Private El Nido Tour A Island Hopping

El Nido Tour A works best when you want the famous sights without being tied to every move of a large group. The private boat visits Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, and Seven Commando Beach, with room to adjust the pace and perhaps reach a stop before the busiest boats.

I like the private format and the simple flat group price, especially for families or friends sharing the cost. I also like that lunch, a guide, safety gear, and a motorized boat are included. The main catch is that the details conflict: one section says transfers and snorkel gear are included, while the inclusions list says hotel pickup, drop-off, and snorkel equipment are not included. Confirm those points before paying.

Key points to know

• Five classic El Nido stops: Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, and Seven Commando Beach.
• Private boat for your group: The package is listed for up to eight people in the price details, while another description says up to ten, so confirm the maximum group size.
• Six to eight hours on the water: The schedule gives about 30 minutes at each named stop, plus time for boat travel.
• Lunch and basic safety equipment included: You get a licensed guide, life vests, a first aid kit, an ice box, and a motorized boat.
• A flexible way to visit El Nido: Your group can ask about the order and timing of stops, although weather and local operating conditions still matter.
• Good weather is required: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Why Private Tour A Makes Sense

El Nido’s Tour A route is popular for a reason. It gathers several of the area’s most recognizable sights into one full day on the water, from steep-sided limestone scenery to bright beaches and sheltered lagoons.

The private setup is the real selling point. On a shared boat, you follow the operator’s timetable and spend the day with people you do not know. Here, the boat belongs to your party. That gives you a better chance to linger at a favorite stop, leave a place when it feels crowded, or ask the crew about changing the order.

You should keep expectations sensible. Private does not mean you will have every beach to yourself. Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and Seven Commando Beach are major El Nido attractions. The benefit is control, not guaranteed solitude.

The price is listed as $940.28 per group. That is a large amount for one or two people, but the calculation changes quickly when shared by a larger party. At eight people, it comes to about $117.54 per person before any separate costs. If the operator allows ten people, the per-person figure would be lower, but confirm the actual limit first.

Starting at Dayo Cafe in El Nido

The stated meeting point is Dayo Cafe on Serena Street in El Nido. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, so plan your day around getting there and returning there.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are listed as not included. Another description says transfers are included, creating an important mismatch. I would not assume a hotel transfer is part of the price. Ask Natural Arts Travel and Tours to confirm the meeting arrangement, especially if your accommodation is outside the immediate town area.

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the meeting point is near public transportation. The tour is private, so only your own party participates.

The total outing lasts about six to eight hours. The stated stops each allow roughly 30 minutes, but the boat rides between islands take part of the day. This is not a quick scenic cruise. It is a full island day with several short visits, swimming or beach time, and a meal on the boat or at one of the stops.

Big Lagoon: El Nido’s Famous Opening Scene

Big Lagoon is one of the best-known sights in Palawan. Expect dramatic limestone walls, calm water, and a narrow entrance leading into a larger enclosed area. The setting is the sort of place that explains why El Nido appears on so many Philippine itineraries.

The scheduled visit is about 30 minutes. That is enough to take in the view and make photographs, but it is not a long, slow stay. If kayaking is important to you, note that kayak use is not included. You may need to arrange one separately, and the tour information does not promise that one will be available.

The private boat may help with timing. Your guide can tell you how the day is running and whether it makes sense to spend more or less time here. Still, Big Lagoon is a headline stop, so do not expect the crew to skip it simply because your group prefers a quieter beach.

Bring a dry bag or another way to protect phones and cameras. That is general practical advice for a boat day, not a special feature of this package.

Secret Lagoon and Its Small-Scale Appeal

Secret Lagoon offers a different kind of visit. Instead of one broad open view, the attraction is a more enclosed setting accessed through a small opening in the rock. Its appeal comes from the contrast between the open sea outside and the tucked-away water inside.

The schedule allows about 30 minutes. That short stop suits people who want to see several places in one day, but it can feel rushed if you prefer to swim slowly or wait for a quieter moment.

The name should not lead you to expect a deserted place. This is one of the standard Tour A stops, and its small entrance can make crowding more noticeable than at a wide beach. Your private boat gives you some say over timing, but it cannot control how many other boats are operating that day.

This is also a stop where good footwear can help. The supplied information does not specify the type of access, so ask the operator what to expect if you have mobility concerns or prefer not to climb over uneven ground.

Shimizu Island for Lunch and Water Time

Shimizu Island is one of the central stops on the route and a natural place to break up the morning. The tour includes lunch, which adds real value to the group price. You do not need to arrange a separate restaurant stop while moving between islands.

The package also includes an ice box. That is a small detail, but useful on a warm day when food and drinks need to stay cool. The exact menu is not provided, so ask about meal contents if anyone in your group has dietary restrictions.

The scheduled time at Shimizu Island is about 30 minutes. Depending on local arrangements, this may feel like a beach stop, a meal stop, a swimming stop, or some combination of all three. Do not assume that 30 minutes means 30 minutes of uninterrupted snorkeling.

There is another important wording issue here. The general description refers to snorkel gear, but the detailed inclusions say snorkel equipment is not included. You should bring your own equipment or confirm rental arrangements before the day. A life vest is included, but a life vest is not the same as a mask and snorkel.

Payong-Payong Beach and the Umbrella Rock

Payong-Payong Beach is identified by its umbrella-like rock formation. It gives the day a quieter visual change from the larger lagoons, with a beach setting and a distinctive piece of natural rock.

The stop is listed for around 30 minutes. That makes it a good place for a short swim, photographs, or a quick rest between boat rides. If your group enjoys lingering on beaches, you may want to ask whether the schedule can be adjusted.

Because the tour includes five named stops, every half-hour visit matters. The private format gives you flexibility, but there is still a practical limit. Spending an extra hour at Payong-Payong may mean less time elsewhere, particularly if sea conditions slow the boat.

Seven Commando Beach to Finish the Day

Seven Commando Beach brings the route back to a classic white-sand beach. It is a straightforward final stop for swimming, sitting by the water, and taking in the island setting before returning to El Nido.

The scheduled visit is about 30 minutes. As the last stop, it may be welcome if you want a relaxed end to the day. It may also feel brief if your ideal beach day involves settling in for several hours.

The private boat helps here because your group can discuss the pace with the guide. The crew may suggest a different order or timing based on conditions, boat traffic, and the needs of the day. Weather remains the deciding factor, so flexibility is useful but not absolute.

What the Crew and Package Include

The operator is Natural Arts Travel and Tours. Vanessa and Eva are named as part of the team connected with this experience, along with the boat crew. If having a particular guide matters to you, ask whether either person will actually lead your departure rather than assuming names are guaranteed.

The included items are practical:

• Private motorized boat
• Licensed tour guide
• Life vest
• First aid kit
• Ice box
• Lunch

The guide matters more than the list may suggest. A good guide helps your group understand the timing, move safely around the boat, and decide how to use limited time at each stop. The provided feedback specifically praises the friendly boat crew and their willingness to take photographs. You can reasonably ask the crew to help capture group pictures, but do not treat this as a formal photography service.

The package does not include airfare, accommodation, or kayak use. Hotel pickup and drop-off and snorkel gear are also listed as not included, despite conflicting wording elsewhere. Put those questions in writing before booking so you know the true final cost.

Is $940.28 Good Value?

The price makes the most sense for a larger group. A couple paying the entire amount would be spending heavily for a private day. A group of eight can spread the cost across the boat, guide, lunch, and the control that comes with a private schedule.

The value also depends on what you would otherwise book. A shared trip may cost less per person, but it gives you less control and places you with other parties. If your group values privacy, has children, wants to take its time with photographs, or simply dislikes crowded boat schedules, the extra cost may be justified.

You should also budget for anything excluded. Snorkel equipment and a kayak may require separate payment or advance arrangements. Hotel transfers may also cost extra if the meeting point is not convenient.

The flat group rate is easiest to understand once the operator confirms two details: the maximum number of people and exactly what is included. The supplied information gives both eight and ten as the group limit, so do not make your calculation from the larger figure until it is confirmed.

Who Will Enjoy This Tour Most?

I would choose this tour for a family, a group of friends, or a small celebration where privacy matters. The private boat lets you spend the day with your own people, and the five-stop route gives you a broad introduction to El Nido.

It also suits visitors who want the classic sights in one outing. Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, and Seven Commando Beach cover several different types of scenery without requiring separate day trips.

I would be more cautious if you are traveling alone or as a couple on a tight budget. The group price is difficult to justify unless you can share it with several people.

You should also reconsider if your priority is long, unhurried beach time. The schedule visits many places, but the stated time at each is about 30 minutes. This is a highlight-packed day, not a stay-put beach holiday.

Booking Details That Matter

You receive confirmation when booking, and the activity is available with a mobile ticket. Most people can participate, but the tour information does not give detailed accessibility guidance. Ask about the boat, beach landings, and any uneven access if someone in your party has limited mobility.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted. The cut-off uses local time.

Good weather is required. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. This is worth remembering when planning flights or a tightly packed El Nido schedule.

Should You Book Private El Nido Tour A?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the $940.28 price and you want the famous Tour A sights with more control than a shared departure allows. The route is well chosen, lunch and safety equipment are included, and the crew’s friendly service and willingness to help with photographs add a personal touch.

Pause before booking if you are traveling with only one or two people, need hotel pickup, or expect snorkel gear and kayaking to be included. Confirm the group limit, transfers, snorkel equipment, kayak arrangements, menu, and guide assignment first.

For the right group, this is a practical way to see El Nido’s best-known lagoons and beaches in one private day. Just treat the flexible schedule as an advantage, not a promise of empty beaches or unlimited time at every stop.

FAQ

How long does the private El Nido Tour A last?

The tour lasts approximately six to eight hours. The five named stops each allow about 30 minutes, with additional time spent traveling by boat and eating lunch.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Dayo Cafe on Serena Street in El Nido, Palawan. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Which places does the tour visit?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the package. The exact menu is not stated, so contact Natural Arts Travel and Tours about dietary needs.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

The tour information gives conflicting details. One description refers to snorkel gear, but the detailed inclusions say snorkeling equipment is not included. Confirm this directly before departure.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Poor weather may also result in a different date or a full refund.