Shared El Nido Tour A

El Nido’s best-known waters come in one busy day. This $24 shared boat tour visits Secret Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, and another scenic swimming stop, with lunch, a guide, crew, boat transfers, and life vests included. I like the strong mix of snorkeling, kayaking, and swimming, and I like that the route gives you several different island settings rather than one beach and a quick ride home.

The low headline price is appealing, especially for a full day on the water. The catch is that you must add the ₱400 environmental fee, the ₱200 Big Lagoon fee, and rental charges for kayaks or snorkeling gear. I would also prepare for a shared-boat experience that may feel crowded, and for departure delays if other people arrive late.

Five useful things to know first

• Meet near the wharf: Registration takes place at Mabuhay Sports Bar, only a few minutes on foot from the El Nido wharf.
• The real cost is higher than $24: Add ₱600 in required environmental and Big Lagoon fees, plus any gear rentals and transport to the meeting point.
• Big Lagoon usually needs extra planning: Kayaks and other water equipment are not included, so budget for those if you want to paddle.
• Expect six to seven hours: Meet between 8:30 and 9:00 AM, then return to Mabuhay Sports Bar later in the day.
• Sightseeing is the main strength: The cliffs, lagoons, beaches, and water views carry this trip, while comfort depends on boat capacity and departure discipline.
• Weather can change the route: Rainy-season conditions may send the boat to alternative destinations or tour options.

What your $24 actually buys

At first glance, $24 for a full day around El Nido looks like an easy yes. You receive boat transfers, a licensed tour guide, boat crew, life vest use, and lunch. That covers the main structure of the day, so you are not paying separately for every basic service.

Still, the advertised price is not the complete budget. The environmental fee is ₱400 per person, and Tour A adds a ₱200 Big Lagoon entrance fee. Kayak hire, snorkeling equipment, and other aqua gear cost extra. You also pay your own tricycle fare if you need one to reach Mabuhay Sports Bar.

I see this as a good-value sightseeing trip, not an all-inclusive bargain. If you bring or rent only the gear you need, the price remains reasonable for a six to seven-hour island-hopping day. If you add a kayak, snorkeling equipment, transport, and other small charges, the gap between the headline rate and your final cost grows.

Lunch is included and is served at one of the island stops, listed as Shimizu Island. That matters in practical terms. You do not need to return to town at midday, and you can eat with the water and cliffs around you rather than lose time looking for food.

Starting at Mabuhay Sports Bar

Your morning begins at Mabuhay Sports Bar, near the El Nido wharf. Allow time for registration, document checks, and group assignment before boarding. The coast guard documentation process is part of the dispatch routine, so a scheduled 8:30 or 9:00 AM meeting time does not necessarily mean the boat leaves at that exact minute.

That distinction is worth taking seriously. A late departure has been recorded at one hour and 20 minutes, and another experience involved waiting for people who arrived late. If you have an airport transfer, dinner reservation, or another fixed plan after the tour, leave a generous buffer.

A copy of your ID is accepted, which makes preparation simple. Bring it anyway. The meeting point is close to the wharf, but you should not assume that every part of the morning will be quick. Shared tours depend on paperwork, boat assignment, and the arrival of the full group.

The boat is assigned after registration, and you board with the other members of your group. This is not a private charter. That keeps the price down, but it also means your comfort depends on how full the boat becomes and how smoothly the operator manages boarding.

Secret Lagoon: a compact first stop

Secret Lagoon combines guided sightseeing with swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and marine-life viewing. Its appeal is the change from open sea to a more enclosed setting, where the rock formations create a sheltered-feeling stop for exploring.

You may spend part of the visit looking around with the guide, then choose how active you want to be. Swimming is the simplest choice. Snorkeling gives you a closer look below the surface, while kayaking lets you move at a slower pace through the water if equipment is available for rent.

Because gear rentals are not included, decide before the boat leaves what you actually want to do. You do not need every option. If your priority is scenery, swimming and the guided visit may be enough. If you care most about marine life, snorkeling gear is the more useful extra.

The word lagoon can create a false idea of a quiet, private stop. This is a shared island route, and several groups may be visiting the same famous places. Enjoy Secret Lagoon for its setting and variety, but do not expect a long, solitary session.

Big Lagoon: the visual centerpiece

Big Lagoon is the stop most likely to justify the trip for scenery alone. The route includes guided sightseeing, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and views along the way. The approach is part of the experience, with tall rock walls and calm water creating the kind of scene people associate with El Nido.

You need to pay a separate ₱200 entrance fee for Big Lagoon. Kayak rental is also extra. I would treat the kayaking charge as an optional upgrade rather than a surprise expense. The lagoon is the place where paddling may feel most worthwhile, but the tour does not promise that a kayak is included in your booking.

If you want photographs, this is the stop to protect time for. Shared groups can make the visit feel rushed, especially if boarding or earlier stops run late. Keep your camera or phone protected from water, and do not let photography replace the chance to simply look around.

Big Lagoon also shows the trade-off built into a popular shared tour. The scenery is the star, but the boat may be full. One account described a boat so crowded that personal space was hard to find. That does not erase the beauty of the lagoon, but it changes the comfort level. If you need room, quiet, or control over the schedule, a private boat would likely suit you better.

Shimizu Island: lunch with a view

Shimizu Island is scheduled as a break, sightseeing stop, swimming and snorkeling location, and lunch setting. This gives the day a useful pause after the first lagoon visits. Rather than eat back in El Nido, you have a meal onboard while surrounded by the scenery.

Lunch is one of the practical strengths of the package. A day on the water is tiring, and having food included means you can focus on the route instead of arranging another purchase. The description does not specify the menu, so bring only what the operator permits and avoid assuming special dietary choices are available.

This is also a good place to decide how much activity you want for the rest of the day. You can swim or snorkel, or use the break to rest. The itinerary has several water-based stops, so pacing yourself matters.

Boarding conditions may be less graceful than the brochure-style scenery suggests. One account described having to wade or swim from the beach to reach the boat. Wear footwear and clothing that can get wet, and keep valuables away from the edge of your bag. The operator lists high heels, large luggage, glass objects, and valuables among the things not allowed, which fits the realities of a small island boat day.

Payong-Payong Beach and the final stop

Payong-Payong Beach continues the pattern of guided sightseeing, swimming, snorkeling, and a relaxed look at the coast. It is a useful contrast to the enclosed lagoons because the focus shifts back to beach time and open water.

Do not expect every stop to feel completely different. This is one day built around clear water, rock formations, beaches, and marine life. The pleasure comes from the changing settings and the steady rhythm of stopping, swimming, eating, and moving on.

The itinerary also includes a further break and sightseeing stop with swimming and snorkeling before the boat returns. The exact name of this stop is not provided, so you should think of it as a flexible final water break rather than plan around a particular landmark.

That flexibility can work in your favor during unsettled weather. During the rainy season, the operator may divert the boat to alternative destinations or tour options based on conditions and availability. You may not see every named stop, but a changed route is preferable to forcing the original plan in rough weather.

What the boat day feels like

The tour lasts about six to seven hours, including the morning meeting process, boat transfers, sightseeing, water activities, lunch, and the return to Mabuhay Sports Bar. That is enough time to feel like you had a full El Nido outing without committing to a multi-day cruise.

The main comfort question is capacity. A shared boat can be a social way to keep the price low, but a crowded boat leaves less room for bags, movement, and quiet. Communication can also suffer when the booking platform and local operator are not perfectly aligned. One recorded experience described poor communication and a very late departure.

Smoking is another practical concern. The boat is described as non-smoking, yet one experience reported that crew members smoked and the smell spread through the boat. If smoke is a serious health concern for you, ask for clarification before booking rather than assuming the rule will always be enforced.

The tour is offered with an English-speaking live guide. The guide and boat crew handle the route, safety basics, and boarding process, while you choose how much swimming, snorkeling, or kayaking you want to do. Life vests are provided, but that does not remove the need to follow crew instructions around water and boat transfers.

What to pack, and what to leave behind

Bring an ID or a copy, swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and a waterproof way to carry your phone. These items are not all listed as formal requirements, but they fit the scheduled activities and the possibility of getting wet while boarding.

Avoid bringing large bags. Luggage, high-heeled shoes, weapons, sharp objects, glass, bikes, surfboards, scooters, skates, and several types of mobility equipment are not allowed. Alcohol and drugs are prohibited, and the rules also prohibit plastic bottles, littering, and making fires.

The plastic-bottle rule deserves attention. Use a reusable container only if the operator accepts it, or ask ahead about the permitted way to carry drinking water. Do not arrive with a bag full of disposable bottles and expect to take them aboard.

Keep valuables to a minimum. A boat, beaches, swimming, and wet boarding are a poor combination for expensive watches, loose jewelry, and unprotected electronics. The operator specifically lists valuables among the items not allowed.

This tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, visually impaired people, people prone to seasickness, people with pre-existing medical conditions, or anyone over 95. Unaccompanied minors are not permitted. Those rules are not minor footnotes. Getting on and off the boat and moving through beach areas can be physically demanding.

Who will get the most from Tour A

I would choose this tour if you want a broad first look at El Nido at a low starting price. It gives you five named destinations, several chances to swim or snorkel, lunch, and a guide without requiring you to arrange each piece yourself.

It fits active visitors who are comfortable with a shared boat, changing boarding conditions, and a day organized around water. It is also a sensible choice if your main goal is scenery and you do not need a private schedule.

I would hesitate if you dislike crowds, need firm departure times, or are sensitive to smoke. The late departure problem and reports of a packed boat are the two clearest warnings. A private arrangement may offer more control, but this product is priced for a shared experience, not personal space.

The included lunch and life vest are useful, but snorkeling gear and kayaks cost extra. You should decide if the add-ons matter before booking, then compare the final total with other Tour A options in El Nido.

Should you book Shared El Nido Tour A?

Book it if you want the classic El Nido route, can handle a six to seven-hour shared outing, and are willing to pay the extra ₱600 in environmental and Big Lagoon fees. The scenery is the strongest reason to go, and the combination of Secret Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, and a final water stop gives you plenty to see.

Skip it if a crowded boat, possible delay, or unclear smoking enforcement would spoil your day. Before paying, confirm the meeting time, expected boat arrangements, gear costs, and the weather policy. At $24, it is attractive value for a flexible visitor. It is less suitable for anyone who needs punctuality, quiet, or easy access.

FAQ

How much does Shared El Nido Tour A cost?

The listed price is $24 per person. You must also pay a ₱400 environmental fee and a ₱200 Big Lagoon entrance fee. Kayaks, snorkeling equipment, other aqua gear, and transport to the meeting point are extra.

How long does the tour last?

The tour typically lasts six to seven hours, including the island visits, activities, lunch, and return to Mabuhay Sports Bar.

What time is the meeting?

The meeting time is between 8:30 AM and 9:00 AM. Registration and documentation take place before boarding.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at Mabuhay Sports Bar, located a few minutes on foot from the El Nido wharf area.

Which places does the tour visit?

The planned route includes Secret Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, and another break and sightseeing stop before returning to Mabuhay Sports Bar.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and is served onboard at one of the island stops, listed as Shimizu Island.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment rental is not included. Kayak rental and other aqua gear are also extra.

Is an English-speaking guide provided?

Yes. The activity includes a live English-speaking tour guide, along with boat crew and boat transfers.

Can the route change during rainy weather?

Yes. During the rainy season, the tour may be diverted to alternative destinations or tour options depending on weather conditions and availability.