El Nido Island Hopping Tour A

El Nido’s best-known boat day starts here. I like that this 9-hour trip combines calm lagoons, white sand beaches, snorkeling, and towering limestone cliffs in one outing. I also like the low advertised price of $27 per person, which includes hotel pickup in El Nido Proper, a guide, boat, life vest, and picnic lunch.

The main catch is the extra cost. You pay an environmental fee of 400 per person and a lagoon fee of 200 per person, while kayak and snorkeling equipment rental are optional. Pickup is also limited to the town proper, so people staying outside it must arrange a tricycle ride to Petron Gasoline Station near El Nido Port.

Key points to know before booking

• Shimizu Island adds both snorkeling and beach time: Swim over coral and look for fish, or stay on the fine white sand.
• Seven Commando Beach is the easygoing finale: You can walk the long beach, swim, or stop at the small bar for a drink.
• The $27 price is only the starting cost: Add 600 per person for the listed environmental and lagoon fees.
• Lunch is included: The meal is described as a picnic lunch, and one recent booking specifically praised the buffet lunch.
• Pickup depends on your address: Hotels in El Nido Proper are covered, but outside-town accommodations require a tricycle ride to the meeting point.
• The day suits active beach people: You should be comfortable around open water and skip this tour if you are prone to seasickness.

Why Tour A remains so popular in El Nido

Tour A works because it gives you a broad sample of what makes El Nido special without requiring several separate trips. Over about nine hours, you move between lagoons, beaches, snorkeling water, and cliffs covered with plant life.

That variety matters. A beach-only trip can feel repetitive after several hours, while a snorkeling-only outing may not suit everyone in your group. Here, you can change pace throughout the day. You might swim in a lagoon, photograph the limestone walls, spend quiet time on sand, then put on a mask and look for coral and fish.

The scenery is the main reason to book. El Nido is known for tall limestone formations rising from the sea, and this tour places those cliffs around the boat route. Their dark rock and thick vegetation create a sharp contrast with the bright water and pale beaches.

I would not book Tour A expecting a private or slow-paced charter. It is one of the most popular routes in the area, so the appeal is its classic collection of sights rather than solitude. The reward is a full day of well-known coastal scenery at a modest starting price.

A nine-hour day on the water

The stated duration is nine hours, which makes this a substantial part of your El Nido visit. You should keep the rest of the day light. After a morning pickup, a boat journey, swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and time in the sun, you may not want another major activity afterward.

Hotel pickup is included only if your accommodation is within El Nido Proper. If you stay outside the town proper, you need to ride a tricycle to El Nido town and go to Petron Gasoline Station near the port to meet your assigned guide.

That detail is easy to miss and important for your budget. The $27 price does not cover this extra ride. It also means you should leave enough time to reach the meeting point, rather than assuming the boat operator will collect you from any hotel in the wider El Nido area.

The guide service is offered in English and Tagalog. A DOT-licensed tour guide is included, which gives you a designated person for instructions and coordination during the day. The information provided does not specify the group size, boat size, or exact departure time, so check availability and confirm those details before booking if they matter to you.

Lagoons framed by limestone walls

The lagoon stops are central to Tour A. The exact lagoon names and order are not provided, but you can expect the boat to take you through beautiful lagoon areas surrounded by El Nido’s famous limestone cliffs.

These stops are best for swimming, taking photographs, and enjoying a change from open sea. The cliffs covered with vegetation give the lagoons their special character. From the boat, you get a wide view of the rock formations. In the water, you get a closer look at the calm coastal setting.

A lagoon fee of 200 per person is listed as an additional charge. You should treat that as part of the real tour cost, not an optional extra. The environmental fee is listed separately at 400 per person. Together, those charges add 600 per person to the advertised $27 price.

The tour information does not say if every lagoon stop includes a kayak or how long you stay at each one. Kayak rental is optional, so bring enough patience for a stop that may be based mainly around swimming and sightseeing if you decide not to rent one.

Shimizu Island for coral, fish, and white sand

Shimizu Island provides one of the most useful breaks in the itinerary because it serves different kinds of beachgoers. You can snorkel over coral and look for hundreds of fish species, or you can stay ashore on the white sand if you would rather not enter the water.

That choice makes the stop practical for mixed groups. One person can swim while another relaxes in the shade of the beach area, though the available information does not confirm how much shade there is. The important point is that snorkeling is not your only reason to visit.

The tour includes a life vest, but snorkeling masks and gear are listed as optional. I would bring your own equipment if you have it, especially if you care about fit or want to spend more time looking at coral. The recommended packing list includes goggles and snorkeling gear, so it is sensible to arrive prepared rather than rely on rental availability.

You should also pack biodegradable sunscreen. Regular sunscreen can harm marine areas, and the tour specifically asks you to bring a biodegradable option. A waterproof bag will protect your phone, wallet, and camera during boat transfers and beach stops.

There is also a chance of seeing sea turtles. That possibility is a pleasant bonus, not a promise. Wildlife sightings depend on conditions and timing, so enjoy the coral, fish, and clear water even if turtles stay out of sight.

Seven Commando Beach brings a relaxed finish

Seven Commando Beach is described as having a long stretch of white sand and a small bar serving drinks. It is an easy place to end a long day because you can choose your own pace. Swim, walk along the beach, sit on the sand, or buy a drink at the bar.

The bar gives the stop a little more life than a completely undeveloped beach, but do not expect a full town of restaurants or shops. The information only confirms a small bar. Bring water and personal beach supplies in your waterproof bag, and remember that optional drinks are not part of the tour inclusions.

This beach stop also gives you a final chance to enjoy the setting without needing to snorkel. If your energy is fading after several hours on the water, that flexibility is useful. If you want a more active finish, you can swim or walk the beach instead.

What the $27 price really covers

At $27 per person, Tour A is priced as an accessible group excursion. The included items cover the core parts of the day:

• Hotel pickup within El Nido Proper
• A DOT-licensed tour guide
• Motorized boat transport
• Life vest
• Picnic lunch

One recent booking specifically praised the buffet lunch and the beautiful beaches. That is useful because food can make a long boat day much easier. You do not need to arrange a separate lunch stop, though the provided information does not list the menu or dietary options.

The advertised price does not include the 400 per person environmental fee or the 200 per person lagoon fee. Kayak rental and mask and snorkeling equipment are also optional. Before you commit, calculate the cost using the $27 base price plus those listed per-person charges, then allow extra for a tricycle if your hotel is outside town and for any drink or equipment rental.

The value is strongest if you want several major El Nido experiences in one day. It is less attractive if you want complete control over timing, a private boat, or a very quiet beach experience. No private service is specified, so do not assume you will have a boat or guide to yourself.

The lunch, equipment, and comfort details

A picnic lunch is included, and the recent booking described it as a buffet. That makes the tour easier than carrying a full meal of your own, particularly during a nine-hour outing.

Still, you should bring personal snacks if you need food at specific times, since the exact lunch schedule and menu are not provided. If you have dietary restrictions, ask the operator before departure rather than assuming the buffet will meet your needs.

The boat is motorized and a life vest is included. The tour does not list a covered seating area, onboard toilet, or storage arrangements, so pack light and keep important belongings in a waterproof bag. Beachwear, sunscreen, a waterproof camera, goggles, and snorkeling gear are all sensible choices from the stated packing list.

This is not a good pick for anyone prone to seasickness. The trip involves a full day around the water, and the operator specifically lists seasickness as a reason not to join. If you know you are sensitive to boat movement, a shorter land-based outing may be more comfortable.

The service record and what it tells you

The experience has a rating of 4 out of 5 from five reviews. That is a positive result, but the small number of ratings means you should read it as a useful signal rather than a guarantee.

One verified booking from April 2025 gave the experience five stars. Another from January 2025 rated it four stars and noted that the operator faced several morning problems but still delivered the tour and completed the planned activities. That detail gives you a fair picture: problems can occur, yet the day may still work out well when the staff responds properly.

The same booking praised the beautiful beaches and buffet lunch. Those are the strongest practical positives for this tour. The scenery supplies the memorable part, while lunch adds comfort and convenience during a long day.

The experience provider is TOP ACE ISLAND ADVENTURE TRAVEL SERVICES. The information does not name individual guides, so you should not expect to request a particular guide based on the details available.

Who should book Tour A?

I would recommend this tour if you are visiting El Nido for the first time and want a single day that covers several types of scenery. It is also a good fit for couples, friends, and families with different interests because you can alternate between swimming, snorkeling, beach time, and sightseeing.

You will get the most from it if you bring your own snorkeling gear, use biodegradable sunscreen, and accept that the route is a popular shared excursion. The chance to see coral, fish, and perhaps a sea turtle adds interest, while the limestone cliffs and white sand beaches provide the big visual payoff.

I would be cautious if you dislike long boat days, need a private itinerary, or are prone to seasickness. I would also check the full cost before booking, since the environmental and lagoon fees add a meaningful amount to the low advertised price.

Should you book El Nido Island Hopping Tour A?

Book it if you want a classic El Nido day at a reasonable starting price, with lunch, a guide, boat transport, lagoon scenery, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commando Beach all included in one route.

Skip it if you want an uncrowded or fully private experience, or if open-water travel makes you uncomfortable. For most first-time visitors who stay in El Nido Proper and plan for the extra 600 per person in listed fees, Tour A offers a practical mix of scenery and swimming without making you arrange each stop yourself.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Island Hopping Tour A last?

The tour lasts 9 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The advertised price is $27 per person.

Are environmental and lagoon fees included?

No. The environmental fee is listed as 400 per person, and the lagoon fee is listed as 200 per person.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, pickup is included for accommodations within El Nido Proper.

What if my hotel is outside El Nido town proper?

You need to ride a tricycle to El Nido town proper and meet your assigned guide at Petron Gasoline Station near El Nido Port.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic lunch is included, and the available tour information describes a recent lunch as a buffet.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Mask and snorkeling equipment are listed as optional. You may bring your own snorkeling gear and goggles.

Is a life vest provided?

Yes. A life vest is included with the tour.

Which languages does the guide speak?

The live guide service is available in English and Tagalog.

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.