El Nido Island Hopping Tour A with Lunch

El Nido Tour A packs the classic Palawan postcard into one long day: limestone islands, white sand, clear water, and a lagoon reached through a small opening in the rock. You start at 9 a.m. near downtown El Nido and return to the same meeting point after roughly six to eight hours.

I like the generous lunch, which can include rice, fish, chicken, pork, fruit, and vegetables, and I like that boat transfers and a local guide are included. The crew has also handled vegan requests on some departures, and guide Ariel received special praise for being attentive. The main catch is the extra cost for conservation fees, lagoon access, kayaking, and equipment, along with some uncertainty about which five stops apply to the option you book.

Key points to know before booking

• Secret Lagoon begins with a beach stop: You enjoy the white sand and clear water before entering the small passage to the lagoon.
• Shimizu Island offers shade and swimming: Lush trees make this a pleasant place to pause between boat rides.
• Seven Commando Beach gets the longest listed stop: Plan on about one hour for swimming, relaxing, and taking in the limestone scenery.
• Lunch is a real part of the experience: The spread may include rice, seafood, meat, vegetables, and fruit, with vegan arrangements possible if confirmed ahead.
• The group can reach 30 people: That keeps the price low but can make boarding, lagoon access, and beach time feel busy.
• Budget for add-ons: The ₱400 environmental fee, possible ₱200 Big Lagoon fee, kayak rental, snorkel gear, and aqua shoes are not covered in the base fare.

What this El Nido day is really about

At about $24 per person, this is an inexpensive way to reach several of El Nido’s famous coastal sights without arranging a private boat. You spend most of the day moving between islands by boat, with time set aside for beaches, swimming, lagoons, and lunch.

That low price is attractive because boat transport is the backbone of an El Nido island day. You also get a local guide and lunch, rather than paying separately for a boat, crew, and meal. The tradeoff is a shared departure with as many as 30 people. This is not a quiet, custom-paced outing.

The exact program needs a little care. The tour description presents three possible themes: hidden beaches and shrines, lagoons and beaches, or caves and coves. It also says each option visits five islands. The detailed schedule supplied here names Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commando Beach, while the fees refer to Big Lagoon. I would confirm the exact five stops before paying, especially if Big Lagoon is the sight you most want to see.

Secret Lagoon, a beach before a hidden pool

Secret Lagoon is the most distinctive early stop in the listed schedule. You first reach a white-sand beach with clear water, then enter the lagoon through a small opening in the island. The combination matters: you do not simply arrive at a lagoon and leave. You get beach time, a short access point, and a tucked-away pool surrounded by limestone.

The listed visit lasts about 30 minutes. That is enough for a quick look and some photographs, but not a leisurely beach afternoon. If the access point is busy, your time can pass quickly while you wait to enter.

The water at the beach is described as clear and suitable for swimming. Still, bring footwear you can use around wet rock if you have it. Aqua shoes are available to rent for ₱150, but they are not included.

There is also a fee issue here. The supplied cost information lists a ₱200 Big Lagoon user fee, but the itinerary names Secret Lagoon. The operator’s explanation of an extra ₱400 charge combines a ₱200 environmental fee with a ₱200 lagoon user fee. That may be correct for a departure using a lagoon, but you should ask which lagoon fee applies to your selected route.

Shimizu Island, shade and a simple swim

Shimizu Island is a short, easygoing stop. Its white-sand beach is backed by lush trees, giving you shelter from the sun and a place to sit between activities. The listed time is 30 minutes.

This is the sort of stop that works well in a full island-hopping day. After boarding, boat travel, and the more structured lagoon visit, a shaded beach gives you a chance to slow down. You can swim in clear blue water or stay on shore and take in the island.

Do not expect a long, empty beach session. Thirty minutes disappears quickly, particularly if the boat arrives with other groups. If you want to swim, change promptly and keep your belongings close to your group’s area. The schedule is shared, so the boat cannot wait indefinitely for a slow return.

Seven Commando Beach, the longest listed pause

Seven Commando Beach receives about one hour, the longest stop named in the supplied schedule. Limestone mountains and thick green growth frame the beach, giving it the classic El Nido setting you came to see.

An hour gives you a more useful break than the shorter stops. You can swim, sit on the sand, and refresh yourself without checking the clock every few minutes. It is also a good place to use any free time after lunch, depending on how your guide arranges the day.

The beach is not presented as an isolated private cove. El Nido’s popular island routes can bring several boats to the same area, and a group of up to 30 from one departure already makes a difference. Go for the scenery and the water, not for guaranteed solitude.

Lunch can be one of the day’s best features

Lunch is included, and the food receives unusually strong praise in the supplied feedback. A typical spread may include rice, fish, chicken, pork, vegetables, and fruit. That is far more useful than a token snack when you are spending six to eight hours outside.

The meal also adds value to the low fare. You do not need to find a restaurant between islands, and the food is served as part of the day’s rhythm. One departure arranged vegan food, which shows that dietary requests may be possible.

I would still state your dietary needs when booking and repeat them at the meeting point. The information does not guarantee a particular menu, and one complaint involved a requested meal not being provided. Ask what will be available rather than assuming every special request is confirmed.

Bring drinking water unless the operator tells you it is supplied. The tour information confirms lunch but does not specify drinks, and a hot day on the water can make hydration important.

Snorkeling, kayaking, and the cost of extras

The main description mentions free snorkel equipment rentals, but the separate cost list says snorkeling equipment costs ₱150 per person. That is a direct contradiction. Treat the gear as an extra unless the operator confirms in writing that it is included with your booking.

The same caution applies to kayaking. A kayak for Big Lagoon is listed at ₱350 per person. Kayaking may be the only way to enter or properly explore a lagoon on a particular route, so the fee is not a minor detail if that stop is central to your plans.

The listed possible charges are:

• El Nido Eco-Tourism Development Fee: ₱400 per person
• Big Lagoon user fee: ₱200 per person
• Kayak rental for Big Lagoon: ₱350 per person
• Snorkeling equipment: ₱150 per person
• Aqua shoes: ₱150 per person

The operator’s response to one complaint says the ₱400 collected at the start represented a ₱200 environmental fee plus a ₱200 lagoon fee. That explanation does not match the separate line that lists the environmental fee as ₱400, so ask for a complete written breakdown before departure.

This does not automatically make the tour poor value. Even with some extras, a shared boat day with lunch and a guide can still cost less than arranging separate transport. It does mean the headline price is not the full budget.

Boat boarding and group size matter

The meeting point is Mabuhay Sports Bar in central El Nido, and the tour starts at 9 a.m. Round-trip transport from downtown El Nido is included, with the activity ending back at the same meeting point.

One important practical detail is boat boarding. A complaint describes wading through chest-high water to reach the ladder. Conditions can vary, but you should be prepared for a wet boarding process rather than expecting a dry pier directly beside the boat.

Wear swimwear under quick-drying clothes and use a small waterproof bag for phones, cash, and documents. Avoid bringing anything you cannot carry comfortably through the water. Aqua shoes may help, but they cost ₱150 if rented.

The maximum group size is 30. That is a reasonable size for a budget boat excursion, but it affects every stop. Boarding takes longer, lunch service may be less relaxed, and the popular lagoon or beach areas can feel crowded. If you want your guide’s full attention or a flexible schedule, a private boat is likely a better fit.

Guides and the feel of the day

The experience includes a local guide and boat crew. Guide Ariel is singled out in the supplied feedback for being helpful and attentive, and the crew is described as friendly and service-minded. Another departure reportedly traveled in the reverse direction from many other boats, which reduced crowding during that particular outing.

That last point is worth asking about. A reverse route can make a familiar set of sights feel calmer, but it is not promised as a fixed feature. Your guide may change the order based on sea conditions, traffic, or local arrangements.

The crew has also helped with special meals and made the day feel organized on some departures. At the same time, another account describes the operation as disorganized while still praising the staff. I would expect a good-hearted local crew and a flexible island schedule, not a tightly timed premium tour.

Who should book this tour

I would choose this experience if you have one day in El Nido and want to see several major island sights without paying for a private boat. It suits first-time visitors, couples, families who are comfortable with swimming, and anyone who values lunch and basic boat logistics included in one price.

It also works for active visitors who want a mix of beach time, a lagoon, and optional snorkeling or kayaking. The 30-minute stops are short, but they let you sample several places in one day.

I would hesitate if you dislike wet boarding, shared boats, unclear add-on charges, or busy beaches. It is also not ideal for someone who wants long, quiet time at one island. The schedule favors variety over lingering.

Most participants can take part, according to the supplied information, and the tour is near public transport. That does not answer every mobility question, so ask the operator directly if climbing a boat ladder, wading through water, or moving over uneven beach access is a concern.

Booking advice and cancellation terms

Confirmation is provided at booking. The activity requires good weather, and a cancellation caused by poor conditions should result in a different date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the 9 a.m. departure are not accepted for a refund. Since the cut-off follows local time, check the deadline carefully if you are booking from another country.

Before committing, I would send three short questions:

• Which exact five islands and sights are included in my selected option?
• Is snorkeling equipment included or charged at ₱150?
• What fees will I pay on the day, and does the route use Big Lagoon or Secret Lagoon?

Those answers remove the biggest sources of surprise.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

Book it if you want a low-cost, full-day introduction to El Nido’s island scenery, and you are comfortable with a group boat, short stops, and a few possible fees. The strongest parts are the classic lagoon and beach settings, the filling lunch, and the helpful crew members reported on several departures.

Skip it if your priority is privacy, precise timing, or a simple all-inclusive price. The listed route needs clarification, especially because the three named stops do not fully match the promise of five islands and the fee details are not perfectly consistent.

My practical choice would be to book only after confirming the route and total expected cost. If those details are clear, this is a solid budget day for seeing a lot of Palawan in one outing.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour A last?

The tour lasts approximately six to eight hours. It begins at 9 a.m. and ends back at the meeting point in El Nido.

Where does the tour start and end?

The meeting point is Mabuhay Sports Bar in El Nido, Palawan. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What is included in the tour?

Lunch, a local guide, and boat transfers are included. The supplied information also refers to snorkel equipment, but a separate fee list says snorkeling equipment costs ₱150, so confirm this before departure.

Which places are named in the schedule?

The named stops are Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commando Beach. The wider description says the selected option visits five islands, so confirm the complete route when booking.

Is lunch included?

Yes, lunch is included. The meal may include rice, fish, chicken, pork, vegetables, and fruit. Vegan arrangements may be possible if requested and confirmed ahead of time.

Are entrance and environmental fees included?

No. The El Nido Eco-Tourism Development Fee and possible lagoon user fees are listed as additional costs. The supplied information gives different details for the environmental charge, so request a full fee breakdown.

How much does kayaking at Big Lagoon cost?

Kayak rental for Big Lagoon is listed at ₱350 per person. It is not included in the base price.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

The information is inconsistent. One part describes free snorkel equipment rentals, while the separate fee list charges ₱150 per person. Confirm the policy for your booking.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather cancels the activity, you should be offered another date or a full refund.