El Nido: Private Boat Tour A to Big Lagoon and Beaches

Quiet islands reward an early start. This six-hour private boat trip takes you to Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, a snorkeling stop, and Seven Commandos Beach, with room to adjust the order and pace. I like the early departure strategy, which aims to reach popular places before they fill up, and I like that a private group can ask for more swimming, snorkeling, or quiet beach time.

The strongest praise in the available feedback goes to the organization and picnic lunch, with a 5 out of 5 rating from seven reviews and a note that the meal was delicious. The main drawback is the extra cost beyond the $110 per person price: you still pay separately for the environmental fee, lagoon access, and kayak rental. Also, the booking details label the location as Cavite, while the meeting instructions place you in El Nido, so confirm the exact meeting point before paying.

Key points at a glance

• Early access to Big Lagoon: Start in the morning to reach the famous lagoon before the main crowds.
• Private group format: You can request more time for swimming, snorkeling, photos, or relaxing.
• Six stops in six hours: Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, a secret snorkeling stop, and Seven Commandos Beach make for a full half-day.
• Lunch at Shimizu Island: The included picnic meal is one of the experience’s most praised details.
• Extra fees matter: Kayaking, environmental access, lagoon entry, and water shoes are not included in the headline price.
• Simple beach meeting point: Meet at Marber’s Resto Bar on Calle Hama Beach Front and finish back at the meeting point.

Why an early private boat makes sense

El Nido’s best-known lagoons are not quiet by accident. They are popular because the cliffs, clear water, and sheltered coves are unusually beautiful. The tradeoff is that many boats follow similar routes, so timing can shape the entire day.

This tour tries to solve that problem by starting early and reversing the usual order when possible. You can message the operator if you prefer an earlier or later start, although the practical advantage usually belongs to the early departure. Calm morning water can also make the boat ride more comfortable, especially if you are sensitive to rough conditions.

The private format gives you more control than a shared boat. You are not locked into the same pace as a large group, and the guide can shape the day around swimming, snorkeling, photography, or simply sitting on a beach. That flexibility is useful for couples, families, and small groups with different priorities.

Still, private does not mean every choice is included. The tour covers the licensed boat, captain, guide, mask, snorkel, life jacket, picnic lunch, and drinking water. You pay separately for the kayak at Big Lagoon, the environmental fee, the lagoon user fee, and water shoes if you rent them.

Meeting at Marber’s Resto Bar

The stated meeting point is Marber’s Resto Bar on Calle Hama Beach Front. Go inside and ask for Annabelle or a member of the Alexzus staff. The tour ends back at the meeting point, which keeps the arrival and return simple.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Plan your own way to the beach meeting point, and allow enough time to find the restaurant and staff. The supplied details describe the activity as an El Nido experience but also label the location as Cavite, which is a confusing mismatch. I would confirm the correct town, meeting instructions, and start time directly with Alexzus Travel and Tours before setting out.

The tour is offered as a private group with an English-speaking guide. You get a licensed tourist boat and captain, rather than arranging a boat on the beach yourself. That gives you a clearer point of contact if you need help with the route, equipment, or timing.

Big Lagoon before the crowds

Big Lagoon is the headline stop, and the early plan is built around it. Tall limestone cliffs surround calm, clear water, creating the kind of setting that is easy to photograph but harder to enjoy when many boats arrive at once.

You spend about an hour here for a guided visit, photos, and kayaking. Kayak rental is extra, priced at PHP 300 for a two-seater or PHP 350 for a three-seater. If you are traveling with someone else, the two-seater is a modest extra cost compared with the total price of the tour. A three-seater is available for PHP 350.

You can also take in the scenery from the boat instead of renting a kayak. The supplied details do not promise a kayak as part of the package, so budget for it if paddling through the lagoon is important to you.

The one-hour stop is enough for a taste of the lagoon, but it is not an unlimited visit. You may need to choose between paddling, photos, and slow sightseeing. A private group helps here because you can tell the guide what matters most to you.

An environmental fee of PHP 400 per person, valid for five days, is not included. There is also a PHP 200 lagoon users fee for one-time access. Ask the operator how each fee applies to your planned route, particularly if you have already paid similar charges during another El Nido boat trip.

Secret Lagoon and a change of pace

The next scheduled stop is Secret Lagoon, with about an hour for a guided visit and photos. It offers a different feel from Big Lagoon, so the two stops are not simply duplicates of one another.

Big Lagoon is about open water and towering cliffs. Secret Lagoon is more enclosed and suited to a shorter, focused visit. You will want comfortable swimwear and a towel, since the day is built around water rather than dry sightseeing.

This stop may feel busy if other boats follow the same route, which is why the flexible order matters. Ask the guide about reversing the route if the first planned location is crowded. The tour description specifically encourages a route that avoids the busiest times, but the exact order depends on conditions and the guide’s judgment.

The private format helps with patience. You can spend more time taking photos if the light is good, or move on when the area feels too crowded. That is a real advantage over a fixed shared itinerary, where you must follow the group’s clock.

Lunch and a break at Shimizu Island

Shimizu Island is scheduled for a one-hour break and picnic lunch. It is a useful middle point in the day because you can step away from the boat, eat, and reset before more time in the water.

The picnic lunch is included, along with drinking water. The only food praise provided for the experience is specific and clear: the meal was described as delicious, and the tour was praised as well organized. That makes lunch more than a box to tick. It is one of the parts that has received the strongest positive attention.

Do not expect every meal or snack to be covered. Meals not mentioned are excluded, and you are advised to bring snacks and extra water. A hat, sunscreen, and towel are also sensible. The tropical sun can make a six-hour outing feel longer than the clock suggests.

Your exact lunch setting may depend on the island conditions and operating arrangements. The important point is that you have a planned hour for eating instead of trying to squeeze lunch between quick photo stops.

A quieter snorkeling stop

The fourth stop is described simply as a secret stop for snorkeling, with about an hour in the water. The lack of a named location means you should not book this expecting a specific reef or guaranteed marine sighting.

You do receive a mask and snorkel, plus a life jacket. The guide can tailor the time toward snorkeling if that is a priority, or give you more room to swim and relax. The tour details mention coral reefs and clear water, but they do not promise particular fish, visibility, or sea conditions.

This is where the private arrangement can be most useful. If everyone in your group enjoys snorkeling, you can ask to make the most of the hour. If only one or two people want to snorkel, the others can focus on swimming or resting rather than waiting through a large group rotation.

Water shoes are available to rent for PHP 100 per pair. They are not included, so decide in advance if you prefer extra foot protection around rocky or shallow areas. Smoking, alcohol, drugs, littering, feeding animals, and touching plants are not allowed. Those rules protect the places you are visiting and help keep the boat day pleasant for everyone.

Seven Commandos Beach for swimming

The last listed stop is Seven Commandos Beach, where you have about an hour for photos, swimming, and snorkeling. It is a good final stop because it offers a chance to enjoy the water without the more structured feel of a lagoon visit.

You can split the hour between a swim and photos, or simply sit by the shore. The private group setup again gives you more say over the pace, within the limits of the overall six-hour schedule.

As with Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon, popularity can affect the mood. Seven Commandos is not presented as a guaranteed quiet beach at every hour. The early strategy and route changes may help, but no boat operator can control every arrival or weather change.

The tour finishes at Dockyard in the itinerary, while the meeting information says it ends back at the meeting point. Treat this as another detail worth confirming. You want to know exactly where the boat returns before arranging onward plans.

What the $110 price really covers

At $110 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see El Nido’s islands. You are paying for a private group, licensed boat and captain, local guide, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, lunch, and water. For a group that values control and does not want to share a boat with strangers, the price can be reasonable.

The value improves when several people in your party can share the private experience. You are not only buying transport between stops. You are buying the ability to ask for a different pace and to spend more time on the activities your group actually enjoys.

The extra charges should be part of your calculation from the start:

• Environmental fee: PHP 400 per person, valid for five days
• Lagoon users fee: PHP 200 per person for one-time access
• Big Lagoon kayak: PHP 300 for two seats or PHP 350 for three seats
• Water shoes: PHP 100 per pair if rented

The tour also excludes hotel transport, unlisted meals, and snacks. I would compare the full expected cost, not just the advertised per-person amount. If you already have a valid environmental fee from another tour, ask if it can be used during this outing.

The strongest value is flexibility. If you only want a standard route at the lowest possible price, a shared boat may suit you better. If you care about reaching Big Lagoon early, avoiding a rigid schedule, and choosing how long to swim, the private premium has a clear purpose.

Who should book this boat trip

I would recommend this experience for a small group that wants the main El Nido sights without surrendering the whole day to a fixed group schedule. It suits people who like swimming, snorkeling, photos, and short beach breaks more than long periods onshore.

It is also a good fit for groups with mixed interests. One person can snorkel while another prefers a beach break, and the guide can adjust the rhythm within the available time. The English-speaking guide and included equipment make the day easier to manage.

This is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or heart problems. The details also suggest bringing your own hat, swimwear, towel, camera, snacks, sunscreen, and water. You should be comfortable spending much of the day around a boat, beaches, and water.

I would hesitate if you dislike extra fees or need hotel pickup. I would also confirm the meeting location carefully because of the conflicting Cavite and El Nido references in the supplied details.

Booking advice and final call

The tour’s best features are practical rather than flashy: an early start, a private boat, a flexible route, and a lunch that has received especially strong praise. The 5 out of 5 score from seven reviews supports the impression of an organized outing, though the sample is small.

Book it if you want Big Lagoon at a quieter time and value having your own group’s pace. Budget separately for the environmental and lagoon fees, and decide ahead of time if you want a kayak or water shoes.

Choose another option if the $110 price is already at the top of your budget, if you need hotel transfers, or if you prefer a slower day with fewer stops. Before confirming, message Alexzus Travel and Tours about the exact meeting town, return point, starting time, and which access fees apply to your party. With those details settled, this looks like a strong choice for a busy but well-organized half-day on the water.

FAQ

How long does the private boat tour last?

The tour lasts six hours. Available starting times should be checked when booking.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting instructions say to meet at Marber’s Resto Bar on Calle Hama Beach Front. Go inside and ask for Annabelle or any Alexzus staff member.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity information says it ends back at the meeting point. The itinerary also refers to Dockyard, so confirm the exact return location before booking.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must arrange your own transport to the meeting point.

Is the tour private?

Yes. It is offered as a private group with an English-speaking live guide.

Is kayaking at Big Lagoon included?

No. Kayak rental costs PHP 300 for a two-seater or PHP 350 for a three-seater.

What fees are not included?

The environmental fee is PHP 400 per person and is valid for five days. The lagoon users fee is PHP 200 per person for one-time access. Water shoes cost PHP 100 per pair if rented.

Is lunch provided?

Yes. A picnic lunch and drinking water are included. Meals not mentioned, snacks, and additional drinks are not included.

Can the route or starting time be changed?

The itinerary can be adjusted to suit your preferences, and you can message the operator if you want to start earlier or later. Starting early is advised to help avoid crowds.