EL NIDO: Private Island Hopping Tour A with BUFFET LUNCH

El Nido Tour A packs Palawan’s best-known sights into one long day: Big Lagoon by kayak, a squeeze through the Secret Lagoon entrance, and swimming stops on beaches backed by limestone cliffs. It is the classic El Nido route for good reason, but the scenery comes with crowds, entrance fees, and a schedule that depends on tides and weather.

I like the way the tour combines active stops with easy beach time, and I like that the private format gives your group its own boat and guide. A buffet lunch, drinks, fruit, snorkeling gear, and one kayak are included, which makes the $139 price easier to justify. The main caution is timing: one poor outing left late, reached busy sites, missed parts of the plan, and included a kayak accident that injured a child. Ask for an early start and use care on the water.

Key things to know before booking

• Big Lagoon is the day’s headline stop: One kayak is included, so you can paddle below the tall limestone walls without paying for the first boat.
• Five major stops fill the schedule: Expect 7 Commandos Beach, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, and Payong-Payong Beach.
• Lunch location can change: The guide chooses the lunch stop, often around Shimizu Island or Payong-Payong Beach, based on conditions.
• The $139 price is not all-inclusive: Add the 200 government lagoon fee and 400 environmental fee, plus any extra kayak rental.
• Private does not always mean quiet: An early departure matters if you want a better chance of reaching the popular lagoons before the largest groups.
• The crew handles the practical work: Pickup in El Nido Town and Corong-corong, a licensed boat, guide, life vest, food, water, and snorkeling equipment are included.

Why Tour A is El Nido’s classic day on the water

El Nido’s appeal comes from the sharp contrast between calm blue-green water, pale sand, and huge limestone cliffs. Tour A gives you several versions of that scenery in one outing, from open beach to enclosed lagoon and coral reef.

This is not a quiet, slow boat ride from start to finish. You will spend much of the day moving between stops, getting on and off the boat, swimming, kayaking, and sharing popular sites with other boats. Still, the variety is the strength of the route. If you only have one full day for island hopping, Tour A gives you a broad taste of what makes El Nido special.

The private format is useful for families, couples, and small groups who want more control than a shared boat usually allows. It does not guarantee an empty beach, since the major sites are popular with everyone, but it gives your own party a dedicated captain and guide.

Starting from El Nido Town or Corong-corong

Pickup is free from accommodations in El Nido Town and Corong-corong. You need to provide your hotel name when booking, and the activity begins with Beachfront Travel and Tours.

There is no included drop-off after the trip, so plan for your return to the hotel. That is a small but important detail after eight hours in the sun. Keep some cash with you for transport, fees, drinks beyond the supplied refreshments, or an extra kayak.

The boat is licensed, as are the captain, guide, and crew. English and Tagalog are available. The private setup also means you can ask the guide to slow down for a child, spend more time snorkeling, or help with boarding, although the exact route still depends on conditions and the day’s timing.

7 Commandos Beach gives you an easy first swim

The first main stop is 7 Commandos Beach, a broad strip of pale sand with coconut trees, clear water, and limestone cliffs. The name comes from a local story about seven commandos who supposedly lived here after World War II.

This is an easy place to settle into the day. You can swim, take photos, sit beneath the trees, or buy a cold drink and snack from the small rustic bars and shops. The water is usually the star here, especially if you want a gentle first swim before the snorkeling and kayaking begin.

The drawback is popularity. A beach with shops and easy access is less secluded than Payong-Payong Beach, and the one-hour stop can pass quickly if you want both a long swim and plenty of photos. Keep your belongings in the waterproof bag and follow the crew’s advice when getting back aboard.

Big Lagoon is worth the kayak time

Big Lagoon is the most dramatic part of the day. The boat approaches a narrow entrance, then the cliffs open into a broad enclosed body of water. The rock walls rise around you, making the lagoon feel much larger and more still than the open sea.

One kayak is included, which is a valuable part of the package. Paddling lets you move at your own pace and look up at the cliffs without the engine noise of a larger boat. The water shifts between blue and green, and its clarity gives you a view below the surface.

You have about an hour here, including photos, sightseeing, swimming, and kayaking. That is enough for a memorable paddle, but not enough for an unhurried expedition into every corner. If more than one person in your group wants a kayak, ask about the additional rental fee before setting off.

Take the safety part seriously. One family outing ended with a child injured after a kayak was handled poorly. That does not define every departure, but it is a useful reminder to wait for clear instructions, keep the kayak steady while boarding, and ask for help if a child or inexperienced paddler needs it.

Shimizu Island combines reef time and lunch

Shimizu Island is named after a Japanese diver associated with its waters. The island is surrounded by coral reefs with colorful fish and other sea life, making it the main snorkeling stop on the route.

Masks and snorkels are included, along with life vests or jackets. The reef can be a good place for underwater photos, but conditions vary, and one person found the snorkeling less impressive than other places they had visited. Set your expectations sensibly: the overall day is about scenery and variety, not a dedicated reef expedition.

Shimizu Island also provides a beach setting for lunch and free time. The buffet includes food, with water, soft drinks, and fruit provided. A praised meal is one of the tour’s strongest features, but remember that the guide chooses the lunch stop. If weather or boat traffic makes another beach more practical, the meal may be served elsewhere.

Use this stop for a proper break. You will appreciate the food more after the morning’s swimming and kayaking, and you will want the energy for the final sites.

Secret Lagoon requires a careful squeeze

Secret Lagoon is reached through a small opening in the limestone wall. You may need to crouch or squeeze through the entrance before finding the enclosed pool inside.

That entrance is part of the fun, but it can also be awkward for young children, anyone carrying a large bag, or anyone who dislikes tight spaces. Wear shoes with a secure grip, keep your hands free, and listen to the guide’s instructions.

Inside, the lagoon is enclosed by tall rock walls and feels much more hidden than the open beaches. You can take photos, look around, and swim if conditions allow. One guide named Julius was especially attentive to a guest going through the opening, and the crew has also been praised for helping people on and off the boat.

Do not expect to spend a long time here. The stop is planned for about an hour, and the entrance itself can create a line when several boats arrive together. This is another reason to request an early departure.

Payong-Payong Beach slows the pace

Payong-Payong Beach is smaller and quieter in feel than 7 Commandos Beach. Soft sand, clear water, plants, and rock formations give it a more tucked-away setting, though conditions and crowd levels can change.

It is a good place for a final swim, a little snorkeling, and a rest before returning to town. The schedule allows a break, photos, sightseeing, and time in the water. If lunch is served here instead of Shimizu Island, you get to eat in a more peaceful setting.

Payong-Payong is also useful as a contrast to Big Lagoon. The lagoon offers enclosed cliffs and paddling, while this stop gives you open beach time. That mix keeps Tour A from feeling like five versions of the same beach stop.

What the $139 price really covers

At $139 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see El Nido. The value comes from the private boat, crew, food, equipment, and access to several major sites in one eight-hour day.

Included are:

• Pickup within El Nido Town and Corong-corong
• Buffet lunch
• Water, soft drinks, and fruit
• One kayak
• Life vest or jacket
• Mask and snorkel
• Licensed tourist boat and captain
• Licensed guide and crew

You must add the 200 lagoon entrance fee and 400 environmental fee listed by the operator. You also pay for any additional kayak rental and anything else not included. The drop-off back to your hotel is not included, so keep a little extra cash aside.

For a couple or family that values privacy, the package can make sense. You are not just paying for transport. You are paying for a full route, crew assistance, food, and a guide who can give your group more direct attention. For a solo visitor, the per-person cost may feel harder to justify unless privacy is a high priority.

Guides, photos, and the human side of the day

The strongest service notes center on the crew. Guides named Julius and Leonard have been praised for humor, photos, and practical help, while Captain Cyron and the crew have been credited with careful attention and a good meal. Simon has also received a brief personal compliment.

You should not assume a particular guide will be assigned, but you can ask when booking. The crew may take photos and videos during the day, a useful extra when you do not want to risk your own phone near the water. Still, bring a camera if you want control over your shots.

The private arrangement is especially helpful when someone in your party needs assistance boarding the boat or passing through the Secret Lagoon opening. It is also a good fit for a family that wants the guide’s attention rather than a large shared group.

Timing, weather, and what to pack

The advertised duration is eight hours, but the actual order of stops can change. The guide chooses the lunch location, and destinations may shift according to weather. A late start can put you behind the main flow of boats, so ask for the earliest available departure.

Bring:

• Beachwear and a change of clothes
• Towel
• Biodegradable sunscreen
• Camera
• Waterproof bag
• Waterproof or closed-toe shoes
• Cash

Closed-toe or waterproof shoes are useful around the boat, beaches, rocks, and Secret Lagoon entrance. Plastic bags, smoking, alcohol, drugs, and littering are not allowed.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available starting times before booking, especially if your El Nido stay is short.

Who should book this private island tour

I would choose this trip if you want El Nido’s famous sights in one day and care about having your own boat and guide. It suits couples, families, and small groups that want a mix of swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, photos, and beach time.

It is less suitable if you want a silent beach day, a serious snorkeling expedition, or a completely flexible schedule. The main sites are popular, the day is structured, and some stops may change with weather. Families should also supervise children closely around the kayak, boat ladder, rocks, and Secret Lagoon entrance.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

Book it if Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon are high on your list, and if you value a private group more than the lowest possible price. The included lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and kayak make the package practical, while the five-stop route gives you a strong first look at El Nido.

Before paying, confirm the earliest departure, the extra government fees, the lunch location, and the price of another kayak. If the operator can get you out early and your group follows the water-safety instructions, this is a well-rounded day with plenty of memorable scenery.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour A last?

The activity lasts eight hours.

Which places does the tour visit?

The planned stops are 7 Commandos Beach, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, and Payong-Payong Beach.

Is the tour private?

Yes. It is offered as a private group activity.

Is hotel pickup included?

Free pickup is available from accommodations in El Nido Town and Corong-corong. You need to provide your hotel name when completing the booking form.

Is hotel drop-off included?

No. Drop-off back to your hotel is not included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch is included, along with water, soft drinks, and fruit. The guide chooses the lunch stop.

Are kayaking and snorkeling equipment included?

One kayak, a life vest or jacket, and mask and snorkel are included. Additional kayak rental costs extra.

Are there extra entrance or government fees?

Yes. The listed extra charges are a 200 lagoon entrance fee and a 400 environmental fee.

What languages are available, and can I cancel?

Guides speak English and Tagalog. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.