El Nido: Island Hopping Tour A

El Nido’s lagoons are worth the early start. This eight-hour boat trip takes you through Bacuit Bay to the Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and Shimizu Island. I especially like the mix of dramatic limestone scenery and clear swimming water, plus the fact that lunch, a boat, a guide, and pickup from El Nido Town are included. The main drawback is that the best-known stops can be crowded, and several extra fees are not included in the $34 price.

I also like the freedom to swim, snorkel, and kayak rather than simply admire the islands from the boat. The crew received high praise from Julia of Germany, who called them kind and attentive, but she also found the meeting-point information incorrect and the follow-up communication weak. Confirm your pickup location on WhatsApp before the morning of the tour.

Key points to know before booking

• Four famous water stops: Tour A includes Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and Shimizu Island.
• Eight hours on Bacuit Bay: This is a full-day outing, not a quick scenic cruise.
• Lunch and boat included: You pay $34 per person, with hotel pickup included for hotels in El Nido Town.
• Extra fees apply: The environmental fee is 400 Philippine pesos, and lagoon fees are 200 Philippine pesos.
• Bring your own mask and snorkel: These are not included, along with personal expenses.
• Best for confident swimmers: The experience is not suitable for non-swimmers, pregnant women, or people with back problems.

What the $34 price really covers

At $34 per person, El Nido Tour A can be good value if you want a full day on the water without arranging a private boat, lunch, and guide separately. The package includes a professional English-speaking guide, boat transport, lunch, and hotel pickup within El Nido Town.

That price needs a little unpacking. You must pay the 400-peso environmental fee and 200-peso lagoon fees separately. A mask and snorkel are also not included, so bring your own if you have them or ask ahead about rental options. Snacks, water, sunscreen, and other personal costs are yours too.

The value improves if you plan to visit several major El Nido sights in one day. Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and Shimizu Island are not minor stops added to fill time. They are central sights in Bacuit Bay, and reaching them by boat gives you a broad view of the area.

The tradeoff is control. A shared day tour normally means following the group schedule, and the most popular places may feel busy. Julia’s excellent rating praised the crew and the trip itself, but she noted that the sites were somewhat crowded, which she expected. If you want quiet coves, long stays at one beach, or a custom route, a private arrangement may suit you better.

Meeting the boat in El Nido Town

Pickup is included from hotels in El Nido Town. If your hotel is farther away, a tricycle ride may cost extra and comes out of your own pocket. That makes your hotel location important when you calculate the true price.

The meeting instructions deserve special attention. The stated arrangement is to receive the nearest hotel location through WhatsApp, but Julia found the meeting point shown in the app was wrong. She reached the wrong place before sorting it out, and communication afterward was not strong.

My advice is simple: message BIZ IT Travel and Tours before the day of departure. Ask for the exact hotel or meeting point, the pickup time, and whether you need to walk to a nearby location. Keep the reply on your phone and be ready 15 minutes early.

This is a small step, but it can save you a stressful start. Boat days run on tide, weather, group movement, and access rules. Arriving late is a poor way to begin an otherwise beautiful day.

Big Lagoon: the grand opening scene

Big Lagoon is one of the headline stops on Tour A. Expect steep limestone walls, calm water, and the wide, cinematic view that makes El Nido so well known. It is the kind of place where the boat ride itself becomes part of the attraction.

The lagoon is best appreciated slowly. Look around as the boat enters, then pay attention to the water and cliffs rather than trying to photograph every second. You may have the chance to kayak or swim, depending on the day’s arrangements and conditions.

The likely drawback is popularity. Big Lagoon is famous for a reason, so you may find other boats and people sharing the same scenery. Go in expecting beauty rather than solitude. If you can accept a social setting, the scale of the lagoon makes it a strong first stop.

Bring a dry bag or another way to protect your camera. You will be around water throughout the day, and the tour recommends swimwear, extra clothes, and a camera for good reason.

Small Lagoon: closer, tighter, and more active

Small Lagoon gives the day a different feel. Instead of the broad open view associated with Big Lagoon, this stop focuses on narrow water passages and closer contact with the surrounding cliffs.

This is one of the places where kayaking can add real value. A kayak lets you move at your own pace through the clear water and look into the rock formations from a lower position. Swimming may also be possible, though you should follow the guide’s instructions and local rules.

Small Lagoon may feel more active than scenic if several groups arrive at the same time. Space can feel limited in a narrow waterway, and you may need to wait your turn or stay with the group. Still, the change from a wide lagoon to a more enclosed setting keeps Tour A from feeling repetitive.

Wear shoes that handle wet conditions. Comfortable footwear is specifically recommended, and the day includes getting in and out of a boat, swimming, and other water activities.

Secret Lagoon: a short route to a small world

Secret Lagoon is another signature stop, with access through a low opening in the rock. The appeal is not simply the water. It is the brief sense of entering somewhere concealed from the open bay.

This stop may require care with footing and movement. The tour is not suitable for people with back problems, and that warning matters here. If you have trouble bending, climbing, or moving through a tight route, ask the guide what access will involve before committing.

You should also expect some waiting if many people are trying to enter at once. The word secret sounds peaceful, but this is a recognized stop on a popular route. Keep your expectations practical and enjoy the unusual setting rather than expecting an empty pool.

A hat, sunscreen, and water will help during time spent outside the water. The tour suggests bringing snacks as well, which is useful if the group schedule leaves you hungry between lunch and the next stop.

Shimizu Island: the lunch and beach break

Shimizu Island provides a change of pace after the lagoons. Here you can relax on the shore, swim, snorkel, and eat the included lunch. It is the stop that lets you shift from sightseeing to simple beach time.

The clear waters around the island are suited to looking for marine life, though the tour does not specify exactly what you will see. Bring your own mask and snorkel if you want to make the most of the water, because equipment is not part of the package.

Lunch is included, which makes the $34 cost easier to justify. You do not have to arrange a separate meal while moving between islands. Still, bring snacks and water, especially if you have dietary needs that may not be covered by the provided meal.

The beach is also a good place to change into dry clothes. An extra set of clothing is recommended, and you will appreciate it after several water-based stops.

What Tour A does not include

The word included can make a tour sound more all-in than it is. Here, the important extras are clear:

• The 400-peso environmental fee is separate.
• Lagoon fees of 200 pesos are separate.
• Mask and snorkel are not included.
• Personal expenses are not included.
• Tricycle costs may apply if your hotel is outside El Nido Town.

You should also bring a hat, swimwear, a camera, sunscreen, snacks, and water. Smoking is not allowed, and you must not touch marine life or plants. Those rules protect the places you came to see, and they are easy to follow.

The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers. If you can swim but feel uneasy in open water, tell the guide at the start and stay within your comfort level. If you have back problems or are pregnant, choose another activity.

Tour A compared with the other routes

The operator presents four routes around El Nido, and the differences help you decide if Tour A fits your interests.

Tour B visits Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave, and Matinloc Shrine. That route may appeal more if you want a mix of beach scenery, cave exploration, and a cultural or historic stop.

Tour C combines places from Tours A and B. It may suit you if you want a wider sample of the area, though the day’s exact balance matters. More locations can also mean less time at each one.

Tour D focuses on Cadlao Island, the largest island in Bacuit Bay, and its beaches. Choose it if broad island scenery and beach time matter more to you than seeing the famous lagoons on Tour A.

Tour A is the straightforward choice for a first look at El Nido’s well-known water scenery. You get several lagoons, a beach island, and chances to swim, snorkel, and kayak in one eight-hour day.

How to prepare for eight hours on the water

Start with the basics. Wear swimwear under comfortable clothing, use sunscreen, and bring a hat. Pack a change of clothes in a waterproof bag if possible.

Keep your phone and camera protected. The tour encourages you to bring a camera, but boat spray and wet hands are part of the setting. A small dry bag is more useful than an expensive accessory you are afraid to use.

Arrive 15 minutes before pickup. This is particularly important because the meeting-point details may need confirmation. Send a WhatsApp message before the tour and do not rely only on the location shown in the booking app.

Do not expect a luxury cruise. The available information gives no boat size, group size, or seat arrangement, so you should not assume spacious seating or a private experience. Think of this as a practical shared boat day built around major natural sights.

The guide speaks English and can help with the day’s movement between boat, beach, lagoon, and water activity. Julia’s praise for the crew’s kindness and attention is encouraging, especially on a day when basic help with timing and safety matters.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend Tour A to someone visiting El Nido for the first time who wants to see the classic sights in one organized day. It fits people who like a mix of scenery and activity, rather than sitting on a beach for the entire afternoon.

It is also a good match if you want lunch and boat transport handled for you. The $34 starting price is reasonable once you account for the number of stops, though the environmental and lagoon fees must be added to your budget.

You may want another option if you need a quiet, private day, dislike shared schedules, or cannot swim. People with back problems should also avoid this tour, as should pregnant women according to the activity guidance.

The tour can work for families and groups only if everyone is comfortable with water activities and the physical movement involved. The available information does not specify a minimum age, child pricing, or boat capacity, so ask before booking if those details affect your plans.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

Book it if you want an efficient introduction to El Nido’s famous lagoons, a beach stop, lunch, and an English-speaking guide for $34 before extra fees. The crew’s friendly service is a strong point, and the route gives you a good range of scenery and water activities.

Do not book it expecting empty lagoons or perfectly clear meeting instructions. Confirm the pickup point through WhatsApp, budget for the 400-peso environmental fee and 200-peso lagoon fees, and bring your own mask and snorkel if you want to swim and see marine life.

For a first day in El Nido, Tour A is a sensible choice. Its value comes from covering the area’s best-known water sights in one organized outing, not from privacy or complete silence.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Island Hopping Tour A last?

The tour lasts eight hours. Check availability for the available starting times.

What places are included on Tour A?

Tour A visits Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and Shimizu Island.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is included for hotels in El Nido Town. Hotels farther from town may require an additional tricycle fare paid personally.

Where is the meeting point?

The nearest hotel meeting point is sent through WhatsApp. Confirm the exact location before the tour because the location shown in the app may not be correct.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the tour price.

Are snorkeling equipment and lagoon fees included?

No. Mask and snorkel are not included. The environmental fee is 400 pesos, and lagoon fees are 200 pesos.

What language does the guide speak?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Can I cancel the tour for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Who should not join this tour?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or non-swimmers.