El Nido: Island Hopping TOUR A with Lunch, Transfer & EDTF

Big Lagoon gives El Nido Tour A its headline moment: a broad pool of blue water framed by towering limestone cliffs on Miniloc Island. I like the mix of scenery and water time here, and I like that the day also includes a cooked island lunch, a guide, drinking water, boat transport, and the required fees for $50.

The main caution is logistics. Pickup is included only within El Nido Town Proper, and communication can become unclear for hotels outside that area. Kayaks, masks, fins, and some transfers cost extra, so the final price may be higher than the advertised rate.

Key points to know before booking

• Big Lagoon is the visual highlight: Expect dramatic limestone walls, clear water, and about an hour for photos and sightseeing.
• Secret Lagoon requires care: You may need to pass through a low, rocky opening, so water shoes and attention to the tide are useful.
• Shimizu Island includes lunch: This is your main meal stop, with time for swimming, shade, photos, and snorkeling.
• Five stops fill eight hours: The day moves between lagoons, beaches, and swimming areas rather than staying in one place.
• Bring or rent your own water gear: Snorkeling masks, fins, and kayaks are not included.
• Pickup has a firm boundary: Transport is included in El Nido Town Proper, but not from Lio, Nampacan Beach, Meregmeg, or other outlying areas.

Why Tour A remains El Nido’s classic boat day

El Nido Tour A works because it packs several different island scenes into one day. You get a grand lagoon, a small enclosed pool, a beach lunch, a snorkeling stop, and two easygoing beaches. For a first visit to El Nido, that variety matters more than adding another stop that looks much like the last one.

The trip lasts about eight hours, usually beginning with hotel pickup and ending back in El Nido. The boat is motorized, and a life vest is available on board. An English-speaking guide accompanies the group, helping organize each landing and giving basic direction at the stops.

At $50 per person, the value is reasonable if you use the included services. The price covers roundtrip boat transport, the island lunch, drinking water, guide service, lagoon fees, environmental fees, and pickup within the town center. Those included charges are useful because island tours often become more expensive once port and conservation fees are added separately.

Still, this is not a fully all-inclusive water-sports package. A kayak is extra, and so are snorkeling equipment and fins. If you want to spend serious time looking at coral and fish, bring your own mask or budget for rental equipment. Ask about the condition of any kayak before paying for it, since equipment quality can vary.

Big Lagoon: the grand opening scene

Big Lagoon is the most famous stop on Tour A, and it earns the attention. The entrance is surrounded by high limestone cliffs that rise straight from the water, creating a striking natural corridor as you move toward the wider pool.

You get roughly an hour here for a visit and photos. The setting is better suited to taking in the walls, water, and scale than to rushing from one activity to another. Depending on the day’s arrangements, you may spend part of the time in the boat and part of it in the water.

The main practical issue is crowding and timing. Big Lagoon is one of El Nido’s best-known sights, so the atmosphere may feel busy, particularly during the most popular hours. Your guide controls the pace of the stop, and you should keep your belongings secure and follow instructions around the boat and water.

Bring a waterproof pouch if you have one. Phones and cameras are the obvious tools for this stop, but splashes are part of boat travel. A dry bag is also helpful for towels, clothing, and electronics throughout the day.

Secret Lagoon: a short passage into a natural pool

Secret Lagoon offers a different kind of scenery. Instead of entering a large open waterway, you make your way through a rocky, cave-like opening behind the beach and into a smaller enclosed pool.

This passage is the part to take seriously. The opening can be low, rocky, and slippery, especially when the tide changes. Watch your head, move slowly, and use water shoes rather than bare feet or loose flip-flops. At low tide, the entrance may be easier to reach on foot, but conditions can vary.

The stop allows swimming and may include kayaking, though kayak rental is not part of the $50 price. The pool itself is compact, so the appeal is the unusual entrance and enclosed setting rather than a long open-water swim.

If you have limited mobility, ask the guide about the current access conditions before attempting the passage. The day is designed to be suitable for children, older people, and people with disabilities, but Secret Lagoon’s rocky access may still be difficult for anyone who cannot safely step over uneven ground.

Shimizu Island: lunch with time for the water

Shimizu Island is the practical center of the day because it combines lunch and a proper break. The island has a white-sand beach, clear water, limestone cliffs, and shaded areas where you can get out of the sun.

Lunch is served on the island and is included in the price. You should expect a simple group meal rather than a restaurant experience. It is a good idea to eat when the food is available, since the day continues with swimming and beach stops and there may not be another substantial meal later.

This is also one of the better places to use a mask. The water is described as suitable for seeing fish and coral, and you might spot sea turtles while snorkeling. A sighting is never guaranteed, so treat turtles as a welcome possibility rather than a promised feature.

One small but important point: bring your own snorkeling gear if you have it. Masks and fins are not included. If you rent equipment, check the fit before leaving the boat, because an uncomfortable mask can turn a good swim into a frustrating one.

The island’s name is linked to a local story about a scuba diver named Shimizu who disappeared while exploring underwater tunnels. You do not need to know the legend to enjoy the stop, but it adds a human detail to an otherwise scenic lunch break.

Payong-Payong Beach: the quietest-feeling pause

Payong-Payong Beach is a smaller, calmer stop on the southern side of Miniloc Island. Cliffs, unusual rock shapes, trees, and clear water give it a sheltered feel.

This is a good place to slow down. The schedule allows about an hour for swimming, photos, and sitting on the sand. There are no major sports facilities or organized activities here, which is part of the appeal. You can simply swim, rest in the shade, and enjoy a less structured stretch of the day.

The water is described as suitable for snorkeling, with fish and coral close to the beach. Again, equipment is not included, so plan ahead if that is important to you. A mask can make this stop far more rewarding, while anyone who prefers not to snorkel can stay on shore or take a gentle swim.

The beach may have rocky areas at the waterline, so water shoes are useful. Keep sunscreen reef-safe and avoid standing on coral. El Nido’s clear water is part of what makes these sites special, and careful behavior helps protect it.

Seven Commandos Beach: an easy final swim

Seven Commandos Beach is the last major stop and a pleasant way to finish the day. It stretches for about 320 meters, with white sand, coconut trees, and limestone cliffs around it.

The beach is technically part of the El Nido mainland, but boat access gives it the feel of an island stop. You can swim, take photos, or rent a kayak if one is available and you choose to pay for it separately.

The name has several local explanations. It may refer to stranded soldiers, a fishing boat, or a carved stone found by local people. The story is less important than the setting, but it gives the beach a memorable name and a bit of mystery.

Because it is the final stop, you may be ready for shade and a seat by this point. Bring a hat, keep drinking water close, and do not underestimate the afternoon sun. The beach is attractive, but the heat can make the last hour feel longer than the first.

Lunch, transfers, and the details that affect your day

The pickup promise applies to hotels in El Nido Town Proper only. If you stay in the Lio, Nampacan Beach, or Meregmeg areas, you should not assume the boat operator will collect you for free. Arrange your own ride or confirm the exact cost and meeting point before the morning of the tour.

This matters because transport confusion can create a poor start to an otherwise good day. Confirm where the driver will meet you, whether the ride is included, and how you will return after the boat trip. The stated arrangement is for a driver to meet you in your hotel lobby with a sign bearing your name, with confirmation sent after booking and a reminder two days before the trip.

The included environmental and lagoon fees are a genuine advantage. You should not be asked to pay those charges again at the port. Keep your booking details accessible in case someone asks for proof of payment.

The boat has life vests, and alcohol and drugs are not allowed. One practical safety point is worth adding: smoking on a small fuel-powered boat is a poor idea, so follow crew instructions and speak up if the boat’s onboard rules are unclear.

What to pack for five water stops

You will be in and around the water for much of the day, so pack for wet conditions rather than dressing as if this were a land tour.

Bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Reef-safe, biodegradable sunscreen
• A hat or sun cover
• Water shoes
• Flip-flops for dry sand and boat transfers
• Snorkeling mask and fins if you own them
• A waterproof bag for phones and clothing
• Hand sanitizer or tissues
• Drinking water, even though some water is provided

Water shoes deserve special attention. Secret Lagoon may involve slippery rock, and beach entries are not always soft sand from boat to water. A pair that stays firmly on your feet is more useful than loose sandals.

Wear your swimwear under your clothes at the start. Changing space on a boat or beach may be limited, and the day is easier when you are ready to swim as soon as you arrive.

Who will get the most from this tour?

I would recommend Tour A to a first-time El Nido visitor who wants the area’s best-known stops in one organized day. It suits people who value scenery, swimming, simple beach time, and a ready-made lunch more than a private or highly customized schedule.

Families may appreciate the straightforward format and the range of gentle activities. Children can swim, take photos, and enjoy the boat ride, though adults should supervise them around rocky entries and open water.

Older visitors may also enjoy the day, provided they are comfortable boarding a motorized boat and managing uneven surfaces. The experience is described as accessible for children, seniors, and people with disabilities, but that should not be read as meaning every stop is fully step-free. Secret Lagoon, in particular, requires care.

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people over 95 years old. It may also be a poor match if you dislike group schedules, need guaranteed quiet beaches, or want all water gear included in the price.

Is $50 a fair price?

For $50, I think the package is fairly priced when you stay in the included pickup zone. The biggest savings come from having the boat, lunch, guide, water, and required fees bundled together.

You should add a little extra for a kayak, mask, fins, or transport from an outlying hotel. The cost can also feel less attractive if you do not plan to swim or use the beaches. This is an active water day, not a scenic cruise where you remain seated.

The free cancellation window of 24 hours and the option to reserve now and pay later give you useful flexibility, especially if your El Nido plans depend on weather. Starting times vary, so check availability when choosing your date.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

Book it if you want the standard El Nido highlights, a full day on the water, and a sensible bundle of transport, lunch, guide service, and fees. Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon give the day its strongest visual moments, while Shimizu Island and the beaches prevent the schedule from becoming one long photo stop.

Before paying, confirm your hotel location and return transport. Bring water shoes, reef-safe sunscreen, and your own mask if snorkeling matters to you. I would also clarify kayak rental conditions before handing over money.

If you want a smooth introduction to El Nido and can handle a group boat schedule, this is a good choice. If you want privacy, guaranteed equipment quality, or complete control over timing, look for a private boat instead.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour A last?

The tour lasts about eight hours, including the boat journey, island stops, lunch, swimming, and the return to El Nido.

What places does the tour visit?

The tour visits Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, and Seven Commandos Beach.

Is hotel pickup included?

Roundtrip pickup is included for hotels within El Nido Town Proper only. Hotels outside that area, including Lio, Nampacan Beach, and Meregmeg, are not included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. An island lunch is included at Shimizu Island.

Are lagoon and environmental fees included?

Yes. The lagoon fee and environmental fee are included in the tour price.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling masks and fins are not included, so you should bring your own or arrange a rental.

Is kayak rental included?

No. Kayaks are not included and must be paid for separately if available.

What language does the guide speak?

The live guide service is in English.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable swimwear and bring a towel, hat, reef-safe sunscreen, beachwear, flip-flops, and water shoes. Water shoes are especially useful at Secret Lagoon.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.