El Nido Island Tour A

Pack your swimsuit and your patience. El Nido Island Tour A brings together the area’s famous lagoons, clear swimming spots, coral snorkeling, and several fine places for photos. For $27 per person, you get a seven-hour boat trip, buffet lunch, bottled water, life jacket, and an English-speaking licensed guide.

I like the variety here. You are not stuck on one beach all day, and the route gives you kayaking at Big Lagoon, snorkeling at Payong-Payong Beach, and relaxed swimming at Seven Commandos Beach. I also like the double-decker boat, since the upper deck gives you a useful perch for views across Bacuit Bay.

The main drawback is that the advertised price is not the final cost. You still need to pay the government environmental fee, lagoon entrance fee, and possibly kayak and equipment rental charges. Also, check the meeting point carefully: the map was reported to be wrong, with the actual dispatch area on the beach beside Kuridas Restaurant.

Five things to know before you book

• Big Lagoon is the main event: You get about an hour or more for kayaking, swimming, photos, and looking into the clear water.
• The route mixes famous and quieter stops: Secret Lagoon, Payong-Payong Beach, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commandos Beach each offer a different kind of break.
• Lunch is included: The buffet includes fresh seafood, fruit, vegetables, and a 500 ml bottle of mineral water.
• Extra fees add up: Budget for PHP 400 per person in government tax and environmental fees, PHP 200 for the lagoon entrance, plus optional rentals.
• The schedule can move: The return may be around 3 or 4 PM, depending on the group and the pace of the day.

What the $27 price really covers

At first glance, $27 is a low price for a seven-hour outing in one of Palawan’s most scenic areas. The included boat, life jacket, guide, lunch, and water make it a reasonable base price, especially if you want one booking to handle several island stops.

You should treat the advertised amount as the starting figure, not the complete bill. The government tax and environmental fee cost PHP 400 per person. The lagoon entrance fee adds PHP 200. If you want to kayak, the listed price is PHP 300 per kayak for two people. That means a pair sharing a kayak pays PHP 150 each for that activity.

Optional equipment costs PHP 100 for a mask and snorkel and another PHP 100 for aqua shoes. GoPro and drone use are listed as extra personal costs, but no rental prices are provided. Bring enough cash for the fees and extras, since the information supplied does not say that these charges can be paid by card.

The value is strongest if you plan to swim, kayak, and snorkel. If you only want to sit on the boat and look at the views, the extra charges may make the trip feel less like a bargain. If you use the included lunch and spend real time in the water, the package offers a lot for a single day.

Meeting at the beach beside Kuridas Restaurant

The meeting point is on the right side of Kuridas Restaurant, in the dispatch area for Tour A. One important warning: the map provided for the meeting point was reported to be incorrect. The actual place is on the beach, so do not rely on the map pin alone.

Give yourself time to find the beach dispatch area and confirm that you are joining Tour A. Bring your booking details, full name, age, nationality, destination information, and any food restrictions. Those details are needed when you fill out the booking.

The boat ride to Big Lagoon takes almost 45 minutes. This is not wasted time. It gives you a chance to settle in, look across Bacuit Bay, and take photos from the double-decker boat. The upper level is especially useful for wide views, though you should keep your belongings secure and use a waterproof bag near the water.

The boat comes with life jackets, and a licensed English-speaking guide leads the day. The information does not give a fixed group size, so expect the timing to depend partly on how quickly the whole group boards, swims, kayaks, and returns to the boat.

Big Lagoon, where kayaking takes center stage

Big Lagoon is the first major stop, reached after the initial boat ride. The planned visit allows around 105 minutes, while the description also says you stay for almost an hour for kayaking, swimming, snorkeling, and photos. In practical terms, this is the stop where you will want to organize your time instead of trying to do everything at once.

Kayaking lets you move through the lagoon at a slower pace than the tour boat. You can look up at the rock walls, take pictures, and enjoy the clear water from a low position. The kayak rental is not included, and one kayak costs PHP 300 for two people. If you are traveling alone, you may need to ask how the operator handles single-person use.

Swimming is also part of the stop, though the information does not specify every swimming area or water condition. Bring a waterproof bag for your phone and camera. A regular camera can quickly become a problem when you are moving between kayak, boat, and beach.

Big Lagoon is likely to be the busiest-feeling part of the day simply because it is the headline stop on the route. Your guide can help keep the group moving, but do not count on having the place to yourself. If photos matter to you, take a few from the upper boat deck before everyone heads into the water.

Secret Lagoon, a short stop with scenic views

Secret Lagoon follows Big Lagoon and allows about an hour for a guided visit, photos, and sightseeing. The supplied details do not promise a specific swim or kayak activity here, so think of this as a scenic stop rather than a second full water session.

The value of Secret Lagoon is variety. After spending time in the open water and kayak at Big Lagoon, you get a different setting for pictures and a chance to see another part of the El Nido area. The route itself also provides scenic views, so keep your camera ready during the transfer.

An hour can pass quickly once the group has reached the area, taken photos, and listened to the guide. If you want a quiet, slow visit at every stop, this tour may feel brisk. It is designed to cover several places in one day.

Payong-Payong Beach for swimming and coral snorkeling

Payong-Payong Beach is the route’s main snorkeling stop. You have about an hour for guided sightseeing, swimming, and looking at coral beneath the surface.

Bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them. Rental equipment is available for PHP 100, and aqua shoes are also listed at PHP 100. The supplied details do not describe the size or condition of the coral area, so keep your expectations sensible. This is a short island-tour snorkeling session, not a specialized reef excursion.

Use biodegradable sunscreen, and do not touch marine life. The rules specifically prohibit touching marine life and littering. Those rules matter here: coral and sea life are easily damaged, and sunscreen, fins, and careless hands can cause harm.

Payong-Payong is a good place to break up the sightseeing. You can choose the level of activity that suits you. Swim and snorkel if you want more water time, or stay close to the beach if you have already had enough kayaking.

Shimizu Island, lunch, and time to walk

Shimizu Island allows around 105 minutes for a guided visit, photos, free time, walking, swimming, and a possible sunset element. The exact timing depends on the group and the day’s progress, so do not assume you will see a sunset here. The tour description says the full outing generally continues until about 3 or 4 PM.

This is also where the included buffet lunch becomes important. The meal includes fresh seafood, fruit, vegetables, and 500 ml of mineral water. Food restrictions should be given when you book, rather than left until lunch is being served.

An included buffet saves you from arranging food separately during a day spent on the water. Still, you may want to carry additional drinking water because one 500 ml bottle may not be enough for seven hours of sun, swimming, and walking. Water is listed among the suggested items to bring.

Shimizu Island gives you a little more freedom than the activity-focused lagoon stops. Take a walk, swim, photograph the coastline, or simply rest. If you are traveling with different kinds of companions, this flexibility helps. The strong swimmer can get in the water while someone else takes photos or stays on the beach.

Seven Commandos Beach, the final easygoing break

Seven Commandos Beach is the final listed stop before returning to El Nido. The planned visit allows around 105 minutes for a break, photos, free time, and swimming.

This is a sensible last stop. You can cool off, take final pictures, and enjoy beach time without needing to rush into another major activity. If the earlier stops have run long, the exact time here may change because the return schedule depends on the group.

The beach stop also gives you a chance to use the things you packed: towel, beachwear, water shoes, waterproof camera, and sunscreen. Keep personal belongings in a waterproof bag, especially if you are leaving them on the boat while swimming.

The tour returns to El Nido after Seven Commandos Beach. The stated finish is around 3 or 4 PM, depending on the group. That flexibility is worth remembering when planning dinner, transport, or another booked activity later in the day. Leave room in your schedule.

The double-decker boat is part of the experience

The boat is more than just transportation between stops. The upper deck offers a scenic view of Bacuit Bay and a good angle for photographs. On a route built around rock formations, islands, and clear water, that extra height can make a real difference to your pictures.

The boat includes life jackets, and a licensed guide is provided. The listing does not give details about onboard toilets, shade, seating layout, or music, so you should not assume those features. Bring practical items rather than relying on the boat for every comfort.

A towel, water, biodegradable sunscreen, insect repellent, water shoes, and waterproof bag are all sensible. Snorkeling gear is also suggested, although a mask and snorkel can be rented for PHP 100. The packing list also mentions a waterproof camera, and that advice is worth taking seriously.

Some restrictions are strict. Do not bring weapons, sharp objects, fireworks, explosive substances, alcohol, drugs, aerosols, fishing equipment, bikes, scooters, skateboards, skates, or sports shoes. Drinks and alcoholic beverages are not allowed in the vehicle. Shoes are not allowed indoors, and littering is prohibited.

Who will get the most from Tour A?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a broad first look at El Nido’s island scenery in one day. It suits people who enjoy switching between activities: kayak for a while, swim, snorkel, eat lunch, walk, then take photos from the boat.

It is also a good fit for budget-conscious visitors who want lunch and a guide included. The low base price keeps the booking accessible, but you must add the required fees and any equipment rentals to judge the real value.

Families and mixed-age groups may appreciate the range of options, though the information does not provide age limits or specific child facilities. People who have a cold are specifically listed as unsuitable for the activity. That makes sense when much of the day involves shared boat time and water activities.

You should think twice if you dislike group schedules or want long, quiet hours at one beach. Several stops are packed into seven hours, and the return time can shift with the group. The route is best for variety, not solitude or a slow private charter.

The experience is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the supplied details do not explain boat boarding, beach transfers, or water access. If you use a wheelchair, contact the provider before booking and ask how each part of the route is handled. Electric wheelchairs are specifically not allowed.

Practical verdict: book it for variety, not silence

I like the mix of Big Lagoon kayaking, coral snorkeling, beach swimming, buffet lunch, and upper-deck views. The staff and boat also received strong praise in the available four-star feedback, with the day described as enjoyable and the crew considered good.

The meeting-point problem is the main practical warning. Go to the beach beside Kuridas Restaurant, not just the map location. The second issue is cost clarity: set aside money for PHP 400 in government and environmental fees, PHP 200 for the lagoon, and optional gear.

Book this tour if you want a cost-conscious, active introduction to El Nido and you are happy to follow a shared schedule. Skip it if you want privacy, a fixed return time, or a day focused on one quiet beach. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Palawan plans are still shifting.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Island Tour A last?

The tour duration is seven hours. The day usually continues until around 3 or 4 PM, depending on the group.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet on the right side of Kuridas Restaurant, in the beach dispatch area for Tour A. The provided map was reported to be incorrect, so confirm the beach location before you set out.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The package includes a buffet lunch with fresh seafood, fruit, vegetables, and a 500 ml bottle of mineral water.

Is kayaking included in the price?

No. Kayak rental costs PHP 300 per kayak for two people.

How much are the required additional fees?

The government tax and environmental fee is PHP 400 per person. The lagoon entrance fee is PHP 200 per person.

Can I rent snorkeling equipment?

Yes. A mask and snorkel rental costs PHP 100. Aqua shoes are also available for PHP 100.

Is the tour guided in English?

Yes. A licensed English-speaking tour guide leads the activity.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, water, a camera or waterproof camera, biodegradable sunscreen, beachwear, insect repellent, water shoes, a waterproof bag, and snorkeling gear.