El Nido Island Hopping Tour A with Lunch

The best part of this El Nido day is the variety packed into one boat trip: a narrow entrance to Secret Lagoon, a shaded beach at Shimizu Island, and a long stop at Seven Commando Beach. You get five island stops, lunch, and a local guide for $24, though the exact route depends on the option you choose.

I like the large shared lunch, which can include rice, fish, chicken, pork, fruit, and vegetables. I also like the chance to see El Nido’s limestone islands from the water instead of spending the day at one beach. The main catch is extra cost: environmental, lagoon, kayak, snorkeling, and shoe fees are not included.

Key points to know before booking

• Five stops with three route themes: Choose among routes focused on hidden beaches and shrines, lagoons and beaches, or caves and coves.
• Secret Lagoon is a short but memorable stop: Expect about 30 minutes for the beach and the passage into the lagoon.
• Seven Commando Beach gets the longest listed visit: You have about one hour to swim and relax.
• Lunch is a real part of the day: The spread may include fish, chicken, pork, vegetables, fruit, and rice, with vegan meals arranged when requested.
• Extra fees can change the final price: The ₱400 environmental fee, Big Lagoon fee, kayak rental, snorkeling equipment, and aqua shoes are separate.
• Boat access can be wet and awkward: One account describes boarding through chest-high water, so protect phones and wear clothing suitable for getting soaked.

What this El Nido boat day is really like

El Nido is best seen from the water. The town itself is a useful base, but the pale limestone walls, small beaches, clear bays, and coral reefs are spread across the Bacuit Archipelago. This tour gives you a practical way to see several of them in one half-day outing.

The published price is $24 per person, which is strong value for a 6 to 8 hour trip if you want scenery, swimming, lunch, and boat transport without arranging each piece yourself. The price is less simple once you add local charges and rentals, so think of it as a low starting price rather than the complete cost of the day.

You meet at Mabuhay Sports Bar in downtown El Nido at 9:00 a.m. The boat returns to the same meeting point. Round-trip transport from downtown is included, and the group can reach up to 30 people. That makes the tour easy to join, but you should not expect a private boat or a quiet, custom-paced outing.

The day is built around five stops. Three named stops are Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commando Beach. The advertised choices also include routes centered on lagoons and beaches, hidden beaches and shrines, or caves and coves. Confirm the precise five-stop plan when you book, especially if you have your heart set on a particular lagoon or cave.

Secret Lagoon, a short stop with a tight entrance

Secret Lagoon combines a white-sand beach with a small lagoon tucked inside the island. The point is not simply to sit on the beach. You also get the chance to pass through the narrow entrance and see the calm water inside.

The listed visit lasts about 30 minutes. That is enough for a quick look and some time on the beach, but it is not a leisurely swimming session. If several boats arrive together, the passage can feel busy and the stop may pass quickly.

This is one place where sturdy footwear can help. Aqua shoes are available for ₱150, though they are not included. The tour also lists a snorkeling equipment charge of ₱150, so ask before assuming masks and fins are free. The general tour description refers to snorkeling equipment rentals, but the detailed cost information lists them as an extra.

The lagoon charge is also separate. The listed Big Lagoon user fee is ₱200, and kayak rental for access to Big Lagoon is ₱350 per person. Since the advertised route choices and listed fees do not perfectly match every named stop, ask the operator which lagoon charge applies to your selected route. This small check can prevent an unpleasant surprise at the pier.

Shimizu Island, shade and clear water

Shimizu Island offers a different mood. Its white-sand beach has trees for shade, and the clear blue water gives you an easy place to swim or cool off. The listed stop is about 30 minutes, so it works best as a quick beach break rather than a long, quiet stay.

The shade matters in El Nido. A day on the water can mean strong sun reflecting off the sea and pale sand, with little chance to escape it at other stops. Use this visit to drink water, eat a little fruit from lunch if it is served early, and give your shoulders a break from the sun.

You might also find snorkeling conditions here or at another stop, but the available equipment is not automatically included in the final price. If swimming is a major reason for booking, budget for the rental and ask what equipment is available before departure.

Shimizu Island is also a useful reminder that this is a group trip. The boat has a schedule, and a 30-minute stop leaves little room for wandering. Stay aware of the meeting time, keep your belongings together, and do not assume the boat will wait for a long individual swim.

Seven Commando Beach, the day’s best chance to slow down

Seven Commando Beach receives the longest listed stop, one hour. Its limestone mountain backdrop and green trees give it the classic El Nido setting, but the value here is simple: you get more time to swim, sit on the sand, and recover from the faster lagoon visits.

One hour is still not a full beach day. It is enough for a swim and a short rest, especially if you have already spent time boarding, walking through shallow water, and moving between boat and shore. I would treat it as your main pause rather than trying to fit in every possible activity.

The beach is also a good place to judge your own pace. If you prefer an unhurried day with long stretches of sand time, a five-stop group tour may feel rushed. If you want a broad taste of El Nido and enjoy changing scenery, the schedule makes more sense.

The limestone and trees provide the visual appeal, but the boat ride between stops is part of the experience too. You see the islands from angles that are impossible from town, with cliffs and small beaches appearing and disappearing as the boat moves through the archipelago.

Lunch is one of the tour’s strongest features

Lunch is included, and it is more substantial than the bare-bones meal often associated with budget boat outings. The spread can include fish, chicken, pork, vegetables, fruit, and rice. That mix matters after a morning in the sun and water.

Vegan food can be arranged when requested. Do not leave this until the boat is already moving. State your dietary needs at booking or as soon as you meet the operator, then confirm that the requested meal is noted.

Food service can also affect the rhythm of the day. You may eat at one of the beach stops rather than at a fixed restaurant, which keeps the tour tied to the islands but means the meal setting is informal. Bring patience and protect your camera or phone from sand and water.

The lunch adds real value to the $24 starting price. Even after accounting for additional charges, having the boat, guide, food, and several stops handled in one booking is easier than piecing the day together yourself.

The boat, group size, and practical comfort

The tour uses boat transfers and accepts up to 30 people. That is a manageable group for a standard shared outing, though it can still feel crowded during boarding, short beach visits, and lagoon access.

Boarding may not be dry. One account describes wading through chest-high water to reach the ladder, an important detail for anyone carrying a backpack, camera, or phone. Conditions can vary, but you should pack as if your lower body and belongings may get wet.

Use a dry bag or waterproof phone pouch. Keep only what you need on the boat, and wear clothes that can handle repeated swimming and wet boarding. A towel, sun protection, drinking water, and footwear suitable for uneven or wet ground are sensible additions.

The local guide and crew are central to the day. Ariel is one guide associated with this experience, and his work is described as attentive and helpful. The crew is also expected to assist with boarding, meal arrangements, and the general movement between boat and shore. Service can vary by departure, but a responsive crew makes a clear difference when the sea and beach access are awkward.

Extra fees change the value calculation

The headline price is attractive, but budget for mandatory or likely extras. The listed environmental fee is ₱400 per person. A Big Lagoon user fee is ₱200 per person, while kayak rental for access to Big Lagoon is ₱350 per person.

Snorkeling equipment is listed at ₱150 per person, and aqua shoes cost ₱150 per person to rent. Not every charge will apply to every route, but you should ask for the total before leaving the meeting point.

This is also where clear communication matters. The environmental and lagoon charges can be collected together, which may look like one unexplained amount if nobody breaks it down. Ask what each payment covers and keep the amounts clear.

Even with extras, the tour can be good value for someone who wants a full day of island scenery and does not want to arrange a private boat. It is less compelling if you already have a boat, gear, and a preferred list of beaches, or if you dislike paying separate local charges during an excursion.

Who should book this El Nido experience?

I would choose this tour if you have limited time in El Nido and want to see several types of scenery in one outing. It suits swimmers, beach lovers, first-time visitors, and anyone who values lunch and transport being included.

It also works well for families and mixed groups, since not everyone needs to snorkel or kayak at every stop. The maximum group size and short stop times make the day fairly structured, which can help groups stay together.

You should think twice if you need a quiet, private boat, long visits at each beach, or a highly flexible schedule. The 6 to 8 hour duration is substantial, but the day still moves according to the group and the sea conditions.

Most people can participate, and the tour is near public transportation. Still, wet boarding, boat ladders, beach access, and possible water activity require a reasonable level of comfort around the sea. Ask the operator for clarification if mobility is a concern, since the supplied details do not give a specific accessibility plan.

Booking advice, weather, and cancellation

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the 9:00 a.m. start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted and are not refunded.

I would book early if your El Nido stay is short, since the tour was booked repeatedly in the previous week and departures can fill. At booking, confirm the route theme, the exact five stops, all required fees, kayak access, snorkeling equipment, and any dietary request.

The tour starts and ends at Mabuhay Sports Bar, which keeps the plan simple. You do not need to arrange separate downtown transport, but arrive ready for a group departure rather than a private pickup.

Should you book Tour A with Lunch?

Book it if you want a practical introduction to El Nido’s beaches, lagoons, limestone islands, and boat culture at a low starting price. The combination of five stops, lunch, a local guide, and return boat transport gives you a lot in one day, and the meal appears to be a particular strength.

Go in with realistic expectations. Secret Lagoon and Shimizu Island are short visits, the boat may hold up to 30 people, boarding can be wet, and the final price will rise with local fees and rentals. Confirm the route and charges before you pay, then bring waterproof storage, sun protection, and a flexible attitude.

For a first island-hopping day, I think the value is solid. For a private, slow, carefully tailored outing, spend more for a different style of boat trip.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Island Hopping Tour A take?

The experience lasts approximately 6 to 8 hours and starts at 9:00 a.m.

Where does the tour start and finish?

You meet at Mabuhay Sports Bar in El Nido, Palawan. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What is included in the tour?

The tour includes lunch, a local guide, and boat transfers. Round-trip transport from downtown El Nido is included.

Are the environmental and lagoon fees included?

No. The listed environmental fee is ₱400 per person, and the Big Lagoon user fee is ₱200 per person. Kayak rental, snorkeling equipment, and aqua shoes are also listed separately.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 30 people.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

Because the experience requires good weather, a cancellation caused by poor conditions results in an offer of a different date or a full refund.