From Puerto Princesa: Day Trip to El Nido and Island Hopping

The real attraction here is Bacuit Bay, where jagged limestone walls surround clear water, small beaches, and famous lagoons. You get a full El Nido island-hopping day without changing hotels, but the price is a very long road trip: roughly five hours north and five hours back.

I like two things right away. First, the package includes the practical extras that can add up in El Nido: boat fees, lagoon fees, environmental fees, a life vest, snorkeling mask, aqua shoes, kayak rental, lunch, and hotel transport. Second, you can reach major spots such as Secret Lagoon and Big Lagoon in one packed day.

The catch is simple: you spend about 20 hours on the move, with only around seven hours in El Nido itself. Shared transport can also be cramped, and the return journey has caused serious delays and overcrowding. This is a useful option for a tight schedule, but not the most restful way to see Palawan.

Key points to know before booking

• The road takes about 10 hours round trip, with pickup near 4 AM and a return to Puerto Princesa close to midnight.
• Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Seven Commandos Beach, and Big Lagoon are the expected stops, but the route can change.
• Kayaking and snorkeling gear are included, along with life vests, aqua shoes, entry charges, and lunch.
• Shared vans may be uncomfortable, with one departure carrying 12 people and another return vehicle reported as heavily overcrowded.
• The boat portion is the strongest part of the day, especially for swimming, kayaking, and lagoon scenery.
• The $360 price covers up to two people, so the value depends heavily on whether you want convenience or can arrange a cheaper El Nido tour after staying locally.

Leaving Puerto Princesa before sunrise

Pickup is scheduled for around 4 AM from hotels within 15 kilometers of Puerto Princesa City Airport. You should be ready in the lobby at least 10 minutes early, with your passport or ID card, swimwear, towel, sunscreen, cash, and a change of clothes.

The first leg is a long van ride through Palawan. The air-conditioned vehicle is meant to make the journey easier, and there is usually a short stop where you can stretch and buy food. Breakfast is not included, so bring something small or plan to eat after reaching El Nido.

I would treat this first ride as a transfer rather than part of the sightseeing. You will see the countryside through the windows, but the early hour and length of the drive mean most people will want to sleep. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, so pack a small day bag with only what you need on the boat.

The shared option deserves careful thought. One account described a 12-person van that felt uncomfortable, while another reported being placed in a much larger shared vehicle for the return. If you are paying $360 for two people, ask exactly what transport arrangement applies in both directions. The morning vehicle may not be the same as the evening vehicle.

Breakfast and the El Nido wharf

The van should reach El Nido in the morning, with the boat departure planned for about 9 AM. You will be dropped near the jump-off point, where several restaurants offer a chance to buy breakfast before boarding.

This gap between arrival and departure can be useful, but it may also involve waiting. A summer departure included a long delay before the boat left, and one return schedule slipped well past the expected time. Do not plan a tight flight, ferry, or other connection after this activity.

The boat portion is operated locally after the Puerto Princesa transfer. That means the quality of the day can feel split in two: the long-distance transport is one part, and the island-hopping crew is another. The boat crews have generally been described as friendly, and one group specifically praised the boat team from Dos Hermanos.

The activity may be private or arranged in a small group, but the island-hopping stops can still be busy. One account described more than 20 other tour groups around the same sites. Bacuit Bay is famous for a reason, and the best-known lagoons draw many boats at the same time.

Secret Lagoon and the first swim

Secret Lagoon is usually one of the main stops. It sits behind rough limestone walls, with a small opening leading into a sheltered pool. Depending on conditions and crowd levels, getting inside can be part of the fun, but this is not a quiet, untouched corner of Palawan.

You can swim here, and the included life vest makes the water easier for anyone who is not a confident swimmer. Aqua shoes are useful around rocky or uneven sections. Bring your own towel and a dry change of clothes because you will be wet early in the boat day.

The word secret is best understood as a name, not a promise of solitude. Expect a popular stop with other groups arriving around the same time. The rock formations are still impressive, but you should set your expectations around shared access rather than private exploration.

Shimizu Island and time in the water

Shimizu Island offers a beach stop with clear water and a chance to snorkel. The package includes masks, so you do not need to arrange basic equipment separately. Life vests are supplied as well, and aqua shoes are included for more comfortable movement around the shore.

This is one of the places where the tour’s included gear has real value. You can switch between swimming, snorkeling, and simply sitting on the beach without paying separate rental charges during the day. Kayaking is also included, and one particularly positive account called it the best part of the experience.

The exact amount of time at each stop is not fixed. Boats may adjust the order or stops because of weather, sea conditions, or local operating decisions. I would enjoy the water when you have it rather than worrying about seeing every named place exactly as printed.

Seven Commandos Beach and the midday meal

Seven Commandos Beach is the classic postcard stop: white sand, coconut trees, and warm water. It is a good place to slow down for a swim after the morning’s boat movement, although it can also be crowded.

Lunch is served around midday and includes barbecue pork, chicken, seafood, vegetable salad, and fresh fruit. For people who eat meat and seafood, that is a useful meal after several hours in the sun. Water is not clearly provided as part of the package, so bring a refillable bottle or buy water along the way.

Vegetarian food needs advance planning. One vegetarian meal was limited to cucumber and fruit, which is not enough for a long, active day followed by a five-hour drive. If you do not eat meat or seafood, bring your own food and explain your needs before departure rather than hoping the shared meal will cover them.

Shared lunches can also be uneven. Since the food is placed out for the group, take your portion early and reasonably. The meal is functional rather than a reason to book the tour.

Big Lagoon and the highlight of Bacuit Bay

Big Lagoon is often the grand finale. Tall limestone formations frame calm water, and the scale feels different from the smaller beach stops. Kayaking here can give you a better view than staying on the main boat, which explains why the included kayak is such a useful feature.

The lagoon fee is included, as are other environmental and entry charges. That removes some of the small payment decisions that can slow down an independently arranged day. Still, the lagoon may be busy, and the route can change. Weather or local boat control may send your group to a different stop.

The island-hopping portion is scheduled to finish around 4 PM. In a smooth operation, you return to the wharf, have time for dinner in El Nido, and leave for Puerto Princesa around 6 PM. In practice, the wait can be longer. One departure did not leave until about 6:30 PM, and another group was delayed until roughly 7:30 PM.

That matters more than it might seem. After swimming and sitting in the sun all day, you face another five-hour road ride. A late departure can put you back at your hotel near midnight or later.

The return drive is the main risk

The return transport is the part I would question most carefully before paying. The morning ride may feel like a private or smaller transfer, but the evening return can involve additional pickups and more passengers.

One account described a van packed with a large group, with extra seats tied in place and an exit partly blocked. That is not a minor comfort issue. It raises a safety concern, especially on a long mountain and highway journey. Another group had to wait while the driver sought additional passengers, even though another van reportedly had spare seats.

You should ask the operator these questions before departure:

• Is the return van reserved for your booking?
• How many seats are guaranteed?
• Will the driver collect extra passengers?
• What happens if the boat returns before the scheduled time?
• Who should you call if the van is late?

The provider is Corazon Travel & Tours, and the guiding languages are English and Tagalog. The local boat crew may be a separate team, so it is wise to keep the main operator’s contact details available throughout the day.

Does $360 offer good value?

At $360 per group of up to two people, this is not a cheap island day. You are paying for the convenience of hotel pickup in Puerto Princesa, the long-distance van, an El Nido boat tour, lunch, gear, and listed fees.

The price becomes easier to justify if you have only one free day and do not want to move hotels. You can leave Puerto Princesa and return there without arranging separate buses, boat tickets, and local bookings. For two people, the group rate also spreads the cost better than it would for a solo passenger.

The comparison changes if you already plan to stay in El Nido. A local island-hopping booking was described as costing about 20 euros per person, although that figure may not include the same transport, fees, or meal arrangements. Staying locally gives you more time in Bacuit Bay and avoids the 10-hour road transfer.

The real product here is convenience, not savings. If you value a single booking and need to return to Puerto Princesa, the package can make sense. If your main goal is the best island time for your money, sleep in El Nido and book the boat there.

Who should choose this day trip?

I would consider it for someone with a firm base in Puerto Princesa, limited time, and enough energy for a very long day. It suits active people who are happy to swim, snorkel, kayak, eat a practical lunch, and then sit in a van for hours.

It is less suitable for anyone who dislikes early starts, cramped transport, uncertain departure times, or crowded beaches. It is also a poor match for people with mobility impairments, since the day includes boat boarding, beach movement, swimming areas, and a long vehicle ride.

A private option may improve flexibility and reduce some group friction, but private booking does not automatically guarantee a fast return or a quieter lagoon. Ask what private covers: the van, the boat, or both.

Pack light. Bring water, cash, sunscreen, a towel, water shoes, dry clothes, and snacks. Do not depend on the included lunch to meet special dietary needs, and do not leave Puerto Princesa without a clear understanding of the return plan.

Should you book the Puerto Princesa to El Nido trip?

Book it if reaching El Nido in one day is your priority and you accept the exhausting road schedule. The boat day itself offers the scenery most people come for: lagoons, beaches, snorkeling, and kayaking, with useful fees and equipment included.

Skip it if you can spare a night or two in El Nido. You will gain more time on the water, avoid a punishing return drive, and likely find a cheaper local boat option. If you do book, choose the private arrangement if the transport terms are clearly confirmed, and treat the return journey as the deciding factor, not an afterthought.

FAQ

How long is the full activity?

The activity lasts about 20 hours. Pickup is planned for around 4 AM, the island-hopping day runs until about 4 PM, and the return to Puerto Princesa may be close to midnight.

How much driving is involved?

You should expect more than 10 hours of total driving, with approximately five hours each way between Puerto Princesa and El Nido.

Which islands and lagoons will I visit?

The planned stops can include Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Seven Commandos Beach, and Big Lagoon. The stops may change depending on the assigned route and conditions.

Are snorkeling equipment and kayaks included?

Yes. The package includes life vests, snorkeling masks, aqua shoes, and kayak rental.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is listed as barbecue pork, chicken, seafood, vegetable salad, and fresh fruit. Breakfast and dinner are not included.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The activity depends on favorable weather. If poor weather cancels island hopping after you reach El Nido, you will be offered an alternative activity, which may not include island hopping.