EL Nido Tour A

El Nido Tour A packs several of Palawan’s famous island sights into one long day by boat. You’ll visit Shimizu Island, Papaya Beach, Secret Lagoon, and possibly Big Lagoon or Small Lagoon, with time to swim and take photos along the way.

I like the low $21 price, especially since lunch, a guide, boat and land transfers, island hopping, and a life vest are included. I also like the practical setup: free pickup within El Nido Town, a 9:00 am start, and a return to the El Nido pier area.

The main caution is the lagoon wording. Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon cannot be visited on the same day, and one booking caused serious disappointment when neither lagoon was included. Confirm the exact route before paying, particularly if a lagoon is your main reason for going.

Key points to know before booking

• Shimizu Island and Papaya Beach provide classic island scenery, swimming time, and easy photo stops.
• Secret Lagoon adds a more enclosed natural setting to the day, but access depends on conditions and the group schedule.
• Big Lagoon or Small Lagoon may be included, but not both, so confirm which one is planned.
• Lunch and national park admission are included, while the Eco Tourism Development Fee, lagoon user fee, and kayak rental are extra.
• A 7 to 9 hour schedule makes this a full day, not a quick morning outing.
• The $21 price is strong value, provided you understand the extra fees and exact lagoon arrangement.

Why Tour A is El Nido’s practical first boat day

El Nido’s islands are spread across water, so a boat trip is the sensible way to see several famous places in one outing. Tour A is built for that purpose. Instead of arranging separate transfers and entrance payments, you meet in El Nido, board the day’s boat, and move between several stops that cannot be reached by road.

I like this format for a first look at the area. You get a broad sample of El Nido’s scenery in roughly seven to nine hours. That means more time on the water and less time working out transport.

The scenery is the main event. El Nido is known for steep rock formations, clear swimming areas, small beaches, and lagoons tucked into the islands. The trip does not rely on museums, town walks, or a long cultural program. You come for the sea, the rocks, the beaches, and the chance to swim.

The price also changes the calculation. At $21, the outing costs far less than arranging a private boat, assuming the advertised inclusions apply to your departure. Lunch, boat and land transfers, a guide, island hopping, and a life vest are included. You still need to budget for the Eco Tourism Development Fee, a Big or Small Lagoon user fee, and kayak hire if you choose it.

Starting at the El Nido pier at 9:00 am

Pickup is offered within El Nido Town, and the stated meeting area is the El Nido Pier dispatching and docking area. The tour starts at 9:00 am and finishes back in El Nido.

That timing gives you a full daytime outing. The listed duration is approximately seven to nine hours, although the exact length can depend on the day’s route and conditions. Plan nothing demanding immediately afterward. A relaxed evening meal or an early night makes more sense than a tightly timed onward appointment.

The group limit is listed as 100 people. That is a sizeable maximum, so you should not assume a small, quiet boat. The boat experience may feel social and busy, especially at popular island stops. On the other hand, a larger group can make the low price possible and gives solo visitors an easy way to join an organized day.

The included land and boat transfers are useful if you want a straightforward start. You do not have to arrange separate transport to each island. Just make sure your pickup details are clear after booking, since the information provided only specifies pickup within El Nido Town.

Shimizu Island brings the classic Palawan view

Shimizu Island is one of the named stops, and it fits the standard El Nido day perfectly. You can expect a picture-friendly island setting, time near the water, and the chance to take photographs of the surrounding rock formations.

The value here is variety. A day made up only of lagoons can feel repetitive, while an island stop gives you a more open view and a different place to swim or pause. The trip allows time for swimming and photographs at each spot, though the exact amount of time at Shimizu Island is not stated.

Lunch is included and is described as a picnic lunch. One especially positive account praised it as a full meal served on the beach, with an attentive and experienced crew helping with the day. That matters because a long island trip is much easier when you do not have to find food between stops.

Do not expect a restaurant-style lunch or a private beach meal. This is an organized boat excursion, and the number of people on your departure will shape the atmosphere. Still, a beach picnic is a useful part of the package, not just a minor extra.

Papaya Beach offers a simple swimming stop

Papaya Beach is another named stop on Tour A. Its appeal is easy to understand: a beach break gives you a chance to leave the boat, swim, sit by the shore, and take photos without the tighter feel of an enclosed lagoon.

If you prefer a day with several types of scenery, Papaya Beach helps balance the route. You get a beach, an island, and lagoon settings rather than one repeated view. I would pack only the essentials for the beach because the tour is built around moving from one stop to another.

The details do not specify beach chairs, shade, changing facilities, or a particular length of stay. Do not count on those features. The confirmed inclusions are the guide, transfers, life vest, island hopping, and lunch, so bring your own personal beach needs within the limits of a boat day.

Secret Lagoon adds a more enclosed stop

Secret Lagoon is included among the planned sights. Its draw is the change from open beach scenery to a more enclosed natural space. This is the sort of stop that makes Tour A feel like more than a simple beach transfer.

You will have time to take photos and swim during the day, but the exact activity at Secret Lagoon is not specified. The guide will direct the group according to the route and conditions. A life vest is included, which is useful for anyone who is not a confident swimmer or who simply wants extra support in the water.

The name can create high expectations, so keep them practical. This is a popular organized route, not a private discovery. The stop may be shared with other boats, and the group size can affect how peaceful it feels. The value is getting to a place that is accessible by boat as part of a wider day, without arranging another excursion.

The Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon question needs care

This is the most important booking detail. The route information says Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon cannot be visited on the same day. That is clear enough. What is less clear is whether your particular departure includes one of them.

One disappointing booking involved a family expecting to see Big Lagoon or Small Lagoon, only to learn before departure that neither was included. Other local tour offices reportedly indicated that Tour A should include at least one lagoon. The practical lesson is simple: do not rely on the tour label alone. Ask CTPH TOUR directly which lagoon is planned for your date.

If Big Lagoon is your priority, ask specifically if Big Lagoon is included. If the answer is Small Lagoon, decide if that works for you. If neither is included, you may prefer a different arrangement rather than hoping the route changes on the day.

Kayak rental is not included. That matters most at a lagoon, where paddling may be part of the appeal. You will need to pay separately if you want to rent one. The Small Lagoon and Big Lagoon user fee is also listed as an extra cost, so the $21 price is not the final amount for everyone.

What the $21 price really covers

At $21, this is a budget-friendly way to see several famous El Nido stops. The package includes:

• A tour guide
• Land and boat transfers
• A life vest
• Island hopping
• Free pickup within El Nido Town
• Lunch
• National park admission fees

That is a useful bundle. The boat access alone is the key benefit, since these islands and lagoons are reached by water. The included lunch also saves you from arranging food during a long day.

The extra charges are important, but they do not automatically make the tour poor value. The Eco Tourism Development Fee, lagoon user fee, and kayak rental are separate. Ask for the current amounts before booking so you can compare the real total with other Tour A options.

I would judge the price on what you want from the day. If you mainly want several scenic stops and a simple organized boat ride, $21 is appealing. If you want a guaranteed Big Lagoon visit, a private boat, or a kayak included, check the details first. A cheap tour is only good value when it delivers the part you care about most.

The guide and crew shape the day

The operator is CTPH TOUR. No individual guide names are provided, so I would not expect to book a particular person. The tour does include a guide, and one account described the crew as attentive and experienced, with friendly guidance and a strong grasp of the route.

That kind of crew support matters on an island day. You need clear instructions when boarding, swimming, moving between stops, and gathering for lunch. The guide also helps turn a series of scenic locations into an orderly day rather than a confusing set of boat rides.

The boat has a life vest for you, and the crew handles the land and boat transfers included in the package. Still, the maximum group size of 100 means the experience may not feel personal. If you want long conversations with a guide or a quiet schedule, ask about group size for your date or consider a private option.

Who should book this El Nido day

I would recommend Tour A to you if you have limited time in El Nido and want to see several famous places in one outing. It also suits first-time visitors who prefer an organized day with lunch and transport arranged.

Families may like the simple structure, but parents should confirm the lagoon plan before booking. One family booked specifically for Big or Small Lagoon and felt let down when neither was included. That is an avoidable problem if you get the route in writing first.

This tour is also a good fit if you care more about scenery than privacy. You will reach boat-only locations, swim, take photos, and share the day with a potentially large group. You may want another option if your priorities are a private boat, a guaranteed lagoon, or a quiet beach schedule.

The trip requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the outing, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The operator also requires a minimum number of participants, so a cancellation for low enrollment comes with the choice of another date or experience, or a full refund.

Booking advice and cancellation timing

Confirmation is provided at the time of booking. I would use that moment to confirm four things: your pickup point, the exact lagoon planned, the current extra fees, and whether kayak rental is available.

Free cancellation applies when you cancel at least 24 hours before the 9:00 am start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded, and changes inside that window are not accepted. The cut-off uses local time in El Nido.

That policy is fair for a weather-dependent boat trip, but it rewards early decisions. If your schedule is uncertain, do not wait until the night before to sort out the route. Confirm the important details first, then keep the cancellation deadline in mind.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

Book it if you want an affordable, full-day introduction to El Nido’s famous island scenery, with lunch, transfers, a guide, and a life vest already included. Shimizu Island, Papaya Beach, Secret Lagoon, and the chance to visit Big Lagoon or Small Lagoon give you a good range of stops for one day.

I would not book it blindly if Big Lagoon or Small Lagoon is the main purpose of your trip. The route information is not precise enough to guarantee the lagoon you want, and the extra user fee and kayak rental add to the final cost. Contact CTPH TOUR before paying and confirm the exact stops.

For most people with limited time, the low price and broad route make Tour A worth considering. Just treat the lagoon question as essential, not a minor detail.

FAQ

Where does El Nido Tour A start?

The tour starts at the El Nido Pier dispatching and docking area in Palawan. Pickup is offered within El Nido Town.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 9:00 am.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately seven to nine hours.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour ends back in El Nido, at the El Nido pier area.

Which places are included on the route?

The named stops are Shimizu Island, Papaya Beach, Secret Lagoon, and either Big Lagoon or Small Lagoon. Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon cannot both be visited on the same day.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic lunch is included.

Are park admission fees included?

National park admission fees are included. The Eco Tourism Development Fee and the Big or Small Lagoon user fee are not included.

Is kayak rental included?

No. Kayak rental is an additional cost.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants can also lead to another date or a full refund.