From Puerto Princesa: Day Trip to El Nido and Island Hopping

El Nido’s limestone cliffs and bright lagoons are the prize here, but reaching them from Puerto Princesa takes serious stamina. You leave around 4 AM, ride about five hours north, spend the day island hopping, then make the same long trip back.

I like the included kayak and snorkeling equipment, which removes some annoying rental costs, and I like the chance to see El Nido without changing hotels. The island stops, especially Big Lagoon and Seven Commandos Beach, can make a memorable day.

The catch is simple: you spend more than 10 hours in a van for roughly seven hours around El Nido. Crowding, delayed departures, and an uncomfortable return ride have also been problems, so the price only makes sense if saving a hotel night matters more to you than comfort.

Key points to know before booking

• Five-hour ride each way: This is a transport-heavy day, not a relaxed day trip.
• Up to five island stops: The route can include Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Seven Commandos Beach, and Big Lagoon, but stops may change.
• Kayaking is a highlight: Kayak rental, snorkeling masks, life vests, and aqua shoes are included.
• Shared boats can feel crowded: Several tour groups may reach the same lagoons at once.
• Lunch is provided: Expect barbecue pork, chicken, seafood, salad, and fruit. Vegetarians should bring extra food.
• Private booking may be worth it: It can offer more control over transport and timing, but confirm exactly what vehicle and return plan you are paying for.

Is one day enough for El Nido?

This tour solves a common Palawan problem. Puerto Princesa has the main airport and plenty of hotels, while El Nido is the better base for Bacuit Bay’s limestone islands. If your schedule is tight, this trip lets you see the famous lagoons without moving your luggage or booking a separate stay.

But this is not an easy day. Pickup is usually around 4 AM, and some departures have been as early as 3 AM. You ride north in an air-conditioned van, stop briefly to stretch and buy food, then reach El Nido around 8 or 9 AM.

After the boat trip ends around 4 PM, the return road journey begins at about 6 PM. Dinner in El Nido fits between the boat and the van, and you should reach Puerto Princesa close to midnight.

I would treat the schedule as a full endurance day. You are not simply taking a quick shuttle to a beach. You are trading sleep and road time for one concentrated look at El Nido.

The long road from Puerto Princesa

The drive gives you views of Palawan’s countryside, which is a pleasant bonus if you enjoy watching rural life pass by. Still, the scenery does not make five hours in a shared van feel short, especially after an early pickup.

The morning vehicle has sometimes been described as a private van, while the return leg may be shared with a much larger group. That difference matters. A comfortable ride north does not guarantee the same arrangement after the boat trip.

Group size is one of the main practical concerns. A shared van has carried around 12 people, and some return rides have been packed even more tightly. There have also been complaints about delays while the driver waited for additional passengers. Confirm the transport arrangement before booking, especially if you have an airport connection that night.

You should be at your hotel lobby at least 10 minutes before pickup. Pickup is available within 15 kilometers of Puerto Princesa City Airport, and the driver is supposed to hold a sign with your name.

Pack a small day bag, not a suitcase. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, and you will want easy access to swimwear, sunscreen, a towel, dry clothes, cash, and identification.

Arriving in El Nido and boarding the boat

You are dropped near the jump-off point in El Nido. There are restaurants nearby if you want breakfast, but breakfast is not included, so bring cash and allow time to eat before the boat leaves.

The boat is scheduled to depart around 9 AM. The local boat crew may be a separate operator from the Puerto Princesa transport team. One crew connected with the boat, Dos Hermanos, received especially warm comments for being friendly and helping create a good day on the water.

The exact route is not fixed. You may visit up to five stops, and the order can change with weather, boat assignments, and local conditions. The advertised sequence usually includes Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Seven Commandos Beach, and Big Lagoon, with another stop possible.

Snorkeling masks, life vests, aqua shoes, and kayak rental are included. That is useful because you do not need to arrange equipment at the beach. Bring your own water bottle, though. Water is not listed as included, and one meal experience left the group short of drinking water.

Secret Lagoon and the limestone walls

Secret Lagoon is designed around a small opening in the rock. You pass through the jagged limestone wall to reach an enclosed pool, a dramatic setting that explains why this area attracts so many boats.

The approach can be busy. You may need to wait your turn near the entrance, and the rocky access can be awkward for anyone with mobility limits. This activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the combination of boat transfers, uneven surfaces, swimming, and kayaking makes that warning important.

Secret Lagoon is visually special, but it is not private in the usual sense of the word. Expect other groups, particularly during the busiest part of the day. Keep your visit focused, follow the guide’s instructions, and protect your phone and camera from water.

Shimizu Island for swimming and lunch

Shimizu Island offers clear water, a sandy beach, and time for swimming or snorkeling. It is also one of the places where the included equipment earns its keep. You can use the mask, aqua shoes, or kayak without arranging a separate rental.

The midday meal usually includes barbecue pork, chicken, seafood, vegetable salad, and fresh fruit. It is served in an outdoor island setting, so do not expect a restaurant meal or a long, quiet lunch. The meal is part of a shared setup, and portions can become uneven if people take food quickly.

Vegetarian meals are a weak point. A vegetarian participant received only cucumber and fruit, which is not enough fuel for a long day of swimming and paddling. If you do not eat meat or seafood, bring a substantial backup meal and tell the operator in advance. The supplied information does not promise a special vegetarian menu.

Seven Commandos Beach and Big Lagoon

Seven Commandos Beach is the classic postcard stop: white sand, coconut trees, and clear water along the shore. It gives you a chance to get out of the kayak, swim, sit on the beach, and enjoy a slower stretch of the day.

The beach can also feel crowded. El Nido’s popular routes send many boats to the same places, and several groups may arrive together. The appeal is the setting, not solitude.

Big Lagoon is usually the major finale. Tall limestone walls surround calm water, and kayaking is often the best way to appreciate the scale of the place. Kayaking was a particular highlight for some people on the tour because it gives you more control than simply sitting in the boat.

Lagoon access may involve an additional local system of boats or kayaks, and entry is subject to the day’s conditions. Lagoon fees and environmental fees are included in the package, which is helpful when comparing the total price with a tour booked directly in El Nido.

The famous stops are genuinely beautiful, but they are also the most popular. If you want empty beaches and quiet water, this itinerary is unlikely to deliver them. If you want to see the best-known sights in one day, it does the job.

Crowds, boats, and the pace of the water day

The island hopping itself can feel well organized when the boat crew and guide are attentive. You have time to swim, snorkel, kayak, and move between the stops without racing through every location.

Crowds are the bigger issue. More than 20 other tour groups may be in the same area, particularly around the lagoons. Boats can line up, and a shared lunch can feel hurried or competitive.

Boat capacity also deserves attention. One difficult departure involved a boat carrying more people than expected, while another account described a group that felt too large for the boat. Ask how many people will share the boat and what happens if the assigned boat is full. A private option may reduce some uncertainty, though you should confirm whether it applies to the van, the boat, or both.

The weather can change the day completely. If poor conditions cancel island hopping after you reach El Nido, an alternative activity may be offered, but it may not involve the sea or the lagoons. This is another reason to avoid scheduling a flight immediately after the return.

What the $360 price really buys

The listed price is $360 for a group of up to two people. That is a high price compared with arranging a standard island tour after staying in El Nido, especially since some direct El Nido tours have been described as costing about 20 euros per person.

You are paying for more than the boat. The package includes hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned van transport, island tour fees, environmental fees, lagoon fees, life vests, snorkeling masks, aqua shoes, kayak rental, and lunch.

The value depends on your priorities. If you already plan to sleep in Puerto Princesa and have only one free day, this can save you the effort of booking a separate hotel and arranging several transfers. For two people, the private price may also compare reasonably with two individual long-distance transfers plus a boat tour.

If you care about comfort, time, and control, the calculation changes. The road takes about 10 hours total, and the return transport has sometimes been shared with a larger group than expected. You may get a better experience by staying in El Nido and booking the boat there, particularly if your itinerary allows two or three nights.

Do not assume every item described as included will be supplied in unlimited quantity. Bring drinking water, cash, and food that meets your needs. Also confirm the return departure time and vehicle arrangement before leaving El Nido.

Private or shared: which option fits you?

A private booking is the stronger choice for couples or small families who value flexibility. The description promises a more exclusive experience with greater control over timing and customization, but you should ask specific questions before paying:

• Is the van private in both directions?
• Is the boat private, or only the road transport?
• Can you leave El Nido promptly after the boat returns?
• How many people will be on the boat?
• Can the route be adjusted?

A shared trip costs less per person when several people are included, but it brings the risk of waiting for others and less control over the return. If you are flying out of Puerto Princesa the next morning, a delayed return can make the schedule uncomfortable.

This tour suits able-bodied people who can handle an early start, long road travel, wet clothing, beach landings, and a late arrival. It is less suitable for anyone who needs frequent rest, has mobility limits, or wants a quiet, unhurried island day.

The English and Tagalog guide service is useful during transfers and stops. The boat crew may be contracted separately, so the quality can vary by day. One boat crew, Dos Hermanos, was specifically praised for being pleasant, while transport service has received much more mixed feedback.

What to pack for a better day

Bring swimwear under your clothes, a towel, sunscreen, water shoes, a dry change of clothes, cash, and a passport or ID card. You will need the ID for the tour, and cash is useful for breakfast, dinner, drinks, and unexpected purchases.

Keep everything in a small waterproof bag. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, and a phone pouch or dry bag is sensible around the lagoons.

Pack water even though some equipment and lunch are included. If you eat vegetarian food, bring extra food rather than relying on the standard lunch. Breakfast and dinner are also your responsibility.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and reserve-now-pay-later booking may help if your plans are still shifting. Weather cancellations are handled differently once you are already in El Nido, so ask what alternative activity would be offered.

Should you book this El Nido day trip?

Book it if you have one free day, are staying in Puerto Princesa, and care more about seeing Big Lagoon and Seven Commandos Beach than about a relaxed schedule. The included transport, fees, equipment, and lunch make the package convenient, and kayaking can be the day’s best activity.

I would not choose it if you can stay in El Nido. Sleeping locally gives you more time, less road fatigue, and a better chance to choose a boat operator directly. I would also avoid it before an important flight, because delays on the return have been a real concern.

If you do book, choose private transport if available, confirm the boat size and return van, carry water, and bring extra food if needed. The scenery around Bacuit Bay can justify the effort, but only if you understand that the road is half the experience and none of it is short.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts about 20 hours, including pickup, the drive to El Nido, island hopping, and the return drive to Puerto Princesa.

What time is hotel pickup?

Pickup is around 4 AM, although some departures have been scheduled earlier. Be ready in your hotel lobby at least 10 minutes before pickup.

How long is the drive from Puerto Princesa to El Nido?

The drive takes approximately five hours each way, for more than 10 hours of total driving.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included for locations within 15 kilometers of Puerto Princesa City Airport.

Which sites does the boat visit?

The route may include Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Seven Commandos Beach, and Big Lagoon, with up to five stops in total. The stops can vary.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes barbecue pork, chicken, seafood, vegetable salad, and fresh fruit.

Are snorkeling gear and kayaks included?

Yes. The package includes snorkeling masks, aqua shoes, life vests, and kayak rental.

Are breakfast and dinner included?

No. Breakfast in El Nido and dinner before the return drive are not included.

What languages are available?

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 may also be booked with a reserve-now-pay-later option.