El Nido Tour A – Big Lagoon Premium Tour (Private / Shared)

El Nido saves its best scenery for the water. This seven-hour island trip brings you to Big Lagoon, where dark limestone cliffs rise around clear blue-green water, and to Shimizu Island, a fine place for a swim and a look below the surface. I like the strong mix of dramatic scenery and easy beach time. I also like that hotel pickup, lunch, purified water, boat transport, and an experienced crew are included.

The main catch is the private or shared wording. The tour is described as private, but some bookings have felt shared, with a cramped boat and limited food. Pickup can also be refused if your hotel sits outside the operator’s pickup area, even when it appears in the booking menu. Confirm both points before paying.

Key points to know before you book

• Big Lagoon gets the prime hour and a half: This is the visual star of the day, with steep karst cliffs, striking water, and time for swimming, snorkeling, or kayaking.
• The route covers five very different stops: You get a lagoon, a snorkeling island, a beach, a cave-access lagoon, and a palm-lined beach bar.
• Kayaking is included only on the private tour: Shared bookings should not be assumed to include a kayak.
• Several fees sit outside the advertised price: Big Lagoon costs PHP 200 per person, the environmental fee is PHP 400 per person for five days, and a snorkeling mask costs PHP 150.
• Weather can change the plan: Payong-Payong Beach may be replaced, and poor weather can lead to a new date or a refund.
• Guide quality can shape the day: Guide Jerry received especially warm praise for helping everyone enjoy the outing.

What this El Nido day trip is really like

El Nido Tour A is a classic island-hopping route, but the order of stops gives the day a pleasant rhythm. You spend about seven hours moving between open water, narrow lagoons, shallow swimming spots, and white sand.

The scenery is the reason to book. El Nido’s limestone formations are not small rocky outcrops. They rise sharply from the sea, often dark gray or green with vegetation, and create a grand backdrop wherever the boat stops. The water shifts from pale turquoise near the beaches to deeper blue around the cliffs.

You should expect a full day outdoors. The trip includes a boat transfer, an experienced crew, life jackets, purified water, and a picnic lunch with fruit. You will need to pay several local charges separately, and you may need to rent a snorkeling mask.

The tour suits you best if you want the famous El Nido sights in one day without arranging separate boats and transfers. It is less appealing if you require a guaranteed private boat, a precise departure time, or a quiet, uncrowded experience.

Big Lagoon: the main event for 90 minutes

Big Lagoon is the reason many people choose this route. The boat enters a narrow waterway framed by towering limestone cliffs, with smooth water and a strong sense of enclosure. The dark rock against the bright water gives the place its striking look.

You may swim, snorkel, kayak, or simply take in the cliffs. The included kayak applies to private tours only, so check your booking type carefully. Big Lagoon also carries a PHP 200 admission fee per person, separate from the tour price.

The 90-minute stop is generous enough to do more than take a quick photograph. You can spend part of the time on the water and part looking up at the rock walls. If you prefer not to swim, the setting still gives you plenty to enjoy from the boat.

There is one practical issue: Big Lagoon is popular. The attraction can feel less peaceful when several boats arrive at once, and this is where an early start would matter. One booking expected an 8 a.m. departure to beat the crowds, but the start time was later changed to suit weather conditions. If an early arrival matters to you, ask for the confirmed departure time before the day of the trip.

Shimizu Island: beach time with a snorkel

After Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island gives you a more open and relaxed stop. It has powdery white sand, clear water, forested areas, and broad views across the surrounding islands.

You get about 90 minutes here, enough for a proper beach break rather than a rushed landing. The water is described as fairly shallow and suitable for swimming and snorkeling, with schools of fish possible below the surface.

Bring patience if snorkeling is your main goal. The mask is not included, and rental costs PHP 150 per person. The tour does provide life jackets, but you should not assume that personal snorkeling equipment is supplied.

Shimizu is also a useful pause between the more enclosed lagoon stops. Big Lagoon is about cliffs and narrow water. Shimizu is about sand, open views, and time to relax. That contrast helps keep the day from feeling like five versions of the same stop.

Payong-Payong Beach: a flexible weather stop

Payong-Payong Beach is planned as a one-hour stop, with time for snorkeling and a rest on the sand. It is the least certain part of the route because weather conditions can determine whether the boat goes there.

If conditions are not suitable, the crew will take you to another place where you can snorkel in El Nido’s clear water. That flexibility is sensible for a sea-based trip, though it means you should not treat Payong-Payong as guaranteed.

This is a good example of why the advertised route is a plan rather than a promise. Wind, waves, and weather affect small boats quickly. If you care more about safe water time than a specific beach name, the substitute stop should be acceptable. If every location matters, you may find the change frustrating.

Secret Lagoon: a short passage into a hidden pool

Secret Lagoon is reached through a small cave, which gives the stop its main character. The entrance itself is part of the appeal, followed by a compact hideaway lagoon used for sightseeing.

You have about an hour here. The cave access may not suit everyone, particularly if you dislike confined spaces or prefer simple beach landings. The provided information does not give measurements or detailed conditions inside the cave, so ask the crew for current access advice on the day.

The stop adds variety to the route. You are not simply stepping off at another beach. You are passing through a narrow opening into a quieter pool enclosed by rock, a small change in setting that makes the hour feel distinct.

Seven Commando Beach: the easy final stop

Seven Commando Beach closes the day with the most straightforward beach setting. Expect white sand, clear turquoise water, palm trees, rock formations, and a beach bar.

After a day of boats, lagoons, and snorkeling, this is a comfortable place to slow down. You can enjoy the view, sit near the palms, or take a final swim. The hour-long stop is not presented as a major snorkeling session, so think of it mainly as a scenic beach break.

The beach bar is a useful touch, but the tour does not state that drinks are included. Plan on paying separately for anything purchased there. The trip ends with a drop-off at El Nido’s floating dock, not necessarily back at your hotel, so arrange your onward plans with that endpoint in mind.

Lunch, crew, and the value of the $40 price

At $40 per person, the tour offers reasonable value if you use the included transport and meal. You receive hotel pickup, a boat transfer, crew and a licensed guide, a life jacket, purified water, and a picnic lunch with fruit. The lunch can include a mix of seafood, pork or chicken, and fruit, though the amount may feel limited if you have a large appetite.

The strongest praise has focused on the crew. Guide Jerry was singled out for helping everyone have a good day, and another booking described the driver and boat crew as attentive. That matters on an island trip because the crew controls the timing, boat movement, safety reminders, and practical help at each stop.

Still, the price deserves a close look. One booking judged the online price to be more than twice what similar operators charged in El Nido town. That does not prove every local price will be lower, but it does tell you to compare before committing. The advertised $40 may be worthwhile for advance planning and included pickup, yet the same basic route is offered by many boat operators.

Add PHP 200 for Big Lagoon, PHP 400 for the environmental fee, and PHP 150 if you need a snorkeling mask. The environmental fee is valid for five days, which helps if you plan another eligible island trip during that period.

Private, shared, and the boat question

The wording needs careful attention. The experience is described as private, with only your group participating, but it is also marketed as private or shared. That is not a minor wording issue. A private trip normally means your party has the boat to itself, while a shared trip means you ride with other people.

Some bookings have found the experience more like a shared outing, with a cramped boat that did not compare well with other operators. If space and privacy matter, get written confirmation of the boat arrangement, maximum party size, and whether your group will have exclusive use.

The kayak is another dividing line. It is included for private tours only. Do not assume that paying for a premium option automatically means you receive a kayak if the booking is shared.

The boat quality may vary, and the supplied information does not identify a particular boat model or capacity. That makes direct confirmation especially important for families, larger groups, or anyone who wants room to move around.

Pickup problems and timing changes

Hotel pickup is offered, but it is not guaranteed for every property. Some bookings were told shortly before departure that their hotel was too far from the pickup point, even though it appeared in the online pickup list. The alternative involved getting to a point roughly five minutes by car from where the boat departed.

You should confirm pickup the day before, then ask for the exact meeting point and time. Keep some flexibility in your morning plans. A late pickup change can be annoying, particularly during high season when other boats may already be full.

The departure time can also change because of weather. One booking expected an 8 a.m. start, but the operator changed the time to match favorable sea conditions. That is a fair safety reason, yet it can affect your hopes of reaching Big Lagoon before the busiest period.

The tour ends at El Nido’s floating dock. The experience information says it is near public transportation, and most people can participate, but it does not promise hotel drop-off at the end.

Weather, cancellations, and who should skip it

This is a sea trip, so weather matters. Payong-Payong may be replaced, and the entire outing can be canceled if conditions are poor. In that case, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

For ordinary customer cancellations, the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed. That makes travel insurance or a careful weather check worth considering, especially if you are booking far ahead.

Most people can participate, but the route includes swimming, snorkeling, beach landings, and passage through a small cave at Secret Lagoon. The supplied information does not provide detailed accessibility guidance, so ask before booking if anyone in your group has mobility concerns or dislikes confined spaces.

This is a good fit for active sightseers, couples, families who enjoy beach stops, and anyone visiting El Nido for the first time. It is a weaker fit for someone seeking a guaranteed quiet boat, a strictly private setup, or a fixed early departure.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

Book it if Big Lagoon is your priority and you want the main Tour A sights handled in one seven-hour outing. The route is varied, the scenery is superb, lunch and basic equipment are included, and a strong guide can make the day much easier.

Before paying, confirm four things: private or shared boat, kayak access, hotel pickup, and departure time. Also add the PHP 600 in Big Lagoon and environmental fees, plus mask rental if needed.

I would book this tour when the convenience of advance arrangements matters more than finding the lowest local price. If you are already in El Nido, compare town operators first. The itinerary itself is excellent, but the value depends on the boat arrangement and the exact service delivered.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour A take?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours.

What locations are included?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is offered, but some properties may be outside the actual pickup area. Confirm your pickup point and time before departure.

Is the boat private?

The experience is described as private or shared, and the tour information also says only your group will participate. Because some bookings found the setup more like a shared trip, confirm exclusive boat use directly.

Is kayaking included?

Kayaking is included for private tours only.

Is lunch provided?

Yes. A picnic lunch with fruit is included, along with purified water.

Are entrance and environmental fees included?

No. Big Lagoon costs PHP 200 per person, and the environmental fee costs PHP 400 per person and is valid for five days.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

A snorkeling mask is not included. Rental is listed at PHP 150 per person.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience may be canceled because of poor weather. You will be offered another date or a full refund.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends with drop-off at El Nido’s floating dock.