan around one particular lagoon until the guide confirms the route.

The boat day requires practical preparation

A shared boat tour is only as enjoyable as your preparation. Keep your valuables in a waterproof bag or sealed pouch, and carry only what you need from the boat to shore.

Pack:

• Swimwear
• A dry change of clothes
• Sunscreen
• A sun hat
• Your passport
• Bottled water, if you want more than the supplied amount
• A waterproof way to protect your phone and money

The passport requirement is easy to miss. Bring it even if you do not expect to show it during every part of the day.

The tour is listed as wheelchair accessible, but beach landings, boat boarding, and lagoon access can still be physically demanding. You should confirm the exact assistance available before booking if you use a wheelchair or have limited mobility.

People prone to seasickness should think carefully before choosing this trip. You will spend many hours on a boat, and the tour is specifically not suitable for people who suffer from seasickness. It is also not suitable for people with high blood pressure.

The crew has been praised for taking good care of the group, which is important on a long water day. Still, good crew effort does not remove the need to protect yourself from sun, motion, and dehydration.

Pickup and departure may be the least polished part

The meeting point is a BIZ IT Travel representative. Make sure you know where to look and keep your phone available before departure.

Hotel transfers deserve special attention. A transfer has reportedly been nearly missed, so do not assume a vague pickup window will be enough. Confirm the time and meeting place in advance, then arrive early.

The route to the beach may involve an office or roadside point where you pay the environmental fee, followed by a walk through local streets and between hotels and houses. That may feel less formal than you expect from a packaged excursion, but it is part of the practical setup.

The environmental fee costs PHP 200 per person and is valid for 10 days. If you plan another eligible boat trip within that period, keep the ticket. The lagoon entrance fee is another PHP 200 per person.

Expect some stop-and-start organization. At times, you may arrive at a site and still need to gather your belongings or work out what to take before heading ashore. I recommend packing one small waterproof day bag the night before. It saves time and avoids searching through your main luggage beside the boat.

What the $27 price really includes

At $27 per person, this is a good value if you want a full day on the water without paying for a private boat. The package covers the main transportation and basic support:

• Boat transfer
• Licensed boat captain
• Licensed English-speaking guide
• Packed lunch
• Bottled water for each person

The low price becomes less striking once you add PHP 200 for the environmental fee and PHP 200 for lagoon entrance. Add PHP 150 per person if you share a kayak with another person. The final cost is still reasonable, but the headline price is not the complete amount for most people.

The value is strongest for solo visitors, couples, and small groups who want a ready-made route. You avoid arranging a boat, captain, guide, lunch, and water separately.

The value is weaker if you need dietary flexibility, dislike group schedules, or expect polished hotel service. A private trip would offer more control, but it would also cost more. This tour is built for access and affordability, not luxury.

How the day may feel in practice

The best parts are likely to come in bursts: the first clear view of the limestone walls, the calm water inside a lagoon, a swim from white sand, and the simple pleasure of eating lunch near the sea.

The less enjoyable moments are likely to be logistical: waiting, carrying wet belongings, sorting out kayak arrangements, and trying to understand how long remains at a stop. You can reduce that frustration by asking short questions early:

• What is our next stop?
• How long do we have here?
• What should we take from the boat?
• Is the kayak included?
• Where and when do we meet again?

The crew’s care is a strong point, but you should not wait for every instruction. A little independence will make the day smoother.

Who should book El Nido Tour A

I recommend this tour if you want the classic El Nido experience at a low starting price. It suits you if you enjoy swimming, boat rides, beach stops, and dramatic rock scenery, and if you can handle a busy eight-hour schedule.

It is especially useful for a first visit to Palawan. You will see several major sights in one day and get a sense of which places you might want to revisit with more time.

I would hesitate if you are prone to seasickness, have high blood pressure, need a carefully planned vegetarian meal, or want a quiet, private experience. Families and older visitors should also consider the boat boarding and beach access before booking, even though the tour is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Should you book it?

Book El Nido Tour A if your priority is seeing the famous lagoons and beaches without spending much. The scenery, caring crew, included transport, and full-day format offer solid value.

Before paying, confirm your hotel pickup, exact lagoon route, meal options, and all extra fees. Bring a waterproof day bag, passport, sun protection, and a patient attitude. If you do that, this tour should give you a memorable introduction to Palawan, even if the organization and lunch fall short of the natural scenery.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour A last?

The tour lasts eight hours. Starting times depend on availability.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes a packed lunch, bottled water for each person, a licensed English-speaking guide, boat transfer, and a licensed boat captain.

What extra fees should I budget for?

The environmental fee is PHP 200 per person and is valid for 10 days. The lagoon entrance fee is PHP 200 per person. Kayak rental costs PHP 300 for two people.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport, swimwear, a change of clothes, a sun hat, and sunscreen. A waterproof bag for personal items is also practical for a boat and beach day.

Is the tour suitable for people with seasickness?

No. The tour is not suitable for people prone to seasickness. It is also not suitable for people with high blood pressure.

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 book without paying immediately.