El Nido: Island Hopping Tour A with Kayaking on Big Lagoon

El Nido Tour A packs the area’s famous sights into one busy day on the water. You’ll paddle beneath the limestone cliffs of Big Lagoon, snorkel over coral, swim at Seven Commandos Beach, and squeeze through the opening to Secret Lagoon. It is a good introduction to El Nido when you want several headline sights in one outing.

I like the kayaking option at Big Lagoon, since it lets you move at your own pace instead of only viewing the cliffs from a boat. I also like the simple setup: a licensed boat, guide, lunch, drinking water, mask, snorkel, and life jacket are included.

The main catch is that Tour A is one of El Nido’s most popular routes, so some stops and the boat can feel crowded. Lunch has limited vegetarian choice, with rice and noodles noted as the main alternatives, and the advertised $21 price does not include several required or useful extras.

Key Points Before You Book

• Big Lagoon kayaking: Kayak rental costs PHP 300 for a two-seater or PHP 350 for a three-seater, and the lagoon charges a separate PHP 200 access fee.
• Five classic stops: The route includes Seven Commandos Beach, a snorkeling site near Miniloc, Shimizu Island, Big Lagoon, and Secret Lagoon.
• Lunch with a view: A picnic lunch is served at Shimizu Island or Payong-Payong Beach, depending on the day’s arrangement.
• Extra fees matter: Add the PHP 400 environmental fee, valid for five days, plus the Big Lagoon fee and any equipment rentals.
• Friendly guide team: Anderson and Ken Kyle are named among the guides connected with the experience, and the tour is conducted in English.
• Six active hours: You’ll be swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and walking around rock formations, so this suits energetic visitors more than anyone wanting a slow boat ride.

What Tour A Gives You in Six Hours

Tour A is El Nido’s greatest-hits route. It does not try to offer a quiet, remote island day. Instead, it takes you to the places most often shown in photographs of the area, with enough time for swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and a kayak outing.

The base price is about $21 per person, which is attractive for a licensed boat, captain, local guide, picnic lunch, purified water, mask, snorkel, and life jacket. But you should calculate the real cost before booking. The environmental fee is PHP 400 per person and remains valid for five days. Big Lagoon access adds PHP 200, while kayak rental costs PHP 300 for two people or PHP 350 for three.

You may also want water shoes at PHP 100 per pair and fins at PHP 150 per pair. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must make your own way to the meeting point. The tour begins at Marbers Resto Bar on Calle Hama Beach Front. Go inside and ask for Annabelle or any Alexzus staff member.

That extra planning is minor, but it matters. The advertised price looks low because several costs are collected separately. Even with those additions, the package can still offer solid value if you want to see the main sights in one day rather than arrange separate boat trips.

Seven Commandos Beach Starts the Morning

The first stop is Seven Commandos Beach, where you get about an hour for swimming, relaxing, and taking photographs. Its appeal is easy to understand: pale sand, clear water, and a broad view framed by the area’s tall limestone formations.

This is the least complicated stop of the day. You can swim, sit on the sand, or simply get your bearings before the busier water activities begin. The beach is also a useful place to change from travel mode into beach mode, so keep your swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and dry clothing easy to reach.

Do not expect total peace and quiet. Tour A is a popular circuit, and the beach may have other boats arriving at the same time. I would treat this stop as a pleasant first swim rather than a private-island escape.

Bring cash for rentals and small purchases, although the tour provides purified drinking water. Sunglasses and a sun hat are helpful here, but secure them well before boarding the boat again.

Big Lagoon Is the Main Event

Big Lagoon receives the longest scheduled visit, about 105 minutes, and it is the visual centerpiece of the trip. Towering limestone cliffs rise around calm turquoise water, creating the sort of enclosed setting that makes El Nido famous.

The included boat gets you to the lagoon, but the kayak is an extra rental. You pay PHP 300 for a two-seater or PHP 350 for a three-seater. That is a reasonable add-on if you want to move into the quieter corners of the lagoon and take photographs from water level.

I prefer this arrangement to a tour that forces every passenger into a kayak. You can decide if paddling suits your energy level, your companions, and the weather. A two-seater works well for couples or friends, while the three-seater may be useful for a small family group.

The lagoon access fee is another PHP 200 per person and only covers one entry. Add it to your budget before you arrive. Water shoes can also be useful, especially if you dislike walking over rough or wet surfaces, though they are not included.

Big Lagoon is a place for slow looking. The cliffs are the main attraction, and the calm water gives you strong photo opportunities. Keep your waterproof camera ready, but protect your phone and other valuables. The tour specifically advises bringing a waterproof camera, change of clothes, beachwear, and insect repellent.

Crowds are the main drawback here. The route is popular, and the boat can feel full. If you are looking for solitude, this is not the right expectation. If you want to see the classic El Nido scenery and are willing to share it, the stop earns its reputation.

Snorkeling Near Miniloc Adds Time in the Water

The snorkeling stop is described as being near Advince or South Miniloc. It is intended as a coral and fish viewing area, with mask and snorkel included in the tour price. Fins are optional and cost PHP 150 per pair to rent.

This stop gives the day some variety. Seven Commandos is mainly about sand and swimming, while Big Lagoon is about cliffs and kayaking. Snorkeling adds time in the sea and a chance to see coral and fish at closer range.

You should follow the guide’s instructions closely. Do not touch marine life, animals, or plants. Those rules protect the coral and help keep the water environment in good condition for the next group.

The snorkeling conditions may affect how much you see, and the schedule can change between the stated sites. The information allows for more than one nearby snorkeling location, so treat the exact site as flexible rather than guaranteed. If you rely on prescription goggles or have your own fins, bring them if convenient, but standard masks and snorkels are supplied.

Shimizu Island Provides the Picnic Break

Lunch takes place at Shimizu Island or Payong-Payong Beach, with about 105 minutes set aside for the stop. The long pause is useful after a morning of swimming and paddling. You can eat, sit in the shade if available, take photographs, and enjoy the water without rushing straight back onto the boat.

The picnic lunch is included, along with purified water. The food is practical rather than elaborate. If you are vegetarian, plan ahead: the available choices may be limited to rice and noodles. Bring snacks if you need more food or have dietary restrictions, as the packing advice recommends.

I like having lunch on an island rather than eating while the boat is moving. It gives you a real break and makes the schedule feel less like a series of quick photo stops. Still, the exact lunch beach can vary, so do not book this expecting one fixed setting every time.

This is also a good point to reapply sunscreen, drink water, and check your dry clothes. The tour lasts six hours, and the combination of sun, salt water, snorkeling, and kayaking can wear you down faster than expected.

Secret Lagoon Rewards Curiosity

Secret Lagoon is the final major attraction and receives about 45 minutes. You reach the entrance through rock formations and explore a smaller enclosed area hidden behind them. The appeal is the sense of discovery: the entrance is not a wide open beach, but a narrow passage into a tucked-away pocket of water.

This stop is more about exploring and taking photographs than spending a long time swimming. The rock formations make it feel different from Big Lagoon, even though both rely on El Nido’s limestone scenery.

The word secret should not make you expect an empty place. Tour A is popular, and the confined entrance can feel crowded when several groups arrive. Move carefully, listen to your guide, and avoid touching plants or marine life.

You finish back at the meeting point, at the dockyard area after the boat returns. Since hotel transfers are not provided, leave enough time to find your way back to your accommodation.

Guides, Boat, and Group Feel

The experience includes a licensed tourist boat, licensed captain, and licensed local tour guide. That matters on a day with several stops, changing water conditions, and equipment use. You are not simply renting a boat and guessing your way around the islands.

The tour is conducted in English. Anderson and Ken Kyle are among the guides associated with this experience, and the strongest praise centers on guides being funny, friendly, and good at keeping the day enjoyable. That kind of personality helps during a long outing, especially when the boat is crowded or the weather makes the schedule less smooth.

A private group is available, but the supplied information does not specify the price or exact maximum size. Ask about that option if you want more control over timing or company. The regular route is better suited to people who accept a shared excursion and want the value of a set program.

The boat includes life jackets, and you should use them as directed. Smoking, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed. Touching marine life, animals, or plants is also prohibited.

What to Pack for a Comfortable Day

Pack light, but bring the items that make a wet day easier:

• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Beachwear and a change of clothes
• Waterproof camera or protected phone
• Snacks and extra water
• Insect repellent
• Cash for fees and rentals
• Water shoes if you prefer extra foot protection

The tour supplies purified drinking water, mask, snorkel, life jacket, and lunch. You do not need to rent a mask unless you prefer your own. Kayaks, fins, and water shoes cost extra.

Wear clothes that dry easily. You will likely move between swimming, snorkeling, sitting on the beach, and riding in the boat. A dry bag is not listed as included, so bring your own waterproof storage if you have it.

This is not a good choice for someone who wants a restful, low-effort day. The operator says it is not suitable for people over 70, and the six-hour schedule includes several active stops. That does not mean every minute is strenuous, but you should have enough energy for repeated boarding, swimming, paddling, and walking around rocky areas.

Who Will Get the Most From This Tour?

I would recommend Tour A to a first-time El Nido visitor who wants the major sights without planning several separate excursions. It works especially well for couples, friends, and active families who enjoy mixing beach time, snorkeling, kayaking, and photography.

It is also a good fit if you are watching your budget. The base price covers the main boat service and basic equipment, and the included lunch keeps the day simple. Just add the mandatory fees and likely rentals when comparing it with other tours.

I would hesitate if your priority is quiet beaches, flexible timing, or a private-feeling island experience. The route is popular, and some stops can be crowded. Vegetarian diners should also bring snacks or confirm the lunch arrangements before setting out.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule before making other plans.

Should You Book El Nido Tour A?

Book it if you want a well-priced introduction to El Nido’s signature sights and you are happy with a full, active six-hour schedule. Big Lagoon kayaking, the coral snorkeling stop, and the combination of Seven Commandos Beach and Secret Lagoon give the day plenty of variety.

Skip it if you want a private boat, long empty beaches, or a slow pace. Also budget carefully: the PHP 400 environmental fee, PHP 200 Big Lagoon fee, and kayak rental can add a noticeable amount to the $21 starting price.

For most first visits, I see the value. You get the area’s best-known scenery, a guide, lunch, water, and basic snorkeling gear in one organized outing. Go in expecting company, bring cash and sun protection, and you should have a lively day on the water rather than a secluded island retreat.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Marbers Resto Bar on Calle Hama Beach Front. Go inside and ask for Annabelle or any Alexzus staff member.

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts six hours. Check availability for the exact starting time.

What destinations are included?

The route includes Seven Commandos Beach, a snorkeling site near Advince or South Miniloc, Shimizu Island or Payong-Payong Beach, Big Lagoon, and Secret Lagoon.

Is kayaking included in the price?

Kayaking is not included. A two-seat kayak costs PHP 300, and a three-seat kayak costs PHP 350.

What fees are not included?

The PHP 400 environmental fee and PHP 200 Big Lagoon access fee are not included. Water shoes and fins also cost extra if you rent them.

Is lunch provided?

Yes. A picnic lunch and purified drinking water are included. Lunch is served at Shimizu Island or Payong-Payong Beach.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

A mask and snorkel are included. Fins are optional and cost PHP 150 per pair to rent.

Can I cancel the booking?

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