El Nido Private Tour A w/ Lunch

El Nido Private Tour A packs the coast’s best-known sights into one long day on the water, but the private boat is the real draw. You get your own guide and crew, a flexible pace, and a better chance of reaching beaches and lagoons before the biggest crowds. I especially like the chance to shape the day around your group and the included lunch, fruit, soda, and water.

The team has included guides such as Darrel, Jul, RJ, and Marc, with Oliver praised as a careful boat captain. The main tradeoff is cost: at $143 per person, this is far dearer than a shared boat, and kayaking, snorkel gear, and some transfers cost extra.

Key points at a glance

• Five major stops in about 7 to 8 hours: Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, Seven Commando Beach, and Payong-Payong Beach.
• A genuinely private outing: Only your group takes part, so you are not waiting for a large boatload to gather before moving on.
• Big Lagoon is best with a kayak or SUP: The lagoon entry is included, but a kayak costs P400.
• Lunch at Shimizu Island: This stop combines a beach break, food, and a chance to watch for turtles.
• Good attention from the crew: Oliver, Darrel, Jul, RJ, and Marc have all been singled out for safety, photography, and helpful service.
• Extra charges need watching: Snorkel equipment costs P100 per set, and pickup outside central El Nido costs more.

Why a private boat changes the day

El Nido’s famous sights are spread across a wide stretch of coast. A shared boat can be good value, but it also means following someone else’s timetable. You may wait while people board, eat, take photos, or finish swimming. On a private tour, your group has much more say in the rhythm of the day.

That matters most at the lagoons. You can spend longer at a favorite place, move along when the weather turns rough, or ask the guide about a quieter beach nearby. The route is designed to avoid some of the busiest traffic, although the most famous places in El Nido are never guaranteed to be empty.

The private format also suits mixed groups. One person can snorkel while another stays on the beach. Families may prefer less pressure when getting in and out of the boat. Couples and small groups can spend more time taking photographs without feeling that everyone else is waiting.

The boat has a licensed guide and crew, and the strongest praise has focused on safety and practical help. Darrel has been noted for keeping people safe, explaining the islands, and taking photographs. Oliver, the captain, has also been praised for careful handling of the boat. Staff names can vary, so treat those names as examples rather than a promise of who will be assigned.

Big Lagoon, El Nido’s grand opening scene

Big Lagoon is the visual centerpiece of the day. Tall limestone cliffs rise around calm water, creating the classic El Nido view you probably have in mind before arriving in Palawan. The scale is impressive, but the experience is more active than simply looking over the rail of a boat.

A kayak or stand-up paddleboard gives you the best way to see the lagoon from inside. The water lets you move beneath the cliffs and take in the steep rock walls from a lower viewpoint. Kayak rental costs P400, and it is not included in the tour price. If you prefer not to paddle, you can still enjoy the lagoon by boat and from the surrounding shore, but you will miss some of the close-up feel.

The scheduled time here is about 1 hour and 30 minutes. That sounds generous, though part of the stop may be used getting organized, entering the lagoon, and moving between the boat and the water. Bring a dry bag or waterproof pouch for phones and small cameras. The scenery is a major reason to book this route, so protect the equipment you plan to use.

Big Lagoon entry is included, which helps soften the extra kayak cost. Ask your guide early about the best order for paddling, swimming, and photographs. A private group can make that choice without negotiating with strangers.

Shimizu Island brings lunch and a slower pause

Shimizu Island is the practical middle of the day. It is known as a favorite stop for its beach setting, turtle watching, and lunch break. The island’s name honors Shimizu, described as one of the early explorers of El Nido’s waters.

I like this stop because it gives the itinerary a needed pause. Big Lagoon is about cliffs and water access. Shimizu allows you to sit down, eat, and take stock before the next beach and lagoon. Lunch includes soda, water, and fruit, so you do not need to arrange a separate meal during the boat trip.

Turtle sightings are not guaranteed, and the available details do not promise a particular snorkeling site. Still, the island is suited to a group that wants both a meal and time in the water. Snorkeling equipment is not part of the base price. You can rent a set for P100, which is a small but important charge to remember when comparing the total cost.

The crew’s role is useful here. A private guide can help your group decide how much time to spend eating, swimming, or looking for marine life. The exact lunch setup is not specified, so I would ask at the start of the day what food is being served and where the meal will take place.

Secret Lagoon means a short squeeze and a pretty beach

Secret Lagoon offers two experiences in one stop. First comes a beautiful beach backed by limestone cliffs. Then you enter a small lagoon through a narrow opening in the rock. The entrance can make this stop feel more adventurous than a simple beach break.

The scheduled time is about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Use part of it to enjoy the beach rather than treating the lagoon entrance as the whole attraction. The setting is compact, so the private format helps you spend time where your group actually wants to be.

This is also a stop where conditions matter. If the water or weather is rough, getting through the opening may be less comfortable. Your guide and boat crew are there to help with safety, but you should be ready to skip an activity if conditions do not suit you.

Secret Lagoon does not carry an extra admission charge in the supplied tour details. That makes it a good value stop within the package, especially for anyone who wants a mix of swimming, rock scenery, and a brief sense of exploration without adding another major expense.

Seven Commando Beach adds a classic sand break

Seven Commando Beach is named for the seven commandos said to have lived on the island. Their names appear on the island’s cliffs, giving the place a small piece of local lore alongside its beach appeal.

The stop is described as a long, sloping beach on the mainland side. It is the kind of place where you can leave the boat behind for a while, walk along the sand, swim, and take photographs of the coast. After the tighter setting of Secret Lagoon, the open beach gives the day some breathing room.

Allow roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes here. You may want to use it for a quiet walk rather than trying to fit in another packed activity. The beach can also be a good choice for anyone in your group who does not want to snorkel or kayak.

As with all of the stops, weather and sea conditions can affect how pleasant the beach feels. One piece of feedback noted that a windy day made the outing less comfortable, even though the scenery remained excellent. That is a fair warning for El Nido: the views can stay beautiful when the water becomes choppy, but the boat ride and swimming may not feel as easy.

Payong-Payong Beach is made for photographs

Payong-Payong Beach closes the main sequence with white sand, clear water, and high limestone cliffs. It is a picturesque place to finish the island stops, particularly if you want photographs that show the contrast between pale sand, bright water, and dark rock.

The available details do not give a fixed visit time for this stop beyond the overall schedule, so your guide may adjust the length according to weather, boat traffic, and the time spent earlier in the day. That flexibility is one of the better reasons to choose a private trip.

Payong-Payong is not presented as a place with a major included activity. Think of it as a scenic beach stop where you can swim, sit, and take in the setting. If Big Lagoon is the dramatic opening and Shimizu is the meal break, Payong-Payong is the relaxed final frame.

What the $143 price really buys you

At $143 per person, this is a premium island-hopping day. The value depends heavily on your group size and how much you care about privacy. If you are traveling with family or friends, the cost may feel more reasonable because you are paying for exclusive use of the activity rather than simply buying a seat on a shared boat.

The package includes lunch, soda, water, fruit, a professional licensed guide and crew, the environmental fee, and Big Lagoon admission. Town pickup is also free if your accommodation is in El Nido proper or within 2 kilometers of the public market.

Several costs sit outside the headline price:

• Snorkel equipment: P100 per set
• Kayak: P400
• Pickup outside central El Nido: extra charge
• Big Lagoon admission is included, but the kayak is not

The price can therefore rise if everyone wants snorkeling gear, several people want kayaks, or your accommodation lies outside the free pickup zone. I would calculate the full group total before booking. If you mainly want to see the scenery from the boat and beaches, you may not need the add-ons.

A shared tour will usually cost less, but the private boat gives you control over timing and avoids waiting for unrelated groups. That is the central value decision. You are not paying only for five stops. You are paying for space, flexibility, and direct help from the guide.

Pickup, timing, and what to bring

The activity lasts approximately 7 to 8 hours. The listed schedule gives about 1 hour and 30 minutes at each of five stops, but the day also needs time for boat travel and transitions. Expect a full day rather than a quick morning outing.

Free pickup is available from accommodations around the town proper or within 2 kilometers of the public market. If you stay farther away, an extra fee applies. The meeting point is El Nido Police Station on C. Hama, and the activity ends back there.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and a waterproof way to carry valuables. These are practical suggestions based on the water-based nature of the outing, not listed inclusions. If snorkeling matters to you, confirm the P100 rental arrangement before departure. If Big Lagoon is your main goal, budget P400 for a kayak.

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. For a full refund when you cancel yourself, you need to cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made later are not accepted for a refund.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The tour is also near public transportation. The information does not specify accessibility details for the boat, beaches, narrow lagoon entrance, or transfers, so ask the operator directly if anyone in your group has mobility needs.

Who will enjoy this private El Nido route

I would choose this tour for a group that wants the famous El Nido scenery without sharing every decision with a boatload of strangers. It fits families, couples, friends, and photographers who value time at the stops more than the lowest possible price.

It is also a good match for a group with different interests. A private guide can help balance kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, beach time, and photographs. The included meal and drinks remove some planning during a long day.

I would think twice if you are traveling alone on a tight budget. At $143 per person, a shared trip may make more financial sense. I would also be cautious if you dislike boat travel in windy conditions. One poor-weather outing received a lower score because the wind made the ride rougher, even though the scenery was still beautiful.

The strongest points are the crew, the private format, and the range of scenery. The most important question is not simply Can I afford it? It is Will having the boat to ourselves improve the day enough to justify the extra cost?

Should you book El Nido Private Tour A?

Book it if your priority is a flexible day covering Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, Seven Commando Beach, and Payong-Payong Beach with your own guide and crew. The combination of lunch, central pickup, lagoon entry, and private timing gives the package real convenience.

Before paying, confirm the pickup fee for your accommodation and add the cost of kayaks or snorkel gear if you want them. If you want the safest value for a small group, this is a strong choice. If price matters more than privacy, choose a shared boat instead.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Private Tour A last?

The tour lasts approximately 7 to 8 hours.

Which places are included on the route?

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

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch, soda, water, and fruit are included.

Is Big Lagoon admission included?

Yes. Big Lagoon admission is included, but kayak rental costs P400.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling gear can be rented for P100 per set.

Where does the tour start and end?

The meeting point is El Nido Police Station on C. Hama. The activity ends back at the meeting point. Free pickup is offered from accommodations around town proper or within 2 kilometers of the public market.