Seacret Luxury Catamaran Yacht Group Island Hopping Tour

El Nido’s famous limestone cliffs look even better from the deck of Seacret, a 50-foot sailing catamaran that turns a standard island-hopping day into a more comfortable outing. You’ll swim in clear lagoons, stop at a private beach, and have lunch aboard or near the water, depending on the day’s arrangements.

I like the private Star Beach access, which gives this trip something most public boat tours cannot offer. I also like the thoughtful setup: lunch, towels, life jackets, a guide, and the environmental fee are all included, so you spend less time sorting out small extras.

The main consideration is the price, $155 per person, which is far above a basic El Nido boat tour. The route also changes by day, and the tour needs at least six people to operate, so you’ll want to check the schedule before building your day around it.

Key points to know before you book

• A 50-foot sailing catamaran: The boat itself is part of the experience, not just transport between beaches.
• Private Star Beach access: El Nido Yachting Club guests can use this exclusive beach, with white sand, rock formations, and coral reefs.
• Two rotating routes: Big Lagoon, Hidden Beach, and Seven Commandos are used on some days, while Cadlao Lagoon, Helicopter Island, and Small Lagoon appear on others.
• Seven hours on the water: The scheduled day runs from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., giving you time to visit several stops without rushing through a short excursion.
• A small maximum group size: The boat accepts up to 30 people, though the minimum is six.
• Useful inclusions: Lunch, a personalized guide, towels, life jackets, and the environmental fee are covered. Kayak rental and alcoholic drinks cost extra.

Why Seacret feels different from a basic El Nido boat trip

El Nido is famous for its limestone cliffs and bright water, but the quality of an island-hopping day depends heavily on the boat. A standard excursion can feel like a practical shuttle: get in, get out, take a few photos, and move on.

Seacret puts more weight on the sailing itself. You spend the day aboard a 50-foot catamaran rather than a smaller open boat, with a wider platform and more room to settle in between stops. The tour is operated by El Nido Yachting Club, and the emphasis is on a polished day rather than the cheapest possible way to reach the islands.

That matters during a seven-hour outing. You are not simply paying for four short beach visits. You are paying for the boat, the crew, lunch, equipment, guide service, environmental fee, and access to a private stop. I would think of this as a full-day leisure experience on the water, not a budget sightseeing transfer.

The tour has a 4.7 rating from 119 reviews, with 93 percent recommending it. The strongest praise centers on the crew, the smooth organization, the quality of lunch, and the fact that the whole day feels carefully planned. You should still keep your expectations sensible: this is not a private charter, and the group can reach 30 people.

The morning start at Corong Corong Pier

The scheduled start time is 9:00 a.m. The meeting information identifies Corong Corong Pier in El Nido, while the tour description also refers to the El Nido Yachting Club town office. Because both locations appear in the information, confirm the precise check-in point when you book.

That small bit of planning is worthwhile. You do not want to arrive at the pier when the group is gathering at the town office, or the other way around. The tour ends back at the meeting point, so you will not need to arrange a separate return transfer.

There is no air-conditioned vehicle included. That is not a major issue for a boat-based excursion, but it does mean you should not expect hotel transport or a land transfer as part of the package. The activity is near public transportation, and most people can participate.

The tour requires at least six bookings to go ahead. If that minimum is not met, the operator offers another date or experience, or a full refund. Weather matters, too. If poor conditions cancel the outing, you receive the same choice of a new date or a refund.

Big Lagoon and the classic El Nido cliffs

On the Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday route, Big Lagoon is one of the main stops. The entrance is framed by tall limestone cliffs, and the water opens into a broad, calm lagoon where you can swim or rent a kayak.

The listed stop lasts about 30 minutes. That is enough time to enjoy the setting and get in the water, but it is not a long, unhurried exploration. Kayak rental is optional and not included, so ask about availability and cost if paddling through the lagoon is important to you.

Big Lagoon is one of El Nido’s best-known sights, which means it can feel busy at popular times. The advantage of reaching it by a catamaran is the comfortable base between activities. You can take in the cliffs from the boat, then decide whether swimming or kayaking suits you better.

Bring a waterproof way to protect your phone. The tour provides towels and life jackets, but personal electronics and other valuables remain your responsibility.

Star Beach, the private stop that changes the value

Star Beach, also called Pasandigan, is the exclusive beach for El Nido Yachting Club customers. It is usually part of the route, even as the exact public stops change.

This is the most distinctive feature of the trip. You get white sand, rock formations, and coral reefs without visiting only the same public beach stops found on every route. The setting has a more secluded feel, although the beach is still shared with the other people on your boat and any other club visitors.

The scheduled stop is about 30 minutes. That is enough for a swim, a look at the reef, and a short rest on the sand. It is not long enough to spend an entire afternoon lounging, so think of it as a carefully chosen pause within a moving itinerary.

For me, this private beach helps explain the higher price. If you care about a quieter setting and prefer a more polished day, it adds real value. If your only goal is to visit as many famous public islands as possible for the lowest price, a standard tour may suit you better.

Hidden Beach and its natural swimming pool

Hidden Beach appears on the Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday route. It is described as a natural infinity pool, with clear water surrounded by dramatic limestone formations.

The name gives you a clue about the approach. The beach is not the main sight from a distance. The appeal comes from reaching the water within the rock formations and seeing how the cliffs frame the small swimming area.

You have about 30 minutes here. That short visit works well for a swim and photographs, but it can feel tight if you want a long, quiet stay. Water conditions and crowd levels can also affect how easy it is to enjoy the space, so keep your expectations flexible.

The stop is best for anyone who likes short bursts of scenery and swimming. If you prefer to spend an hour in one place, the fixed schedule may feel hurried.

Seven Commandos for sand, palms, and a break

Seven Commando Beach is another stop on the Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday route. It has white sand, coconut palms, and the relaxed look many people picture when they imagine an El Nido beach day.

Compared with the enclosed lagoons, Seven Commandos gives you more open beach time. You can swim, sit under the palms, and enjoy a simple island pause. The listed visit lasts about 30 minutes, so you will need to keep an eye on the time.

This is a good contrast to Big Lagoon and Hidden Beach. Those stops are shaped by cliffs and enclosed water, while Seven Commandos gives you sand and a broad coastal view. It also helps break up the day, especially if you enjoy alternating between swimming and relaxing.

Cadlao Lagoon, Helicopter Island, and Small Lagoon

The Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday route follows a different pattern. It includes Cadlao Lagoon, Helicopter Island, the private beach at Star Beach or Pasandigan, and Small Lagoon.

Cadlao Lagoon offers another limestone-framed water setting. Helicopter Island provides a change of pace from the enclosed lagoons, with the chance to enjoy an island beach and open water. Small Lagoon brings the focus back to a tighter, more sheltered setting.

The exact order and conditions can affect how long each stop feels. The tour description says you can visit three to four islands, following Department of Tourism restrictions. That means you should not expect every named location in a single day.

This rotating schedule is important when you plan your El Nido stay. If Big Lagoon is the sight you most want to see, choose a Sunday, Wednesday, or Friday departure. If Cadlao Lagoon or Small Lagoon matters more, look at Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday. The tour does not run every day, so check the day carefully before booking.

Lunch, equipment, and the practical details

Lunch is included, which makes the $155 price easier to assess. Food is one of the small costs that can add up on an island day, and having it arranged means you do not need to find a separate meal between stops. The food has received particularly strong praise, though the supplied details do not specify the menu.

Towels and life jackets are also included. That is useful for a day built around swimming, especially if you are moving between several stops. Kayak rental is not included, so budget extra if you want to paddle at Big Lagoon or another location where kayaks are available.

Alcoholic drinks are not included. You should not assume that the boat provides a full bar or that drinks are part of the package. The tour is designed around sightseeing, swimming, lunch, and sailing.

A personalized tour guide is included. No guide names are provided, so you cannot request a particular guide from the available information. The crew receives some of the strongest praise, especially for keeping the day smooth and making the boat ride feel like part of the occasion rather than dead time between stops.

Is $155 a fair price?

At $155, Seacret is not the economical choice for El Nido island hopping. A simple public boat trip may cost less, and you might visit similar headline sights. The question is what you want from the day.

The price makes more sense if you value:

• A 50-foot catamaran rather than a basic island boat
• Lunch and the environmental fee included
• A guide and safety equipment
• Towels supplied for swimming
• Access to a private beach
• A maximum group size of 30
• A full seven-hour schedule

The private beach is the key value point. Without it, the price would be harder to justify because several public stops are also available on other El Nido routes. With it, plus the catamaran and organized service, the outing becomes a more comfortable splurge.

I would not book this tour solely because it visits Big Lagoon or Seven Commandos. Those places can be reached through other island-hopping options. I would book it because you want a more refined day on the water and like the idea of making the boat, crew, lunch, and private beach part of the experience.

Who will enjoy this catamaran day most

This tour suits couples, friends, and solo visitors who want to meet people aboard a shared boat without choosing the most basic option. The maximum of 30 people keeps it from being an intimate private charter, but it is still more controlled than a very large group outing.

It also suits anyone who would rather pay once for a well-organized package. Lunch, the environmental fee, towels, life jackets, and a guide are already covered. You still need to pay for a kayak if you want one, and alcoholic drinks are extra.

The tour is a good match for confident swimmers and people who enjoy short visits at several scenic stops. You will move on after roughly 30 minutes at each listed location, so you need to be comfortable with a structured day.

It may not suit you if you want a private boat, a slow beach day, or the lowest possible price. It also requires flexibility, since weather, government restrictions, and the rotating schedule can change which islands you visit.

Booking, cancellation, and weather

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the tour uses a mobile ticket. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted.

The cut-off is based on local time. Since the trip depends on good weather and a minimum of six people, keep some flexibility in your El Nido plans. If the operator cancels because of weather or because the minimum number is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book Seacret?

Book it if you want El Nido’s lagoons and beaches with a more comfortable boat, a planned lunch, a helpful crew, and access to the club’s private Star Beach. The sailing time matters here. You are paying for the mood and ease of the whole day, not only for the names of the stops.

Skip it if $155 feels too high for island hopping, or if you mainly want to collect as many public beaches as possible. In that case, a simpler local boat tour may give you the sights for less.

Before booking, match the departure day to your priorities. Choose Sunday, Wednesday, or Friday for Big Lagoon, Hidden Beach, and Seven Commandos. Choose Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday for Cadlao Lagoon, Helicopter Island, and Small Lagoon. If that schedule works and the private beach appeals to you, Seacret is a strong splurge for a seven-hour El Nido day.

FAQ

How long does the Seacret catamaran tour last?

The tour lasts about seven hours, from approximately 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Where does the tour start and end?

The meeting point is listed as Corong Corong Pier in El Nido, Palawan, and the activity ends back at the meeting point. The tour information also refers to the El Nido Yachting Club town office, so confirm the exact check-in location after booking.

Which islands and lagoons does the tour visit?

The Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday route includes Big Lagoon, Star Beach or Pasandigan, Hidden Beach, and Seven Commandos. The Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday route includes Cadlao Lagoon, Helicopter Island, Star Beach or Pasandigan, and Small Lagoon. Department of Tourism restrictions mean you will visit three to four islands rather than every location listed.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the tour price. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

Is kayaking included?

No. Kayak rental is optional and costs extra. Towels and life jackets are included.

What happens if the weather is bad or the tour does not reach six bookings?

If poor weather cancels the tour, or if the minimum of six people is not reached, you are offered a different date or experience, or a full refund.