El Nido: Island Hopping TOUR A with Lunch, Transfer & EDTF

Five stops, one bright-blue day. El Nido Tour A packs Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, and Seven Commandos Beach into an eight-hour outing, with lunch, a motorized boat, guide, life vest, lagoon fee, and environmental fee included. I like the mix of famous scenery and easy swimming stops, and I like that the day works for families and older visitors who want a guided route instead of arranging several boat trips themselves. The main concern is unclear transport outside El Nido Town Proper, so check your pickup before you pay.

At $50 per person, this is a sensible way to see several of El Nido’s signature places in one day. The value is strongest if you need round-trip hotel transport within the town area and do not already have snorkeling gear. You should budget extra for a mask, fins, water shoes, or a kayak, since those are not included.

Key points before you book

• Big Lagoon is the headline stop: Expect towering limestone cliffs, blue water, and a set time of about one hour.
• Secret Lagoon requires care: The entrance involves a rocky, cave-like passage where you may need to watch your head and footing.
• Lunch is served on Shimizu Island: This is also one of the better stops for swimming and snorkeling among fish and coral.
• Transport needs confirming: Pickup is included only within El Nido Town Proper, not Lio, Nampacan Beach, Meregmeg, or other areas outside the stated zone.
• Bring water shoes and reef-safe sunscreen: Rocky entries, slippery surfaces, strong sun, and marine protection all matter here.
• Kayaks and snorkeling gear cost extra: Inspect rented equipment carefully before using it.

Why Tour A remains El Nido’s best first outing

If you have only one full day for an island trip, Tour A makes a strong case for itself. It gives you two lagoons, two beach stops, a lunch island, and a full day on Bacuit Bay without asking you to compare several routes.

The appeal is variety. Big Lagoon gives you the grand postcard view. Secret Lagoon offers a short scramble and a small enclosed pool. Shimizu Island slows the pace with lunch and swimming. Payong-Payong provides a quieter beach setting, while Seven Commandos finishes the day with a long strip of sand and coconut trees.

You should not expect an empty paradise. These are among the best-known places around El Nido, and the schedule is built around visiting several popular sites in one day. Still, the route makes good use of your time, particularly if this is your first visit to Palawan.

The boat leaves from El Nido after a hotel pickup, and the full outing lasts about eight hours. You will spend much of the day in swimwear, moving between boat, beach, shallow water, and rocky shore. That makes a small waterproof bag more useful than a large beach bag.

Big Lagoon: the grand opening

Big Lagoon sits on Miniloc Island and is framed by steep limestone cliffs. The water and rock walls create the sort of scene that explains why El Nido appears on so many postcards and film locations.

The planned visit lasts about one hour, listed mainly as a photo stop and visit. That timing matters. You will have enough time to appreciate the setting and take pictures, but you should not expect a long, unhurried swim here.

If kayaking is available for your stop, it can offer a closer look at the water and cliff walls, but kayak rental is not included. Ask about the price before handing over money. Also keep your camera protected. The boat, spray, and frequent boarding make dry storage a practical concern.

Big Lagoon is best for scenery rather than a quiet beach break. I would keep your phone or camera ready, but not let photography take the whole hour. Look up at the cliffs and notice how quickly the noise of the open bay changes once you move into the lagoon.

Secret Lagoon: a short passage with a real squeeze

Secret Lagoon, also called Hidden Lagoon, is reached from a white-sand beach on the southern side of Miniloc Island. The entrance is through a rocky, cave-like opening, and this is the stop where footwear and patience matter most.

At low tide, you may be able to wade through the entrance. At higher tide, you need to pay closer attention to your head and your footing. Water shoes are a smart choice because the rocks can be slippery or uneven.

Inside, the lagoon forms a natural pool enclosed by limestone. It is a more intimate setting than Big Lagoon, but the entrance can feel tight, especially when several people are moving through at once. This is not the place to rush.

The schedule allows about one hour, with swimming and kayaking listed as possible activities. Kayak rental is extra, and you should confirm availability locally rather than assume it is included in the $50 price.

For children and older adults, the issue is not the swimming itself. The rocky access is the part that deserves attention. Stay close to the guide, use your hands for balance if needed, and do not carry loose items through the opening.

Shimizu Island: lunch, shade, and fish-filled water

Shimizu Island is the practical center of the day. The boat stops here for lunch, and you get time to swim, take pictures, rest under the limestone cliffs, and look for fish around the shore.

The beach has clear water, white sand, and enough shade to make a break from the sun possible. It is also a good place to use your snorkeling gear. Colorful coral and many fish are part of the attraction, and you might see a sea turtle while snorkeling, although no sighting is guaranteed.

Lunch is included, which gives the tour better value than a bare boat transfer between islands. Drinking water is also included. Even so, El Nido’s sun can be intense, so bring your own refillable bottle if practical and drink regularly.

The meal is served in an outdoor island setting, so keep expectations sensible. This is a picnic-style stop, not a restaurant meal. One reported outing had a problem with missing forks and food running short before utensils arrived. That does not define every departure, but it is a good reason to eat promptly and mention any issue to the crew right away.

Shimizu is also where you may want to use a dry bag. Sand, water, and shared lunch areas do not mix well with passports, phones, or spare clothes.

Payong-Payong Beach: the quietest pause

Payong-Payong Beach has cliffs, unusual rock shapes, shady trees, and clear water. It is included as a one-hour visit with time for swimming, photos, and rest.

There are no organized sports or major activities here. That is part of the attraction. After moving between several stops, you can simply sit on the sand, swim, and enjoy a slower hour.

The water is described as calm enough for swimming and suitable for snorkeling. Bring your mask if you have one. Snorkeling equipment is not included, and the tour specifically excludes masks, fins, and Aqua footwear.

This is the stop where I would avoid overplanning. You do not need to turn every beach into an activity station. Use the shade, rinse off in the water, and save some energy for Seven Commandos.

Seven Commandos Beach: a lively finish on a boat-only shore

Seven Commandos Beach stretches about 320 meters and is lined with coconut trees and tall limestone cliffs. Although it is technically connected to the El Nido mainland, you reach it by boat, which gives the beach a more remote feel.

The name has several stories attached to it. It may refer to stranded soldiers, a fishing boat, or a carved stone associated with seven commandos. The uncertainty is part of the local character, but the beach itself is the reason to come.

The stop allows swimming and kayaking, with about one hour scheduled. Again, kayak rental is not part of the package. Confirm the cost before renting, and inspect the boat for damage, leaks, and unstable seating.

A reported excursion involved a damaged kayak that took on water and became unsafe. The practical lesson is simple: do not accept a kayak that looks faulty, and tell the guide immediately if water is entering the cockpit. A small rental fee is not worth a dangerous trip.

Seven Commandos can be a pleasant final swim, but you may feel the day’s heat by this point. Reapply reef-safe sunscreen, drink water, and keep your return boat instructions clear.

What the $50 price really covers

At $50 per person, the package includes the expensive basics: a round-trip motorized boat, guide, island lunch, drinking water, life vest, lagoon fee, environmental fee, and pickup within El Nido Town Proper.

That is good value if you would otherwise need to arrange a boat privately and pay island or environmental charges separately. The route also covers five major stops, which would be difficult to organize independently in one day without local help.

The price does not cover everything you may want. Snorkeling mask, fins, Aqua footwear, and kayak rental are excluded. Transport is also excluded if your hotel is outside the stated town pickup area, including the Lio, Nampacan Beach, and Meregmeg areas.

The environmental fee deserves special attention. It is included in the package, so you should not be asked to pay it again. One reported departure involved a request for an additional 400 pesos despite the fee already being covered. Keep your booking details handy and ask for clarification before paying a second time.

Pickup details that can make or break the morning

Pickup is included from hotels within El Nido Town Proper. After booking, the operator says it will email a confirmation, then send pickup details two days before the tour. On the day, you should wait in the hotel lobby for a driver holding a sign with your name.

That sounds simple, but the boundary of the pickup area is important. Some accommodations outside town have received unclear instructions, including last-minute notices that the guest needed to arrange and pay for transport. A tuk-tuk may appear instead of a van, and the return arrangement can be just as unclear.

Before the trip, send the hotel name and exact location through the provided contact method. Ask three direct questions:

• Is pickup included from this exact property?
• Who pays for the transfer?
• Where will the return drop-off take place?

Get the answer in writing. This takes a few minutes and can prevent a morning argument over 250 pesos or an uncertain ride back after heavy rain.

Comfort, safety, and accessibility

The tour is presented as suitable for children, seniors, and people with disabilities, but the route is not entirely flat or effortless. Secret Lagoon has a rocky passage, beaches may require stepping from the boat into shallow water, and the boat itself requires careful boarding.

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people over 95 years old. Everyone else should judge the day based on swimming ability, balance, heat tolerance, and comfort around boats.

Life vests are available on board. Use one if you are not a confident swimmer or if the guide advises it. Do not use alcohol or drugs during the activity, and be aware that smoking on a small motorized boat is a safety and air-quality concern.

Bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Reef-safe, biodegradable sunscreen
• A sun hat
• Water shoes or sturdy flip-flops
• Snorkeling gear if you have it
• A waterproof bag for phones and cash
• Hand sanitizer or tissues
• A spare dry top if you dislike staying wet

A headscarf can also be useful for sun protection. Wear clothing you can move in, since you will board and leave the boat several times.

Who will get the most from this day?

I would recommend Tour A to a first-time El Nido visitor who wants the famous sights in a single organized outing. It suits people who like a full day of swimming, short beach stops, photo opportunities, and a provided lunch.

Families can benefit from the simple structure, though adults should help children through the rocky Secret Lagoon entry. Older visitors may enjoy the gentle beach stops, but anyone with limited mobility should ask very specific questions about boat boarding and shore access before booking.

It is less suitable for someone seeking solitude, a long snorkeling session, or a flexible private itinerary. Five stops in eight hours means the schedule has a firm rhythm. You will see a lot, but you will not linger everywhere.

English-language guiding is provided. The crew has been praised for being friendly and helpful, and the guides are described as fun. That personal touch matters on a day when the boat, weather, tides, and group timing all need coordination.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

Book it if you want the classic El Nido route at a fair all-in price and your hotel is inside the included pickup zone. Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong, and Seven Commandos give you a well-rounded day, while lunch, fees, a guide, and boat transport remove much of the planning work.

Book with caution if your hotel is outside town, if you need full mobility support, or if you want every activity included. Confirm transport in writing, bring water shoes, and inspect any rented kayak before use.

The best version of this tour is simple: arrive prepared, protect your valuables, keep your expectations realistic about shared island stops, and spend your time enjoying the cliffs, clear water, and beaches instead of sorting out avoidable fees.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour A last?

The activity lasts about eight hours, including the boat trip, five island and beach stops, lunch, and the return to El Nido.

What places does the tour visit?

The route includes Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, and Seven Commandos Beach.

Is lunch included?

Yes. An island lunch and drinking water are included in the price.

Is hotel pickup included?

Round-trip pickup is included only for hotels within El Nido Town Proper. Transport from areas such as Lio, Nampacan Beach, and Meregmeg is not included.

Are snorkeling gear and kayaks included?

No. Masks, fins, Aqua footwear, and kayak rental are not included. Bring your own snorkeling gear or budget extra for rentals.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.