El Nido Tour A (shared tour)

El Nido Tour A puts you in the middle of Palawan’s most photographed scenery: sheer limestone walls, clear water, tiny beach entrances, and lagoons that feel almost too polished to be real. The day covers five popular stops, including Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon, with lunch, water, towels, a boat, and an English-speaking guide included.

I like the way the tour packs El Nido’s signature sights into one day, and I like the low base price of $34 per person. Shimizu Island and 7 Commando Beach also give you time to leave the boat, swim, eat, and simply enjoy the coast instead of racing from one photo stop to another.

The catch is popularity. Boats from several companies visit the same places, so the lagoons and beaches can feel crowded, and one recent rating described an hour-long wait before departure. Add the environmental and Big Lagoon fees, plus optional gear, and the final cost is higher than the headline price.

Key points before you book

• Five classic El Nido stops: Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-payong Beach, and 7 Commando Beach are all included.
• An eight-hour shared boat day: You get a full outing for a reasonable base price, but you will share the route and timing with other passengers.
• Big Lagoon costs extra: Add P200 per person for access, on top of the P400 environmental fee.
• Kayaking is optional: A kayak costs P300 for two people, useful at Big Lagoon or Secret Lagoon when available.
• Lunch and water are included: Feedback specifically praises the buffet, giving the long day practical value.
• Crowds are part of the deal: The scenery is excellent, but busy stops and waiting time can affect the pace.

What the $34 price really covers

At $34, this is an inexpensive way to see the main El Nido island-hopping circuit. You get a guaranteed boat, licensed guide, lunch, water, towels, and hotel pickup within El Nido town proper. For a full eight-hour day on the water, that is a useful bundle.

Still, treat $34 as the starting figure rather than the complete price. The environmental fee is P400 per person and is valid for five days, which helps if you plan to take another island tour during that period. Big Lagoon adds P200 per person, while a kayak costs P300 for two people.

Mask and snorkels, aqua shoes, and fins are not included. Hotel drop-off is also not included, so you need to plan your way back after the boat returns. The extra charges are not unusual for El Nido, but they matter when you compare this trip with a private boat or another shared tour.

Lunch adds real value. One rating specifically praised the buffet, and that matters on a long day with several stops. You avoid having to arrange a separate meal while moving between islands, though the exact menu is not specified.

Starting at Umi Travel in Barangay Suerte

The stated meeting point is Umi Travel at seaside Hama in Barangay Suerte, El Nido. Hotel pickup is offered within El Nido town proper, so confirm the pickup arrangement and time when you book rather than assuming your hotel door is the meeting point.

Allow extra patience at the start. One highly rated booking still involved an hour of waiting at the meeting point before departure, while another rating described the start as confusing. That does not cancel the value of the trip, but it does mean you should not schedule a tight activity immediately afterward.

The boat is shared, so the pace depends on the group and the day’s conditions. The operator lists a guaranteed boat and a licensed guide, with live guiding in English. No individual guide names are provided, but the overall rating is 4.3 from 83 ratings, and praise focuses on the guides, the beaches, and the buffet.

Big Lagoon: the grand opening scene

Big Lagoon is the visual centerpiece. You move through clear water bordered by tall rock formations, with stone walls visible around and below the boat. It is the kind of place that explains El Nido’s fame in a single stop.

A kayak costs P300 for two people, and this is the most natural place to use one. Paddling gives you a slower view of the water and rock walls than staying aboard the main boat. Kayak availability and use can depend on the conditions and the local arrangement, so consider it an optional extra rather than part of the guaranteed package.

Big Lagoon also has its own P200 entrance fee. Because the lagoon is so well known, it can be one of the busiest parts of the route. The water and cliffs still make a strong impression, but you should expect other boats and people sharing the same narrow areas.

Your best approach is to focus on the setting rather than trying to get a perfectly empty photograph. Keep your phone or camera protected from splashes, and bring water shoes if you dislike sharp or uneven surfaces.

Secret Lagoon: a small entrance with a big payoff

Secret Lagoon works differently from Big Lagoon. Instead of opening out as a broad waterway, it is reached through a small entrance in the rocks. You duck through and find a secluded pool surrounded by stone walls.

That entrance is part of the appeal, but it can also make the stop feel tight when several groups arrive together. Move carefully, listen to the guide, and expect the space to be shared rather than private.

The lagoon has the storybook quality promised by the route, with still, clear water and rock all around you. It is a short, memorable stop, but the experience depends heavily on crowd levels and water conditions. If you want the calmest moment, pay attention when the guide gives the group its timing and return instructions.

Shimizu Island brings in lunch and beach time

Shimizu Island changes the rhythm of the day. After the lagoon stops, you get a white-sand beach and time to swim, sit in the sun, or dry off before continuing.

The beach is described as a place of natural beauty, and the tour includes lunch and water here or at a comparable stop along the route. The buffet is one of the most praised parts of the day, so this is more than a quick snack between boat rides.

Do not expect a private island experience. Shimizu Island is one of El Nido’s standard stops, and other boats may be nearby. Even so, the beach gives you room to breathe after the more enclosed lagoons.

Bring a change of clothes. You may get wet getting in and out of the boat, and you will be more comfortable during lunch and the afternoon if you have something dry. Towels are included, but a spare layer remains useful.

Payong-payong Beach is a useful pause

Payong-payong Beach is one of the five listed destinations, though the available information does not specify how long the boat remains there or what activities are scheduled. Think of it as one of the route’s flexible beach pauses rather than a stop with a detailed program.

You may find time for a swim, photographs, or a short rest on the sand. Since the shared boat schedule can shift with weather, crowds, and the group’s pace, listen closely for the meeting time before walking away from the boat.

This stop adds variety. Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon are about rock walls and enclosed water, while Payong-payong gives you another coastal setting. That change helps the eight-hour route avoid feeling like the same stop repeated five times.

7 Commando Beach closes the day well

The final listed stop is 7 Commando Beach, where you can swim in clear blue water and relax on the sand. The tour also explains the origin of the beach’s name, adding a small piece of local context to what might otherwise be another beach visit.

It is a good place to finish because the day ends with less confined scenery. You can take a final swim, enjoy the shore, and let the schedule slow down before the boat ride back.

Again, popularity is the main limitation. The beach is not presented as a private escape, and the shared route means other groups may be there. If your ideal final stop is a quiet, empty beach, this tour may feel too busy. If you want a dependable chance to swim and sit on white sand, it fits the bill.

Snorkeling, swimming, and what is not included

The clear water suggests good conditions for swimming, but snorkeling is not the strongest reason to choose this package. One rating specifically found the snorkeling disappointing because too many tours were using the same locations.

That is useful advice. Choose this tour for the lagoons, rock formations, beaches, and overall island scenery first. Treat snorkeling as a possible extra rather than the main event.

You need to bring or rent your own mask and snorkel, aqua shoes, and fins. The operator does not include them. Water shoes are especially practical for rocky entries and the small lagoon entrance, while beachwear and a change of clothes will keep the day comfortable.

The tour includes towels, lunch, and water. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and the activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Several stops require getting on and off a boat and moving across beaches or uneven surfaces, so this is an important consideration.

Crowds, weather, and the shared-tour trade-off

The clearest drawback is not the scenery. It is the number of boats using the same famous locations. A recent rating described too many people at the stops, particularly for snorkeling, and another called the start confusing. These are normal risks on a popular shared route, but you should know them before paying.

The tour can still be enjoyable in poor weather. One rating described a great day despite gloomy conditions, with special praise for the guides and the scenery. That said, gray skies will change the color of the water and cliffs, and rough weather can affect how long you stay at each place.

Shared tours give you a lower price and a ready-made route. They also reduce your control over departure time, stop length, and crowd avoidance. A private boat would likely offer more flexibility, but that is a different price comparison and is not part of this package.

I would book this as a sightseeing day, not as a quiet retreat. Keep your expectations realistic, bring patience for the meeting point and other boats, and you are more likely to appreciate what the tour does well.

Who will get the most from this El Nido day

This tour suits you if you are visiting El Nido for the first time and want to see the famous sights in one organized outing. It is also a good match if you value included lunch, water, a guide, and boat transport more than privacy.

It works especially well for people who want a straightforward day with a mix of lagoons, swimming, beaches, and light activity. The optional kayak gives you a way to spend more time on the water without committing to a separate excursion.

You may want another option if your priority is serious snorkeling, an empty beach, exact timing, or a private boat. You should also reconsider it if mobility is limited, since the route is not designed for people with mobility impairments.

The 4.3 rating from 83 ratings reflects that balance. The strongest points are the scenery, beach stops, buffet, and guide service. The weaker points are the early waiting, crowding, and extra charges.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

Book it if you want the classic El Nido route at a modest starting price and you are comfortable sharing the boat with other people. The five-stop itinerary gives you the essential postcard scenery, while lunch, water, towels, and an English-speaking guide make the day easy to arrange.

Before booking, budget for the P400 environmental fee, P200 Big Lagoon fee, and any kayak or snorkeling gear. Confirm your pickup time at Umi Travel or your El Nido town hotel, and leave space in your schedule in case the morning starts late.

I would choose this tour for its strong sightseeing value, not for peace and quiet. If that trade-off suits you, Tour A delivers a full day of El Nido’s most famous water and beach scenery without the cost of arranging everything yourself.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour A last?

The tour lasts about eight hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

What destinations are included?

The route includes Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-payong Beach, Secret Lagoon, and 7 Commando Beach.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is included within El Nido town proper. Hotel drop-off is not included.

Where is the meeting point?

The meeting point is Umi Travel at seaside Hama in Barangay Suerte, El Nido.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch and water are included, and the meal is described as a buffet.

Is a kayak included?

No. Kayak rental costs P300 for two people.

Are the environmental and Big Lagoon fees included?

No. The environmental fee is P400 per person, and the Big Lagoon fee is P200 per person. The environmental fee is valid for five days.

What should I bring?

Bring beachwear, a change of clothes, water shoes, and a towel. Towels are included, but bringing your own is also listed as recommended. Mask and snorkel, aqua shoes, and fins are not included.