El Nido Private Tour A: Best Island Hopping

El Nido Tour A packs the best-known corners of Bacuit Bay into one long, beautiful day. You glide beneath towering limestone cliffs, swim in the Big Lagoon, and finish with a cold drink and beach time at Seven Commandos.

I like the private group size, which gives you more room to set the pace, and I like that lunch and the boat are handled for you. The main catch is the extra cash you need for environmental and lagoon fees, plus optional snorkeling gear and kayak rental.

Key points

• Big Lagoon sets the tone: Towering limestone walls and clear turquoise water make this the tour’s headline stop.
• Five major stops in one day: You visit Big Lagoon, Payong-Payong, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commandos Beach.
• Private for up to three people: The $324 group price works out to $108 per person when three people share it, before extra fees.
• Lunch is included: A packed midday meal keeps the schedule moving, and one booking praised the generous portions.
• The order may change: Your boat can rearrange the stops to avoid heavier crowds.
• Bring cash: The environmental fee and Big Lagoon fee are paid separately, in Philippine pesos.

Why Tour A remains El Nido’s classic day out

El Nido’s appeal is easy to understand from the water. Bacuit Bay is ringed by steep limestone cliffs, small beaches, and narrow openings that lead to lagoons. Tour A gives you a broad sample of that scenery without asking you to arrange several separate trips.

You meet in El Nido town around 9:00 a.m., with departure planned for about 9:30. The day lasts roughly eight hours, returning between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. Times are approximate, and the sequence can change if your guide wants to avoid the thickest concentration of boats.

That flexibility matters. A fixed order can put you at the same site as many other groups. A revised order will not make every stop quiet, but it can make the day feel less like a procession.

The private format is especially useful for couples, families, or a small group of friends. You are paying $324 for up to three people, not $324 per person. At full capacity, that is $108 each before the separate charges. For two people, the price is higher per head, but you still get the benefit of a private boat rather than joining a larger group.

Big Lagoon, the morning’s grand entrance

Big Lagoon is the visual centerpiece. Limestone formations rise sharply from the water, creating a dramatic corridor of rock and sea. The water is usually the sort of clear turquoise that makes even a simple boat ride feel special.

You get about an hour here for swimming. Kayaking is also available for 300 PHP per kayak, good for two people. If you want to paddle rather than simply swim, this is the stop where that extra charge may make the most sense.

The separate Big Lagoon fee is 200 PHP per person, paid in cash. This is in addition to the environmental fee, so keep the money somewhere easy to reach. The tour includes your boat and guide, but not every admission charge.

Big Lagoon can also be the busiest stop. Its fame is well earned, yet that fame brings other boats. Try not to judge the entire day by the first stop if the water feels active with visitors. The guide may alter the order to improve the timing.

If you want photos, the cliffs and open water provide the strongest setting of the day. If you want peace and quiet, keep your expectations realistic. This is the signature stop, and signature stops draw attention.

Shimizu Island and the hour set aside for snorkeling

Shimizu Island shifts the focus from cliffs to the sea. The planned stop lasts about an hour, with time for snorkeling in clear, warm water above coral gardens and marine life.

Snorkeling equipment is not included. You can rent a set for 100 PHP, an affordable add-on, but bring cash. If you already own a mask and snorkel, packing them could save time and avoid another rental.

The water is the reason to choose this stop over simply spending the whole day on beaches. You get a chance to see what lies below Bacuit Bay, not just the scenery above it. Still, conditions can affect visibility, and the supplied information does not promise a particular species or reef condition. Think of Shimizu as a pleasant sea stop rather than a guaranteed wildlife show.

You can also float or swim if you do not want to snorkel. Life vests are provided, which helps if you are not a strong swimmer or simply prefer extra support in the water.

Payong-Payong Beach for a slower hour

Payong-Payong is the tour’s easygoing beach break. Its pale sand, palms, and clear water give you room to slow down after the boat ride and the more active stops.

The schedule allows about an hour for free time and swimming. This is a good moment to dry off, sit in the shade, take photos, or let children enjoy the water without rushing from one major sight to the next.

The beach is valuable because it breaks up the day. Five stops can sound exciting on paper, but constant boarding, swimming, and moving can become tiring. Payong-Payong gives the day a needed pause.

Bring your own towel, since one is not included. A hat, sunscreen, drinking water, and insect repellent are also on the practical packing list. You will want protection from the sun during the boat crossings and beach time.

Lunch around noon, with no restaurant detour

Lunch is planned for about 12:00 and comes as a packed meal. That keeps the boat moving and avoids losing time searching for a restaurant between islands.

The meal drew particularly warm praise for its generous portions. That is useful information on a full day in the sun, when a small snack can leave you hungry before the final beach stop. Still, the exact menu is not specified, so do not book this tour expecting a particular dish or a special dietary arrangement.

Bring water and any food you personally need. Drinks are not included, and the list of extras makes clear that you should budget for them separately.

A packed lunch is less about ceremony and more about convenience. You eat in the island setting, then get back to the route. If you prefer long restaurant meals, this will feel basic. If you want the most sightseeing time possible, it is a sensible arrangement.

Secret Lagoon through the narrow rock opening

Secret Lagoon offers a different kind of scenery from Big Lagoon. Instead of opening broadly into the bay, it is reached through a narrow rock entrance. Passing through that small opening leads to a sheltered pool surrounded by limestone.

The stop allows about an hour for swimming. The appeal is the sense of discovery created by the entrance, not simply the size of the swimming area. You move from open sea into a more enclosed place within a few strokes or steps.

That narrow passage can make access feel less straightforward than a standard beach stop. Take your time, follow the guide’s instructions, and use the provided life vest if you want extra support. The information does not specify the tide or water conditions, so the exact ease of entry may vary.

Secret Lagoon also benefits from the flexible schedule. If the guide can place it at a quieter time, the enclosed setting becomes more enjoyable. If several boats arrive together, the small space can feel crowded quickly.

Seven Commandos Beach closes the day well

Seven Commandos Beach is the final major stop, with about an hour for free time and swimming. It is known for a relaxed beach-bar atmosphere, so it feels less like a sightseeing stop and more like a place to settle in.

You can sunbathe, swim, and take an optional snorkeling break. Drinks are not included, but the beach-bar setting gives you the option to buy one if available. Keep some cash with you rather than assuming card payment will be possible.

Ending here is smart. After the lagoons and snorkeling, you get a final chance to sit on the sand instead of immediately heading back to town. The atmosphere may be more social than at Payong-Payong, so choose this stop for a little life and convenience rather than complete solitude.

The return to El Nido is planned for sometime between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. Boat time can be tiring, but the final beach hour makes the day feel less like a checklist.

What the private price really gives you

At $324 for a group of up to three, this is not the cheapest way to see El Nido. It becomes easier to justify when three people share the cost, bringing the base price to $108 per person.

The value is in control and simplicity. You have a private group, an English-speaking guide, a boat, life vests, and a packed lunch. You do not need to arrange separate transport between islands or work out the route yourself.

You still need to add the environmental fee of 400 PHP per person. It is valid for all tours taken within five days, so you may not need to pay it again if you have already covered it. Bring the receipt.

The Big Lagoon fee is another 200 PHP per person. Snorkeling gear costs 100 PHP if rented, and a kayak costs 300 PHP for two people. Drinks and towels are also outside the base price.

For three people who want a private day and plan to swim, the extras are manageable. For one or two people watching every peso, a shared tour may offer better savings. The private arrangement is most valuable when you care about traveling with your own small group.

Guide service and the feel of the day

Your English-speaking guide handles the route, boat movement, entrance arrangements, and general timing. That lets you focus on swimming, photography, and the scenery instead of watching the clock.

The available booking feedback gives guide Carlo special credit for cheerful service and good humor. If Carlo leads your boat, you can expect an upbeat presence. Guide assignments can vary, so treat Carlo as a useful name to know rather than a guaranteed booking detail.

This is an easygoing tour, but it is still a full day on and around the water. You will board and leave the boat several times, spend time swimming, and remain exposed to the sun. The supplied information does not describe accessibility arrangements, so ask the provider directly if anyone in your group needs specific assistance.

Bad weather can change everything. The Philippine Coast Guard has discretion to cancel island-hopping trips when conditions are unsafe. That is frustrating when your plans are fixed, but it is the right authority to follow for a boat trip.

What to pack for a comfortable eight hours

Pack light, but do not arrive empty-handed. The most useful items are:

• Sun hat and sunscreen
• Swimwear
• Drinking water
• Towel
• Insect repellent
• Cash in Philippine pesos
• A receipt for the environmental fee, if already paid

A waterproof bag is sensible for phones and other valuables, though it is not specifically listed as provided. Keep cash separated so you can pay the 400 PHP environmental fee, 200 PHP Big Lagoon fee, and optional rentals without rummaging through wet belongings.

You can rent snorkeling gear for 100 PHP, but it is optional. Kayak rental is also optional and costs 300 PHP for two people. Drinks are extra, and a towel is not supplied.

The best clothing choice is whatever dries easily and protects you from the sun. You will spend time swimming, sitting on beaches, and crossing open water.

Who should book this Tour A experience?

I would choose this tour if you are visiting El Nido for the first time and want the area’s most recognizable stops in one day. It gives you lagoons, beach time, snorkeling, lunch, and a private boat without requiring detailed planning.

It is also a good match for a small group of up to three people. Families and friends can split the group price, and the private format makes it easier to keep together.

I would think twice if your top priority is total solitude, a luxury meal, or a very low-cost outing. Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon can be busy, lunch is packed rather than restaurant-style, and several necessary costs sit outside the advertised group price.

Plan your cash, bring a towel, and accept that the weather and Coast Guard decisions control the day. If you do that, Tour A offers a strong first look at why Bacuit Bay is El Nido’s main attraction.

Should you book it?

Book it if three people can share the $324 rate and you want the classic El Nido route with your own group. The combination of Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong, and Seven Commandos gives you a well-rounded day rather than five similar beach stops.

Skip it if you are traveling alone on a strict budget or would rather spend a whole day at one quiet beach. For most first-time visitors, though, the private boat, flexible order, included lunch, and cheerful guide service make this a practical way to see the main sights.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Private Tour A last?

The tour lasts about eight hours. Pickup is around 9:00 a.m., departure is planned for 9:30 a.m., and return is expected between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. All times are approximate.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup and drop-off are available within El Nido town only. You should provide the exact location in advance.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. The tour is for a private group of up to three people.

Which places does the tour visit?

The route includes Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Payong-Payong Beach, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commandos Beach. The order may change to help avoid crowds.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A packed lunch is included.

Are the environmental and lagoon fees included?

No. The environmental fee is 400 PHP per person, cash only. The Big Lagoon fee is 200 PHP per person, also cash only.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling gear is available to rent for 100 PHP.

Can I rent a kayak?

Yes. Kayak rental costs 300 PHP for two people.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The Philippine Coast Guard decides whether island-hopping trips can operate in bad weather. Tours may be canceled when conditions are unsafe.