Seacret Luxury Catamaran Yacht Group Island Hopping Tour

The sailing may be the real highlight. The Seacret is a 50-foot catamaran that turns El Nido’s famous island hopping into a more comfortable, social day on the water. I like the private beach access and the well-planned crew service praised in the feedback. I also like that lunch, towels, life jackets, and the environmental fee are included. The main drawback is the price: at $155 per person, this costs far more than a basic island-hopping boat.

You get about seven hours, usually from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with a maximum of 30 people. The route changes by day, and weather or low bookings can affect departure. You should also expect a brisk schedule, with roughly 30 minutes at each listed stop.

Key points to know before booking

• The catamaran is the attraction: The 50-foot Seacret gives you a sailing-focused day rather than a simple transfer between beaches.
• A private beach is built into the experience: Star Beach, also called Pasandigan, is exclusive to El Nido Yachting Club customers.
• The route changes by weekday: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday generally include Big Lagoon, Hidden Beach, and Seven Commando, while the other schedule features Cadlao Lagoon, Helicopter Island, and Small Lagoon.
• You visit three or four places: Department of Tourism rules limit the number of island stops, and Star Beach is usually part of the plan.
• The price covers useful extras: Lunch, a guide, towels, life jackets, and the environmental fee are included.
• The day needs six people to operate: If the minimum is not reached, the operator offers another date or a full refund.

Why this catamaran costs more than a basic island tour

El Nido’s standard boat trips can be a good bargain, but the Seacret aims at a different kind of day. You are paying for the boat itself, the smaller maximum group of 30, access to a private beach, and a more polished setup.

The strongest praise focuses on the crew. The service is described as smooth, thoughtful, and well organized, with the sailing experience receiving as much attention as the destinations. That matters in El Nido, where a long day on the water can feel tiring if the boat is cramped or the schedule is poorly managed.

At $155, I would not book this simply to collect the most beaches. The regular public routes may offer more stops for less money. I would choose Seacret if you care about comfort, boat quality, and a calmer private-beach stop.

Lunch is included, as are towels and life jackets. Alcoholic drinks are not included, so budget separately if you want them. Kayak rental is also optional and costs extra. An air-conditioned vehicle is not part of the package, though the listed meeting and ending point is at the pier.

Starting at Corong Corong Pier

The tour starts at 9:00 a.m. and ends back at the meeting point after roughly seven hours. The meeting information names Corong Corong Pier in El Nido, while the general tour details also refer to the El Nido Yachting Club town office. Confirm the exact check-in point when you book, especially if you are staying outside central El Nido.

The tour uses a mobile ticket, and confirmation is provided at booking. The meeting area is near public transportation, which helps if you are arranging your own way there.

The minimum number is six people. That rule is important for a premium outing, particularly if you are booking early or traveling during a quieter period. If the minimum is not met, the company offers a different date or experience, or a full refund.

You should also keep the weather in mind. This is an open-water activity, so poor conditions can cancel the trip. In that case, you receive the choice of another date or a full refund.

Big Lagoon: dramatic cliffs and a short water stop

On the Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday schedule, Big Lagoon is usually the first major stop. Tall limestone cliffs frame the entrance, creating the classic El Nido scene you probably came to see.

The listed stop lasts about 30 minutes. That gives you time to swim and, if available and arranged, use a kayak, but it is not a leisurely half-day visit. Kayak rental is optional, so do not assume it is part of the included package.

The appeal here is visual. The narrow entrance and steep rock walls make the lagoon feel enclosed and grand at the same time. The drawback is simple: 30 minutes passes quickly. If you want long, unhurried time on the water, the schedule may feel tight.

Bring your attention to the route rather than trying to force too much into the stop. Swimming, looking up at the cliffs, and taking in the calm water may be a better use of the time than trying to do every possible activity.

Star Beach: the value of a private island stop

Star Beach, also called Pasandigan, is one of the clearest reasons to choose this tour over a standard public boat. It is a private beach reserved for El Nido Yachting Club customers.

The setting combines fine white sand, unusual rock formations, and coral reefs. The natural shape of the beach gives it a more secluded feel than a famous public stop, though you should not expect complete solitude with a group tour.

This stop is also scheduled for about 30 minutes. That is enough for a swim, a little time on the sand, and a quick look at the reef area. It is not enough for a slow beach afternoon.

I like the private access because it changes the rhythm of the day. You are not only moving from one well-known attraction to the next. You get a place connected directly to the operator, and that can make the higher price feel more reasonable.

Still, consider what you value. If you mainly want long swims or extended time on a beach, 30 minutes may leave you wanting more. If you appreciate a planned stop with fewer crowds than the best-known public beaches, this is a strong feature.

Hidden Beach: a natural pool behind the rocks

Hidden Beach is described as a natural infinity pool surrounded by dramatic limestone formations. The name tells you what makes it special: the beach and swimming area are tucked behind the rock formations rather than spread openly along the coast.

The stop lasts about 30 minutes. Clear water and unusual rock shapes provide the main experience, so this is a place for a swim and a close look at the setting rather than a long shore break.

The word hidden can create the wrong expectation. This is a recognized El Nido attraction, not a secret place known only to a few people. Its appeal comes from the shape of the cove and the way the rocks frame the water.

Because the visit is short, keep your gear simple. Towels and life jackets are provided, which removes two useful items from your packing list. You will still want to be ready to move efficiently between the boat and the water.

Seven Commando Beach: an easy final taste of island life

Seven Commando Beach is a well-known El Nido stop with white sand and coconut trees. It is the most straightforward beach visit on the main schedule, making it a good place to slow down after the lagoon and rock formations.

The beach is suited to swimming, relaxing, and enjoying the familiar island scenery. At around 30 minutes, you have enough time to sit on the sand or cool off, but not enough for a long beach walk.

Its popularity is also its limitation. Seven Commando is not presented as a private stop, so the atmosphere may feel less exclusive than Star Beach. I would treat it as a pleasant beach pause rather than the main reason to pay for this tour.

The route works well as a sequence: Big Lagoon brings the cliffs, Star Beach offers private access, Hidden Beach adds a tucked-away swimming setting, and Seven Commando finishes with simple sand-and-palms scenery.

The alternate route: Cadlao Lagoon and Small Lagoon

The tour does not use the same route every day. On Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, the planned stops generally include Cadlao Lagoon, Helicopter Island, Star Beach, and Small Lagoon.

Cadlao Lagoon gives you another lagoon setting, while Small Lagoon offers a second chance to see the limestone-and-water environments that make El Nido famous. Helicopter Island adds a different kind of stop, with its own beach and marine setting. The supplied details do not provide exact stop lengths or activities for each of these alternate locations, so you should confirm the final route for your date.

The important point is that you cannot select every major El Nido attraction in one outing. The Department of Tourism limits the number of stops to three or four, and the operator normally includes its private beach within that allowance.

That limit may disappoint you if you want a checklist-style day. It can also make the tour more manageable. A smaller number of stops gives the crew room to organize lunch, swimming, safety equipment, and movement between locations without turning the day into a race.

Lunch, equipment, and the crew’s role

Lunch is included, but the supplied details do not specify the menu. That means you should not book this expecting a particular dish or a special dietary arrangement unless the company confirms it directly.

The guide is described as personalized, and the crew receives especially strong praise for careful organization and service. That is not a small detail. On a boat tour, the crew controls the timing, safety reminders, equipment handoff, and transitions between stops. Good service can make a packed schedule feel easy. Poor service can make the same schedule feel rushed.

Towels and life jackets are included. Alcoholic drinks are not, and kayak rental is optional. Since the day involves swimming and beach stops, wear something suitable for getting wet and keep your personal items limited. The operator supplies the main water-safety equipment, but the details do not state whether snorkel gear is included, so ask before relying on it.

The maximum group size is 30. That is not a private charter, but it is a defined cap that helps you understand the scale of the outing. The experience is social by design, with the chance to meet people on board, rather than a quiet yacht rental for only your own party.

Is the $155 price fair?

For a basic boat ride, no. For a more polished catamaran day with lunch and private-beach access, the price can make sense.

The value comes from several pieces working together:

• A seven-hour outing
• The Seacret 50-foot catamaran
• A personalized guide
• Lunch
• Towels and life jackets
• Environmental fee
• Access to Star Beach
• A maximum group size of 30

You are also paying for the crew’s organization. The strongest praise centers on how smoothly the day is handled and how the sailing itself becomes part of the experience. That is useful if you want a special day on the water rather than the lowest possible fare.

I would compare the price with your whole El Nido budget. If $155 would force you to cut other important activities, a standard island tour may be wiser. If this is your main splurge in Palawan, Seacret offers enough included value to justify consideration.

The environmental fee is already covered, which makes the upfront cost easier to understand. You will still need to account for optional kayaking, alcohol, and your own transport arrangements if needed.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it most strongly for couples, friends, and solo visitors who want a social boat day with a more comfortable feel. It also suits anyone who sees the catamaran ride as part of the attraction, not merely as transportation.

It is a good choice if you value:

• A planned seven-hour outing
• A private beach stop
• Lunch and basic equipment included
• A crew-focused service experience
• Several major El Nido scenery types in one day
• A group that is capped at 30 people

I would hesitate if you want complete privacy, long stays at each beach, or the cheapest island-hopping option. The 30-minute stops are efficient, but they leave little room for lingering.

The tour also requires a minimum of six people and depends on good weather. Build some flexibility into your Palawan plans, especially if you have a tight onward schedule.

Cancellation and practical booking advice

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the 9:00 a.m. start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

The local time in Palawan controls the cutoff. If bad weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same choice applies if the minimum number of six people is not reached.

Before paying, confirm three details: the exact meeting point, the route used on your chosen day, and whether any special meal or snorkeling equipment request can be arranged. Those questions matter because the general information refers both to the town office and Corong Corong Pier, and the route changes during the week.

Should you book the Seacret catamaran?

Book it if you want El Nido’s scenery with a stronger focus on the boat, crew service, included lunch, and private-beach access. The price is high, but the package gives you more than a simple ride between public beaches.

Skip it if your priority is maximum time at each stop or the lowest island-hopping cost. For the right kind of holiday, though, the Seacret offers a polished seven-hour outing with memorable lagoons, limestone cliffs, and a useful private stop at Star Beach.

FAQ

How long does the Seacret catamaran tour last?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours, generally from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Where does the tour start?

The listed meeting point is Corong Corong Pier in El Nido, Palawan. The tour information also refers to the El Nido Yachting Club town office, so confirm the exact check-in location after booking.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends back at the meeting point.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $155 per person.

What is included in the price?

Lunch, a personalized tour guide, access to the El Nido Yachting Club private beach, towels, life jackets, and the environmental fee are included.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

Is kayak rental included?

No. Kayak rental is optional and is not included in the listed price.

Which islands and lagoons are visited?

The Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday route generally includes Big Lagoon, Star Beach or Pasandigan, Hidden Beach, and Seven Commando. The Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday route generally includes Cadlao Lagoon, Helicopter Island, Star Beach, and Small Lagoon.

How many places will I visit?

You can visit three to four islands or locations, based on Department of Tourism restrictions. Star Beach is usually part of the route.

What happens if the tour is canceled?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. If fewer than six people book and the minimum is not met, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.