EL NIDO: Sharing/Joiner Island Hopping Tour A w/BUFFET LUNCH

El Nido Tour A packs the area’s famous sights into one boat day, from the narrow entrance of Big Lagoon to the little limestone opening into Secret Lagoon. I like the mix of activities: you can kayak, snorkel, swim, take photos, or simply sit under a palm tree and enjoy the view. The buffet lunch and fruit make the $23 price especially appealing.

I also like that the route includes both well-known stops and calmer beach time at Payong-Payong Beach. The main drawback is crowding. Tour A is popular, and boats can reach the same places together, while weather, lagoon rules, and boat timing can change the plan.

Key points to know before you book

• Big Lagoon kayaking costs extra, so include that charge in your budget if paddling through the cliffs is a priority.
• Five major stops fill roughly eight hours, with about an hour planned at each location.
• The route blends beaches, snorkeling, lagoons, and lunch, so you get more variety than on a beach-only trip.
• The guide may change the final beach or lunch stop when weather or crowd levels make another location a better choice.
• Pickup is available in El Nido Town and Corong-corong, but return transport to your hotel is not included.
• Bring cash, a waterproof bag, and your own drinking water, even though water is listed among the inclusions.

Why Tour A remains El Nido’s classic boat day

El Nido’s islands are famous for pale sand, clear water, and tall limestone cliffs. Tour A works because it gives you a little of everything in one day. You are not limited to snorkeling, and you are not spending the whole trip only on beaches.

The usual plan runs for about eight hours, starting from Beachfront Travel and Tours. Pickup is free within El Nido Town and Corong-corong. The boat is licensed, as are the captain, guide, and crew. English and Tagalog are offered.

At $23 per person, the tour is priced for people who want the standard island experience without chartering a private boat. You get the boat, crew, buffet lunch, fruit, life jacket, and a full day of stops. The extra costs matter, though. The environmental fee is listed as 400, the lagoon entrance fee as 200, and kayak rental is separate. Check the currency and current charges when booking.

The group format keeps the price low, but it also means less control. You cannot decide to stay an extra hour at your favorite beach. The guide sets the lunch stop and may adjust the order or destinations because of weather.

Seven Commandos Beach starts the day with easy swimming

Seven Commandos Beach is a good opening stop because it is simple and inviting. The sand is white, coconut palms lean over the shore, and limestone cliffs frame the bay. You get about an hour for swimming, photos, sightseeing, or a cold drink.

The beach takes its name from a story about seven commandos who lived there after World War II. You do not need to treat the tale as the main attraction. The real appeal is the setting and the chance to get into the water soon after leaving El Nido.

Small bars and shops operate here, so you might find drinks and snacks for sale. Bring cash if you want to buy something. This is also one of the more social stops, since several boats may arrive around the same time.

If you want a quiet beach with no activity around you, Seven Commandos may feel too busy. If you want an easy first swim and a classic El Nido photo, it does the job well.

Big Lagoon is the visual high point

Big Lagoon is the stop most people picture when they think of Tour A. The boat approaches a narrow opening between high limestone walls, then enters a broad, calm body of water. The cliffs form a natural amphitheater, and the water shifts between blue and green depending on the light.

Kayaking is the best way to appreciate the lagoon. A paddle lets you move at your own pace and get closer to the quiet corners that a large boat cannot reach. The water is clear enough to see below the surface, though the cliffs and reflections are the main spectacle.

Kayak rental is not included in the tour price. This is an important detail because the tour description highlights kayaking, but the cost is additional. If you want to paddle, ask about the rental before you enter the lagoon.

Big Lagoon can also be the slowest part of the day. Boats may need to wait before entering, and canoe traffic can create delays. One reported outing involved nearly an hour of waiting in open water for canoes to enter the lagoon. Poor weather can make kayaking less worthwhile, too.

Think of Big Lagoon as a place where conditions matter. On a calm day, the extra kayak charge can be money well spent. On a rough or crowded day, you may prefer to stay with the boat and enjoy the cliffs from the water.

Shimizu Island combines lunch and snorkeling

Shimizu Island is usually the practical middle stop. It gives the crew space to serve lunch while you get a beach break and a snorkeling session. The island is named after a Japanese diver associated with these waters.

The reefs around the island support colorful fish and other sea life. Snorkeling conditions can vary, but this is one of the tour’s clearest chances to see underwater life rather than only admire the cliffs above the water.

Lunch is served as a buffet on the beach. The meal is included, along with fruit, and the food has been a strong part of the experience for many people. You should not expect a restaurant meal or a quiet private picnic. This is a shared island lunch, with the crew managing food for the whole boat.

The published inclusions list water, but practical reports about drinks have been mixed. Bring a refillable bottle or extra drinking water so you are not caught short in the heat. Soda or additional drinks may be available on some outings, but you should not rely on that.

Shimizu Island is also a good place to use your waterproof bag. Sand, salt water, and wet swimwear quickly turn a normal day bag into a nuisance.

Secret Lagoon requires a small squeeze

Secret Lagoon feels different from Big Lagoon because the entrance is hidden in the limestone. You reach it through a small opening in the rock, then find a sheltered pool enclosed by cliffs.

The entrance can be narrow. If you dislike squeezing through tight spaces, this may be less enjoyable than the name suggests. It can also become crowded when several boat groups arrive together.

Once inside, the setting is enclosed and striking. The attraction is not a long swim or a large open-water view. It is the sense of finding a pool inside the rock, with the cliffs close around you.

Snorkeling is listed for this stop, but conditions and water levels can affect what is possible. Follow the guide’s instructions and avoid forcing your way through the opening. A waterproof camera is useful here because the rock entrance and enclosed water make unusual photos.

Payong-Payong Beach offers a quieter finish

Payong-Payong Beach is the most peaceful stop on the route. It is smaller and less developed than Seven Commandos, with pale sand, clear water, plants, and rock formations around the shore.

You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or simply sit in the shade. This is the stop where I would slow down rather than try to do everything. After a morning of boat movement, paddling, and snorkeling, a quiet beach can feel like the best part of the day.

The guide may change the last stop if another beach is calmer or less crowded. That flexibility is useful. The exact itinerary is not guaranteed, and that is a feature when the alternative is arriving at an overcrowded beach in poor conditions.

Payong-Payong is not a guaranteed private escape. Tour boats can still share the beach. Still, it usually offers a gentler ending than another major sightseeing stop.

Lunch, water, and the practical details

The buffet lunch is included and normally served at Shimizu Island or another beach chosen by the guide. The stop may change according to weather and the day’s boat plan. Fruit is also included.

Water is listed as included, but I would still bring extra water. The sun is strong, and you may spend much of the day exposed on the boat or beach. Biodegradable sunscreen is required for a responsible visit, and plastic bags, smoking, alcohol, drugs, and littering are not allowed.

Pack lightly:

• Swimwear and a change of clothes
• Waterproof shoes
• Camera or phone in a waterproof case
• Waterproof bag
• Cash
• Biodegradable sunscreen

A life vest or jacket is provided. Use it when the crew asks, especially during boat transfers and snorkeling.

The tour includes pickup within El Nido Town and Corong-corong, but not a hotel drop-off. Plan for your return before leaving in the morning. If your hotel is outside those areas, ask about transport rather than assuming pickup is included.

How the price compares with the experience

At $23, this is a strong-value introduction to El Nido’s main sights. The price covers the licensed boat, captain, crew, guide, lunch, fruit, water, and safety equipment. It also gives you five planned stops instead of only one beach and one snorkeling site.

The total cost is higher once you add the environmental fee, lagoon fee, kayak rental, drinks, and the cost of getting back to your hotel. Even so, it remains a budget-friendly choice for a full day on the water.

The tradeoff is control. A private boat would give you more say over timing, but it would cost more. A shared tour keeps the cost down and makes the day easy to arrange, but you may wait for other boats, follow the group schedule, and visit crowded places.

The tour has received a 4.3 rating from 92 reviews, which fits the overall picture: strong scenery, friendly crews, good food, and occasional problems with timing or coordination. Some outings have started later than the advertised time. On another occasion, the boat reportedly left a group at a beach longer than planned after the lunch was forgotten. These issues are not the expected norm, but they show why you should keep some flexibility in your day.

Who will enjoy this island tour most

You should consider Tour A if you want the major El Nido sights in one affordable day. It suits first-time visitors, couples, families, and solo visitors who would rather join an organized boat than arrange every detail themselves.

It is also a good fit if you want a mix of activity and rest. You can kayak and snorkel, but you can also skip an activity and swim or sit on the beach.

You may want another option if you strongly dislike crowds, need a precise schedule, or want a private experience. Tour A is popular, and several boats may follow the same route at similar times. Weather can also change the order or remove a stop.

For the best experience, arrive early, clarify the start time, bring extra water, and ask exactly what the lagoon and kayak charges will be. Keep your camera protected and expect the day to run on island time rather than a perfect clock schedule.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

Book it if you want the classic El Nido route at a low price and you are comfortable sharing the boat. Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, Seven Commandos Beach, and Payong-Payong Beach give you a satisfying range of scenery and activities.

The strongest reasons to choose it are the excellent value, included buffet lunch, and variety of stops. The main warnings are extra fees, possible delays, crowds, and the fact that the final route can change.

For a first El Nido visit, I would book this tour with realistic expectations. You are buying access to famous places, not solitude. If that sounds right, it is a practical way to spend one full day on Palawan’s water.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour A last?

The tour lasts about eight hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Which places does the tour visit?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch and fruit are included. The guide chooses the lunch stop, and the location can change with the weather.

Is kayaking included in the price?

No. Kayak rental at Big Lagoon costs extra.

Are the environmental and lagoon fees included?

No. The environmental fee is listed as 400, and the lagoon entrance fee is listed as 200. Confirm the current currency and amount when booking.

Is hotel pickup available?

Free pickup is available within El Nido Town and Corong-corong. Drop-off back at your hotel is not included.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide service is available in English and Tagalog.

What should I bring?

Bring a change of clothes, camera, biodegradable sunscreen, beachwear, cash, a waterproof bag, and waterproof shoes. Extra drinking water is also a sensible choice.

Can the itinerary change?

Yes. The guide may change the destinations or lunch stop because of weather and local conditions.