El Nido: Tour A&C by Private Speedboat –Skip the Crowds Fast

Beat the crowds before breakfast. This private El Nido trip combines the best-known stops from Tours A and C with a fast boat, flexible timing, and room for your own small group. I especially like the private speedboat, which cuts down transfer time, and the chance to choose an early departure or a sunset schedule. The main catch is the price: listed at $315 per person, or ₱35,000 per private group in the supplied details, it costs far more than a standard shared boat.

I also like the broad mix of scenery packed into six hours, from Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon to Hidden Beach, Helicopter Island, and Seven Commandos Beach. The schedule needs careful confirmation before booking, since the information gives both 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM for the morning option. That small timing wrinkle matters in El Nido, where an early start can make a large difference.

Key points at a glance

• Private high-speed boat: Your group has the boat to itself, with no strangers sharing the seats or deciding how long to stay.
• Big Lagoon before the rush: The early option is designed to reach this famous stop before heavy boat traffic.
• Six major stops: The route covers Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Hidden Beach, Secret Beach, Helicopter Island, and Seven Commandos Beach.
• Morning or sunset timing: Choose calmer early conditions and better photography, or an afternoon schedule with golden light.
• Lunch and safety included: A prepared island lunch, snorkeling masks, life vests, fuel, docking fees, and clearance processing are included.
• Best for small private groups: Couples, families, proposal trips, and VIP-style outings will get the most from the added privacy.

Why a private speedboat changes the day

El Nido’s island routes are famous for good reason, but the most popular coves can become crowded when many boats arrive together. A private speedboat helps in two ways: it gets you between stops faster, and it gives the crew more freedom to adjust the order and timing.

That does not mean you will have every beach to yourself. Big Lagoon, Hidden Beach, and Secret Lagoon are major attractions. Still, leaving early can help you arrive before the busiest wave of boats. I would choose the morning schedule if your priority is quiet water, clear photographs, and more peaceful time at the first stops.

The afternoon option runs from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM and is aimed at warm light and a sunset finish. It may suit couples better than the morning run, especially for a special occasion. The tradeoff is simple: you give up the best crowd-avoidance advantage in exchange for softer light and a more romantic end to the day.

The boat is for your group alone, and the maximum capacity applies, though the exact number is not provided. Ask about the passenger limit before paying, especially if you are booking for a larger family or group of friends.

Meeting at Marbers Resto Bar

The meeting point is Marbers Resto Bar on the Calle Hama beach front. Go inside and ask for Annabelle or any Alexzus staff member. This is useful to know because beach-front meeting areas can be busy, and the operator has a dedicated terminal area for comfort.

The tour ends at Dockyard. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included for locations outside El Nido town, though an extra-charge transfer can be requested. Plan a little time to reach the meeting point, and keep your phone accessible in case the crew needs to confirm the departure details.

The supplied information gives two versions of the early schedule: 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM. I would ask Alexzus Travel and Tours to confirm the exact departure time, since the difference affects breakfast plans, hotel checkout, and your chance of reaching Big Lagoon early.

Big Lagoon: the headline stop

Big Lagoon gets one hour, making it the longest stop besides Seven Commandos Beach. Towering limestone cliffs surround calm emerald-colored water, and the enclosed setting gives the place its dramatic scale.

You can expect guided sightseeing, photographs, scenic views on the approach, and kayaking. Kayak use is subject to local lagoon management rules, so it is not an automatic free-for-all. Ask the crew how access works that day and listen to the local instructions.

I would keep your camera ready before reaching the lagoon. The cliffs and narrow water passages make the approach part of the visit, not just a transfer. Swimming may be possible, but the listed activities focus mainly on sightseeing and kayaking, so confirm the swimming conditions with the crew.

This is the stop where the speedboat advantage matters most. Arriving ahead of the larger boats can make the first hour calmer. If you choose the afternoon trip, expect the light to change as the sun lowers, which can produce attractive photographs but may bring more traffic at the famous sites.

Secret Lagoon and its narrow entrance

Secret Lagoon follows Big Lagoon and receives about 30 minutes. It is reached through a small natural opening in the rock, then opens into a tucked-away pool surrounded by dramatic stone walls.

The entrance is part of the appeal, but it can also be the most awkward part of the stop. The passage is narrow, and movement may be slower when several groups arrive at once. You should follow the guide’s instructions and avoid rushing through the opening.

Thirty minutes is enough for a look, photographs, and sightseeing, but it is not a long, lazy beach stop. That is fine because the day has several more locations ahead. The private format may let you spend your time more sensibly, though local access rules and sea conditions still control the visit.

Hidden Beach and the narrow passage in

Hidden Beach is scheduled for about 40 minutes, with time for photographs, guided sightseeing, swimming, and snorkeling. Massive karst formations conceal the beach, and reaching it through a narrow passage gives the stop a strong sense of discovery.

Bring your mask and keep your swimwear on under your clothes. The included snorkeling masks save you from arranging your own rental, while the life vests provide an important extra layer of safety around unfamiliar water.

The beach is hidden by rock, not magically empty. If several boats arrive close together, the access point can feel tight. That is another reason the early departure makes practical sense. I would use the time for a swim and a short snorkel rather than expecting a long beach break.

Lunch at a private island stop

The itinerary allows 45 minutes at a secret stop for a freshly prepared island lunch. The exact beach or island is not specified, so do not plan around a particular view or named restaurant.

This pause is welcome after several water stops. A prepared lunch is included, along with fuel, docking fees, and mandatory passenger trip clearance processing. Personal expenses are not included, so bring money for anything extra you may want to buy.

Pack snacks as well. Six hours on the water is a long stretch, and the supplied advice specifically recommends carrying them. Bring water in a reusable container, since plastic bottles are not allowed. A waterproof bag is also sensible for phones, wallets, and dry clothes.

Secret Beach: another short water stop

The schedule then lists Secret Beach for around 30 minutes, with swimming and snorkeling. This is separate from Secret Lagoon and Hidden Beach, so it helps to keep the names straight when planning your expectations.

The short timing means you will get a taste of the site rather than an extended stay. I would treat it as a chance to swim, look around, and enjoy the rock formations before moving on. Exact access can depend on sea conditions and the coast guard’s clearance.

The route includes several sites with narrow entrances and open-water transfers. If you are prone to seasickness, this is not the right trip for you. The speedboat makes transfers quicker, but speed can also mean a bumpier ride in rough conditions.

Helicopter Island for sand and snorkeling

Helicopter Island is named for its distinctive shape and offers a wider sandy beach than the lagoon stops. The planned 30 minutes includes photographs, sightseeing, swimming, and snorkeling.

This is a useful change of pace. After the enclosed lagoons and rock passages, you get an open beach where you can stretch out, swim, or look at the coral gardens. I would not expect a full beach afternoon, since the route continues to Seven Commandos Beach.

Keep your fins and mask close if you want to snorkel. Masks are included, but the supplied details do not mention fins, so ask the operator if you need them. The trip includes safety equipment, but you remain responsible for following the crew’s instructions in the water.

Seven Commandos Beach closes the route

Seven Commandos Beach receives about one hour, the longest stop after Big Lagoon. Its palm-lined shore and swimming conditions make it a natural final stop, especially after a series of shorter visits.

This is the place to slow down. You can swim, take photographs, and enjoy the beach without watching the clock every few minutes. On the sunset schedule, the afternoon light should make this a pleasing final stop before returning to Dockyard, though the exact sunset view depends on weather and the route that day.

The beach is a popular Tour A stop, so privacy is not guaranteed simply because your boat is private. Your advantage is control over your boat and pacing, not exclusive ownership of every beach.

What the ₱35,000 price really buys

The supplied price information gives two ways to understand the cost: $315 per person at the top, and ₱35,000 per private group in the value explanation. Because those figures do not match neatly without knowing the group size and exchange rate, confirm the final total and whether it is charged per person or per boat.

At ₱35,000 for the private group, you are paying for the whole speedboat, fuel for its high-performance engine, a licensed captain, professional crew, docking fees, safety gear, passenger clearance processing, lunch, and the ability to set a more personal pace.

The key value is not simply seeing more islands. Standard shared tours may cost much less, but you share their schedule and transfer time with strangers. Here, the boat can move faster, the crew can adjust timing strategically, and you avoid spending as much of the six-hour trip waiting for other people.

I think the price makes sense for a group that can divide the cost among several people. It is harder to justify for one or two budget-minded people, especially since the itinerary still visits popular public sites. Couples celebrating an anniversary, families wanting privacy, and groups planning a proposal may value the comfort more than the savings.

Safety, comfort, and practical limits

Alexzus Travel and Tours has operated locally since 2012, according to the supplied details. The crew includes a licensed captain, and the boat carries life vests, a first aid kit, and complete safety equipment.

The itinerary can change because of weather, sea conditions, and coast guard clearance. That is normal for a sea trip in Palawan, and it is better to lose a stop than to press on in unsafe conditions. The English-speaking guide can explain changes and help adjust the timing.

This trip is not recommended for pregnant people, anyone with serious medical conditions, people with mobility impairments, or people prone to seasickness. Narrow passages, beach landings, boat movement, and swimming all require a reasonable level of physical comfort.

Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, sunscreen, camera, snacks, water, and a waterproof bag. Smoking, feeding animals, touching plants, and plastic bottles are not allowed. These rules protect the islands and make the boat cleaner for everyone.

Morning or sunset: which schedule should you choose?

Choose the morning option if you want the best chance of reaching Big Lagoon before the main crowd. Early hours are also recommended for calmer water and photography. Confirm if your departure is 6:00 AM or 7:00 AM, since both times appear in the supplied details.

Choose the 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM option if golden-hour photographs and a relaxed, romantic mood matter more than arriving first. It is a good match for couples and special occasions, but you should accept that popular stops may be busier.

I would not choose the afternoon schedule solely for a guaranteed sunset. The tour is described as a sunset cruise, but weather, sea conditions, and the actual route can affect the final light.

Who should book this private El Nido tour?

I would recommend it to small groups that care about time, privacy, and comfort. It is particularly well suited to couples, families, proposal trips, anniversary celebrations, and people who want the main Tour A and C sights without a shared boat.

I would steer budget-conscious solo visitors and pairs toward a standard shared trip. The private charter premium is substantial, and the public beaches and lagoons will not become private simply because your boat is.

If you dislike rough water, narrow rock passages, or repeated swimming stops, this route may feel tiring. If you want a full day at one quiet beach, it is also the wrong fit. This is a fast-moving sampler of El Nido’s famous places, not a slow beach retreat.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you can share the ₱35,000 cost across a private group and care more about control than the lowest fare. Choose the early schedule for crowd avoidance, and verify the exact morning departure time before you pay.

Skip it if you are traveling on a tight budget, are prone to seasickness, or want guaranteed solitude at every stop. For the right group, the speedboat, flexible pacing, included lunch, and broad route can make the premium worthwhile. Just confirm the price structure, boat capacity, and schedule in writing.

FAQ

How long does the private speedboat tour last?

The tour lasts six hours. The supplied schedules are 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM or 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM for the morning option, and 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM for the sunset option.

Is the boat private?

Yes. The speedboat is reserved for your group, subject to the maximum capacity.

Which places does the tour visit?

The route includes Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Hidden Beach, a secret lunch stop, Secret Beach, Helicopter Island, and Seven Commandos Beach.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A freshly prepared island lunch is included. Snacks and personal expenses are not included.

Are snorkeling masks provided?

Yes. Snorkeling masks, life vests, and complete safety equipment are included.

Where do I meet the tour?

Meet at Marbers Resto Bar on Calle Hama beach front. Ask for Annabelle or any Alexzus staff member. The tour finishes at Dockyard.

Can the tour be canceled for a refund?

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