EL NIDO: Sharing/Joiner Island Hopping Tour A w/BUFFET LUNCH

El Nido saves its best views for the water. This eight-hour joiner tour packs in five classic stops, from the white sand of 7 Commandos Beach to the limestone walls of Big Lagoon. I especially like the mix of kayaking and snorkeling, plus the buffet lunch, fruit, and listed drinking water included in a $23 price. The main catch is crowding, and the schedule can wobble when boats queue for the lagoon or lunch supplies arrive late.

I also like the friendly crew and the flexibility to swap a busy stop for a calmer beach when conditions allow. That personal touch can turn a routine group outing into a more relaxed day. Still, you should bring cash and water, since one recent booking reported that drinking water was not offered on the boat despite being listed as included.

Key points to know before you book

• Five major stops in about eight hours: You visit 7 Commandos Beach, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, and Payong-Payong Beach.
• Big Lagoon kayaking costs extra: The lagoon entrance fee is 200, and kayak rental is not included.
• The buffet is a real strength: Lunch includes a broad selection, with fruit and listed water provided as part of the package.
• Crowds shape the day: Tour A is popular, so expect other boats at the same famous sites.
• The route can change: Your guide chooses the lunch location and may adjust stops for weather or crowd levels.
• Bring practical beach gear: Pack a change of clothes, biodegradable sunscreen, cash, a waterproof bag, and waterproof shoes.

What the $23 price really gets you

At $23 per person, this is a strong-value way to see El Nido’s headline sights. The price covers the licensed tourist boat, captain, guide and crew, life vest, buffet lunch, fruit, and water as listed. Pickup is free within El Nido Town and Corong-corong, though hotel drop-off is not included.

You still need to budget for the environmental fee of 400 and the lagoon entrance fee of 200. Kayaking at Big Lagoon costs extra, and anything outside the stated inclusions comes out of your pocket. Since the fee amounts can change, confirm the current charges before you go.

The value is best if you want variety rather than a slow beach day. In one outing, you get swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, boat scenery, limestone cliffs, and a full meal. A private boat would give you more control, but this joiner trip keeps the cost low.

The only price-related annoyance is uncertainty around what happens when plans change. One booking paid the lagoon fee but skipped the lagoon because the weather was poor and did not receive a refund. Ask how fees are handled if conditions prevent a stop before handing over extra cash.

Starting the day from El Nido Town

The listed meeting point is Beachfront Travel and Tours, with free pickup within El Nido Town and Corong-corong. The advertised duration is eight hours, but allow flexibility around the start and finish. One booking had conflicting information, with the app showing 8:30 and the local instruction saying 9:00.

That sort of loose timing is worth knowing before you book transport or dinner afterward. Arrive early, keep your phone available, and do not schedule a tight connection after the boat returns. The tour is designed as a full day on the water, not a quick morning activity.

You will receive a life vest or jacket, and the boat is operated by a licensed captain with a licensed guide and crew. English and Tagalog are available. The group setting means you will follow the boat’s shared timetable, so this is not the best choice if you want to linger alone at one beach.

Seven Commandos Beach starts the beach day

The first stop is 7 Commandos Beach, a bright strip of white sand with coconut trees and limestone cliffs behind it. The name comes from a local story about seven commandos who supposedly stayed here after World War II.

You get about an hour for swimming, photos, a guided visit, and a look around. The turquoise water is the main draw, while the small rustic bars and shops give you the option of buying a cold drink or snack.

This is an easy introduction to the day. You can swim right away, stretch out on the sand, or simply photograph the cliffs. I would not expect solitude here. It is one of the signature Tour A stops, and its simple beauty attracts many boats.

Bring cash if you want anything from the beach sellers. A waterproof bag also helps keep your phone and money safe when you move between the boat and shore.

Big Lagoon brings the day’s biggest scenery

Big Lagoon is the visual centerpiece. The boat passes through a narrow entrance into water ringed by tall limestone cliffs, creating a dramatic natural bowl. The water shifts between blue and green, and the enclosed setting feels very different from the open beach stops.

The standard stop lasts about an hour and can include a boat cruise, swimming, photos, and kayaking. The lagoon is best experienced from a kayak, which lets you move into quieter corners instead of only seeing it from the tour boat.

Kayak rental is extra. The lagoon entrance fee is also separate, listed as 200. Those add-ons matter because the headline price does not cover the complete Big Lagoon experience.

This is also where timing problems are most likely. One booking waited close to an hour in open water while kayaks were being sent into the lagoon. If several boats arrive together, the queue can eat into your time. Poor weather can make kayaking less appealing, too.

My advice is simple: treat Big Lagoon as the day’s most important stop, but keep your expectations flexible. If you pay for entry, ask about the plan and refund policy first. Bring a waterproof phone case if you want photos from the kayak, and remember that sunscreen should be biodegradable.

Shimizu Island combines snorkeling and lunch

Shimizu Island is the most practical stop because it combines food, swimming, and snorkeling. The island is named after a Japanese diver who explored the surrounding waters, and its coral reefs support colorful fish and other sea life.

You have about an hour here for lunch, photos, a guided visit, swimming, and snorkeling. The buffet is one of the tour’s strongest points. Several bookings praised the food and the range of choices, and one described the buffet as excellent.

The exact lunch beach is not fixed. The guide chooses the lunch stop, and the route can change with weather. That flexibility is useful, but it also means the printed order of stops is not a guarantee.

If you want the best snorkeling time, keep your meal reasonably quick and listen for the guide’s instructions. The time passes fast when one stop includes lunch and water activities. Shimizu is a good place to use your waterproof bag, since you may move between sand, sea, and boat several times.

Secret Lagoon requires a little squeezing

Secret Lagoon is reached through a small opening in a limestone wall. You squeeze through the narrow entrance and emerge into a secluded pool surrounded by cliffs.

The stop includes photos and sightseeing, with snorkeling listed as part of the activity. Its appeal is the sense of discovery, though the entrance may not suit everyone. If you dislike tight spaces, ask the guide whether there is an alternative way to enjoy the area before lining up.

This stop can also become crowded because the entrance is narrow and several boats may arrive at once. Go slowly, protect your phone and camera, and follow the crew’s instructions near the rocks. The setting is more about the unusual access and enclosed cliffs than a long stretch of beach.

Payong-Payong Beach may be the calmest stop

Payong-Payong Beach is a small, quiet beach with pale sand, clear water, vegetation, and rock formations. It is a good place for swimming, snorkeling, photos, or simply sitting down after a busy morning.

This stop lasts about an hour in the stated plan. It may feel especially welcome after the queues and activity around Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon. Some bookings had a last stop changed to a prettier, less crowded beach, which shows how the crew may adjust the day when conditions allow.

Do not count on the exact beach order. The guide can change destinations, and the lunch stop is selected during the day. That is normal for a water-based outing, where wind and sea conditions matter more than a fixed timetable.

The crew can make or break a joiner tour

The crew receives strong praise for being friendly, helpful, and good at keeping the mood upbeat. Several bookings described the guides as professional and said the day felt smooth and easy. One group particularly appreciated that the crew made a calmer final stop possible.

That matters on a shared boat. You are not choosing every stop or controlling the pace, so a crew that communicates well can make the group feel relaxed rather than herded from place to place.

The service is not perfectly consistent. One booking described a late departure and a two-hour beach wait because the crew had forgotten the lunch. Another found the start disorganized. These problems were not reported by everyone, but they are fair reasons to leave some room in your schedule.

The water situation deserves a special note. Water is listed as included, and one booking praised the crew for serving soda and water. Another said no drinking water was offered and wished the boat had warned passengers more clearly. Bring your own refillable bottle anyway. It is the safer plan, and it helps reduce plastic waste.

Crowds and environmental care need attention

Tour A is popular because it covers El Nido’s most famous places. The downside is that many boats follow similar routes at similar times. Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and 7 Commandos Beach can feel busy, especially during the middle of the day.

The tour rules prohibit smoking, plastic bags, alcohol, drugs, and littering. You should also use biodegradable sunscreen and carry your rubbish back to the boat if a bin is not available. One booking specifically wished more people would pick up litter, a reminder that these beautiful places need active care.

If quiet beaches are your priority, tell the crew early. They may adjust the final stop, but no change is guaranteed. For the lowest price and a classic first look at El Nido, the crowds may be a reasonable trade.

What to pack for a better day

Keep your packing simple and practical:

• Beachwear and a full change of clothes
• Biodegradable sunscreen
• Cash for fees, snacks, and drinks
• A waterproof bag for phones and valuables
• Waterproof shoes for wet sand and rocky areas
• A camera or phone in a waterproof case
• Your own drinking water, even though water is listed as included

Avoid bringing plastic bags, alcohol, or anything you would hate to get wet. A light cover-up is also useful between swims, though it is not specifically required.

Who should book Tour A?

I would choose this tour if you want to see El Nido’s famous sights at a low cost and you enjoy a full day with several different activities. It suits couples, friends, solo visitors, and families with confident swimmers who do not mind sharing a boat.

It is also a good fit if you want the convenience of a buffet and crew-led transport. You do not need to arrange separate boats, lunch, or snorkeling stops.

I would hesitate if you want empty beaches, a precise timetable, or complete control over how long you spend at each place. A private trip would be better for that, though it would cost more. I would also think twice if you are uncomfortable with narrow openings, since Secret Lagoon requires squeezing through a small hole.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour A last?

The tour duration is listed as eight hours. Start times can vary, and one booking reported conflicting instructions about whether departure was at 8:30 or 9:00, so allow extra time.

What places does Tour A visit?

The planned stops are 7 Commandos Beach, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, and Payong-Payong Beach. The order and destinations can change due to weather and local conditions.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch, fruit, and water are listed as included. The guide chooses the lunch stop, and the meal may be served at Shimizu Island or another beach depending on the day’s plan.

Is kayaking included in the price?

No. Kayak rental at Big Lagoon is an additional cost. The lagoon entrance fee of 200 is also listed separately.

What fees are not included?

The environmental fee of 400 and Big Lagoon entrance fee of 200 are not included. Hotel drop-off and any unlisted expenses are also excluded.

Is pickup included?

Free pickup is available within El Nido Town and Corong-corong. Drop-off back at your hotel is not included.

What languages are available on the tour?

The live guide service is available in English and Tagalog. The boat also includes a licensed captain, guide, and crew.

Should you book this El Nido Tour A?

Book it if you want maximum scenery and activity for a modest price. The mix of Big Lagoon, snorkeling at Shimizu Island, white-sand beaches, Secret Lagoon, and buffet lunch gives you a solid first day in El Nido.

Go in knowing that this is a shared tour, not a private escape. Crowds, extra lagoon costs, changing stops, and occasional timing confusion are part of the deal. Bring water, cash, waterproof gear, and patience, then let the crew adjust the route when weather or boat traffic demands it. For $23 before fees and add-ons, it offers very good value, especially if your goal is to see El Nido’s famous sights in one well-filled day.