El Nido Island Hopping Tour A with Lunch

Five island stops, one long day, plenty of water. This El Nido island-hopping trip combines white-sand beaches, clear swimming spots, limestone scenery, and lagoon access for $24 per person. I especially like the generous lunch and the chance of being led in a reverse route, which can mean fewer boats at some stops. The main catch is that extra charges are not small enough to ignore.

I also like the attentive boat crew, with guides such as Ariel receiving particular praise for being helpful throughout the day. A second plus is the flexible food service, including vegan meals when arranged properly. Still, the day can feel disorganized at times, and getting on or off the boat may require wading through deep water depending on the tide.

Key points to know before you book

• Five stops in about six to eight hours: You get a full day on the water, with several beaches, lagoons, caves, or coves depending on the selected route.
• Lunch is a real part of the experience: Expect rice, fruit, vegetables, fish, chicken, and pork, with special meals possible if you arrange them ahead.
• The $24 price is only the starting cost: Environmental, lagoon, kayak, snorkeling, and aqua shoe charges may apply.
• A maximum of 30 people keeps it social: This is a shared boat trip, not a quiet private cruise.
• The route can affect crowd levels: Some departures run in reverse order, which may help you reach popular places before or after the busiest boats.
• Meeting point and return are simple: Start at Mabuhay Sports Bar in downtown El Nido at 9:00 am, then return to the same meeting point.

What you get for $24 in El Nido

At $24 per person, this is an inexpensive way to see several famous coastal sights in one day. The price includes the boat, local guide, and lunch, along with downtown round-trip transport. That matters in El Nido, where arranging separate boat rides and meals can quickly cost more than the tour itself.

You are not paying for a private boat or a slow, custom-paced outing. The group may reach 30 people, and the schedule is built around fitting several stops into one day. If you want maximum independence, this is not the right format. If you want the main scenery without sorting out boats, food, and routes yourself, the value is strong.

The extra fees need careful attention. The listed costs include a ₱400 El Nido Eco-Tourism Development Fee, a ₱200 Big Lagoon user fee, a ₱350 kayak rental for Big Lagoon, ₱150 snorkeling equipment rental, and ₱150 aqua shoes. Not every charge necessarily applies to every version of the route, but you should budget for more than the advertised $24.

There has also been confusion about the environmental fee and lagoon fee being collected together. The operator explains that a ₱400 payment can cover a ₱200 environmental fee plus a ₱200 lagoon user fee, though the displayed fee information lists the environmental charge as ₱400. I would ask for a clear itemized breakdown before departure. That small step can prevent a sour start to an otherwise enjoyable day.

Starting at Mabuhay Sports Bar at 9:00 am

The meeting point is Mabuhay Sports Bar in El Nido, and the activity ends back there. Downtown pickup is included, which makes the morning easier if you are staying in the central part of town.

Expect a shared departure rather than a private, door-to-door service. Bring your booking confirmation on your phone, since mobile tickets are accepted, and allow time to check in before the 9:00 am start.

Boat access may depend on the tide. One particularly vivid account describes wading through chest-high water to reach the ladder. That will not happen on every departure, but it is a good reason to wear swim clothes under your day clothes and keep electronics in a waterproof bag.

You may also need to climb a short boat ladder. If you are uneasy in deep water, tell the crew before boarding and ask for help. The staff are often praised for being friendly and attentive, but water conditions still control how easy the transfer feels.

Secret Lagoon: a short stop with a dramatic entrance

Secret Lagoon is reached through an opening in the limestone island. The stop includes a white beach, clear water, and time to enter or view the lagoon itself. The planned visit is about 30 minutes, so you should think of it as a quick scenic stop rather than a long beach break.

The entrance is part of the appeal. You move from open beach into an enclosed limestone setting, giving the stop a different mood from a standard swimming beach. With only half an hour, your best approach is to keep your belongings secure, follow the guide, and avoid spending the whole stop taking photos.

Crowds can affect this visit. Secret Lagoon is one of El Nido’s well-known stops, so the experience may feel more like a shared attraction than a private pocket of nature. A reverse route may help on some days, but no route can promise an empty lagoon.

The water and footing can also change with tide and weather. Aqua shoes cost extra if available for rent, and they may be useful if the entry feels rocky or slippery. Ask the crew about conditions before you step in.

Shimizu Island: shade, swimming, and a good lunch setting

Shimizu Island offers a white-sand beach backed by thick green trees. The shade is welcome after time on the boat, and the clear blue water gives you an easy place to swim.

The listed stop lasts about 30 minutes, though the exact use of that time may depend on the day’s schedule. You might swim, sit under the trees, take photographs, or prepare for lunch. It is a compact stop, so do not expect a full afternoon on the beach.

The food is one of the strongest parts of this outing. The lunch spread has been praised for including rice, fruit, vegetables, fish, chicken, and pork. That variety is useful on a long day in the sun, especially when you need more than a small snack between boat rides.

If you need a vegan meal, request it before the tour. A vegan option has been arranged successfully, but one poor experience involved a requested meal not being provided. The safest plan is to confirm the request at booking and again with the guide at the morning meeting point.

Seven Commando Beach: the longest beach stop

Seven Commando Beach receives about one hour, making it the most relaxed of the three named stops. Its limestone mountain backdrop and thick greenery give it the classic El Nido look, while the beach provides room to swim, rest, and cool off.

This is the place where the tour’s pace may finally slow down. After short visits at Secret Lagoon and Shimizu Island, an hour lets you enjoy the setting without immediately watching the clock. You can use the time for a swim or simply sit under the greenery.

The phrase five-island tour is important here. The supplied route details name Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commando Beach, while the wider Tour A description says each option visits five islands. The final two stops may vary by departure, route choice, weather, or local operating arrangements. Ask the operator to confirm the full five-stop plan, especially if one particular lagoon or cave is the reason you are booking.

The tour options also have different themes. One focuses on hidden beaches and shrines, another on lagoons and beaches, and another on caves and coves. Make sure your booking is for the version you want. A label such as Tour A does not tell you every stop as clearly as a full route description would.

Lunch, snorkeling, and the practical extras

Lunch is served during the day, likely at one of the beach stops or another suitable island location. The exact serving point is not stated, but the meal is designed to keep you going through several hours of swimming and boat travel.

The spread can include rice, vegetables, fruit, fish, chicken, and pork. This is better value than a minimal boxed meal, particularly because the trip runs six to eight hours. Bring water if you prefer to drink often, since the supplied details do not specify a beverage package.

Snorkeling equipment needs special attention. The general description refers to free snorkel equipment rentals, but the detailed exclusions list snorkeling equipment at ₱150 per person. That is a direct inconsistency. Confirm the current policy before you leave, and do not assume the gear is included simply because it was described that way elsewhere.

The same advice applies to kayaking. Big Lagoon access may require a ₱350 kayak rental per person, and the lagoon user fee is listed separately at ₱200. If paddling through the lagoon is a key reason for choosing this trip, include those costs in your budget.

Aqua shoes are available to rent for ₱150 per person. They may be useful around rocky entries or shallow areas, but you should ask about the day’s conditions before paying for them. The boat crew can give the most useful advice once they know the water and route.

The group size and pace

The maximum group size is 30 people. That is not a tiny boatload, but it is still manageable for a standard shared excursion. You will have other people around during swim stops, lunch, boarding, and photo opportunities.

A larger group can slow down transfers. It can also make popular beaches and lagoons feel busy, especially when several boats arrive together. On the good side, a shared boat keeps the price low and gives you a local guide and crew without the expense of a private charter.

The six-to-eight-hour duration is a full day. You will spend a fair amount of time sitting on the boat between stops, so bring sun protection and something waterproof for your valuables. The schedule rewards people who enjoy a busy day more than those who prefer lingering in one place.

The crew’s attitude matters a lot here. Guides and boat staff have been praised for being helpful, friendly, and service-minded. Ariel is singled out for attentive guiding, and the crew has also received credit for managing lunch and special food requests. That personal care can make a crowded day feel much easier.

What the good and bad feedback tells me

The strongest praise centers on three things: the beauty of the islands, the food, and the crew. The lunch is repeatedly described as generous and well presented, while the beaches and lagoons deliver the scenery people come to El Nido to see.

The reverse route is another useful touch. One departure reportedly traveled in the opposite direction from many other boats, which reduced crowding at some points. This is not a guaranteed feature, but it is worth asking the guide about when you arrive.

The weak points are practical rather than scenic. Boarding can be awkward when the tide leaves the boat offshore. The schedule can feel disorganized, and extra fees can create frustration when they are not explained clearly.

There is also a risk that the day will not match your preferred pace. If you dislike shared boats, short stops, or paying separately for activity equipment, a private arrangement may suit you better. If you mainly want an affordable full-day introduction to El Nido’s famous islands, those drawbacks may be acceptable.

Who should book this island-hopping day

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a straightforward first look at El Nido without arranging every boat ride yourself. It suits couples, friends, solo visitors, and families who can manage boat boarding, swimming, and a long day outdoors.

It is especially useful for anyone watching the budget. The base rate includes three costly essentials: boat transfers, a local guide, and lunch. Even after likely add-ons, the total can remain reasonable compared with organizing a private boat and separate meals.

You should think twice if you need a quiet outing or guaranteed accessibility. The group can reach 30 people, the route may involve deep water at boarding, and the named stops only account for three of the five advertised island visits. Ask direct questions before paying if these details matter to you.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

Yes, if you want a lively, affordable day of beaches, lagoons, clear water, and island scenery, and you are comfortable with a shared boat. The generous lunch and caring crew add real value, while the possible reverse route may help with crowds.

Before booking, confirm four things: the exact five-stop route, the current environmental and lagoon fees, whether snorkeling equipment is included, and any kayak charge for Big Lagoon. If those costs are clear and you pack for wet boarding, this is a sensible way to see a lot of El Nido in one day.

Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the 9:00 am start. Weather cancellations offer either another date or a full refund, which is useful in a place where sea conditions can change the plan.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour A last?

The tour lasts approximately six to eight hours. It begins at 9:00 am and ends back at the meeting point.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Mabuhay Sports Bar in El Nido, Palawan. The tour also returns there at the end.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, with a spread that may include rice, fruit, vegetables, fish, chicken, and pork. Vegan meals may be arranged, but you should request and confirm one in advance.

Are the environmental and lagoon fees included?

No. The listed exclusions include an El Nido Eco-Tourism Development Fee of ₱400 per person and a Big Lagoon user fee of ₱200 per person. Ask for an itemized explanation because the fee information describes these charges in different ways.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

The supplied information is inconsistent. The general description refers to free snorkeling equipment, while the exclusions list a ₱150 rental charge. Confirm the current policy before departure.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. For other cancellations, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time to receive a full refund.