EL NIDO: Private Island Hopping Tour A with BUFFET LUNCH

El Nido Tour A packs Palawan’s biggest postcard sights into one full day: white sand, clear water, limestone cliffs, snorkeling, kayaking, and a buffet lunch on the beach. I especially like the private group format, which gives you more control than a standard shared boat, and the chance to use one kayak at Big Lagoon without paying extra.

I also like the useful mix of stops. You get time to swim at 7 Commandos and Payong-Payong, explore Secret Lagoon, snorkel at Shimizu Island, and paddle through Big Lagoon. The main concern is timing: one family reported leaving late, arriving after the busiest period, and having a child hurt during a kayak mishap, so ask about an early departure and supervise young children closely.

Key points at a glance

• Big Lagoon by kayak: Paddle beneath tall limestone cliffs with one kayak included in the price.
• Five scenic stops: The day combines 7 Commandos Beach, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, and Payong-Payong Beach.
• Good food setup: A buffet lunch, fruit, water, and soft drinks are included, with the exact lunch beach chosen by the guide.
• Private boat and crew: You travel with a licensed captain, guide, and boat crew rather than joining a shared group.
• Extra costs to plan for: The lagoon entrance fee and environmental fee are not included, and the hotel drop-off is also excluded.
• Strong service, with one safety caveat: Guides such as Julius, Leonard, and Cyron have been praised for attentive help, photos, and meals, but careful kayak handling matters.

What the $139 price really covers

At $139 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see El Nido. The value depends heavily on how many people share the private boat. For a couple, family, or small group, the price can make sense because you get a private outing, a licensed boat and crew, lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, life jackets, and one kayak.

You also receive free pickup within El Nido Town and Corong-corong. That saves you the trouble of arranging a separate ride to the starting point. Drop-off is not included, so plan to make your own way back after the boat returns.

Two government charges are extra: a 200 peso lagoon entrance fee and a 400 peso environmental fee. Bring cash for these and for any additional kayak rental or other personal purchases. The listed inclusions cover one kayak, so ask about the price before adding another.

The private format is the real advantage here. You can spend more time at the places your group prefers, within the day’s schedule and local rules. It also makes the tour more comfortable for families or couples who do not want to share a boat with strangers. Still, private does not always mean early. Confirm the meeting time in advance, since an earlier start can help you reach the most popular sites before they fill up.

Starting with 7 Commandos Beach

The first stop is usually 7 Commandos Beach, where soft white sand meets clear turquoise water. Coconut trees and limestone cliffs frame the beach, giving you the classic El Nido setting almost immediately.

You get about an hour here for swimming, photos, and a little downtime. The water is the main attraction. If you want a gentle start to the day, this is a good place to get comfortable in the sea before snorkeling later.

Small rustic bars and shops offer drinks and snacks. That is convenient, but bring cash if you want to buy anything. The beach is also a popular stop, so the quietest experience depends on your timing.

The name comes from a local story about seven commandos who lived here after World War II. You do not need to treat the tale as the main event. The appeal is simple: sand, palms, clear water, and a dramatic wall of rock behind you.

Kayaking inside Big Lagoon

Big Lagoon is the visual centerpiece of Tour A. The boat passes through a narrow opening into a broad waterway surrounded by steep limestone cliffs. The water shifts between blue and green, and the enclosed setting makes the lagoon feel calm and separate from the open sea.

One kayak is included, which is important because kayaking gives you a better way to appreciate the scale of the cliffs. From the boat, you see the main view. From the kayak, you move quietly into the lagoon and get a closer look at the water and rock walls.

You receive about an hour for the stop, including sightseeing, swimming, and kayaking. That is enough for a paddle and photographs, but it is not an unlimited kayaking session. If your group wants to use two kayaks, expect an additional charge.

The kayak deserves careful handling. One serious incident involved a six-year-old child being hurt after a kayak was handled poorly. This does not mean every outing will have a problem, but it is sensible to ask the guide to steady the kayak during boarding and landing. Young children should wear their life jackets and remain under close adult supervision.

Guides Julius and Leonard have been singled out for helping with photos and videos at Big Lagoon. If you want pictures, ask early in the visit. The crew may take professional-looking shots, but your own waterproof phone case is still worth bringing.

Snorkeling around Shimizu Island

Shimizu Island is the main snorkeling stop. Its name comes from a Japanese diver who explored the surrounding waters. The island is ringed by coral reefs where you can see fish and other marine life.

Your mask, snorkel, and life jacket are included, so you do not need to rent basic equipment. I would still bring a properly fitting rash guard or swim shirt if you want extra sun protection. Biodegradable sunscreen is requested, which is a sensible choice in a reef setting.

The stop also includes lunch, free time, swimming, and sightseeing. The island has a small beach with trees that provide shade, making it a practical place for the meal. The buffet is served by the crew, with fruit, water, and soft drinks included.

One point to keep in mind is that snorkeling quality can vary. The coral and fish may be enjoyable, but one person found the snorkeling less impressive than other places they had visited. Your expectations should be realistic. Tour A is about seeing several famous El Nido sites in one day, not spending hours at a single reef.

Finding the entrance to Secret Lagoon

Secret Lagoon is reached through a small opening in a limestone wall. You squeeze through the narrow entrance and emerge into an enclosed pool surrounded by rock. That short passage is part of the appeal, though it can feel awkward if you are carrying a camera, towel, or loose belongings.

The lagoon gives you a change of mood from the open beaches and large views. The walls make the space feel quiet and enclosed, and the unusual entrance creates one of the day’s more memorable moments.

You receive roughly an hour for photos, swimming, and free time. The guide can help you through the opening. Julius was specifically praised for assisting a visitor through the passage, which is useful if you are nervous about the squeeze or the footing.

Bring a waterproof bag and keep valuables secured. Closed-toe or waterproof shoes can help around the boat and rocky areas. Smoking, alcohol, drugs, plastic bags, and littering are not allowed, so pack lightly and keep the site clean.

A slower pause at Payong-Payong Beach

Payong-Payong Beach is smaller and quieter than the headline stops. It has pale sand, clear water, thick plant growth, and rock formations around the shore. The setting is well suited to a short swim, snorkeling, or a break away from the larger crowds.

The guide may choose this beach as the lunch stop, since the lunch location can change with conditions. That flexibility is useful. Weather, boat traffic, and local instructions can affect the order of the stops, so do not expect the listed sequence to remain fixed.

A meal at Payong-Payong can be especially pleasant because the beach gives you room to slow down. One couple had lunch there and found the food very good. Another meal was praised as well catered, so the buffet appears to be one of the stronger practical features of the day.

Still, keep your expectations grounded. This is a beach picnic setup, not a restaurant meal. The value comes from eating beside the water, with the crew handling the basic service, rather than from an elaborate dining room.

How the day works on the water

The advertised duration is eight hours. The starting point is Beachfront Travel and Tours, but pickup is available from accommodations in El Nido Town and Corong-corong. You need to provide your hotel name when booking so the pickup can be arranged.

Your boat is operated by a licensed captain, with a licensed guide and crew. English and Tagalog are available. Guides named in the feedback include Julius, Leonard, and Cyron. Their roles go beyond pointing out scenery: the crew helps passengers on and off the boat, assists with the Secret Lagoon entrance, handles meals, and may take photos and videos.

The order of the stops can change according to the weather. That matters in El Nido, where conditions affect boat movement and access to certain sites. A flexible schedule is normal, but confirm the morning departure time so the private format gives you a real advantage.

The boat crew also provides life vests or jackets. Wear yours for kayaking and follow the guide’s instructions during boarding. A waterproof bag is useful because you will move between boat, beach, kayak, and water several times.

You should bring:

• Swimwear and a change of clothes
• A towel
• Biodegradable sunscreen
• Cash for fees and purchases
• A camera or waterproof phone case
• Closed-toe or waterproof shoes
• A waterproof bag

There is no hotel drop-off after the tour, so leave enough energy and money for your return trip.

Food, drinks, and the practical comforts

The buffet lunch is included, along with fruit, water, and soft drinks. That makes the day easier because you do not need to search for food between stops. It also reduces the need to carry a large supply of snacks.

Food quality can never be guaranteed in exactly the same way on a boat day, but the meal has received some of the strongest praise attached to this experience. Cyron’s crew was credited with an excellent meal, and another group found lunch delicious and well catered.

The guide chooses the lunch stop. You may eat at Shimizu Island or Payong-Payong Beach, depending on conditions and the day’s route. If you have dietary needs, ask before booking, since no special menu information is provided.

Soft drinks and fruit are useful in the heat, but continue drinking water throughout the day. Sun exposure is constant, even when the boat or trees provide short periods of shade.

Who should book this private Tour A?

I would consider this tour a good match for couples, families, and small groups that want the main El Nido sights without joining a shared boat. You get a broad sample of the area in one day, including beach time, snorkeling, kayaking, and unusual rock formations.

It also suits people who want help with logistics. Pickup, boat crew, lunch, gear, and one kayak are included. That lets you focus on the scenery instead of arranging every part of the day yourself.

Families should think carefully about the water activities. Life jackets are provided, and the crew can help passengers, but children need close supervision during kayaking, swimming, and boarding. Ask how the kayak will be handled before setting off, especially if a young child will ride in it.

This may not be the best choice if your priority is a quiet, uncrowded day at every stop. Tour A visits El Nido’s most popular sites, and a late start can mean arriving after the busiest period has begun. It is also less suitable if you want a long, serious snorkeling session or a full day devoted only to kayaking.

Should you book it?

Book this private Tour A if you want El Nido’s greatest hits in one well-organized day and value a private boat, helpful crew, included lunch, and flexible routing. The combination of Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, 7 Commandos Beach, and Payong-Payong gives you plenty of variety for the $139 price, especially when split among a small group.

Before paying, confirm the pickup time, ask about the extra fees, and check whether the listed guide will be Julius, Leonard, Cyron, or someone else. Request an early start if possible, and make kayak safety a clear priority for children.

If you prefer solitude, longer snorkeling, or the lowest possible cost, compare this with a shared boat or a more specialized outing. For most first-time El Nido visitors who want a private overview, this is a strong choice, with timing and careful kayak handling as the two points to watch.

FAQ

How long does the El Nido Tour A last?

The tour lasts eight hours. Starting times depend on availability and the day’s operating schedule.

What locations are included?

The planned stops are 7 Commandos Beach, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, and Payong-Payong Beach. The order and exact destinations can change according to the weather.

Is kayaking included?

One kayak is included for the group. Additional kayak rental costs extra.

Are lunch and drinks included?

Yes. A buffet lunch, fruit, water, and soft drinks are included. The guide chooses the lunch stop.

Is hotel pickup available?

Free pickup is available from accommodations in El Nido Town and Corong-corong. You must provide your hotel name when filling out the booking form. Drop-off back to your hotel is not included.

What fees are not included in the price?

You must pay a 200 peso lagoon entrance fee and a 400 peso environmental fee. Personal purchases and anything not listed among the inclusions are also extra.