EL Nido Tour A

El Nido Tour A puts several of Palawan’s most famous sights into one boat day: bright coves, limestone cliffs, small beaches, and lagoons reached only from the water. For a first visit with limited time, it is an efficient way to see the area’s headline scenery without arranging each stop yourself.

I like the included boat and land transfers, since they remove much of the usual island-hopping fuss. I also like that lunch, a guide, a life vest, and national park admission are part of the package, while the crew has earned praise for attentive service and a well-run beach meal.

The main catch is important: Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon cannot be visited on the same day, and the advertised price does not include lagoon user fees, kayaking, or the eco-tourism development fee. Confirm exactly which lagoon is planned before you pay, especially if that is the reason you are bringing your family.

Key points at a glance

• Five-plus famous Palawan sights in one day: The route covers Shimizu Island, Papaya Beach, Secret Lagoon, and either Big or Small Lagoon.
• A full 7 to 9 hours on the water: The day begins at 9:00 a.m. and returns to El Nido.
• Lunch and core equipment included: You receive a guide, boat and land transfers, a life vest, island hopping, and a picnic lunch.
• Extra fees need careful checking: The eco-tourism development fee, lagoon user fee, and kayak rental are not included.
• Big and Small Lagoon are alternatives: You cannot visit both on this same tour day.
• Group size can reach 100 people: This is a shared excursion, not a private boat trip.

Why Tour A is El Nido’s classic first boat day

At $21, Tour A is priced as an easy introduction to El Nido’s island world. You are paying for a full day of transport between scattered coastal sites, rather than for one beach visit. The value is strongest if you want a broad sample of the area and do not want to negotiate boat arrangements yourself.

The scenery is the main event. El Nido is known for dramatic limestone formations rising from clear coastal water, and this route gathers several of the best-known stops into one outing. You get time to swim and take photographs at each place, so the day is not only a sightseeing circuit from the boat.

I would view this as a highlights tour, not a quiet island retreat. With a maximum group size of 100, the experience may feel social and busy, particularly at the most famous lagoon. That large capacity can keep the price low, but it also means you should not expect the privacy of a small custom charter.

The tour starts and ends at the El Nido Pier dispatching and docking area. Free pickup is offered within El Nido Town, which is useful if you are staying nearby, but the stated meeting point remains the pier. The scheduled start is 9:00 a.m., and the total outing lasts about seven to nine hours.

Shimizu Island and the beach lunch

Shimizu Island is one of the central stops on the route. Its appeal is simple: a small island setting, striking rock formations, and water suited to swimming and photographs. The stop gives you a chance to get off the boat and see the coast from a closer angle.

The day also includes a beach lunch. The meal is described as a full picnic spread, not just a quick snack, and the crew has received strong praise for the quality of the food and attentive service. That matters on a long boat outing, since lunch becomes a useful pause between swims and transfers.

You should still keep your expectations practical. The supplied details do not specify the exact menu, lunch time, or whether drinks are included. If you have dietary needs, ask CTPH TOUR before departure rather than assuming the beach meal can be altered.

A beach lunch also depends on weather and the day’s conditions. The tour requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund. That policy protects you from being sent out in unsafe conditions, though it means you should keep some flexibility in your El Nido schedule.

Papaya Beach for a shorter island stop

Papaya Beach adds a classic sandy-island break to the day. Compared with a lagoon, a beach stop is less about entering a narrow enclosed space and more about swimming, sitting by the water, and taking pictures of the surrounding islands.

The route is designed to let you visit more than five highlights in limited time, so do not expect every stop to feel like a long, unhurried beach day. The exact time at Papaya Beach is not given, and the crew must balance several locations within a seven to nine-hour schedule.

That tradeoff is worthwhile for a first visit. You can see a range of El Nido settings in one day: a beach, an island, a secret lagoon, and one major lagoon. If you already know you prefer one place over a packed route, a private or slower plan may suit you better, but this excursion gives you a useful first look at the region.

Bring your camera, but leave room for ordinary pleasures too. The experience is built around swimming and photographs, and the scenery is strong enough that you will likely spend as much time looking up at the rock walls as looking at your phone.

Secret Lagoon and the appeal of a boat-only route

Secret Lagoon is one of the more distinctive stops because it is not simply another open beach. The name points to the enclosed, tucked-away character of the place, while the route itself shows why boat trips are so useful in El Nido. Several of these locations cannot be reached by ordinary road transport.

The tour makes access straightforward by combining land and boat transfers. You do not have to arrange separate rides between the pier and each island, and the guide helps keep the group moving through the day. A life vest is included, which is a practical benefit during boat transfers and water activities.

The word secret should not lead you to expect total solitude. This is one of El Nido’s recognized sights and can be part of a large shared outing. The most realistic expectation is a memorable natural stop within a popular route, not a private discovery.

Swimming conditions can vary with weather and local rules. The information provided promises time to swim and photograph the stops, but it does not guarantee a particular water condition or a fixed amount of time inside Secret Lagoon.

Big Lagoon or Small Lagoon: the choice that matters

The most important planning point is the lagoon arrangement. Tour A includes Big Lagoon or Small Lagoon, but you cannot visit both on the same day. If the booking information does not clearly state which one is assigned, contact the operator before the trip.

Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon are not interchangeable for every visitor. A family who has promised children a specific lagoon may be disappointed if the day includes the other one. One poor experience came from exactly this kind of misunderstanding, so I would treat the lagoon choice as a booking detail that needs written confirmation.

The separate lagoon user fee is also excluded from the $21 price. Kayak rental is not included either. That does not make the base price poor value, but it does mean the final cost can be higher if your plan includes kayaking or a lagoon with an additional access charge.

The package does include national park admission, according to the tour details, but the eco-tourism development fee is separate. Ask for the current amount of every extra charge before departure, since the supplied price does not cover all possible fees connected with the day.

What the boat day feels like in practice

This is an active schedule, but not a technical adventure. You receive a guide, boat and land transfers, a life vest, and island-hopping service. Most people can take part, and the day is built for ordinary sightseeing, swimming, and photography.

The crew is a real part of the value. Strong praise has focused on attentive service, experience handling the boat, and a friendly atmosphere among people sharing the trip. I would expect the guide to explain the stops and keep the group organized, though no guide names are provided.

Because the group may reach 100 people, you should plan for shared facilities, shared boat space, and a more structured pace. A large group can also make the $21 fare possible. If you want the boat to stop whenever you wish or linger at a favorite cove, this is not the right format.

The 9:00 a.m. start and seven to nine-hour duration make Tour A a substantial part of your day. Do not schedule another fixed activity immediately afterward. The finish time can vary, and weather or conditions may affect the schedule.

Is the $21 price good value?

Yes, for a broad first look at El Nido, $21 is attractive. The price covers the guide, land and boat transfers, island hopping, a life vest, pickup within El Nido Town, lunch, and national park admission. Booking those pieces separately would take more time and could cost more.

The price is not the complete financial picture. You still need to budget for the eco-tourism development fee, the Big or Small Lagoon user fee, and any kayak rental. The tour details also do not specify whether every personal expense is included, so I would ask about drinks and other incidentals.

The best value comes when you use the tour as an overview. You will reach several well-known places, swim, eat on the beach, and return to El Nido without organizing boats yourself. It is less valuable if your main goal is one particular lagoon and you are not sure that lagoon is on your assigned route.

The rating attached to the experience is 4.2 out of 5 from 29 ratings. That suggests a generally positive day with some room for uneven experiences, which fits the practical picture: the scenery and crew can be excellent, but the group size, extra charges, and lagoon confusion deserve attention.

Who should book Tour A?

I would recommend this excursion to a first-time El Nido visitor who has only one free day for island hopping. It also suits couples, families, and solo visitors who want included transport and a guide at a low starting price.

It is especially useful if you like variety. In one outing, you can see Shimizu Island, Papaya Beach, Secret Lagoon, and one of the two major lagoons. That gives you a much better sense of El Nido than spending the same time at a single accessible beach.

Families should confirm the lagoon assignment before booking. If the children specifically want Big Lagoon or Small Lagoon, do not rely on the general Tour A name alone. Ask which lagoon will be visited and what the additional user fee will be.

I would be more cautious if you dislike large groups, need a quiet pace, or want a private boat. The maximum of 100 people is substantial, and the itinerary is designed to cover many sights rather than linger at one.

Booking, weather, and cancellation advice

You receive confirmation at the time of booking, and mobile tickets are offered. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted.

Good weather is required. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of people is not reached, though the alternative may be another experience.

I would leave a little breathing room around this day. The stated return time is not exact, the outing can last up to nine hours, and weather can change plans. That is a small but useful adjustment when arranging ferries, flights, or evening reservations.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

Book it if you want an affordable, well-organized sample of El Nido’s famous boat-access sights. The combination of lunch, transfers, a guide, swimming stops, and a life vest gives you a lot for $21 before the extra fees.

Do not book without clarifying the lagoon choice. Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon cannot both be visited on the same day, and the user fee and kayak rental are extra. If you confirm those details and accept the large shared group, Tour A is a practical way to spend a full day among Palawan’s best-known islands.

FAQ

Where does El Nido Tour A start and finish?

The tour starts and ends in El Nido, Palawan. The stated meeting area is the El Nido Pier dispatching and docking area.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 a.m.

How long does El Nido Tour A last?

The experience lasts approximately seven to nine hours.

Is pickup included?

Free pickup is offered within El Nido Town. The listed meeting point is still the El Nido Pier area.

Which places does Tour A visit?

The route includes Shimizu Island, Papaya Beach, Secret Lagoon, and either Big Lagoon or Small Lagoon.

Can I visit Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon on the same day?

No. Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon cannot be visited on the same day on this tour.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes a tour guide, land and boat transfers, a life vest, island hopping, free pickup within El Nido Town, lunch, and national park admission fees.

What costs extra?

The eco-tourism development fee, the Big or Small Lagoon user fee, and kayak rental are not included.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants may result in a new date, another experience, or a full refund.