El Nido Private Tour A: Best Island Hopping

Paradise comes with a sensible daily schedule. This private El Nido island-hopping trip packs Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, and Seven Commandos Beach into one full day across Bacuit Bay. I like the private group format, which gives up to three people a more personal boat day, and I like the mix of swimming, snorkeling, beach time, and striking limestone cliffs. The packed lunch is another plus, especially after a morning in the sun.

The main consideration is the extra cash you need beyond the $324 group price. The environmental fee is 400 PHP per person, Big or Small Lagoon access is another 200 PHP per person, and snorkeling gear and kayaks cost extra. Bring cash, water, sunscreen, and a towel, since none of those last three are included.

Key points to know before booking

• Five famous Bacuit Bay stops: Big or Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, and Seven Commandos Beach form a varied day rather than a single beach stop.
• Private for up to three people: The $324 group price works out to $108 per person before local fees when three people share it.
• A generous packed lunch is included: A French guest praised both guide Carlo’s cheerful service and the substantial meal.
• Plan for extra fees in cash: The environmental fee and lagoon fee add 600 PHP per person if neither has been paid already.
• The route may change during the day: The boat can adjust the order of stops to avoid crowds, so the sequence and exact timing are flexible.
• A good first El Nido day: You get cliffs, lagoons, coral water, beaches, and a casual beach bar setting in about eight hours.

Why Tour A works so well for a first day

El Nido is famous for its sharp limestone cliffs rising from Bacuit Bay, but a good island-hopping day should offer more than pretty boat views. This route gives you several different ways to enjoy the coast. You can swim in enclosed lagoons, snorkel over coral gardens, stretch out on sand, and spend time at a beach with a more social feel.

I especially like the balance. Big Lagoon supplies the grand scenery. Shimizu Island brings the marine life. Payong-Payong Beach slows the pace. Secret Lagoon adds a little exploration, and Seven Commandos Beach finishes the day with an easygoing shoreline and optional beach bar time.

The private setup matters here. You are not simply following a large group from stop to stop. With a maximum of three people, you can share the day with family or friends and have a more contained experience on the boat. The guide speaks English and handles the boat, basic arrangements, and included meal.

Pickup is within El Nido town only. You need to provide your exact pickup and drop-off location in advance. The day starts with arrival at the meeting point around 9:00, boat departure at about 9:30, and return between 16:00 and 17:00. That gives you a full outing without requiring an extremely early start.

Crossing Bacuit Bay at 9:30

The boat ride is part of the attraction, not just transportation. As you move across Bacuit Bay, limestone walls frame the water and make the crossing feel like a scenic passage between separate coastal worlds. The exact route can change because the operator may alter the order of stops to avoid crowds.

That flexibility is useful, but it means you should not treat the published sequence as a promise. A stop listed first may happen later, and lunch may shift with the route. The total day remains about eight hours, with each main stop receiving roughly an hour.

Your guide and boat are included, as is a life vest. You will want to keep your sunscreen, water, hat, and camera close by. There is no mention of towels or drinks being supplied, so pack both if you need them.

Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon: the grand opening

The lagoon portion is the visual centerpiece. Big Lagoon is framed by tall karst formations that rise directly from turquoise water. The scale is what makes this stop memorable. You are not just sitting on a beach looking at cliffs. You are surrounded by them, with water leading into a dramatic natural enclosure.

The planned time is about one hour for swimming. Kayaking is also an option, but it costs 300 PHP for a kayak that fits two people. That can be worth considering if you want to move at a slower pace and get closer to the rock walls without relying only on swimming.

Small Lagoon is included in the Big or Small Lagoon description, but the exact stop may depend on the day’s route. The separate access fee is listed for Big or Small Lagoon at 200 PHP per person in cash. Confirm which lagoon is being visited when you meet the guide, especially if you have a strong preference.

The water may look calm and inviting, but you still need to pay attention to the boat and local conditions. Bring a life vest, use the provided one as directed, and remember that the coast guard can cancel all island-hopping trips in bad weather.

Shimizu Island and one hour of snorkeling

Shimizu Island is the clearest chance to focus on the water rather than the cliffs. You have about an hour for snorkeling in clear, warm sea, with coral gardens and marine life below the surface. The stop also works for anyone who prefers to float and watch from above rather than swim farther out.

Snorkeling equipment is not included in the base price. You can rent it for 100 PHP, so bring that amount in cash if you do not have your own mask and gear. The tour description does not specify the exact equipment available, so if snorkeling is a major reason for booking, ask the guide about fit and availability at the start of the day.

This stop is best approached with realistic expectations. Water clarity and marine life can vary with conditions. Still, Shimizu adds useful variety to a route that could otherwise become a long sequence of beaches and cliffs.

Payong-Payong Beach for a slower hour

Payong-Payong Beach gives you a chance to stop moving. Its pale sand, palms, and water make it a natural place to swim, sit, or simply take in the coast. The itinerary allows about an hour here, though the schedule can shift.

I would use this stop as your reset point. The day involves sun, salt water, boat crossings, and several entrances and exits from the sea. A quiet hour on the sand can be more valuable than trying to fill every minute with activity.

This is also a good place to use the items that are easy to forget. A hat protects you during the open beach portion, sunscreen needs repeated application after swimming, and a towel is useful because one is not included. Insect repellent is also listed among the recommended items.

Secret Lagoon through the narrow rock entrance

Secret Lagoon offers a different kind of stop. It is tucked behind a narrow opening in the rock, creating a more enclosed setting than the open beaches and broad Bacuit Bay views. The appeal is the transition from ordinary shoreline to a small, sheltered place that feels discovered rather than simply visited.

The listed time is about one hour for swimming. Depending on conditions and the number of boats in the area, the entrance and the space inside may feel more confined than Big Lagoon. Move carefully, listen to your guide, and avoid rushing through the opening.

The name sets up a little drama, but the real pleasure is the change in scale. Big Lagoon is about open views and towering cliffs. Secret Lagoon is about a tight rock passage and a tucked-away pool. Together, they show two very different faces of the same coastline.

Lunch at noon, with a useful break

Lunch is planned for around noon and is included as a packed meal. That sounds basic, but it matters on a full day in the sun. You do not need to return to town or search for food between stops, and you can use the lunch break to recover before the afternoon swimming.

A French guest who took the trip with Carlo praised the meal as especially generous and described Carlo as cheerful and attentive. That is useful context because food quality can shape a long boat day. The meal is still a packed lunch, not a restaurant service, so keep your expectations sensible, but the available feedback points to a hearty portion.

Drinks are not included. Bring water, and carry enough cash for purchases at stops where drinks may be available. Do not count on being able to pay by card from the boat or beach.

Seven Commandos Beach and the relaxed finish

Seven Commandos Beach is the final listed stop and gives the day a sociable finish. You have about an hour for free time and swimming, with optional snorkeling and beach bar vibes. After the more scenic and active lagoon stops, this is a chance to sit down, enjoy a drink if you choose to buy one, and let the day ease toward its close.

The beach bar setting makes Seven Commandos different from Payong-Payong. Payong-Payong is presented as a quiet rest stop. Seven Commandos has more of a casual hangout feel. You can choose the atmosphere that suits you, from a swim to a cold drink or a little time on the sand.

It is worth keeping an eye on the clock. The boat still needs to return to El Nido, and the final departure time can be affected by weather and the order of earlier stops. Your guide handles the timing, but you should be ready when asked to return to the boat.

What the $324 price really covers

The listed price is $324 for a private group of up to three people. At full occupancy, that comes to $108 per person before local fees. For a private boat day covering five major stops, with a guide, life vests, and lunch, that can be a fair value for a small group.

The price becomes less attractive for one person because the charge is per group, not per seat. For three people, the cost spreads well. For two, you are paying $162 each before extras. For a solo visitor, this is a costly way to island-hop unless the privacy matters a great deal.

Budget for the required or likely add-ons:

• Environmental fee: 400 PHP per person, cash only. It is valid for tours within five days if you have already paid it.
• Big or Small Lagoon fee: 200 PHP per person, cash only.
• Snorkeling gear: 100 PHP, optional.
• Kayak: 300 PHP for two people, optional.
• Drinks and towel: not included.

For three people, the environmental and lagoon fees alone add 1,800 PHP to the group budget. The practical lesson is simple: carry Philippine pesos and do not arrive with only the advertised group price.

Who will enjoy this private island day?

I would recommend this tour most strongly to three friends, a couple willing to pay for privacy, or a small family that wants a classic El Nido route without joining a large group. It also suits first-time visitors because the stops cover the main types of scenery people come to Bacuit Bay to see.

It is a good fit if you want a balanced day rather than a specialist outing. You get swimming, snorkeling, beaches, lagoons, lunch, and boat scenery. You do not need to organize each transfer yourself, and your guide handles the basic flow of the day.

You may want to think twice if you dislike full sun, boat crossings, or changing schedules. The day is active, and the order can shift to manage crowds. It is also not the best value for a solo visitor because of the private group pricing.

The trip is conducted in English, and pickup is limited to El Nido town. If your accommodation lies elsewhere, confirm transport before booking rather than assuming pickup is included outside town.

Weather, cancellations, and practical preparation

The Philippine Coast Guard has the final say when bad weather affects island hopping. If conditions are unsafe, the trip can be canceled. That is a sensible safety rule, but it means you should avoid placing this tour on the only available day of a short El Nido stay.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your plans are still moving, but weather-related decisions remain outside the operator’s control.

Pack lightly and keep your valuables protected from water. Your useful checklist is:

• Sun hat
• Swimwear
• Sunscreen
• Water
• Towel
• Insect repellent
• Cash
• Snorkeling gear, if you prefer to use your own

A life vest is included, but that does not replace basic care in the water. Follow the guide’s instructions around the boat, lagoons, and rock entrances.

Should you book El Nido Private Tour A?

Book it if you are a small group that wants the classic El Nido highlights in one well-filled day. Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, and Seven Commandos Beach give you a strong first look at Bacuit Bay, while the private format keeps the day more personal.

The best value comes when three people share the $324 cost. Add the 600 PHP per-person environmental and lagoon fees, carry cash, and treat snorkeling gear and drinks as separate expenses. If you want a quiet, private boat day with a generous lunch and a cheerful guide such as Carlo, this is a sensible choice. If you are alone, on a tight budget, or hoping for a slow and empty beach day, compare other options before committing.

FAQ

How long is El Nido Private Tour A?

The tour lasts about eight hours. Pickup is around 9:00, boat departure is around 9:30, and return to El Nido is expected between 16:00 and 17:00.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup and drop-off are available within El Nido town only. You need to provide your exact location in advance.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers one private group of up to three people.

What places are visited?

The route includes Big or Small Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, Secret Lagoon, and Seven Commandos Beach. The order may change to avoid crowds.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A packed lunch is included.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling gear is available to rent for 100 PHP.

How much is the lagoon access fee?

The Big or Small Lagoon fee is 200 PHP per person and must be paid in cash.

What is the environmental fee?

The environmental fee is 400 PHP per person and is valid for all tours taken within five days. It must be paid in cash unless you have already paid it and can show the receipt.

Can I rent a kayak?

Yes. A kayak costs 300 PHP and is suitable for two people.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The Philippine Coast Guard decides whether island hopping can operate. All island-hopping trips may be canceled in unsafe weather conditions.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.