El Nido: Island Hopping Tour A with Kayaking on Big Lagoon

Five stops, one busy island day. This El Nido island-hopping trip packs the area’s famous sights into six hours, with kayaking in Big Lagoon, snorkeling, beach time, and a picnic lunch at Shimizu Island. I like the mix of classic scenery and active water time, and the $21 price is appealing because it includes the boat, guide, equipment, lunch, and drinking water. I also like that you can book a private group if you want a more personal outing.

The main tradeoff is that Tour A is popular, so Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, the beaches, and even the boat may feel crowded. You also need to budget for the kayak, environmental fee, Big Lagoon fee, and optional water shoes or fins. Guides Anderson and Ken Kyle earned warm praise for their humor and energy, while one useful criticism was that the tour could offer more information about each place.

Key points before you book

• Big Lagoon kayaking costs extra: Kayak rental is PHP 300 for two people or PHP 350 for three, in addition to the tour price.
• The day includes five named destinations: Seven Commandos Beach, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, and a snorkeling site listed as near Advince or South Miniloc.
• Snorkeling equipment is included: You receive a mask, snorkel, and life jacket, but fins cost PHP 150 per pair to rent.
• Lunch is served on the islands: The picnic is planned for Shimizu Island or Payong-Payong Beach, depending on the day’s arrangements.
• The meeting point is specific: Go inside Marbers Resto Bar on Calle Hama Beach Front and ask for Annabelle or any Alexzus staff member.
• Allow for a full, active morning and afternoon: The tour lasts six hours and includes swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, walking, and time in the sun.

Why this six-hour route works

Tour A is built around El Nido’s greatest visual hits. You get pale sand, tall limestone cliffs, clear water, hidden rock pools, and reef time without needing to plan separate boat trips.

That makes the tour a strong first outing if you have limited time in El Nido. You can sample several types of island scenery in one day, then decide which places deserve a slower return visit.

The $21 starting price gives you good value on paper. A licensed tourist boat, captain, local English-speaking guide, mask, snorkel, life jacket, picnic lunch, and purified water are included. The price is less complete once you add the required environmental fee of PHP 400 per person, the Big Lagoon access fee of PHP 200, and the kayak if you want to paddle inside the lagoon.

Still, the core costs are easy to understand. You are paying for a six-hour boat outing with meals and basic gear, not just transport between beaches. I would compare the final total, rather than judging the advertised price alone.

The route is active but not extreme. You need enough energy for repeated boarding and swimming stops, and the tour is not considered suitable for people over 70. Bring cash for the extra fees and rentals. The operator accepts cancellations up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your schedule is still moving around.

Meeting at Marbers on Calle Hama Beach Front

The day starts at Marbers Resto Bar, located on the Calle Hama Beach Front. Go inside and look for Annabelle or any staff member from Alexzus Travel and Tours.

This is more useful than simply being told to meet at a general beach area. Calle Hama can be active with restaurants, boats, and people heading out for the day, so give yourself time to find the correct place. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The activity ends back at the meeting point, making it easier to plan dinner or an evening walk afterward.

One detail deserves attention: the supplied location information identifies Cavite, while the meeting point and route clearly refer to El Nido. I would confirm the exact booking location before paying, especially if you are arranging transport from another part of the Philippines.

Seven Commandos Beach: an easy start

Seven Commandos Beach is the first proper stop, with about an hour for swimming, sightseeing, and relaxing on the sand. It is a gentle way to begin because you can choose your pace. Swim in the clear water, sit under the sun, or simply take photos of the shoreline and limestone surroundings.

The beach is also a useful place to get comfortable with the boat group and the day’s rhythm. You will soon be moving between stops, so this first hour gives you time to settle in before the more activity-focused parts of the route.

The drawback is popularity. Seven Commandos is one of the familiar stops on the El Nido circuit, and its powdery sand can attract many boats at once. If you want a quiet, empty beach, this may not deliver that mood. If you want an easy swim and a famous setting, it does the job well.

Bring a hat and sunscreen, and use your change of clothes later if your beachwear stays wet. The tour schedule is fairly tight, so do not wander far from the meeting point on the beach.

Big Lagoon: the main event with a paddle

Big Lagoon receives about 105 minutes, the longest stop on the route. Its tall limestone cliffs and calm turquoise water create the day’s most memorable setting, and kayaking lets you see it from water level rather than only from the boat.

Kayaking is not included in the basic price. A two-seat kayak costs PHP 300, while a three-seat kayak costs PHP 350. For couples or small groups, sharing the rental keeps the extra cost modest. I would decide before the tour whether you plan to kayak, then bring enough cash and allow time for the rental process.

The lagoon is the place where the extra fee makes the most sense. Paddling gives you control over your pace and lets you stop for photos in a way you cannot always do from a moving boat. You can also swim and take in the cliffs, although the schedule leaves limited time for lingering.

Big Lagoon is also one of the busiest parts of Tour A. Boats, kayaks, and photo stops can make the water feel crowded. The experience is still scenic, but you should expect a shared public attraction rather than a private wilderness outing.

The Big Lagoon users fee is PHP 200 per person for one-time access. That is separate from the PHP 400 environmental fee, which is valid for five days. If you plan more island trips during that period, keep proof of the environmental payment and ask how the fee applies to your other outings.

Snorkeling near Advince or South Miniloc

The route includes a snorkeling stop described as near Advince or South Miniloc. The exact site may vary, but the purpose is clear: this is your chance to see coral reefs and marine life away from the beaches and lagoons.

Mask, snorkel, and a life jacket are included. Fins are optional at PHP 150 per pair, and water shoes cost PHP 100 per pair. Water shoes can be useful if the entry area is rocky, but the supplied information does not promise a particular type of shoreline, so treat them as a comfort choice rather than a must.

I like that snorkeling is part of the main route instead of being offered as a vague extra. You get a change from sightseeing and beach lounging, and the stop gives the day more variety. One of the strongest positive points about this trip is the snorkeling opportunity.

Respect the rules here. Do not touch marine life, animals, or plants. Those rules protect the reef and also keep you from damaging something you came to see. Bring a waterproof camera if you want pictures, but make sure you can handle it without grabbing coral or the seabed.

Shimizu Island: lunch with a view

The lunch stop at Shimizu Island lasts about 105 minutes. That is enough time for a proper break, eating, and enjoying the surroundings without rushing straight back onto the boat.

The picnic lunch and purified drinking water are included. This matters because a six-hour island trip in the sun can become tiring quickly, and having food arranged removes one more planning task.

You may also be directed to Payong-Payong Beach for lunch, depending on the day’s arrangement. Either way, expect a simple island picnic rather than a restaurant meal. One practical limitation is the vegetarian selection. The available feedback points to rice and noodles as the main meat-free choices, so tell the operator about dietary needs in advance and do not assume a wide vegetarian menu.

This is a good place to use the snacks you bring, too. The recommended packing list includes water, snacks, sun protection, beachwear, insect repellent, and cash. Even with lunch included, a small snack can help if you are hungry between stops.

Secret Lagoon: a short visit with a big setting

Secret Lagoon receives about 45 minutes. Reaching it involves exploring an enclosed spot behind rock formations, giving the day a different feel from the open beach and broad lagoon.

The visit is guided, and the guide can help with the flow of the stop. Because the time is short, you should be ready to follow the group rather than treating this as a long, private exploration. The rock formations are the main draw, and the contrast between the open sea and this tucked-away pool makes the stop worthwhile.

Secret Lagoon is another popular location, so crowding may affect how secluded it feels. That is the central issue with this route: the scenery is excellent, but the most famous places are shared with many other boats. I would come for the setting and the variety, not for solitude.

What the guides add to the day

The guide is important on a group boat trip. The best guides keep boarding, swimming, equipment, lunch, and departure times moving without making the day feel stiff.

Anderson and Ken Kyle received especially warm praise for being funny and helping make the outing memorable. That kind of personality matters more than it might seem. Six hours on a boat includes waiting, changing gear, and moving between islands, so a friendly guide can make those small pauses pleasant.

The tour is conducted in English, and a licensed local tour guide is included. I would not expect a detailed lecture at every stop. One piece of useful criticism is that the places could receive more explanation. If you want strong cultural or geographic commentary, ask questions directly rather than waiting for a long talk.

The positive pattern is clear: the human side of the trip is one of its strengths. The guides are described as friendly, funny, and well organized. That can turn a standard route into a much better day.

Crowds, comfort, and the real pace

The schedule adds up to a busy half-day: one hour at Seven Commandos, 105 minutes at Big Lagoon, 105 minutes for lunch, and 45 minutes at Secret Lagoon, along with the snorkeling stop and boat transfers.

You will be in the sun for much of the day. Sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, beachwear, and a change of clothes are sensible. Insect repellent is also recommended, and a waterproof camera helps protect your phone or camera around the water.

The boat includes life jackets, and the captain is licensed. Even so, listen carefully during the safety briefing and keep your gear together. Island trips involve wet surfaces, frequent movement, and quick departures.

Smoking, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed. The no-touch rule applies to marine life, animals, and plants. These are simple requirements, but following them makes the trip safer and less harmful to the places you are visiting.

A private group is available. That option may suit you if you want more control over the pace or prefer not to share the day with a larger mixed group, though the supplied price is the advertised starting rate and does not state the private-group surcharge.

Who gets the best value from this tour?

I would choose this experience if you want El Nido’s signature scenery in one organized outing. It suits couples, friends, and active families who are happy to swim, snorkel, kayak, and spend several hours outside.

It is also a good first-day choice because the route covers so much. You do not need to arrange separate gear, lunch, or boat transport, and the English-speaking guide keeps the basic plan together.

I would think twice if your priority is silence, a slow pace, or long stretches on one beach. The route is popular, and the timetable leaves little room to linger. I would also check lunch arrangements carefully if you need a substantial vegetarian meal.

The starting price is fair for what is included, but budget for PHP 600 in fixed environmental and Big Lagoon fees, plus any equipment rentals. Add PHP 300 or PHP 350 for a shared kayak, PHP 100 for water shoes, and PHP 150 for fins if needed. Those extras can change the final cost, but the package still offers a practical way to see several major sites.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

Book it if you want an energetic, well-organized introduction to El Nido with strong scenery, snorkeling, kayaking, and a picnic lunch in one day. The guides, especially Anderson and Ken Kyle, appear to be a major part of the appeal, and the basic inclusions make the $21 starting price attractive.

Skip it if crowds frustrate you or if you want deep explanations at every stop. Before booking, confirm the exact meeting location, ask about the snorkeling site and vegetarian lunch choices, and set aside cash for the kayak and access fees. With those expectations in place, this is a solid value trip for seeing El Nido’s famous island scenery without complicated planning.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour A with kayaking last?

The tour lasts six hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Where does the tour start?

You meet at Marbers Resto Bar on Calle Hama Beach Front. Go inside and look for Annabelle or any Alexzus staff member.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is kayaking included in the tour price?

No. A two-seat kayak costs PHP 300, and a three-seat kayak costs PHP 350.

Is the Big Lagoon fee included?

No. The Big Lagoon users fee is PHP 200 per person for one-time access.

What is the environmental fee?

The environmental fee is PHP 400 per person and is valid for five days.

Are snorkeling equipment and life jackets provided?

Yes. A mask, snorkel, and life jacket are included.

Are fins and water shoes included?

No. Fins can be rented for PHP 150 per pair, and water shoes can be rented for PHP 100 per pair.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic lunch and purified drinking water are included. Lunch is planned for Shimizu Island or Payong-Payong Beach.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.