Private El Nido Tour A Island Hopping

The best of El Nido comes by boat. This private Tour A gives you a flexible day among Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Seven Commando Beach, and Payong-Payong Beach, with a guide and boat crew focused only on your group. I like the private format because it gives you a better chance to adjust your timing, and I like that lunch, life vests, a first aid kit, and an ice box are included.

The main drawback is the package information. The price is listed for up to eight people, while the tour description says up to ten, and snorkeling equipment is both described as included and excluded in different sections. Hotel pickup is also not included, so you must reach Dayo Cafe in El Nido on your own.

The small number of published ratings is perfect, with four five-star scores. Vanessa and Eva of Natural Arts Travel and Tours, along with the boat crew, receive special praise for being friendly, helpful, and willing to take photos. That personal service matters on a long day around the water, but you should still confirm the group limit and equipment details before paying.

Key points to know before booking

• Five major stops in one day: The route includes Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Seven Commando Beach, and Payong-Payong Beach.
• Private boat, private group: Only your party takes part, giving you more control than a standard shared excursion.
• Six to eight hours on the water: Each listed stop allows about 30 minutes, though the full day includes boat travel between locations.
• Price works best for a full group: At $940.28 per group, the cost is easier to justify when divided among several people.
• Meet at Dayo Cafe: Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point.
• Clarify snorkeling gear and capacity: The details conflict on both points, so ask Natural Arts Travel and Tours before departure.

Why Tour A is such a popular El Nido route

El Nido’s Tour A is built around the area’s most recognizable sights. You get pale beaches, limestone formations, enclosed lagoons, and clear water in a single outing. It is not a quiet, remote expedition. These are famous places, and that fame can bring other boats, especially during busy periods.

The private setup helps, but it does not guarantee solitude. The boat still visits the same major attractions as other Tour A excursions. Its advantage is control. You may have a better chance of reaching a stop before the largest cluster of boats, and your group can spend the day together without sharing space with strangers.

The package lasts about six to eight hours. The schedule lists roughly 30 minutes at each of five stops, leaving several hours for boat travel, boarding, swimming, sightseeing, and lunch. That makes this a full half-day to nearly full-day activity, not a quick ride around the bay.

I would choose this format for families, couples traveling with friends, or a group celebrating something. A private boat can also help if your group has different comfort levels in the water. You can focus on the places that matter most to you instead of following the pace of a large shared group.

Starting at Dayo Cafe in El Nido

The meeting point is Dayo Cafe on Serena Street in El Nido. The activity begins and ends there, so you need to arrange your own way to the meeting point. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, despite the tour description referring to transfers in its general overview.

That distinction is important. If you are staying outside central El Nido, allow extra time and confirm how you will reach the cafe. The meeting point is near public transportation, and confirmation is provided when you book.

The boat is motorized and private for your party. A licensed tour guide accompanies you, and the boat has life vests, a first aid kit, and an ice box. Those practical details are reassuring, especially when you are spending most of the day away from shore.

The package price is $940.28 per group. The pricing information says the group can include up to eight people, while another description says up to ten. I would treat eight as the safe limit unless the operator confirms otherwise in writing.

Big Lagoon: the grand opening scene

Big Lagoon is the visual centerpiece of the route. You approach a narrow opening in the limestone, then enter an enclosed body of water surrounded by tall rock walls. The scale is impressive, and it gives you the classic El Nido scene many people picture before arriving.

The scheduled visit is 30 minutes, with admission included. That is enough for a look around and time to take photographs, but it is not a leisurely stay. The private boat may help you arrive at a useful time, yet other boats can still be present because Big Lagoon is one of El Nido’s most famous stops.

Pay attention to the transition from open sea to sheltered water. The entrance itself is part of the attraction. Inside, the rock walls frame the water in every direction, making this a good place to pause rather than rush from one photo to the next.

If your group values photography, this may be the stop where you want the most help from the guide and crew. One of the strongest service details attached to this tour is the crew’s willingness to capture photos for the group. That saves you from choosing between enjoying the view and trying to photograph everyone.

Secret Lagoon and its small-scale drama

Secret Lagoon offers a different experience from Big Lagoon. Big Lagoon feels broad and open once you enter it. Secret Lagoon is more about finding your way into a concealed space in the rock.

The listed visit lasts 30 minutes, and admission is included. You should expect the stop to feel more compact and focused. It is a place for looking closely at the rock formations and enjoying the sense of entering a separate pocket of the coast.

The name suggests solitude, but do not read too much into it. A famous attraction is rarely entirely secret during a busy boating day. The private tour gives your guide more flexibility, not exclusive rights to the lagoon.

This is also a stop where a little patience helps. Access and movement can be affected by conditions on the day, and the schedule may need to adjust. The tour requires good weather, so poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund rather than a forced trip.

Shimizu Island for beach time and snorkeling

Shimizu Island brings the classic white sand and clear-water setting. The stop is scheduled for 30 minutes, with admission included. It is a natural place for a swim, a short rest, and snorkeling if equipment is available for your group.

Here, the equipment wording needs attention. The overview says snorkel gear is included, while the detailed exclusions say use of snorkeling equipment is not included. Kayak use is also specifically excluded. Ask the operator exactly what is supplied before you arrive, and do not assume that masks, fins, or a kayak are part of the fee.

The boat carries life vests, but a life vest is not the same as snorkeling equipment. That matters if swimming is one of your main reasons for booking. The guide can help explain the conditions and the best use of your time, but the published information does not promise a particular reef, fish sighting, or snorkeling duration.

Shimizu Island is also a good lunch setting. Lunch is included, and the boat carries an ice box. The materials do not specify the menu, so ask about food needs before the trip if anyone in your group has restrictions.

Seven Commando Beach for a relaxed finish

Seven Commando Beach is the route’s easygoing beach stop. Its white sand offers a change from the enclosed lagoons and rocky passages. After several boat rides and short visits, you may appreciate having a place that feels open and simple.

The scheduled time is 30 minutes. That is enough to walk a little, take photographs, and enjoy the shoreline, but it may feel brief if you prefer a long beach break. The private format gives you a better chance of discussing the timing with your guide, though the day still has five planned stops.

This beach is a good fit for groups with mixed interests. Someone can enjoy the sand while another person takes photos or looks out across the water. Just keep an eye on the clock. With five stops packed into six to eight hours, the tour favors variety over long, lazy stays.

Payong-Payong Beach and the umbrella rock

Payong-Payong Beach is known for its umbrella-shaped rock formation. The unusual profile gives the stop a clear visual identity, and it adds another type of scenery to a route already filled with lagoons and beaches.

The visit is scheduled for about 30 minutes. You can expect time for photos and a short look around rather than a full beach afternoon. The stop works well as part of the larger route because it offers a final change of scene before returning to El Nido.

The attraction here is the combination of rock and water. Look for the umbrella-like formation as you approach, then use the short stop to appreciate how the limestone shapes the coast. If your group enjoys taking pictures, this is another point where the crew’s willingness to help with photos can be useful.

What the private format really changes

A private tour does not mean every stop will be empty. It means the boat belongs to your group for the day, and the guide does not need to balance your wishes against a boatload of unrelated people.

That can make the day feel less hurried. You can ask questions, coordinate photos, and discuss the order or length of stops. The tour description specifically presents the private format as a way to get ahead of group boats and reduce the worst of the crowds. Think of that as a good possibility, not a guarantee.

The service team is another reason to consider this option. Vanessa and Eva are named as part of Natural Arts Travel and Tours, and the boat crew is praised for being friendly, well informed about the islands, and willing to take photos. I would value that on a route with several stops, since a good guide can make boarding, timing, and directions easier.

The tradeoff is cost. A $940.28 group price is high for a single half-day outing if only one or two people are paying. Split among eight people, it works out to about $117.54 per person. At ten people, if the operator permits that group size, it would be about $94.03 each. The actual value depends on the confirmed capacity and what snorkeling equipment is supplied.

Lunch, safety equipment, and what you must arrange

Lunch is included, which simplifies the day. You do not need to plan a separate restaurant stop while moving between islands, and the ice box helps keep supplies cold. The menu is not specified, so contact the operator in advance about dietary requirements.

The boat includes life vests and a first aid kit. These are basic items, but they matter on a water-based excursion that keeps you away from shore for much of the day. A licensed guide is also included.

You must arrange airfare and accommodation yourself. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Snorkeling equipment and kayaks are listed as exclusions, even though the general description says snorkel gear comes with the package. This is the clearest point to settle before booking.

The tour requires suitable weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. For a full refund when you cancel for your own reasons, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted.

Who should book this El Nido boat tour?

I would recommend it to a group that wants the classic El Nido route without sharing a boat with strangers. It makes the most sense for eight people, or for a smaller group that places a high value on privacy and schedule control.

It is also a good choice for people who want a guide and crew rather than handling the day independently. The guide, life vests, first aid kit, lunch, and boat are all useful parts of the package.

I would hesitate if your main goal is a slow beach day. Five stops, each set at about 30 minutes, create a busy schedule. I would also hesitate until the operator confirms the snorkeling gear, because that could change the value for anyone who has planned the day around swimming.

The tour suits most participants, and the operator states that most people can take part. Still, you should consider your group’s comfort with boat travel, swimming, and climbing around island access points before reserving.

Should you book Private El Nido Tour A?

Book it if you have a sizeable group and want El Nido’s signature sights with your own guide and boat. Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Seven Commando Beach, and Payong-Payong Beach give you a broad sample of the area in six to eight hours.

The strongest reasons to choose it are privacy, flexible timing, included lunch, and the praised service from Vanessa, Eva, and the boat crew. The biggest reasons to pause are the high total price, the lack of hotel transfers, the short 30-minute visits, and conflicting details about group size and snorkeling equipment.

Before you pay, confirm three things: the maximum number of people, if snorkel gear is included, and exactly what lunch provides. If those answers fit your plans, this is a polished way to see El Nido’s famous island route without giving up the comfort of a private group.

FAQ

How long does Private El Nido Tour A last?

The tour lasts approximately six to eight hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price information lists a group of up to eight people. Another description says the tour can serve up to ten, so confirm the permitted group size with Natural Arts Travel and Tours before booking.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Dayo Cafe El Nido at 59JQ+4G8, Serena Street, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at Dayo Cafe.

Are hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. Hotel tour pickup and drop-off are listed as not included.

Which places does the tour visit?

The route includes Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Seven Commando Beach, and Payong-Payong Beach.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, and the boat also has an ice box.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.