El Nido Tour A – Group w/ Buffet Lunch

El Nido’s finest scenery arrives by boat. This shared island-hopping day combines Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon with beach time, snorkeling, kayaking, and a buffet lunch for $44.95 per person. I especially like the strong mix of limestone cliffs and clear water, plus the friendly crew members, including guides such as Albert, Ramon, and Willy. The main catch is the group format: with up to 50 people, queues, boarding delays, and crowded beaches can take some shine off the day.

I also like that the crew pays close attention to safety and often helps people in and out of the boat. The environmental fee is valid for 14 days, which can save money if you take another eligible island tour during that period. You should, however, expect to pay extra for a kayak, mask, snorkel, drinks, and possibly transport outside El Nido Town.

Key points to know before you book

• Big Lagoon is the headline stop: Its narrow blue waterway and dark limestone walls create the most dramatic scenery of the day.
• The full route takes about seven to eight hours: Five scheduled stops give you a broad taste of El Nido rather than a slow, private outing.
• The group can reach 50 people: This keeps the price low, but queues and crowded landing areas are part of the deal.
• Kayaking costs P400 per kayak: One kayak is suitable for two people, and it is especially useful at Big Lagoon.
• Lunch is included, but the setting may vary: The tour describes lunch on the beach, while some departures have served it on the boat.
• Bring water shoes and a waterproof bag: You may need to walk through the sea to board or reach shore, and some rocky entries are awkward.

Why Tour A is El Nido’s classic first boat day

Tour A works because it gathers several of El Nido’s most recognizable sights into one long outing. You get the grand scale of Big Lagoon, the small-cave surprise of Secret Lagoon, two white-sand beaches, and a lunch stop with time for swimming or snorkeling.

For $44.95, that is a lot of scenery. The price covers lunch, free pickup within El Nido Town, the environmental fee of P400 per person for 14 days, and the lagoon entrance charge listed as P200 per person. The exact handling of the lagoon fee is worth confirming when you book, since the itinerary also marks Big Lagoon admission as not included.

This is not a quiet sailing trip. It is a public boat excursion with a maximum group size of 50. That number matters most at the landing points, where several boats may arrive together and everyone may need to board through shallow water.

Still, the low cost makes sense for many people. A private boat gives you more control over timing and fewer queues, but Tour A lets you see the essential sights without paying private-tour prices.

Big Lagoon: the best scenery comes first

Big Lagoon is the visual centerpiece. The boat enters a narrow waterway framed by towering, dark limestone cliffs, with striking blue water below. The walls make the lagoon feel enclosed and grand at the same time.

You have about 90 minutes here. Kayaking is an optional extra at P400 per kayak for two people, and this is the stop where the cost makes the most sense. Paddling gives you a slower view of the cliff walls and lets you move beyond the main boat area at your own pace.

The water is the star, but the arrival can be busy. Several boats may be waiting, and the entrance fee situation should be clear before departure. If you want photos without a crowd of boats behind you, listen closely to the guide when the group is asked to move or regroup.

A waterproof bag is useful here. You may be transferred from the boat in shallow water, and your phone will be safer in a dry bag than in an ordinary backpack. Water shoes also help, especially if the shore or boat ladder is slippery.

Shimizu Island: lunch, limestone views, and snorkeling

Shimizu Island is scheduled for another 90 minutes and serves as the main meal stop. The tour advertises a buffet lunch on the beach, with local food and a good range of dishes described positively by several people who took the trip.

There is one practical wrinkle. Some departures have served lunch on the boat rather than on the sand. That may depend on the day, the boat, or the landing conditions, so do not book this expecting a guaranteed beach picnic.

The island is also a good place to relax if you do not want to kayak. The scenery is attractive from shore, and snorkeling is offered in the area, with turtles mentioned as one possible sight. Bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them, or plan on paying P100 per set.

Drinks are not included. Bring money for water or soda, and do not assume the buffet includes beverages. If you have dietary needs, the available information does not specify special meal arrangements, so ask before departure.

Payong-Payong Beach: beautiful, but not always easy

Payong-Payong Beach has pale sand, clear water, and steep limestone cliffs. It is an appealing place for a swim and a good counterpoint to the enclosed lagoons.

The scheduled stop is 90 minutes, but access can be the difficult part. One account describes a long walk through the water over large rocks before reaching the beach. That can be uncomfortable for anyone with poor balance, limited mobility, or unsuitable footwear.

The landing process may also involve waiting for the boat to find a workable position. The crew has been praised for helping older people and those who need assistance, but you should still be ready for wet feet and an uneven route.

I would wear water shoes instead of flip-flops. Keep cameras and phones in a waterproof bag, especially if you expect to wade from the boat. The beach itself is lovely, but the route onto it is not always gentle.

Secret Lagoon: a small entrance with a large queue

Secret Lagoon is reached through a small cave, which is the fun of the stop. You pass through a cramped opening and find a concealed pool surrounded by limestone.

The setting is memorable, but the entrance can become a bottleneck. At busy times, you may wait your turn outside or inside the cave, and the walk through shallow water can be awkward. If you dislike tight spaces or slippery footing, this is the stop to approach slowly.

The lagoon is listed as a 90-minute visit, though that does not mean all of that time is spent inside the pool. Some of the period includes boat landing, queuing, walking, and regrouping.

The crew may adjust the order of the stops to avoid the worst congestion. That flexibility is useful, but it also means your day may not follow the listed sequence exactly. I would treat the schedule as a guide, not a promise that Big Lagoon always comes first or Secret Lagoon always comes last.

Seven Commando Beach: palms, sand, and the busiest finish

Seven Commando Beach offers the classic tropical picture: white sand, turquoise water, palm trees, rock formations, and a beach bar. It is an easy place to understand the appeal of El Nido.

It is also the stop most likely to test your patience. With many boats arriving, loading and unloading can be slow, and the beach may feel crowded rather than peaceful. One assessment found the final stop unnecessary because of the congestion.

The beach bar gives you a chance to buy a drink, but drinks are not part of the tour price. If you have already spent the day swimming and waiting in the sun, this stop may feel like a pleasant final break. If you prefer a quieter day, it may feel like time that could have been used at Big Lagoon.

Lunch and the real value of the $44.95 price

The $44.95 price is good for a full-day group outing, especially because it includes lunch, town pickup, and the environmental fee. You also receive access to several of El Nido’s best-known natural sights in one booking.

The value falls if you add every extra. Kayaking costs P400 per kayak for two people. A mask and snorkel set costs P100, drinks cost extra, and pickup outside El Nido Town carries an additional charge.

Lunch quality can vary by departure. Some people have found the local buffet tasty and varied, while one very poor account described a small and disappointing meal. I would keep expectations practical: this is a group boat lunch, not a restaurant meal.

The environmental fee is especially useful for anyone planning another eligible tour within 14 days. Since it remains valid for that period, keep your receipt or confirmation if the operator provides one.

The group size changes the pace

A maximum of 50 people is the most important logistical fact here. A large boat may feel comfortable while moving between islands, but each stop becomes more complicated when everyone needs to get off, collect equipment, eat, swim, and return aboard.

Expect lines at the most famous sites. Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon draw heavy demand, and the beaches can have several boats in the same area. A day that starts around 9:00 a.m. may run about seven to eight hours, with one departure returning around 4:45 p.m.

The crew may change the stop order to reduce waiting. That is a helpful habit, and guides such as Albert, Ramon, and Willy have been praised for being friendly, careful, and attentive to safety.

Boat handling is not perfect every time. One person felt the driver needed more practice when parking at stops. That does not define the whole outing, but it explains why boarding can sometimes feel slow or awkward.

Safety, boarding, and comfort

The strongest praise goes to the crew’s attitude. They have helped elderly parents in and out of the boat, offered assistance to people who could not take part in every activity, and kept safety near the front of the day.

You should still prepare for a wet boarding process. Some departures require you to walk through the sea to reach the boat or a beach, and the distance may be longer if your boat arrives behind others.

Bring:

• Water shoes with a secure fit
• A waterproof phone pouch or dry bag
• Sun protection
• Extra cash for drinks and equipment
• A swimsuit or clothing that can get wet
• Your own snorkeling gear if you prefer not to rent

The activity is described as suitable for most people, and service animals are allowed. Near public transportation, it is also reasonably practical for people staying in El Nido Town. Still, the rocky entries and sea wading mean that anyone with balance or mobility concerns should speak with the operator before booking.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would choose Tour A if you want the major El Nido sights at a reasonable price and you are comfortable sharing the day with a large group. It suits first-time visitors who want one efficient introduction to the islands.

It is also a good choice for families and mixed-age groups when the crew’s assistance matters. People who do not want to kayak or snorkel can still enjoy the views, beaches, and boat ride.

I would hesitate if your main goal is peace and quiet. A private tour costs more, but it can reduce waiting and give you more control over where you spend your time. The group tour is also a poor fit if you dislike wading through water, walking over rocks, or negotiating crowded landing points.

Booking, cancellation, and weather details

Pickup is free within El Nido Town. If you are staying outside town, an extra charge may apply, so confirm the amount before paying.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. The tour also depends on good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.

The listed start time is 9:00 a.m. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the boat can carry up to 50 people. Since the day may involve shallow-water transfers, arrive ready to get wet rather than dressed for a dry coach excursion.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

Book it if you want Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, and Seven Commando Beach in one affordable day. The scenery is exceptional, lunch is included, and the crew’s friendly help and safety focus add real value.

Skip it in favor of a private boat if you have a flexible budget and strongly dislike crowds, queues, or fixed schedules. For everyone else, Tour A is a sensible first taste of El Nido, as long as you bring water shoes, protect your electronics, and accept that the most famous places will not be empty.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour A last?

The tour lasts approximately seven to eight hours. The listed start time is 9:00 a.m., and one departure described in the supplied details returned to El Nido at about 4:45 p.m.

What places does Tour A visit?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and is described as a buffet served on the beach. Some departures have served lunch on the boat instead, so the exact setting can vary.

Is hotel pickup included?

Free pickup is offered within El Nido Town. Pickup outside El Nido Town may cost extra.

Is kayaking included in the price?

No. Kayaking costs P400 per kayak, and one kayak is suitable for two people.

Can I rent snorkeling equipment?

Yes. A mask and snorkel set costs P100. Drinks such as water or soda are not included.

Is the environmental fee included?

The tour information lists an environmental fee of P400 per person, valid for 14 days, among the included items. The lagoon entrance is listed as P200 per person, though the details also indicate that Big Lagoon admission may not be included, so confirm this point at booking.

How many people can join the group?

The maximum group size is 50 people.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund. If bad weather cancels the tour, you can receive a full refund or select another date.