El Nido Group Tour A with Beach Lunch

El Nido’s best-known island day starts here. This seven-hour boat trip links the Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, Secret Lagoon, and Seven Commando Beach in one full day. I like the mix of kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, and quiet beach time, plus the simple pleasure of eating lunch beside the sea.

I also like the strong value at $44.95 per person. The price includes the lagoon entrance fee, environmental fee, town pickup, and lunch on the beach. The main catch is that kayaking, masks, snorkels, and drinks cost extra, and the group can reach 50 people, so this is not a private-island experience.

Key points before you book

• Five major stops in about seven hours: You get a full circuit of El Nido’s famous island scenery without arranging separate boat trips.
• Big Lagoon kayaking costs extra: A kayak is P400 for two people, which is reasonable, but it is not part of the advertised tour price.
• Beach lunch is included: Your meal is served during the island day, though drinks such as water and soda are separate.
• Small children need planning: Ask for small life jackets ahead of time if you are traveling with young children.
• Expect water access and ladders: You may need to walk in the sea and climb the boat ladder at stops.
• The best praise goes to the crew: Guides, lifeguards, and the boat driver are described as helpful, especially with older passengers and people with limited mobility.

Why Tour A is such a popular El Nido choice

El Nido’s island tours work well because the scenery is spread across the Bacuit Archipelago. A boat is the practical way to reach the lagoons and beaches, and Tour A gathers several headline sights into one outing.

You will spend much of the day moving between steep limestone cliffs, pale sand, shallow water, and open sea. The scenery changes enough to keep the day from feeling repetitive. One stop is made for kayaking, another for snorkeling, and another simply for sitting beneath the palms with lunch.

The schedule is full, but not frantic on paper. Big Lagoon receives about 90 minutes, Shimizu Island another 90 minutes, Payong-Payong Beach one hour, Secret Lagoon 90 minutes, and Seven Commando Beach 90 minutes. Boat travel between stops uses part of the day, so you should expect a long outing rather than five leisurely beach visits.

The maximum group size is 50 people. That matters. You get a lower price and a tour structure that is easy to book, but popular stops can feel busy, especially when several boats arrive at the same place. If you want quiet water and a flexible pace, a private boat would be a better fit. If you want the main sights without paying private-tour prices, this group trip makes sense.

Big Lagoon: calm water beneath limestone cliffs

Big Lagoon is the visual centerpiece of the day. Clear turquoise water cuts between tall limestone cliffs, creating a setting that feels much larger than a normal beach stop. The water is generally the reason people choose this tour.

You have about 90 minutes here. Kayaking is the key activity, allowing you to move through the calm water at a slower pace than the tour boat. A kayak costs P400 for two people, so sharing keeps the extra cost modest. If you prefer not to kayak, swimming and snorkeling are also listed activities, though the lagoon’s main appeal is its cliffs and still water rather than a major reef encounter.

Bring a waterproof bag for your phone, wallet, and other items. You may also want footwear that works in the sea. The boat access and shallow water can require more practical movement than the polished photographs suggest.

The lagoon entrance fee of P200 per person is included. That is useful because the first stop is one of the places where an extra admission charge could otherwise catch you by surprise.

Shimizu Island: snorkeling with realistic expectations

Shimizu Island offers the main snorkeling stop. The water is clear, and you can look for coral and tropical fish close to the island. It is a good chance to cool off after the boat ride and see another side of El Nido beyond cliffs and beaches.

I would set modest expectations here. The snorkeling has been described as pleasant but ordinary, with many small fish and only a few larger ones. You may see fish smaller than the palm of your hand, along with some specimens up to about 1.5 feet. This is not a specialist snorkeling trip built around large sea life.

A mask and snorkel set costs P100. That is a small charge, but it is worth knowing before you arrive. If you have your own equipment, bring it. If not, the rental keeps the activity affordable.

Shimizu Island is also one of the places where the crew’s helpfulness matters. The day includes repeated boat entry and exit, and guides or lifeguards can make the process easier for anyone who is less confident in the water.

Payong-Payong Beach: one hour to slow down

Payong-Payong Beach is the quieter pause in the middle of the route. It is described as a secluded beach with powdery white sand, shallow clear water, limestone cliffs, and green plant life around the shore.

You have about one hour here, which is enough for a swim, a little sun, and photographs without turning the stop into a long beach stay. I like this part of the schedule because a day filled with water activities needs a simple break.

Do not expect a completely private beach. This is a group boat route, and the wider area is visited by other tour boats. Still, the smaller scale of the stop and the surrounding cliffs can make it feel calmer than the major lagoon sites.

Wear footwear you are comfortable using in salt water. The exact shore conditions can vary, and you should be ready for some walking through shallow water rather than stepping directly onto dry sand from the boat.

Secret Lagoon: the day’s most playful entrance

Secret Lagoon gets its name from the small opening in a limestone wall that leads into a sheltered pool. Reaching it involves a little physical effort and gives the stop a more adventurous feel than a standard beach landing.

Inside, the pool is enclosed by high cliffs. The setting is unusual, but the entrance is narrow, so you may need to wait your turn or move carefully. This is one of the stops where a waterproof bag helps. Keep loose items secure, and avoid carrying anything that you would worry about dropping in the water.

The scheduled time is about 90 minutes. That gives you time to enter the lagoon, look around, swim if conditions allow, and return to the boat without rushing too badly.

This stop also highlights an important point about the tour. You should be comfortable with uneven access, water around your legs, and a boat ladder. One passenger specifically noted that each stop can involve walking in the water and climbing the ladder. If you have limited mobility, contact the operator before booking and be candid about what you can manage.

Seven Commando Beach: palms, swimming, and lunch

Seven Commando Beach closes the route with a classic tropical setting: white sand, clear blue water, and coconut palms along the shore. It is a natural place to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or simply sit down after a long day on the water.

The tour allows about 90 minutes here. Lunch on the beach is included, which improves the value of the package. You do not need to return to town between stops or arrange a separate meal during the boat trip.

The supplied details do not specify the exact menu, so bring a flexible appetite rather than expecting a particular dish. Drinks are not included. Carry extra money for water or soda, and remember that sun and salt water can leave you thirstier than expected.

A fresh coconut is part of the classic Seven Commandos picture, but you should not assume it is included in the $44.95 price. The confirmed inclusion is beach lunch, while drinks are listed separately.

What the $44.95 price really covers

At $44.95, this tour offers solid value for a full day of island stops. Included items are:

• Big Lagoon entrance, listed as P200 per person
• Environmental fee, listed as P400 per person and valid for 14 days
• Free pickup within El Nido town
• Beach lunch
• The shared boat tour and guided itinerary

The environmental fee is especially useful if you plan to take another eligible island tour within 14 days. You should keep proof of payment if it is provided, since the fee is valid beyond this one outing.

The price does not cover every activity. A kayak costs P400 for two people, and a mask and snorkel set costs P100. Drinks are extra, and pickup outside El Nido town may carry another charge.

For two people who share a kayak, the main optional activity adds P200 per person. That keeps the total reasonable, but families should add up kayak rental, snorkeling equipment, drinks, and any out-of-town pickup before deciding what the day will cost.

The crew, safety, and physical demands

The strongest positive point is the crew. The guides, lifeguards, and boat driver have been praised for being helpful and for assisting an aunt and mother who had mobility concerns. That is important on a tour where the boat ladder and water landings are repeated parts of the day.

You should not read this as a fully accessible excursion. The information says most people can participate, but it also makes clear that you may need to walk in the water and climb a ladder. Service animals are allowed, and the tour operates near public transportation, but the actual island access remains the bigger issue.

If you are bringing small children, request small life jackets in advance. Standard equipment may not fit young children well, and this is not something you want to sort out after the boat leaves.

The boat can carry up to 50 people. That provides a social, budget-friendly setting, but it also means you may wait while others board, rent equipment, or enter a narrow lagoon opening. Keep your expectations practical and stay patient during transitions.

Timing, pickup, and what to bring

The listed start time is 9:00 a.m., with free pickup limited to El Nido town. If you stay outside town, ask about the additional pickup charge before the day of the trip.

The tour lasts about seven hours. That usually means a full late morning and afternoon, with the route shaped by sea conditions, boarding time, and the pace of the group. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the operator is El Nido Adventure Tours.

Pack lightly, but bring the essentials:

• Waterproof bag for phones and valuables
• Sea-friendly footwear
• Swimwear and a change of clothes
• Sun protection
• Money for kayaking, equipment rental, and drinks
• A properly sized life jacket request for young children

The advice about footwear is not fussy. Between boat ladders, shallow water, beach landings, and lagoon access, sturdy sandals or water shoes are more useful than bare feet.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 9:00 a.m. start time. Inside that 24-hour window, no refund is offered, and changes are not accepted.

Who should book this El Nido day trip?

I would choose this tour if you want the famous El Nido sights in one organized day and prefer not to arrange boat transport, entrance fees, and lunch separately. It suits couples, families with older children, and first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to the islands.

It is also a sensible choice if you value helpful staff more than a private, quiet boat. The crew support is a real advantage, especially for older family members who can manage some water walking and ladder climbing but may appreciate assistance.

I would think twice if snorkeling is your main reason for booking. Shimizu Island offers a chance to see coral and small tropical fish, but the description does not suggest a major marine-life encounter. Likewise, people who dislike groups may find a maximum of 50 passengers too much.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 9:00 a.m.

How long does El Nido Tour A last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours.

What stops are included?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

Free pickup is offered within El Nido town. Pickup outside El Nido town may cost extra.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch on the beach is included. Drinks such as water and soda are not included.

Is kayaking included in the price?

No. Kayak rental costs P400 per kayak, and one kayak is good for two people.

How much does a mask and snorkel set cost?

A mask and snorkel set costs P100.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded. If poor weather cancels the tour, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

Book it if you want a well-priced full-day introduction to El Nido, with the main lagoons, several beaches, lunch, and a crew that appears ready to help. The included P200 lagoon fee, P400 environmental fee, town pickup, and beach meal make $44.95 a fair starting price.

Add a little extra for a shared kayak, snorkeling gear, and drinks. Bring water-friendly shoes, protect your valuables, and ask for small life jackets before departure if needed.

This is best understood as a busy shared island circuit, not a private escape or serious snorkeling expedition. With that expectation, Tour A gives you a lot of El Nido scenery and activity for one manageable day.