El Nido: Island Hopping Tour A Lagoons and Beaches

Paradise comes with a crowd. El Nido Tour A packs an impressive day into about eight hours, taking you across Bacuit Bay to the Secret Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Seven Commandos Beach, and a snorkeling site. I especially like the Big Lagoon kayak option and the crew’s hands-on help, including taking photos and assisting swimmers who need extra support.

The included buffet lunch is another strong point. Several guides, including Buddy, Dexter, John, Jordan, Jojo, and Nathan, have earned praise for being cheerful and attentive. The catch is that this is El Nido’s most popular route, so famous stops can get busy, and the Big Lagoon has an extra fee and limited entry.

Key points to know before booking

• Big Lagoon is the star of the day: Kayaking through the towering rock walls is the most memorable activity for many visitors.
• Four stops keep the day varied: You get a mix of lagoon scenery, beach time, swimming, snorkeling, and lunch.
• Lunch is better than expected: The buffet includes meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, and other dishes, with several people praising its quantity and taste.
• Crowds are part of the bargain: Late departures or delays can mean arriving at the Big Lagoon when it is full of boats and kayaks.
• Extra costs add up: Bring cash for the PHP 400 environmental fee, the PHP 200 Big Lagoon entry fee, and kayak or equipment rental.
• The crew can make a real difference: Staff often help with boarding, swimming, kayaking, safety, and phone photos.

Why Tour A is El Nido’s classic island day

Tour A works because it gives you several versions of El Nido in one outing. The sharp limestone cliffs and calm blue water provide the big scenery, but the day is not only about looking at the view. You can swim, snorkel, paddle, eat on the boat or at a beach stop, and spend time on soft white sand.

At $23 per person, the base price is unusually good value for an eight-hour boat trip with a guide, life vest, lunch, and several stops. You do need to budget beyond that headline price. The El Nido Tourism Development Fee costs PHP 400, Big Lagoon entry costs PHP 200, and kayaks, fins, and aqua shoes are rented separately.

That still makes the tour affordable, especially compared with arranging a private boat and paying for food, staff, and permits on your own. A private group costs more, but it can be worthwhile if you want a quieter pace or are traveling as a couple or small group.

The main tradeoff is popularity. Tour A is famous for a reason, so you should expect other boats at the same beaches and lagoons. If you want empty sand and complete silence, this is not the right day. If you want to see El Nido’s headline sights without spending much, it is a strong choice.

Starting across Bacuit Bay

Your day begins at a meeting point that depends on the option you book. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so check the meeting instructions carefully and allow time to reach the beach or departure point.

The route runs on a traditional island-hopping boat across Bacuit Bay. Life vests are provided, and the English or Tagalog-speaking guide explains the stops and helps coordinate the day. The exact order can change, but the outing lasts about eight hours and includes up to four main stops.

Timing matters. One delayed departure reportedly pushed the start back by an hour, and another group waited close to 50 minutes for people who had not arrived. That kind of delay can affect the Big Lagoon, where entry is limited and the waterway can fill quickly.

For the best chance of a calmer first stop, choose a private boat if your budget allows. A private group may reach attractions before the main group of shared boats and can usually move at a more comfortable pace. The shared option remains the cheapest route, but you have less control over waiting and departure times.

Secret Lagoon: a short passage into rock

The Secret Lagoon is one of the day’s most unusual stops. A small opening in the limestone leads into an enclosed pool surrounded by jagged rock walls. Reaching it involves getting off the boat and moving through the opening, so this is not simply a beach stop where you stay dry.

The appeal comes from the sudden change in scale. Outside, Bacuit Bay feels wide and open. Inside, the walls close around you and create a quiet, protected pool. It is a good place for a swim and for seeing the way El Nido’s limestone formations shape the water.

You should expect a busy visit, especially if several boats arrive together. The entrance can feel tight when many people are waiting, and the stop may be less comfortable for anyone with limited mobility. The tour is specifically not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

Bring aqua shoes if your feet are sensitive. They are not included, but they can help at rocky or sharp-edged entry points. You should also carry only what you need because large bags and luggage are not allowed.

Big Lagoon kayaking: the main reason to choose Tour A

The Big Lagoon is the highlight for many people, and I can see why. Tall limestone walls rise around a long stretch of still water, giving the place a grand, enclosed feel. The clearest way to appreciate it is by kayak, moving at your own speed rather than simply passing through on the tour boat.

Kayak rental is extra. The supplied information lists a PHP 200 entry fee for the Big Lagoon, while several visitors paid about PHP 300 per kayak, generally suitable for two people. Confirm the current charge locally, and bring cash.

The kayak makes the stop more active and more personal. You can pause for photos, paddle toward the rock walls, and enjoy the quiet water at your own pace. Guides may help first-time paddlers, and one guide named Dexter even accompanied a solo participant who had never kayaked before.

There is one important warning: Big Lagoon entry is limited. If the allotment is already full, you will be taken to another location. A late start can make this more likely, so ask the guide about the expected departure time and lagoon access as soon as you meet the crew.

The stop can also last longer than you expect. One person felt the kayaking section went on too long, while others wanted more time there. Your view will depend on how much you enjoy paddling. If kayaking is your main goal, the extra time is welcome. If you prefer swimming and beach time, it may feel like the day is weighted too heavily toward the lagoon.

Shimizu Island for sand, swimming, and lunch

Shimizu Island brings a different mood. Its white sand and clear water make it a natural place to swim, sit in the sun, and take photos. This is where the day slows down after the enclosed lagoon stops.

The island is also connected with lunch, although the exact setup may vary. The meal is included, and the buffet has received unusually strong praise for a budget island tour. Expect a selection that can include meat, fish, vegetables, and fruit, with enough variety to suit different appetites.

The food is not a minor detail on a full-day boat trip. After swimming and paddling, you will be glad not to search for a restaurant or rely on snacks. Some people felt lunch organization could be better, so do not expect a formal restaurant experience. It is a practical island meal served as part of a busy group day.

You can buy cold drinks and ice cream at some stops, but those purchases are not included. Keep a little extra cash dry in a waterproof pouch.

Seven Commandos Beach and the value of unhurried time

Seven Commandos Beach is lined with coconut palms and backed by bright sand. It offers the classic tropical beach scene, with space for swimming, resting, and taking pictures away from the boat.

The beach is especially useful for people who do not want every stop to involve snorkeling. One non-swimmer still enjoyed the day by kayaking and relaxing at the beaches, and families appreciated having activities beyond swimming in deep water.

Conditions are not always quiet. Tour A shares the area with many other boats, so the beach can feel social rather than deserted. That is not a flaw unique to this operator. It is part of visiting El Nido’s most requested route.

Your crew may shape how much you enjoy the stop. Guides have been praised for taking photos with personal phones, helping people on and off the boat, and watching out for older participants or anyone who feels unsteady. If you need help, speak up early rather than waiting until you are in the water.

The snorkeling stop: worthwhile, but manage expectations

The snorkeling location gives you a chance to see Bacuit Bay below the surface. Clear water, coral areas, and fish can add another layer to the day, particularly if you have spent most of the trip admiring the cliffs from the boat.

This part is less consistent than the Big Lagoon and beaches. One account described the first snorkeling site as average, with few fish and a difficult approach over sharp coral. That is useful advice: wear aqua shoes if you have them, and do not judge the whole tour by one snorkeling stop.

Fins and other equipment are available to rent, but they are not included. The water may be easy for confident swimmers, but the tour is not designed as a mobility-friendly outing. A life vest is provided, and the crew can offer help, but you should be comfortable getting in and out of the boat and moving around uneven shorelines.

If underwater scenery is your main reason for booking, you may prefer a route with a stronger snorkeling focus. Tour A is better for a balanced mix of lagoon, beach, and water activities.

Shared boat or private group?

The shared tour is the clear budget pick. At $23 per person, it includes the boat, guide, life vest, and lunch, which leaves your money available for the environmental fee, lagoon access, and kayaking. It is a good fit if you are happy to meet other people and accept a less flexible schedule.

A private group costs more, but the advantages are practical rather than luxurious. You may leave earlier, reach the stops before the largest group of boats, and decide how long to spend at each place. A private trip was particularly appreciated by a couple who had the boat almost to themselves and enjoyed quieter moments before the shared boats arrived.

Private is also useful for families, older people, or groups with different swimming abilities. You can discuss the pace with the guide instead of trying to match a full boat. Still, private does not guarantee empty beaches or exclusive access to the lagoons. The same popular sites remain popular.

What to bring for a smoother day

Pack light. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, and a small waterproof bag is more practical than a suitcase or bulky backpack.

Bring:

• Passport or ID card
• Swimwear and a change of clothes
• Sunscreen
• Cash
• A waterproof pouch for your phone
• Aqua shoes if you have them
• Motion sickness medicine if you need it

Plastic bottles and smoking are not allowed. The tour provides life vests, but not aqua shoes, fins, or kayaks. You can rent those items, but bringing suitable gear may save money and time.

Keep your phone ready for photos. The crew often helps take pictures, which is a nice touch when you are traveling alone or want a photo of the whole group.

Weather, crowds, and the pace of the day

Rain does not necessarily ruin Tour A. Several outings continued in wet weather, and the cliffs, beaches, and lagoons still made the day worthwhile. Still, sunshine will give the water more color and make the beach stops more comfortable.

The bigger concern is crowding. Tour A is busy at the best-known sites, and late departures can make the problem worse. A private group or an early, well-organized start gives you a better chance of quieter moments, but no option can remove the wider demand for El Nido’s famous lagoons.

The eight-hour length is a plus if you want a full day on the water. It can feel long if you are not comfortable with boat travel, swimming, or sun exposure. Take motion sickness medicine if needed, and use sunscreen throughout the day.

Who should book this El Nido tour?

I would choose Tour A if you want the famous El Nido combination: limestone walls, a lagoon, white sand, snorkeling, and a full day on the water. It suits couples, families, first-time visitors, and anyone who wants strong value without arranging every detail separately.

It is also a good option for non-swimmers, provided you are comfortable boarding the boat and moving around uneven beach areas. Kayaking and beach time offer alternatives to snorkeling, and the crew has shown patience with older people and participants who need extra help.

I would think twice if you dislike crowds, need wheelchair access, or want a quiet snorkeling trip. You should also compare the final cost after adding the environmental fee, Big Lagoon fee, kayak rental, and any other equipment.

FAQ

How long is El Nido Tour A?

The tour lasts about eight hours. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for the date you want.

What is included in the tour?

The price includes a licensed tour guide, boat transportation between the islands, life vests, and lunch.

Is the Big Lagoon fee included?

No. Big Lagoon entry costs PHP 200 according to the supplied tour information. Kayak rental is also separate.

Do I need to pay an environmental fee?

Yes. The El Nido Tourism Development Fee costs PHP 400 and must be paid before boarding. If you already paid it, show your receipt to avoid paying again.

Can I book a private boat?

Yes. A private group option is available. The meeting point may differ depending on the option you choose.

What happens if Big Lagoon entry is full?

Big Lagoon entry is limited. If access is no longer available, the tour visits a different location instead.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

Book it if you want the best-known sights at a low starting price and you like having several activities in one day. The Big Lagoon kayak stop, strong lunch, helpful crew, and long route give this tour real value.

Choose the private option if you can afford it and care about timing, quieter arrivals, or a flexible pace. Choose the shared boat if keeping costs down matters most. Either way, bring cash, expect other boats, and treat kayaking in the Big Lagoon as the extra worth paying for.