El Nido Island Hopping Tour A

El Nido Tour A puts the area’s best-known scenery into one long day: limestone cliffs, clear lagoons, white beaches, and coral-filled water. You move by motorized boat from one stop to the next, with time to swim, snorkel, relax, and eat a picnic lunch.

I like the sensible mix of stops, especially Shimizu Island for snorkeling and Seven Commando Beach for an easy final swim and a drink from the small bar. I also like the low $27 starting price for a nine-hour outing with lunch, a guide, boat transport, and a life vest included. The catch is that you still pay $600 in listed environmental and lagoon fees, and the tour is not a good fit if you are prone to seasickness.

Key points at a glance

• Shimizu Island combines snorkeling and beach time: You can look for corals and fish in the water or stay on the fine white sand.
• Seven Commando Beach gives the day an easy finish: Expect a long beach, swimming time, and a small bar serving drinks.
• The scenery is built around limestone cliffs: Vegetation-covered rock walls frame the lagoons and boat routes.
• The $27 price covers useful basics: Lunch, motorized transport, a DOT-licensed guide, a life vest, and pickup in El Nido proper are included.
• Extra fees affect the real cost: The environmental fee is $400 per person and the lagoon fee is $200 per person.
• A recent difficult morning did not cancel the day: The operator still delivered the planned stops and lunch, which is reassuring, though it also hints that conditions can be a little messy.

Why Tour A remains El Nido’s classic day on the water

If you have only one full day for island hopping in El Nido, Tour A makes a practical choice. It is designed around the area’s signature sights rather than one single beach. You get lagoons, rock walls, snorkeling, a fine-sand beach, and lunch in roughly nine hours.

That variety matters. A beach-only trip can feel repetitive by midafternoon, while a lagoon-only trip may leave you wishing for more time in the open water. Here, the scenery changes as the boat moves along the coast. One moment you are looking up at steep limestone cliffs covered in vegetation. Later, you are checking coral and fish near Shimizu Island or stretching out on Seven Commando Beach.

The tour is also priced for people who want a straightforward group outing rather than a private charter. At $27 per person, the main cost is modest for a full day on a motorized boat. Still, I would not treat $27 as the final bill. Add the listed $400 environmental fee and $200 lagoon fee, then consider optional kayak rental and snorkeling equipment.

The morning meeting point and pickup details

Pickup is included only if your accommodation is in El Nido town proper. That is convenient if you are staying in the central area, since you can begin the day without arranging separate transport.

If you stay outside town proper, the arrangement is less door-to-door. You need to take a tricycle to El Nido town proper and meet your assigned guide at the Petron Gasoline Station near El Nido Port. Build that extra ride into your morning plans. The tour information does not give one fixed departure time, so you need to check availability for the date you want.

The guide speaks English and Tagalog and is listed as DOT licensed. No guide name is provided, so you should not expect to request a particular person when booking. The guide’s role is especially useful on a group boat, helping coordinate the stops, explain where to meet, and keep the day moving.

A small practical warning: an earlier morning had several problems, yet the operator still managed to deliver the tour, complete the planned activities, and provide the buffet lunch. That is a good sign for problem solving, but it also means you should arrive with a little patience. Boat days do not always begin with perfect clockwork.

Lagoons framed by cliffs and vegetation

The lagoons are a central reason people choose Tour A. You will see water enclosed or bordered by tall limestone formations, with vegetation spreading across the rock. The contrast is the point: pale stone, green plant life, and water that invites a swim.

I like this part of the day for the sense of scale. El Nido’s cliffs are not just a backdrop for photographs. They make the boat ride feel enclosed in places, then open again as you move toward the next stop. You get a better sense of the coast from the water than you would from a beach alone.

There is an important cost detail here. A lagoon fee of $200 per person is not included, along with the $400 environmental fee. These charges are paid directly before the tour. Since the lagoon is one of the main reasons to book Tour A, check the current fee arrangement before you commit and include it in your budget.

Kayaking may be available as an optional extra, but the supplied information does not promise a kayak at every lagoon or specify the rental price. If you want to paddle rather than simply swim or view the rock walls from the boat, ask about availability when arranging the tour.

Shimizu Island for coral, fish, and fine sand

Shimizu Island gives the day a welcome change of pace. You can snorkel to look at corals and hundreds of fish species, or stay on the white-sand beach if you would rather keep your feet dry.

That choice makes this stop useful for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can spend time in the water, while someone who prefers a quiet break can relax on the sand. You are not forced to make every stop about snorkeling.

Bring your own mask and snorkeling gear if you have them. Rental gear is listed as optional, but the information does not give a rental price or confirm exactly what is available on the boat. Goggles are also included on the suggested packing list. A waterproof bag is sensible for keeping phones, wallets, and dry clothes away from spray.

The marine life is part of the appeal, but sightings are never guaranteed. You might see a wide range of fish and coral, and there is also a chance of encountering sea turtles. Treat that as a lucky possibility, not a promised feature. Avoid touching coral or marine animals, and use biodegradable sunscreen to reduce what you carry into the water.

Seven Commando Beach and the final swim

Seven Commando Beach is described as having a long stretch of white sand, making it a good place to slow down after the more active parts of the route. You can swim, rest on the beach, and take in the limestone scenery without needing to squeeze another major activity into the schedule.

A small bar serves drinks here. That gives the final stop a relaxed, social feel, but bring money if you want to buy something because drinks are not listed as included. The tour includes a picnic lunch, not a full range of refreshments.

The beach can also be where you feel the limits of a nine-hour group outing. You will want time at every stop, yet the boat must keep to its route. If your ideal day means spending several hours on one quiet beach, Tour A may feel too structured. If you prefer variety and want several recognizable El Nido sights in one day, the schedule makes more sense.

Lunch, equipment, and what the $27 really buys

The included picnic lunch is one of the tour’s practical strengths. You do not need to find a restaurant between island stops, and a recent booking record specifically notes that the buffet lunch was enjoyable. The provided details do not list the menu, so bring a snack only if you need a particular diet or extra food.

Your package includes:

• Motorized boat transport
• Picnic lunch
• A life vest
• A DOT-licensed tour guide
• Pickup in El Nido town proper

It does not include the environmental fee, lagoon fee, kayak rental, or mask and snorkeling equipment. Those exclusions matter more than they might on a short trip because the tour runs for nine hours and includes several water-based stops.

The price is good value if you already have beach gear and are staying in town proper. It is less of a bargain if you need several rentals, must pay for a tricycle to the meeting point, and had assumed the listed fees were part of the advertised price. I would compare the full expected cost, not just the headline rate.

What to pack for a nine-hour boat day

Use the packing list seriously. Bring sunscreen, biodegradable sunscreen if possible, beachwear, a waterproof camera, a waterproof bag, goggles, and snorkeling gear.

I would also wear or carry something that dries easily. You may swim at more than one stop, and the boat ride between islands can leave wet clothes uncomfortable. Keep valuables to a minimum and place anything important in the waterproof bag before boarding.

Because people prone to seasickness are specifically advised not to take this tour, think carefully about your comfort on boats. A nine-hour day is a long time if you already know that open-water rides make you ill. The supplied information does not mention medication or other seasickness support, so plan only within what you already know works for you.

Who will enjoy Tour A most

I would choose this tour if you want a broad introduction to El Nido in one day. It suits people who enjoy changing scenery, casual swimming, beach time, snorkeling, and a prepared lunch rather than designing every hour themselves.

It is also a good match for a group with different interests. One person can snorkel at Shimizu Island while another relaxes on the sand. At Seven Commando Beach, you can choose a swim, a drink at the bar, or a quiet break.

I would think twice if you dislike group schedules, need a private boat, or want long, unhurried time at one location. The tour information does not state the group size, so you should ask before booking if crowd levels are important to you. The same applies if you need specific accessibility arrangements, since no accessibility details are provided.

English and Tagalog guiding make the tour workable for many visitors. Still, no individual guide is named, and the exact start time depends on availability. Those details are worth confirming before payment.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

Book it if you want the classic El Nido mix at a low starting price: lagoons, cliffs, snorkeling, white sand, lunch, and a full day on the water. The route gives you more variety than a simple beach trip, and the included boat, guide, lunch, and life vest keep the basic planning easy.

Before booking, add the $400 environmental fee and $200 lagoon fee to the $27 price. Check whether you need a tricycle to the Petron Gasoline Station, and ask about kayak and snorkeling rentals if you do not own gear. If seasickness is a serious concern, choose a land-based plan instead.

For the right person, this is a useful first look at El Nido’s famous coast. Just arrive prepared for a long boat day, changing conditions, and a schedule that values variety over lingering.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Island Hopping Tour A last?

The tour lasts approximately nine hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $27 per person, before the separate environmental and lagoon fees.

What fees are paid separately?

You pay an environmental fee of $400 per person and a lagoon fee of $200 per person directly before the tour.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is included when your accommodation is within El Nido town proper.

What if my hotel is outside El Nido town proper?

You need to take a tricycle to El Nido town proper and meet your assigned guide at the Petron Gasoline Station near El Nido Port.

What language does the guide speak?

The guide speaks English and Tagalog.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic lunch is included, and the tour has also been described as providing a buffet lunch.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Mask and snorkeling equipment are optional extras. You may bring your own gear.

Are kayaking and snorkeling rentals included?

No. Kayak rental and mask and snorkeling rental are optional and not included in the listed price.

Can I cancel the tour for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Who should avoid this tour?

The tour is not suitable for people prone to seasickness.