El Nido Island Tour A

The best of El Nido fits into one boat day. This $22 island-hopping trip takes you to Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-payong Beach, and Seven Commandos Beach, with limestone cliffs and bright sand at every turn. I like the strong mix of scenery and water time, and I like that lunch, a guide, life vest, boat permit, and hotel pickup within El Nido Town are included. The main drawback is loose timing: boat departure can wait for Coast Guard clearance, and one report describes a crowded lunch stop and an unplanned return to the wrong pickup point.

You meet at Cliffside Travel and Tours before 8:30 a.m., then wait for boat dispatch between 9 and 10 a.m. The day usually finishes between 3 and 5 p.m., so this is an eight-hour outing with plenty of time on the water but not much control over the clock. The tour has a 3.7 rating from 26 ratings, with especially warm praise for the guides, their attitude, and the well-kept boat.

Key points to know before booking

• Big Lagoon is the main event: This is the stop most likely to make the day feel worthwhile, with a guided visit, safety briefing, sightseeing, and the option to rent a kayak for 300 pesos per hour.

• Five stops, about 40 to 50 minutes each: You get a broad sample of El Nido rather than a long, quiet stay at one beach.

• The $22 price covers useful basics: Lunch, life vest, guide, boat permit, and hotel pickup within El Nido Town are included.

• Budget 600 pesos in required fees: The lagoon fee is 200 pesos and the environmental fee is 400 pesos, both collected at the booking office.

• Departure times can shift: The boat leaves between 9 and 10 a.m., depending on Coast Guard clearance, so do not plan a tight afternoon connection.

• Lunch may be simple and crowded: The meal is included, but the stop can be busy, and seating may be limited.

Why El Nido Tour A works as a first island day

El Nido is famous for pale beaches and huge limestone formations rising sharply from the sea. Tour A gives you the classic introduction in one day, moving from a large lagoon to a smaller enclosed lagoon, then on to beaches suited to swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling.

I like this route for a first visit because it does not ask you to choose between cliffs and sand. You get both. You also get a guide who can help with the day’s practical details, including the safety briefing, boat movements, and assistance in the water or on shore.

The tradeoff is that this is a shared boat outing with a set route. You will not linger wherever you wish. Each stop lasts roughly 40 to 50 minutes, and the boat leaves when the group is ready to move. That rhythm works well for someone who wants to see five famous places in one day. It is less appealing if you prefer a slow beach afternoon with no schedule.

Meeting at Cliffside Travel and Tours before 8:30 a.m.

The day begins at the Cliffside Travel and Tours booking office beside El Nido Cliffside Cottages. You are asked to arrive before 8:30 a.m., even though the boat may not leave until 9 or 10 a.m.

That wait is not necessarily a mistake. Boat dispatch depends on Coast Guard clearance, and the timing can change. Still, you should treat the morning as flexible. Bring water, wear sun protection, and avoid scheduling anything important soon after the advertised return window.

Free hotel pickup applies only within El Nido Town. If you are staying outside that area, confirm your own way to the office before booking. The boat returns to El Nido Beach, but make sure you understand the exact return and pickup arrangement. One poor account describes being left away from the original pickup point and having to pay for a tricycle ride back, so a quick confirmation with the office is sensible.

Big Lagoon: the reason many people choose Tour A

Big Lagoon is the strongest part of the route. The boat takes you toward steep limestone walls and calm water enclosed by rock. The stop includes sightseeing, a guided visit, and a safety briefing, giving you more structure than a simple beach landing.

You can also rent a kayak here for 300 pesos per hour. That cost is not included, but the option matters because kayaking lets you move at your own pace inside the lagoon. If you prefer to remain on the main boat, you can still enjoy the cliffs and water from the group route.

The official tour description lists a photo stop and a hop-on, hop-off stop, so expect some movement between boat and shore rather than one fixed viewing platform. The guide is available if you need help. Follow the safety instructions, especially when getting on or off the boat.

Big Lagoon is also where weather matters most. One account praised the boat and service but noted that poor weather made the sea look less blue. On a cloudy or rough day, the setting remains dramatic, but the water may not have the bright color shown in promotional photos.

Shimizu Island brings in the beach time

Shimizu Island is a shorter stop focused on the beach and water. You can swim, sunbathe, or use the time for photographs. The sand and limestone surroundings create the classic El Nido postcard scene without requiring a long walk.

This is also one of the places where the short stop can feel limiting. Forty to 50 minutes gives you time to enjoy the shore, but not much time to do everything. If you want to swim, snorkel, take photos, and eat at a relaxed pace, you will need to choose your priority.

The tour includes a picnic lunch, served at one of the islands. The meal is described as simple, and the exact setting may not be leisurely. You might eat on the boat or at a beach stop, depending on the day’s arrangement. Pack a little patience along with your appetite.

Secret Lagoon offers a different kind of scenery

Secret Lagoon changes the mood. Instead of a broad open beach and towering outer cliffs, you visit a more enclosed natural setting. The stop is listed as a hop-on, hop-off visit, so expect a short landing and time to explore the lagoon area with the group.

The appeal here is contrast. Big Lagoon gives you wide views and a larger body of water. Secret Lagoon feels more tucked in, with rock enclosing the scene. The entrance and shore can become crowded when several boats arrive, so your enjoyment may depend on the timing of the group.

The tour route gives you a limited stay, roughly 40 to 50 minutes. That is enough to see the place and take photos, but do not count on a long private pause. If you need assistance, the licensed guide is available.

Payong-payong Beach is for swimming and sunshine

The stop identified in the route as 48WC+77 is Payong-payong Beach. This is a beach break where you can swim, sunbathe, and take in the surrounding rock formations.

It is a useful middle section of the day because not every stop requires the same activity. After the lagoon visits, you can simply slow down on the sand. The tour also allows time for snorkeling, though the mask rental is extra and available at the beach during boat dispatch.

The main practical point is to keep your belongings organized. With several stops and frequent boat boarding, you do not want to spend half your beach time searching through bags. The tour supplies life vests, but it does not include snorkeling masks, towels, or kayak hire.

Seven Commandos Beach closes the route

Seven Commandos Beach is the final named stop before the boat returns to El Nido Beach. It gives you one more stretch of white sand for swimming, sunbathing, or a relaxed final look at the coast.

Ending with a beach stop makes sense. You have already seen the major lagoon sites, and the final hour can feel less rushed if you use it simply to enjoy the water. Still, the exact order and timing may shift because dispatch and sea conditions affect the whole day.

You should keep an eye on the guide’s instructions here. The return trip is part of the schedule, and the boat must bring the group back together. A beautiful beach is not the place to lose track of departure time.

What the $22 price really covers

At $22 per person, the base price is low for an eight-hour boat day with five destinations. You receive the boat trip, tour guide, life vest, boat permit, picnic lunch, and free pickup within El Nido Town. For a first visit, that is a useful bundle.

The listed extra charges change the real cost:

• Lagoon fee: 200 pesos
• Environmental fee: 400 pesos
• Kayak at Big Lagoon: 300 pesos per hour, optional
• Snorkeling mask: extra, with rental available at the beach

The required fees add 600 pesos before any optional rental. That still may represent good value if you want to visit all five locations without arranging a private boat, but you should not think of the advertised $22 as the final total.

Lunch adds value, especially on an eight-hour outing. Do not expect a restaurant meal or a long seated break. One account describes it as a simple lunch on the boat, while another describes eating while standing on a small, crowded section of beach. Your experience may depend on the day’s boat position and the number of other tour groups at the stop.

Boat comfort and guide service

The boat has received praise for being spacious and well maintained. That matters on a full day at sea. A clean, solid boat makes repeated boarding easier and gives you a more comfortable place to sit between islands.

The guide team also receives strong praise for its friendly attitude and helpful service. The guides speak English and Tagalog, and a licensed guide is available when you need assistance. That is valuable for first-time visitors who want help with the route, safety instructions, or moving between boat and shore.

Service can still be uneven in a shared operation. The positive accounts describe excellent guide support, but the poor account raises a serious concern about the return transfer. I would confirm your return point before the boat leaves and keep enough cash for a local tricycle in case plans change.

Crowds, weather, and the limits of the schedule

The tour packs five famous destinations into one day. That is its strength and its weakness. You see a lot, but you share the stops with other boats and spend part of the day boarding, waiting, and moving.

The lunch stop may be especially crowded. A small beach can fill quickly when several island tours arrive at once. If you need a quiet meal, this may not be the right format. If you are content with a simple picnic and care more about visiting the lagoons, the compromise is easier to accept.

Weather can change the color of the sea and the feel of the day. On a clear day, the limestone and white sand should make a strong impression. In poor weather, the water may look gray rather than blue, and swimming or snorkeling may be less appealing. The tour still operates around Coast Guard clearance, so a delayed departure is possible.

Who should book this El Nido island tour

I would choose Tour A if you are visiting El Nido for the first time, want the famous lagoon route, and prefer a low-cost shared outing. It suits people who enjoy a full day of sightseeing, swimming, photographs, and short beach breaks.

It also works well if you want the basics handled for you. The guide, boat permit, life vest, lunch, and town pickup remove several small planning jobs. The English and Tagalog service makes the tour accessible to a broad range of visitors.

I would hesitate if you want a private, quiet day, dislike waiting for clearance, or need a guaranteed return at a precise time. I would also think twice if your main goal is a long snorkeling session. The route allows snorkeling, but the stops are short and the mask is not included.

Should you book Tour A?

Book it if Big Lagoon is high on your list and you want five major El Nido stops for a modest base price. The well-kept boat, friendly guide service, included lunch, and broad mix of lagoons and beaches make it a practical introduction.

Before paying, ask where the boat will return you, confirm the 600-peso required fees, and accept that departure may fall anywhere between 9 and 10 a.m. Go in expecting a simple shared picnic, not a quiet restaurant lunch. With those expectations, El Nido Island Tour A offers a lot of scenery for one day and remains a sensible choice for value-focused visitors.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Island Tour A last?

The tour duration is about eight hours. Boat dispatch is between 9 and 10 a.m., and the tour usually ends between 3 and 5 p.m.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at the Cliffside Travel and Tours booking office beside El Nido Cliffside Cottages. You should arrive before 8:30 a.m.

Which destinations are included?

The five destinations are Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, Payong-payong Beach, and Seven Commandos Beach.

Is hotel pickup included?

Free hotel pickup is included for hotels within El Nido Town only. The meeting point is the Cliffside Travel and Tours office.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes the five-stop island tour, life vest, tour guide, boat permit, picnic lunch, and free pickup within El Nido Town.

What extra fees must I pay?

A 200-peso lagoon fee and a 400-peso environmental fee are collected at the booking office.

Is kayak rental included?

No. Kayak rental at Big Lagoon costs 300 pesos per hour.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.