El Nido: Private/Exclusive Island Hopping Tour A BEST PRICE!

El Nido’s limestone coast rewards an early start. This eight-hour private boat trip brings you to the famous Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, and Seven Commandos Beach without tying your day to a large group. I like the freedom to change the order of stops, and I like the crew’s personal attention, especially when guides such as Gabi, Jason, Renz, Joshua, and Edward help with photos, timing, and swimming safety. The main catch is cost: at $135 per person, you also pay the required environmental and lagoon fees, and extras such as kayaks, masks, and snorkels are not included.

This is a good choice if you want El Nido’s classic Tour A sights but prefer your own boat and a quieter pace. The private setup has helped some groups reach popular places between the busiest arrivals, though weather can change the route. I would also bring water shoes and a dry bag, since you may need to walk through the water to board.

Key points to know before booking

• Big Lagoon is the main event: Black limestone cliffs frame bright blue water, with time for swimming, photos, and optional kayaking.
• Private means flexible: Your guide can adjust the order of stops, which may help you avoid the thickest crowds.
• The crew earns high marks: Personal service, safety help, photo taking, and friendly care are repeated strengths, with guides including Gabi, Jason, Renz, Edward, Joshua, and Cyron.
• Lunch is a Filipino buffet: Portions can be generous, though one person found the food less impressive than the rest of the day.
• Extra costs matter: Environmental and lagoon entrance fees, kayak rental, and snorkeling gear are separate.
• Bring footwear for the water: Coral, stones, and the shallow boarding area make water shoes a smart choice.

What the $135 private price really buys

At $135 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see El Nido. You are paying for an exclusive boat, licensed crew, guide service, buffet lunch, bottled water, life vests, and the ability to shape the day around your group.

That last point matters most. A standard island tour follows a fixed schedule and carries more people. On this trip, your group can ask to change the order of the stops. Cyron, for example, adjusted the route so a couple could reach several islands with fewer people around. Another group skipped Seven Commandos and enjoyed a quieter beach instead.

I think the private price makes the most sense for couples, families, or friends who value space and personal attention. It is also useful if you want the guide to take photos, help with swimming, or adjust the pace. For a solo person, the price is harder to justify, although one solo passenger still felt comfortable because the crew was attentive and cheerful.

The price needs a careful reading. Government environmental and lagoon fees are not included. Kayak rental at Big Lagoon is also extra, and masks, snorkels, fins, and water shoes are not supplied as part of the basic package. One booking also ran into confusion over a kayak included for boarding the boat rather than for use inside the lagoon, so confirm exactly what your reservation covers before departure.

Soft drinks may also need checking. One passenger expected them but received only paper cups and a large bottle of water. Bottled water is included, but do not assume that sodas or other drinks are part of the deal.

A short tuk-tuk ride, then the shoreline

Pickup is available within one kilometer of Corong-Corong Beach, using a tuk-tuk. The ride is listed at about five minutes, so this is a simple start if you are staying nearby.

There is no hotel drop-off after the excursion. You will need to arrange your own way back, and the free pickup area is limited. Ask about the exact meeting point when you book, particularly if your accommodation is outside the one-kilometer zone.

The boat is licensed, and life vests are provided. Boarding can involve stepping into shallow water, so wear clothes that can get wet or pack a change of clothes in a dry bag. This is one of those small details that can shape your whole morning. Keep your phone, wallet, and camera sealed until you are safely aboard.

Seven Commandos Beach: an easy first swim

The first listed stop is Seven Commandos Beach, with about 45 minutes for photos, swimming, sightseeing, and a short cruise along the coast.

The beach is named after a group of soldiers left there during World War II. Today, its appeal is simpler: pale sand, tall limestone cliffs, coconut water, and a chance to stretch your legs after the boat ride.

This is a pleasant opening stop because it is not too demanding. You can swim, sit in the sun, or take photos without needing special equipment. I would not expect solitude here. It is one of El Nido’s well-known beaches, and its easy access makes it a popular stop.

If your group wants less time on a busier beach, ask the guide about changing the sequence or replacing a stop when conditions allow. One private group missed Seven Commandos and did not consider that a problem because the quieter alternatives suited them better.

Big Lagoon: the reason many people book

Big Lagoon is the centerpiece of Tour A. The entrance cuts between dark limestone cliffs into clear blue water, with a narrow channel and a small stream-like passage that gives the place its famous shape.

You have about 45 minutes here for photos, sightseeing, swimming, and kayaking. The water and cliffs create the most dramatic setting of the day, and several people singled it out as their favorite stop. It is also the place where crowd control matters most.

Kayaking gives you a slower way to explore the lagoon, but rental is not included. Ask the crew about the current fee before setting off. You can also swim, though the size of your group, the weather, and local operating rules may affect how much time you spend in the water.

The lagoon is beautiful, but it is not a private wilderness. Its fame brings plenty of boats. A private trip can improve your timing, but it cannot guarantee an empty lagoon. The guide’s skill matters here. Renz, Edward, and other guides were praised for taking photos and finding good angles, while several groups appreciated arriving at the right time to avoid the worst crowding.

Bring a dry bag for cameras and phones. The water around the boat and boarding points can reach your clothes, and the weather may turn quickly.

Shimizu Island: lunch, coral, and time in the water

Shimizu Island receives about an hour, making it one of the longer stops. It combines a lunch break with swimming and snorkeling beneath large limestone cliffs.

The buffet focuses on local Filipino dishes. The amount of food may be generous, particularly for a small private group, and one group with a seafood allergy was able to arrange a seafood-free lunch in advance through the operator. If you have an allergy or dietary restriction, tell the company early rather than waiting until you sit down.

Food quality appears less consistent than the crew service. One person called the lunch delicious, while another said food was the only weak point. I would treat the meal as a practical beach lunch, not the main reason to book the trip.

Shimizu is a good place for a relaxed swim and a look at the coral. The promotional description highlights the chance to see turtles, but turtle sightings are not guaranteed. Marine life depends on weather, water conditions, timing, and simple luck.

Masks and snorkels are not included. You can bring your own or rent them, and fins or water shoes are also separate. Water shoes are especially useful here because coral and stones can make entry uncomfortable.

Secret Lagoon: a small opening into another world

The Secret Lagoon offers a different mood from Big Lagoon. Instead of opening into a broad waterway, it is reached through a narrow entrance between steep limestone walls, leading into a former cave or enclosed pool.

The scheduled time is about 45 minutes for sightseeing, photos, and swimming. The entrance can be tight, and moving in and out may require care. If the water is rough or the area is crowded, your guide may shorten the visit or alter the order.

This stop is less about covering distance and more about the odd feeling of passing through rock into a hidden pocket of water. I would not expect a long swim here. It is a compact stop with a memorable setting, especially for people who enjoy unusual natural formations.

The name can create unrealistic expectations. Secret Lagoon is not guaranteed to feel secret, and it may be busy. Still, the limestone opening gives it a character that differs from the open beaches.

Payong-Payong Beach: a calm place to slow down

Payong-Payong Beach is listed for about 45 minutes of photos, swimming, snorkeling, and a short boat cruise.

This small beach is surrounded by rock formations and cliffs. The waves are described as gentle and modest, making it suitable for paddling and casual swimming when conditions are calm. It can also work well as a picnic stop, though the guide decides where lunch takes place.

I like this stop because it breaks up the headline attractions. Big Lagoon is about scale and scenery. Payong-Payong is about sitting near the rocks, getting in the water, and letting the day become less hurried.

Do not count on the exact sequence. Weather and local conditions may change the destinations, and the guide decides the lunch location. That flexibility is a useful feature of a private trip, but it also means your final route may differ from the advertised order.

The crew makes the private format worthwhile

The strongest part of this experience is the human service. Several guides were praised by name for being friendly, helpful, careful, and good with cameras.

Gabi received praise for timing stops to avoid group-tour crowds. Jason was described as professional and friendly, while Renz took photos and videos that made the day easier to remember. Edward kept a couple safe and entertained, and Joshua handled cloudy skies and choppy water with care. Cyron adjusted the plan for quieter stops and even found a secluded shore for lunch.

The crew’s support also goes beyond cheerful conversation. When one passenger became ill near the end of the day, the crew took her to the hospital and checked on her afterward. That is unusual and meaningful care, though you should still bring your own medicines and travel insurance.

The experience is not perfect every time. Rain can limit color, views, and swimming comfort. One group had a wet day but still felt the crew worked hard to keep spirits up. A private boat gives you flexibility, not control over the weather.

What to pack for eight hours on the water

Pack lightly, but pack smartly. You will be moving between boat, beach, lagoon, and shallow water.

• Sun hat and sunscreen
• Swimwear and beachwear
• A full change of clothes
• Towel
• Water shoes or sturdy sandals
• Dry bag for phone, money, and camera
• Cash for fees, rentals, and drinks
• Camera, if you want photos beyond what the guide takes

Plastic bottles, smoking in the vehicle, littering, and intoxication are not allowed. A wheelchair is not suitable for this activity because of the boat, beach, and water access.

The tour is conducted in English and Tagalog. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available start times because the activity lasts about eight hours.

Who should book this private Tour A?

I would choose this trip if you want El Nido’s signature places but dislike being packed into a large group. Couples will appreciate the private space, families can set a gentler pace, and photographers will value the crew’s help with angles and timing.

It also suits people who want practical help in the water. The crew can assist with safety, photos, gear, and route changes. If you have a food allergy, contact the operator before the day so lunch can be planned.

I would think twice if you are traveling alone and watching every peso. The private rate may feel steep for one person, especially after adding entrance charges, gear, drinks, and kayak rental. I would also avoid booking it if you need wheelchair access.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if privacy, flexible timing, and attentive service matter more to you than finding the lowest price. Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and the beaches give you the classic El Nido day, while the crew can help reduce waiting and crowd time.

Before paying, confirm the total cost, environmental fee, lagoon fee, kayak arrangement, snorkeling gear, and drink policy. Then pack water shoes and a dry bag, and stay flexible about the route. For a couple or small group, this is a strong way to see Tour A with less hurry and more personal care.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about eight hours, including transfers, boat travel, beach stops, swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and sightseeing.

What is the price?

The listed price is $135 per person. Environmental fees, lagoon entrance fees, kayak rental, and several pieces of equipment are not included.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. The boat is reserved for your private group, rather than shared with a larger group.

Where is pickup available?

Free tuk-tuk pickup is available within one kilometer of Corong-Corong Beach in El Nido.

Is hotel drop-off included?

No. Pickup is included within the stated area, but hotel drop-off is not included.

Is lunch provided?

Yes. A buffet lunch with local Filipino dishes is included. Tell the operator in advance about allergies or dietary needs.

Is snorkeling gear included?

No. Masks and snorkels can be rented if you do not bring your own. Fins and water shoes are also not included.

Is kayaking included at Big Lagoon?

Kayak rental at the lagoon is not included. Confirm the current arrangement before the trip, since a kayak used to carry bags to the boat is not necessarily a kayak rental for lagoon use.

Can the itinerary change?

Yes. Destinations and the lunch stop may change because of weather conditions. A private group can also ask the guide to adjust the order of stops.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users because of the boat, beaches, and water access.