EL NIDO: Private Island Hopping Tour A with BUFFET LUNCH

El Nido saves its best for the water. This private Tour A links white-sand beaches, limestone cliffs, coral reefs, and two memorable lagoons in one long day. I especially like the free kayak at Big Lagoon and the attentive crew praised by several guests, including guides Julius, Leonard, and Captain Cyron. The main caution is timing: a late departure can mean crowded sites, and one family reported a kayak accident that injured a child.

This is an eight-hour private boat trip priced at $139 per person, with lunch, drinks, fruit, snorkeling gear, and pickup in El Nido Town or Corong-corong included. You still pay the 200-peso lagoon entrance fee and 400-peso environmental fee, and the boat does not include hotel drop-off.

What makes this private Tour A worth considering

• Big Lagoon by kayak: One free kayak lets you paddle beneath towering limestone walls and into clear blue-green water.
• Five major stops: The route includes Seven Commandos Beach, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, and Payong-Payong Beach.
• A full buffet lunch: Food, water, soft drinks, and fruit are included, so you can spend less time arranging meals during the day.
• Helpful named guides: Julius was praised for his humor and care, while Leonard was noted for taking photos and videos at Big Lagoon.
• Private-group format: You avoid being placed with a large mixed group, though a private boat is only as useful as its departure time.
• Weather can change the route: The guide chooses the lunch stop and may alter destinations when sea or weather conditions require it.

Why Tour A remains El Nido’s classic day out

El Nido is best understood from the sea. Its limestone cliffs rise sharply from clear water, and the small beaches feel most special when approached by boat. Tour A gives you a broad sample of the area in one day: a beach for swimming, a lagoon for kayaking, a reef for snorkeling, and a narrow passage into a hidden pool.

The private format is useful if you value flexibility and personal attention. You can spend more time taking photos, ask for help getting on and off the boat, and receive direct assistance at the more awkward spots. But private does not automatically mean early. One poor experience began with a late departure, which left the main stops crowded and cut short part of the planned route.

The day is sold as eight hours, with roughly an hour allocated to each stop. The exact order may change. Your guide chooses where lunch happens, and the weather can force a different route. That flexibility is sensible in Palawan, but you should treat the listed sequence as a plan rather than a guarantee.

Seven Commandos Beach starts the day gently

Seven Commandos Beach is an easy first stop for swimming, photos, and a quick adjustment to island time. You get powdery white sand, coconut trees, clear turquoise water, and limestone cliffs around the shore. The name comes from a story about seven commandos who supposedly stayed here after World War II.

The beach is not completely remote in spirit. Small rustic bars and shops sell drinks and snacks, giving the stop a little more activity than a deserted cove. I like that practical touch, especially if you want a cold drink before the more active parts of the day.

You have about an hour here. Use it for a swim, a short walk, or photographs rather than expecting a long stay. If the beach is busy, the surrounding cliffs and water still make it a pleasant opening stop, but the private boat will not guarantee solitude.

Big Lagoon is the day’s visual centerpiece

The boat approaches Big Lagoon through a narrow opening. Once inside, steep limestone cliffs surround the water and create a natural amphitheater. The blue and green shades are striking, and the lagoon is the place where the free kayak matters most.

One kayak is included with the tour. You can paddle into quieter corners and look down through clear water toward marine life below. If you are traveling as a couple or family, ask the crew how they want to arrange turns, since the inclusion is one kayak rather than one per person. Additional kayak rental costs extra.

Big Lagoon is also one of the busiest parts of a standard El Nido route. Arriving early matters. The private format gives you a chance to set a better schedule, but only if the boat actually leaves early. This is where the one-star experience is most useful as a warning: a late start reportedly meant crowded sites and missed expectations.

Take care when getting into or out of the kayak. One family reported that poor handling caused the kayak to tip and injured their six-year-old daughter. That account does not define every trip, and other feedback praises the crew’s help, but you should still listen closely to instructions and ask for assistance before pushing off.

Shimizu Island combines reef time and lunch

Shimizu Island is named after a Japanese diver associated with exploration of its waters. The island has a small beach and coral reefs where you can snorkel among colorful fish and other sea life.

Snorkeling equipment is supplied, including a mask and snorkel, and the crew provides life vests or jackets. Bring biodegradable sunscreen and a waterproof bag for the rest of your gear. The included equipment keeps this part simple, especially if you are not carrying your own mask.

Lunch may be served here, though the guide can choose another beach. The package includes a buffet lunch, water, soft drinks, and fruit. One especially positive account praised the food at Payong-Payong Beach, while another called the meal excellent and well organized. This is a useful sign for anyone comparing tours, since a full meal is more practical than relying on snacks from small beach stalls.

Snorkeling quality can vary. One very positive day still received the criticism that the snorkeling was only average compared with other places. Keep your expectations measured: the main attraction is the complete combination of reef, beach, lagoon, and cliffs, not a specialist snorkeling expedition.

Payong-Payong Beach offers a quieter pause

Payong-Payong is a small beach surrounded by vegetation and rock formations. Its appeal is calm rather than grand scale. The soft sand and clear water give you a good place to swim, rest, and eat if the guide selects it for lunch.

I would use this stop as your breathing space. Seven Commandos and Big Lagoon can feel like the headline attractions, while Payong-Payong gives you time to slow down. The one-hour schedule can pass quickly if lunch, swimming, photographs, and snorkeling all happen together, so do not expect a long private beach afternoon.

The beach is described as secluded, but conditions and boat traffic can change the feeling. It is best appreciated as a peaceful stop within a busy sightseeing day, not as a completely untouched island experience.

Secret Lagoon requires a squeeze through the rock

Secret Lagoon is reached through a small hole in a limestone wall. You squeeze through the opening and enter a pool enclosed by high cliffs. The entrance is part of the attraction, but it also makes this stop less comfortable for anyone who dislikes narrow passages.

Your guide and crew can provide practical help. Julius was specifically praised for helping one guest through the opening, and the same account highlighted his humor and care throughout the day. That kind of hands-on attention is one of the strongest reasons to choose a private boat rather than the cheapest shared option.

Once inside, the lagoon feels enclosed and quiet. The stop is more about the unusual entrance and cliff setting than a long list of activities. You can take photographs, swim, and enjoy the sense of finding a small pool inside the rock.

Wear secure footwear. The packing advice includes closed-toe shoes and waterproof shoes, which makes sense for boat transfers, wet surfaces, and the rocky approach. The operator does not list accessibility details, so anyone with mobility concerns should ask before booking.

What the crew adds to the day

The tour includes a licensed boat captain, licensed guide, crew, and licensed tourist boat. English and Tagalog are offered. That matters because a day of boat transfers and changing stops runs better when instructions are clear.

The strongest praise is directed at the people. Julius was described as funny, engaging, and especially careful at Secret Lagoon. Leonard was praised for taking photographs and videos at Big Lagoon. Captain Cyron and the crew were noted for being attentive, while the boat staff were also praised for helping with boarding and leaving the boat.

Photography can be a real benefit here. Leonard reportedly took many photos and videos, and another guest said the crew helped create lasting memories. The supplied information does not promise a formal photo service, so treat this as guide-dependent rather than guaranteed. Bring your own camera and waterproof protection anyway.

There is one important balance to keep. Good service does not remove the need for basic caution around kayaks, wet surfaces, and boat movement. Ask for help, keep children close, and do not rush transfers.

Is $139 per person a fair price?

At $139 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see El Nido. The value depends on how much you care about a private group, included food, a kayak, and direct help from the crew.

The package covers pickup within El Nido Town and Corong-corong, a buffet lunch, water, soft drinks, fruit, one kayak, life equipment, snorkeling gear, the boat, captain, guide, and crew. Those inclusions reduce the number of small expenses that can add up during a full day.

You must add the 200-peso lagoon entrance fee and 400-peso environmental fee. Hotel drop-off is not included, and extra kayak rental costs more. The tour is therefore best judged as a convenience package, not simply as a boat ticket.

For a couple, family, or small private group, the extra cost can make sense if personal attention and control matter. If you mainly want the lowest possible price and do not mind sharing the boat, a private tour may be more than you need. The value also falls if the boat leaves late and you lose the practical advantage of having a private schedule.

How to prepare for eight hours on the water

Pack light, but bring the items that protect you from wet transfers and strong sun:

• A change of clothes and a towel
• Beachwear and biodegradable sunscreen
• A camera in a waterproof bag
• Cash for fees and personal purchases
• Closed-toe or waterproof shoes
• A waterproof bag for phones and valuables

Plastic bags, smoking, alcohol, drugs, and littering are not allowed. These rules protect the beaches and lagoons, and they are easy to follow if you pack reusable waterproof storage.

Pickup is free from accommodations in El Nido Town and Corong-corong. You need to provide your hotel name when filling out the booking form. Drop-off back at the hotel is not included, so plan for that separately.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times depend on availability. If you want quieter conditions at Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon, ask for the earliest practical departure rather than assuming the private booking includes it.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

I would choose this trip if you want one organized day that covers El Nido’s signature sights without arranging separate boats, meals, gear, and transfers. It suits couples, families, and small groups that value a private setting and direct help from the crew.

It is also a good match if you want a mix of activities. You can swim at Seven Commandos, kayak at Big Lagoon, snorkel near Shimizu Island and Payong-Payong, eat a buffet meal, and explore Secret Lagoon in the same day.

I would hesitate if your priority is solitude, specialist snorkeling, or a very relaxed pace. The schedule is full, the famous stops can be crowded, snorkeling may be only moderate, and weather can change the route. Families with young children should ask clear questions about kayak handling and the narrow Secret Lagoon entrance before booking.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

Book it if you want the classic El Nido combination in one private day and will take an active role in planning the timing. Ask for an early start, confirm the pickup location, and remember that entrance and environmental fees are extra.

The best reasons to choose it are the free kayak, full buffet lunch, helpful crew, and broad mix of beaches, reefs, cliffs, and lagoons. The main reasons to pause are the $139 price, the late-start risk, and the need for care during kayak transfers.

If those trade-offs fit your plans, Tour A offers a strong first look at El Nido from the water. Just keep the day flexible, follow the crew’s safety instructions, and do not confuse a private booking with a guarantee of empty beaches.

FAQ

Where does the tour take place?

The tour takes place around El Nido in Palawan, Philippines.

How long does El Nido Tour A last?

The tour lasts eight hours.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. The group type is private.

Which beaches and lagoons are included?

The planned stops are Seven Commandos Beach, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, and Payong-Payong Beach.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch is included, along with water, soft drinks, and fruit.

Is kayaking included?

One kayak is included. Additional kayak rental is not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A mask and snorkel are included, along with a life vest or jacket.

Are entrance fees included?

No. The 200-peso lagoon entrance fee and 400-peso environmental fee are listed as government taxes and are not included.

Is hotel pickup available?

Free pickup is available from accommodations in El Nido Town and Corong-corong. You need to provide your hotel name when completing the form.

Is hotel drop-off included?

No. Drop-off back at your hotel is not included.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide service is available in English and Tagalog.

Can the itinerary change?

Yes. The guide chooses the lunch stop, and destinations can change according to the weather.