El Nido: Tour A (Big & Secret Lagoon, Shimizu, 7 Commando)

El Nido Tour A packs the area’s famous limestone cliffs, clear lagoons, beach time, and snorkeling into one long day on the water. Big Lagoon is the main visual prize, while Secret Lagoon gives you a short, slightly curious passage through rock to a quiet pool beyond. I like the good mix of sightseeing and swimming, and I like that lunch and bottled water are included. The catch is that several important costs are extra, and one boat failure has caused a serious delay, so you should confirm the day’s boat condition and meeting time.

I also like the care shown by the local team when weather turns rough. Rebeca described guides who stayed alert during storms, and Mark helped with questions, snorkeling gear, and even ferry tickets to Coron. Still, this is a shared group tour, not a quiet private cruise, and the 3.4 out of 5 overall rating from eight bookings reflects an uneven experience.

Key points to know before you book

• Big Lagoon is the visual centerpiece: Expect towering rock walls, calm water, and the option to rent a kayak for an additional P300.
• The advertised route includes several major stops: Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, 7 Commando Beach, and references to Small Lagoon appear in the tour information. Confirm the exact route before departure.
• Shimizu Island gets the longest stop: The planned visit is 105 minutes, giving you time for a buffet lunch, swimming, and snorkeling.
• The base price is low, but extras add up: The $23 price excludes the P400 environmental fee, P200 Big Lagoon fee, P300 kayak, and optional gear.
• Weather can change the day: Storms may cancel the trip, and rough conditions can make boat transfers less comfortable.
• Allow a full day: The meeting time is listed as 8:30 AM in one place and 9:00 AM elsewhere, with a return around 4:30 PM. Confirm the exact time directly.

Why Tour A is El Nido’s classic first outing

If you have only one full day for an island-hopping trip in El Nido, Tour A makes sense because it brings together the area’s main calling cards. You see cliffs from the water, pass into enclosed lagoons, stop at a beach, and spend time above coral reefs instead of choosing only one type of activity.

The appeal is visual variety. Big Lagoon gives you the grand setting. Secret Lagoon is smaller and more enclosed. Shimizu Island supplies the practical beach stop, with time to eat and snorkel. 7 Commando Beach adds a simple stretch of sand where you can relax before the route continues.

This is not a private expedition into empty nature. The popular stops can feel busy, especially during the main island-hopping hours. The shared format keeps the price down, but you will follow the boat’s schedule and share the space with other people.

At $23 per person, the headline price is attractive for a 7.5-hour outing that includes a buffet lunch and 300 ml of bottled water. The value becomes less clear once you add mandatory or likely extras. The environmental fee is P400, Big Lagoon charges P200, and a kayak costs P300 if you want to paddle inside the lagoon. Snorkeling gear is P100, while aqua shoes are another P100.

If you already paid the environmental fee earlier, the issued receipt is valid for five days. Bring the copy with you. That one piece of paper can save you from paying twice.

Meeting at Grounded Arabica Coffee

The listed meeting point is Grounded 100% Arabica Coffee, El Nido Branch. The directions say to meet there at 9:00 AM, while the meeting details list 8:30 AM. That conflict matters, so confirm the correct time before the morning of the tour. The route then includes a roughly 15-minute walk toward the departure area.

The tour finishes at Bacuit Bay Floating Dock 1, rather than necessarily returning you to the coffee shop. Plan your afternoon around a dock arrival at about 4:30 PM. If you have a ferry, flight, or fixed dinner booking, leave some spare time.

A shared boat means the morning may include registration, fee collection, and organizing rental gear before departure. Rebeca’s experience suggests that Mark at Akingventures can be especially useful for this practical side of the day. She received help with questions before the trip, snorkeling equipment on the morning itself, and ferry arrangements afterward.

That kind of local assistance is valuable in El Nido, where weather, boat schedules, fees, and transport connections can shift. It does not remove the need to confirm details, but it can make the day easier to manage.

7 Commando Beach for an easy first stop

The itinerary gives 7 Commando Beach about 45 minutes. This is a short, relaxed start compared with the longer lagoon and snorkeling stops. You can use the time to stretch after the boat ride, take photos, or settle into the rhythm of a group outing.

The name may suggest a dramatic historical site, but the useful thing here is the beach stop itself. You get sand, open views, and a chance to enjoy El Nido’s coastal setting without needing a complicated activity.

Forty-five minutes passes quickly. I would not treat this as a full beach day. It is better understood as a brief pause that breaks up the boat travel and gives you an early taste of the scenery.

Big Lagoon and the cost of kayaking

Big Lagoon is the place that gives Tour A its postcard quality. The water sits between tall limestone walls, creating a calm, enclosed setting that feels very different from an open beach. The rock formations provide the main drama, while the water and marine life give you reasons to slow down and look around.

The tour information describes Big Lagoon as a place for exploring and snorkeling, though the additional kayak charge suggests that paddling is the main way to see more of the lagoon. Kayak rental costs P300. That is not included in the advertised price, so budget for it if you want to move through the lagoon at your own pace.

There is also a P200 Big Lagoon entrance fee. This is separate from the P400 environmental fee. Those two charges are easy to confuse, so keep them in mind as different items.

The route information is not perfectly consistent about the lagoons. The overview refers to Small Lagoon, Big Lagoon, and Secret Lagoon, while the detailed stop list clearly names Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon but leaves one itinerary line blank. Before paying, ask Akingventures whether Small Lagoon is included on your departure date, and whether the P300 kayak covers the lagoon you plan to visit.

This is a good example of why a low advertised fare does not tell the whole story. The base price gets you onto the tour, but the best Big Lagoon experience may require another payment.

Shimizu Island, lunch, and snorkeling time

Shimizu Island receives the longest planned stop, about 105 minutes. That makes it the most useful part of the day if you want time to combine food and water activities rather than rush from one photo stop to the next.

Lunch is provided as a buffet, with 300 ml of bottled water. You should still bring more water and snacks, as the suggested packing list does. A day in the sun, with swimming and boat travel, can make a small bottle feel very small.

The beach gives you a place to sit and take in the cliffs and surrounding views. The main activity, though, is snorkeling. The tour describes colorful coral reefs and marine life around Shimizu Island, and snorkeling gear is available for P100 if you do not have your own.

The word optional is important here. The gear costs extra, and the tour does not state that masks, snorkels, or fins are included in the $23 fare. Bring your own equipment if you already have it, or budget for the rental. Aqua shoes cost P100 and may help if you are uncomfortable walking near rocky or shallow areas, though the tour does not require them.

Rebeca’s account is useful for judging the staff rather than the sea conditions. Storms affected her day, but the guides stayed alert and focused on safety during the activities. That is encouraging, though it cannot guarantee clear water or calm seas on your date.

Do not touch coral, fish, other marine life, or plants. The rules are simple and important. Good snorkeling here means looking closely without grabbing, standing, or breaking anything.

Secret Lagoon through the narrow opening

Secret Lagoon is scheduled for about one hour and offers a different kind of stop from Big Lagoon. Instead of a wide, open view, you enter through a narrow opening in the rock to reach a more enclosed pool. The entrance itself is part of the attraction.

You should expect a short passage rather than a long cave adventure. The appeal comes from the change in scale: after open water and tall cliffs, you reach a smaller, quieter space surrounded by stone.

Because the access point is narrow, the stop can feel less relaxed when several people arrive at once. Follow the guide’s instructions and take care with your footing. The tour rules also prohibit touching plants, which is worth remembering in a confined natural area where it may be tempting to steady yourself on nearby growth.

This stop is best for people who enjoy a little exploration but do not need a strenuous activity. It is a compact experience, yet it gives the day a sense of discovery that a simple beach stop would not.

What the boat experience can mean for your day

The main concern with this tour is transport reliability. One January 2026 booking involved a broken boat, a wait of about an hour and a half, and a replacement boat that also appeared unreliable. Communication from the crew was described as poor. That is a serious issue because a seven-hour island route leaves little room for mechanical delays.

You should ask about the boat before departure and pay attention to how clearly the crew explains the plan. If the boat appears unsafe or the weather worsens, speak up. A cheap tour is not a bargain if you spend the day worrying about getting between stops.

The positive side is that another booking during stormy weather described careful guides who watched the group and put safety first. These two accounts point to an important reality: the crew and the conditions may shape your day as much as the destinations do.

Weather cancellations are allowed when conditions make the trip unsafe. If your schedule is tight, avoid booking this on the only possible day before a ferry or flight. The free cancellation policy allows you to cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option gives you some flexibility while plans are still forming.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would choose Tour A if you want a low-cost introduction to El Nido and are happy to share a boat. It suits active couples, friends, solo visitors, and families who want a broad sample of the area in one day.

It is also a good match if your priorities are clear water, cliff views, snorkeling, and several different stops rather than long stretches of quiet beach time. The 105-minute Shimizu Island visit gives you the best chance to eat, swim, and use snorkeling gear without feeling rushed.

I would think twice if you dislike group schedules, extra fees, or uncertain timing. The conflicting meeting times need clarification, and the boat problem described above is not something to ignore. People who want a private, slow-paced day should ask about a private option instead of assuming this shared tour will feel personal.

Bring a hat, swimwear, camera, sunscreen, water, and snacks. Smoking and littering are not allowed. Keep your phone and camera protected from spray, but do not let photography replace the simple pleasure of looking up at the cliffs.

Is El Nido Tour A worth booking?

Book it if you want the classic lagoon route at a low starting price and you are prepared to pay for the environmental fee, Big Lagoon access, and any gear you need. The combination of Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and 7 Commando Beach gives you a full day with plenty to see.

Before booking, confirm three things: the exact meeting time, whether Small Lagoon is included, and the condition of the boat assigned to your group. I would also ask which fees you will pay on the morning and whether kayaking is recommended or required for the Big Lagoon visit.

The strongest reason to choose this operator is the practical support available from the local team, especially the help associated with Mark. The strongest reason to hesitate is the uneven transport experience. If you accept that tradeoff and keep your schedule flexible, Tour A can be good value. If reliability and quiet matter more than price, pay more for a private arrangement.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at Grounded 100% Arabica Coffee, El Nido Branch. The supplied information lists both 8:30 AM and 9:00 AM, so confirm the exact meeting time before the tour.

How long does El Nido Tour A last?

The activity lasts about 7.5 hours. The stated schedule says you should return around 4:30 PM.

What places does the tour visit?

The tour includes Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and 7 Commando Beach. The overview also mentions Small Lagoon, but the detailed stop list does not clearly show it, so confirm whether it is included on your date.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch and 300 ml of bottled water are included.

What costs extra?

The environmental fee is P400, the Big Lagoon entrance fee is P200, and kayak rental is P300. Optional snorkeling gear costs P100, and optional aqua shoes cost P100.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, according to the supplied booking terms.