El Nido Tour A – Group w/ Buffet Lunch

Big Lagoon is worth getting up early for. El Nido Tour A packs five famous stops into a seven to eight hour boat trip, with Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, Secret Lagoon, and Seven Commando Beach on the schedule. At $44.95 per person, it gives you a practical introduction to El Nido’s island scenery without the cost of a private boat.

I especially like the chance to kayak through Big Lagoon’s narrow blue waterway and the helpful local crews, including guides named Albert, Ramon, and Willy. The buffet lunch, hotel pickup in El Nido Town, and lagoon and environmental fees add useful value. The main catch is the group format: with up to 50 people, queues, beach congestion, and slow boat loading can take some shine off an otherwise beautiful day.

The scenery is the reason to book this trip. Dark limestone cliffs rise straight from the sea, white beaches curve around clear water, and each stop has a different character. Just bring patience, water shoes, and a waterproof bag. You may need to walk through the sea to board the boat or reach shore.

Key points to know before booking

• Big Lagoon is the headline stop: You get about 90 minutes in the most famous setting on the route, with kayaking available for P400 per kayak for two people.
• Five major stops fill the day: The route includes Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, Secret Lagoon, and Seven Commando Beach.
• The group can reach 50 people: This keeps the price low but can mean queues, crowded beaches, and slow boarding.
• Lunch is included, but the setting can vary: The meal is intended for the beach, although some departures have served lunch on the boat.
• Pickup is limited to El Nido Town: Pickup outside town costs extra, and the listed start time is 9:00 am.
• Water shoes are a smart buy: Some beach landings involve walking over rocks or through the water before you reach the sand.

What $44.95 gets you on El Nido Tour A

The price is good for a full day on the water. You receive lunch, pickup within El Nido Town, the environmental fee of P400 per person, and the listed lagoon entrance fee of P200 per person. Those added charges make the headline price more useful than it first appears.

You still need to budget for a mask and snorkel, listed at P100 per set, and kayaking, listed at P400 per kayak for two people. Drinks are not included, so bring or buy water and soda before departure.

The value depends on your attitude toward group tours. If you want an affordable way to see El Nido’s signature sites, this tour covers a lot. If you want quiet beaches, flexible timing, and no waiting for other people, a private trip will suit you better. One poor experience described long waits and difficult boarding, while other outings ran smoothly and adjusted the order of stops to avoid some congestion.

That contrast tells you something important. The scenery is not the gamble here. The number of boats and the pace of the group are.

A full day from 9:00 am to late afternoon

The listed start time is 9:00 am, and the day lasts roughly seven to eight hours. One outing left El Nido at about 9:30 am and returned around 4:45 pm, which gives you a useful idea of the real rhythm.

Your boat may be a double-decker vessel, and getting aboard can involve a short walk through shallow water. That is normal for this type of island outing, but it is not ideal if you arrive in regular clothes or dislike wet feet. Wear your swimsuit beneath quick-drying clothes and keep phones, wallets, and cameras in a waterproof bag.

The group may include up to 50 people. Guides have been praised for helping older parents get on and off the boat, keeping an eye on safety, and taking photos and videos. Albert and his crew received especially warm praise for being friendly and attentive, while Willy was noted for keeping the schedule on track.

The boat crew may change the order of the stops. That can work in your favor, since arriving at a lagoon before another wave of boats can make a real difference. Still, do not expect a private-island pace. Each stop is allotted about 90 minutes, but boarding, walking, lunch, and group movement reduce the actual time for swimming or sightseeing.

Big Lagoon: the main reason to choose Tour A

Big Lagoon is the visual star of the day. You enter a narrow waterway framed by tall, dark limestone cliffs, with striking blue water running between the rock walls. It is the kind of place that makes the long boat ride and early start feel worthwhile.

The calm water is suited to kayaking, and many people consider paddling here the best activity of the day. A kayak costs P400 for two people, so sharing keeps the extra fee modest. The tour information presents kayaking as an optional rental, not part of the base price.

You can also take photos from the boat and around the lagoon entrance. Guides may help with pictures and short videos, which is useful because the scenery is wide and difficult to capture alone.

The drawback is popularity. Big Lagoon is one of El Nido’s best-known sights, so you may share the water with many other boats and kayaks. The 90-minute stop sounds generous, but some of that time can disappear in the queue or while your group organizes itself.

I would still treat Big Lagoon as the priority. If the crew offers a sensible change in order, it is worth following their lead. The earlier or less crowded visit may give you better photos and a calmer paddle.

Shimizu Island: lunch, snorkeling, and a good rest stop

Shimizu Island is scheduled for about 90 minutes and is used as the main lunch stop. The island has scenic views, clear water, and snorkeling opportunities, including the chance to look for turtles.

The buffet lunch is one of the tour’s stronger value points. Several outings received praise for the local food and variety. One meal was described as good enough to make the whole day feel like better value. The listed plan places lunch on the beach, but the actual setting can vary. At least one departure served the meal on the boat instead.

That difference matters if you are picturing a relaxed picnic on white sand. You may instead eat aboard while the boat is anchored. I would keep expectations practical: the food is included and intended to feed a large group, but this is not a private beach lunch.

Snorkeling equipment costs P100 per set, and snorkel conditions can vary by stop. One complaint noted no snorkeling at the first beach, while other outings enjoyed snorkeling near South Miniloc and at Shimizu Island. The supplied route names Shimizu Island, not South Miniloc, so do not assume every departure includes the same exact water activity.

If turtles are a priority, ask the guide where conditions are best that day. The crew can also help people who do not want to swim. Guides have been praised for assisting elderly parents and making sure people felt safe.

Payong-Payong Beach and the reality of beach landings

Payong-Payong Beach offers the classic El Nido combination: pale sand, clear water, and limestone cliffs rising around the shore. The stop lasts about 90 minutes, giving you time to swim, take photos, or simply sit by the water.

The route information lists admission as included. That removes one small hassle, but it does not guarantee a quiet beach. With several shared boats arriving around the same time, the beach can feel busy.

Pay close attention when the boat approaches shore. Some departures require you to walk through the water and over rocks for more than 50 feet. One person found this dangerous, especially when carrying bags or helping someone who was unsteady.

This is where water shoes earn their place in your luggage. Flip-flops can slip, and bare feet are not a good match for rough stones. Keep your hands free, use a waterproof bag, and follow the crew’s instructions during unloading.

The beach itself is attractive, but the arrival can be more memorable than the stay. I would treat Payong-Payong as a scenic swimming stop, not as the quiet beach escape promised by a postcard.

Secret Lagoon: a small entrance with a big queue

Secret Lagoon is reached through a small cave, which gives the stop its sense of adventure. You pass through the tight opening to reach a sheltered lagoon hidden inside the limestone formation.

The cave entrance is the main feature, but it also creates a bottleneck. Queues can form quickly, especially when several boats arrive together. If you dislike narrow spaces or waiting in wet conditions, this may be the least comfortable stop of the day.

You should expect to move carefully. The water level, rocks, and crowd flow can make the entrance awkward, so sturdy water shoes and a dry bag are useful. Do not rush just to keep up with the group.

The listed admission is free, and the stop is included in the route. It gives you a different type of scenery from Big Lagoon. Big Lagoon is broad and dramatic, while Secret Lagoon feels enclosed and compact.

The amount of time inside may be shorter than the scheduled 90 minutes because the cave and lagoon are small. That is not necessarily a problem, but you should not expect to spend the whole stop swimming in a large open pool.

Seven Commando Beach: pleasant, popular, and possibly skippable

Seven Commando Beach is the final listed stop. It has white sand, turquoise water, palm trees, rock formations, and a beach bar. On paper, it is an easy ending to a long day.

In practice, this stop receives the most mixed response. Some people enjoy the calm water and relaxed beach setting. Others find it crowded and say the final stop is unnecessary, especially because loading and unloading the boat can be difficult.

That makes Seven Commando a flexible part of the route in spirit, even if it remains on the schedule. If the day is running late, you may have less time here. If you are tired from five stops, lunch, and repeated boat transfers, a short beach visit may be enough.

I would not choose Tour A specifically for Seven Commando. Choose it for Big Lagoon and the overall collection of sites. Consider Seven Commando a pleasant extra, not the reason to pay for the trip.

The group-tour tradeoff: friendly crew, crowded stops

The strongest praise goes to the staff. Guides have been described as professional, warm, helpful, and serious about safety. Albert, Ramon, and their crew were singled out for making the day enjoyable, while another guide, Willy, was praised for caring for the group and keeping to the schedule.

That personal service matters on a boat tour. The crew may help you climb the ladder, steady you during a wet landing, take photos, or adjust the route. Several outings also received praise for good local food and friendly assistance.

The weak point is crowd control. A group of up to 50 people can create a slow chain of movement. You wait for everyone to board, queue for the cave, share narrow beaches, and move between the boat and shore in wet conditions.

You may also see many other boats at the main sites. One person compared the queues to waiting for a popular amusement ride. That is a fair warning, not a reason to reject the tour outright.

The price buys access to famous scenery, not solitude. If you know that before booking, you are more likely to enjoy the day.

What to pack for a safer, easier day

A few simple items will make this trip much more comfortable:

• Water shoes: Useful for rocky entries and walking through the sea.
• Waterproof bag: Important for phones, cameras, money, and dry clothing.
• Swimsuit and quick-drying clothes: You may get wet before reaching the beach.
• Drinking water: Drinks are not included.
• Cash: Useful for the P100 snorkel rental and P400 kayak rental.
• Sun protection: Bring the protection you normally use for a long day outdoors.

You do not need to rent snorkeling equipment if you are mainly interested in the cliffs, beaches, and lagoons. One person found a snorkel less useful on this particular route, while others enjoyed the snorkeling and kayaking. Your choice should depend on how much time you want in the water.

If you have limited mobility, tell the crew early. The staff have helped older people get on and off the boat, but the wet boarding points, ladder, rocky shallows, and small cave remain real physical obstacles.

Pickup is offered only within El Nido Town at no extra charge. Pickup outside town costs more. Confirmation is provided at booking, and service animals are allowed.

Cancellation and weather terms

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you receive the choice of another date or a full refund. That is useful for a boat trip in an area where conditions can affect both safety and the quality of the stops.

Who should book El Nido Tour A?

I would recommend this trip if you want the classic El Nido sights at a reasonable price and you are comfortable sharing a boat. It suits first-time visitors who want Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, beaches, lunch, and a full day on the water without arranging several separate activities.

It also works well for people who value a friendly crew and organized transportation. The staff’s attention to safety and willingness to help older family members are genuine strengths.

I would hesitate if you strongly dislike crowds, queues, wet boarding, or fixed schedules. A private tour costs more, but it gives you better control over timing and may reduce the frustration at the busiest stops.

Should you book this tour?

Yes, if your priority is seeing El Nido’s famous scenery for around $45 while keeping the day simple. Big Lagoon is the payoff, and the included lunch, town pickup, environmental fee, and lagoon fee make the cost reasonable.

Book with realistic expectations. The beaches may be crowded, lunch may be served on the boat, and you may walk through water or over rocks several times. Bring water shoes, protect your electronics, and ask about the kayaking plan before departure.

If you can accept the group pace, this is a strong introduction to El Nido. If you want quiet coves and complete freedom, spend more on a private boat instead.

FAQ

What time does El Nido Tour A start?

The listed start time is 9:00 am. One outing left closer to 9:30 am and returned around 4:45 pm, so the full day generally lasts about seven to eight hours.

What stops are included on Tour A?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and is described as a buffet meal served at the beach. The actual setting can vary, and some departures have served lunch on the boat.

Are kayaking and snorkeling included?

No. A kayak costs P400 per kayak for two people, and a mask and snorkel set costs P100. Drinks are also not included.

Is pickup included?

Free pickup is offered within El Nido Town. Pickup outside El Nido Town requires an additional charge.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. For your own cancellation, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time to receive a full refund.