El Nido: Tour A (Big & Secret Lagoon, Shimizu, 7 Commando)

Beauty arrives by boat here. El Nido Tour A packs several of Palawan’s best-known stops into one long day, with calm coves, limestone cliffs, beach time, and reef snorkeling. I like the variety of the route, which moves from scenic water views to swimming and beach breaks without asking you to commit to one kind of activity. I also like that the $23 price includes a buffet lunch and bottled water. The main concern is boat reliability, since one recent trip was badly delayed by mechanical trouble and poor communication from the crew.

You should also budget for the environmental fee, the Big Lagoon charge, and any gear you rent. The meeting time needs special attention, too: the information gives both 8:30 AM and 9:00 AM, so I would confirm the exact departure time with Akingventures Travel & Tours before setting out.

Key points to know before booking

• Big Lagoon is the visual centerpiece: Its cliffs, clear water, and marine life make it the stop most people picture when they think of El Nido.
• The route includes four major stops: 7 Commando Beach, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Secret Lagoon, with the order subject to change.
• Shimizu Island gets the longest listed stop: You have about 105 minutes for lunch, swimming, relaxing, and optional snorkeling.
• The advertised price is only part of the cost: Add P400 for the environmental fee and P200 for Big Lagoon, plus optional kayak and snorkeling rentals.
• The guide service can be a real strength: A guide was praised for being friendly and attentive, while Mark from the local company helped with gear, questions, and ferry tickets.
• Weather and boat condition matter: Storms can cancel a trip, and one poor experience involved a replacement boat that also had mechanical problems.

What the $23 price really gets you

At $23 per person, this is an inexpensive way to see several famous places around El Nido in one day. Your package includes the shared boat outing, visits to the named stops, a buffet lunch, and a 300 ml bottle of water.

That price is useful if you want a broad first look at Bacuit Bay without paying for a private boat. You get a full day on the water for less than the cost of arranging each stop separately, at least in principle. The tradeoff is that a shared trip gives you less control over the schedule, pace, and boat.

The extra charges are important. The environmental fee is P400, and if you already paid it earlier, the issued receipt is valid for five days. Bring that proof with you. Big Lagoon costs another P200. Kayak rental is P300, while snorkeling gear and aqua shoes are each P100 if you choose to rent them.

So the advertised fare is attractive, but your real budget should include mandatory fees and any equipment you need. If you already have snorkeling gear and water shoes, you can keep the add-on cost down. If you want to kayak inside Big Lagoon, plan for the additional rental.

Meeting at Grounded Arabica Coffee

The stated meeting point is Grounded 100% Arabica Coffee, El Nido Branch. The location is central enough to serve as a practical starting point, but the supplied details list two different meeting times: 8:30 AM in one place and 9:00 AM in another.

I would treat this as something to settle before the morning of the tour. Arriving early is the safer choice, especially for a shared departure. You should also allow time for registration, environmental-fee checks, and collecting rented equipment.

The walking directions mention about 15 minutes in El Nido before reaching the next part of the route. Since the tour ends at Bacuit Bay Floating Dock 1, you should not assume you will return to the coffee shop. Keep your phone, wallet, towel, and other small items in a waterproof bag.

The day lasts about seven to seven and a half hours, with an expected return around 4:30 PM. That makes this a substantial outing rather than a quick morning cruise.

7 Commando Beach starts the day gently

The first listed stop is Seven Commandos Beach, with about 45 minutes for a guided visit. This gives you an easy introduction to the day: sand, water, and time to take in the surrounding cliffs before the route becomes more focused on lagoons and snorkeling.

Forty-five minutes is enough for a short swim, a few photographs, and a quick rest. It is not a long beach day, so you should think of 7 Commando as a pleasant opening stop rather than the main event.

The beach also helps break up the boat ride. You can stretch your legs, cool off, and get comfortable with the pace of a shared tour. If you prefer extended time in one place, this schedule may feel brisk. If you want to see several parts of El Nido in one day, the shorter stop works well.

Big Lagoon brings the famous El Nido scenery

Big Lagoon is the major scenic stop, and the tour gives it special weight through the separate entrance charge and optional kayak rental. Its appeal comes from the contrast between calm water and tall limestone cliffs, with marine life adding interest below the surface.

You can explore by kayak for P300, or enjoy the area from the boat and water. The choice affects your experience. Kayaking gives you more active time on the lagoon, while staying with the group keeps things simpler and avoids another rental fee.

Snorkeling is also part of the wider tour, but the supplied details do not promise that every activity happens in the same place or for the same length of time. Ask the guide how the day’s conditions will affect swimming, kayaking, and snorkeling.

Big Lagoon can be one of the busiest parts of a popular route. Since this is a shared group trip, you should expect other boats and a fixed schedule. The scenery remains the reason to come, but you will have less solitude than you might expect from photographs.

Shimizu Island combines lunch and reef time

The stop at Shimizu Island is listed at about 105 minutes, making it the longest part of the day. That matters because you have time to combine several simple pleasures: eating the buffet lunch, resting on the beach, swimming, and renting snorkeling equipment.

The reef snorkeling is one of the strongest reasons to choose this tour. The water around the island offers colorful coral and marine life, giving you something to see beyond the cliffs and beaches. Snorkeling gear costs P100 if you need it, and aqua shoes are another P100.

I would bring your own mask and snorkel if you already have reliable equipment, but the optional rental keeps the activity accessible. Aqua shoes can also be useful if you dislike walking over rough underwater or beach surfaces, though the tour does not require you to rent them.

The buffet lunch adds good value to the low fare. You do not need to arrange a separate meal during the day, although the packing advice still suggests bringing snacks and water. A 300 ml bottle is included, but that is not much for seven hours in the sun. Bring more water if you can.

Shimizu is likely to be your best chance to slow down. The schedule gives you more breathing room here than at the shorter beach stop, but you should still follow the guide’s timing so the group can move on together.

Secret Lagoon requires a narrow entrance

Secret Lagoon is reached through a narrow opening, which gives the stop a different character from Big Lagoon. Instead of arriving at a broad, open body of water, you pass through a tight entrance into a more enclosed setting.

The planned visit lasts about one hour. You can expect time to look around, swim if conditions allow, and take photographs. The enclosed space is the point of the stop, but the narrow access may not suit anyone who dislikes close quarters or crowded entry points.

The area is also one where responsible behavior matters. Do not touch marine life or plants, and do not litter. These rules are simple, but they protect the very features that make the place worth visiting.

The guide can help keep the group moving safely through the entrance and back to the boat. One positive account praised the guide for being friendly and attentive, especially during activities. That kind of care matters more at a place with tight access and changing water conditions.

The boat determines how comfortable the day feels

This is a boat-heavy day, so the condition of the vessel matters as much as the scenery. One poor account described a broken boat, a wait of about an hour and a half for a replacement, and continued mechanical trouble at later stops. The same account also raised concerns about limited communication from the crew.

That is a serious drawback, even though it may not represent every departure. A boat problem can shorten your time at the islands, delay lunch, and turn a relaxed outing into a tiring one. I would ask about the boat and emergency arrangements when confirming your meeting time.

The other accounts give a more reassuring picture of the company’s support. During a storm-affected trip, the guides were described as careful and alert, with safety kept in mind. Mark was also praised for answering questions before departure, helping with registration and snorkeling gear, checking in after the tour, and assisting with ferry tickets to Coron.

That practical help is valuable in El Nido, where your boat tour may connect with a larger Palawan itinerary. It suggests that the local team can be responsive when conditions are difficult, though it does not erase the need to accept some risk with an older or shared boat.

Weather can change the entire schedule

Tours in Bacuit Bay depend on weather and sea conditions. The trip can be canceled if conditions are unsafe, and one outing went ahead during stormy weather with extra attention from the guides.

You should pack sunscreen, a hat, swimwear, a camera, snacks, and water. A waterproof pouch is a sensible addition for phones and cash, although it is not specifically listed among the required items. Smoking and littering are not allowed.

Do not touch plants or marine life. This is both a tour rule and the right way to treat a delicate coastal setting. If the weather turns poor, the guide may change the order of stops or limit water activities. That can be disappointing, but safety has to come first.

Because cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance, you have some flexibility if the forecast looks poor. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Palawan plans are still shifting.

Who will enjoy this shared Tour A

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a first-day overview of El Nido’s main coastal attractions. It suits people who enjoy a mixture of boat scenery, beach time, snorkeling, and short guided visits rather than one long stay at a single beach.

The tour also fits a modest budget. The low base price, included buffet lunch, and optional equipment rentals make it easier to control costs. You can pay only for the activities you actually want.

Families and mixed groups may appreciate the variety, since not everyone needs to snorkel or kayak. One person can rest on the beach while another rents gear. Still, you should be comfortable with a shared schedule, a long day outdoors, and possible changes caused by weather.

I would hesitate to recommend it if you want silence, a private pace, or guaranteed time at each stop. I would also be cautious if a reliable, newer boat is your top priority. In that case, ask detailed questions before booking or consider a private option with clearer control over the vessel.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

Book it if you want a good-value sampler of El Nido and you are happy to trade privacy for price. Big Lagoon supplies the dramatic scenery, Shimizu provides the best stretch for lunch and reef snorkeling, Secret Lagoon adds a distinctive enclosed stop, and 7 Commando offers a relaxed beach break.

Before paying, confirm whether your departure is at 8:30 or 9:00 AM, ask how the environmental fee will be handled, and check the boat arrangements. Bring extra water, sun protection, and a waterproof bag. I would also keep a little flexibility in your schedule in case weather or boat problems affect the return.

The company’s attentive guide service and Mark’s hands-on help are encouraging signs. The mechanical trouble reported on one trip is the warning you should not ignore. For a low-cost, full-day introduction to Bacuit Bay, this tour can be worthwhile, but go in prepared for a shared experience and some uncertainty on the water.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

The meeting point is Grounded 100% Arabica Coffee, El Nido Branch.

What time should I arrive?

The supplied information gives both 8:30 AM and 9:00 AM as meeting times. Confirm the exact time with Akingventures Travel & Tours before the tour.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about seven to seven and a half hours and is expected to return around 4:30 PM.

Which places are included?

The route includes Seven Commandos Beach, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Secret Lagoon, along with other nearby areas depending on the day’s schedule.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch and one 300 ml bottle of water are included.

Is the environmental fee included?

No. The environmental fee is P400. If you paid it earlier, the receipt is valid for five days and should be presented at checking.

Is Big Lagoon included in the base price?

The visit is included, but a separate Big Lagoon entrance fee of P200 applies.

Can I rent a kayak?

Yes. Kayak rental is available for P300.

Can I rent snorkeling equipment?

Yes. Snorkeling gear costs P100, and aqua shoes are also available for P100.

Is this a private tour?

No. It is a shared group tour unless you book a private option.

What language is the tour guided in?

The live guide service is in English.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. Tours may be canceled due to weather conditions.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Can I book without paying immediately?

Yes. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying at the time of booking.