Private Tour A Island Hopping in El Nido

El Nido’s best scenery comes by boat. This private Tour A island-hopping trip visits Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Seven Commandos Beach, and Payong-Payong Beach, with your own boat reserved for your group. I especially like the flexible pace and the chance to avoid some crowded stops, though weather can change the route and the listed price is not the cheapest way to see El Nido.

I also like that lunch, snorkeling gear, the environmental fee, lagoon entrance fee, guide, captain, and one kayak are included. The main thing to remember is that a private boat is most appealing when shared with family or friends, since the $132 per-person price can feel high for a small party.

Key points to know before you book

• Big Lagoon is the main prize: This famous stop gives Tour A its name and is usually the trip’s biggest scenic draw.
• You get the boat to yourselves: Your group can set a more relaxed rhythm than on a standard shared boat tour.
• Five very different stops: Expect a mix of beaches, lagoons, snorkeling areas, an island lunch stop, and a quiet beach.
• A kayak is included: One kayak is provided, while extra kayak use at a lagoon costs 300 pesos.
• The tour lasts about eight hours: The stated start time is 9:00 a.m., with stops lasting roughly 45 minutes to 90 minutes.
• Weather has the final word: The route may change, and poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Why Tour A remains El Nido’s classic boat day

Tour A is popular for a simple reason: it packs several of El Nido’s most recognizable sights into one full day. You are not choosing between a long beach stop and a lagoon visit. You get both, plus snorkeling and a substantial lunch break.

The private format changes the feel of the day. Instead of sharing the boat with an unknown group, you have exclusive use of it for your own party. That gives you more room to ask the guide for a slower stop, spend longer in a favorite place, or move along when a beach is not holding your interest.

That flexibility is not unlimited. The full route still has five planned stops, and the guide must work around weather, sea conditions, and local access rules. Lunch is also set by the guide, so you should think of this as a flexible private version of a popular route, not a completely custom cruise.

The day begins at 9:00 a.m. Free pickup is available within one kilometer of Corong-corong Beach. Hotel drop-off is not included, so plan your return from the end point. The experience lasts about eight hours, which makes it a major part of your El Nido day rather than a short outing.

Seven Commandos Beach starts the day gently

The first stop is Seven Commandos Beach, with about 45 minutes to an hour here. It is a useful opening stop because you can begin with sand, sea, and an easy swim before spending more time around the lagoons.

The allotted time should be enough for a swim, a walk along the beach, or a quick rest beneath the palms. If your group has different energy levels, this is also a comfortable place to settle into the boat day. Some people can get in the water while others simply enjoy the shore.

The tradeoff is that one hour passes quickly. You will not have time for a long, unhurried beach stay and still complete all five stops. If Seven Commandos becomes a favorite, the private format gives you a chance to tell the guide what matters most, but the rest of the route still needs time.

Seven Commandos also helps set expectations. This is not a remote expedition with no other boats or people anywhere nearby. Tour A is one of El Nido’s best-known routes. The private boat can help your group avoid the worst crowding, but it cannot turn a famous beach into a completely secret one.

Big Lagoon brings the biggest scenery

Big Lagoon is the centerpiece of Tour A. The tall limestone walls, calm water, and narrow lagoon setting create the kind of view that makes this route so widely requested.

You have roughly 45 minutes to an hour here. That time may be used for a swim, a kayak outing, or simply taking in the enclosed water and rock formations. One kayak is included with the tour, which is especially useful at a lagoon where paddling gives you a different view than staying on the main boat.

Read the inclusions carefully. One kayak is included, but kayak rental at the lagoon is listed separately at 300 pesos if you wish to rent one there. The information does not specify the exact arrangement for additional kayaks, so ask the operator if more than one person in your group wants to paddle.

Big Lagoon can also be the busiest and most tightly managed stop on the route. The lagoon entrance fee is included, as is the government-mandated environmental fee, so you do not need to treat those standard charges as surprise extras. Still, the exact flow of boats and access can vary.

The private setup is most useful here. You can ask the guide to help you make sensible use of the time, rather than simply following a fixed rhythm designed for a large shared group. The route may change in poor weather, however, and no lagoon should be treated as guaranteed on a particular morning.

Shimizu Island is the practical lunch stop

Shimizu Island receives about one hour to 90 minutes and serves as the lunch area. This is the longest stop of the day, which makes sense. You need time to eat, rest, and possibly swim or snorkel without feeling rushed.

Lunch is included, and the food received strong praise for its variety and quality. That matters on an eight-hour boat trip. A meal provided during the route saves you from arranging a separate restaurant stop and lets the day keep its rhythm.

Snorkeling equipment is also included. The tour description says the route includes spots where you can swim and admire coral, though the exact snorkeling conditions will depend on weather and the day’s route. Fins and aqua shoes are not included. Aqua shoes can be rented for 150 pesos, which is worth keeping in mind if your feet are sensitive or the guide recommends them for a rocky entry.

Shimizu Island is not only a meal break. It gives you the best chance to slow down during a schedule filled with short stops. If you care more about lunch and snorkeling than checking every beach off a list, this is one part of the day where the private format can feel especially useful.

The guide determines the exact lunch stop, so Shimizu Island is listed as the lunch area but should not be treated as an absolute promise under every condition. Weather and local operating decisions can change the plan.

Secret Lagoon adds a little adventure

Secret Lagoon is scheduled for about 45 minutes to an hour. Its appeal is the contrast with Big Lagoon. Big Lagoon is open and grand, while Secret Lagoon is associated with a more enclosed setting and a sense of discovery.

This stop is likely to suit you if you enjoy short explorations and unusual natural formations more than long stretches of sand. It gives the route another texture, so the day does not become five versions of the same beach visit.

Secret Lagoon may require more care than a simple swim stop. The tour does not provide detailed access instructions, and conditions can vary, so listen closely to the licensed guide. The crew is described as helpful and attentive, including to an older participant who needed extra assistance. That is a useful sign for anyone who wants support without being hurried.

Do not expect unlimited time here. The stop is under an hour in the usual plan, and the guide must keep the entire route moving. If the lagoon has a queue or access is affected by conditions, your private boat does not guarantee immediate entry.

Payong-Payong Beach closes the sightseeing loop

The final listed stop is Payong-Payong Beach, with another 45 minutes to an hour. It gives you a final chance to swim, rest, or take in the surrounding scenery before returning.

This stop works well late in the day because it is less demanding than trying to squeeze in another major attraction. You can use it as a quiet finish, especially if your group has already spent the morning swimming, kayaking, and walking around the other locations.

As with Seven Commandos Beach, the time is enough for a taste rather than a long beach holiday. The value comes from variety. In one day, you see a famous lagoon, a smaller lagoon setting, two beaches, and an island lunch and snorkeling stop.

The route can change due to weather, so Payong-Payong may not always be the final call. Treat the five-stop plan as the intended structure rather than a fixed promise.

What the private boat changes

The word private matters here. You are paying for exclusive use of the boat, not simply a private guide attached to a shared departure. That is the strongest reason to choose this product over a less expensive group tour.

Your group can discuss the pace with the guide. You may be able to spend a little longer at a quiet spot or move on from a place that does not suit you. One review described the crew finding quieter grottos and lagoons and shaping the day around what the party wanted. That is exactly the kind of benefit a private boat can provide.

The crew is also one of the tour’s most praised features. The captain and guide are licensed, and the service has been described as kind, respectful, helpful, and attentive. Another account singled out the staff for making the day easy for an older participant. That suggests the service is not limited to strong swimmers or fast-moving groups.

Still, private does not mean luxurious. The supplied details do not promise a premium boat, onboard toilets, towels, drinks, or hotel return transport. Those are not listed inclusions, so ask before booking if any of them are important to you.

What is included, and what can cost extra

At $132 per person, the price should be judged as a package rather than as a simple boat fare. You are paying for a private boat, licensed captain, licensed guide, lunch, snorkeling equipment, environmental fee, lagoon entrance fee, and one kayak.

Those inclusions remove several common sources of extra spending. Government fees are already covered, and you do not need to arrange a separate lunch. Group discounts may also improve the value for a larger party, although the exact discount is not provided.

Budget for the following:

• Fins and aqua shoes are not included.
• Aqua shoes are available to rent for 150 pesos.
• Extra kayak rental at the lagoon is listed at 300 pesos.
• Hotel drop-off is not included.
• Anything outside the stated inclusions costs extra.

For a couple, $264 total can be a serious expense. For a family or group of friends splitting an exclusive boat experience, it may make better sense. The value is strongest if you care about setting your own pace, want the included guide and captain, and plan to use the snorkeling and kayak options.

The tour is booked an average of 82 days ahead, which tells you that advance planning is sensible. I would not leave this particular private outing until the last minute if your dates are fixed.

Who will get the most from this day

I would recommend Tour A to people who want El Nido’s signature sights in one organized day and prefer not to share a boat with strangers. It is a good fit for families, couples, and groups of friends who can split the cost.

It also suits mixed-ability groups. The day includes beaches and swimming, but you can choose how active to be at each stop. The crew’s reported care toward an older participant is encouraging for anyone who values patient assistance.

You should think twice if your priority is a very quiet, completely isolated outing. Tour A visits famous places, and its popularity means other boats may be present. The private boat improves control and comfort, but it does not remove the popularity of Big Lagoon or the other named stops.

You may also prefer another plan if you want a full day at one beach, a late start, or a luxury boat with hotel return. This is an active eight-hour route with five stops, not a slow resort excursion.

Weather, timing, and practical planning

Good weather is required. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can receive a different date or a full refund. The route may also change because of weather conditions, and the guide decides where lunch takes place.

For a full refund when you change your plans, cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Pickup is free within one kilometer of Corong-corong Beach. Since hotel drop-off is not included, confirm how you will return to your accommodation before departure. The experience is near public transportation, and service animals are allowed.

Most people can participate according to the provided information. You should still tell the operator about any mobility concerns or swimming limitations before setting out, especially if your group includes someone who may need extra help at beaches or lagoon access points.

Should you book Private Tour A?

Book it if you want the classic El Nido route with a private boat, included lunch, snorkeling gear, lagoon fees, and a kayak. The crew’s courteous service and willingness to help are major positives, and the route gives you a strong mix of scenery in one day.

The decision comes down to price and priorities. At $132 per person, it is easier to justify for a group than for one or two people. It is also better for people who value control over the day than for those seeking a completely empty beach.

If you book, bring money for aqua shoes or extra kayak use, confirm the pickup details, and keep your schedule flexible in case weather changes the route. For a first El Nido boat day, this is a well-rounded choice with a clear focus: Big Lagoon, varied stops, and the comfort of having the boat reserved for your own group.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 9:00 a.m.

How long does the island-hopping tour last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours.

Is the boat private?

Yes. The boat is for the exclusive use of your group.

Which locations are included?

The planned stops are Seven Commandos Beach, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, and Payong-Payong Beach.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, and Shimizu Island is listed as the lunch area. The guide determines the exact lunch stop.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Is a kayak included?

Yes. Free use of one kayak is included. Additional kayak rental at the lagoon is listed at 300 pesos.

Are entrance and environmental fees included?

Yes. The government-mandated environmental fee and lagoon entrance fee are included.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Free pickup is available within one kilometer of Corong-corong Beach. Hotel drop-off is not included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can be offered a different date or receive a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.