El Nido Island Hopping Tour A

El Nido Island Hopping Tour A takes you through the area’s classic postcard scenery: limestone cliffs, bright water, white beaches, and sheltered lagoons. The day mixes short boat rides with swimming, snorkeling, beach time, and a simple island lunch.

I like the easy value here. For $27, you get a motorized boat, guide, life vest, pickup within El Nido town proper, and lunch. I also like the variety: Shimizu Island gives you a snorkeling stop, while Seven Commando Beach offers a long strip of sand and a small beach bar.

The main drawback is that the advertised price is not the full cost. You must pay the environmental fee and lagoon fee separately, and optional kayak and snorkeling equipment rentals add more. The tour is also a poor fit if you are prone to seasickness.

Key Points About El Nido Tour A

• Shimizu Island is the main snorkeling stop: Swim above corals and look for many kinds of fish, or stay on the white sand.
• Seven Commando Beach adds a relaxed finish: You can stretch out on the sand and buy a drink at the small beach bar.
• The day lasts about nine hours: Expect a full outing rather than a quick morning cruise.
• Pickup is limited to El Nido town proper: If you stay outside the town, you must reach the Petron station near the port.
• The $27 price covers the basics: Boat, guide, life vest, lunch, and town-proper pickup are included.
• Extra fees are unavoidable: Budget separately for the 400-per-person environmental fee and 200-per-person lagoon fee.

Why Tour A Is El Nido’s Classic Day on the Water

Tour A works because it gives you a broad sample of El Nido in one day. You are not spending the whole outing on one beach or one snorkeling reef. Instead, you move between lagoons, beaches, and water stops, with the tall limestone cliffs providing the setting throughout.

The cliffs are one of the best reasons to choose a boat tour in El Nido. They rise sharply from the sea, with vegetation covering their rough faces. From the boat, you get views that are difficult to appreciate from town. The scenery does much of the work here, but the chance to swim and snorkel keeps the day from becoming a sightseeing ride only.

Tour A is also a practical choice if you have limited time in Palawan. Nine hours is a long day, but it lets you see several of the places first-time visitors usually want to experience. You will need to accept a set route and a full schedule, though. This is not the right option if you prefer a quiet, private day with no fixed stops.

The Morning Pickup and Boat Departure

Pickup is included if your accommodation is within El Nido proper. That is useful because you do not need to arrange a separate ride to the port area. If you are staying outside town proper, the arrangement changes: you must take a tricycle to El Nido town and meet your assigned guide at the Petron gasoline station near the port.

That detail matters more than it first appears. Staying outside the center may seem convenient or less expensive, but you need to allow time and money for the tricycle ride. Confirm your meeting point before the morning of the tour so you are not trying to sort it out beside the port.

The tour uses a motorized boat and provides life vests. The guide speaks English and Tagalog. Specific guide names are not provided, so you should not expect to select a particular guide when booking.

The boat ride itself is part of the appeal, but it can be rough enough to trouble people prone to seasickness. Take that warning seriously. If you know you get sick on boats, this nine-hour outing may be uncomfortable, especially when the sea is choppy.

Lagoons, Limestone Cliffs, and Open Views

The lagoon portions are the visual center of Tour A. You will see enclosed or sheltered water framed by steep limestone cliffs and thick plant growth. The scale is impressive, and the contrast between the pale rock, green covering, and clear water makes these stops worth the boat ride.

Access to the lagoon comes with a separate fee of 200 per person. That fee is not included in the $27 tour price, so include it in your budget. The supplied details do not identify the exact lagoon names or say how long you stay at each one, so you should think of the lagoon portion as a scenic stop within a larger route rather than a private, extended visit.

Kayak rental is optional. If kayaking is available at your lagoon stop, it can give you a slower way to look around than staying on the main boat. It is not part of the basic package, so ask about the current rental price before committing.

The water and cliffs are the main attraction, but crowded conditions can affect how peaceful the lagoon feels. The tour is popular, and Tour A is one of El Nido’s most requested routes. You will get the famous scenery, but you should not expect complete solitude.

Shimizu Island for Sand and Snorkeling

Shimizu Island gives the day a useful change of pace. You can snorkel above corals and look for hundreds of fish species, or you can remain on the white sand and enjoy the beach without getting in the water.

I like having that choice. A snorkeling stop is more enjoyable when you are not forced to swim the whole time. If you are comfortable in the water, bring goggles and snorkeling gear so you can start quickly. Mask and snorkeling equipment rental is optional, and the package does not include it.

The supplied details also suggest a chance of seeing sea turtles. Treat that as a possibility, not a promise. Marine life is never guaranteed, and you should keep your expectations focused on the corals, fish, beach, and clear water.

Bring biodegradable sunscreen. This is a sensible choice for any reef stop, and it helps reduce the amount of unsuitable sunscreen entering the water. A waterproof bag is also useful for phones, wallets, and dry clothes. Even if the boat has a dry area, spray and wet hands are part of a beach day.

Shimizu Island is likely to be one of your longer stops, but the exact schedule can vary. Use the time well: swim, snorkel, rinse off if facilities allow, and keep track of your belongings. Beach stops can feel short once you have changed, taken photos, and settled in.

Lunch Between the Water Stops

Picnic lunch is included. One recent booking described the meal as buffet-style, so you may receive food served in that format, but the exact menu is not specified.

The included meal adds real value to a $27 day tour. You do not need to find a restaurant between stops, and you can keep the day moving. Still, I would bring water and perhaps a small snack if you have dietary restrictions or tend to get hungry after swimming. The package details do not promise special meals or list drink choices.

Protect your food and belongings from sun and spray. A waterproof bag is listed among the recommended items, and it is useful not only for electronics but also for anything you want to keep dry during the boat ride.

A recent booking also showed why flexibility matters. The morning had several problems, yet the operator still managed to run the tour and complete the planned activities. That is encouraging, though it also tells you that the schedule may not always run perfectly. Keep the day after the tour free from tight connections or important appointments.

Seven Commando Beach and the Small Bar

Seven Commando Beach is a pleasant final stop, with a long stretch of white sand and a small bar where you can buy a drink. After a day of boat rides and snorkeling, this is a good place to slow down and enjoy the shoreline.

The bar gives the stop a little more comfort than a completely undeveloped beach. You can sit with a drink, take photos, or swim if conditions allow. Bring some cash because the included price does not cover drinks or personal purchases.

The beach is not presented as a private escape. Tour A is popular, and the same white sand that makes Seven Commando attractive also draws other boats. If you want the quietest possible beach visit, the fixed group route may disappoint.

Still, the stop works well as a final chapter. The lagoon scenery gives you drama, Shimizu Island gives you snorkeling, and Seven Commando gives you a simple beach break. That mix is the reason Tour A remains such an easy recommendation for a first El Nido boat day.

What the $27 Price Really Covers

At $27 per person, the tour is good value for a full nine-hour outing. You receive:

• Pickup within El Nido town proper
• A DOT-licensed tour guide
• Motorized boat transportation
• Life vest
• Picnic lunch
• Access to the planned island-hopping route

The important point is that the listed price is not your final spend. Add the 400-per-person environmental fee and 200-per-person lagoon fee. The information provided does not state the currency, so confirm the payment details before departure.

Kayak rental, mask rental, and snorkeling gear rental are also separate. If you already own a mask, goggles, or a waterproof phone case, bring them. Renting several items can reduce the savings of the low headline price.

I see this as a good budget choice for someone who wants the standard El Nido highlights without arranging a private boat. You pay more than the base price once fees are added, but the boat, guide, lunch, and transport still make the package practical.

What to Pack for a Better Day

Pack for sun, water, and limited dry space. You will be much happier with the right small items than with a heavy bag full of things you never use.

Bring:

• Biodegradable sunscreen
• Beachwear
• Waterproof camera
• Waterproof bag
• Goggles
• Snorkeling gear
• Extra cash for required fees and drinks

Wear beach clothing that dries fairly quickly. Keep phones and passports, if you carry them, in a waterproof bag. The tour provides life vests, but you should not assume that masks, snorkels, or kayaks are included.

Sun protection matters during the boat rides as well as at the beaches. The water can make the day feel cooler than it is, while your shoulders and face remain exposed for hours.

Who Should Book Tour A

I would choose this tour if you want a classic first look at El Nido and value a complete day at a low base price. It suits people who want scenery, swimming, snorkeling, and beach time in one outing.

It is also a good match for visitors staying in El Nido proper, since pickup is included there. If you are staying farther away, factor in the tricycle ride to the Petron station near the port.

You should think twice if you get seasick, dislike group schedules, or want a private and slow-paced boat day. The tour lasts about nine hours, and the popular route may mean sharing the main sights with other groups.

The average rating provided is 4 out of 5 from five verified bookings. One booking from the United States in April 2025 gave a top rating, while a United Kingdom booking from January 2025 rated it 4 out of 5 and noted that the operator handled several morning problems, completed the planned activities, and served an enjoyable buffet lunch. That combination suggests a generally positive experience with some room for operational hiccups.

Should You Book El Nido Island Hopping Tour A?

Book it if you want the familiar El Nido highlights at a reasonable starting price. Shimizu Island, the lagoons, Seven Commando Beach, limestone cliffs, snorkeling, and lunch give you plenty for one day.

Before paying, calculate the extra 400 environmental fee and 200 lagoon fee, then ask about equipment rental if you do not have your own. Confirm the pickup arrangement if you are outside town proper, and avoid booking it on a day when seasickness or a tight onward connection could spoil the outing.

For a first island-hopping day, Tour A is a sensible, varied choice. It is not private, silent, or entirely fee-free, but it puts El Nido’s best-known scenery, beaches, and snorkeling into one manageable trip.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Island Hopping Tour A last?

The tour lasts about nine hours. Starting times depend on availability.

What is included in the $27 price?

The price includes pickup within El Nido town proper, a DOT-licensed guide, a motorized boat, a life vest, and picnic lunch.

Are the environmental and lagoon fees included?

No. You pay the 400-per-person environmental fee and 200-per-person lagoon fee separately.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is included for accommodations within El Nido proper. If you stay outside town proper, you must take a tricycle to the Petron gasoline station near El Nido Port and meet your assigned guide there.

What languages does the guide speak?

The tour is offered with a live guide who speaks English and Tagalog.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Mask and snorkeling equipment are optional rentals. You can also bring your own goggles and snorkeling gear.

Is kayak rental included?

No. Kayak rental is an optional extra.

Can I see sea turtles?

There is a chance of encountering a few sea turtles, but sightings are not guaranteed.

What should I bring?

Bring sunscreen, biodegradable sunscreen, beachwear, a waterproof camera, a waterproof bag, goggles, and snorkeling gear.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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