El Nido Island Tour A

The lagoons are the main event. El Nido Island Tour A packs Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-payong Beach, and Seven Commandos Beach into an eight-hour boat trip for $22 per person. I like the strong mix of limestone cliffs and white sand beaches, and I also like that life vests, a guide, permits, lunch, and hotel pickup within El Nido Town are included.

The main caution is timing. Boat dispatch can happen anywhere from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. after Coast Guard clearance, and each stop lasts only about 40 to 50 minutes. You should also budget 600 pesos in extra fees, plus possible kayak or snorkeling-mask rental, and confirm your return pickup before leaving the boat.

Quick facts before you book

• Five famous stops in one day: Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, Payong-payong Beach, and Seven Commandos Beach.
• Big Lagoon carries the scenic weight: Limestone cliffs and calm water make this the stop most likely to define your day.
• The boat leaves late morning: Meet at Cliffside Travel and Tours before 8:30 a.m., but actual dispatch depends on Coast Guard clearance.
• Lunch is simple and practical: A picnic lunch is included, though one account describes eating on a small, crowded stretch of beach.
• The base price is low, not all-inclusive: Add the 200-peso lagoon fee and 400-peso environmental fee collected at the office.
• Service can be a bright spot: The boat has been described as roomy and well maintained, with friendly, helpful staff and guides.

What $22 really buys you in El Nido

At $22 per person, Tour A is priced as an affordable shared island trip rather than a private boat experience. The value comes from covering five major places, boat transport, a licensed guide, life vest, permit, picnic lunch, and hotel pickup inside El Nido Town.

That is a useful package if you want to see the classic El Nido sights without arranging each piece yourself. The cost also leaves room in your budget for kayak hire, snorkeling equipment, meals before or after the tour, and the required local fees.

Still, do not treat the advertised price as your final bill. The booking office collects a 200-peso lagoon fee and a 400-peso environmental fee. A kayak at Big Lagoon costs 300 pesos per hour, while a snorkeling mask can be rented at the beach before the boat leaves.

The low price also comes with a shared schedule. You do not control how long the boat waits, when it leaves, or how crowded a stop feels. If you want privacy, a slower pace, or a quiet lunch, a private arrangement may suit you better, but this tour offers a much easier entry point for a first day around El Nido.

The current rating is 3.7 out of 5 from 26 reviews. That tells me to expect a mixed but generally workable experience: the natural sights can be excellent, while timing, transport coordination, and crowded stops may affect your impression.

Starting early, then waiting for the sea

Your morning begins at the Cliffside Travel and Tours booking office beside El Nido Cliffside Cottages. Be there before 8:30 a.m. The guide meets you there, and free hotel pickup is offered within El Nido Town only.

The boat dispatch point is El Nido Town Beach. The planned departure window is 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., depending on Coast Guard clearance. That hour can feel loose, so bring patience and avoid planning a tight activity immediately after the tour.

The ride to the first stop takes about 20 to 30 minutes. The boat itself has been described as roomy and well maintained, which matters on a full day over open water. Friendly, helpful staff can make the waiting and boat transfers easier, especially if you need help with your life vest or boarding.

The tour finishes at El Nido Beach between roughly 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. That is a wide return range. Before leaving the booking office, confirm exactly where you will be dropped off and how hotel pickup works at the end. One poor experience involved a passenger needing to pay for a tricycle after being left away from the original pickup point, so this is a small question worth asking clearly.

Big Lagoon: the stop that earns its fame

Big Lagoon is usually the visual centerpiece of Tour A. You come for the tall limestone cliffs, pale water, and enclosed feeling created by the rock walls. The itinerary includes a photo stop, guided sightseeing, a safety briefing, and a hop-on, hop-off stop.

The 40 to 50 minutes allocated here is enough for a look, photographs, and time on the water, but it is not a leisurely half-day visit. You may also rent a kayak for 300 pesos per hour. That extra cost can be worthwhile if you want to move through the lagoon under your own power rather than simply view it from the boat.

The kayak option also changes your timing. Ask the guide how long you can paddle and where to return the kayak before setting off. If you prefer not to rent one, you can still appreciate the cliffs and water from the boat and shore.

I would plan your expectations around scenery, not solitude. Big Lagoon is the best reason to choose Tour A, but its popularity means you might share the water and viewpoints with several other boats. The experience remains impressive, yet the word quiet may not apply.

Shimizu Island: a short beach and snorkeling break

Shimizu Island provides a change from the enclosed lagoon. Here you get a white sand beach, open water, and time for swimming or snorkeling. The itinerary allows around 40 to 50 minutes at each destination, so this is a chance to get wet without losing too much time elsewhere.

Snorkeling-mask rental is available at the beach during boat dispatch, but it is not included. If snorkeling matters to you, check the mask before paying and ask the guide where conditions are best. The tour also lists swimming and sunbathing among the activities, so you can keep things simple if you do not want extra equipment.

Shimizu Island is also connected with lunch arrangements. The picnic meal is served at one of the islands, although the exact island can vary. One description called the lunch simple and said it was eaten on the boat, while another account described standing on a very small, crowded beach with little room to sit.

That contrast is useful. Expect a practical picnic, not a long restaurant meal with a private table. Eat when the guide directs you, keep your belongings close, and use the short stop for scenery and swimming rather than lingering over lunch.

Secret Lagoon: limestone, a small opening, and tight timing

Secret Lagoon is another classic stop, built around the surprise of entering a hidden pocket through a narrow opening in the rock. The name suggests a quiet escape, but the short visit and shared boats can make the entrance busy.

You will receive safety guidance before heading in. Pay attention, since the route involves rocks and water, and the movement from boat to shore may be less smooth than a normal beach landing. The tour’s licensed guide is available if you need assistance.

This is a place where the 40 to 50-minute limit matters. You may need to wait your turn, pass through the opening, look around, and return to the boat within the same short window. I would not count on having extended time for photographs.

The reward is variety. Big Lagoon gives you broad cliff views, while Secret Lagoon feels more enclosed and playful. If you prefer open beaches and easy swimming, this stop may feel less comfortable. If you enjoy unusual rock formations, it should add a memorable change of pace.

Payong-payong Beach: a flexible island pause

Payong-payong Beach is one of the less described stops, which means you should treat it as a flexible beach break rather than expect a specific performance or activity. The tour allows swimming, sunbathing, and volleyball, so this may be the stop where you stretch out and slow down.

The beach also helps break up the lagoon visits. After moving through narrow rock spaces and boarding the boat several times, a simple white sand stop can be welcome. You can use the time to swim, sit in the sun, or join a game if one is available.

Do not assume the beach will be empty. Tour A is a shared route, and several groups may arrive at the same place. If you want a seat, move efficiently after landing, but keep your expectations realistic. The best part of this stop may simply be having open sand and water between more structured sightseeing stops.

Seven Commandos Beach: the final postcard

Seven Commandos Beach is the final listed destination and a fitting last stop. It brings you back to the classic El Nido formula: bright sand, clear coastal water, and limestone scenery nearby.

Because it comes late in the day, your energy may be lower and the return time may be approaching. Use the stop for a final swim, photographs, or a little sunbathing rather than trying to add too many activities. The itinerary also mentions restaurants, but it does not promise that a meal at a restaurant is included, so rely on the provided picnic lunch for your main food.

Seven Commandos can feel like a reward after a full circuit of lagoons and beaches. It is also a reminder that this is a highlights tour. You will see many famous places, but you will not have long, unhurried time at any one of them.

Lunch, equipment, and what to pack

The picnic lunch is included, which makes the $22 price more useful. Food on a full boat day saves you from arranging another meal during the route, but the format is basic. Plan for a simple picnic rather than a long sit-down lunch.

The tour includes a life vest. You can rent a kayak at Big Lagoon for 300 pesos per hour and a snorkeling mask at the beach during boat dispatch. These extras are optional, but bring enough cash if you might want them.

I would also pack a towel, sun protection, drinking water, and a waterproof way to protect your phone. The supplied information does not promise dry storage, lockers, or changing rooms, so keep your gear compact and easy to manage.

Wear something suitable for repeated boat transfers and short beach stops. Your guide can help with safety and boarding, but you should still expect to handle your own small bag throughout the day.

Service strengths and the main warning

The strongest praise goes to the crew. One account describes the guides as awesome and notes their good attitude. Another describes friendly, helpful personnel and a roomy, well-maintained boat. Those details matter because a shared boat day depends heavily on calm, attentive staff.

The tour also uses licensed guides who speak English and Tagalog. You can ask for assistance during the stops, which is especially useful around Secret Lagoon, while boarding, or when you need help understanding the schedule.

The weak point is coordination. The dispatch window can stretch by an hour, and the return transfer needs a clear explanation. A long wait before departure can eat into your sightseeing time, even if the final route still includes the planned stops.

Weather is another real factor. One account described beautiful places but noted that poor weather prevented the sea from showing its usual blue color. El Nido scenery depends on light and water conditions, so a cloudy or rough day can make the same route feel less special.

Who should choose Tour A

I would recommend this tour if you want the classic El Nido sights at a low price and you are comfortable sharing a boat. It suits first-time visitors who want one organized day covering lagoons, cliffs, beaches, swimming, and snorkeling.

It also works well if you are staying in El Nido Town and value hotel pickup. The included guide, permits, lunch, and life vest remove several small planning tasks.

I would hesitate if you dislike uncertain departure times, crowded beaches, or simple meals. You should also think twice if you need to return at a precise hour, since the stated finish can fall anywhere from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Families and active couples may appreciate the range of activities, but the short stops require everyone to move on schedule. If you want quiet photography, long swims, or a private lunch, ask about a private boat instead.

Practical booking advice

Meet at the office before 8:30 a.m., even though the boat may not leave until later. Bring cash for the 200-peso lagoon fee, 400-peso environmental fee, and optional equipment.

Ask three questions before boarding: Where will the boat return? Is hotel drop-off included for your specific accommodation? When and where will lunch be served? These questions address the most important points of uncertainty.

The booking terms allow cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available starting time, since the actual dispatch depends on Coast Guard clearance.

Should you book El Nido Island Tour A?

Book it if Big Lagoon is high on your list and you want five major stops without paying for a private boat. At $22, the package offers strong value, especially with lunch, permits, guide service, life vest, and El Nido Town pickup included.

Skip it if you need a precise schedule or dislike shared beach stops. The best strategy is to book with realistic expectations: excellent scenery, basic logistics, and a full day shaped by the sea and local clearance. Confirm your return transfer, bring cash, and treat Big Lagoon as the star while enjoying the other stops as short additions.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Island Tour A last?

The tour lasts about eight hours. It begins with a meeting before 8:30 a.m., boat dispatch between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m., and usually ends between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at the Cliffside Travel and Tours booking office beside El Nido Cliffside Cottages. The boat departs from El Nido Town Beach after Coast Guard clearance.

What destinations are included?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic lunch is included and will be served at one of the islands or during the boat trip, depending on the arrangements that day.

What extra fees are required?

The booking office collects a 200-peso lagoon fee and a 400-peso environmental fee. Kayak rental at Big Lagoon costs 300 pesos per hour, and snorkeling-mask rental is separate.

Is hotel pickup available?

Free hotel pickup is available within El Nido Town only. Confirm your pickup and return arrangements with the booking office before the tour begins.