El Nido: Island Hopping TOUR A with Lunch, Transfer & EDTF

Big Lagoon is the star of this eight-hour boat trip, where towering limestone cliffs frame clear blue water and every turn feels made for a postcard. I like the mix of quiet beach time at Payong-Payong and Seven Commandos, plus the chance to snorkel around coral and possibly spot sea turtles. I also like that lunch and the main environmental fees are included.

The main caution is transport. Pickup is included only within El Nido Town Proper, and communication about outlying hotels has caused trouble. Kayaks, masks, fins, and other water gear are also extra, so the advertised $50 price is a good base value, but not necessarily your final spend.

Key points at a glance

• Big Lagoon leads the day: Spend about an hour around Miniloc Island’s famous cliffs and blue water.
• Five distinct stops: The route combines a lagoon, a cave-like pool, a picnic beach, a snorkel island, and a long white-sand beach.
• Lunch is included: Shimizu Island is the planned meal stop, with time for swimming afterward.
• Transport needs checking: Free hotel pickup and return apply only within El Nido Town Proper.
• Water equipment costs extra: Kayaks, snorkeling masks, fins, and aqua shoes are not included.
• The day costs $50 per person: That covers the boat, guide, lunch, drinking water, life vest, lagoon fee, and environmental fee.

Why Tour A is El Nido’s classic island day

El Nido is best understood from the water. The town itself is the practical base, but the real show is across Bacuit Bay, where pale limestone cliffs rise straight from the sea and small beaches appear between them.

Tour A works well because it does not ask you to choose between scenery and swimming. You get the wide, dramatic setting of Big Lagoon, the more playful entrance to Secret Lagoon, a meal on Shimizu Island, and two slower beach stops later in the day.

I especially like the change of pace. Big Lagoon is about cliffs and photographs. Payong-Payong is about sitting in shade, floating in calm water, and not having to perform for the camera. Seven Commandos gives you a longer sweep of sand and coconut trees. It is a full day, but the stops do not all feel alike.

Still, this is a popular route. The famous places are famous for a reason, and you should not expect solitude. The $50 cost is reasonable for an eight-hour boat outing with lunch and fees included, but you need to read the exclusions carefully. A mask, fins, kayak, and transport from outside town can all add to the bill.

The morning pickup and the port routine

Pickup is offered from hotels within El Nido Town Proper. After booking, the operator emails to confirm your hotel details, then sends pickup information two days before departure. On the morning itself, you are asked to wait in the hotel lobby for a driver holding a sign with your name.

That system sounds simple, but the town boundary matters. Hotels in Lio, Nampacan Beach, Meregmeg, and other areas outside El Nido Town Proper are not covered by the included transfer. You may need to arrange and pay for a tricycle or other ride yourself.

This is the most important practical detail to settle before booking. Written messages about pickup have not always matched what happened on the day. One booking involved a tuk-tuk driver asking for 250 pesos, while another had confusion over who would provide the return ride. Confirm your pickup zone and ask specifically about both directions, not just the morning ride.

Once you reach the port, the motorized boat, life vest, guide, and required lagoon and environmental fees are included. The activity also advertises skip-the-ticket-line access, which can help keep the morning moving.

Big Lagoon: the dramatic opening stop

Big Lagoon sits on Miniloc Island and is surrounded by tall limestone walls. The water is the main attraction, but the scale of the cliffs gives the stop its force. You can expect about an hour here for photographs and sightseeing.

This is a place where the boat ride into the lagoon is part of the experience. Look up as much as you look across the water. The cliffs create a narrow, enclosed setting that feels very different from an open beach.

The schedule calls this a photo stop and visit rather than a long swimming session. That distinction matters. If your dream is to spend an hour floating in the lagoon, check the guide’s instructions on the day. The time may be used mainly to see the area and take pictures.

Big Lagoon is also one reason Tour A remains so popular. It gives you an immediate sense of El Nido’s scale without requiring a strenuous walk or long transfer.

Secret Lagoon and its rocky entrance

Secret Lagoon is reached from a white-sand beach on the southern side of Miniloc Island. The boat stops offshore, and you walk across the beach toward a rocky, cave-like opening in the cliffs.

At low tide, you can wade into the entrance. At high tide, the passage can be tighter, so watch your head and move carefully. Water shoes are a smart choice here. Flip-flops may work on the beach, but slippery rocks and uneven footing are less friendly to bare feet.

Inside, you find a natural pool enclosed by limestone. The stop allows swimming, and kayaking may be available, but kayak rental is not included in the tour price. The phrase hop-on hop-off in the schedule should not be read as a separate transport service. It describes getting on and off the boat at the stop.

Secret Lagoon has a more active feel than Big Lagoon. You are not simply looking at scenery from the boat. You are negotiating the entrance, walking over rock, and getting into the pool. That makes it memorable, but it also makes this the stop where careful footwear and steady movement matter most.

Shimizu Island turns lunch into a beach break

Shimizu Island is the planned lunch stop, and it is a sensible place to pause. The island has a white-sand beach, clear water, limestone cliffs, and areas of shade. After a morning of boat rides and swimming, the chance to sit down and eat is welcome.

Lunch is included in the $50 price, along with drinking water. You may also swim before or after eating, and the water around the island is suited to looking for fish and coral.

Do not expect a restaurant-style meal. This is an island picnic, so service can be basic and supplies are limited. One reported problem involved a shortage of forks, with some food gone before replacements arrived. That sort of delay is worth keeping in mind if you need utensils for the full meal.

Bring a little patience, and consider carrying hand sanitizer or tissues. The packing advice also recommends a reusable water container, towel, and a waterproof bag. Waterproof bags are especially useful for phones, wallets, and dry clothes because boat transfers and sudden rain can leave everything damp.

The island’s name comes from a local story about a scuba diver called Shimizu, whose remains were found after he disappeared while exploring underwater tunnels nearby. You do not need to treat the story as verified history, but it adds a human detail to an otherwise purely scenic stop.

Payong-Payong Beach is the day’s quiet reset

Payong-Payong Beach is a small, peaceful stop on Miniloc Island, backed by cliffs, rocks, and shady trees. The water is clear, the waves are generally gentle, and the beach works well for swimming, simple snorkeling, photos, or doing very little.

I like this stop because it does not try to be an attraction park. There are no listed sports or organized activities to fill every minute. You can sit on the sand, swim, watch the water, and enjoy the setting.

That lack of structure is a plus if you want a slower day. It may feel less exciting if you expect paddleboards, games, or a long list of equipment. Snorkeling is possible, but masks and fins are not included, so bring your own gear or budget for rental.

Payong-Payong also gives you a chance to get out of the direct sun. El Nido’s light can be harsh, and the shade beneath the trees is more than a pretty feature. Use it. Reapply reef-safe sunscreen, drink water, and cover your shoulders if you burn easily.

Seven Commandos Beach closes the route well

Seven Commandos Beach stretches for about 320 meters and is framed by coconut trees and limestone cliffs. Although it is part of the El Nido mainland, the beach can only be reached by boat, which keeps it connected to the island-hopping rhythm of the day.

This is another swimming stop, with time for photographs and kayaking if you arrange and pay for the equipment separately. The beach is longer than Payong-Payong, so it feels more open and gives you room to spread out.

The name has several local explanations. It may refer to stranded soldiers, a fishing boat, or a carved stone found by local people. As with the Shimizu story, treat this as local lore rather than a firm historical account.

Seven Commandos is a pleasant final stop because it lets you finish with sand under your feet instead of another tight cave or crowded boat transfer. If rain arrives late in the day, though, the return journey can be less comfortable. Bring a dry layer and keep your phone protected.

What the $50 price really covers

At $50 per person, the tour offers solid value if you want a planned full-day outing rather than arranging every piece yourself. The price includes:

• Round-trip transfer within El Nido Town Proper
• Motorized boat transportation
• Island lunch
• Drinking water
• Life vest on board
• English-speaking guide
• Big Lagoon fee
• Environmental fee

The included fees are important. El Nido’s protected areas require charges, and having the lagoon and environmental fees folded into the booking makes the price easier to compare.

The exclusions can change your total. Snorkeling masks, fins, kayaks, aqua gear, and transport outside the town proper are not included. If you want to kayak at Secret Lagoon or Seven Commandos, ask about the rental price before using the equipment.

There is also a practical quality-control issue. A rented kayak was once reported to be damaged and took on water, eventually sinking. Do not accept a boat that looks unsafe. Check the hull before getting in, wear your life vest, and tell the guide immediately if water is entering the kayak.

Who should book, and who should think twice

This tour suits you if you want El Nido’s most recognizable scenery in one day, with a guide, lunch, boat, and required fees arranged in advance. It is a good fit for couples, families, first-time visitors, and anyone who wants a straightforward route through Bacuit Bay.

The operator describes the day as suitable for children, seniors, and people with disabilities, but conditions vary by stop. Secret Lagoon requires a rocky passage, and boat boarding may still require care. Ask for specific assistance before booking if mobility is a concern.

You should also be comfortable with repeated swimming, stepping on and off a boat, and being out in strong sun for much of the day. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people over 95 years old.

The guide language is English. The crew has received strong praise for being friendly, helpful, and entertaining, especially from people who enjoyed the scenic stops and booked at short notice. That positive impression is worth balancing against the pickup confusion and the equipment complaint.

What to pack for a smoother day

Pack lightly, but pack for water and sun. I would bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Reef-safe, biodegradable sunscreen
• Sun hat and another light covering for your head
• Water shoes for Secret Lagoon
• Flip-flops or beach shoes
• Snorkeling gear if you have it
• Waterproof bags for valuables
• Hand sanitizer or tissues
• A dry change of clothes

A headscarf or light shirt can help when the sun becomes tiring. Keep alcohol and drugs at home, since they are not allowed.

You should also stay hydrated. Drinking water is included, but the day is long and exposed. Do not wait until you feel thirsty before drinking.

Cancellation and booking flexibility

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now-pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which is useful when your El Nido plans depend on weather or other boat trips.

The activity lasts eight hours, but the exact start time depends on availability. Pickup details are sent after booking and again two days before the trip.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour A last?

The tour lasts eight hours, including the boat ride, five scheduled stops, lunch, swimming, and the return to El Nido.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, round-trip pickup is included for hotels within El Nido Town Proper only. Hotels in areas such as Lio, Nampacan Beach, and Meregmeg are outside the included pickup area, so you may need to arrange and pay for transport.

Is lunch included?

Yes. An island lunch and drinking water are included, with Shimizu Island listed as the lunch stop.

Are snorkeling equipment and kayaks included?

No. Snorkeling masks, fins, aqua gear, and kayaks are not included. You need to bring or rent snorkeling equipment, and kayak rental costs extra.

Which places does the tour visit?

The route includes Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Seven Commandos Beach, and Payong-Payong Beach before returning to El Nido.

Is cancellation free?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

I would book this tour if you want the classic El Nido route with the main costs handled in one package. Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong, and Seven Commandos give you a satisfying mix of cliffs, beaches, swimming, snorkeling, and lunch.

Before paying, confirm that your hotel sits inside El Nido Town Proper and ask how the return transfer will work. Bring water shoes, reef-safe sunscreen, and your own snorkeling gear if possible. With those details settled, the $50 price is fair for a full day on the water, as long as you remember that kayaks and other equipment are extra.