From Puerto Princesa: Day Trip to El Nido and Island Hopping

El Nido’s famous lagoons and beaches are the main event here, but getting there is half the story. You leave Puerto Princesa before sunrise, ride north for about five hours, then board a shared boat for up to five stops in Bacuit Bay. You return late, often close to midnight. This is a sightseeing marathon, not a relaxed day trip.

I like the all-in-one setup: hotel pickup, an air-conditioned van, boat transport, entry and environmental fees, life vests, snorkeling gear, aqua shoes, kayak rental, and lunch are covered. I also like that you can reach El Nido without changing hotels, which matters if your Palawan schedule is tight.

The catch is the ten-plus hours of driving. Transport quality can vary, especially on the return ride. A shared van may be crowded, and delays can leave you waiting in El Nido after the boat tour. At $360 for up to two people, the price only makes sense if saving a night in El Nido is worth more to you than comfort and extra time on the road.

Key points to know before booking

• A 4 AM pickup starts a 20-hour day, with roughly five hours in the van each way.
• Secret Lagoon and Big Lagoon are the headline stops, but routes may change.
• Kayaking is included, and it can be the best way to enjoy the lagoon areas.
• Seven Commandos Beach offers white sand, coconut trees, and a welcome stretch of beach time.
• Lunch is included, but vegetarian choices may be limited to vegetables and fruit.
• Return transport needs attention, since departure delays and overcrowding have been reported.

The real shape of this 20-hour El Nido trip

This tour solves a common Palawan problem. Puerto Princesa and El Nido are both popular bases, but they are far apart. Instead of arranging a separate transfer, hotel, and island tour, you can combine everything into one long day.

That convenience comes at a price. Your pickup is around 4 AM, and you may not return to Puerto Princesa until midnight. The drive takes about five hours in each direction, so you spend more time traveling than on the boat.

I would consider this tour only if your schedule gives you no room for an overnight stay in El Nido. If you have two or more spare days, staying in El Nido is the more comfortable choice. You will have more time on the water, less fatigue, and a better chance to choose a boat route that suits you.

Pickup is available within 15 kilometers of Puerto Princesa City Airport. Be in your hotel lobby at least 10 minutes early. The driver should carry a sign with your name, and the transport is by air-conditioned van.

The 4 AM departure and five-hour ride north

The first part of the day is practical rather than glamorous. You leave while Puerto Princesa is still dark, then settle into the van for the long ride north. There is usually a short stop where you can stretch your legs and buy food.

Bring water, even though lunch is included later. The package does not include breakfast or dinner, and the early pickup means you should arrange breakfast yourself or buy food during the stop. A small day bag is useful, but large luggage is not allowed.

The shared option is where comfort becomes uncertain. One reported group had 12 people in the van, which made the ride cramped. Another return transfer involved a much larger group and extra seats tied into the vehicle. That is not a minor detail on a five-hour road journey. Ask clearly if you are booking a private vehicle or sharing the ride, and ask how the return transfer will work.

The countryside gives you something to look at during the drive, but this is still a long road transfer. I would bring a neck pillow, light clothing, water, snacks, and anything you need to sleep. Do not count on the van ride as a pleasant sightseeing tour from start to finish.

Arriving in El Nido before the boat leaves

You should reach El Nido around 8 or 9 AM, depending on the pickup time and road conditions. You are dropped near the boat departure point, with time to eat breakfast at one of the nearby restaurants before boarding.

The boat portion is scheduled to begin around 9 AM and finish near 4 PM. That gives you a full day on Bacuit Bay, but the exact order and number of stops may change. Weather, boat assignments, water conditions, and local operating decisions can all affect the route.

The experience is run with a local boat operator in El Nido rather than entirely by the Puerto Princesa transport company. That means the quality of the van transfer and the island tour may feel quite different. The boat crew can be friendly and helpful, while the transport arrangements may be less smooth.

El Nido’s popular routes are busy. At some stops, you may see many other boats and groups arriving at the same time. The scenery remains beautiful, but you should not expect a private Robinson Crusoe moment.

Secret Lagoon, a small opening in the cliffs

Secret Lagoon is usually one of the first major stops. The name refers to the hidden space inside the limestone formations. You approach through a small opening in the rock, then enter a sheltered area surrounded by steep stone walls.

This is a memorable place because the entrance feels more dramatic than a normal beach landing. It can also be awkward when many people arrive together. You may need to wait your turn, move carefully, and share the space with a crowd.

Water shoes are useful here, and they are included with the equipment package. Wear your swimsuit under your clothes and keep your camera secure. The tour provides life vests, snorkeling masks, aqua shoes, and kayak rental, but you should still bring a towel and a change of clothes.

The stop is more about the rock setting and the short passage into the lagoon than about spending hours swimming. Follow your guide’s instructions, especially around the narrow entrance and uneven footing.

Shimizu Island for clear water and a beach break

Shimizu Island brings the classic El Nido combination of pale sand, clear water, and limestone scenery. It is a good place to swim and snorkel, and the included masks make it easy to get into the water without arranging equipment separately.

The island is also commonly used for lunch. The meal includes barbecue pork, chicken, seafood, vegetable salad, and fresh fruit. For many people, that is a welcome break after the morning stops.

If you do not eat meat or seafood, plan carefully. Vegetarian meals may be limited to cucumber, other vegetables, and fruit. The safest move is to bring extra food from Puerto Princesa or buy something before the boat leaves. Breakfast and dinner are also your responsibility.

Shared island lunches can feel rushed or uneven when many people eat at once. Take a modest portion first, then go back if there is enough. Bring a refillable bottle or bottled water, since water is not clearly included in the package.

Seven Commandos Beach and the value of simple beach time

Seven Commandos Beach is the most straightforward beach stop on the route. Coconut trees line the white sand, and the shallow water gives you a chance to swim, dry off, or simply sit for a while.

After a morning of moving between rock formations and boats, this stop can feel refreshingly simple. You do not need special equipment to enjoy it. A towel, sunscreen, and a change of clothes matter more here than a camera or snorkel.

The beach is popular, so expect other groups. Still, the combination of sand, palms, and clear water gives you the postcard version of El Nido. If you prefer active stops, you can swim or snorkel. If you are tiring out, this is a good place to slow down.

Keep your belongings close and avoid bringing anything you cannot afford to get wet. The tour does not permit large bags or luggage, which is sensible on a crowded boat but means you must pack a compact day bag.

Big Lagoon and the included kayak

Big Lagoon is the grand finale for many versions of this route. Tall limestone walls surround a calm stretch of water, creating the sort of setting that makes El Nido famous.

The kayak is especially useful here. Paddling lets you move at your own pace and see more than you might from the main boat. It is also a welcome change after sitting in the van and then riding between stops.

You should not assume the exact route will always include the same stops. The tour description lists up to five stops and notes that routes may vary. Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Seven Commandos Beach, and Big Lagoon are the named highlights, but weather and local conditions can affect the plan.

Crowding is the main limitation. Several boat groups may use the lagoon at the same time, and the water can feel busy. Even so, Big Lagoon is likely to be one of the day’s strongest visual moments.

Lunch, equipment, and what is really included

The package is generous on activity basics. You receive:

• Life vests
• Snorkeling masks
• Aqua shoes
• Kayak rental
• Island tour and entry fees
• Environmental and lagoon fees
• Lunch
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Air-conditioned van transport

That list removes many small costs that can otherwise pile up. You do not need to negotiate separate lagoon fees or rent a kayak once you reach the boat.

Still, included does not mean unlimited or luxurious. Bring sunscreen, water, cash, a towel, a change of clothes, and toiletries. Breakfast and dinner are not covered. You also need an ID card or passport.

Pack light. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, and a small waterproof pouch is more useful than a suitcase. Cash helps with food, drinks, and any small purchases during the long day.

The return journey is the biggest risk

The boat tour should finish around 4 PM, after which you return to the wharf. The planned drive back begins around 6 PM, giving you time to eat dinner in El Nido.

That gap can be useful, but it can also become frustrating. Some groups have waited well past the planned departure, and one return left around 7:30 PM. Others were placed in crowded shared transport despite having a more comfortable vehicle on the morning ride.

This is the tour’s clearest weak point. A five-hour return after swimming and kayaking is tiring enough in a normal van. If the vehicle is overcrowded or departure is delayed, the final leg can overshadow the island tour.

Before boarding the boat, confirm where you should meet the driver and what time the vehicle leaves. Keep the local operator’s contact details. If you finish early, do not assume you can automatically return early. The transport may be coordinated for several groups.

Is $360 good value for two people?

The listed price is $360 per group of up to two people. That can be reasonable if you value a private booking, hotel pickup, included equipment, and the ability to visit El Nido without paying for another hotel night.

It is harder to justify if the service operates like a shared transfer for part of the day. The value drops quickly when you spend more than ten hours in a van and face extra waiting or cramped transport.

The island tour itself is not the expensive part in El Nido. Local island-hopping trips can be available at a much lower per-person price, according to the direct experience of people who booked there. What you are paying for here is the long connection from Puerto Princesa, the convenience of one booking, and the chance to fit El Nido into a single day.

For two people with limited time, that may be worthwhile. For a couple who can stay overnight in El Nido, booking locally is likely to offer better value and a calmer schedule.

Who should book this day trip?

I would recommend it to you if:

• You are based in Puerto Princesa and cannot add a night in El Nido.
• You want the major lagoons and beaches in one organized package.
• You are comfortable with a very early start and late return.
• You prefer having transfers, fees, gear, and lunch arranged together.
• You can handle a shared van and possible changes to the return schedule.

I would not choose it for a relaxed holiday. It is also a poor fit if you have mobility limitations, dislike long road rides, need dependable departure times, or want quiet beaches.

Private transport is worth serious consideration. It may cost more, but the extra room matters during a ten-hour road journey. Ask what private means in practice and confirm that it applies to both directions.

Final call: a useful shortcut with a heavy time cost

This Puerto Princesa to El Nido trip gives you the best parts of the area in a single burst: clear water, limestone cliffs, Secret Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Seven Commandos Beach, snorkeling, and kayaking.

The trade is plain. You spend about five hours getting there, six or more hours on the boat and around town, then another five hours getting back. The island day can be excellent, but the transport is not a small side detail. It is most of the experience.

Book it if saving a hotel night and fitting El Nido into a tight schedule matters more than comfort. Skip it if you have time to stay in El Nido, or if you want reliable transport and a slower day. If you do book, choose the private option when possible, bring your own water and food, and confirm the return plan before you leave Puerto Princesa.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts about 20 hours, from the early morning pickup in Puerto Princesa until your return around midnight.

What time is hotel pickup?

Pickup from downtown Puerto Princesa is around 4 AM. You should be in the hotel lobby at least 10 minutes before pickup.

How long is the drive from Puerto Princesa to El Nido?

The drive takes approximately five hours each way, for more than 10 hours of total driving.

Which places can I visit during island hopping?

The planned highlights include Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Seven Commandos Beach, and Big Lagoon. The exact stops may change.

Is kayaking included?

Yes. Kayak rental is included in the package.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling masks, life vests, and aqua shoes are included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes barbecue pork, chicken, seafood, vegetable salad, and fresh fruit. Breakfast and dinner are not included.

Can I choose a private tour?

Yes. Private and small-group options are available. Confirm the transport arrangements for both the outward and return journeys.

What should I bring?

Bring an ID card or passport, swimwear, a change of clothes, a towel, sunscreen, water shoes, and cash. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.

What happens if bad weather cancels island hopping?

The activity depends on suitable weather. If poor weather cancels island hopping after you reach El Nido, an alternative activity may be offered, but it may not include island hopping.