El Nido Island Hopping Tour A

El Nido saves its best for the water. This nine-hour island trip combines limestone cliffs, lagoons, white sand, and snorkeling in one full day, making it a sensible first outing in Palawan. I like the included picnic lunch and the chance to choose between swimming, snorkeling, or simply resting on Shimizu Island. The main drawback is that the advertised $27 price does not include the environmental and lagoon fees, which add 600 pesos per person.

I also like the pickup from hotels in El Nido proper and the English or Tagalog guide service. The day can be less smooth when morning problems affect the schedule, though one January booking still managed to visit the planned sites and enjoy the buffet lunch. If you get seasick easily, this is not the right boat trip for you.

Five things to know before booking

• Shimizu Island is the main snorkeling break: You can look for corals and fish, swim, or relax on the white beach.
• Seven Commando Beach ends the day: Expect a long strip of pale sand and a small bar serving drinks.
• The $27 price is not the final cost: Add the 400 peso environmental fee and 200 peso lagoon fee per person.
• Pickup depends on your address: Hotels in El Nido proper receive pickup, while hotels outside town require a tricycle ride to Petron Gasoline Station near the port.
• Bring your own water gear if possible: Snorkeling equipment and goggles are optional extras, so pack them if you have them.
• Sea turtles are possible, not promised: Keep your eyes open, but book this for the islands, beaches, and reefs rather than a guaranteed animal sighting.

Why Tour A is a sensible first day in El Nido

El Nido Tour A is popular for a simple reason: it gathers several classic Palawan sights into one day. You get a motorized boat, a guide, life vest, lunch, lagoon scenery, a snorkeling stop, and a beach finish without having to arrange separate transport.

I see this as a good introduction rather than a quiet private escape. The tour is built around shared boat travel and a full nine-hour schedule. You will spend much of the day moving between stops, so the reward is variety. If you want to see several types of scenery in one outing, that works in your favor. If you want long, unhurried time on one beach, it may feel busy.

The setting does much of the work. Tall limestone cliffs covered with vegetation frame the water and give the journey its El Nido character. You are not just going from beach to beach. The boat ride itself gives you changing views of rock walls, green growth, open water, and small shorelines.

The lagoon stop brings the cliffs close

The lagoon portion is one of the key reasons to choose this outing. The water and limestone formations create a dramatic setting, with steep rock faces rising around the route. The lagoon fee is paid separately, so remember that it is part of the actual cost of the day even though it is not included in the base price.

You may have time to look around, swim, or take photographs, depending on the day’s timing and local arrangements. The supplied details do not specify a lagoon name or exact activity schedule, so I would not book this expecting a particular amount of time in the water. The reliable promise is the scenery and the chance to see one of El Nido’s signature coastal environments.

Bring a waterproof camera or a phone case you trust. Limestone cliffs, clear water, and a boat-level view make this a strong photo stop, but ordinary beach bags are not enough protection around a motorized boat. A waterproof bag is also useful for dry clothes, wallets, and electronics.

Shimizu Island gives you a choice

Shimizu Island is the most flexible stop on the route. You can snorkel over corals and look for fish, swim in the surrounding water, or stay on the fine white sand. I like that the stop does not force you into one activity. You can make it an active break or use it to slow down after the boat ride.

The snorkeling is the main attraction. The water offers a chance to see corals and hundreds of fish species, though marine life is never fully predictable. Sea turtles are also possible during the trip, but they are an extra bit of luck rather than a feature you should count on.

Bring biodegradable sunscreen and apply it before you enter the water. You should also pack goggles and snorkeling gear if you own them. Mask and snorkel rental is optional, not included, so relying on an on-site rental may add cost and may not give you the fit you prefer.

Shimizu Island is also a useful break for anyone in your group who does not want to snorkel. One person can explore the water while another rests on the beach. That flexibility makes the stop work well for mixed-ability groups, though the tour is not described as being designed for visitors with mobility needs.

Seven Commando Beach is a relaxed final stop

Seven Commando Beach brings a different mood at the end of the day. Its long white sand beach gives you room to stretch out after the boat journey, and a small bar serves drinks. I would treat this as a chance to cool down and enjoy the shore, not as a major sightseeing site with a long list of attractions.

The timing matters here. After a full day on the water, a simple beach stop can be exactly what you want. You can take photographs, walk on the sand, or order a drink before returning. If you are already tired, this is an easy stop because you do not need to snorkel or paddle to enjoy it.

The beach bar is convenient, but bring drinking water as well. A bar serving a drink is not the same as a full range of refreshments, and the tour details do not specify what is available. Sunscreen, beachwear, and a waterproof bag remain useful right through the final stop.

Lunch and the value of the $27 price

At $27 per person, the tour offers good value for a full nine-hour day. The base price includes hotel pickup within El Nido proper, a DOT-licensed guide, the motorized boat, a life vest, and a picnic lunch. Paying separately for those pieces would usually make a self-planned day more complicated, even before arranging a boat and guide.

The lunch is an important part of the value. One booking specifically praised the buffet lunch after a morning that had several problems. That tells me the food is a practical strength of the package, even if you should not expect a restaurant-style meal on a boat day.

The extra charges are easy to overlook:

• Environmental fee: 400 pesos per person
• Lagoon fee: 200 pesos per person
• Optional kayak rental
• Optional mask and snorkeling equipment

That adds 600 pesos per person before any optional rental. I would budget for the fees when comparing this with other El Nido boat trips. The tour remains reasonably priced, but the headline rate is not the complete out-of-pocket figure.

Pickup is simple in town, less so outside it

Pickup is included when your accommodation is within El Nido proper. That is convenient, especially for an early start and a long day. You should confirm that your hotel actually falls within the town area rather than assuming that any El Nido address qualifies.

If you stay outside the town proper, you need to arrange a tricycle ride to El Nido town. The meeting point is Petron Gasoline Station near El Nido Port, where you meet your assigned guide. This is not a major problem, but it adds one more step and one more cost before the boat leaves.

Give yourself enough time to reach the meeting point. The tour lasts nine hours, and a late arrival could put pressure on the rest of the day. The available information does not give a fixed departure time, so check the starting time for your chosen date before you book.

What the day feels like on a motorized boat

A motorized boat lets you cover several sites in one day, which is the central benefit of the tour. You can move from cliffs to lagoon water, then to snorkeling and beach time without arranging separate transfers.

The tradeoff is exposure. You will be on the water for much of the day, with sun, spray, and boat movement. The tour is specifically not suitable for people prone to seasickness. If that is you, consider a land-based day instead, or speak with a medical professional about your usual precautions before booking.

Pack light, but protect the items you bring. My practical list would be:

• Biodegradable sunscreen
• Beachwear
• Waterproof bag
• Waterproof camera
• Goggles
• Your own snorkeling gear, if you have it

A life vest is included, but that does not remove the need for sun protection or careful storage. A waterproof bag is especially useful when you move between the boat, beach, and water.

Guides, language, and the level of support

The tour provides a DOT-licensed guide, with service in English or Tagalog. That gives you a point of contact during the day and should help with the sequence of stops, boat arrangements, and basic guidance at the beaches and snorkeling area.

No individual guide names are provided, so you should not expect to request a particular person. The guide service is a useful inclusion for first-time visitors who do not know the local boat routine or where to meet after exploring a beach.

The day may not run perfectly to the minute. One booking from January 1, 2025, recorded several morning problems but still completed the activities and enjoyed the lunch. I would keep that in mind when planning anything later the same evening. Do not schedule a tight airport transfer or an important dinner immediately after a nine-hour boat day.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend Tour A to you if you want a broad sample of El Nido in one day. It suits first-time visitors, couples who want beaches and photographs, and groups with a mix of swimmers and non-swimmers. The choice to snorkel or rest at Shimizu Island is especially helpful when not everyone wants the same pace.

It also suits visitors who value convenience. The boat, life vest, guide, pickup within town, and lunch are already arranged. You still need to handle the extra fees, and you may need a tricycle if you stay outside town, but the main structure is in place.

I would be cautious if you dislike shared boat outings, feel ill at sea, or want a private and slow beach day. Nine hours is a long time to spend in changing weather and boat conditions. You should also think twice if you plan to avoid extra charges entirely, since the environmental and lagoon fees are required.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

Book it if you want the classic El Nido combination of lagoons, limestone cliffs, snorkeling, white sand, and a beach bar in one organized day. At $27, the included boat, guide, lunch, life vest, and town pickup offer solid value, even after adding the 600 pesos in required fees.

Skip it if seasickness is a serious concern or if you want a private, quiet experience. For most first-time visitors staying in El Nido proper, though, Tour A is a practical way to see a lot of the coast without spending the day solving transport and meal arrangements yourself.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Island Hopping Tour A last?

The tour lasts approximately nine hours. Starting times vary, so you should check availability for your chosen date.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes hotel pickup within El Nido proper, a DOT-licensed tour guide, a motorized boat, a life vest, and a picnic lunch.

Are the environmental and lagoon fees included?

No. The environmental fee is 400 pesos per person, and the lagoon fee is 200 pesos per person. You pay these separately.

Is hotel pickup available everywhere in El Nido?

Pickup is included only when your accommodation is within El Nido proper. If you stay outside the town proper, you need to take a tricycle to Petron Gasoline Station near El Nido Port.

What languages does the guide speak?

The tour is available with an English or Tagalog-speaking guide.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Mask and snorkeling equipment are optional extras. You can also bring your own goggles and snorkeling gear.

Can I rent a kayak?

Kayak rental is available as an optional extra, but it is not included in the tour price.

What can I do at Shimizu Island?

You can snorkel and look for corals and fish, swim, or relax on the white sand beach.

Is the tour suitable for people who get seasick?

No. The tour is not suitable for people prone to seasickness because it involves a full day on a motorized boat.