El Nido Private Tour A w/ Lunch

El Nido’s best scenery is scattered offshore. This private island-hopping trip brings you to Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, Seven Commando Beach, and Payong-Payong Beach in about seven to eight hours. I like the private boat and guide, since your group can move at its own pace instead of waiting for a large crowd. I also like the alternate route, which aims to reach some stops when they are less crowded.

The main drawback is cost. At $143 per person, this is not a budget boat trip, especially since snorkel gear and kayaks cost extra. Still, I see real value here for families, couples, and groups who care more about privacy and flexible timing than finding the lowest fare.

Key points to know before booking

• Private group only: You share the boat with your own party, not with strangers.
• Five scenic stops: The day covers Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, Seven Commando Beach, and Payong-Payong Beach.
• Lunch at Shimizu Island: Soda, water, and fruit are included with the meal.
• Kayak and snorkel costs extra: Kayaks are P400, and snorkel sets are P100 each.
• Free town pickup: Pickup is included around El Nido town proper and within 2 kilometers of the public market.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Why a private boat changes the day

El Nido’s limestone islands are famous for good reason, but the popular stops can become busy. A private boat gives you a little breathing room. You can ask your guide how long to stay, take photos without rushing your group, and avoid spending the day waiting for people you do not know.

That freedom matters most at the lagoons. Some people want to paddle slowly and take in the cliffs. Others want a quick look, a swim, and more time at the beach. With a private arrangement, your guide can help shape the day around your group’s interests, within the limits of weather, boat operations, and entrance rules.

The staff also receive strong marks for care and practical help. Captain Oliver is praised for keeping the boat safe, while guides Darrel, Jul, and RJ are singled out for helpful service, photography, and good judgment about where to go when a place is quieter. Guide quality can shape an island day, and these details are encouraging.

The private format does not make the trip completely spontaneous. The five planned stops still define the day, and the boat must follow local conditions and access rules. But you get a more personal version of a standard El Nido route.

Starting near the El Nido Police Station

The listed meeting point is the El Nido Police Station on C. Hama. The activity ends back there, unless your included town pickup brings you from your accommodation and returns you after the boat trip.

Pickup is free from hotels or accommodations in town proper, or within 2 kilometers of the public market. If you stay outside that area, an extra charge may apply. Confirm this point before booking, since one unhappy customer reported confusion over a transfer fee and a printed price. That complaint appears to concern transportation arrangements rather than the island trip itself, but it is a good reminder to get the pickup cost in writing.

The meeting area is near public transportation, and confirmation arrives at booking. The tour lasts roughly seven to eight hours, so plan for most of your day to be spent on the water and at the islands.

Big Lagoon: the day’s grand opening

Big Lagoon is the visual centerpiece. The entrance is framed by tall karst limestone cliffs shaped over millions of years, and the calm water makes the scene feel almost enclosed. This is the kind of place where you will want to slow down rather than simply step off the boat, take one photo, and leave.

A kayak or stand-up paddleboard is the better way to see the lagoon, according to the tour details. That comes at an additional P400 for a kayak. The price is worth considering if paddling through the cliffs is a major reason you want this trip, since the lagoon experience will feel different from simply viewing it from the boat.

You receive lagoon entrance access as part of the tour, but the kayak is not included. That distinction is easy to miss when comparing prices. I would budget for the paddle in advance, especially if you are traveling with several people.

The stop is scheduled for about 90 minutes. That gives you time to take in the cliffs and paddle, though the actual pace may depend on local access, water conditions, and how many people are arriving at the same time.

Shimizu Island: lunch beside clear water

Shimizu Island is planned as both a scenic stop and the lunch break. It is known here as a favored place for turtle watching, though no sighting can be guaranteed. The island’s name honors Shimizu, described as one of the early explorers of El Nido’s waters.

This is a useful middle point in the day. After the striking rock walls of Big Lagoon, you get time to sit down, eat, and enjoy the shore instead of moving constantly from one photo stop to the next. Lunch includes soda, water, and fruit. Those basics are valuable on a full day in the sun, though you may want to bring any special snacks or drinks you prefer.

The scheduled visit lasts about 90 minutes. That should leave room for lunch and some time near the water. Snorkeling can add another layer to the stop, but snorkel equipment is listed as an extra charge of P100 per set. The overview refers to snorkel equipment, yet the detailed inclusions clearly place it outside the base price, so I would plan to pay separately.

One especially strong account of the day describes swimming with a school of roughly 300 to 400 fish. That kind of sighting is never promised, but it shows why bringing or renting snorkel gear can be worthwhile when conditions are good.

Secret Lagoon: a small opening in the rock

Secret Lagoon offers a different kind of stop. Rather than a wide, open beach, you enter a small natural space reached through a rock opening. The attraction combines a beautiful beach outside with a compact lagoon area inside.

The contrast is the point. You get bright sand and clear water at the shore, then a more enclosed setting among the limestone. If you dislike tight entrances or crowded small spaces, you may find this stop less comfortable at a busy moment. The private boat helps your group avoid some waiting, but it cannot remove other boats from a popular attraction.

The tour allows about 90 minutes here. That is enough time to look around, cool off, and take photographs without treating the stop as a rushed photo call. Your guide can also help with the practical parts of moving between the beach and the lagoon.

Seven Commando Beach and the story behind the name

Seven Commando Beach is a long, sloping stretch of sand on the mainland side of the route. The name comes from seven commandos who reportedly lived on the island, with their names appearing on the cliffs.

The beach is a good change of pace after the lagoons. You can swim, sit on the sand, and let the day feel less structured for a while. Its appeal is simple: shore, clear water, limestone, and a little more room to relax.

This stop also lasts about 90 minutes. That is generous for a beach visit, although the exact amount of swimming time will depend on how your group uses the earlier stops. If Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon take longer than planned, your guide may need to balance the schedule.

I would not book this trip only for Seven Commando Beach. Its value comes from the mix of scenery across the full day. The beach is pleasant, but Big Lagoon and the limestone formations provide the more distinctive visual moments.

Payong-Payong Beach: a quieter final picture

Payong-Payong Beach brings together the classic El Nido elements: white sand, clear water, and tall limestone cliffs. It is a strong final stop because it gives you a calm setting after the smaller lagoon spaces and the lunch break.

The beach is also presented as part of the alternate route intended to encounter fewer crowds. That does not promise solitude, but it may give your group a better chance of enjoying the shore without the feel of a large organized outing.

Entrance is not included for this stop, so ask about the current charge before departure. The provided details do not give the amount. This is another small extra to add to your budget alongside the kayak and snorkel rental.

Because the stop comes at the end of a long day, you may appreciate the chance to simply sit and look at the cliffs. You do not need to turn every minute into an activity. A private tour works well here because you can tell the guide if your group wants more beach time or is ready to head back.

Lunch, equipment, and the real price

The headline price is $143 per person. That figure covers a private tour, professional licensed guide and crew, lunch, soda, water, fruit, environmental fees, lagoon entrance, and free pickup in the stated town area. Group discounts are also offered, though the amount is not specified.

For one or two people, the price is a serious commitment. You are paying for privacy and service, not only for transportation between islands. For a larger group, the value improves if the private boat price is spread across several people and the discount applies.

Budget extra for:

• Snorkel equipment, P100 per set
• Kayak rental, P400
• Payong-Payong Beach entrance, amount not specified
• Pickup outside El Nido town, if applicable

The kayak is the most meaningful optional expense because it changes how you see Big Lagoon. Snorkel gear also has clear value if swimming with fish is important to you. If you plan to stay on the sand and take photographs, you can keep the added cost lower.

One point deserves careful attention: the general description suggests snorkel gear is available, while the detailed inclusions state that snorkel equipment is not included. Treat the P100 rental as part of your budget and confirm the arrangement before departure.

Guide service, safety, and photography

The guide and crew are central to the quality of this day. Captain Oliver receives specific praise for safety, and Darrel is noted for helping people move around safely, explaining the islands, and taking photographs. Jul and RJ are also praised for finding good spots, assisting with practical needs, and taking memorable pictures.

Those details matter because island hopping involves more than pretty water. You need help getting on and off the boat, keeping track of belongings, understanding where you can go, and making the most of each stop. A guide who watches the group closely can make the day more relaxed.

Photography help is another useful benefit. El Nido’s cliffs and beaches invite constant picture-taking, but it is easy to come home with only selfies or hurried snapshots. A crew member who knows how to position the group can make the private format feel more worthwhile.

The service record is strong overall, with a 4.7 rating from 70 ratings and a 94 percent recommendation figure. One account also notes that a windy day made the trip less comfortable. That is a fair warning: the scenery can remain beautiful when the water is rough, but the boat ride may feel less smooth.

Who should book this El Nido tour?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Families who want to avoid sharing a boat with strangers
• Couples who value privacy and time for photographs
• Friends who want to control the pace of the stops
• Groups interested in adding kayaking or snorkeling
• People staying within the included pickup zone

The tour suits most people, and service animals are allowed. It is near public transportation, and the activity information says most participants can take part.

I would be more cautious if you are traveling alone on a tight budget. The private format may offer less value for one person than a shared boat. I would also think twice if poor weather is likely during your visit, since conditions can affect the day and the experience requires suitable weather.

Cancellation and weather notes

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off uses local time in El Nido.

Weather is an important exception. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. That policy gives you some protection, but it does not change the fact that a windy day may make the boat ride less comfortable.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want El Nido’s major lagoon and beach sights without sharing the boat with an unknown group. The strongest reasons are the private format, the chance to adjust the pace, the included lunch, and the attentive crew members praised by name, especially Captain Oliver and guide Darrel.

Before paying, confirm three things: your pickup location, the snorkel equipment charge, and the entrance fee for Payong-Payong Beach. Add P400 for a kayak if Big Lagoon is a priority. If you are happy with those extras, $143 can be fair value for a private full-day boat outing, particularly for a group.

Skip it if your main goal is the cheapest possible way to see El Nido. Choose it if your priority is a smoother, more personal day with room to linger, take photographs, and enjoy the islands at your own pace.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Private Tour A last?

The tour lasts approximately seven to eight hours.

Which places does the tour visit?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes soda, water, and fruit.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is hotel pickup included?

Free pickup is offered from accommodations in El Nido town proper or within 2 kilometers of the public market. Pickup outside that area may cost extra.

Are snorkeling equipment and kayaks included?

No. Snorkel equipment costs P100 per set, and a kayak costs P400.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if the tour is canceled because of poor weather.