From Puerto Princesa: Day Trip to El Nido and Island Hopping

El Nido’s limestone cliffs and clear lagoons are the prize here, but you pay for them with a five-hour drive each way. Once you reach Bacuit Bay, you can kayak, snorkel, swim, and visit famous places such as Secret Lagoon and Big Lagoon in one busy afternoon.

I like two things in particular: the tour includes the gear and fees that can otherwise add up, and it lets you see El Nido without surrendering a full extra day to a hotel change. The main catch is simple: you spend more time in a van than on the boat, and the return trip may be shared, delayed, or crowded.

Key points to know before booking

• Five hours north, five hours back: This is a 20-hour day, with pickup around 4 AM and a return near midnight.
• Four named highlights: Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Seven Commandos Beach, and Big Lagoon are typical stops, but the route can change.
• Kayaking is included: You receive life vests, snorkel masks, aqua shoes, and kayak use as part of the package.
• Lunch is served on the island: Expect barbecue pork, chicken, seafood, vegetables, and fruit. Vegetarian choices may be very limited.
• Crowds are part of Bacuit Bay: More than 20 tour groups may gather at popular stops, especially around the lagoons.
• Private transport needs clarification: The morning van may not be the same as the return vehicle, particularly on a shared booking.

The real tradeoff: El Nido in one exhausting day

This tour solves a common Palawan problem. Puerto Princesa and El Nido are both popular bases, but they are far apart by road. If your schedule gives you only one free day, this trip lets you reach El Nido, get on the water, and return to Puerto Princesa without moving hotels.

That convenience comes at a steep physical cost. Pickup is scheduled around 4 AM, though some departures have been as early as 3 AM. The drive takes about five hours each way, so the total road time exceeds ten hours. Add the island tour, meals, waiting, and transfers, and you have a day that can run from the middle of the night until around midnight.

I would choose this only if seeing El Nido matters more to you than comfort and rest. If you already plan to spend two or three nights in El Nido, book your island trip there instead. You will avoid the punishing road journey and gain more control over the start and finish of your boat day.

The pre-dawn van ride from Puerto Princesa

Pickup is available from hotels within 15 kilometers of Puerto Princesa City Airport. You should wait in the lobby at least ten minutes early, with your identification ready. The driver is supposed to carry a sign with your name.

The air-conditioned van is a useful shelter for the long ride north, and you can sleep for part of the journey. Still, the seating arrangement matters. A shared van may carry around 12 people, and reports of crowded transport are common. The morning ride may feel manageable because you are fresh, but the same arrangement can feel very different after swimming, walking, and sitting in the sun all day.

There is usually a short roadside stop where you can stretch and buy food. Bring cash and water anyway. Water is not listed among the included refreshments, and one useful tip is to carry your own bottle. Breakfast and dinner are not included, so you should plan to buy breakfast near the El Nido boat departure point and dinner before the return drive.

Do not bring large luggage. This is a day trip, not a transfer service, and the practical packing list is small: swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, water shoes, a dry change of clothes, identification, and cash.

Reaching El Nido and getting onto the boat

The van drops you near the wharf or jump-off point in El Nido. The boat normally leaves around 9 AM, giving you a little time to eat breakfast at one of the nearby restaurants.

That gap is useful because the package does not include breakfast. It also means you should not assume the day starts the instant the van arrives. There may be waiting time before boarding, especially if the boat is assembling passengers or the water conditions are being checked.

The island-hopping portion finishes around 4 PM and can include up to five stops. The exact order and selection may change. That flexibility is normal for boat trips in Bacuit Bay, where weather, tides, traffic, and local operating arrangements can affect the route.

The package includes life vests, snorkel masks, aqua shoes, and kayak rental. Entry fees, lagoon fees, environmental fees, lunch, and the island tour are also covered. That makes the booking simpler than arranging each item separately, though you should still confirm what your specific shared or private package includes before paying.

Secret Lagoon: a short passage into the cliffs

Secret Lagoon is usually reached through a narrow opening in the limestone rock. The attraction is the sudden change from open sea to an enclosed pool surrounded by jagged stone walls.

This stop is more about the setting than a long swim. The entrance can be tight, and the area can feel crowded when several boats arrive close together. If mobility is difficult, this is not a comfortable outing. The activity is specifically not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the boat-to-shore movement, rocky access, and water activities all require reasonable agility.

Wear water shoes here. They are included, but you need to remember to use them. A dry bag would also be useful, although large bags are not allowed, so bring only small personal items that can handle splashes.

Shimizu Island: beach time and clear water

Shimizu Island offers a more open beach stop, with clear water and the kind of tropical setting that makes the long drive easier to justify. This is one of the better places to swim and use your snorkel mask, depending on the conditions and the time allowed by the boat crew.

The stop may feel brief if the boat schedule is busy. This is not a private beach afternoon where you can settle into one patch of sand. You are following a shared route, and the timing depends on the whole group.

Still, Shimizu Island gives the day a useful change of pace. After the enclosed rock formations at Secret Lagoon, you get sand, open water, and a chance to cool off. Bring sunscreen and reapply it. Much of the day takes place on or near the water, where sun exposure can sneak up on you.

Seven Commandos Beach and its coconut-lined shore

Seven Commandos Beach is the stop most likely to feel like a classic tropical postcard. White sand, coconut trees, and clear water make it an easy place to swim or simply sit for a few minutes.

The beach is also popular, so do not expect solitude. Several boat groups may be visiting at the same time, and the atmosphere can become noisy and crowded. The bay does spread people out at some stops, but the famous beaches and lagoons draw the largest numbers.

I like this stop because it gives you a simple beach experience between the more structured lagoon visits. If you are hoping to kayak, swim, and snorkel in the same day, Seven Commandos is a good place to use the time for a relaxed swim rather than trying to force every activity into every stop.

Big Lagoon: the day’s signature scene

Big Lagoon is the visual centerpiece for many people. Tall limestone walls rise around calm, clear water, creating the dramatic setting that El Nido is known for.

Kayaking is the highlight here for many visitors. The included kayak gives you a way to move through the water at your own pace, though the amount of time available depends on the route and crowding. If multiple boats arrive together, the lagoon can feel less peaceful than its name suggests.

Bring your camera, but protect it from spray. Also keep your expectations realistic. This is a popular stop, not a private expedition. The scenery remains impressive, but you will share it with other boats and organized groups.

Lunch on the island, with an important food warning

Lunch is included and usually features barbecue pork, chicken, seafood, vegetable salad, and fresh fruit. It is served during the island-hopping portion, generally around midday.

For people who eat meat and seafood, this gives you a useful break without needing to leave the route. The meal is basic rather than elaborate, so think of it as practical fuel for the afternoon.

Vegetarians should take special care. The vegetarian alternative may amount to cucumber and fruit, which is unlikely to satisfy you after an early start and several hours in the water. If you do not eat meat or seafood, bring extra food or ask the operator in advance what can be arranged. Breakfast and dinner are also your responsibility.

Crowds, boat size, and the shared-tour question

Bacuit Bay is not a quiet secret. At the busiest stops, you may see more than 20 other tour groups operating at the same time. Popular sites can become a line of boats, swimmers, kayakers, and people waiting for photographs.

Boat capacity matters. Some shared departures have felt crowded, and one reported return vehicle even added temporary seats to fit more people. That kind of arrangement is not something I would accept quietly. Ask before departure how many people are assigned to the boat and what vehicle is planned for the return.

The private option is the better choice if you value control. It may allow more flexibility and a more exclusive boat experience, though you should confirm exactly what private means for both the island boat and the road transport. The advertised price is $360 per group of up to two, so it is a serious expense compared with booking locally.

A useful value comparison is the reported local price of about 20 euros per person for a similar El Nido island tour. That figure does not include the long road transfer from Puerto Princesa, so the comparison is not exact. You are paying this operator mainly for the door-to-door arrangement, the transport, and the convenience of fitting El Nido into a Puerto Princesa stay. If you are already in El Nido, this package makes far less financial sense.

The return journey is the biggest risk

The return plan deserves more attention than the lagoon list. The stated schedule has you leave El Nido around 6 PM and reach Puerto Princesa near midnight, but delays can happen. Some departures have left later than planned, and passengers have been asked to wait while the operator fills vehicles.

This is especially important if you have an airport connection or another fixed appointment. I would not book this day trip immediately before a flight. The road is long, and the return vehicle may not match the private or smaller van used in the morning.

Ask these questions before you commit:

• Is the road transfer private or shared in both directions?
• How many passengers will be in the return van?
• What time will the van actually leave El Nido?
• Can you leave earlier if the boat tour finishes before 4 PM?
• What happens if the boat is delayed by weather?

The answers can change the value of the whole trip. A beautiful boat outing followed by a cramped, late-night drive is a very different experience from a private van waiting at the wharf.

Weather, safety, and practical preparation

The island portion depends on favorable weather. If poor conditions cancel the boat trip and you are already in El Nido, the operator offers an alternative activity, but it may not include island hopping. That is another reason to avoid scheduling an important flight immediately afterward.

The package includes life vests, but you still need to listen to the boat crew and use sensible judgment in the water. Wear swimwear under your clothes, pack a towel and dry clothing, and use sunscreen before boarding.

The experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. You will be moving between van, wharf, boat, beach, lagoon access points, and water activities. The long travel time also makes this a poor fit if you need frequent comfort breaks or cannot sit for extended periods.

English and Tagalog are available for the guiding. The boat portion is operated locally in El Nido, and the quality of the day can depend on how well the Puerto Princesa transport and the local boat operation communicate with each other.

Who should book this day trip?

I would recommend it to a visitor who has only one day available, strongly wants to see El Nido, and accepts that the road journey is the price of admission. It can also suit someone who values having hotel pickup, transport, permits, gear, and lunch arranged in one booking.

I would not recommend it to someone who dislikes early starts, crowded boats, uncertain return times, or long van rides. It is also a poor match for vegetarians unless food arrangements are confirmed in advance, and it is not suitable for people with mobility limitations.

The experience itself receives its strongest praise for the lagoons, kayaking, beaches, and generally caring boat staff. The weakest points are transport comfort, return-trip organization, crowding, and value compared with booking directly in El Nido.

Should you book it?

Book this if your Palawan schedule is tight and a single day in El Nido is worth ten hours of driving to you. Choose the private option if the price fits and confirm that private transport applies on the way back as well as the way there.

Skip it if you can spend even one night in El Nido. Staying locally gives you a less tiring start, more time around Bacuit Bay, and a better chance to choose a boat operator directly. The Puerto Princesa day trip is a practical shortcut, but it is not a relaxed holiday day.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts about 20 hours. Pickup is around 4 AM, the island tour runs roughly from 9 AM to 4 PM, and the return to Puerto Princesa is expected around midnight.

How long is the drive from Puerto Princesa to El Nido?

The drive takes approximately five hours each way, for more than ten hours of total road travel.

What time is hotel pickup?

Pickup is scheduled around 4 AM, but exact times can vary. Some departures may require an earlier pickup, so confirm your time and wait in the hotel lobby at least ten minutes early.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included for hotels within 15 kilometers of Puerto Princesa City Airport.

Which islands and lagoons will I visit?

The usual route can include Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Seven Commandos Beach, and Big Lagoon. The stops may change depending on the assigned route and conditions.

Is kayaking included?

Yes. Kayak rental is included, along with life vests, snorkeling masks, and aqua shoes.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch generally includes barbecue pork, chicken, seafood, vegetable salad, and fresh fruit.

Are breakfast and dinner included?

No. You should arrange breakfast in El Nido before boarding and dinner before the evening drive back to Puerto Princesa.

Can I bring luggage?

No. Large bags and luggage are not allowed. Bring only the day’s essentials, such as swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, water shoes, a change of clothes, identification, and cash.

What happens if bad weather cancels island hopping?

The activity depends on favorable weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions after you reach El Nido, an alternative activity may be offered, but it may not include island hopping.