Seacret Luxury Catamaran Yacht Group Island Hopping Tour

The best part of this El Nido outing is that the boat ride is part of the experience, not just a way to get from one beach to the next. Seacret is a 50-foot sailing catamaran with room for up to 30 people, and its open design gives you a good view of Palawan’s giant limestone cliffs as you move between lagoons and beaches. The private beach stop is a useful touch, especially in a region where the famous sites can feel busy.

I like the careful setup: lunch, towels, life jackets, a guide, and the environmental fee are included. I also like the choice of stops, which mixes a famous lagoon, a quiet beach, a natural pool, and a classic coconut-lined shore. The main drawback is the price, $155 per person, and the fact that the tour needs at least six people and depends on good weather.

Key points to know before booking

• A sailing catamaran rather than a basic island boat: Seacret gives the trip itself more comfort and character, with open views across the water.
• A private beach is built into the day: Star Beach, also called Pasandigan, is reserved for El Nido Yachting Club customers.
• The route changes by day: Big Lagoon, Hidden Beach, and Seven Commandos are listed for Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Cadlao Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Helicopter Island, and the private beach are listed for Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
• Expect three or four stops: Department of Tourism restrictions limit the number of islands and sites visited.
• Lunch and basic beach equipment are included: You receive towels and life jackets, while kayak hire and alcoholic drinks cost extra.
• The group can reach 30 people: This is smaller and more polished than a large public boat in some cases, but it is not a private charter.

Why Seacret feels different from a standard El Nido boat trip

El Nido is famous for island hopping, but many outings follow a simple pattern: board a small boat, rush to a popular stop, swim, eat lunch, and repeat. Seacret takes a more comfortable approach. The catamaran is the main setting for the day, so the stretches between stops matter.

A 50-foot sailing catamaran offers more open space than a narrow local boat. You can sit back, watch the cliffs pass, and enjoy the movement of the sea without treating every minute as a transfer. The tour is still active, with swimming and optional kayaking, but it has a more relaxed pace.

The current score is 4.7 out of 5 from 119 ratings, with 93 percent recommending it. That lines up with the strongest parts of the experience: the crew’s organization, the feeling that details have been handled for you, the good lunch, and the quality of the boat ride itself. One especially useful point is that the crew is praised for making the day feel smooth from start to finish.

You should still keep your expectations in check. This is not a private yacht charter. The maximum group size is 30, and the minimum is six. If you want a boat reserved only for your own party, this is not that product. If you want a more comfortable shared trip with a special beach stop, it makes more sense.

The 9:00 am start at Corong Corong Pier

The meeting point is Corong Corong Pier in El Nido. The tour starts at 9:00 am and returns to the same meeting point after about seven hours, so you should have most of the evening free.

The supplied information also names the El Nido Yachting Club town office as the meeting place, while the pier is given as the start location. Confirm the exact check-in point when you book, especially if you are staying in central El Nido. Your mobile ticket and booking confirmation should make the arrangement easier, but allow enough time to find the correct departure point.

The schedule matters because this is not an everyday tour. Seacret operates on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for one route pattern, and Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays for another. No Monday schedule is provided.

At the start, you receive a life jacket and can use the included towel during the day. The boat carries up to 30 people, so the atmosphere depends on the size of the booking. Six people is the minimum needed for the trip to operate, which means a low-demand date could be moved or canceled if that number is not reached.

Big Lagoon, the dramatic first stop

On the Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday route, Big Lagoon is one of the headline stops. Tall limestone cliffs frame the entrance, creating the classic El Nido scene you probably came to see.

You can swim and kayak here, although kayak rental is not included in the tour price. The listed visit lasts about 30 minutes, which is enough to get into the water, take in the cliffs, and enjoy the setting, but not enough for a long paddle.

Big Lagoon is best for the scale of the scenery. The entrance gives you a strong sense of Palawan’s unusual geology, with gray rock walls rising sharply from clear water. The tradeoff is time. Thirty minutes can feel short if you want to kayak at an unhurried pace, so decide in advance if swimming or paddling matters more to you.

The lagoon is also one of the stops most likely to define your photos from the day. Bring a phone or camera that you can protect around water, but keep your attention on the cliffs and water rather than turning the whole visit into a photo stop.

Star Beach, the private part of the itinerary

Star Beach, also called Pasandigan, is exclusive to El Nido Yachting Club customers. That gives this tour a useful advantage over a standard route, since the beach is not simply another public stop shared with every boat in the area.

The beach has fine white sand, surrounding rock formations, and coral reefs. Its natural shape gives it a more enclosed, unusual feel than a broad open beach. The listed stop lasts 30 minutes, so you will have time for a swim and a short rest, but not a full afternoon on the sand.

This is the stop that helps justify part of the $155 price. You are not paying only for transport to famous public sites. You are also paying for access to a private beach connected to the yacht club, along with lunch, a guide, towels, life jackets, and the environmental fee.

The private setting does not mean you will have the entire island to yourself. The beach is exclusive to the club’s customers, and other people from the same operation may be present. Still, it gives the day a change of pace and adds something that ordinary island-hopping tours may not include.

Hidden Beach and its natural pool

Hidden Beach is described as a natural infinity pool, surrounded by striking limestone formations. The water is clear, and the rock walls make the stop feel tucked away from the open sea.

The visit is listed at 30 minutes. That is enough to swim and enjoy the unusual shape of the place, but again, you should not expect a long, quiet stay. The name sets a certain expectation: you enter a concealed swimming area rather than arrive at a large beach with plenty of room to spread out.

This stop suits you if you enjoy swimming in unusual natural settings. It may be less appealing if you dislike crowded swimming areas or prefer a long stretch of beach. The catamaran’s schedule gives you variety, but it also means each location receives a fairly tight time window.

Seven Commandos Beach for an easy finish

Seven Commandos Beach is one of El Nido’s best-known shores. Coconut trees line the white sand, creating the familiar tropical beach scene that works well for a swim, a rest, or a quiet walk along the water.

The beach is also listed as a 30-minute stop. Compared with Big Lagoon and Hidden Beach, it is less about rock formations and more about relaxing beside the sea. If you want to do nothing for a while, this is probably the easiest place in the route to slow down.

The limitation is that famous beaches can be popular. You should not book this tour expecting solitude at Seven Commandos. Its value comes from adding a classic beach to a day that already includes lagoons and a private stop.

The alternate route with Cadlao Lagoon and Small Lagoon

The listed schedule changes according to the day of the week. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, the route includes Cadlao Lagoon, Helicopter Island, the private beach, and Small Lagoon.

That variation is important when you choose your date. If Big Lagoon, Hidden Beach, and Seven Commandos are your priorities, select a Sunday, Wednesday, or Friday. If you prefer Cadlao Lagoon and Small Lagoon, choose Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday.

The available information does not give individual visit lengths for the alternate route, but the overall tour remains about seven hours. The route is also subject to Department of Tourism limits, so the exact set of three or four stops can depend on operating restrictions.

This makes the tour worth checking carefully before payment. The name Seacret and the catamaran remain the same, but the experience changes with the calendar. Do not assume you will see every location listed across both route patterns in a single day.

Lunch, gear, and the real value of $155

At $155 per person, Seacret is not a budget island-hopping trip. The price makes more sense when you count what is included: lunch, a personalized tour guide, access to the private beach, towels, life jackets, and the environmental fee.

You also get a more distinctive boat than a basic transfer vessel. The catamaran is a major part of the appeal, and the crew’s organization has been one of the most praised aspects of the outing. That matters because a seven-hour day on the water can become tiring when gear, meals, and timing are poorly handled.

Alcoholic drinks are not included, and kayak rental is optional at an additional cost. You should also note that an air-conditioned vehicle is not included, though the tour begins and ends at the pier rather than requiring a land transfer.

For two people, the cost is $310 before any extras. That is a serious amount in Palawan, but it can be fair if you value a calmer boat, a private beach, included equipment, and lunch. It is harder to justify if your only goal is to reach the same public beaches as cheaply as possible.

Who will enjoy this catamaran most

I would choose Seacret for a couple, a small group of friends, or a solo visitor who wants a social boat setting with more comfort than a basic island tour. The maximum of 30 people keeps the group from becoming enormous, although it is still a shared experience.

It also suits people who want the day arranged for them. You do not need to organize lunch, towels, life jackets, or the environmental fee separately. The guide and crew handle the practical side while you focus on swimming, scenery, and the boat ride.

Families and casual swimmers can participate because most people can join, but the day still involves getting on and off a boat and swimming at island stops. Anyone who dislikes open water, short visits, or changing weather should think carefully before booking.

The tour is less suitable for a strict budget, a private group seeking exclusive use of a yacht, or anyone who wants to spend several hours at one beach. It is a moving day with several short stops, not a single-island beach retreat.

Weather, timing, and cancellation details

Good weather is required. If conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum of six people is not reached.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local time.

These rules are reasonable for a boat trip, but they make date planning important. If your Palawan schedule is tight, avoid placing this tour on your final possible day. A weather change could leave you with fewer alternatives.

Should you book the Seacret catamaran?

Book it if you want an organized, comfortable shared cruise with a strong boat experience, a private beach, lunch, and a mix of lagoons and beaches. The crew’s careful handling of the day is a real part of the value, not an afterthought.

Skip it if $155 is more than you want to spend, if you need a private charter, or if you prefer a slow day at one beach. Also check the route for your chosen date, since the stops change during the week.

For the right budget and expectations, Seacret offers more than a checklist of El Nido sights. You get the cliffs, clear water, and famous beaches, but also a better platform from which to see them and a private stop that gives the day its own character.

FAQ

How long is the Seacret catamaran tour?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours. It starts at 9:00 am and ends back at the meeting point.

Where does the tour start and finish?

The listed start point is Corong Corong Pier in El Nido, Palawan. The tour returns to the same meeting point.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $155 per person.

What is included in the tour price?

Lunch, a personalized tour guide, access to El Nido Yachting Club’s private beach, towels, life jackets, and the environmental fee are included.

Is kayak rental included?

No. Kayak rental is optional and costs extra. Alcoholic drinks are also not included.

Which islands and lagoons will I visit?

The route depends on the day. Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays list Big Lagoon, the private beach, Hidden Beach, and Seven Commandos. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays list Cadlao Lagoon, Helicopter Island, the private beach, and Small Lagoon. The tour visits three or four sites because of Department of Tourism restrictions.

What happens if the tour is canceled?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. If the minimum of six people is not reached, you will also be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.