El Nido Tour A – Group w/ Buffet Lunch

Big Lagoon is the star here: a narrow blue passage framed by dark limestone cliffs, with the option to paddle farther in by kayak. I like the tour’s strong mix of scenery, beaches, swimming, and local food, plus the crew’s repeated attention to safety. Guides including Albert, Ramon, and Willy have been singled out for friendly help, photos, and support with getting on and off the boat.

The catch is the group format. With up to 50 people, boats can queue at the same stops, and getting from the boat to shore may mean walking through seawater over uneven rocks. You will save money, but you will need patience.

Key points at a glance

• Big Lagoon is the main event: Spend about 90 minutes among towering limestone walls, with kayaking available for an extra fee.
• Five major stops fill the day: The route includes Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, Secret Lagoon, and Seven Commando Beach.
• Lunch is part of the package: Food is served during the island stops, with Shimizu Island listed as the main lunch location.
• The crew gets high marks for care: Albert, Ramon, Willy, and other crew members are described as friendly, helpful, and careful with boat boarding.
• Expect a shared boat: The group can reach 50 people, so queues and crowded beaches are part of the bargain.
• Bring the right gear: Water shoes and a waterproof bag are especially useful. Snorkel sets and kayaks cost extra.

Why Tour A is El Nido’s classic first outing

El Nido Tour A works because it gives you the area’s most recognizable scenery in one long day. You move between limestone cliffs, clear water, white-sand beaches, and small lagoons without having to arrange several separate trips.

The route is not built around quiet discovery. It is a popular circuit, and the best-known sights attract many boats. Still, the scenery is strong enough to carry the day, especially at Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon.

At $44.95 per person, the price is reasonable for a full-day group boat trip with lunch and town pickup. The package also lists a P400 environmental fee valid for 14 days and a P200 lagoon entrance fee. Since the tour details describe Big Lagoon admission differently in separate sections, I would check the exact fee handling when booking. The important point is that some compulsory charges are included in the advertised package, while equipment and drinks are not.

Starting at 9:00 am in El Nido Town

The stated start time is 9:00 am, and free pickup is available within El Nido Town. Pickup outside town costs extra. The trip lasts about 7 to 8 hours, with boats commonly returning in the late afternoon.

The exact start can feel less tidy than the rest of the day. The meeting area may be crowded, and boarding can involve walking through shallow seawater rather than stepping directly onto a pier. Wear swimwear beneath your clothes and keep phones, wallets, and cameras inside a waterproof bag.

A maximum group size of 50 is large enough to affect the pace. You may wait for other people to board, unload, collect gear, or return from a lagoon. The crew may adjust the order of stops to reduce congestion, which helps, but it cannot remove the crowds entirely.

The staff’s best quality is practical care. They help people into and out of the boat, including older family members, and safety is treated seriously. That matters on a boat day where ladders, wet decks, and uneven shorelines are part of the routine.

Big Lagoon: the reason to choose Tour A

Big Lagoon is the strongest stop on the route. You enter a narrow waterway where bright blue water runs between tall, dark limestone cliffs. The scale changes as you move inside, and the enclosed passage gives the stop a special sense of place even when other boats are nearby.

You have roughly 90 minutes here. Kayaking is the best way to appreciate the lagoon because it lets you move at a slower pace and look up at the cliffs instead of simply riding past them. A kayak costs P400 per kayak for two people, so sharing makes it better value.

Kayaking is optional, not free. A snorkel set is also listed at P100, but snorkeling is not the main reason to choose this stop. The lagoon’s appeal is the rock walls, clear water, and quiet movement through the narrow channel.

The water entry can be awkward. Depending on where the boat parks, you may need to get into the water and walk a short distance before reaching the kayak area. Water shoes help protect your feet, and a dry bag keeps your belongings safe while you paddle.

The package information lists lagoon entry at P200, while another section marks Big Lagoon admission as not included. Treat this as a detail worth confirming before the morning departure. It is better to know whether that fee is already covered than to arrive with the wrong expectation.

Shimizu Island and the lunch stop

Shimizu Island is the natural pause in the day. The stop lasts about 90 minutes and combines a scenic island setting with lunch, swimming, and the chance to use a mask and snorkel.

The food is described as a buffet lunch with a good range of local dishes. The published plan places lunch on the beach, although the exact setup can vary, and some people have eaten on the boat. Think of it as a simple island meal rather than a restaurant lunch.

The meal is a genuine part of the value. Buying lunch separately during a full-day island trip would be inconvenient, and having food organized keeps the group moving. Drinks are not included, so bring or buy water and soda separately.

Shimizu also works as a rest stop for people who do not want to swim or kayak at every location. The crew can help with boat access, which is useful for older relatives or anyone who is less steady on wet steps.

Snorkeling is possible, and turtles are associated with the area, but you should not treat wildlife sightings as guaranteed. Bring your own mask if you have one, or budget P100 for a set. If you only want the scenery and lunch, you can skip the water activities.

Payong-Payong Beach and the reality of shore access

Payong-Payong Beach is the beach-focused stop, with pale sand, clear water, and limestone cliffs rising around the cove. The planned stay is about 90 minutes, giving you time to swim, sit on the sand, or take photos.

This stop can also expose the limits of a shared boat tour. Some boat parking areas require you to walk through water and over large rocks before reaching shore. That is manageable with proper footwear, but it can be uncomfortable for anyone expecting a dry landing.

The beach itself is attractive, but the experience depends heavily on boat traffic and the tide. If several groups arrive together, the quiet cove becomes a busy staging area. I would enjoy the view, take the swim, and avoid expecting a private beach day.

A water shoe is more useful here than a fashionable sandal. You want firm footing on slippery rocks and protection for your feet in shallow water. The same shoes will help at the other stops, so they are worth packing.

Secret Lagoon requires a small scramble

Secret Lagoon is reached through a small cave, which is the point of the stop. You pass through a tight entrance into a tucked-away pool surrounded by rock. It feels different from Big Lagoon because the attraction is not a long water passage, but the act of reaching a concealed space.

The scheduled visit is about 90 minutes. That sounds generous, but part of the time may go toward queuing, moving through the cave, and waiting for space at the entrance. The cave and rocks can be slippery, so keep both hands free and wear shoes with grip.

This is one of the places where the group format is most noticeable. Several boats can send people toward the same opening at once. You may find yourself waiting rather than wandering freely.

Still, Secret Lagoon deserves its place on the route. It gives you a different kind of scenery after the wide water and open beach stops. If you dislike tight spaces or awkward rock crossings, stay with the guide and take your time instead of rushing through.

Seven Commando Beach closes the route

Seven Commando Beach offers the familiar tropical picture: white sand, turquoise water, palms, rock formations, and a beach bar. It is an easy place to cool off after the lagoons and eat into the final part of the day.

The stop is scheduled for about 90 minutes, but it can feel less rewarding than the earlier locations if the beach is crowded. Boarding and unloading may also be difficult when several boats are trying to move people at once.

Some people find this final beach unnecessary after the stronger lagoon stops. I see it as a useful chance to swim, stretch your legs, or buy a drink, but not the main reason to book Tour A. If the day runs late, this is the stop most likely to feel compressed.

The crew may change the order of the stops to avoid some congestion. That flexibility is helpful, though the route remains a popular one. You should expect a busy beach rather than a quiet final scene.

What the group format means for comfort

A shared boat keeps the price down, but it changes the mood. You will share the schedule, lunch arrangements, boarding process, and time at every stop with a large group. A maximum of 50 people is significant, especially when the boat reaches a narrow beach or lagoon entrance.

The upside is social and financial. You get a complete route without paying private-boat rates, and the crew handles the practical work. Friendly guides may take photos and videos, which is useful when you do not want to leave your phone with another person on shore.

The downside is waiting. You may queue at Secret Lagoon, wait for a safe boat position, or stand in shallow water while people load and unload. One stop may feel rushed, while another feels longer than necessary.

A private tour costs more, but it gives you more control over the order and length of stops. Choose this group trip if you care most about seeing the classic sights at a lower price. Choose private arrangements if you have limited time, dislike crowds, or want a slower pace.

What to pack for the boat day

The most useful items are simple:

• Water shoes for wet boarding, rocks, and shallow shore crossings
• A waterproof bag for phones, cash, and spare clothes
• Swimwear worn under your clothes
• Your own mask and snorkel if you prefer better-fitting equipment
• Cash for kayak hire, snorkel rental, drinks, or other optional costs
• Sun protection, since much of the day takes place on open water and beaches

Bring only what you can protect from splashes. Boarding may happen through the water, so a regular backpack is not enough protection for electronics.

You should also carry enough drinking water or budget for drinks. Water and soda are not included in the package.

Who will get the most from Tour A

I would recommend this trip to first-time visitors who want El Nido’s signature sights in one day. It suits couples, families, and mixed-age groups because you can join the water activities or simply enjoy the scenery and lunch.

The crew’s help makes the trip workable for older adults, but the physical side should not be ignored. Getting on and off the boat, walking through seawater, crossing rocks, and entering a small cave all require some balance and mobility.

This is not the best fit for someone seeking silence, personal space, or a flexible schedule. The route is popular, and the group can be large. It is also not ideal if you want guaranteed snorkeling time, since the day centers more on lagoons and beaches than on extended reef exploration.

The weather matters. The operator requires good conditions and may offer another date or a full refund if poor weather cancels the trip. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

Book it if you want the most famous El Nido stops at a sensible price and can accept crowds. Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and the limestone scenery provide the day’s strongest moments, while lunch, town pickup, and the organized route keep planning simple.

Go private if you can pay more and want fewer queues, longer stops, or control over the order. For the group option, arrive prepared with water shoes, a waterproof bag, swimwear, and realistic expectations about boarding through the sea.

At $44.95, this is a solid introduction to El Nido, especially for a first visit. The scenery is the reason to go. The crew’s safety-conscious help is the reason the group format remains manageable.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour A last?

The tour lasts approximately 7 to 8 hours. The stated start time is 9:00 am.

Which places are included in the route?

The route includes Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, Secret Lagoon, and Seven Commando Beach.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and is described as a buffet meal served during the island stops, with Shimizu Island listed as the main lunch location.

Is hotel pickup included?

Free pickup is available within El Nido Town. Pickup outside town may require an extra charge.

How much do kayaking and snorkeling cost?

A kayak costs P400 for two people. A mask and snorkel set costs P100. Drinks are not included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.