El Nido Tour A (shared tour)

El Nido’s best scenery arrives by boat. I like this tour for its mix of Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon, plus a beach stop at Shimizu Island where you can slow down and enjoy the setting. I also like that lunch, water, towels, a guide, and town pickup are included. The main catch is simple: this is a shared tour, so busy stops, waiting, and a crowded schedule can take some shine off the day.

At roughly eight hours, Tour A gives you a useful first look at El Nido’s island scenery without the cost of a private boat. You visit Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-payong Beach, Secret Lagoon, and 7 Commando Beach, with time for swimming, beach breaks, and photo stops.

The $34 price is attractive, but it is not the complete cost. You still need to budget for the P400 environmental fee, the P200 Big Lagoon fee, and possibly P300 for a kayak shared by two people. The activity is best for people who want El Nido’s famous sights in one day and can accept a little group-tour disorder.

Key points to know before booking

• Five famous El Nido stops: The route includes Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-payong Beach, Secret Lagoon, and 7 Commando Beach.
• Shared boats mean shared timing: A February booking included an hour of waiting before departure, while another guest found the day confusing and crowded.
• Kayaking costs extra: A kayak is P300 for two people, and it is not included in the listed tour price.
• The water and scenery earn the praise: The strongest comments focus on the beaches, the buffet lunch, the guides, and the striking island views.
• Bring water shoes and a change of clothes: Beachwear, towels, and water shoes are useful for the lagoon entrances and beach stops.
• Not suited to limited mobility: The tour involves boat transfers, beaches, and access points that are not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

What the $34 shared tour really gives you

El Nido Tour A is built around the area’s most recognizable sights. You are not paying for a quiet, private day on the water. You are paying for a seat on a guaranteed boat, a route through several headline locations, a guide, lunch, and the convenience of joining a standard island-hopping circuit.

That distinction matters. A shared tour keeps the basic price low, which is helpful in El Nido, where a private boat can cost much more. It also means you follow the group’s schedule. If several boats reach the same lagoon at once, the peaceful feeling can disappear quickly.

The activity runs for about eight hours. Hotel pickup is available within El Nido town proper, but the stated meeting point is Umi Travel at Seaside Hama in Barangay Suerte. Drop-off at your hotel is not included, so plan to make your own way back after the boat trip.

The English-speaking guide is there throughout the activity. Recent feedback gave the overall experience 4.3 out of 5 from 83 ratings, a solid result, though not a sign of a perfectly smooth operation. One guest waited an hour at the meeting point before leaving, and another described the day as confusing. I would allow extra patience at the start, especially if you have dinner plans or another activity afterward.

Big Lagoon brings the postcard scenery

Big Lagoon is the visual centerpiece of the route. You enter a broad waterway framed by steep rock formations, with clear water running between the cliffs and beneath the boat. The setting has the calm, enclosed feeling that makes El Nido famous.

This is where the extra P200 Big Lagoon fee matters. The tour price does not cover it, so you should add that cost before comparing this excursion with other options. The fee buys access to one of the most sought-after sites on the route, but the stop can also be affected by boat traffic and crowd levels.

Kayaking costs P300 for two people. If you want to paddle rather than remain on the boat, that is a reasonable shared charge, but it is another expense to remember. The activity information specifically points to kayaking through peaceful crystal waters, so this option may appeal to you if you want a closer look at the rock walls and water.

Do not expect solitude. Big Lagoon is one of El Nido’s headline attractions, and the shared-tour format brings more people into the same narrow area. The scenery remains impressive, but your best photographs and quietest moments will depend on timing and how many other boats arrive with you.

Secret Lagoon has a storybook entrance

Secret Lagoon offers a different kind of experience. Instead of opening out as a wide waterway, it is reached through a small entrance in the rock. You duck through that opening and find a secluded pool surrounded by stone.

The entrance is part of the appeal, but it also explains why this stop may feel less orderly than a simple beach landing. You may need to wait your turn to enter, and the access point is not designed for people with mobility impairments. Bring water shoes, since the tour information specifically recommends them and the lagoon approach can be easier with secure footwear.

The pool itself is the kind of place that rewards a slower pace. Look up at the rock walls, take in the unusual shape of the entrance, and enjoy the contrast with Big Lagoon. This stop is less about covering distance and more about seeing a natural space that feels tucked away, even if other tour groups are nearby.

The name suggests total privacy, but you should keep expectations realistic. On a popular shared route, secret describes the entrance and shape of the lagoon, not guaranteed solitude.

Shimizu Island is the day’s easy beach break

Shimizu Island provides the classic white sand and clear water pause. After the lagoon visits, a beach stop gives you room to sit, swim, and dry off rather than moving through another enclosed rock passage.

I consider this one of the tour’s most useful inclusions. El Nido’s lagoons are dramatic, but a full day of boat transfers and short visits can become tiring. A beach stop lets you reset, enjoy the sun, and take in the island setting at your own speed, within the group’s allotted time.

Lunch is included, and one of the strongest pieces of feedback praised the buffet. That adds real value to the $34 price because you do not need to arrange a separate meal during the day. Water is included as well, while towels are provided, though bringing your own extra towel or change of clothes is sensible if you dislike staying damp.

The word untouched should be treated carefully. Shimizu Island is presented as naturally beautiful, but this is a well-known island-hopping stop. You might find other boats and groups sharing the beach, especially during busy periods.

Payong-payong Beach adds a quieter pause

Payong-payong Beach is another chance to step off the boat and enjoy clear water and the surrounding rock scenery. The supplied details do not give a fixed length of time for this stop, so you should expect the guide and group schedule to determine how long you stay.

That uncertainty is typical of a shared boat day. You see more places, but you do not control the clock. If you prefer one beach for several hours, this itinerary may feel rushed. If you want a sampler of El Nido’s most photographed areas, the additional stop gives the day more variety.

Use this pause for simple pleasures: a swim, a few photos, or a short rest in the shade if available. Bring beachwear and water shoes, and keep your belongings organized so you are ready when the guide calls the group back to the boat.

7 Commando Beach closes the route with a swim

The final listed destination is 7 Commando Beach. Here you can relax on white sand and take a dip in clear blue water. The guide is also expected to explain how the beach got its name, adding a small piece of local context to what could otherwise be just another swim stop.

This is a good final location because it is easy to understand and enjoy. After lagoons and rocky entrances, you get a straightforward beach break. If the weather is good, it is a pleasant way to end the day. If clouds or rain arrive, the beach may not feel as special, though one recent booking still described the day as enjoyable despite poor weather.

The beach is not a promise of complete quiet. The same shared-tour system applies here, and other boats may use the area. Still, the chance to swim and rest gives the final hour a more relaxed feel than a route made entirely of sightseeing stops.

Crowds and waiting are the real trade-offs

The most important question is not whether El Nido is beautiful. It is. The question is how you feel about seeing famous places alongside many other people.

One February booking involved an hour of waiting at the meeting point before departure. Another guest felt there were too many boats at the same locations, especially during snorkeling, and said the crowds limited the quality of the stops. These are not minor details. An eight-hour schedule can feel much longer when the day begins with a delay or when every lagoon has several boats nearby.

At the same time, the feedback was not uniformly negative. One French booking described a great day despite gloomy weather and praised the guides. Another rating gave particular approval to the buffet, beaches, and overall day out. That balance tells me the guides and scenery can carry the experience even when the operation is not perfectly punctual.

I would choose this tour with a flexible attitude. Do not schedule a flight, ferry, or important appointment immediately afterward. Expect some waiting, listen for instructions, and accept that the most famous places in El Nido are popular for a reason.

What to bring, and what costs extra

The tour includes lunch, water, towels, a licensed English-speaking guide, and hotel pickup within El Nido town proper. Those inclusions reduce the amount you need to organize before departure.

You should bring:

• Beachwear
• A change of clothes
• Water shoes
• A towel if you prefer your own
• Any personal snorkeling equipment you want to use

Masks, snorkels, aqua shoes, and fins are not included. Kayak rental is also separate at P300 for two people. The activity specifically lists a P400 environmental fee per person, valid for five days as a one-time purchase, and a P200 Big Lagoon fee per person.

That means the base price is appealing, but you should calculate the actual day’s cost in Philippine pesos before booking. If you already have water shoes and snorkeling gear, you can avoid replacing equipment locally. If you want to kayak, include that charge from the start.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. The tour is also not suitable for people with mobility impairments, which is important given the boat boarding, beach landings, and small entrance at Secret Lagoon.

Who will enjoy El Nido Tour A most

I would recommend this trip to you if you have limited time in El Nido and want to cover the area’s best-known stops in one outing. It is also a practical choice if you prefer a ready-made day with lunch, water, guide service, and a guaranteed boat instead of arranging each piece yourself.

It suits first-time visitors who want variety. You get wide lagoon scenery, a small rock passage, white sand beaches, swimming, and a buffet meal. The route gives you a useful sense of what El Nido offers before deciding if you want a slower private boat day later.

It is less suitable if your priority is silence, personal space, or long periods at one location. A private trip would give you more control, but this shared option costs far less. It is also a poor fit for anyone with mobility limitations or for anyone who needs a tightly controlled schedule.

Weather matters, too. The scenery can still be enjoyable in gray conditions, but sun makes the beaches and clear water more rewarding. You cannot control the weather, so I would book when you have some flexibility rather than treating this as your only possible El Nido day.

Should you book this shared island-hopping day?

I would book El Nido Tour A if you want the famous lagoons and beaches at a reasonable starting price, and you are comfortable paying the extra fees. The combination of Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-payong Beach, and 7 Commando Beach gives you a full day of classic El Nido scenery.

I would skip it if crowds and delays would ruin your holiday. The hour-long departure wait and crowded shared stops are meaningful warnings, not fine print. For everyone else, the tour offers good value, especially with lunch, water, towels, a guide, and town pickup included.

Go in expecting a popular group outing, not a private island escape. With that mindset, the beautiful water, dramatic rock formations, memorable lagoon entrances, and white sand beaches can make this a worthwhile introduction to Palawan.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour A last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability when booking.

What destinations are included?

The route includes Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-payong Beach, Secret Lagoon, and 7 Commando Beach.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $34 per person. Additional charges include a P400 environmental fee per person, a P200 Big Lagoon fee per person, and optional kayak rental at P300 for two people.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is included for hotels within El Nido town proper. Hotel drop-off is not included.

Where is the meeting point?

The meeting point is Umi Travel at Seaside Hama in Barangay Suerte, El Nido.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch and water are included in the tour.

Is kayaking included?

No. Kayak rental costs P300 for two people.

Are snorkeling equipment and water shoes included?

No. Masks, snorkels, aqua shoes, and fins are not included. Water shoes are listed among the items to bring.

What language does the guide speak?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.