El Nido Group Tour A with Beach Lunch

El Nido’s best-known sights fit into one busy day. This seven-hour boat trip links Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, Secret Lagoon, and Seven Commandos Beach, with lunch served on the sand. I like the mix of kayaking, swimming, snorkeling, and quiet beach time, and I especially like that the environmental fee and lagoon entrance are included. The main catch is that kayaks, masks, snorkels, and drinks cost extra, while several stops require walking in shallow seawater and climbing a boat ladder.

The tour costs $44.95 per person, which is a fair price for a full day among El Nido’s limestone cliffs and clear water. I would pack a waterproof bag, reef shoes or secure sandals, and cash for the extras. Families should request small life jackets ahead of time, since standard sizes may not suit young children.

Key points to know before booking

• Big Lagoon gets 90 minutes: Kayaking is available for P400 per kayak, shared by two people.
• Five major stops fill seven hours: This is an active day, not a slow beach escape.
• Lunch is served on a beach: Drinks are not included, so bring or buy water and soda.
• The environmental fee costs P400: It remains valid for 14 days.
• Snorkeling costs extra: A mask and snorkel set is P100, and the marine life may be modest in size.
• The boat may carry up to 50 people: Expect a group outing rather than a private island tour.

Why Tour A remains El Nido’s classic island day

El Nido’s appeal comes from contrast. One moment you are moving between high limestone walls in calm turquoise water. The next, you are sitting on a white beach with lunch, coconut palms, and open sea ahead.

Tour A makes that contrast easy to experience in one outing. The five stops cover the area’s most recognizable scenery, and the order gives you a good range of activities. Big Lagoon brings the grand views, Shimizu Island provides the main snorkeling stop, Secret Lagoon adds a little adventure, and the two beach stops slow the pace.

Still, you should set the right expectations. This is a shared boat tour with a maximum group size of 50. That keeps the price low, but it also means boarding, moving between stops, and finding a quiet patch of sand can take more time than on a private charter.

The total duration is about seven hours, with a 9:00 am start. That is long enough to make the boat trip worthwhile without turning the day into an exhausting marathon. You will spend much of the day in or near the water, so this suits people who want active sightseeing rather than a purely scenic cruise.

Big Lagoon: the dramatic opening scene

The first stop is Big Lagoon, with about 90 minutes allocated to explore. This is the grandest setting of the day, with sheer limestone cliffs rising around clear, calm water.

Kayaking is the best way to appreciate the lagoon. A kayak costs P400 per boat and is good for two people, so sharing keeps the add-on reasonable. The water also allows for swimming and snorkeling, although the cliffs and the passage through the lagoon are the main attraction here.

I would treat the kayak rental as part of the real cost of the tour if you want the full Big Lagoon experience. You can still enjoy the stop without one, but kayaking lets you move at your own pace and get closer to the rock walls.

Bring a dry bag for your phone, wallet, and spare clothes. You may need to transfer between the tour boat and shallow water, and keeping electronics exposed on a boat is asking for trouble.

The 90-minute visit sounds generous, but it can pass quickly once you account for organizing the kayaks and getting in and out of the water. If you want photographs without rushing, keep your belongings simple and be ready when the crew gives boarding instructions.

Shimizu Island: a modest but pleasant snorkeling stop

Shimizu Island receives another 90 minutes. Its clear water and coral areas make it the main stop for mask-and-snorkel time.

The gear costs P100 per set, which is inexpensive, but it is not included in the advertised price. If you already own suitable equipment, bringing it may save a small rental and give you a better fit. The tour also offers swimming around the island.

The snorkeling here should be approached with realistic expectations. You may see tropical fish and coral, but the fish can be small, with many no larger than a palm. A few larger fish may appear, but this is not presented as a major wildlife encounter.

That does not make the stop pointless. Clear water, a short swim, and the chance to see coral add variety to the day. Just do not book Tour A mainly because you expect a huge underwater spectacle. The cliffs, lagoons, and beaches are the stronger reasons to choose it.

The boat and water access also matter. You may have to walk through the sea and use a ladder to return to the boat. This can be awkward for anyone with limited mobility, although the crew and boat driver have been helpful to older adults who need assistance.

Payong-Payong Beach: the quiet pause

Payong-Payong Beach is scheduled for one hour. Compared with the bigger attractions, this is the stop for sitting down, swimming in shallow water, and taking a breath.

The beach is described as secluded, with pale sand, clear water, limestone cliffs, and greenery around it. That setting gives you a break from the movement of the boat and the activity at the lagoon.

One hour is enough for a swim and a little rest, but not enough for a long, lazy beach afternoon. Keep your expectations practical. You are visiting several places in one day, so each stop is a sample rather than a full stay.

This is also a useful place to make sure your sun protection is still working. The boat, pale sand, and open water can expose you to strong sun for hours. Pack sunscreen, a hat, and a shirt that can get wet.

Secret Lagoon: a short passage into still water

Secret Lagoon gets about 90 minutes and offers the tour’s most playful entrance. You reach the pool through a small opening in a limestone wall, then enter a secluded area enclosed by rock.

The narrow opening is part of the appeal, but it also means movement can be less comfortable for people who dislike tight spaces or uneven footing. You should expect to walk through water and follow the crew’s instructions rather than stroll straight off the boat onto a normal pier.

Once inside, the enclosed pool creates a different mood from Big Lagoon. The setting feels sheltered and quiet, with cliffs close around you. It is a good place for a swim and photographs, though the entry itself can create a queue when the group is large.

Wear footwear that stays firmly on your feet. Flip-flops can be poor companions when you are stepping through shallow water or onto wet rock. A secure pair of water shoes or sandals will make the stop easier.

Seven Commandos Beach: the best place to linger

The final stop lasts about 90 minutes at Seven Commandos Beach. White sand, blue water, and coconut palms give it the relaxed postcard look many people expect from El Nido.

This is a good place for a final swim, a little snorkeling, and a rest after the lagoon stops. A fresh coconut is part of the beach atmosphere, although drinks such as water and soda are not included in the tour price. Budget for refreshments rather than assuming the beach stop covers them.

Seven Commandos is popular, so it may not feel as secluded as Payong-Payong Beach. That is the trade-off. You get a more developed and familiar beach setting, but the stop can feel less private, especially with a large shared group.

The 90-minute timing works well here. It gives you enough space to dry off, eat lunch if the schedule places it here, and enjoy the shore without immediately rushing back aboard. I would save some energy for this stop instead of treating the whole morning as a race between photo points.

Beach lunch and the real cost of the day

A beach lunch is included, which adds meaningful value to a seven-hour excursion. You do not need to arrange a separate midday meal while moving between islands, and eating beside the water makes the day feel like more than a transport service.

Drinks are not included. Bring water or plan to purchase it, along with soda if you want one. Staying hydrated matters here because you will spend hours in heat, sun, and salt water.

The headline price is $44.95 per person. The included lagoon entrance, P400 environmental fee, town pickup, and beach lunch make that price more attractive than it first appears. The environmental fee is valid for 14 days, which may help if you take another eligible outing during the same period.

Your optional spending may include:

• P400 for a kayak that serves two people
• P100 for a mask and snorkel set
• Drinks
• An extra pickup fee if you stay outside El Nido Town

For two people who share one kayak, rent one snorkeling set each, and buy drinks, the final cost remains fairly moderate. For a family, the add-ons can grow, especially if everyone needs equipment. The tour is good value for a full day, but compare the base price with your likely extras before booking.

Pickup, group size, and physical demands

Free pickup is offered within El Nido Town. Pickup outside town costs extra, so check your accommodation location before assuming the advertised price covers transport.

The stated start time is 9:00 am. Confirmation arrives when you book, and the tour is offered with a mobile ticket, which makes it simple to keep the booking on your phone.

A maximum of 50 people means you should expect a social, shared experience. The crew has been described as fun, helpful, and attentive, including assistance for an aunt and mother with limited mobility. That is encouraging, but it does not remove the physical demands of the stops.

You may need to:

• Walk through seawater
• Climb a ladder back onto the boat
• Enter the Secret Lagoon through a small opening
• Swim or snorkel
• Get on and off the boat several times

Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. Still, anyone with serious mobility concerns should contact the operator before booking and explain what assistance is needed. The crew can help, but the natural settings do not offer step-free access.

Families should ask for small life jackets in advance if they have young children. This is a simple request that can make the day safer and more comfortable.

What to pack for a smoother day

A few small choices make a big difference on this tour.

Bring a waterproof bag for phones, cash, towels, and dry clothing. Wear footwear suitable for seawater, wet rocks, and boat ladders. Pack sunscreen, a hat, and drinking water, since drinks are not part of the package.

Keep your valuables to a minimum. You will move between boat, beach, lagoon, and water, and there may not be a convenient dry place for everything.

If snorkeling matters to you, consider bringing your own mask and snorkel. Rental equipment costs only P100 per set, but personal gear usually fits better. For Big Lagoon, decide in advance if you want to kayak so you are not spending valuable time making the choice at the dock.

Who should book El Nido Tour A?

I would recommend this tour to first-time visitors who want the famous El Nido sights in one day. It gives you a solid introduction to the area without requiring private boat pricing.

It also suits couples, friends, and families who enjoy switching between activities. You can kayak, swim, snorkel, eat lunch, and rest on beaches without arranging separate bookings.

I would be more cautious if you want quiet, unhurried island time. Five stops and a group of up to 50 people create a fixed rhythm. You will see a lot, but you will not control the schedule.

The tour is also less suitable for anyone expecting exceptional snorkeling. The water is clear and fish are present, but much of the marine life may be small. Choose it for the full combination of scenery and activities, not for underwater wildlife alone.

Should you book it?

Book El Nido Tour A if you want the classic lagoon-and-beach experience at a reasonable price, and you are comfortable with a shared boat, extra equipment fees, and repeated water entry. The strongest features are the dramatic Big Lagoon, the unusual Secret Lagoon entrance, the beach lunch, and the helpful crew.

Before paying, confirm that your pickup is within El Nido Town, set aside money for a kayak and drinks, and request small life jackets for young children. Cancel at least 24 hours before the 9:00 am start for a full refund. If poor weather cancels the outing, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour A last?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 am.

Which places does the tour visit?

The tour visits Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, Secret Lagoon, and Seven Commandos Beach.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch on the beach is included.

Is the environmental fee included?

Yes. The P400 environmental fee per person is included and remains valid for 14 days.

Is the Big Lagoon entrance fee included?

Yes. The lagoon entrance fee of P200 per person is included.

Does the tour include a kayak?

No. Kayak rental costs P400 per kayak, and one kayak is suitable for two people.

Are masks and snorkels included?

No. A mask and snorkel set costs P100.

Is hotel pickup included?

Free pickup is available within El Nido Town. Pickup outside town requires an additional charge.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time to receive a full refund for a voluntary cancellation.