El Nido Island Tour A

El Nido Tour A packs five of Palawan’s best-known stops into one long day on the water. The star is Big Lagoon, where towering limestone walls frame clear water and small boats move through a dramatic natural corridor. The route also gives you time for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and a simple picnic lunch.

I like the low $22 starting price, especially since a guide, boat permit, life vest, lunch, and town hotel pickup are included. I also like the mix of scenery: you get famous lagoon views, a beach stop, and several chances to get in the water. The main drawback is timing. Coast Guard clearance can delay departure, and five stops in one day can feel rushed when beaches are crowded.

Key points to know before booking

• Big Lagoon is the main attraction: Expect a photo stop, safety briefing, guided sightseeing, and the option to rent a kayak for 300 pesos per hour.
• Five stops fill the day: Each destination usually gets about 40 to 50 minutes, though timing can change with weather, crowds, and boat clearance.
• The price covers useful basics: Lunch, life vest, guide, boat permit, and pickup within El Nido Town are included.
• Budget 600 pesos in extra fees: A 200-peso lagoon fee and 400-peso environmental fee are collected at the booking office.
• Departure is not exact: Meet before 8:30am, then expect the boat to leave between 9:00 and 10:00am.
• Confirm your return transfer: Pickup is included within El Nido Town, but one booking account reported needing to pay for a tricycle after the tour.

Big Lagoon gives Tour A its wow moment

The day begins at the Cliffside Travel and Tours booking office beside El Nido Cliffside Cottages. Be there before 8:30am for registration, fee collection, and the tour briefing. The boat leaves from El Nido Town Beach after Coast Guard clearance, usually between 9:00 and 10:00am.

The first ride takes about 20 to 30 minutes. That short crossing brings you to Big Lagoon, the stop that gives this tour its strongest visual punch. Pale limestone cliffs rise around calm water, and the narrow entrance makes the lagoon feel more enclosed than the open sea.

You can expect a safety briefing and guided sightseeing here. Big Lagoon is also the only listed stop with kayak rental, at 300 pesos per hour. That extra cost may be worthwhile if you want to paddle into quieter corners or take your time with photos, but it is not required for the visit.

The main catch is that Big Lagoon is popular. Your time here may be shared with boats from other island tours, and the usual 40 to 50 minute stop does not leave much room for a slow paddle, swimming, and photography all at once. If the lagoon is your priority, keep your gear ready and listen closely for the return-boat instructions.

Secret Lagoon offers a different kind of shoreline

Secret Lagoon is less about a long beach stay and more about the contrast between open coast and enclosed rock. The stop is reached by boat, followed by a short move toward the lagoon area. Exact conditions can vary, so listen to the guide and follow the safety instructions.

This is one of the places where the tour’s short-stop format matters. You may have enough time to look around, take photos, and enjoy the water, but you should not expect a private or leisurely afternoon. The attraction is compact, and several boats may be serving the same stop.

I would keep your belongings simple here. A waterproof bag for your phone, towel, and cash is more useful than bringing a large day pack. You will be moving between boat and shore several times, and the life vest provided by the operator is part of the standard safety setup.

Shimizu Island is the best lunch and water break

Shimizu Island provides the classic white-sand beach setting associated with El Nido. It is a natural place for swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling, and the tour includes a picnic lunch during the day.

The supplied information says lunch is served at one of the islands, while one account describes a simple meal eaten on the boat. That suggests the exact lunch setting can change with conditions and boat operations. Plan for a practical picnic rather than a restaurant meal, and do not expect a long dining break.

The food is only one part of the value here. Lunch gives you a chance to sit, dry off, and reset between lagoon visits. Some beaches have limited seating, so a lightweight towel or sarong can make the break more comfortable. One account praised the boat as roomy and well maintained, which is useful on a full day when you may spend as much time aboard as on shore.

Snorkeling equipment is not included. Masks are available for rent at the beach during boat dispatch, but the price is not specified. If snorkeling matters to you, ask about the rental cost before leaving the office. You can also choose to swim without gear or simply enjoy the sand and water.

Payong-payong Beach keeps the middle of the day easy

Payong-payong Beach is one of the shorter, simpler stops on the route. It gives you another chance to walk on white sand, swim, or sit in the sun without needing a complicated activity plan.

The tour description also lists volleyball among the possible activities. Conditions and available space will determine how much room there is for a game, especially when several boats arrive together. Still, this stop helps break up the sightseeing with a more relaxed beach visit.

The practical issue is crowding. A small beach can feel very full when several island boats arrive at once. If you want quiet, this is not the tour format to count on. If you enjoy a social beach stop and do not mind sharing the shore, the short visit works well.

Seven Commandos Beach is the relaxed finish

Seven Commandos Beach is the final named stop before the boat returns toward El Nido Beach. It is a good place for a final swim, a little sun, and a last look at the coast before heading back.

The beach stop also gives the day a softer finish after the more dramatic lagoon scenery. You will likely be ready for a slower pace by this point. Keep some energy for the return ride, though. The total outing lasts about eight hours, and the end time can fall anywhere from roughly 3:00 to 5:00pm.

The timing depends on departure clearance, sea conditions, and how long the group spends at each stop. If you have an evening ferry, flight, or fixed dinner booking, leave plenty of room. I would not schedule an important connection immediately after the tour.

A full day on the boat, with flexible timing

The planned sequence is Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, a stop identified in the route details as 48WC+77, Payong-payong Beach, and Seven Commandos Beach. The written tour description names five destinations, so the 48WC+77 location appears to be the route marker for Payong-payong Beach rather than a separate sixth attraction.

Each island or destination receives about 40 to 50 minutes. That sounds generous until you account for boat loading, walking to shore, safety instructions, photos, swimming, and getting back on time. You should treat the schedule as a guide, not a strict timetable.

The boat dispatch is controlled partly by Coast Guard clearance. A departure between 9:00 and 10:00am means you may wait at the beach after meeting early at the office. One account described waiting more than an hour before departure, while other feedback praised the crew’s attitude and service. Bring water, sun protection, and patience for the morning start.

The guide speaks English or Tagalog and is available when you need assistance. That matters during transfers, safety briefings, and return-to-boat calls. Still, stay alert and keep track of your group. Tour days run better when you follow the guide’s timing instead of wandering off during a short stop.

What the $22 price really covers

At $22 per person, this is a strong budget option for a full day around El Nido. The price includes the boat tour, five destinations, a licensed tour guide, life vest, boat permit, picnic lunch, and free pickup from hotels within El Nido Town.

The advertised price is not the final cost. The office collects a 200-peso lagoon fee and a 400-peso environmental fee, adding 600 pesos before you board. Kayak rental at Big Lagoon costs 300 pesos per hour, and snorkeling mask rental is extra at an unspecified price.

That still makes the package useful for people who want the major sights without arranging a private boat. You are paying for shared transport and a fixed route, not a custom day. The tradeoff is less control over how long you stay at each beach and less ability to avoid busy periods.

The value is strongest if you plan to use the included lunch, need town pickup, and want to see all five stops in one day. It is weaker if you prefer a quiet beach, want to spend an hour snorkeling at one reef, or dislike waiting for a boat group.

Lunch, equipment, and what to pack

The included lunch is described as a picnic, and the food should be treated as simple fuel for an active day. Eat breakfast before meeting the guide, since the boat may not dispatch until later in the morning.

Bring:

• Sun protection and a hat
• A swimsuit and towel
• A waterproof pouch for valuables
• Cash for the 600-peso fees and optional rentals
• Drinking water
• A light cover-up for the boat ride

Life vests are included. Snorkeling masks are not, and rental prices are not given in advance in the supplied details. Ask at the office or beach before accepting equipment so you know the cost.

A small bag is easier than a large one. You will move between the booking office, beach, boat, and several shore stops. Keep your phone and cash protected from spray.

Service, boat comfort, and the return ride

The service picture is mixed but useful. One account praised the guides for their attitude, while another described the boat as roomy and well maintained with friendly, helpful staff. Those are good signs for the basic operation of the day.

The weak point is transport coordination. Pickup is included from hotels within El Nido Town, but that benefit has a boundary. Confirm the exact pickup point and ask where you will be dropped off after the tour. One booking account reported being left without the expected return transfer and paying for a tricycle back to the original pickup area.

That problem may not affect every departure, but it is easy to prevent. Before boarding, repeat your hotel name or meeting point to the guide and ask whether the boat or a vehicle will handle the return. Keep a little extra cash for a local ride just in case.

The overall rating attached to this experience is 3.7 out of 5 from 26 ratings. That fits the tour’s profile: some people prize the guides, boat, and famous sights, while others find the waiting, crowding, lunch setup, or return arrangements frustrating.

Who should book El Nido Tour A

I would recommend Tour A to you if this is your first visit to El Nido and you want to see the headline sights in one day. It suits budget-conscious visitors, couples, families who can manage a full day on a boat, and anyone who values a ready-made route over private scheduling.

It also works well if Big Lagoon is high on your list. The tour gives you a guided visit there and adds four other coastal stops without the cost of arranging separate transport.

I would hesitate if you want a quiet, private experience. The fixed route, shared boat, short stop times, and possible delays can feel tiring. It is also not ideal for a tightly planned evening, since the finish can range from 3:00 to 5:00pm.

Should you book this island tour?

Book it if you want maximum sightseeing for a modest price and you are comfortable with a shared boat, flexible departure, and busy beaches. Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-payong Beach, and Seven Commandos make a solid first look at El Nido.

Before paying, confirm the 600-peso extra fees, ask about snorkeling mask prices, and settle the return drop-off. Arrive before 8:30am, expect the boat to leave later than the meeting time, and keep your afternoon open. With those points understood, Tour A offers a practical way to see El Nido’s best-known water sights in one long, active day.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Island Tour A last?

The tour lasts about eight hours. It usually ends between 3:00 and 5:00pm, depending on the boat’s departure time and conditions.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at the Cliffside Travel and Tours booking office beside El Nido Cliffside Cottages. You should arrive before 8:30am.

When does the boat leave?

Boat dispatch is usually between 9:00 and 10:00am. The exact departure depends on Coast Guard clearance.

Which destinations are included?

The route includes Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, Payong-payong Beach, and Seven Commandos Beach.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic lunch is included and is served during the island tour. The exact setting can vary, with the meal described as being served at an island or on the boat.

Are the lagoon and environmental fees included?

No. A 200-peso lagoon fee and a 400-peso environmental fee are collected at the booking office.

Is hotel pickup included?

Free pickup is included for hotels within El Nido Town. The supplied details do not confirm pickup outside the town area, so check your exact hotel with the operator.