El Nido: Island Hopping Tour A

El Nido Tour A puts its best-known scenery on one full day: Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and Shimizu Island. You move between limestone islands by boat, then swim, snorkel, or kayak in clear Bacuit Bay water. I like the strong mix of lagoon scenery and beach time, plus the fact that lunch, a boat, guide, and town pickup are included for $34. The main catch is crowding, and the meeting-point information needs careful checking.

I also like the chance to spend time in the water rather than simply admire the islands from a boat. You should ask for the exact pickup point through WhatsApp before the morning starts, since the stated meeting point may not match the one shown in your booking details. Communication after a mix-up has not always been quick.

Key points to know

• Four signature stops: Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and Shimizu Island form the core of Tour A.
• Eight hours on Bacuit Bay: This is a full-day outing, not a quick scenic cruise.
• Boat, lunch, guide, and town pickup included: The $34 price covers the main pieces of the day.
• Bring your own mask and snorkel: These are not included, and neither are personal expenses.
• Extra fees apply: The environmental fee is 400.00 and lagoon fees are 200.00.
• Confirm pickup early: Be ready 15 minutes ahead and verify the nearest hotel meeting point by WhatsApp.

What Tour A is really about

El Nido is famous for tall limestone islands, clear water, and small beaches tucked into Bacuit Bay. Tour A concentrates on the lagoon side of that scenery, so the day is less about covering every corner of the area and more about seeing four of its most recognizable stops.

That makes the tour easy to understand. You get a boat ride between islands, short stops for swimming and exploring, and time to sit down for lunch. The day is active, but it is not built around strenuous walking. Most of the interest comes from the water, the cliffs, and the changing views as the boat moves through the bay.

I would think of this as an introduction to El Nido rather than a quiet private escape. The famous lagoons draw plenty of people, especially at popular times. If you want the classic Bacuit Bay images and a straightforward way to reach several sites in one day, that tradeoff may be worth it.

Big Lagoon, the day’s headline stop

Big Lagoon is the grand scenic stop on Tour A. The name says a lot: expect a broad body of clear water surrounded by the tall limestone formations that give El Nido its signature look.

This is the place where you will likely spend more time looking around than rushing into the water. The scale matters. Small boats, paddlers, and swimmers become part of a much larger scene, with cliffs rising around the lagoon.

Kayaking is listed among the water activities, so Big Lagoon may be the best place to appreciate the setting from water level. Check the local arrangements before assuming a kayak is included, since the stated inclusions list covers the boat but does not specifically list kayak equipment.

The practical drawback is popularity. Big Lagoon is one of the spots most likely to feel busy. Bring patience, protect your camera from splashes, and remember that the appeal is the setting itself, not solitude.

Small Lagoon brings a closer, more enclosed feel

Small Lagoon offers a different mood. Instead of the wider views of Big Lagoon, you get a more confined water setting where the surrounding rock feels closer.

This contrast is one of Tour A’s strengths. You are not seeing the same type of lagoon four times. Big Lagoon gives you room and scale, while Small Lagoon is about entering a tighter natural space and paying attention to the water around you.

Swimming and kayaking fit naturally here, but you should be ready for water activity rather than a dry sightseeing stop. Wear swimwear under comfortable clothes, and bring shoes that can handle wet conditions. The instructions specifically recommend comfortable clothes and shoes for water activities.

The tour information does not provide exact stop lengths, so your time at Small Lagoon will depend on the day’s schedule and conditions. Keep your belongings simple. A camera, sunscreen, water, and a small snack are more useful than a large bag that must be managed on a boat.

Secret Lagoon requires realistic expectations

Secret Lagoon is another major reason people choose Tour A. The attraction is the sense of reaching a smaller, more enclosed place among the islands, with water activities and a change of pace from the open bay.

The name can create the wrong expectation. This is a scheduled stop on a popular route, not a private discovery known only to a few people. You may find other boats and people there, particularly during busy periods. The best approach is to enjoy the natural setting without expecting silence.

This stop also makes footwear and extra clothes useful. You may get wet during the approach or while swimming, and the instructions recommend bringing a change of clothes. A hat and sunscreen are also worth packing because the day combines open-boat travel with time on exposed shores.

The environmental and lagoon fees matter here. The advertised price does not cover all access-related charges, so add the stated environmental fee of 400.00 and lagoon fees of 200.00 to your planning. The currency is not specified in the supplied information, so confirm the exact amount and payment method before departure.

Shimizu Island adds beach time and snorkeling

Shimizu Island gives the day a more relaxed beach stop. After the enclosed lagoons, a shore-based pause can feel welcome. You can expect time for swimming, snorkeling, and enjoying the clear water around the island.

This is where the tour’s mix works well. The lagoons supply the dramatic scenery, while Shimizu Island gives you a place to slow down. Lunch is included, making the island stop more than a quick photo break. You can eat, rest, and return to the water without arranging a separate meal.

Bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them. They are specifically excluded from the price. The tour highlights marine life and snorkeling, but you should not assume that personal equipment will be supplied at the dock.

The instructions also ask you not to touch marine life or plants. That is practical advice, not just a rule to remember. Keep your hands off coral, animals, and underwater plants, and let the water remain as you found it.

What is included for $34

At $34 per person, Tour A is priced as a shared full-day outing rather than a premium private charter. The main inclusions are useful:

• An English-speaking professional guide
• Boat transportation
• Lunch
• Hotel pickup within El Nido Town

That package offers solid value if you want several major sites in one day. Hiring transport, arranging a boat, and finding lunch separately would take more work. The guide also gives you a point of contact during the day, which is useful when moving between water activities and island stops.

The price is not all-inclusive. Personal expenses, a mask and snorkel, the environmental fee of 400.00, and lagoon fees of 200.00 are extra. A low headline price can look different once those additions are counted, so include them in your real budget.

Pickup is limited to hotels in El Nido Town. If your hotel is farther away, a tricycle fare is charged to your personal account. That is not a serious problem, but it is one more detail to settle in advance.

Pickup details deserve attention

The meeting instructions are unusually important here. You are asked to send your hotel information through WhatsApp so the operator can provide the nearest hotel meeting point. Do not simply walk to the location shown in an app without checking first.

One booking had a wrong meeting point displayed, followed by poor communication after the problem appeared. I would treat that as a reason to confirm the pickup location the day before, then repeat it if necessary. Save the WhatsApp contact, keep your phone charged, and be ready 15 minutes before the stated pickup time.

This small step can make a large difference. A boat day has a fixed rhythm, and arriving at the wrong place can create stress before the enjoyable part begins.

If your hotel is outside El Nido Town, ask about the extra tricycle charge before the morning of the tour. The included pickup wording is narrow, so do not assume every accommodation in the wider area qualifies.

How demanding is the day?

Tour A is not described as a strenuous hike, but it is still a full eight-hour day around water. You may board and leave a boat, walk on beaches, swim, and manage wet equipment. Comfortable clothing and water-friendly shoes make more sense than formal beachwear.

The experience is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or non-swimmers. If you cannot swim, the water-based focus may make the day uncomfortable even if you plan to stay close to shore. The supplied information does not describe flotation support, so do not count on that as a substitute for swimming ability.

You should also be prepared for changing clothes. Pack a dry outfit, a hat, sunscreen, water, snacks, and a camera. Keep valuables protected from spray and avoid bringing anything you would worry about getting wet.

Smoking is not allowed, and touching marine life or plants is prohibited. These rules fit the setting and help protect the places you are visiting.

The four El Nido tour choices

The wider program offers four routes, but they are not interchangeable. Knowing the difference helps you avoid booking the wrong day.

Tour A is the lagoon-focused option reviewed here. It visits Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and Shimizu Island.

Tour B goes to Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave, and Matinloc Shrine. Those are separate destinations, so do not expect them on Tour A.

Tour C combines destinations from Tours A and B. It may suit you if you want a broader mix, though the supplied information does not give its exact stop list or pricing.

Tour D visits Cadlao Island, the largest island in Bacuit Bay, along with its beaches. This is a different route again, with more emphasis on Cadlao and its shores.

For a first look at El Nido’s famous lagoons, Tour A is the clearest choice. If Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave, Matinloc Shrine, or Cadlao Island matters most to you, choose the matching route rather than hoping the boat will make extra stops.

Crowds, comfort, and the real pace

The places on Tour A are popular, and you should expect company at the main sites. That can affect photographs, swimming space, and how peaceful the lagoons feel. It does not erase the scenery, but it changes the mood from remote outing to shared day trip.

I like the tour most for people who want a dependable route through El Nido’s famous sights. You get variety without spending several days arranging separate boats. The guide and included lunch also remove some basic planning tasks.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is quiet. The itinerary is built around headline locations, and those locations can be busy. A private boat or a less common route might suit you better, but no private arrangement is stated here, so do not assume one is part of this $34 option.

The tour’s 4.0 rating from three reviews suggests a generally positive but not flawless experience. The strongest praise is directed at the boat crew’s friendly, attentive service. That human element matters on a long day, especially when you need help boarding, finding the right stop, or keeping track of belongings.

At the same time, the meeting-point issue is worth taking seriously. The scenery may be excellent, but clear pickup communication is part of a good tour. Confirm it yourself instead of leaving the detail to the app.

Who should book Tour A?

I would recommend Tour A to you if you have one day in El Nido and want the famous lagoon route at a moderate price. It fits active sightseers who enjoy swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, beach time, and a full day on a shared boat.

It is also a good match if you value convenience. Boat transport, lunch, an English-speaking guide, and hotel pickup in El Nido Town cover the basics. You only need to plan for the extra fees, personal equipment, and possible transport from a hotel outside town.

I would steer you elsewhere if you cannot swim, have back problems, are pregnant, or dislike crowded attractions. You should also reconsider if you want a private, quiet experience with long stretches of empty beach.

Book it if the four Tour A stops are your priority, then verify the pickup point by WhatsApp and budget for the excluded charges. The combination of striking lagoons, water time, lunch, and a low base price makes it a sensible El Nido introduction, as long as you arrive prepared and keep your expectations realistic.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour A last?

The tour lasts eight hours. Check availability for the available starting times.

Which places does Tour A visit?

Tour A visits Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and Shimizu Island.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is included for hotels in El Nido Town only. If your hotel is farther from town, a tricycle fare is charged to your personal account.

Is lunch included?

Yes, lunch is included in the tour price.

Are a mask and snorkel included?

No. You need to bring or arrange your own mask and snorkel.

What extra fees are not included?

The environmental fee of 400.00 and lagoon fees of 200.00 are not included. Personal expenses are also extra.