EL NIDO: Sharing/Joiner Island Hopping Tour A w/BUFFET LUNCH

El Nido Tour A packs five famous stops into one full day on the water, with Big Lagoon’s limestone walls as the main event. You can kayak through the narrow entrance, snorkel near Shimizu Island, swim at 7 Commandos Beach, and squeeze through the opening to Secret Lagoon.

I like the mix of active and easygoing stops. You get kayaking and snorkeling, but also time for a beach, a buffet lunch, fresh fruit, and a cold drink. At about $23 per person, the tour offers strong value if you want the classic El Nido sights without arranging a private boat.

The tradeoff is that this is a shared boat following a popular route. Crowds, a late start, or waiting for kayaks can affect the day, and the advertised price does not include the 400 environmental fee, 200 lagoon fee, or kayak rental.

Key points to know before you book

• Big Lagoon is the tour’s main photo stop: Kayaking gives you a closer look than simply passing through by boat.
• Five stops create a good mix: You get beaches, lagoons, snorkeling, swimming, and a buffet lunch in one day.
• The price is low for a full-day outing: Pickup, lunch, water, fruit, boat, guide, captain, and crew are included.
• Extra fees matter: The environmental fee, lagoon entrance fee, and kayak rental are charged separately.
• Shared boats can mean delays: Tour A is popular, and several boats may arrive at the same stops together.
• Bring your own waterproof gear: A change of clothes, cash, biodegradable sunscreen, beachwear, and a waterproof bag are all useful.

What the $23 Tour A price really covers

At $23, this is one of the easier ways to see El Nido’s famous island scenery without paying for a private boat. The fare includes pickup within El Nido Town and Corong-corong, a licensed tourist boat, a licensed captain, a guide and crew, buffet lunch, water, fruit, and a life vest.

That is a fair package for an eight-hour day. Lunch is not an afterthought, either. The meal is served during the island stops and includes several choices, according to the tour details and firsthand experiences shared after the trip. Soft drinks and water may also be available during lunch, but I would still bring extra drinking water, since boat service can vary.

Budget for the add-ons before you book. The 400 environmental fee and 200 lagoon entrance fee are not part of the advertised fare. Kayaking at Big Lagoon also costs extra. The listed prices do not specify the currency, so confirm the current charges locally before setting aside cash.

You also need to arrange your own return to your hotel. Pickup is free in El Nido Town and Corong-corong, but hotel drop-off is not included. That is a small point, but it matters after a long day in the sun.

Starting the day from El Nido Town

The meeting point is Beachfront Travel and Tours. Pickup is available within El Nido Town and Corong-corong, making this convenient if you are staying in those areas.

Allow room for timing changes. The scheduled start may be shown as 8:30 a.m., with an instruction to arrive 15 minutes early, but the actual departure can be closer to 9 a.m. One account also described some confusion at the start. I would arrive early, keep your phone available, and avoid planning another fixed activity immediately after the boat returns.

The day lasts about eight hours, though the exact return time can shift with weather, boat traffic, and waiting at the lagoons. The guide may change the order or replace a destination if sea conditions are poor. That flexibility is sensible in Palawan, where water and wind can change the plan quickly.

Because this is a joiner tour, you share the boat with other groups. That keeps the price down, but it also means the crew needs to move everyone together. Pack patience along with your sunscreen.

7 Commandos Beach: an easy first stop

7 Commandos Beach is often the most relaxed opening stop. You get pale sand, coconut trees, clear water, and limestone cliffs close behind the shore. The name comes from a local story about seven commandos who lived there after World War II.

The usual hour here works well as a gentle start. You can swim, take photographs, sit under the trees, or buy a drink and snack from the small beach bars and shops. If you want an early swim, this is a good place to get in before the stronger heat of midday.

The beach is not a private escape. Tour boats may arrive at the same time, and the small shore area can feel busy. Still, the setting is attractive and the stop gives you a chance to stretch your legs before the more structured lagoon visits.

Bring cash for purchases. The tour includes food and water, but not anything bought at the beach.

Big Lagoon: the reason most people choose Tour A

Big Lagoon is the visual centerpiece. The boat passes through a narrow opening between tall limestone cliffs, then enters a broad pool of blue-green water. The cliffs make the lagoon feel enclosed and calm, even when several boats are nearby.

Kayaking is the best part of this stop. From a kayak, you move at your own pace and can look into quieter corners of the lagoon. The water is clear, and the steep rock walls create the kind of scenery that makes it worth carrying a camera in a waterproof bag.

Kayak rental costs extra, so check the price before you join the boat. If you do not want to paddle, you can still enjoy the boat ride, photographs, and swimming opportunities listed for this stop. The guide will call the group together when it is time to leave.

Big Lagoon is also where timing can become difficult. Waiting for kayaks, entering the lagoon, or managing several boats may use a large part of the hour. One account described nearly an hour of waiting in open water for canoes to enter the lagoon, and another said the lagoon fee was not refunded after poor weather made kayaking unattractive. Ask what happens if conditions prevent you from using the lagoon before paying the entrance or kayak fee.

Shimizu Island: lunch beside the reef

Shimizu Island combines a beach break, lunch, and snorkeling. The island is named after a Japanese diver associated with its waters, and the reef area is known for colorful fish and marine life.

This is one of the more useful stops because lunch does not require leaving the route or returning to town. A buffet is served on or near the beach, with fruit included. The meal gives you a proper break from swimming and sun, though the guide decides which stop will be used for lunch. It may not always be Shimizu Island, especially if weather or boat traffic changes the plan.

The snorkeling is the main reason to bring a mask if you have one, though the tour information does not promise equipment rental. You can swim over the reef and look for fish, then spend the rest of the hour on the sand or under the trees.

Do not expect a quiet private picnic. Shimizu Island is a standard Tour A stop, so other boats may arrive at the same time. Even so, its combination of food, shade, beach, and snorkeling makes it one of the day’s most practical stops.

Secret Lagoon: a small entrance with a big effect

Secret Lagoon is reached through a small opening in a limestone wall. You squeeze through the entrance and find a confined pool surrounded by rock. The entry is part of the attraction, since the lagoon feels hidden from the main route.

The stop is listed for sightseeing and snorkeling, though the water conditions and access may determine how much time you spend in the pool. Go slowly through the opening and follow the guide’s instructions. A waterproof bag is useful here because phones, wallets, and clothes are easy to splash.

This is not the grand open view of Big Lagoon. It is more about the short passage into an enclosed space. If you dislike narrow entrances, you may prefer to spend more time outside taking photographs and enjoying the surrounding cliffs.

Payong-Payong Beach: a quieter final pause

Payong-Payong Beach is described as a small, calm shore with white sand, clear water, vegetation, and rock formations. It can be a pleasant final stop because the pace is slower than at the lagoons.

You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or simply sit by the water. The crew may adjust the final beach stop to find a calmer and less crowded place, depending on conditions. That sort of change can improve the day, especially if the main beaches are packed.

The beach is still part of a shared route, so quiet is not guaranteed. Also, the tour description allows destinations to change according to weather. Treat Payong-Payong as a welcome possibility rather than a fixed promise.

Lunch, crew, and the shared-boat experience

The crew includes a licensed captain, licensed guide, and boat staff. English and Tagalog are offered, so basic instructions should be accessible to most international visitors.

The strongest part of the service is the crew’s attention during water activities. The available accounts repeatedly describe the staff as friendly, helpful, and professional. That matters on a day involving kayaks, snorkeling, slippery rocks, and several transfers between boat and shore.

The service is not always perfectly organized. A late departure and unclear meeting time have occurred, and one outing reportedly lost time when lunch had not been brought to the first beach. These problems were not described as disastrous, but they show why you should keep your schedule flexible.

The shared format also affects comfort. Every boat on the same popular route may reach a stop at roughly the same time. If your main goal is empty beaches and complete control over timing, a private boat may be worth the extra cost.

What to bring for a day in the water

Pack light, but pack for wet conditions. The most useful items are:

• A change of clothes
• Beachwear
• Biodegradable sunscreen
• Waterproof shoes
• A waterproof bag
• A camera
• Cash
• Extra drinking water

A life vest is included, and you should use it whenever the crew requires it. Waterproof shoes can help around rocky entrances and shallow reef areas. Keep valuables in a sealed bag, especially when entering Secret Lagoon or moving between the boat and beach.

Plastic bags, smoking, alcohol, drugs, and littering are not allowed. The environmental rules are not just formalities. Some shore areas have visible rubbish, so carry out everything you bring and avoid adding disposable packaging to the problem.

Is Tour A suitable for you?

I would choose this tour if I wanted the classic El Nido route at a low price and did not mind sharing the boat. It suits first-time visitors who want a full day of scenery, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and lunch without researching each stop separately.

It also works well for mixed groups. Active people can kayak and snorkel, while others can stay on the beach, take photographs, or enjoy the lunch break. The five-stop format gives you plenty to do without making the entire day a single demanding activity.

I would think twice if you need exact departure times, dislike crowds, or want long, quiet stays at each beach. The day can include delays, the route may change, and extra charges reduce the real cost advantage. The advertised fare is excellent, but your final total will be higher once the environmental fee, lagoon fee, and kayak rental are added.

The rating attached to this experience is 4.3 from 92 ratings, which fits the overall picture: beautiful places, good food, and a generally friendly crew, balanced by shared-tour crowds and occasional organization problems.

Should you book this El Nido island tour?

Book it if you want a value-priced introduction to El Nido’s best-known waters. Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, 7 Commandos Beach, and Payong-Payong Beach create a well-rounded day, and the included lunch makes the price especially reasonable.

Before paying, confirm the start time, extra fees, kayak cost, and what happens if weather prevents lagoon access. Bring water even though water is included, arrive early, and leave your afternoon open.

For most first-time visitors, this is a sensible Tour A choice. For a quieter and more controlled experience, pay more for a private boat or seek a less common route. At $23 before additional fees, this shared trip is best viewed as an affordable way to see El Nido’s signature sights, not as a private island escape.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour A last?

The tour lasts about eight hours. The actual timing can change because of weather, boat traffic, waiting times, and changes to the route.

What stops are included?

The planned stops are 7 Commandos Beach, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, and Payong-Payong Beach. Destinations may change depending on weather conditions.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch and fruit are included. The guide chooses the lunch stop, so it may not always take place at the same island.

Is kayaking included in the price?

No. Additional kayak rental is not included. Big Lagoon is the main kayaking stop, so confirm the current rental price before joining the activity.

Are entrance fees included?

No. The listed exclusions include a 400 environmental fee and a 200 lagoon entrance fee. Confirm the current currency and payment process before the tour.

Is hotel pickup available?

Free pickup is available within El Nido Town and Corong-corong. Drop-off back to your hotel is not included.

What languages does the guide speak?

The tour offers live guiding in English and Tagalog.

What should I bring?

Bring a change of clothes, camera, biodegradable sunscreen, beachwear, cash, a waterproof bag, and waterproof shoes. Extra drinking water is also a sensible addition.

Can I cancel the tour?

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