El Nido: Island Hopping Tour A

El Nido Tour A packs four famous stops into one long day on Bacuit Bay: Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and Shimizu Island. I like the mix of dramatic limestone scenery and easy water time, and I like that the $34 price includes the boat, guide, lunch, and town hotel pickup. The tradeoff is simple: these are El Nido’s best-known places, so they can feel crowded.

I also like the clear instructions about what to bring, especially extra clothes, water, sunscreen, and a hat. The crew has earned praise for being friendly and attentive, but confirm your pickup point by WhatsApp before departure. One booking had the wrong meeting point in the app, followed by slow communication.

Key points at a glance

• Four major Tour A stops: Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and Shimizu Island are the core of the day.
• Water-based sightseeing: You can swim, snorkel, and kayak in the clear waters of Bacuit Bay.
• Good basic value: The $34 rate includes a professional guide, boat, lunch, and pickup in El Nido Town.
• Extra fees apply: Budget for the 400 environmental fee and 200 lagoon fees, plus personal expenses.
• Bring your own snorkel gear: A mask and snorkel are not included.
• Best for capable swimmers: The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers, pregnant women, or people with back problems.

What a full day on Tour A feels like

Tour A is the classic El Nido introduction. It takes you by boat from El Nido toward a chain of striking islands and sheltered waters, with several stops built around swimming, paddling, and short walks.

The advertised duration is eight hours, so plan on giving the day a generous slice of your schedule. You need to be ready 15 minutes before pickup. Hotel pickup applies to El Nido Town only. If your accommodation is farther away, you may need to pay a tricycle fare yourself.

The guide speaks English, and a professional guide plus boat crew are included. That matters on a water-based day because the pace, meeting points, and safety instructions can shape the whole experience. A friendly and attentive crew has been one of the strongest points reported for this trip.

Still, keep expectations realistic. This is a popular shared island tour, not a private escape. The famous stops may be busy, especially at the lagoons. You are paying for access to a well-known route at a modest price, not for solitude.

Big Lagoon, where the scenery takes over

Big Lagoon is usually the visual centerpiece of Tour A. Its name tells you what to expect: a broad body of clear water framed by the tall limestone formations that make El Nido famous.

This is the place for wide views and photos. The scale gives you room to appreciate the setting, even when other boats are around. You can swim in the clear water, and kayaking is part of the suggested activity mix.

A kayak is useful here because it lets you move at your own pace and look into the lagoon from the water. If you prefer not to paddle, you can focus on swimming and taking in the cliffs. Bring a camera, but protect it from splashes and keep your attention on where you are stepping and swimming.

The main drawback is popularity. Big Lagoon is not likely to feel like a private nature outing. If you want the best chance of calmer conditions, be ready early and follow the pickup instructions closely. The tour cannot control how many other boats are visiting at the same time.

Small Lagoon, a tighter water experience

Small Lagoon offers a different scale from Big Lagoon. The route feels more enclosed, with water access shaped by rock walls and narrow passages.

This stop suits people who like getting into the water rather than simply looking at it from the boat. Swimming and kayaking give you ways to see the lagoon at close range. The clear water is the attraction, but the setting around you is just as important.

You should wear clothing that works for water activities and pack dry clothes for later. Comfortable shoes are also a good idea because island stops can involve wet, uneven footing.

Small Lagoon may feel more intimate, but that does not guarantee quiet. Narrow areas can seem busy when several groups arrive together. If you prefer open water and broad views, Big Lagoon may be your favorite. If you enjoy a more enclosed route, Small Lagoon could be the stronger stop.

Secret Lagoon, with a short beach break

Secret Lagoon adds a change of rhythm. Instead of spending the whole stop in a wide open body of water, you get a beach setting and a more enclosed lagoon experience.

The visit is built around swimming and exploring the water. It is also a chance to dry off, take photos, and enjoy a slower moment between boat rides. Sunscreen, a hat, and water are especially useful here because the day includes time outdoors in strong tropical sun.

The word secret should not be taken too literally. This is one of the established El Nido stops, and its popularity is part of the package. Still, it offers a different feel from Big Lagoon and gives Tour A a useful variety of scenery.

Be careful with the environment. Touching marine life and plants is not allowed. That rule is practical, not fussy: coral, animals, and plant life can be damaged by careless contact, while your own footing may also be less stable than it looks.

Shimizu Island and the value of lunch

Shimizu Island is the stop that rounds out the day with a beach and snorkeling focus. The water around the island is intended for swimming and seeing marine life, and lunch is included.

That inclusion helps the $34 price make sense. A full day on the water can become expensive when transport, food, and a boat are paid for separately. Here, the main package covers all three, although you still need to pay the listed environmental and lagoon fees.

Do not assume snorkeling equipment is provided. A mask and snorkel are specifically excluded, so bring your own if you have them or arrange your own rental before the trip. The available information does not specify rental prices or whether equipment can be rented on the boat.

Shimizu Island is also a good point to slow down. After several stops, you may appreciate a simple beach break more than another landmark. Use the time to eat, swim, and take photos, but keep your camera and other belongings protected from water.

Why the $34 price can be good value

At $34 per person, Tour A is priced as an accessible shared outing. The package includes a boat, professional guide, lunch, and hotel pickup in El Nido Town. For a full eight-hour day, that is a useful bundle.

The price is not the final total. You must add the 400 environmental fee and 200 lagoon fees. Personal expenses are also excluded. Those charges can change your budget, so calculate the full cost before booking rather than treating the advertised rate as all-inclusive.

Your own mask and snorkel are not included either. If you already carry swim gear, that is a minor issue. If not, you will need to plan for it separately.

I see the best value here for someone who wants the main El Nido sights without arranging a private boat, food, guide, and transport one by one. The weaker value comes if you dislike shared schedules, crowded landmarks, or extra charges paid outside the headline price.

The meeting point deserves extra care

Pickup is offered from hotels in El Nido Town, but the practical details need confirmation. The meeting point may be sent by WhatsApp, and you should ask for the nearest pickup hotel before the day of the tour.

This is not just a minor planning tip. A previous booking used the meeting point shown in the app and found it was wrong. Communication afterward was not very good, even though the crew on the boat was described as friendly and helpful.

My advice is direct: message the operator before the morning of departure, confirm the exact hotel or meeting point, and save the reply. Be ready 15 minutes early. If you are staying outside El Nido Town, also confirm the tricycle arrangement and expect to pay that fare from your own pocket.

What to pack for eight hours around water

Pack light, but do not leave out the basics. The most useful items are:

• Swimwear and an extra set of dry clothes
• Sunscreen, a hat, and drinking water
• A camera or phone in waterproof protection
• Snacks for the gaps between meals
• Comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for wet activities
• Your own mask and snorkel if you plan to see marine life

Smoking is not allowed. Touching marine life and plants is also prohibited. Follow those rules carefully, especially around shallow water and reef areas.

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or non-swimmers. The program is built around boat travel and water activities, so you should be comfortable in that setting before booking.

Tour A compared with the other El Nido routes

The same travel planner offers four routes, and the difference matters if you are choosing between them.

Tour A focuses on the four lagoon and beach stops described above. Choose it if clear water, kayaking, swimming, and the classic lagoon scenery are your priorities.

Tour B visits Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave, and Matinloc Shrine. That route may suit you better if you want a different mix of island scenery, cave exploration, and a shrine visit.

Tour C combines destinations from Tours A and B. It may offer broader coverage, but the exact balance of stops is not specified here, so ask for the current itinerary before choosing it.

Tour D visits Cadlao Island, the largest island in Bacuit Bay, along with its beaches. Choose that route if the island itself and beach time appeal more than the famous lagoon circuit.

Do not assume one route is automatically better. Tour A is the most obvious pick for a first look at El Nido’s lagoon scenery, but another route may match your interests more closely.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend Tour A to someone who wants a straightforward day of island hopping and does not need private-tour flexibility. It works well for people who enjoy swimming, kayaking, beach stops, and taking photos of dramatic rock formations.

It also suits budget-minded visitors. The boat, lunch, guide, and town pickup cover the main pieces of a long day, while the reserve-now-and-pay-later option keeps payment flexible.

I would be more cautious if you are a non-swimmer, have back problems, or want a quiet beach day. The schedule is active, the popular sites can be crowded, and the extra environmental and lagoon charges need to be added to the advertised rate.

The boat crew is an important part of the experience. The strongest personal praise has gone to the crew’s kindness and helpful attitude, which is exactly what you want when a day depends on timing, water access, and several island stops.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

Book it if you want the standard El Nido highlights at a reasonable starting price and you are happy sharing the route with other groups. Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and Shimizu Island give you a varied day of scenery, swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, and lunch.

Before paying, confirm the exact pickup point by WhatsApp, check the extra 400 environmental fee and 200 lagoon fees, and arrange your own mask and snorkel. If you can accept crowds and plan carefully, Tour A is a practical way to see the best-known waters of Bacuit Bay in one day.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour A last?

The tour lasts about eight hours. Check availability for the specific starting time.

Which places does Tour A visit?

Tour A visits Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and Shimizu Island.

Is lunch included?

Yes, lunch is included in the tour.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is included for hotels in El Nido Town only.

What happens if my hotel is far from El Nido Town?

A tricycle fare may apply for hotels far from town, and that cost is paid personally.

Are the environmental and lagoon fees included?

No. The listed environmental fee is 400, and the lagoon fees are 200.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. A mask and snorkel are not included, so you should bring your own.

Is a guide included?

Yes, a professional, English-speaking guide is included.

Can I cancel the booking?

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

Is the tour suitable for non-swimmers?

No. The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers. It is also not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems.