El Nido Tour A

Big Lagoon is the main event here: clear water, steep limestone walls, and a setting that makes an ordinary boat trip feel much grander. This eight-hour El Nido Tour A also takes you to Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commando Beach, giving you a full day of swimming, beach time, and short boat transfers between famous Palawan sights.

I like the low $27 price, especially because it includes a packed lunch, bottled water, boat transport, a licensed captain, and an English-speaking guide. I also like the mix of experiences: one dramatic lagoon, one enclosed lagoon, two beach stops, and the option to rent a kayak. The main catch is that several required fees are extra, and the food may feel sparse, particularly if you need a vegetarian meal.

Key points before you book

• Big Lagoon gives the day its signature view, with clear water and towering rock walls around Miniloc Island.
• Four named stops keep the trip varied, from lagoon scenery to swimming and white sand at Shimizu Island.
• The $27 fare is only the starting cost, since the environmental fee, lagoon entrance, and optional kayak rental are separate.
• The crew earns strong marks for care and effort, but clear instructions and smoother transfers may not always be consistent.
• Bring more than swimwear, including sunscreen, a sun hat, a passport, and a dry change of clothes.
• This is best for active beach days, not for anyone prone to seasickness or affected by high blood pressure.

What the $27 price really covers

At $27 per person, this is a budget-friendly way to see several of El Nido’s most recognizable coastal sights in one day. The price includes the boat transfer, a licensed boat captain, a licensed English-speaking guide, bottled water for each person, and a packed lunch.

That bundle matters. Private boat hire around El Nido can cost much more, while this shared trip spreads the transport cost across the group. You also avoid arranging separate rides to each stop. For a first look at the area, the route gives you a useful spread of scenery without asking you to organize the day yourself.

Still, calculate the real price before booking. You need to pay a PHP 200 environmental fee, valid for 10 days, and a PHP 200 lagoon entrance fee. If you want to kayak, rental costs PHP 300 for two people. That makes the base fare attractive, but the final bill is higher than the headline price.

The packed lunch is the weak point in the package. A previous meal was considered too limited, with vegetables reduced to cucumbers and lemon for people avoiding meat. If you are vegetarian, have a large appetite, or simply like a proper midday meal after swimming, bring an extra snack if allowed and practical. Bottled water is included, but sunscreen and other personal supplies are not.

Starting the day with BIZ IT Travel and Tours

Your meeting point is the BIZ IT Travel representative. The operator is BIZ IT Travel and Tours, and the tour runs for about eight hours. Starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule carefully when you book.

The practical part of the morning deserves attention. A transfer from a hotel was nearly missed on one outing, and the environmental-fee payment point was described as a simple roadside office. The route to the beach may also involve a narrow path between hotels and local homes. None of this changes the scenery, but it does mean you should arrive early, keep your phone handy, and confirm pickup details before the morning begins.

Once you find the representative, ask for the day’s order of stops and how long you will have at each one. Instructions about what to carry and when to repack were not always clear, and time can slip away when you are moving between boat, beach, lagoon, and kayak. A small waterproof bag helps you keep your essentials together.

The boat crew is responsible for the water crossing, while the licensed guide handles the group and gives information in English. The strongest part of the service is the care shown by the crew. The less polished part is communication, so take the initiative and ask questions early.

Big Lagoon and Miniloc Island’s grandest view

Big Lagoon is the stop to prioritize if you care most about scenery. The water around Miniloc Island is clear, and the high limestone walls create a dramatic natural corridor. It is the kind of place where the boat ride itself becomes part of the attraction.

You may be able to explore the lagoon by boat and, depending on local arrangements, by kayak. Kayak rental costs PHP 300 for two people, so sharing makes the extra fee modest. Kayaking gives you a quieter way to move through the water, but it also adds another payment and another piece of equipment to manage.

The lagoon is beautiful, but it is not a private discovery. Big Lagoon is one of El Nido’s best-known stops, so the experience depends partly on timing and group movement. Ask the guide where to leave your belongings and how much time is available. You do not want to spend the best part of your visit searching through bags or waiting for instructions.

Bring your hat and sunscreen, but use them thoughtfully. The limestone walls offer shade in places, yet open stretches of water and beach can expose you to strong sun. Swimwear works for the water, but a dry shirt or full change of clothes will make the later stops more comfortable.

Secret Lagoon and the appeal of a smaller setting

Secret Lagoon offers a different mood from Big Lagoon. Instead of a broad open setting, you get a more enclosed place to explore, with the feeling of entering a smaller natural room in the rock. The attraction is the change in scale and atmosphere.

The supplied route information also refers to Small Lagoon and Secret Beach, so confirm the exact stop names and inclusions with BIZ IT Travel before departure. The named highlights for this tour are Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Seven Commando Beach, and Shimizu Island, but the description uses several lagoon labels. That is worth clearing up if one particular lagoon matters most to you.

A stop like this rewards patience. You may spend less time simply looking across a wide view and more time working out how to enter, move around, or use a kayak if one is available. Kayak hire is not included, so have PHP 300 ready for a two-person rental if you want that option.

The enclosed setting can also make the stop feel busy when several groups arrive together. Keep your belongings compact and listen for the guide’s instructions about where to gather. The scenery is the reason to come, but good timing and clear directions make a real difference.

Shimizu Island, white sand, and the lunch break

Shimizu Island is the relaxed beach stop. Expect white sand, clear water, and time to swim, sit in the sun, or eat the packed lunch. After the rock walls of the lagoons, this is where you can slow down and enjoy a more open coastal view.

The island’s name is linked to a Japanese diver who allegedly died in an underwater tunnel nearby. That story gives the place an unusual human detail, connecting local folklore with the area’s history of foreign influence and the dangers of the sea. It is a small piece of context, but it helps the stop feel like more than a pretty beach.

This is also where the lunch issue matters most. The meal is included, which is convenient, but portions may not satisfy everyone. If you do not eat meat, ask what is available before the food is served. A limited vegetarian option can be particularly frustrating when you have spent the morning swimming and sitting in the sun.

Use the beach stop to refill with the bottled water provided and reapply sunscreen. A sun hat is useful when you are not in the water, and a change of clothes will help if you prefer not to remain in wet swimwear for the rest of the day.

Seven Commando Beach for a final swim

Seven Commando Beach adds another stretch of sand to the route and gives the day a simple, easy finish. The appeal is less about a single landmark and more about having another chance to swim, dry off, and enjoy the coast without the enclosed feel of the lagoons.

The tour’s mix of stops is one of its best features. Big Lagoon supplies the dramatic scenery. Secret Lagoon changes the setting. Shimizu Island provides beach time and lunch. Seven Commando Beach gives you another coastal pause. If you want a day with several types of scenery, this route is more satisfying than a trip focused on only one lagoon.

The drawback is time. Four headline stops sound generous, but the eight-hour schedule also includes boat movement, loading, unloading, meals, fee checks, and any waiting for equipment. Do not assume every stop will allow a long, unhurried visit. Ask for a clear time signal from the guide so you are ready when the group moves on.

What to wear and pack for the boat day

Pack for wet conditions, bright sun, and a long day away from your hotel. The basic list is simple:

• Swimwear
• A full change of clothes
• Sunscreen
• A sun hat
• Your passport
• Extra cash for the PHP 200 environmental fee, PHP 200 lagoon entrance fee, and optional PHP 300 kayak rental

A waterproof pouch or sealed bag is sensible for your passport and phone, though the tour information only specifically requires that you bring a passport. Keep your day bag small enough to move easily between the boat and the shore.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. The tour is also not suitable for people prone to seasickness or people with high blood pressure. If either issue applies to you, this is not the right day to gamble on conditions at sea.

The tour is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the experience includes a boat transfer, lagoons, beaches, and possible kayak use. If you use a wheelchair, confirm the practical boarding and beach arrangements with the operator before paying. The accessibility label alone does not explain every transfer.

Service, instructions, and the value of flexibility

The crew’s strongest quality is care. They work hard and look after the group, which matters on a full day involving boats, water, beaches, and several changes of location. A good crew can make an inexpensive shared tour feel much easier.

The area needing improvement is organization. A nearly forgotten hotel transfer, unclear timing, and late packing at stops can eat into the day. You can reduce some of that friction by confirming pickup, arriving early, asking about stop lengths, and keeping your swim gear ready.

The booking terms are useful if your plans may change. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. The tour also offers skip-the-ticket-line access, though you still need to account for the separate environmental and lagoon charges.

With an overall rating of 4.3 from eight ratings, the picture is positive but not flawless. The service and route are stronger than the food and coordination. That is a fair trade at this price, provided you know what you are buying.

Who should book El Nido Tour A?

I would choose this tour if you want the famous El Nido sights at a modest cost and prefer having transport, a captain, a guide, lunch, and water arranged in one package. It is a good fit for swimmers, beach lovers, first-time visitors to Palawan, and anyone who wants a full day rather than a short scenic cruise.

You will get the most from it if you are comfortable with a shared schedule and can stay organized. Pack light, protect your phone and passport, bring extra cash, and do not depend on the included lunch to meet every dietary need.

I would hesitate if you are prone to seasickness, have high blood pressure, need a slow and highly structured day, or expect a generous meal and polished office setup. The scenery is the clear reason to book. The logistics are serviceable, but you may need to ask for information rather than wait for it.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour A last?

The tour lasts about eight hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

What locations are included?

The named highlights are Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Seven Commando Beach, and Shimizu Island.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A packed lunch and bottled water for each person are included.

Is kayaking included in the price?

No. Kayak rental costs PHP 300 for two people.

What fees are not included?

The environmental fee costs PHP 200 per person and is valid for 10 days. The lagoon entrance fee costs PHP 200 per person. These charges are separate from the tour price.

What should I wear?

Wear swimwear and bring a change of clothes. A sun hat is also recommended.

What should I bring?

Bring sunscreen and your passport. Extra money is useful for the environmental fee, lagoon entrance fee, and optional kayak rental.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour includes a live English-speaking guide.

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.