El Nido Tour A – Group w/ Buffet Lunch

Big Lagoon is the star of this day on the water. You pass between dark limestone cliffs into a narrow channel of clear blue water, then explore by kayak or from the boat. I like the tour’s five-stop route and its strong focus on safety, especially when crew members help people board, swim, and move around the boat.

I also like the good-value price of $44.95, which covers lunch, lagoon entrance, the environmental fee, and free pickup in El Nido Town. The main catch is the group size, which can reach 50 people. At busy stops, you may wait to get off the boat, walk through shallow water, or queue for the best photo spots.

Key points to know before booking

• Big Lagoon is the main event: Allow time for the limestone cliffs, blue water, and optional kayak experience.
• Lunch is included: Expect a buffet-style meal, with the exact setting sometimes on the beach or boat depending on conditions and timing.
• Kayak and snorkel gear cost extra: A kayak is P400 for two people, while a mask and snorkel set costs P100.
• The group can be large: Up to 50 people may share the boat, so busy stops come with queues and waiting.
• The crew gets strong marks for care: Albert, Ramon, Willy, and other crew members are noted for friendly service and helping older guests.
• Bring water shoes and a waterproof bag: You may walk through the sea to board or reach shore, and some entry points have rocks.

What the $44.95 price really covers

At $44.95 per person, this is one of the easier ways to see El Nido’s famous island scenery without arranging a private boat. The price includes lunch, lagoon entrance listed at P200 per person, and the environmental fee of P400 per person, valid for 14 days. Town pickup is also included if you are staying within El Nido Town.

That makes the tour a reasonable choice for a first visit, particularly if you want the classic sights in one day. The value is less about quiet time and more about access. You get a full route, a boat crew, meals, and the main government fees without having to assemble each piece yourself.

Budget for the extras. A kayak costs P400 per kayak for two people, so the price is manageable when shared. A mask and snorkel set costs P100. Drinks, including water and soda, are not included, and pickup outside El Nido Town brings an additional charge.

The group format is the tradeoff. A boat carrying as many as 50 people can feel crowded at the pier and at the most famous stops. If you want your own timing, more space, and fewer queues, a private boat costs more but changes the feel of the day considerably.

The 9 a.m. start and the ride out

The listed start time is 9:00 a.m., and the complete outing takes about 7 to 8 hours. Some itineraries may leave closer to 9:30 and return around 4:45 p.m., depending on loading and the order of the stops.

Pickup is offered only in El Nido Town at no extra charge. If you stay outside the town area, confirm the added pickup cost before booking. The meeting area can be crowded, and getting from shore to the boat may involve walking through seawater. Pack accordingly rather than arriving in dry clothes and hoping for a perfectly dry transfer.

The crew’s attitude is one of the better parts of this trip. Albert, Ramon, and Willy are among the names associated with particularly attentive service. The crew helps with boarding and pays close attention to safety, which matters when the boat ladder is wet or the sea is moving.

Still, you should expect a shared excursion, not a private cruise. Loading and unloading can take time. At some stops, you may wait while other boats clear space, and the boat’s position may make the final step to shore awkward.

Big Lagoon: the reason most people choose Tour A

Big Lagoon gives the day its signature view. The route narrows between tall, dark limestone cliffs, with blue water reflecting the rock walls. The setting feels dramatic even when other boats are present.

You have about 1 hour and 30 minutes here. Kayaking is optional and costs extra, but it is one of the best uses of that time. A kayak lets you move quietly into the lagoon and look up at the cliffs from water level. At P400 for two people, it is a practical splurge if the weather and water conditions cooperate.

If you do not rent a kayak, you can still enjoy the view from the boat and the surrounding water. The exact amount of time spent moving around can depend on queues and boat traffic. Big Lagoon is one of El Nido’s most sought-after stops, so do not expect solitude.

Bring a waterproof bag for your phone and clothes. You may need to enter the water while boarding or getting ashore, and protecting your belongings saves needless worry. Water shoes are also useful throughout the day.

Shimizu Island: lunch, views, and a good pause

Shimizu Island is scheduled for another 1 hour and 30 minutes. It serves as the lunch stop and a chance to enjoy the island scenery without rushing straight into the next activity.

The meal is buffet-style and includes local food. The food receives generally good marks for variety and taste, though expectations should stay practical. This is a group island lunch, not a restaurant meal. Portions can feel limited if everyone reaches the serving table at once, so take what you want when the food is available.

The tour description presents lunch on the beach, but the actual setup may be on the boat depending on timing, boat position, or conditions. If eating with your feet in the sand is important to you, keep that possibility in mind.

Shimizu is also used for snorkeling and spotting turtles. Snorkel equipment is not included, so you need to rent a set for P100 if you do not bring your own. The stop can be a welcome break for anyone who would rather enjoy the view, eat, or sit out of the water.

Payong-Payong Beach: pretty, but not always easy to reach

Payong-Payong Beach offers pale sand, clear water, and limestone cliffs close to shore. It is the kind of stop that looks simple from the boat and becomes more physical once you try to reach it.

You may walk through the water to shore, sometimes over larger rocks. One route can require walking more than 50 feet in the water, which may be uncomfortable or unsafe for anyone with poor balance. Wear water shoes and listen closely to the crew’s instructions.

The stop lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes, though the practical time on the beach can feel shorter once unloading and reboarding are counted. The beach is lovely for swimming and photographs, but the entry conditions matter more here than the postcard view suggests.

If you have older relatives in your group, tell the crew early. The staff have helped elderly parents and people who could not take part in every activity. That kind of assistance can make the difference between a manageable day and a stressful one.

Secret Lagoon: a short cave with a long queue

Secret Lagoon is reached through a small cave, which is part of the attraction. You pass through the opening to reach the enclosed pool beyond, making this stop feel more like a small adventure than a standard beach visit.

The schedule allows around 1 hour and 30 minutes. In practice, some of that time may go to waiting. Secret Lagoon is a major stop on the El Nido circuit, and the cave entrance can create a bottleneck when several boats arrive together.

Watch your footing and keep your belongings secure. The entrance is small, wet, and crowded at busy times. If you dislike squeezing through confined spaces or waiting in a line under the sun, this may be the least relaxing part of the route.

It is worth seeing once, especially if you want the full Tour A circuit. Just treat the cave as a short access point, not a private hideaway. The name sounds secluded; the reality can be quite social.

Seven Commando Beach: a pleasant final stop

Seven Commando Beach brings the day back to open sand and shallow turquoise water. Palm trees, rock formations, and a beach bar give it an easy, relaxed finish.

The planned stay is about 1 hour and 30 minutes. You can swim, sit by the shore, or take photographs of the beach and cliffs. For many people, this is the simplest stop because there is no cave to enter and no kayak decision to make.

The drawback is crowding. Several boats may arrive at once, and getting on or off the boat can be difficult when the beach is busy. Some people find the stop unnecessary after the other four locations, especially if the final loading process takes too long.

I would keep it on the route if you enjoy a final swim and a beach bar. If you prefer fewer transitions, you may wish the schedule gave that time to Big Lagoon or Shimizu Island instead.

Crowds, timing, and the group-tour compromise

Tour A is popular for a clear reason: it combines the places most associated with El Nido in one day. The same popularity creates queues, boat congestion, and occasional delays at the pier.

The crew may change the order of stops to avoid the worst traffic. That flexibility can help, but it cannot remove the number of boats visiting the same sites. You will have a better day if you accept that the scenery is shared.

The 7 to 8-hour schedule sounds generous, but five stops divide the day into short visits. A listed 90 minutes does not mean 90 uninterrupted minutes on the beach. Loading, walking through water, equipment rental, lunch, and reboarding all use part of the clock.

That is not a flaw unique to this tour. It is the basic cost of seeing five places in one outing. If your priority is variety, the schedule works. If your priority is quiet swimming and long stays, choose a smaller or private arrangement.

Safety and comfort on the water

Safety is one of the strongest reasons to consider this group tour. The crew is described as friendly, attentive, and willing to help people enter and leave the boat. That support is particularly useful for older adults and anyone who feels unsure on a wet ladder.

Conditions can change from stop to stop. You may step into seawater, walk over rocks, or climb through a small cave. Water shoes are more useful than ordinary sandals, and a waterproof bag protects phones, wallets, and spare clothing.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made later are not accepted for a refund.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The available details do not describe specific boat access equipment, so contact the operator directly if you need assistance beyond ordinary help with boarding.

Who should choose this El Nido tour

I would choose Tour A if this is your first El Nido boat day and you want the famous sights in one package. It suits people who value a clear route, included fees, local food, and a crew that takes care of the practical details.

It also works well for families and mixed-age groups, provided everyone understands that the day includes swimming, sea crossings, rocks, and boat ladders. The crew can help people sit out activities, but the route itself remains active.

You may want another option if you strongly dislike crowds, need long periods of quiet, or want complete control over where and when you stop. A private tour costs more, but it can avoid some of the waiting and make it easier to adapt the day to your group.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

Book it if you want Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, Secret Lagoon, and Seven Commando Beach in one affordable day. The included lagoon and environmental fees improve the value, lunch removes another planning chore, and the crew’s attention to safety is a real benefit.

Book with realistic expectations. You will share the experience with a large group, and you may walk through the sea, wait at crowded stops, and find that lunch is served on the boat rather than the beach. Bring water shoes, a waterproof bag, and cash for a kayak, snorkel set, and drinks.

For classic El Nido scenery at a moderate price, Tour A is a sound choice. For peace and flexibility, pay more for a private boat.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour A last?

The tour lasts approximately 7 to 8 hours. The listed start time is 9:00 a.m., and one available schedule returned to El Nido around 4:45 p.m.

What locations does Tour A visit?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet-style lunch is included. The meal is described as lunch on the beach, but the serving location may be on the boat depending on the day’s timing and conditions.

Is kayaking included in the price?

No. Kayaking costs P400 per kayak, and one kayak is suitable for two people.

Do I need to pay for snorkeling equipment?

A mask and snorkel set costs P100. Snorkeling equipment is not included in the tour price.

Is pickup included?

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

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.