El Nido: Island Hopping Tour A

El Nido’s Tour A puts its best-known water stops into one full day: Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and Shimizu Island. You’ll move by boat through Bacuit Bay, then swim, snorkel, or kayak where conditions allow. Lunch is included, which keeps the day simple and good value at $34 per person.

I like the mix of grand scenery and active stops. Big Lagoon gives you the signature El Nido views, while Shimizu Island adds time on a beach and in the sea. The main drawbacks are the extra environmental and lagoon fees, plus the fact that the most famous stops can feel crowded. Confirm the pickup point by WhatsApp, since the app location has reportedly been incorrect.

Key points to know before booking

• Four classic Tour A stops: Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and Shimizu Island.
• Eight hours on Bacuit Bay: Expect a full day of boat travel, swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking.
• Lunch and boat included: The $34 price covers the main tour basics, but not all activity costs.
• Extra fees apply: Budget for the 400 Philippine peso environmental fee and 200 peso lagoon fees.
• Town pickup only: Hotel pickup is offered in El Nido Town. Hotels farther away may require a tricycle at your own cost.
• Check the meeting point early: Send a WhatsApp message to confirm the nearest pickup hotel before the morning departure.

Why Tour A is El Nido’s most popular choice

Tour A works because it gives you the essential El Nido picture in one day. You get tall limestone formations, clear lagoons, small beaches, and several chances to enter the water. For a first visit, this is a sensible route because it combines scenery and activities instead of spending the whole day on one beach.

The appeal is easy to understand. You can paddle through a lagoon, swim in calm water, snorkel near the islands, and then sit down to lunch before the next stop. You do not need to choose between a sightseeing cruise and a beach day. This tour tries to provide both.

The tradeoff is popularity. Big Lagoon and the other famous locations attract many boats, especially when weather is good. You should expect memorable views, but not complete solitude. If you want a quieter day, ask about departure timing before booking, though no special low-crowd schedule is included here.

The tour lasts about eight hours, so plan it as your main activity for the day. You will want comfortable clothes, a swimsuit, sunscreen, water, a hat, snacks, a camera, and dry clothing for afterward. Comfortable shoes matter too, since this is a boat-based day with water activities rather than a ride where you simply stay seated.

Entering Bacuit Bay by boat

The boat is the backbone of the experience. It carries you between the islands and gives you the changing views that make El Nido famous. The package includes the boat and a professional English-speaking guide, so you are not arranging separate transport between stops.

Hotel pickup is available within El Nido Town only. If your hotel is outside town, a tricycle fare may be charged to you personally. That cost is not included in the $34, so check your accommodation’s location before assuming the quoted price covers door-to-door service.

The meeting details deserve special attention. The pickup point is arranged through WhatsApp at the nearest hotel, but one booking record reported that the location shown in the app was wrong. The practical fix is simple: contact the provider before the tour and confirm the exact hotel or meeting point. Be ready 15 minutes before pickup, not at the stated time.

The guide speaks English, and the crew has been praised for being friendly and attentive. That matters on a boat day, where clear instructions help you move between swimming, snorkeling, and boarding without wasting time.

Big Lagoon, the grand opening stop

Big Lagoon is the stop most closely tied to the El Nido postcard image. It is known for clear water enclosed by steep limestone cliffs. The scale gives it a different feel from a small beach stop, and it is a good place to appreciate the shape of Bacuit Bay from the water.

You may swim or kayak here, depending on the arrangements and conditions on the day. Kayaking lets you move at your own pace and look into the water below, while swimming gives you a more direct feel for the setting. If you prefer to stay dry, the boat ride itself still provides the main attraction.

Big Lagoon is also likely to be one of the busier points on the route. The scenery is worth seeing, but do not expect an empty cove. A camera is useful, though you should protect it from splashes and keep your attention on where you step when moving around the boat.

The lagoon fee is separate from the tour price. Since the listed extra is 200 Philippine pesos, ask whether it covers the applicable lagoon access for the day and have cash ready if requested. The exact collection process is not specified, so confirming locally is wise.

Small Lagoon and the appeal of paddling

Small Lagoon offers a more enclosed setting than Big Lagoon. Its name does not mean it is unimportant. The attraction is the feeling of entering a narrower, calmer space surrounded by rock, with clear water suited to swimming or kayaking.

This is where the active side of the tour becomes especially useful. A kayak allows you to explore without relying only on the main boat. You can take in the cliffs at a slower pace and choose how much energy to spend before the next stop.

You should still pace yourself. Tour A is long, and several stops involve water. If you swim at every location without taking breaks, the final part of the day may feel tiring. Bring water and snacks even though lunch is included, since the supplied information does not promise food throughout the morning or afternoon.

Small Lagoon is not ideal for every participant. The activity is specifically not suitable for non-swimmers, and people with back problems or pregnant women are advised not to join. If you are comfortable in the water but not an experienced swimmer, make that clear to the guide before entering.

Secret Lagoon, a short visit with a different feel

Secret Lagoon adds variety to the route. Instead of the wide views of Big Lagoon, you get a more enclosed destination and another chance to swim. It gives the day a sense of discovery without requiring a separate excursion.

The stop may feel more intimate than the larger lagoon, but popularity can still affect the experience. You might find a queue or a busy shoreline, particularly when several boats arrive together. Keep your expectations practical: this is a well-known stop on a standard route, not a private hideaway.

Wear footwear suited to wet conditions. The advice for the tour calls for comfortable shoes for water activities, and that is sensible here. Bring an extra set of clothes so you are not spending the boat ride back in a wet swimsuit.

Touching marine life and plants is not allowed. That rule protects the area and also keeps your visit from causing damage. You can enjoy the water without handling what lives in it.

Shimizu Island for lunch and sea time

Shimizu Island gives Tour A a useful change of pace. After the lagoons, you get time around a beach and open water, with lunch included in the tour. This is the part of the day when you can slow down, eat, swim, and recover before returning to the boat.

The island is also connected to the snorkeling side of the experience. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so bring your own mask and snorkel or budget to rent them separately. The clear waters of Bacuit Bay make the activity appealing, but the tour does not promise a particular species or specific marine sighting.

Lunch adds real value to the $34 price. Buying food independently on an island can be inconvenient, so having the meal arranged keeps the day moving. Still, bring snacks in case you need something between stops or have dietary needs that the supplied information does not address.

Shimizu Island is a good place to decide how active you want the afternoon to be. You can snorkel and swim, or simply relax on the shore. The tour is strongest when you treat the schedule as a mix of activity and rest rather than trying to do everything at every stop.

What the $34 price really covers

At $34 per person, Tour A is priced as an accessible full-day outing. You get the boat, a professional guide, hotel pickup within El Nido Town, and lunch. Those inclusions remove several practical tasks and make the price attractive for someone who wants a straightforward day on the water.

The cost is not all-inclusive. You should add the 400 Philippine peso environmental fee and the 200 peso lagoon fees. A mask and snorkel are also excluded, as are personal expenses and any tricycle fare for hotels outside town.

That means the final cost will be higher than the advertised base price. Even so, the package can offer good value if you plan to visit all four sites anyway. The boat, guide, and lunch would be difficult to arrange as cheaply on your own, though the tour’s group format means you give up some control over timing.

The advertised skip-the-ticket-line feature may help with entry arrangements, but it does not mean the sights will be empty. Famous El Nido locations can still be busy once you arrive.

Tour A compared with the other El Nido routes

The different tour labels matter. Tour A includes Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and Shimizu Island. Tour B visits Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave, and Matinloc Shrine. Tour C combines destinations from A and B, while Tour D focuses on Cadlao Island and its beaches.

Choose Tour A if lagoons and swimming are your priority. It is the clearest choice for a first outing if you want the classic mix of water, cliffs, beaches, and snorkeling.

Choose another route if caves, shrines, or a different set of beaches interests you more. The information does not give the prices or exact schedules for Tours B, C, and D, so compare those details before switching. Do not book Tour A expecting Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave, or Matinloc Shrine. Those belong to the other routes.

Who should book this day on the water?

I would recommend Tour A to an active first-time visitor who wants a broad introduction to El Nido without arranging separate boats and meals. It suits people who enjoy swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, and moving between several scenic places in one day.

It also works for couples, friends, and families with confident swimmers, provided everyone is comfortable with a long boat day. The English-speaking guide and included lunch make the outing fairly easy to manage.

I would not choose it for a non-swimmer, someone with significant back problems, or a pregnant traveler. It is also not the best match if you want a quiet, private experience or dislike changing locations on a fixed schedule.

Be respectful around the water. Smoking is not allowed, and neither is touching marine life or plants. Bring only what you need, protect your camera, and keep dry clothes ready for the ride home.

Booking advice and final verdict

Tour A is a good-value way to see El Nido’s signature lagoons and island scenery in one organized day. The friendly boat crew, included lunch, and four strong stops are its best features. The experience is less appealing if extra fees surprise you, if you need private timing, or if crowds spoil the mood.

Before paying, confirm three things: the exact WhatsApp meeting point, the total extra fees, and how to arrange a mask and snorkel. If those details suit your budget, book it. If you prefer caves, shrines, or quieter beaches, compare Tours B, C, and D instead.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That flexibility is useful while your El Nido schedule is still taking shape.

FAQ

How long is El Nido Tour A?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours. Check availability for the specific starting time.

Which places does Tour A visit?

Tour A visits Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and Shimizu Island.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the tour price.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is included for hotels in El Nido Town only. Hotels farther from town may require a tricycle fare paid personally.

What fees are not included?

The 400 Philippine peso environmental fee and 200 peso lagoon fees are not included. Personal expenses and mask and snorkel rental or purchase are also excluded.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. A mask and snorkel are not included, so you need to bring or arrange your own equipment.

What language does the guide speak?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.