Seacret Luxury Catamaran Yacht Group Island Hopping Tour

El Nido’s best views arrive from the water, and this tour gives you a polished way to reach them. You sail aboard the 50-foot Seacret catamaran, then stop at limestone-framed lagoons, white-sand beaches, and the private Star Beach. I especially like the private beach access and the fact that lunch, towels, life jackets, and the environmental fee are already covered.

I also like the unhurried seven-hour schedule, with about 30 minutes at each listed stop and a crew that has earned high marks for smooth service and a well-run day. The main consideration is the price, $155 per person, plus the fact that the route changes by day and requires at least six people to operate.

Key points at a glance

• A 50-foot sailing catamaran: The Seacret makes the boat ride part of the day, not just a transfer between beaches.
• Two rotating island routes: Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday include Big Lagoon, Hidden Beach, and Seven Commandos; Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday use Cadlao Lagoon, Helicopter Island, and Small Lagoon.
• Private Star Beach access: This exclusive beach is usually included, with white sand, rock formations, and coral reefs.
• A seven-hour outing: The scheduled day runs from 9:00 am to about 4:00 pm, giving you time for several stops.
• Useful inclusions: Lunch, a personal guide, towels, life jackets, and the environmental fee are included.
• A small but important condition: The tour needs a minimum of six people and can carry no more than 30.

Why the Seacret catamaran changes the day

Many El Nido boat trips focus almost entirely on getting you from one famous stop to the next. Here, the catamaran itself is part of the appeal. A 50-foot sailing boat gives you more room than a basic island-hopping craft, and the sailing time becomes a comfortable part of the experience rather than dead time.

That matters in El Nido, where the limestone cliffs are often as memorable from offshore as they are from inside a lagoon. You’ll spend much of the day looking across clear water toward steep gray rock walls, then stepping ashore for swimming, beach time, or a short visit to a lagoon.

The setup also suits people who want a social day without giving up some comfort. The boat can take up to 30 people, so this is not a private charter, but it is more organized than arranging every stop on your own. The crew handles the basic rhythm of the day, while you concentrate on swimming, taking photographs, and enjoying the coast.

The tour runs from 9:00 am to roughly 4:00 pm. That is a full day on the water, so you should be ready for sun, salt, and several transfers between boat and shore. The reward is a broad sample of El Nido in one outing.

The two routes depend on your day

The route is not identical every day. On Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, the published pattern includes Big Lagoon, a private beach stop, Hidden Beach, and Seven Commandos. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, the route changes to Cadlao Lagoon, Helicopter Island, the private beach, and Small Lagoon.

The description says you can visit three to four islands, in line with current Department of Tourism restrictions. Star Beach, also called Pasandigan, is usually included, but the exact order and combination can change.

This rotating plan is useful if you are staying in El Nido for several days. You can choose your sailing day based on the sights you most want to see. If Big Lagoon is your priority, aim for Sunday, Wednesday, or Friday. If Small Lagoon or Cadlao Lagoon matters more, choose Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday.

Do not book based only on a photograph of one location. Check the route for your chosen day before paying. The tour provides a strong mix of scenery either way, but the lagoons are different in character and may appeal to different people.

Big Lagoon: the classic limestone entrance

On the Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday route, Big Lagoon is the grand opening act. Tall limestone cliffs frame the entrance, creating the kind of view that makes El Nido instantly recognizable.

You have about 30 minutes here. Swimming is available, and kayaking can be added for an extra charge. That short time can feel quick if you want both a paddle and a swim, so decide in advance which activity matters more to you.

The lagoon is best approached with a little patience. The entrance framed by rock is the main visual reward, while the clear water gives you a chance to cool off and see the setting from within. If you rent a kayak, you can move at your own pace. If you skip it, swimming keeps the stop simple and avoids another fee.

Kayak rental is not included in the $155 price. The tour does include the environmental fee, so this is one of the few likely add-on costs listed for the experience.

Star Beach: the private stop

Star Beach, or Pasandigan, is exclusive to El Nido Yachting Club visitors. That access is one of the strongest reasons to consider this tour, especially if you want one stop that feels separate from the standard public circuit.

The beach has fine white sand, surrounding rock formations, and coral reefs. The natural shape of the area gives it a more enclosed feel than a wide open resort beach. You’ll have about 30 minutes here, enough for a swim, a look at the reef, or a short break on shore.

Because Star Beach is usually part of the schedule, it gives the tour something that the main lagoons cannot: a quieter private setting. It is also a practical stop for anyone who wants beach time without giving up the rest of the route.

The word private does not mean you should expect a full day at the beach. Thirty minutes passes quickly, particularly if you need time to leave the catamaran, swim, dry off, and board again. Treat it as a well-chosen pause within a longer sailing day.

Hidden Beach and its natural pool

Hidden Beach is described as a natural infinity pool surrounded by dramatic limestone formations. It is one of the more unusual stops because the water and rock walls create a compact, enclosed scene rather than a broad beach vista.

The stop lasts about 30 minutes. That is enough to swim and take in the rock formations, but it is not a place where you will spend hours floating. You may find the area feels especially striking when viewed from the water before entering the pool-like space.

The name can suggest a remote, secret place, but the tour schedule is designed for a short visit. Keep your expectations practical: this is a scenic swim stop, not an isolated retreat. Still, its shape makes it different from Big Lagoon and Seven Commandos, which helps the day feel varied.

Seven Commandos: a classic beach finish

Seven Commandos is one of El Nido’s well-known beach stops. White sand and coconut trees give it the familiar tropical island look, and the setting is made for a simple break from the boat.

You’ll have about 30 minutes here to relax and enjoy the shore. Compared with the enclosed lagoons, this stop offers a more open beach experience. It is a good place to stretch your legs, swim close to shore, and take in the island setting without a kayak or a narrow entrance.

Because it is a popular destination, it may feel less private than Star Beach. That is not a flaw, but it is an important difference. Choose this route for the mix of Big Lagoon, Hidden Beach, and Seven Commandos, not because every stop promises solitude.

The alternate route: Cadlao, Helicopter Island, and Small Lagoon

The Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday route trades Big Lagoon, Hidden Beach, and Seven Commandos for Cadlao Lagoon, Helicopter Island, and Small Lagoon, while usually keeping Star Beach.

Cadlao Lagoon gives the route another limestone and clear-water setting. Small Lagoon offers a more enclosed lagoon experience. Kayaking is listed as optional for the tour, and it is not included in the price, so confirm the current rental arrangement if paddling is central to your plans.

Helicopter Island adds a beach and coastal stop to this version of the day. The supplied details do not provide a separate stop duration or activity list for each of these three places, so you should expect the route to follow the same general seven-hour format rather than assume identical time at every site.

This alternate itinerary can be the better choice if you have already seen Big Lagoon on another trip or if Small Lagoon is high on your list. The main point is to choose your date carefully. The day of the week determines much of what you see.

Lunch and the details that reduce hassle

Lunch is included, which makes the $155 price easier to judge. You do not need to arrange a separate meal during a full day away from town, and the supplied feedback describes the lunch as delicious. No menu is provided, so anyone with dietary needs should confirm options before booking.

Towels and life jackets are included as well. Those are small items, but they matter on a day built around swimming. You can pack lighter and avoid buying or renting basic gear at the last minute.

The environmental fee, listed as the ETDF, is also included. That helps keep the advertised price closer to the actual cost of the day. Alcoholic drinks are not included, so budget separately if you want them, and confirm what is available before departure.

No air-conditioned vehicle is part of the package. That should not surprise you, since the main activity begins at the coast, but it means you need to arrange your own way to the meeting point in El Nido.

Meeting point, timing, and group size

The stated start point is Corong Corong Pier in El Nido, with the activity beginning at 9:00 am and ending back at the meeting point. The tour information also refers to the El Nido Yachting Club town office as the meeting place, so check your booking confirmation carefully for the exact check-in location.

The tour accepts mobile tickets, and confirmation is provided at booking. It is near public transportation, which is useful if you are staying in or around El Nido town, but the information does not include hotel pickup.

A maximum of 30 people keeps this from being a private or intimate charter. At the same time, the boat is large enough to handle a social group, and the strongest praise focuses on the crew’s organization and the way they keep the day running smoothly.

The minimum of six people is more important than it may first appear. If too few people book, the operator may cancel and offer another date, another experience, or a full refund. If you are visiting during a quiet period, confirm that the departure is operating before building your entire day around it.

Is $155 good value for El Nido?

At $155 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see El Nido. You are paying for a higher-end boat experience, a personal guide, lunch, equipment, the environmental fee, and access to a private beach.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise pay separately for a meal, towels, life jackets, lagoon access, and a more comfortable boat. It is also a good fit if you care about the ride itself. The sailing portion receives unusually strong praise, with the crew’s service described as a major part of the day rather than a minor detail.

The value is weaker if your only goal is to visit the maximum number of beaches at the lowest cost. You may also question the price if you want long periods at each stop. The listed stops are generally about 30 minutes, and the Department of Tourism restrictions limit the number of islands you can visit.

The tour has a 4.7 rating from 119 reviews, with 93 percent recommending it. Those figures suggest a consistently strong experience, but they do not remove the practical limits: a fixed schedule, a changing route, possible extra kayak costs, and a minimum group requirement.

Who will enjoy this sailing day most?

I would choose this tour if you want El Nido’s scenery with a little more comfort and structure than a basic boat trip. It suits couples, friends, and solo bookers who like meeting people but still want a well-planned day.

It is also a good choice for anyone who dislikes carrying every piece of beach gear. Towels and life jackets are covered, lunch is handled, and a personal guide is provided. The private Star Beach stop adds a useful break from the better-known public sites.

You should think twice if you want a quiet private charter, a long stay at one lagoon, or the cheapest possible island-hopping option. The boat can carry 30 people, and a seven-hour schedule with several stops is active rather than slow.

The tour requires good weather. If conditions cause a cancellation, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of six people is not reached.

Should you book the Seacret Catamaran tour?

Book it if the combination of comfortable sailing, organized service, and private beach access matters as much to you as the famous El Nido sights. The crew is a major part of the appeal, and the included lunch, gear, guide, and environmental fee make the cost easier to defend.

Choose your date based on the route, not just your hotel schedule. Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday are the days for Big Lagoon, Hidden Beach, and Seven Commandos. Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday bring Cadlao Lagoon, Helicopter Island, and Small Lagoon.

I would skip it if $155 is beyond your budget or if you prefer a simple, low-cost public boat trip. But if you want the journey itself to feel special, this is one of the stronger ways to spend a full day around El Nido.

FAQ

How long does the Seacret Catamaran tour last?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours, from about 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Where does the tour start and end?

The stated start and end point is Corong Corong Pier in El Nido, Palawan. The tour information also refers to the El Nido Yachting Club town office, so check your booking confirmation for the exact meeting location.

Which islands are visited on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays?

The route includes Big Lagoon, the private Star Beach or Pasandigan, Hidden Beach, and Seven Commandos. The exact number of stops can be affected by Department of Tourism restrictions.

Which islands are visited on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays?

The route includes Cadlao Lagoon, Helicopter Island, the private Star Beach or Pasandigan, and Small Lagoon.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the tour price.

Are towels and life jackets provided?

Yes. Towels and life jackets are included.

Is kayaking included?

No. Kayak rental is optional and is not included in the tour price.

What happens if the weather is poor or fewer than six people book?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum of six people is not met, you’ll be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.