El Nido Island Tour A

Big Lagoon is the clear star of El Nido Island Tour A. Towering limestone cliffs frame calm water, and the boat ride into this famous cove gives you the kind of scenery that makes El Nido famous. I also like the five-stop route and the fact that a licensed guide stays available throughout the day.

The tour includes lunch, a life vest, permits, and hotel pickup within El Nido Town, which makes the $22 base price attractive. The tradeoff is timing: boats may leave anytime between 9 and 10 a.m. after Coast Guard clearance, and one recent booking had a long wait and no return transfer to the original pickup point.

Key points to know before booking

• Big Lagoon is the main event: Expect a guided stop with time for sightseeing, photos, swimming, and optional kayak rental.
• Five destinations fit into one day: You visit Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, Payong-payong Beach, and Seven Commandos Beach.
• The base price is not the final cost: Add the 200-peso lagoon fee and 400-peso environmental fee per person.
• Lunch is part of the package: A picnic lunch is served at one of the stops, but seating may be limited at busy beaches.
• The boat schedule can shift: Meet before 8:30 a.m., then wait for boat dispatch between 9 and 10 a.m.
• Guide service earns strong praise: The English and Tagalog guides are described as friendly and helpful, though guide names are not provided in the booking details.

Why Big Lagoon deserves top billing

El Nido’s limestone cliffs are not a side note. They are the reason this coast feels so different from an ordinary beach day. At Big Lagoon, pale rock walls rise around a sheltered inlet, with water transport carrying you into one of the area’s most photographed settings.

The stop includes a safety briefing, guided sightseeing, and time for photographs. You may also swim or rent a kayak, with kayak hire listed at 300 pesos per hour. That extra cost is worth considering if you want to move at your own pace rather than stay with the boat.

The published schedule allows roughly 40 to 50 minutes at each destination. That is enough for a taste of Big Lagoon, but not enough for a slow morning of paddling and long swims. If you want the lagoon to yourself, this is not the right expectation. You are joining a full-day group route, and the boat must keep moving.

Still, Big Lagoon gives Tour A its strongest reason to exist. If your time in El Nido is short and you want one major limestone setting plus several beaches, this route packs in the region’s most recognizable scenery.

Five stops, five different moods

Tour A works because the stops do not all feel the same. Some focus on cliffs and clear water. Others give you sand, swimming, snorkeling, or a chance to sit in the sun.

Big Lagoon

This is the dramatic stop. Your guide provides the safety briefing and leads the sightseeing portion, while the cliffs provide the setting for photographs. Kayaks are available for an additional 300 pesos per hour.

The main limitation is time. With only about 40 to 50 minutes at each stop, you need to decide quickly if you want to photograph, swim, or kayak. I would settle that choice before reaching the lagoon so you do not spend half the visit sorting out equipment.

Shimizu Island

Shimizu Island is the beach and snorkeling portion of the day. The tour description lists a stop here but does not promise a separate snorkeling session or equipment, so bring that expectation under control. A snorkeling mask can be rented at the beach near boat dispatch, but the rental price is not stated.

This stop also serves as one of the possible lunch locations. The meal is described as a picnic lunch, so think practical rather than elaborate. You are here for the water and scenery, not a long restaurant meal.

Secret Lagoon

Secret Lagoon adds a more enclosed, tucked-away setting to the route. It is reached as part of the island-hopping schedule and is listed as a hop-on, hop-off stop, with the guide available if you need help.

The name may suggest a quiet private place, but the day follows a popular shared route. You might find other boats at the same destination, especially during busy periods. Keep your visit flexible, and do not count on a completely empty lagoon.

A 200-peso lagoon fee is collected at the booking office before departure. This is separate from the advertised $22 price, so include it when working out your day’s budget.

Payong-payong Beach

Payong-payong Beach, identified in the route details by its location code, gives you another chance to swim, sunbathe, and take in the coastal scenery. It is one of the less famous names on the route, which can be a nice change after the headline stops.

The information does not specify a special activity or facility here. I would treat it as a short beach break rather than plan around a particular attraction. With the full route and fixed boat schedule, your guide will keep the stop moving.

Seven Commandos Beach

Seven Commandos Beach closes the day with white sand and open beach time. The listed activities include swimming, sunbathing, volleyball, and eating at a restaurant, so this is the stop with the broadest choice of ways to spend your time.

There is an important practical point here. A small, busy beach can feel crowded when several boats arrive together. One booking reported eating while standing on a very small stretch of sand with little room to sit. That may not happen on every departure, but it is a useful warning: lunch may be simple, and comfortable seating is not guaranteed.

What the $22 price really covers

At $22 per person, Tour A is priced as an economical way to see several El Nido sites in one day. You are not paying only for a boat ride. The package includes the five-stop island route, a tour guide, life vests, boat permit, picnic lunch, and free hotel pickup within El Nido Town.

That package gives you good value if you would otherwise need to arrange transport, permits, and lunch separately. The guide also matters. A licensed guide is available for assistance, and the published feedback gives special credit to the friendly, helpful staff and the well-maintained boat.

Now add the compulsory charges:

• 200 pesos lagoon fee
• 400 pesos environmental fee

Those fees are collected at the booking office, not folded into the advertised price. Kayak rental at Big Lagoon costs 300 pesos per hour, and snorkeling masks are available to rent at the beach near boat dispatch, with no price provided.

The result is still a reasonably priced day, but do not compare the $22 figure with a package that already includes all local charges. Bring enough Philippine pesos for the extra fees and any equipment rental.

A long morning can begin before the boat moves

The day starts at the Cliffside Travel and Tours booking office beside El Nido Cliffside Cottages. You should arrive before 8:30 a.m. The boat leaves from El Nido Town Beach, but dispatch is listed between 9 and 10 a.m., depending on Coast Guard clearance.

That one-hour window is important. A boat leaving at 9 is a different morning from a boat leaving at 10, especially when the tour ends between 3 and 5 p.m. The total activity lasts about eight hours, but the exact rhythm depends on clearance, loading, sea conditions, and the time spent at each stop.

Hotel pickup is free within El Nido Town only. If you are staying outside town, the supplied details do not promise pickup, so confirm your own route to the booking office.

One recent booking had more than an hour of waiting before departure and felt that the pre-departure transport was confusing. That makes a simple plan worthwhile: arrive early, confirm where the boat will leave, ask when you should expect to board, and keep your afternoon open.

What the boat day feels like

Once the boat dispatches, the first destination takes roughly 20 to 30 minutes. The day then moves from stop to stop, with about 40 to 50 minutes at each place. You will spend much of the experience on the water, looking toward limestone cliffs and crossing between beaches.

The boat was described in one booking as spacious and well maintained. That is one of the most encouraging details about the experience, since comfort matters when you are moving around for most of a day. The service also received praise for a friendly attitude, and another booking specifically credited the guides with a great attitude.

The lunch is simple and served at one of the islands. Plan for a picnic, not a leisurely table service meal. At a popular beach, you may need to eat quickly or find a place on the sand. If you need a proper chair and shade for lunch, this route may feel basic.

The guide speaks English and Tagalog. A licensed guide is available throughout the tour if you need assistance with boarding, swimming areas, or the order of the stops. No individual guide names are supplied, so you cannot request a particular guide from the information available.

Weather can change the color of the day

El Nido’s famous water does not look the same in every weather condition. One booking described beautiful places but noted that poor weather kept the sea from looking blue. That is a fair reminder not to judge the whole experience by photographs taken on a perfect day.

Cloud, wind, or rain can affect the color of the water, visibility for snorkeling, and the comfort of the beach stops. The itinerary remains attractive in dull weather because the cliffs are still impressive, but the visual impact may be softer.

The route also depends on Coast Guard clearance for boat dispatch. The stated schedule already allows flexibility, so keep that in mind when arranging an evening ferry, flight, or other fixed appointment. The tour can finish anytime between about 3 and 5 p.m.

Service is a strong point, but the return matters

The most consistent positive detail is the staff. The guides receive praise for their attitude, and the boat is described as roomy and well maintained. That combination makes a difference on a full day when you need clear directions and a safe place to sit between stops.

The main service concern is the return transfer. The package promises free pickup in El Nido Town, but one booking reported being left behind at the end and needing to pay for a tuk-tuk back to the original pickup point.

I would ask at the booking office exactly where the tour ends and whether the boat returns to the same area as the morning pickup. Do not assume that hotel pickup automatically means hotel drop-off. That one question could prevent an avoidable extra fare and a frustrating end to the day.

The current score is 3.7 out of 5 from 26 ratings. I read that as a solid but mixed result: the natural sights and staff can be very good, while waiting, crowding, lunch conditions, and return logistics can affect the experience.

Who will like Tour A most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a broad first look at El Nido without paying for a private boat. It suits couples, friends, and active families who are happy to swim, sit on beaches, take photos, and follow a shared schedule.

It is also a good fit if Big Lagoon is high on your list and you want several additional stops in the same day. The included lunch, life vest, guide, permit, and town pickup reduce the amount of planning you need to do.

You may want another option if you dislike waiting, need a quiet beach, or want full control over the day. The fixed route leaves little room to linger at one stop, and the most popular places may be shared with other tour boats. You should also think twice if a precise afternoon appointment is important.

Practical tips for a smoother day

Arrive at the booking office before 8:30 a.m., even though the boat may not leave until later. The early arrival gives you time to pay the 200-peso lagoon fee and 400-peso environmental fee, confirm the meeting point, and ask about the return.

Bring cash for the fees, kayak rental, snorkeling mask rental, and any food or transport you may want beyond the package. The price of the snorkeling mask is not stated, so ask before accepting the equipment.

Use the time at each stop carefully. At Big Lagoon, decide early if you want a kayak. At the beach stops, you may prefer to swim first and photograph later, since 40 to 50 minutes can pass quickly.

Keep your afternoon open until 5 p.m. The boat dispatch and finish times are both flexible. If your hotel is in El Nido Town, confirm the drop-off point before you board.

Should you book El Nido Island Tour A?

Book it if you want the classic El Nido mix at a low starting price: dramatic limestone cliffs, white sand, lagoons, snorkeling, swimming, and a simple picnic lunch. Big Lagoon is the strongest reason to choose it, and the well-maintained boat plus friendly guide service add real value.

Go in with practical expectations. The day may involve a long morning wait, busy beaches, basic lunch conditions, and a return transfer that needs clarification. Add the 600 pesos in listed fees to the price, and ask about the end point before departure.

For a first island-hopping day in El Nido, Tour A is a sensible budget choice. It is best for you if seeing several famous places matters more than privacy, perfect timing, or a slow lunch by the sea.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Island Tour A last?

The activity lasts about eight hours. The boat typically dispatches between 9 and 10 a.m. and the tour ends between about 3 and 5 p.m.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at the Cliffside Travel and Tours booking office beside El Nido Cliffside Cottages. You should be there before 8:30 a.m.

Where does the boat leave from?

The boat dispatches from El Nido Town Beach after the meeting at the booking office.

Which destinations are included?

The route includes Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, Payong-payong Beach, and Seven Commandos Beach.

Is hotel pickup included?

Free pickup is included for hotels within El Nido Town only. The provided information does not state that pickup is available outside El Nido Town.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic lunch is included and is served at one of the islands during the tour.

What equipment is included?

Life vests are included. Kayak rental at Big Lagoon costs 300 pesos per hour, while snorkeling masks are available to rent at the beach near boat dispatch.

Are extra fees required?

Yes. A 200-peso lagoon fee and a 400-peso environmental fee are collected at the booking office.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide service is available in English and Tagalog.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.