El Nido Tour A

El Nido Tour A puts Palawan’s best-known scenery in one long, saltwater day: Big Lagoon’s clear channels, the pale sand of Shimizu Island, and a stop at Secret Lagoon. The route is built around swimming, short shore visits, and boat rides between the limestone islands.

I like the low starting price of $27 per person, especially since boat transport, a licensed captain, guide, lunch, and bottled water are included. I also like the straightforward mix of major sights: you get famous lagoon scenery without having to arrange several separate trips. The catch is that extra fees, kayak rental, and uneven food planning can make the final experience less polished than the headline price suggests.

Key points at a glance

• Big Lagoon is the main event: Expect clear water, steep island walls, and the most memorable scenery on the route.
• Four distinct stops: The day combines Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commando Beach.
• Kayaking costs extra: A kayak for two people costs PHP 300, so bring cash if you want to paddle inside a lagoon.
• The basic price has add-ons: Allow for a PHP 200 environmental fee and a PHP 200 lagoon entrance fee per person.
• Lunch is included, but food choices may be limited: Vegetarian meals need special attention before departure.
• Plan for a full day on the water: Bring swimwear, a dry change of clothes, sun protection, and your passport.

Why Tour A remains El Nido’s classic day out

El Nido Tour A works because it gives you a compact taste of what makes this part of Palawan special. You move by boat through bright water and dramatic island walls, then step ashore for beaches and short walks. It is not a quiet, private-island escape. It is a popular sightseeing day with a clear focus on the area’s headline natural attractions.

The tour lasts about eight hours. That sounds generous, but the time goes quickly once you account for boat transfers, boarding, organizing your belongings, and moving between stops. You should think of it as a full outing rather than a relaxed beach day. The scenery is the reason to book, and the route gives you several different settings instead of asking you to spend the whole day in one place.

BIZ IT Travel and Tours supplies a licensed guide and boat captain, with English used for the tour. No guide names are provided, so you cannot request a particular guide in advance based on the available information. The crew is responsible for the boat, route, and basic coordination, but you should still ask early about the order of stops, time at each site, and what you need to carry ashore.

Big Lagoon and the clearest water on the route

Big Lagoon is the stop that usually gives Tour A its visual punch. The water is clear, the enclosed channels feel calm compared with open sea, and tall limestone formations frame the route. Even if you prefer not to swim, the boat ride alone gives you a strong sense of El Nido’s scale and shape.

Kayaking is available but not included. The stated price is PHP 300 for two people, which makes it a modest add-on if you want to paddle rather than remain on the tour boat. Ask how the rental works before you arrive at the lagoon, since getting organized at the stop can cost valuable time.

Bring only what you need onto the boat and shore. A waterproof pouch for your passport, phone, and cash is sensible, though the tour information specifically requires you to bring your passport. Keep your camera ready, but protect it from spray and wet hands. The lagoon is best enjoyed when you are not trying to manage a large beach bag at the same time.

Big Lagoon also shows why timing matters. If several boats arrive together, the water and narrow passages can feel less peaceful. The tour offers a chance to see the place, not a guarantee of solitude. I would book it for the scenery and accept that popular natural sights come with other boats.

Secret Lagoon and the short adventure element

Secret Lagoon provides a different kind of stop. Instead of simply staying on the boat or walking onto a broad beach, you get a more enclosed setting with a passage into the lagoon area. The attraction is the sense of discovery, though the entrance and access can be more physical than a standard beach stop.

You should wear swimwear under your clothes and keep a dry change of clothes close by. That makes it easier to move from the boat to water-based stops without searching through your bags each time. A sun hat and sunscreen are also essential, since the day combines exposed boat travel with open beach time.

The route information also refers to Small Lagoon in connection with an alternate tour description, but the stated Tour A highlights are Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Seven Commando Beach, and Shimizu Island. If Small Lagoon matters to you, confirm the exact route before paying. Do not assume that every lagoon named in general promotional text is included in this specific booking.

Shimizu Island, swimming, and a name with a story

Shimizu Island is the beach stop, with white sand and time to relax beside clear water. This is where the day can feel less hurried, provided the schedule allows enough time to swim, eat, and dry off. You will want your hat and sunscreen here, since the pale sand reflects sunlight and shade may be limited.

The island’s name is linked to a Japanese diver who allegedly died in an underwater tunnel nearby. That story adds a small but striking human detail to a day otherwise shaped by rock, sea, and weather. It also reflects the layers of local folklore and foreign influence around Palawan without turning the stop into a formal history lesson.

Lunch and bottled water are included. The meal is packed rather than a restaurant lunch, which suits a boat day and keeps the schedule moving. Food quality is one area where you should set modest expectations. A vegetarian meal may not be substantial unless you arrange it clearly ahead of time. A simple lunch built around vegetables is not enough for everyone after hours in the sun and water, so ask BIZ IT Travel and Tours what vegetarian food will actually be provided.

Seven Commando Beach and the easygoing finish

Seven Commando Beach adds another stretch of sand to the route. Compared with the enclosed lagoons, it gives you a more open beach setting and a chance to slow down. You can swim, sit in the sand, or use the stop to dry off before returning to the boat.

The value of this stop depends on your expectations. It is not a private beach escape, and the tour does not promise a long, isolated stay. Think of it as a useful change of pace within a sightseeing circuit. After the tighter spaces of the lagoons, the open shore gives you room to breathe and enjoy a less demanding part of the day.

If you are traveling with someone who does not want to kayak or swim at every stop, Seven Commando Beach helps balance the itinerary. The day is still active, but not every moment requires you to be in the water. Bring a change of clothes so you are not sitting in damp swimwear for the ride home.

What the $27 price really covers

At $27 per person, this tour is priced as an affordable shared boat excursion. The included services matter: you receive boat transfer, a licensed boat captain, a licensed English-speaking guide, packed lunch, and one bottle of water per person. Arranging all of that separately would be more work, even if the final cost varied.

The advertised amount is not the full door-to-door budget. The environmental fee is PHP 200 per person and is valid for 10 days. The lagoon entrance fee is another PHP 200 per person. Kayak rental costs PHP 300 for two people if you choose to use one. These extras are not huge, but they should be added before you compare this tour with another operator.

The environmental fee payment process may feel informal. You may be directed to an office or payment point before reaching the beach, so keep the fee money and your booking details easy to access. Pickup arrangements also deserve attention. Confirm the meeting instructions and hotel transfer in advance, especially if you expect door-to-door collection.

The tour lists skip-the-ticket-line access, but that does not mean every payment disappears. You still need to budget for the stated environmental and lagoon fees. A clear question before departure is: what is already covered, what must I pay locally, and where will I meet the representative?

Food, instructions, and the small details that affect the day

A good crew can make a shared boat trip feel easy. The captain handles the boat, the guide explains the route in English, and the group can focus on swimming and scenery. The weak point is organization. You may not always receive enough notice about how long you have at each stop or what to take with you.

I would pack a small dry bag with your passport, phone, sunscreen, towel if you have one, and cash for the extras. Carrying every item off the boat can slow you down, but leaving everything behind can be inconvenient if the group moves quickly. Before each stop, ask when the boat departs and whether you should bring your full bag.

Lunch deserves the same practical approach. If you eat vegetarian food, contact the operator before the day and ask for a specific meal rather than a general note. If you have strict dietary needs, carry a small backup snack, since the included packed lunch may not offer much variety.

The tour does not include alcohol, and alcohol and drugs are not allowed. That is easy to follow, but it is worth knowing before you pack for a beach day. The outing is built around water, sun, and scheduled stops, not onboard partying.

Comfort, health, and what to wear

This tour is not a good choice if you are prone to seasickness. The day involves boat travel between several islands, and the information also advises against the experience for people with high blood pressure. If either issue applies to you, ask a medical professional before booking rather than treating the trip as a minor boat ride.

Wear swimwear under light clothing. Add a sun hat and pack a complete change of clothes. Sunscreen is essential, and you will use it repeatedly during the day, especially at Shimizu Island and Seven Commando Beach.

Bring your passport, as required by the tour information. Keep it protected from water and do not leave it loose in a beach bag. Bottled water is supplied, but you should still pace yourself in the heat and make use of every chance to drink.

The experience is listed as wheelchair accessible. Accessibility on a boat and at lagoon or beach stops can depend on the exact conditions, so confirm the practical details with the operator before booking if you need step-free assistance. The accessible label is useful, but it does not explain every transfer from shore to boat.

Who will get the most from Tour A

I would recommend Tour A to first-time visitors who want El Nido’s famous sights in one day and do not need a private itinerary. It also suits swimmers, beach lovers, and anyone who enjoys moving between several scenic stops rather than staying at one resort beach.

It is a good value choice if you are comfortable paying the extra fees and handling a group schedule. The route gives you more variety than a simple beach transfer, while the included lunch, water, guide, and boat crew keep planning fairly simple.

I would be more cautious if you want quiet, precise timing, or carefully tailored food. The group format can involve waiting, unclear instructions, and less control over how long you stay at each stop. Visitors with seasickness, high blood pressure, or strict dietary needs should think carefully before booking.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

Book it if your priority is seeing Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commando Beach at a low starting price. The scenery is the real payoff, and the combination of lagoons and beaches gives you a useful first look at El Nido.

Skip it if the extra fees, shared schedule, or basic lunch will bother you. Before confirming, ask about hotel pickup, the exact meeting point, vegetarian food, the order of stops, and whether Small Lagoon is included or not. With those details clear, Tour A offers a practical way to spend eight hours on Palawan’s famous waters without paying for a private boat.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour A last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours. Starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule when booking.

What stops are included?

The listed highlights are Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Seven Commando Beach, and Shimizu Island.

Is kayaking included in the price?

No. Kayak rental costs PHP 300 for two people in the lagoon.

What extra fees should I budget for?

The environmental fee is PHP 200 per person and is valid for 10 days. The lagoon entrance fee is another PHP 200 per person.

What is included with the tour?

The tour includes a packed lunch, bottled water for each person, a licensed English-speaking guide, boat transfer, and a licensed boat captain.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, keeping your travel plans flexible.