EL NIDO: Private Island Hopping Tour A with BUFFET LUNCH

El Nido Tour A packs Palawan’s greatest hits into one long day: a beach with coconut trees, a lagoon ringed by limestone walls, coral reefs, and a secret pool reached through a hole in the rock. The private boat gives you more control than a shared outing, but only if you confirm an early start and stay flexible about the route.

I like the mix of activities. You can kayak through Big Lagoon, snorkel at Shimizu Island, swim at 7 Commandos Beach, and still have time for a quiet stop at Payong-Payong. I also like the crew-focused service, with guides such as Julius, Leonard, and Cyron praised for helping with boarding, photographs, and the tricky entrance to Secret Lagoon.

The main caution is that a private tour does not automatically mean an early departure. One poor experience involved a late start, crowded sites, a kayak accident, and missed stops. Confirm your pickup time, ask about the planned route, and take care around the kayak and the narrow lagoon entrance.

Key points to know before you book

• Big Lagoon is the star stop: You get one complimentary kayak, with extra kayaks available for an added charge.
• Secret Lagoon requires a squeeze: The entrance is through a small opening in the limestone wall, so it may be awkward for young children or anyone with limited mobility.
• The lunch location can change: The guide chooses the lunch stop, and the route may shift with weather and sea conditions.
• The private format has real value: You avoid sharing the boat with a large public group, but you should confirm that the boat will leave early.
• The crew can make the day easier: Guides help with boarding, swimming stops, photographs, and the entrance to Secret Lagoon.
• Budget for extra fees: The lagoon entrance fee and environmental fee are not included in the $139 price.

What the $139 price really buys you

At $139 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see El Nido. The value depends on how much you care about having a private group, a full eight-hour route, and basic extras already arranged.

The price includes pickup within El Nido Town and Corong-corong, a licensed tourist boat, captain, guide, and crew. You also get a buffet lunch, drinking water, soft drinks, fruit, a life vest, mask and snorkel, and one kayak. Those inclusions matter because a day on the water can become a string of small charges when food, gear, and boat services are handled separately.

Two government charges are extra: a lagoon entrance fee of 200 and an environmental fee of 400. The supplied information does not specify the currency, so confirm the current amount and payment method before departure. Hotel drop-off is also not included, and an additional kayak costs extra.

For a couple or small family, the private setup can be worthwhile. You have more room than on a shared boat and can ask your guide for help at the stops. For a solo guest, the per-person price is harder to justify unless privacy and convenience matter more than saving money.

The booking terms are useful for uncertain plans. You can reserve and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity. Starting times depend on availability, so check the departure hour rather than assuming the boat will leave at dawn.

7 Commandos Beach starts the day gently

The first stop is 7 Commandos Beach, a broad strip of pale sand backed by coconut trees and limestone cliffs. Its name comes from a story about seven commandos who supposedly lived here after World War II, though the real appeal is simpler: clear water, shade, and an easy first swim.

You get about an hour for photographs, swimming, and a walk along the sand. Small bars and shops offer cold drinks and snacks, but bring cash if you want to buy anything. The tour includes water, soft drinks, and fruit, so you do not need to depend on the beach stalls for refreshments.

This is a good place to settle into the boat day. The water is suited to a relaxed swim, and the shore gives you a chance to take photos without immediately dealing with a more active stop. If your boat arrives when other groups are present, the beach may feel less peaceful than its name suggests.

Big Lagoon brings the biggest scenery

Big Lagoon is the visual centerpiece. The boat passes through a narrow entrance into a broad body of blue-green water enclosed by tall limestone cliffs. The rock walls give the lagoon a natural amphitheater shape, and the calm water makes this the best place on the route for kayaking.

One kayak is included for the group. You can paddle through the lagoon while your guide handles photographs and videos from the boat or nearby water. Leonard, one of the guides named in the feedback, was especially noted for taking photos and videos during this part of the trip. Other guides may provide a similar service, but it is sensible to ask what photography help is available before setting off.

Allow about an hour here. That sounds generous until you factor in getting into the kayak, paddling, stopping for photographs, and returning it. If several people in your group want to kayak separately, the included kayak will not be enough. You can rent another one, but that charge is not covered.

Take safety seriously. One family reported falling from the kayak during a maneuver, with a six-year-old sustaining a leg injury. That is one account, not a prediction of what will happen, but it is a useful reminder to put on the life vest, listen to the crew, and avoid standing or shifting suddenly in the kayak. Ask for help getting in and out.

Big Lagoon is also weather-sensitive. Strong wind or rough water can affect the route, the order of stops, or access to the lagoon. A change is frustrating when you have planned around photographs, but the guide is right to adjust the schedule when conditions require it.

Shimizu Island combines reef time with lunch

Shimizu Island is the snorkeling stop. The island is named after a Japanese diver associated with its waters, and the surrounding reef offers coral, colorful fish, and other sea life. Your mask and snorkel are included, so you only need to bring a towel, swimwear, and perhaps a waterproof bag for your phone.

The snorkeling quality can vary. One strong overall assessment still found the snorkeling less impressive than other sites visited elsewhere. That is fair context: Shimizu is convenient and scenic, but you should not book this trip solely for world-class reef viewing. Visibility, weather, and the condition of the reef all affect what you see.

The island also provides a pleasant break from the boat. You can sit under the trees, swim, take photographs, and eat the buffet lunch. The food has received especially warm praise, and one day included a well-catered meal that became a highlight. Expect practical island food rather than a restaurant experience, but the buffet format works well after a morning in the water.

There is some flexibility around the meal. The guide chooses the lunch stop, and the schedule may place lunch at Shimizu Island or Payong-Payong Beach. If you have allergies, dietary restrictions, or a strong preference about eating time, tell the operator before leaving.

Secret Lagoon is small, strange, and worth the effort

Secret Lagoon feels different from the open beaches. You reach it through a small hole in a limestone wall, then enter a confined pool surrounded by rock. The entrance is part of the experience, but it is also the place where you need the most care.

The opening may require you to crouch, turn sideways, or wait for other people to pass. Wear shoes with a secure grip, especially if the rock is wet. The supplied advice to bring closed-toe or waterproof shoes is practical here, not excessive.

Julius was praised for helping a guest through the opening and for making the day feel safe and engaging. A good guide matters at this stop because the passage is awkward and the water level or crowd flow can affect how easily you get through. Ask for assistance instead of rushing.

Once inside, the lagoon is more about atmosphere than open swimming. The cliffs close around you, and the small entrance gives the place its secluded feel. You may spend less time here than at Big Lagoon, but the change in mood is important. Tour A is not just a series of beaches. It moves between open shore, reef, wide lagoon, and enclosed rock pool.

Payong-Payong Beach gives you room to slow down

Payong-Payong Beach is a smaller, quieter stop with pale sand, clear water, plants, and rock formations. It is a good place for a swim, a little snorkeling, or simply a break from organized sightseeing.

This stop can feel more restful than 7 Commandos because the setting is less built up. The visit includes time for photographs and sightseeing, and it may also serve as the lunch stop. If you prefer a peaceful meal with a view rather than eating at the busier island stop, this can be the better setting.

Do not expect a long beach walk. Payong-Payong is valued for its compact scale and calm mood. The exact time and order depend on the day’s route, so treat it as a flexible stop rather than a guaranteed final course.

Private does not always mean quiet

The private group format is the tour’s biggest practical advantage. You are not simply following a large shared group from one stop to the next, and the guide can give more direct help to your party. This is useful for families, couples, and anyone who wants assistance with kayaking, snorkeling, or Secret Lagoon.

But private also needs to be understood correctly. It does not guarantee that you will be alone at Big Lagoon or Secret Lagoon. These are famous places, and the timing of your departure matters. A late start can put you at the sites after shared boats have arrived.

When you book, make one question a priority: What time will our boat actually leave? Then confirm the pickup time with Beachfront Travel and Tours. If you want the best chance of quieter conditions, request the earliest available start and understand that weather may still force a change.

The boat carries a licensed captain and guide, with crew available to help on and off the boat. That support is valuable because the day involves wet steps, uneven shorelines, kayaks, and repeated transfers between boat and beach.

What to bring for a wet eight-hour day

Pack for constant contact with water. A swimsuit, towel, change of clothes, biodegradable sunscreen, camera, waterproof bag, and secure footwear are the basics.

Bring cash for the two extra government fees, optional kayak rental, and purchases at beach shops. Plastic bags, smoking, alcohol, drugs, and littering are not allowed. The environmental rules are easy to follow and especially important in a place built around reefs, beaches, and clean water.

I would keep your phone and camera in a waterproof pouch even if you plan to use a crew member’s photography service. If the guide takes photos or videos, ask how and when they will be shared before the boat leaves.

Who will like this tour most

This trip suits you if you want a full day with several different types of stops rather than a single beach visit. Couples can split the day between photographs, kayaking, swimming, and a long lunch. Families can enjoy the variety, though parents should stay close during the kayak and Secret Lagoon entrance.

It also works well for first-time visitors to El Nido who want to see the famous locations in one organized outing. The guide, boat, lunch, drinks, and equipment are handled for you, which reduces the need to arrange separate activities.

You may want a different plan if you dislike busy natural sites, want a serious snorkeling trip, or need a highly predictable schedule. The route can change because of weather, the lunch location is flexible, and the standard stop is not a guarantee of solitude.

Practical questions to settle before departure

Ask about the exact pickup time, the extra fees, and the number of kayaks included. The tour provides free pickup from accommodation in El Nido Town and Corong-corong, but you need to provide your hotel name when booking.

Confirm whether hotel drop-off is available, since return transport is not included. Also ask about lunch timing if you have dietary needs, and tell the crew about children or anyone who may need extra help at Secret Lagoon.

The guide languages are English and Tagalog. Guides who have led this tour include Julius, Leonard, Cyron, and Simon, though your assigned guide may be different. The most useful service comes from a guide who communicates clearly, watches the water conditions, and helps people safely on and off the boat.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

Book it if you want El Nido’s signature scenery in one private eight-hour outing, and you value a crew that can handle the boat, food, equipment, and photography support. Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon give the day its strongest character, while the beaches provide welcome time to swim and rest.

At $139 per person, it is best for a small group that will use the private format. Add the government fees, possible kayak charge, and return transport to your real budget. Before paying, confirm an early departure and understand that weather can change the route.

I would not choose it purely for snorkeling, and I would not assume private means empty beaches. But for a well-rounded first look at El Nido, with a good mix of water time and dramatic rock scenery, Tour A is a sensible choice when the timing and extra costs work for you.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour A last?

The tour lasts eight hours. Availability determines the starting time.

Is the tour private?

Yes. The activity is arranged for a private group rather than a shared group.

Where is pickup available?

Free pickup is available from accommodations within El Nido Town and Corong-corong. You need to provide your hotel name when filling out the booking form.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch, water, soft drinks, and fruit are included. The guide chooses the lunch stop, and the location may change with the route and weather.

Is kayaking included?

One kayak is included. Additional kayak rental costs extra.

Are entrance and environmental fees included?

No. The lagoon entrance fee of 200 and environmental fee of 400 are listed as additional government charges. Confirm the current currency and amount before departure.

What languages does the guide speak?

Guides are available in English and Tagalog.

What should you bring?

Bring beachwear, a towel, a change of clothes, a camera, biodegradable sunscreen, cash, a waterproof bag, and closed-toe or waterproof shoes.