El Nido: Island Hopping TOUR A with Lunch, Transfer & EDTF

El Nido’s famous lagoons are worth the early start. This eight-hour boat trip links Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, and Seven Commandos Beach for $50 per person. I like the excellent mix of scenery and swimming, and I like that lunch, boat transport, guide service, water, and required environmental and lagoon fees are included.

The main drawback is transport clarity. Pickup is included only within El Nido Town Proper, yet arrangements for hotels outside that area have caused confusion and extra charges. I would confirm your exact pickup and return plan in writing before the morning of the tour.

Five Details That Matter Before You Book

• Big Lagoon gives you the signature El Nido view: Tall limestone cliffs rise around clear blue water, making this the day’s strongest photo stop.
• Secret Lagoon requires careful footing: You pass through a low, rocky opening, which can be awkward at high tide. Water shoes are a smart choice.
• Shimizu Island is the lunch and snorkeling stop: You get a white-sand beach, shade, swimming, and a meal in one relaxed break.
• The $50 price covers useful extras: Lunch, drinking water, a motorized boat, guide, lagoon fee, environmental fee, life vest, and town pickup are included.
• Bring or rent your own water gear: Snorkeling masks, fins, and kayaks cost extra, and one damaged kayak caused a serious problem during a recent outing.
• Allow extra care for out-of-town hotels: Lodging around Lio, Nampacan Beach, Meregeme, and other areas outside town may not qualify for free transfers.

What This Eight-Hour Day Feels Like

Tour A is El Nido’s classic island-hopping route. It is built around the natural features that made Bacuit Bay famous: sheer limestone walls, pale sand, sheltered water, and shallow swimming areas where you can look for fish and coral.

The day begins with pickup in El Nido Town Proper and a ride to the port. Pickup details are confirmed after booking, with a reminder sent two days before departure. On the morning itself, you are asked to wait in your hotel lobby for a driver holding a sign with your name.

That sounds simple, but the boundary around included transport matters. If your hotel is outside town, do not assume that a free van will come for you. At least one booking involved a tuk-tuk driver requesting 250 pesos, while another involved guests paying for their own transport after being told late that their hotel was outside the service area.

I would treat transport as part of the booking, not a minor detail. Send the hotel name and location before the day of travel. Ask two direct questions: Is pickup included from this address, and who handles the return trip? Clear answers can save an unpleasant argument before breakfast.

The boat trip itself lasts about eight hours from pickup through return. Expect a full sun-and-water day, not a gentle sightseeing cruise. You will board and leave the boat several times, swim, walk over uneven rock, and share popular stops with other boats.

Big Lagoon: The Main Event on Miniloc Island

Big Lagoon is the visual anchor of Tour A. It sits on Miniloc Island, enclosed by towering limestone cliffs that make the water feel like a natural amphitheater. The blue water and dramatic rock walls are the kind of scenery that explains why El Nido appears on so many postcards.

The stop lasts about an hour and includes a photo visit. This is where you will want a dry bag or waterproof phone case. The combination of boat transfers, swimming, and spray makes ordinary luggage a poor choice.

The cliffs are the real attraction here, not a long beach stay. If your ideal morning means dramatic views and calm water, Big Lagoon should meet expectations. If you want a quiet, private setting, the popularity of the stop may be less appealing.

Kayaks may be available as an extra, but they are not included in the $50 price. Ask about the condition of any kayak before paying. A recent booking involved a leaking kayak that took on water and eventually sank, creating a safety problem and cutting short the visit to the sights.

That incident should not define every boat or rental, but it is a useful warning. Check for visible damage, ask how the rental works, and do not use equipment that feels unsafe. Life vests are provided on board, so wear one whenever you are in the boat or using water equipment.

Secret Lagoon: A Short Passage into a Natural Pool

Secret Lagoon is also on Miniloc Island, but it offers a different kind of stop. You leave the boat near a white-sand beach and make your way through a rocky, cave-like opening to reach the pool beyond.

At low tide, entering is fairly direct. At high tide, the passage can be tight, and you need to watch your head. The rocks may also be slippery, so water shoes are more useful here than fashionable flip-flops.

The stop includes swimming and may include kayaking, depending on availability and extra cost. The appeal is the sense of entering a small natural room hidden behind the cliffs. It is less about a long swim than about the unusual entrance and enclosed setting.

This is one of the stops where the promise of an easy family outing needs a little qualification. The operator describes the trip as suitable for children, seniors, and people with disabilities, but the rocky access at Secret Lagoon can still be physically demanding. If you have limited balance or mobility, ask the operator what assistance is available before booking.

Pregnant people and anyone over 95 are listed as unsuitable for the activity. Those restrictions make sense given the boat transfers, uneven ground, and repeated movement in and out of the water.

Shimizu Island: Lunch Beside Clear Water

Shimizu Island is the practical heart of the day. It provides a white-sand beach, shade from limestone cliffs, swimming, snorkeling, and the included island lunch. After the enclosed lagoons, this stop gives you space to sit down and reset.

The water around the island is described as a good place to see fish and coral. With luck, you may also spot a sea turtle while snorkeling, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. Bring your own mask and fins if you have them, because snorkeling gear is not included.

Lunch is part of the price, which adds real value to a $50 day. You do not need to search for food on an island, and the stop lets you combine eating with swimming and photos. Drinking water is also included.

There is one practical weakness in the meal setup. One recent outing ran short of forks, and food was gone before replacements arrived. This sounds small until you are eating grilled items, rice, and other dishes on a beach with limited facilities. Carrying a small spoon or reusable camping utensil could be worthwhile, especially if you are particular about lunch comfort.

A local legend says the island was named for a scuba diver called Shimizu, whose remains were found after he disappeared while exploring underwater tunnels. It is an eerie detail attached to an otherwise sunny picnic stop, and it adds a little local character without changing what you will do there: eat, swim, snorkel, and rest.

Payong-Payong Beach: The Quiet Pause

Payong-Payong Beach is a calmer stop on the southern side of Miniloc Island. Cliffs, unusual rock shapes, clear water, and shade trees frame the beach, making it a good place to slow down after the more dramatic lagoon visits.

The schedule allows about an hour for swimming and a beach visit. There are no listed sports or organized activities here, which is part of the appeal. You can sit on the sand, take photos, swim, and enjoy the setting without feeling pushed into another paid activity.

The water is described as suitable for snorkeling, with fish and coral close to shore. Again, bring your own mask if you want to make the most of it. A towel, reef-safe sunscreen, hat, and water shoes will make this stop much easier.

Payong-Payong is also a useful reminder that Tour A is not only about collecting famous photo stops. Some of the pleasure comes from having an hour with no major task. You can simply dry off, look at the cliffs, and let the day breathe.

Seven Commandos Beach: The Final Swim

Seven Commandos Beach is the closing stop and one of the day’s most recognizable beaches. It stretches for about 320 meters, with white sand, coconut trees, and limestone cliffs around it.

Although it is technically on El Nido’s mainland, the beach can only be reached by boat. That limited access helps preserve its island-beach feel, even though it is a well-known stop on the route.

Swimming and kayaking are available here, with kayaking costing extra. The beach is also a good place for final photos before the boat heads back to El Nido.

The origin of the name is uncertain. Local stories connect it to stranded soldiers, a fishing boat, or a carved stone found by residents. You will not need to settle the mystery to enjoy the beach, but it is a memorable detail to keep in mind as you look along the shore.

As the last stop, Seven Commandos can feel either perfectly timed or slightly tiring. After several hours in the sun, you may be ready for a swim, or you may want a dry seat and a cold drink. Bring enough water and use sunscreen regularly, especially because shade is not guaranteed on every part of the day.

What the $50 Price Really Includes

At $50 per person, this is a solid package if you stay inside the included service area. The price covers:

• Round-trip transfer within El Nido Town Proper
• Motorized boat transportation
• Island lunch
• Drinking water
• Guide service in English
• Life vest on board
• Lagoon fee
• Environmental fee

The lagoon and environmental fees are important inclusions. These charges can otherwise appear as annoying add-ons at the port, so having them built into the price makes budgeting easier.

The price does not include transport for hotels outside El Nido Town Proper. It also excludes snorkeling masks, fins, aqua shoes, and kayaks. The equipment wording is not perfectly clear, so I would assume you need to bring your own snorkeling gear and pay separately for any kayak.

For a full day with five major stops, lunch, boat transport, and required fees, the package offers good value. The value drops quickly if you need to add hotel transfers, multiple equipment rentals, or unexpected charges. Confirm every extra before boarding.

Guides, Safety, and Comfort on the Water

The guide teams have been described as friendly, helpful, and fun. That matters on an island trip because the guide handles timing, beach access, boat movement, and the small problems that come with a wet day outdoors.

The tour is conducted in English. Life vests are available on board, and alcohol and drugs are not allowed. One booking raised a safety concern about smoking in a small fuel-powered boat. I would prefer a strict no-smoking rule on the boat, and you should speak up if smoke makes you uncomfortable.

The operator presents the experience as suitable for children, seniors, and people with disabilities. Still, the route includes boarding a motorized boat, walking through a rocky opening, swimming, and moving over beach and reef areas. Accessibility can vary from stop to stop, so ask specific questions about boarding assistance and Secret Lagoon access if that affects your decision.

Pack light, but bring the items that matter:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Reef-safe, biodegradable sunscreen
• Sun hat, sunglasses, and a head covering if useful
• Water shoes
• Snorkeling mask and fins
• Flip-flops for dry beach walking
• Waterproof bags for phones and valuables
• Hand sanitizer or tissues

The sun in El Nido can be intense. Reapply sunscreen, drink water throughout the day, and do not wait until you feel thirsty.

Who Will Enjoy Tour A Most?

I would recommend this trip to first-time visitors who want El Nido’s famous sights in one efficient day. It suits couples, families with older children, and active adults who like alternating between scenery, swimming, snorkeling, and beach time.

It is also a good choice if you want a straightforward package rather than arranging a private boat, lunch, permits, and port transfers yourself. The route gives you a broad taste of Bacuit Bay without requiring several separate days.

I would be more cautious if you dislike crowds, need quiet beaches, or have limited mobility. The word accessible should not be read as effortless. Rocky terrain, boat transfers, and water activities remain part of the day.

I would also avoid booking without clarification if your accommodation is in Lio, Nampacan Beach, Meregeme, or another location outside El Nido Town Proper. The transport confusion is the clearest weakness in an otherwise well-liked experience.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking make the plan easier to adjust. Those terms are useful during a Palawan trip, where weather and boat operations can affect plans.

Should You Book El Nido Tour A?

Book it if you want the classic El Nido day: Big Lagoon’s cliffs, Secret Lagoon’s rocky entrance, a beach lunch on Shimizu Island, a quiet pause at Payong-Payong, and a final swim at Seven Commandos. The scenery is the reason to come, and the package includes enough basics to make $50 fair value.

Before paying, confirm pickup, return transport, and any equipment rental costs. Bring water shoes and reef-safe sunscreen, and inspect any kayak before using it.

My call: yes, for first-time El Nido visitors who confirm the logistics first. If you are staying outside town or want a more private and relaxed outing, compare the total cost with a private boat before booking.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour A last?

The activity lasts about eight hours, including pickup, the boat trip, five stops, and the return to El Nido.

Which places are included in Tour A?

The route includes Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Seven Commandos Beach, and Payong-Payong Beach.

Is lunch included?

Yes. An island lunch and drinking water are included in the price.

Is hotel pickup included?

Round-trip pickup is included within El Nido Town Proper only. Hotels outside that area may need to arrange and pay for their own transport.

Are snorkeling masks and fins included?

No. Snorkeling masks and fins are not included, so bring your own or arrange rental separately.

Is kayaking included?

No. Kayaks are not included in the tour price and may cost extra at the stops where they are available.

Is the tour suitable for children and seniors?

The tour is presented as suitable for children, seniors, and people with disabilities. However, Secret Lagoon has rocky access, and the day includes boat transfers, swimming, and uneven ground.

Can I cancel the booking for a full refund?

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