EL NIDO: Private Island Hopping Tour A with BUFFET LUNCH

El Nido Tour A packs four very different kinds of scenery into one day: a white-sand beach, a giant limestone lagoon, coral reefs, and a narrow entrance to Secret Lagoon. I especially like the free kayak at Big Lagoon and the buffet lunch with water, soft drinks, and fruit already included.

I also like that this is a private-group tour, with pickup from El Nido Town or Corong-corong and a live guide in English or Tagalog. The main caution is timing. If your boat leaves late, the famous stops can feel crowded, and the extra government fees, hotel drop-off, and additional kayak rental are not included.

Quick take: what matters most

• Big Lagoon kayaking: One kayak is included, giving you a quiet way to move below the tall limestone walls.
• Secret Lagoon access: You enter through a small opening in the rock, so bring waterproof shoes and be ready for a tight squeeze.
• Beach buffet lunch: Lunch is included, along with water, soft drinks, and fruit. The guide chooses the lunch location.
• Private boat format: You avoid being placed with a large mixed group, but a private trip is only as useful as its departure time.
• Good crew care: Julius, Leonard, Cyron, and Simon are names connected with particularly warm, attentive service on past departures.
• Extra costs: Allow for the 200 lagoon entrance fee and 400 environmental fee, both government charges.

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

El Nido’s appeal comes from the sharp contrast between sea and stone. Pale beaches sit below huge limestone walls, and narrow channels open into calm green-blue water. Tour A gives you a broad sample of that scenery in about eight hours without asking you to choose between swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and sightseeing.

I would not book this simply as a boat ride from one pretty beach to another. The best part is the change of pace. At 7 Commandos Beach, you can stretch out and swim. At Big Lagoon, the boat and kayak carry you into a more enclosed setting. Shimizu Island adds reef time and lunch, while Secret Lagoon offers a short burst of adventure.

The private format helps couples, families, and small groups control the feel of the day. It does not mean every stop will be empty. These are popular places, and the tour’s value depends heavily on when the boat reaches each one. Ask the operator about the planned departure time before booking, especially if avoiding the busiest periods matters to you.

7 Commandos Beach: a gentle opening stop

The first stop is 7 Commandos Beach, where soft white sand meets clear turquoise water. Coconut trees and limestone cliffs frame the shore, and the name comes from a local story about seven commandos who lived there after World War II.

You get about an hour here for swimming, photographs, and a look around. The water is the main draw. It is an easy place to start the day because you can wade in, cool off, or stay on the sand while the crew prepares for the next crossing.

Small rustic bars and shops offer drinks and snacks, though the tour already supplies water and soft drinks. I would still bring cash, since purchases outside the included food and drinks are your responsibility.

This stop can feel less secluded than the description suggests. Its easy beach access and popularity make it a natural gathering point for boats. If you want photographs without many people in the background, listen carefully for the departure time and be ready to move when your crew calls.

Big Lagoon: the day’s signature scene

Big Lagoon is usually the visual centerpiece of Tour A. Your boat approaches through a narrow opening, then the water broadens between tall limestone cliffs. The setting feels enclosed and calm, with blue-green water under steep rock walls.

One kayak is included in the price. That matters because a kayak lets you move at a slower pace than the main boat, look into the lagoon’s corners, and take photographs from water level. If you are traveling with several people, you may need to share turns unless you pay for another kayak.

You can also swim, but follow the guide’s instructions and use the provided life vest or jacket when asked. The cliffs are the reason to come here, so leave a little time to look up from the water rather than treating the stop as a quick photo opportunity.

There is one practical concern. A private boat does not automatically make the lagoon private. Big Lagoon is one of El Nido’s best-known sites, and late arrival can mean more boats and kayaks around the entrance. A prompt start is worth more here than an extra few minutes in bed.

Shimizu Island: reef time and a proper lunch break

Shimizu Island is the snorkeling stop. The water around the island is associated with coral reefs and small tropical fish, and the tour provides a mask and snorkel. Bring biodegradable sunscreen, and apply it well before entering the water.

The island also provides a useful pause after the morning’s sightseeing. You have about an hour for lunch, swimming, snorkeling, photographs, and free time. The meal is a buffet, with water, soft drinks, and fruit included. A beach meal can be one of the most enjoyable parts of a long boat day because you can eat, dry off, and return to the water without rushing to a restaurant.

Food has been a strong part of this tour for several bookings, with particular praise for the quantity and care given to the meal. Still, keep your expectations practical. This is a prepared beach buffet, not a restaurant lunch, and the guide chooses the lunch stop. The exact menu and beach may vary with weather and local operating conditions.

The snorkeling is worth trying, but it may not impress anyone who has already seen exceptional coral sites elsewhere. One past booking found the snorkeling less impressive than expected. Treat it as a pleasant hour in the water rather than the sole reason to choose Tour A.

Secret Lagoon: a short squeeze into still water

Secret Lagoon is the most playful stop. To enter, you pass through a small opening in a limestone wall. The entrance can require you to bend, squeeze through, and move carefully, especially when the tide or water level makes the passage awkward.

Inside, the rock walls enclose a small, quiet lagoon. The appeal is not size. It is the sudden change from open sea to a tucked-away pool reached through a natural doorway.

Wear water shoes or waterproof shoes if you have them. Closed-toe shoes are also recommended in the preparation notes, and a waterproof bag will protect phones and cameras while you move through the opening. A towel and change of clothes are sensible after repeated swims.

A guide’s help is useful here. Julius has been singled out for careful assistance at the entrance, particularly with a family member, and the crew is expected to help people on and off the boat. Even so, tell the guide if you are uncomfortable with confined spaces. You are not required to force yourself through the opening to enjoy the rest of the day.

Payong-Payong Beach: a quieter final pause

Payong-Payong Beach is described as a smaller, calmer beach surrounded by plants and rock formations. The water is clear, and you can swim, snorkel, take photographs, or simply sit for a while.

The exact order and lunch location can change. Some departures use Payong-Payong for lunch, while the supplied schedule places the meal at Shimizu Island. The guide makes that decision based on weather and conditions, so do not treat the order as fixed.

This stop is valuable because it gives the day a softer ending. After the drama of Big Lagoon and the tight passage into Secret Lagoon, a quiet beach lets you slow down. It may also be the best place for a peaceful swim if the larger stops feel crowded.

The crew, photos, and safety details

The tour includes a licensed boat captain, licensed guide, and crew, along with life vests and snorkeling gear. Several crew members have been praised for helping people board, leave the boat, and move through the more awkward parts of the day.

Guides named Julius and Leonard have received especially warm personal feedback. Julius is known for a funny, engaging manner and attentive help, while Leonard has been associated with taking photos and videos at Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon. Cyron has also been praised for careful service, and Simon has been singled out by name. Your actual crew may be different, but these names give you an idea of the service style the operator aims for.

Photo and video help can be a real advantage. Boat crews know where to position a kayak or where to stand at a viewpoint, and they can often capture moments you would miss while handling your own phone. Confirm how photos will be delivered if that matters to you, since the supplied details do not state a standard delivery method.

Safety deserves attention, particularly for families. One six-year-old was injured after a kayak was handled poorly on a past trip. That does not define every departure, but it is a useful reminder to follow the guide’s directions, wear the life vest, keep children seated properly, and ask for help before launching or returning a kayak.

What the $139 price really covers

At $139 per person, the cost is not just payment for a boat seat. It includes an eight-hour private-group outing, pickup within El Nido Town or Corong-corong, a licensed boat and captain, a guide and crew, a buffet lunch, water, soft drinks, fruit, one kayak, a life vest, and a mask and snorkel.

That package can be good value for a couple or small group that wants privacy and a full day without arranging separate transport, lunch, and equipment. The food and kayak are especially useful inclusions because they are items you would otherwise need to organize separately.

Budget for two required government charges: a 200 lagoon entrance fee and a 400 environmental fee. The supplied information does not specify the currency, so confirm the payment details before departure. Extra kayak rental is also separate, and the tour includes pickup but not drop-off back at your hotel.

The price makes less sense if you mainly want one beach and a short swim. It makes more sense if you plan to see Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Payong-Payong in one day, and if you value having your own group rather than joining a shared boat.

Timing, weather, and what to pack

The day lasts about eight hours, but the starting time depends on availability. Ask for the earliest practical departure. One poor departure left a private group reaching the sites after larger boats had already arrived, which reduced the benefit of booking privately.

Weather can change the route or lunch stop. The guide chooses the final order and may adjust destinations for safety. Keep your plans flexible, and do not schedule an important transfer immediately after the boat returns.

Pack the following:

• Swimwear and a change of clothes
• Towel
• Biodegradable sunscreen
• Waterproof bag
• Camera
• Cash
• Closed-toe or waterproof shoes
• A hat or other sun protection if you use one

Plastic bags, smoking, alcohol, drugs, and littering are not allowed. The rule about plastic is especially practical in a marine area where loose packaging can quickly become a serious problem.

Pickup is free from accommodation in El Nido Town and Corong-corong. You need to provide the hotel name when booking. Drop-off is not included, so arrange your own return from the final landing point.

Who should book this private day

I would recommend Tour A for couples, families, and small groups that want a full introduction to El Nido’s famous water sites. It suits you if you want a mix of scenery and activities rather than a day spent only on a beach.

Families can enjoy it, but parents should stay close during kayaking, snorkeling, and the passage into Secret Lagoon. The small entrance and moving boat require care. Anyone with mobility concerns or a strong discomfort with tight spaces should speak with the operator before booking.

Photographers will like the variety: coconut-lined sand, reef water, limestone walls, kayaks, and the Secret Lagoon entrance. Food-focused visitors will appreciate the included buffet, while people who dislike snorkeling should know that the tour still works as a sightseeing day.

You may want another option if your main goal is a quiet, empty beach or top-tier snorkeling. Tour A visits famous locations, so crowds are possible, and snorkeling quality can vary by conditions and site.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

Book it if you want the broadest sampler of El Nido’s classic sights in one private day, and if Big Lagoon kayaking is high on your list. The included lunch, equipment, pickup, and attentive crew service add real value to the $139 price.

Before paying, confirm the departure time, the extra government charges, how many kayaks your group needs, and where lunch is likely to happen. If you can leave early and accept some crowding at the best-known stops, this is a well-rounded choice. If you want a slow, secluded day above all else, ask for a less famous route instead.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour A last?

The tour lasts about eight hours.

What locations does the tour visit?

The planned stops are 7 Commandos Beach, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, and Payong-Payong Beach.

Is the tour private?

Yes. It is offered for a private group rather than as a shared group experience.

Is hotel pickup included?

Free pickup is included from accommodation within El Nido Town and Corong-corong. You need to provide your hotel name when booking.

Is hotel drop-off included?

No. Drop-off back to your hotel is not included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch is included, along with water, soft drinks, and fruit. The guide chooses the lunch stop based on conditions.

Is kayaking included?

One kayak is included. Additional kayak rental costs extra.

Are snorkeling masks provided?

Yes. A mask and snorkel are included, along with a life vest or jacket.

Are entrance and environmental fees included?

No. The listed charges are a 200 lagoon entrance fee and a 400 environmental fee, both described as government taxes.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English and Tagalog.