El Nido Island Hopping Tour A with Lunch

El Nido looks best from the water. This six to eight-hour boat trip combines white-sand beaches, limestone islands, lagoons, and a generous Filipino lunch for $24 per person. I especially like the five-island format and the included boat transfers, which make a full day around Bacuit Bay simple to arrange.

I also like the friendly crew and the food, which can include fruit, vegetables, fish, chicken, pork, and rice. The main drawback is that the low headline price does not cover every cost. You may need to pay an environmental fee, lagoon fee, kayak rental, snorkeling gear, or aqua shoes separately.

Key points before you book

• Secret Lagoon: Reach a small lagoon hidden behind a white beach and limestone rock.
• Shimizu Island: Enjoy clear water, shade from lush trees, and time to swim.
• Seven Commando Beach: Spend the longest listed stop on a broad, scenic beach.
• Lunch is a real part of the day: The meal can include several dishes, rice, fruit, and options arranged for some dietary needs.
• Small enough to feel manageable: The boat group can have up to 30 people, with a local guide and crew.
• Budget carefully: The $24 price excludes several fees and optional equipment charges.

What El Nido Tour A is really offering

This is a classic full-day El Nido boat outing. You meet at Mabuhay Sports Bar in downtown El Nido at 9:00 am, board the boat with a local guide, and spend roughly six to eight hours moving between beaches, islands, and lagoons before returning to the same meeting point.

The appeal is variety. You are not spending the whole day on one beach. Instead, the trip gives you several short stops, each with a different purpose. One stop centers on a lagoon, another on swimming and shade, and another on a beach where you can slow down for a longer break.

The advertised format includes five islands and three possible themes: hidden beaches and shrines, lagoons and beaches, or caves and coves. The named stops supplied for this Tour A schedule are Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commando Beach. Since the exact final two stops are not detailed, I would confirm the day’s route when you check in.

That small bit of planning matters. El Nido boats can adjust their order to manage crowds and sea conditions. One passenger particularly liked being taken in the reverse direction from many other boats, which made the stops feel less crowded. You should not assume that every departure will follow that exact order, but it is worth asking the crew about the route that morning.

Secret Lagoon: the day’s most unusual stop

Secret Lagoon is reached from a white-sand beach with clear water. The main attraction is not simply the beach itself. You also get to enter a lagoon tucked inside the island, surrounded by limestone rock.

The listed stop lasts about 30 minutes. That is enough time to look around, take photographs, and enjoy the setting, but it is not a long beach session. If you want a slow swim or plenty of time for pictures, this stop may feel short.

Access can also depend on the tide and the number of boats in the area. The supplied information does not promise a particular entry method, so you should listen closely to the guide and expect the crew to manage the visit around local conditions.

The Secret Lagoon is a good example of why the trip works well as a package. You get a striking natural feature without having to arrange a separate boat, guide, and transfer. The tradeoff is that you experience it at the pace of a group tour.

Shimizu Island: shade, water, and lunch-time comfort

Shimizu Island offers a white-sand beach backed by lush green trees. It is described as a good place to find shelter and relax, with clear blue water for swimming.

The listed stop is about 30 minutes, so think of it as a quick island pause rather than a long, quiet afternoon. You might swim, sit beneath the trees, or take in the view before the boat moves on.

This stop also helps break up the day. Boat rides, sun, and salt water can wear you down, especially in a group setting. A shaded beach gives you a chance to cool off before the next activity.

Snorkeling equipment is not included in the base price. Rental is listed at ₱150 per person, so bring that amount if you want to use the operator’s gear. Aqua shoes are also available for ₱150 per person. I would consider them if the crew advises you to use them, but do not assume either item comes with your booking.

Seven Commando Beach: the longest beach stop

Seven Commando Beach receives about one hour, making it the most generous named beach stop in the schedule. Limestone mountains and thick greenery frame the area, while the beach gives you room to refresh, swim, and rest.

An hour is still not a full afternoon. You will need to divide the time between swimming, photographs, walking along the sand, and simply sitting down. That is part of the charm of a group boat day, but it also means you should keep an eye on the time.

The beach is a strong final or mid-day stop because it offers a simpler rhythm after the lagoon visit. There is no need to squeeze through a rock opening or organize a separate activity. You can just enjoy the water and scenery.

Exact conditions can vary. The supplied information does not state that every facility or water activity is available at every departure, so treat this as a natural beach stop rather than a resort visit.

The missing two stops and the three route choices

The product description says each option visits five islands, but only three stops are specified in the detailed schedule. It also presents three route themes:

• Hidden beaches and shrines
• Lagoons and beaches
• Caves and coves

That means the final route may differ depending on the option you select. Ask for the exact names of all five stops before boarding, especially if one place matters most to you.

Big Lagoon deserves special attention because the fee list includes a ₱200 user fee and a separate kayak rental of ₱350 per person. If your selected route includes Big Lagoon, the kayaking charge can change the day’s total quite a bit.

The schedule also lists a ₱400 El Nido Eco-Tourism Development Fee per person. A customer account described being charged ₱400 for an environmental fee, while the operator explained an additional ₱400 covered a ₱200 environmental fee and a ₱200 lagoon user fee. The supplied details are not perfectly clear on how the charges are combined, so get the exact fee breakdown before departure.

That is not a reason to reject the trip. It is a reason to budget carefully and ask direct questions at the meeting point.

Lunch is one of the tour’s better features

Lunch is included, and the food receives some of the strongest praise connected with this experience. The meal can be substantial, with fruit, vegetables, fish, chicken, pork, and rice. That is welcome on a long day in the sun, when a small snack would not be enough.

The meal is also described as nicely presented, not simply handed over as a basic boxed lunch. One crew arranged vegan food, though you should still request dietary needs in advance and confirm what will actually be served.

Do not build your plans around one specific dish. The information does not provide a fixed menu, and island meals can change. Still, the inclusion of multiple proteins, vegetables, fruit, and rice gives this tour better food value than a trip that provides only a sandwich or a small snack.

Lunch also adds social time. You will have a chance to sit with the group, talk with the guide, and rest while the crew handles the meal. That makes the day feel less like a race between photo stops.

Guides and crew: the human side of the day

The package includes a local guide and boat transfers. The strongest service feedback points to a crew that is attentive, helpful, and easy to talk with.

A guide named Ariel received particular praise for being extremely helpful and attentive. Another operator name connected with the experience is LoveLynne Tours, while the experience provider is Corazon Travel and Tours. Since staff can change, ask for your guide’s name when you arrive rather than expecting a particular person.

Good crew support matters in El Nido. Boarding may involve getting wet, and one account described wading through chest-high water to reach the boat ladder. That detail is important. Wear clothing that can get wet, protect your phone, and avoid arriving in long trousers or shoes you want to keep dry.

The crew can also help with activities such as kayaking and snorkeling. That does not mean every activity is effortless or suitable for everyone. One person found the kayaking portion frustrating because they were not comfortable with kayaking. If you prefer to stay on the beach, ask whether you can skip the kayak and how that affects your time at the lagoon.

What the $24 price includes, and what it does not

At $24 per person, this is an attractive starting price for a full day with boat transfers, a guide, and lunch. Group discounts may improve the value if you are booking with several people.

The price is less simple once the extras are added. The published exclusions are:

• El Nido Eco-Tourism Development Fee: ₱400 per person
• Big Lagoon user fee: ₱200 per person
• Big Lagoon kayak rental: ₱350 per person
• Snorkeling equipment: ₱150 per person
• Aqua shoes: ₱150 per person

You do not necessarily need every extra. The kayak applies to access Big Lagoon, and snorkeling equipment matters only if you want to use the operator’s rental gear. Aqua shoes are optional and available for rent.

The environmental and lagoon charges deserve the most attention because they are not optional when applicable. Ask the operator to state the total in Philippine pesos before you pay. That simple step can prevent an unpleasant surprise and help you compare this trip with other El Nido tours.

The value remains good if you want an all-day boat outing and plan to use the included lunch and transfers. It is less compelling if you want a private boat, long stays at each stop, or complete control over the route.

Timing, group size, and practical comfort

The tour starts at 9:00 am and returns to Mabuhay Sports Bar. The experience lasts approximately six to eight hours, so keep the rest of your evening flexible.

A maximum of 30 people can join. That is not a private or intimate boat trip, but it is also a defined group size rather than an open-ended crowd. Your enjoyment will depend partly on how well the crew handles boarding, meals, and stop times.

Round-trip transport from downtown El Nido is included, although the stated meeting point is Mabuhay Sports Bar. The location is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying outside the immediate center.

Most people can participate, but the day involves boat transfers, beach access, swimming, and possibly kayaking. If you have concerns about getting into the water or climbing a boat ladder, ask the operator before booking. The supplied information does not promise special assistance.

Bring a waterproof bag, sun protection, a towel, and cash for optional rentals and fees. Keep your phone protected. You may be standing in shallow water before reaching the boat, and wet boarding is possible.

Who should book El Nido Tour A

I would recommend this experience to you if you want a straightforward way to see several famous El Nido settings in one day. It suits first-time visitors, couples, friends, and families who prefer a planned outing over arranging separate boat transport.

It is also a good fit if lunch quality matters. The meal sounds more generous than the usual bare-bones tour lunch, and vegan arrangements may be possible with advance notice.

You may want a different format if you dislike group schedules or want to spend a full hour at every beach. The short 30-minute stops require some discipline. You need to be ready when the guide calls the group back to the boat.

It may also be a poor match if you are not comfortable with wet boarding, swimming, or kayaking. Kayaking is not compulsory based on the supplied information, but it may form part of the Big Lagoon visit if that route is selected.

Cancellation and booking advice

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the 9:00 am start time. Changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted, and the payment is not refunded for a late cancellation.

The trip requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you receive a different date or a full refund.

When booking, confirm three things: the exact five-stop route, the total mandatory fees, and the lunch arrangements for any dietary needs. Those answers will tell you more about the final value than the $24 headline price.

Should you book it?

Book El Nido Island Hopping Tour A if you want strong scenery, included lunch, and a simple full-day plan at a low starting price. Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commando Beach give the day a useful mix of lagoon, shade, swimming, and beach time.

I would not book it without clarifying the extra charges and the two unnamed stops. Once those details are clear, this looks like a solid choice for a first El Nido island day, especially if you value friendly crew service and a proper meal over private-boat flexibility.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Island Hopping Tour A last?

The experience lasts approximately six to eight hours.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 9:00 am.

Where does the tour meet?

The meeting point is Mabuhay Sports Bar in El Nido, Palawan.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the tour price.

Are boat transfers included?

Yes. Boat transfers and a local guide are included.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment is available to rent for ₱150 per person.

Is kayaking included?

No. Kayak use at Big Lagoon is listed separately at ₱350 per person.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund.