El Nido Private Tour A: Best Island Hopping

Paradise works best with a good boat plan. This private El Nido day combines the Big and Small Lagoons with Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, and Seven Commandos Beach, giving you a full look at Bacuit Bay in about eight hours. I especially like the mix of swimming, snorkeling, soft sand, and dramatic limestone cliffs. I also like that the price covers a private boat, guide, life vests, and packed lunch for up to three people.

The main consideration is the extra cash you need for entrance fees, the environmental fee, snorkeling gear, and possibly a kayak. The route can also change during the day to avoid crowds, so you should expect the same main sights but not always in the exact order shown. One especially warm detail comes from a booking with Carlo, whose cheerful service and generous lunch earned high praise from Yann of France.

Five reasons this El Nido day earns attention

• Big and Small Lagoons: Paddle or swim among towering limestone walls and clear turquoise water.
• A real private group: The $324 rate covers up to three people, not just one seat on a crowded shared boat.
• Shimizu Island snorkeling: An hour is set aside for clear water, coral gardens, and fish.
• A varied beach day: Payong-Payong offers quiet sand, while Seven Commandos adds a casual beach-bar feel.
• Lunch and basic equipment included: Your guide handles the boat, life vests, and packed lunch.
• A flexible route: The stop order may change to help avoid the worst crowd levels.

What the $324 private price really buys

At $324 per group of up to three, this tour makes the most sense for a small party that wants a private day on the water. Split three ways, the base price comes to $108 per person before local fees and optional extras. For two people, the cost per person is higher, but you are still buying control over the group size and a boat reserved for your party.

The base package includes a guide, boat, life vest, and packed lunch. Those inclusions matter in El Nido, where a long day of island hopping requires more than simply paying for transport. You have someone handling the route and boat arrangements while you focus on swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and taking in the cliffs.

Still, the advertised price is not the final amount. You need to budget for the environmental fee of 400 PHP per person and the Big or Small Lagoon fee of 200 PHP per person. Both are payable in cash. The environmental fee remains valid for all tours taken within five days, so keep the receipt if you have already paid it.

Snorkeling gear costs an additional 100 PHP, and a kayak costs 300 PHP for two people. Drinks and towels are not included. I would bring your own towel and enough water, then keep small Philippine peso notes ready for the required charges and optional equipment.

Starting in El Nido town at 9:00

Pickup is available only within El Nido town, so you need to provide the exact pickup and drop-off location in advance. The stated schedule begins with arrival at the pickup point at 9:00, followed by boat departure around 9:30.

That half-hour window is useful. It gives you time to meet the guide, sort out any fees, and get settled before the boat leaves. Do not treat the times as rigid. The schedule says all times are approximate, and the return to El Nido is expected between 16:00 and 17:00.

The route may be rearranged to avoid crowds. That is a good policy for a popular area, especially around the lagoons. You may visit the same five main places in a different order, so keep your mind on the full day rather than a fixed sequence.

Big and Small Lagoons: the main event

The lagoons are the reason many people choose Tour A, and they deserve their billing. You move through Bacuit Bay toward huge limestone formations rising from clear blue-green water. The cliffs give the lagoons their enclosed, otherworldly feel, while the water provides the chance to swim or use a kayak.

The schedule allows about one hour for the Big and Small Lagoon stop. That is enough time to get into the water, look around, and take photos without turning the day into a single-stop outing. If you want to kayak, the optional rental costs 300 PHP for two people. Ask about the kayak when you arrive so you can decide how to use your time.

The main drawback is that this is the most popular part of the route. Even with a private boat and a changeable schedule, you should not expect solitude. The tour can reduce crowd pressure by changing the order, but it cannot make a famous lagoon private.

Bring a hat and sunscreen, but remember that you will spend much of this visit around water. Secure anything you do not want to lose before swimming or paddling. A waterproof phone pouch is not listed as part of the equipment, so bring one only if you already have it.

Payong-Payong Beach: a quieter pause

Payong-Payong Beach gives the day a needed change of pace. After the enclosed cliffs and lagoon water, you get time on a stretch of powdery white sand lined with palms. The planned free time is about one hour, with swimming available.

I like this stop because it prevents the itinerary from becoming a parade of quick photo stops. You have room to sit, cool off, and enjoy the setting without needing to do anything at all. If you prefer a low-key beach hour, this may be the easiest part of the day.

There is no special activity fee listed for Payong-Payong. You should bring a towel, since one is not included, and keep your sunscreen close. Insect repellent is also recommended, a sensible addition for a day that includes beach and boat stops.

Lunch around noon, with no need to leave the water

Lunch is scheduled at about 12:00 and is included as a packed meal. That keeps the day moving and means you do not need to search for food between island stops. Yann from France praised the meal as exceptionally generous, and that is a useful detail for anyone wondering if the lunch is merely a small snack.

The exact food is not specified, so I would not plan around a particular menu. If you have dietary needs, ask the provider before departure rather than assuming the packed lunch can be changed. Bring water as advised, since drinks are not included.

A packed lunch also fits the rhythm of this tour. You spend most of the day moving between beaches and lagoons, so a simple meal allows more time for the places that make the trip worthwhile.

Secret Lagoon, reached through a narrow rock opening

Secret Lagoon is the day’s most playful stop. The appeal is the entrance itself, a narrow opening in the rock that leads into a sheltered area. The itinerary allows about one hour for swimming and exploring the setting.

This stop works best if you enjoy a little movement and a sense of discovery. You are not simply stepping off the boat onto a broad beach. You are looking for the entrance and making your way into a space enclosed by limestone.

The name should not make you expect total privacy. It is one of the well-known El Nido stops, and the same crowd issue can apply here as at the main lagoons. The guide may place it earlier or later to improve the timing.

Wear a swimsuit under your clothes and keep your belongings simple. You will be spending much of the day near water, and there is no towel service included.

Shimizu Island: one hour for snorkeling

Shimizu Island is the snorkeling stop, with roughly an hour set aside to see coral gardens and marine life in clear, warm water. Snorkeling gear is optional and costs 100 PHP if you need to rent it.

I like the way this stop balances the limestone scenery. The lagoons are about cliffs and unusual water passages; Shimizu is about what lies below the surface. Even if you prefer not to snorkel, you can float or swim in the clear sea.

The water is the star here, but the quality of a snorkeling stop can depend on conditions. The provided information does not promise a particular species or exact reef location, so keep expectations sensible. You should see a change of scenery and have time in the water, but marine life is never a guaranteed show.

If snorkeling is important to you, bring your own mask and snorkel if you have equipment you trust. Otherwise, the 100 PHP rental keeps the extra cost modest. A life vest is included, which is helpful if you want to enjoy the water without swimming continuously.

Seven Commandos Beach and its easygoing finish

Seven Commandos Beach is the final listed stop, with about an hour for free time and swimming. It is known for its white sand, optional snorkeling, and relaxed beach-bar atmosphere.

This is a smart way to finish. After a full day of swimming and moving between islands, you can simply sit on the sand, take one last swim, or enjoy the casual setting. The stop has more social energy than Payong-Payong, so the two beaches give you different versions of a beach break.

Drinks are not included, so bring cash if you want to buy something at the beach bar. The tour information does not specify prices or opening arrangements, so avoid relying on the bar for all your hydration. Bring water with you from the start.

The one-hour limit keeps the route on schedule, but it also means you cannot linger indefinitely. If Seven Commandos is your main goal, a private tour gives you a better chance to discuss timing with the guide, though the full route still needs to be completed.

Carlo’s cheerful service and why the guide matters

The boat and scenery may sell this tour, but the guide can shape the whole day. Yann’s booking specifically praised Carlo for looking after the group with joy and good humor. That is exactly the sort of small human touch that helps on a long day involving boat crossings, wet clothes, entrance fees, and several stops.

The tour is conducted in English. Your guide handles the boat route and the included arrangements, while you decide how actively to spend your time. You can snorkel, kayak, swim, sunbathe, or simply sit and watch the cliffs pass by.

A private group also makes it easier to keep your own pace within reason. You are not sharing the day with a large mixed group, though the schedule still has to account for official access, water conditions, and the return journey.

Weather, fees, and simple preparation

Island hopping depends on the sea and official safety decisions. If conditions are poor, the Philippine Coast Guard can cancel island hopping, so keep some flexibility in your El Nido plans. The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your wider schedule is still changing.

For the day itself, bring:

• A sun hat
• Swimwear
• Sunscreen
• Water
• Insect repellent
• Cash
• A towel

The tour provides life vests, but it does not provide towels, drinks, or snorkeling equipment at no extra charge. Cash is especially important because the 400 PHP environmental fee and 200 PHP lagoon fee are cash-only. If you have already paid the environmental fee, bring the receipt.

The provider also says the ticket line can be skipped. That may save time at busy access points, but you should still expect a full day with several transfers between the boat and the shore.

Who will get the most from Tour A?

I would choose this tour for a couple, family, or small friend group that wants El Nido’s famous sights in one well-rounded day. It suits first-time visitors because you get the major lagoons, a snorkeling stop, two beaches, lunch, and a guide without having to piece the route together yourself.

It also works for return visitors who want a private boat and a straightforward day on Bacuit Bay. The private format is most valuable when three people share the $324 price.

You may want to think twice if you dislike popular attractions or want a slow day at one quiet beach. Five major stops in eight hours means movement, boarding, swimming, and keeping an eye on the clock. The route is full, not lazy.

You should also be comfortable with water-based activities. Swimming is listed at several stops, and snorkeling or kayaking is optional, but the main appeal is being on and around the sea. If you prefer land-based sightseeing, this is not the right match.

Should you book this private El Nido day?

Book it if you want a private group, the classic El Nido sights, and a clear mix of lagoons, snorkeling, and beaches. The strongest value comes when three people share the base cost, while the included lunch, boat, guide, and life vests keep the day simple.

Before booking, set aside money for 600 PHP per person in required environmental and lagoon fees, plus 100 PHP for snorkeling gear if needed. Bring a towel, water, sunscreen, and cash. If you can accept a flexible stop order and the possibility of crowds at famous places, Tour A gives you a strong one-day introduction to Bacuit Bay, with Carlo’s cheerful service adding a welcome human note.

FAQ

How long does the El Nido Private Tour A last?

The activity lasts about eight hours. Pickup begins around 9:00, boat departure is around 9:30, and the return to El Nido is expected between 16:00 and 17:00. Times are approximate.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup and drop-off are available only within El Nido town. You need to provide the exact location in advance.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes a guide, private boat, life vest, and packed lunch.

What extra fees must I pay?

The environmental fee is 400 PHP per person, and the Big or Small Lagoon fee is 200 PHP per person. Both must be paid in cash. The environmental fee is valid for tours taken within five days.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling gear is available to rent for 100 PHP. Kayak rental is also optional and costs 300 PHP for two people.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. Island hopping may be canceled in bad weather at the discretion of the Philippine Coast Guard. You can cancel the booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.