El Nido Tour A (shared tour)

The best part of El Nido Tour A is the variety packed into one boat day: dramatic limestone cliffs, clear water, small beaches, and lagoons that feel hidden even when other boats are nearby. You move from the broad scenery of Big Lagoon to the cramped entrance of Secret Lagoon, then finish with easy beach time.

I like the low price of $34 and the fact that lunch, water, a guide, towels, and a guaranteed boat are included. I also like the simple route, which gives you five famous El Nido stops without forcing you to arrange separate transport. The catch is the shared-tour setting. Many boats can gather at the same places, and one recent outing lost about an hour before departure.

Key points to know before booking

• Big Lagoon is the visual centerpiece: Expect clear water, steep rock walls, and a broad channel best explored by kayak.
• Secret Lagoon has a tiny entrance: You duck through a narrow opening to reach the enclosed pool.
• Shimizu Island is your main beach stop: Bring swimwear and water shoes for a relaxed break on white sand.
• Five locations fit into eight hours: The pace is full, not leisurely, especially when boat traffic is heavy.
• The $34 price is only the base cost: Add the P400 environmental fee, P200 Big Lagoon fee, and optional rentals.
• This is not an easy-access outing: The tour is unsuitable for people with mobility impairments.

Why El Nido Tour A remains the classic boat day

El Nido is known for pale beaches, clear water, and tall limestone formations rising straight from the sea. Tour A gathers several of the area’s most photographed places into one route, making it a sensible first boat trip if you have limited time in town.

You will spend roughly eight hours on the water, with stops at Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-payong Beach, Secret Lagoon, and 7 Commando Beach. The order and exact timing can vary, but the appeal is consistent: you get both scenery and swimming rather than a day made up of only one type of stop.

I would choose this tour for a first look at El Nido. You see the area’s signature rock formations, get several chances to enter the water, and do not need to plan a complicated route yourself. Just keep your expectations realistic. This is a popular shared excursion, not a private cruise.

Starting from El Nido town

Hotel pickup is included within El Nido town proper, while the listed meeting point is Umi Travel at Seaside Hama in Barangay Suerte. Drop-off at your hotel is not included, so you will need to make your own way back after the boat returns.

The day begins with practical waiting and group coordination. One recent departure reportedly started about an hour late at the meeting point, and another account described the setup as confusing. I would arrive early, confirm the meeting point clearly, and allow extra time before the planned departure.

The guide speaks English, and a licensed guide accompanies the group. No guide names are provided, so you should not book this expecting a specific guide. The operator is H&H Holidays Travel and Tours.

A guaranteed boat is included, which matters in a busy destination where boat availability can affect the day. Still, guaranteed transport does not mean a small group. You are joining a shared boat, and popular stops may feel crowded.

Big Lagoon and the extra kayak cost

Big Lagoon is the grand opening act. You approach a wide passage of clear water framed by tall rock walls, with formations visible around and below the surface. It is the kind of place that explains why El Nido appears on so many Philippine itineraries.

The lagoon is best appreciated slowly, but the optional kayak rental costs P300 for two people. That fee is not included in the base price. If you want to paddle rather than simply look from the boat or swim, bring enough cash for the rental.

The water and stone walls create the strongest photo setting of the day. You can expect a beautiful scene, but also a popular one. The Big Lagoon fee is an additional P200 per person, and the environmental fee is P400 per person. The environmental fee is valid for five days, so it may cover more than one activity during your stay.

The extra charges are important when comparing this tour with other El Nido packages. The advertised $34 fare is attractive, but your real cost rises once required fees and optional kayaking are added.

Secret Lagoon through the narrow opening

Secret Lagoon offers a different kind of drama. Instead of entering a wide channel, you duck through a small opening in the rock and reach a secluded pool enclosed by stone. The entrance is part of the fun, but it also means the stop can feel tight when several people arrive at once.

Inside, the water is clear and the rock walls make the place feel separate from the open sea. The stop has a storybook quality, though it is not a silent private retreat on a shared route. Your time there depends on the group, boat schedule, and conditions at the entrance.

Wear water shoes if you have them. The activity information specifically recommends them, along with beachwear and a change of clothes. A towel is provided, but a dry change of clothes is still useful after repeated swims.

Secret Lagoon is one of the tour’s more distinctive stops because the arrival is as memorable as the pool itself. If narrow passages or uneven access are difficult for you, take the mobility warning seriously.

Shimizu Island for white sand and lunch

Shimizu Island brings the day back to open beach time. You can relax on white sand, swim in clear water, and take a break from the boat. The setting is less about squeezing through rocks and more about enjoying the coast at an easy pace.

Lunch and water are included. One strong point from the available feedback was the buffet, which received especially positive attention. Exact menu details are not provided, so I would think of lunch as a practical included meal rather than a reason to expect a particular dish.

This is also a good place to use the towel provided with the tour. Pack your own water shoes, since aqua shoes are not included. Mask and snorkel equipment, fins, and other water gear are also excluded, so bring your own equipment or budget for a rental if available.

The beach stop helps balance the route. Without it, the day could feel like a series of quick visits to lagoons. Here, you have room to sit, swim, and let the scenery do the work.

Payong-payong Beach and open-water pauses

Payong-payong Beach is one of the five listed destinations, giving you another chance to see the coastline from a beach setting. The supplied details do not specify how long the boat stays here or whether particular activities are scheduled, so treat it as a flexible stop rather than planning a long independent visit.

The name is often associated with shade and shelter, but the important practical point is that this is part of a shared route. Your guide will manage the timing, and the group will move on to the next stop.

This is where the eight-hour schedule matters. Five locations, lunch, boat travel, water time, and possible queues at popular entrances leave little room for lingering at every beach. I would enjoy each stop as a sample rather than expecting a full afternoon at any single one.

7 Commando Beach and the final swim

The last stop is 7 Commando Beach, where you can relax and take a swim in clear blue water. The tour includes an explanation of the name’s origin, adding a small piece of local context to the final beach visit.

It is a fitting finish because it is straightforward. After the more enclosed lagoons and rock passages, you get open beach, sun, and water. If clouds or rain arrive, the scenery may lose some of its shine, but the water stops can still keep the day enjoyable.

Weather is a real factor in El Nido. One recent outing received high marks even with unpleasant weather, largely because the guides handled the day well and the scenery remained appealing. That is useful context: the route depends heavily on conditions, but the experience is not automatically ruined by a gray sky.

What the shared boat means for your day

The shared format keeps the price low, but it also limits control. You follow the group’s pace, share space on the boat, and may arrive at the same places as many other tours.

Crowding is the main drawback. One account described the snorkeling as disappointing because too many boats were using the same locations. The available details do not promise a dedicated snorkeling site or a quiet reef session, so I would book this for lagoons, beaches, and scenery first. If snorkeling is your main goal, you may want to compare routes that focus more directly on marine life.

The shared format can also lead to waiting. A late departure of about an hour was reported, while another experience was described as confusing at the start. That does not define every outing, but it is enough reason to keep your morning flexible.

On the positive side, the English-speaking guide, lunch, water, towel, and boat are bundled together. For many visitors, that convenience outweighs the loss of privacy. You can focus on the views instead of negotiating every transfer yourself.

The real price after fees and rentals

At $34 per person, the tour is priced as an affordable introduction to El Nido’s famous island route. The included lunch, drinking water, towel, guide, hotel pickup within town proper, and boat make the base rate useful for budget-conscious visitors.

You should calculate the extras before booking:

• Environmental fee: P400 per person, valid for five days
• Big Lagoon fee: P200 per person
• Kayak rental: P300 for two people
• Mask, snorkel, fins, aqua shoes, and similar equipment: not included
• Hotel drop-off: not included

The environmental fee may be less painful if you plan several water activities within five days. The kayak fee is modest when shared by two people, but it is still an add-on. Equipment costs depend on what you bring and what rental options are available.

I consider the package good value if you want a full sightseeing day and already have your own basic beach gear. It is less attractive if you want privacy, quiet snorkeling, or complete cost certainty from the start.

What to pack for five water stops

Bring a change of clothes, beachwear, water shoes, and a towel if you prefer your own. The tour supplies towels, but a personal backup can be useful after several swims.

I would also pack:

• Cash for the environmental fee, Big Lagoon fee, and kayak
• A dry bag or waterproof pouch for valuables
• Your own mask and snorkel if water time matters to you
• Sunscreen and sun protection
• Light clothing for the boat ride back

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. People with mobility impairments should not choose this outing, since the route includes boat transfers, beach access, swimming, and the narrow entrance to Secret Lagoon.

Who should book El Nido Tour A

I would recommend this tour to first-time visitors who want the famous El Nido sights in one day. It also suits budget travelers, couples happy to share a boat, and anyone who prefers an arranged route with lunch and a guide included.

Families and casual swimmers may enjoy the range of beach stops, though the suitability of the boat and access points depends on each person’s mobility. The available information specifically says the activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

I would hesitate if your top priority is snorkeling. Crowding can reduce the quality of that part of the day, and the tour is built more around lagoons and beaches than a dedicated reef program.

I would also hesitate if you dislike waiting or group schedules. The reported hour-long delay and busy shared stops are not deal breakers for everyone, but they are important warnings for travelers who value precise timing.

Should you book this shared El Nido boat tour?

Book it if you want the classic El Nido route at a reasonable base price and you are comfortable with a busy shared boat. Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-payong Beach, and 7 Commando Beach give you a broad sample of the area in one eight-hour day.

Skip it if you want a private, quiet outing or if snorkeling is the main reason you are going. The best value comes when you bring your own water gear, accept possible waiting, and treat the day as a scenic introduction rather than a perfectly controlled cruise.

The reported overall score of 4.3 from 83 ratings reflects that balance: strong scenery, enjoyable beaches, and helpful guides, paired with crowding and occasional delays. For a first El Nido boat trip, I think the route is worth considering. Just budget for the fees, pack for the water, and leave your schedule loose.

FAQ

How long is El Nido Tour A?

The activity lasts about eight hours. Starting times depend on availability.

What locations does the tour visit?

The listed stops are Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-payong Beach, Secret Lagoon, and 7 Commando Beach.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch and water are included in the tour price.

Is kayaking included?

No. Kayak rental costs P300 for two people.

What additional fees should I budget for?

The environmental fee is P400 per person, and the Big Lagoon fee is P200 per person. The environmental fee is valid for five days.

Where is the meeting point?

The meeting point is Umi Travel at Seaside Hama in Barangay Suerte, El Nido. Hotel pickup is included within El Nido town proper, but hotel drop-off is not included.