El Nido Island Hopping Tour A

El Nido Tour A puts you on the water for a full day of limestone cliffs, bright lagoons, and white-sand beaches. You can swim, snorkel among corals and fish, or simply sit on the sand while the boat crew handles the route. The day also includes a picnic lunch, which matters when you are far from town.

I like the mix of quiet beach time and active water stops, especially Shimizu Island and its snorkeling area. I also like the practical price of $27 per person for a nine-hour outing with a boat, guide, life vest, lunch, and pickup in El Nido proper. The trade-off is that you must pay the environmental and lagoon fees separately, and the day may not suit anyone prone to seasickness.

Key points to know before you book

• Shimizu Island gives you a choice: snorkel over coral and watch fish, or rest on the fine white sand.
• Seven Commando Beach adds an easy final stop: expect a long beach, a small bar, and a chance to buy a drink.
• The limestone cliffs are part of the experience: thick vegetation covers the steep rock walls around the water.
• Lunch is included: the picnic meal saves you from arranging food during a nine-hour boat day.
• Pickup is limited to El Nido proper: if you stay outside town, you must reach Petron Gasoline Station near El Nido Port.
• Budget for extra charges: the environmental fee is 400 per person and the lagoon fee is 200 per person.

Why Tour A remains El Nido’s classic boat day

Tour A is popular for a simple reason: it gives you several versions of El Nido in one outing. You get open water, narrow or enclosed lagoon scenery, a snorkeling stop, a long strip of pale sand, and towering limestone cliffs covered in plants.

That variety keeps the day from feeling like a single beach transfer. You can swim at one stop, use a mask at the next, and spend another part of the trip taking photos from the boat. If you want a first taste of El Nido without planning separate trips, this route makes practical sense.

The schedule lasts about nine hours. That is long enough to feel like a proper island day, but it also means you should prepare for sun, salt water, and time on a moving boat. I would not treat this as a quick sightseeing outing. Pack for a full day outdoors.

The tour is offered with an English or Tagalog guide. A DOT-licensed guide is included, along with a motorized boat and life vest. No individual guide names are provided, so you should not book expecting a particular guide.

Setting out from El Nido proper

Pickup is included if your accommodation is within El Nido proper. That is convenient, especially if you are carrying a waterproof bag, towels, snorkeling items, and a change of clothes.

The pickup rule needs attention. If your hotel is outside the town proper, you must arrange a tricycle ride to El Nido Town proper and meet your assigned guide at Petron Gasoline Station near El Nido Port. This is a small detail, but it can cause needless stress if you discover it on the morning of departure.

The meeting point also gives you a useful way to think about the tour. This is a shared day organized around a central departure area, not a private boat leaving directly from every hotel. Build in time to reach the meeting point if you are staying outside town.

The motorized boat carries you between the stops. A life vest is included, and you should use it as directed, especially if you are not a confident swimmer or the sea feels rough. The information does not specify the group size, boat size, or exact departure time, so check availability when booking.

Lagoons, cliffs, and the first big views

The lagoon stops are the visual heart of Tour A. The water brings you close to El Nido’s famous limestone formations, where steep rock walls rise from the sea and vegetation clings to the cliffs.

You can expect time for photos and swimming, though the exact order and length of each stop can vary. The route information does not name every lagoon, so I would check the day’s precise schedule with the operator rather than assume a particular lagoon is guaranteed.

The best part is the change in scale. From the boat, the cliffs make the water feel enclosed and dramatic. At water level, you notice the color, the rock edges, and the narrow spaces between formations. These are not just photo stops. They give you the sense of how El Nido’s islands are shaped by limestone and water.

Bring a waterproof camera or a phone case you trust. Salt water, wet hands, and boat movement are a poor combination for unprotected electronics. A waterproof bag is also useful for dry clothes, wallets, and anything that should not get splashed.

Shimizu Island for snorkeling or sand

Shimizu Island gives the day a welcome choice. You can snorkel to look at corals and hundreds of fish species, or you can stay on the fine white sand and take a break from the water.

That flexibility makes Shimizu a strong stop for mixed groups. One person can use the snorkeling gear while another rests on the beach. Families and friends do not all need to enjoy the same activity at the same time.

Snorkeling equipment is listed as optional, so do not assume a mask and snorkel are included. Bring your own goggles and gear if you have them, or ask about rental arrangements. The same applies to a kayak, which is also optional. The tour data does not state rental prices or availability, so confirm those details before you count on using one.

The corals and fish are the reason to spend time in the water, but good reef manners matter. Use biodegradable sunscreen, avoid touching coral, and keep your fins and feet clear of shallow formations. The supplied information specifically recommends biodegradable sunscreen, and that is a sensible choice for a marine outing.

If you prefer to relax, the beach offers a lower-effort part of the day. You can stretch out on the sand, cool off in the water, and enjoy the cliffs without needing to swim far. Bring beachwear and a towel if your accommodation provides one, since the tour information does not say that towels are supplied.

Picnic lunch in the middle of the day

A picnic lunch is included, which improves the value of the tour. You do not need to find a restaurant between island stops, and you can keep your day focused on the water.

The meal is described as a picnic lunch, but no menu is provided. If you have allergies, food restrictions, or strong preferences, ask the operator what is served before departure. Do not assume that a picnic meal will meet a special diet.

Lunch also gives you a natural pause from swimming and sun. Use it to drink water, reapply reef-safe sunscreen, and check that your camera and other belongings remain dry. A nine-hour boat day feels much easier when you treat lunch as a real rest period rather than something to rush through.

One practical point: the price includes lunch but does not include the listed environmental and lagoon fees. Add 600 per person to the advertised package price based on the supplied fee amounts, and confirm the payment method and currency for those charges before you go.

Seven Commando Beach and the small bar

Seven Commando Beach is the beach-focused finish to the route. It has a long stretch of white sand and a small bar where you can get a drink.

After snorkeling and lagoon stops, this is an easy place to slow down. You can walk along the sand, swim, sit beneath the surrounding scenery, or have a drink at the bar. The beach gives you a different view of the islands than the enclosed lagoon areas.

There is also a chance of encountering sea turtles during the tour. That possibility should be treated as luck, not a promise. If you see one, keep your distance and do not chase or touch it. Wildlife sightings are best when the animal remains undisturbed.

The bar is a useful convenience, but bring some cash unless the operator confirms other payment options. The provided details do not state drink prices or payment methods. You should also remember that drinks at the beach are not part of the included picnic lunch.

What the $27 price really covers

At $27 per person, the tour offers a lot for a full day. You receive hotel pickup within El Nido proper, a DOT-licensed guide, motorized boat transport, a life vest, and picnic lunch. Those inclusions cover the main costs of a standard shared island-hopping day.

The price becomes less simple once the extra fees are added. You must pay an environmental fee of 400 per person and a lagoon fee of 200 per person. Optional kayak rental and snorkeling equipment can raise the final amount further.

That still may be good value if you want several stops without arranging boat transport, food, and a guide separately. It is less attractive if you already have your own boat plans or only want one quiet beach. Tour A is designed for variety, not for maximum privacy or a slow, secluded day.

The tour received an overall rating of 4 from five recorded ratings. One verified booking from the United States gave it five out of five and described the experience as excellent. Another verified booking from the United Kingdom rated it four out of five, noting that the operator faced several morning problems but still delivered the tour, completed the stops, and provided an enjoyable buffet lunch. That tells me to value the day’s flexibility, while also allowing for possible delays or operational hiccups.

The right packing list for nine hours outside

Your packing list can make or break this outing. I would bring:

• Reef-safe, biodegradable sunscreen
• Beachwear and a change of clothes
• A waterproof bag
• A waterproof camera or protected phone
• Goggles and snorkeling gear
• Extra drinking water if permitted
• Cash for optional drinks or rentals

The official recommendations include sunscreen, a waterproof camera, biodegradable sunscreen, beachwear, a waterproof bag, goggles, and snorkeling gear. Follow that list closely.

A waterproof bag is especially useful because the boat environment is wet even when the weather is fine. Keep your phone, money, passport, and dry clothing inside it rather than under a loose towel or beach bag.

Seasickness is the main health concern named for this tour. If you are prone to it, this may not be the right activity. The trip lasts about nine hours, and the motorized boat will spend much of the day moving between islands. Consider your comfort honestly before booking.

Who will enjoy Tour A most

I would choose this tour if you want a broad introduction to El Nido and prefer a ready-made day. It suits people who want to combine swimming, snorkeling, beaches, cliffs, and lunch without arranging each part themselves.

It also works well for groups with different interests. Snorkelers can use the water at Shimizu Island, while others can stay on the sand. Beach lovers get Seven Commando, and photographers get the cliffs and lagoons.

You may want to reconsider if you dislike boat travel, need a quiet private experience, or are prone to seasickness. The tour also requires extra budgeting for the environmental and lagoon fees. Guests staying outside El Nido proper need to arrange their own tricycle ride to the meeting point.

Booking is flexible: you can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The exact starting time depends on availability, so check that carefully before confirming your plans.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

Book it if you want the classic El Nido combination in one long day: lagoons, limestone cliffs, snorkeling, white sand, lunch, and a possible sea turtle sighting. The $27 base price is appealing because it includes the boat, guide, life vest, pickup in town proper, and food.

Go in with realistic expectations. Extra fees are required, snorkeling gear may cost more, pickup is limited outside town, and seasickness can make the nine-hour schedule uncomfortable. If those points work for you, Tour A is a practical, well-rounded way to see El Nido’s main island scenery without complicated planning.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Island Hopping Tour A last?

The tour lasts about nine hours. Starting times depend on availability when you book.

What is included in the tour price?

The package includes hotel pickup within El Nido proper, a DOT-licensed tour guide, motorized boat transport, a life vest, and picnic lunch.

Are environmental and lagoon fees included?

No. You pay an environmental fee of 400 per person and a lagoon fee of 200 per person separately.

Where is pickup available?

Pickup is included for accommodations within El Nido proper. If you stay outside the town proper, you need to take a tricycle to Petron Gasoline Station near El Nido Port and meet your assigned guide there.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling equipment is listed as optional, so it is not included in the standard package. You can bring your own goggles and gear or ask about rental options.

What can you do at Shimizu Island?

You can snorkel to see corals and fish, swim, or relax on the white sand beach.

What is at Seven Commando Beach?

Seven Commando Beach has a long white-sand beach and a small bar serving drinks.

Is the tour suitable for people prone to seasickness?

No. The tour is not suitable for people prone to seasickness, and it lasts around nine hours on a motorized boat.