Shared El Nido Tour A

El Nido Tour A packs some of Palawan’s most famous sights into one boat trip. You’ll visit the narrow entrance of Secret Lagoon, paddle or swim around Big Lagoon, snorkel near Shimizu Island, and finish among beach scenery at Payong-Payong and Seven Commando Beach. For $24, lunch, crew, a licensed guide, life vest, and boat transfers make this a useful introduction to island-hopping.

I like the five-stop route and the chance to choose between snorkeling, swimming, and kayaking instead of spending the whole day on the sand. I also like the simple meet-up near the wharf, which keeps the morning easy to find. The catch is timing: late departures have caused long waits, and a full boat can feel cramped. This is a group outing, not a quiet private cruise.

Key points to know before booking

• Five famous El Nido stops: Secret Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, and Seven Commando Beach form the day’s core route.
• Big Lagoon costs extra: You pay the ₱200 entrance fee separately, and kayaking or other water gear also costs extra.
• The total day is longer than the boat ride: Allow about 6 to 7 hours, with morning registration and several activity stops.
• Lunch is included: The meal is served during the island portion of the tour, with Shimizu Island listed as the main meal stop.
• The boat may be crowded: One recorded outing had passengers packed tightly, and another had an 80-minute departure delay.
• Weather can change the route: Rainy-season conditions may send the boat to alternate destinations or tour options.

What Tour A is really offering

This is El Nido’s classic island-hopping day. You leave from the wharf area and move between limestone-framed water, small beaches, lagoons, and snorkeling spots. The appeal is variety. You are not asked to choose between a beach day and a lagoon day, because the schedule gives you some of each.

The tour normally runs for 6 to 7 hours, with meet-up between 8:30 and 9:00 in the morning. That makes it a full day without being an overnight commitment. You should still protect the rest of your day from fixed plans, since registration, boarding, swimming stops, and boat delays can stretch the schedule.

The $24 price is attractive for a shared outing. It covers the boat, crew, licensed English-speaking guide, life vest, and lunch. But the headline price is not the final cost. Add the ₱400 environmental fee, ₱200 Big Lagoon entrance fee, and any rental charges for a kayak or snorkeling equipment. Your transportation to the meeting point is also separate.

That still leaves Tour A as a reasonably priced way to see several headline locations in one day. The value is best if you want a broad first look at El Nido and do not need a private boat or a slow, empty-deck experience.

Starting at Mabuhay Sports Bar

Your morning begins at Mabuhay Sports Bar, a short walk from the El Nido wharf area. This is the dispatch point for registration, document checks, and group assignments. The staff handles the paperwork before the coast guard documentation is completed and you board the assigned boat.

Bring an ID. A copy is accepted, which is useful if you prefer to keep your passport secured at your accommodation. You should arrive ready to wait a little, since the stated meet-up window runs from 8:30 to 9:00 rather than naming one exact departure minute.

The meeting point is practical, but the early part of a shared tour can be slow. One booking had a departure delayed by about 80 minutes, while another involved waiting for people who arrived late. If punctuality matters to you, arrive on time, but understand that your own promptness may not control the whole group.

The boats are non-smoking in principle, but smoking by crew was reported during one outing. If you are sensitive to smoke, this is worth considering before you book. It is a group boat, and the quality of the morning depends partly on how well the operator manages boarding and departure.

Secret Lagoon and its narrow entrance

Secret Lagoon is an early chance to get off the boat and explore a smaller enclosed water area. The stop includes sightseeing, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and marine-life viewing, so you can choose how active you want to be.

The name tells you what makes the place interesting: access is part of the experience. You may need to pass through a narrow opening to reach the lagoon, and the combination of rock walls and calm water gives this stop a different feel from the open beach stops later in the day.

Do not assume every activity is included in the $24. Kayaks, snorkeling equipment, and other aqua gear are rented separately. If you want to paddle, ask about the price and availability before setting off, and keep some cash ready for optional equipment.

This is also one of the places where conditions matter. Water levels, crowding, and the weather can affect how easy it is to enter and how long you spend inside. The listed activities are possibilities, not a promise that you will have unlimited time for each one.

Big Lagoon and the separate entrance fee

Big Lagoon is the visual centerpiece of Tour A. The boat takes you toward a broad, dramatic waterway framed by El Nido’s towering rock formations. The route includes scenic views from the boat, guided sightseeing, swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking.

You pay a separate ₱200 entrance fee for Big Lagoon. That charge is easy to overlook when comparing tour prices, so include it in your budget from the start. Kayak rental is also extra, which means the lagoon can become one of the more expensive parts of the day if you choose several add-ons.

I would treat Big Lagoon as a place for slow looking rather than trying to cram in every activity. The view from the water is a major reason to visit, and you may enjoy it more if you take time to watch the rock walls, water, and boat route instead of rushing from swimming to kayaking to snorkeling.

The boat itself can shape the experience. A packed shared boat may make boarding and moving around less comfortable, especially if you need room for a kayak or dry bag. One account described the boat as very full, with little space between passengers. If you value personal space, ask the provider about expected group size before paying.

Lunch and snorkeling around Shimizu Island

Shimizu Island is scheduled as the main break and meal stop. Lunch is included and served during the island portion of the day, giving you a chance to eat with the sea and rock scenery around you rather than returning to town for a restaurant meal.

The meal adds real value because island-hopping days leave little time to arrange food independently. You do not need to carry a full lunch or lose a stop by searching for somewhere to eat. Still, the information does not specify the menu, dietary options, or portion size, so bring a small personal snack only if it is permitted and useful for you.

Shimizu Island also offers swimming, snorkeling, and sightseeing. This is a good place to split up your time: one person can eat or rest while another gets into the water. The break keeps the day from becoming a string of rushed photo stops.

The boat may remain part of the meal setup. Treat the lunch as an informal island-hopping meal, not a restaurant service. Keep valuables close, protect electronics from splashes, and use the life vest whenever the crew instructs you to do so.

Payong-Payong Beach and the final beach stop

Payong-Payong Beach gives the schedule another change of pace. Here you can swim, snorkel, and take in the scenery without the enclosed feel of a lagoon. It is a useful stop for anyone who wants open water and a little time on or near the beach.

The itinerary also includes a final break with guided sightseeing, swimming, and snorkeling. The supplied schedule does not clearly name that stop, while the tour description identifies Seven Commando Beach as one of the five destinations. Plan for Seven Commando to be part of the route, but remember that the order and exact stops can change with weather and local operating conditions.

These beach stops are also where you may notice the limits of a shared schedule. Boat groups need time to land, regroup, and board again. If you are hoping for a long, quiet stretch on one beach, this tour may feel too structured. If you want several different settings in one day, the rotation works well.

Bring a towel, sun protection, and clothing that dries fairly fast. High heels are not allowed, and large bags, luggage, bikes, surfboards, and several types of wheeled equipment are prohibited. A small day bag is more practical than trying to bring everything you packed for your hotel.

Water activities and equipment costs

Tour A gives you several ways to use the stops. You can swim, snorkel, kayak, watch marine life, or simply stay on the boat and enjoy the views. That flexibility is one of the tour’s strongest features, especially when people in the same group have different energy levels.

The catch is that water equipment is not included. Kayaks and other aqua gear are rented separately, and snorkeling gear rental is also excluded. The tour does include life vests, which are important for boat transfers and water stops, but a life vest is not the same as a full snorkeling kit.

Ask about rental prices before you commit to an activity. If you already own suitable snorkeling gear, confirm whether you may bring it. The provided information does not state that personal equipment is supplied or prohibited, so do not assume either way.

Be realistic about the pace. With five destinations and a 6 to 7-hour schedule, you will not have unlimited time at each site. Choose the two or three activities that matter most to you, then let the rest be optional.

Boat comfort, group size, and departure delays

The main practical weakness is group management. A shared tour saves money, but it also means you wait for other people, follow the assigned boat schedule, and share limited deck space. One departure was delayed for roughly 80 minutes, and another involved waiting for late arrivals.

The boat can also feel crowded. One account described passengers packed in with barely enough room, and boarding from the beach reportedly required people to wade or swim out to the boat. That may not happen on every departure, but you should expect some awkward boarding conditions and keep your phone, camera, and wallet protected from water.

Smoking is another possible comfort issue. Although the boat is described as non-smoking, smoking by crew was reported during one trip. If smoke strongly affects you, a private charter or a different operator may be a better fit.

The English-speaking guide and boat crew are included, which keeps the day organized once the boat leaves. No guide name is provided, so you cannot request a particular person from the available information. The guide’s role is mainly to manage the route, activities, and group movement rather than provide a long cultural lecture.

Fees, cancellation, and seasonal changes

The extra fees are straightforward:

• Environmental fee: ₱400 per person
• Big Lagoon entrance fee: ₱200 per person
• Kayak and aqua gear rental: extra
• Snorkeling equipment rental: extra
• Tricycle fare to Mabuhay Sports Bar: extra

That means the listed $24 is a starting price, not an all-in figure. Even so, the included lunch and boat service make it good value for a first El Nido outing, especially if you skip optional rentals and already have basic beach gear.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option gives you some flexibility while plans are still changing. The activity is valid for one day, with starting times subject to availability.

Rainy-season conditions may send the boat to alternative destinations or tour options. This is not a minor footnote in Palawan, where water and wind can affect the route. If the exact five-stop plan matters more to you than simply spending a day on the water, build in some flexibility.

Who will enjoy this El Nido day trip

I would recommend Tour A to you if this is your first time in El Nido and you want to see several famous places without arranging a private boat. It suits active people who are happy to swim, snorkel, or kayak, but it also works for someone who mainly wants scenery and a supplied lunch.

It is less suitable if you get seasick, have mobility limitations, use a wheelchair, have a visual impairment, or have a pre-existing medical condition that makes boat travel difficult. The activity is also not suitable for people over 95. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed.

The rules are strict about what you can bring. Large bags, valuables, glass objects, alcohol, drugs, sharp objects, plastic bottles, firework items, and several types of sports or mobility equipment are prohibited. Littering and making fires are not allowed. Pack light and bring only what you need for a wet day outside.

Should you book Shared El Nido Tour A?

Book it if you want an affordable, active introduction to El Nido with Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, and Seven Commando Beach in the plan. The included lunch, life vest, guide, crew, and boat transfers give the $24 price solid value once you understand the extra fees.

Skip it if cramped boats, waiting for late arrivals, smoke, or a flexible route would spoil your day. For the best chance of a smooth outing, arrive early at Mabuhay Sports Bar, bring an ID and minimal gear, budget for the ₱600 in stated fees, and accept that weather may change the schedule.

FAQ

How long does Shared El Nido Tour A last?

The tour typically lasts 6 to 7 hours. Meet-up is scheduled between 8:30 AM and 9:00 AM, with return to Mabuhay Sports Bar after the island stops.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at Mabuhay Sports Bar, located a few minutes’ walk from the El Nido wharf area. It is used for registration, document checks, and boat dispatch.

What does the $24 price include?

The price includes lunch, a licensed English-speaking tour guide, boat crew, life vest, and boat transfers.

What extra fees should I budget for?

You pay a ₱400 environmental fee and a ₱200 Big Lagoon entrance fee per person. Kayak rentals, other aqua gear, snorkeling equipment, and transport to Mabuhay Sports Bar are also excluded.

Which places are included on the route?

The planned destinations are Secret Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, and Seven Commando Beach. Rainy-season conditions may lead to alternate destinations or tour options.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.