El Nido Private Tour A w/ Lunch

The best parts of El Nido are scattered offshore. This private island-hopping trip brings together Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, Seven Commando Beach, and Payong-Payong Beach in one full day, with lunch, a licensed guide, crew, lagoon entry, and town pickup included. I especially like the private boat format, which lets your group set the pace, and the chance to use a less crowded route instead of simply following the busiest boat line.

I also like the practical package: food, drinks, fruit, water, and the environmental fee are covered. Guides such as Darrel have earned praise for keeping groups safe, explaining the islands, and taking good photographs, while crew members including Oliver, Jul, and RJ have been singled out for careful service. The main catch is cost: at $143 per person, you pay for privacy, but snorkel gear and kayaks still cost extra.

Key Points Before You Book

• Big Lagoon takes about 90 minutes, and the lagoon entrance is included, but kayaks cost P400.
• Private means only your own group participates, so you are not sharing the boat with strangers.
• Lunch is served around Shimizu Island, with soda, water, and fruit included.
• Snorkel gear costs P100 per set, so budget for it if reef swimming matters to you.
• Free pickup covers town proper and places within 2 kilometers of the public market.
• Weather can change the day, with a full refund or alternate date offered if poor conditions cancel the trip.

Why a Private Boat Changes the El Nido Day

El Nido’s famous sights are not clustered in one neat bay. The islands and lagoons are spread along the coast, so a day on the water can involve plenty of movement between stops. A private boat gives you more control over that rhythm.

You can spend more time at a place your group enjoys and less time at one that does not suit you. The tour description also points to a route intended to meet fewer crowds, though you should not expect complete solitude at El Nido’s most famous sites. Big Lagoon, in particular, is one of the area’s best-known attractions.

The private setup is most useful for couples, families, and small groups with different energy levels. One person may want to snorkel, another may want photographs, and someone else may prefer a quiet hour on the sand. A shared trip rarely handles those wishes well. Here, your guide can work more directly with your group.

That privacy explains much of the price. At $143 per person, this is not the bargain choice for a solo visitor or a strict budget. The value improves when several people share the cost and make real use of the flexibility. You are paying for the boat arrangement and personal service, not simply for access to beaches.

The experience lasts about seven to eight hours. That is long enough to visit five locations, eat lunch, swim, and take photographs, but it also means a full day in sun, wind, and salt water. I would choose this over a rushed half-day outing if you want the major sights in one go.

Starting Near C. Hama and the Town Pickup Area

The listed meeting point is El Nido Police Station on C. Hama, marked 59JQ+5X9 in El Nido. Free pickup is offered from accommodations in town proper or within 2 kilometers of the public market.

If you stay farther outside town, an extra pickup charge applies. Confirm that point before departure, especially if your accommodation is beyond the stated area. The included transfer is useful, but it is not a blanket promise of free transport throughout the wider El Nido area.

The tour ends back at the meeting point. That keeps the day simple for anyone staying near the center, although you should allow some time afterward to dry off, change clothes, and get your bearings before making evening plans.

The tour has a licensed guide and boat crew. Specific staff may vary, but Darrel received strong praise for safety, island information, and photography. Oliver was also noted for careful boat handling and attention to passenger safety, while Jul and RJ were appreciated for helping with photographs and finding quieter spots when possible.

Those details matter. On a boat day, good service is not just a pleasant extra. It affects how smoothly you move between the islands, how comfortable you feel in the water, and whether your group gets help with bags, equipment, and photographs.

Big Lagoon: The Main Event

Big Lagoon is the visual centerpiece of the day. Towering limestone formations surround a narrow body of water, with cliffs shaped over millions of years. The scale is impressive, and the steep rock walls give the lagoon its famous El Nido character.

The stop lasts about 90 minutes. That is enough time to look around, take photographs, and enjoy the water, but the available activity comes with an important extra cost. Kayaks are P400, and stand-up paddleboards are described as a better way to experience the lagoon.

The lagoon entrance is included in the tour price. Kayak rental is not. If you want to paddle into the lagoon rather than remain on the boat or swim, bring enough Philippine pesos for the additional charge.

Big Lagoon is also the stop where crowd levels matter most. The alternate route may help, but the popularity of the place means you should prepare for other boats and visitors. The private format gives you more say over your timing, not exclusive use of the lagoon.

Wind can affect this part of the day. Strong wind may make the boat ride less comfortable and can change how enjoyable paddling feels. One piece of feedback described the scenery as wonderful but noted that windy conditions affected the outing. That is a fair warning for anyone prone to motion sickness.

Shimizu Island and the Included Lunch

Shimizu Island receives about 90 minutes and is the lunch stop. It is also a pleasant place to swim, rest, and watch for turtles, according to the tour description.

The island is named after Shimizu, described as one of the pioneers who explored the waters around El Nido. That small detail adds a human touch to what might otherwise feel like a quick photo stop.

Lunch includes soda, water, and fruit. The exact meal is not specified, so do not book this expecting a named menu or a particular dietary choice. If you have strict food needs, ask the operator before departure.

Shimizu works well in the middle of the day because it combines food with a slower break. After the first major lagoon stop, you can sit on the beach, eat, and decide how much swimming your group wants to do. The 90-minute window gives you time, though groups who linger over lunch may have less time in the water.

The island is also one of the better places to make use of the private format. Your guide can help your group balance lunch, photographs, and swimming without waiting for a large shared party to finish.

Secret Lagoon: A Small Opening in the Rock

Secret Lagoon offers a different kind of stop. Instead of a broad open beach or a large body of water, you enter a small enclosed space through an opening in the limestone.

The area is paired with a beautiful beach, so you get two experiences in one stop: time on the sand and a look inside the compact lagoon. The stop lasts around 90 minutes and has no separate admission fee listed.

The entrance can be the main attraction, but the small space also creates the main limitation. It may feel tight if several groups arrive at once, and the stop is less suited to anyone wanting a wide swimming area. You should think of it as a short exploration combined with beach time rather than a long, quiet lagoon session.

Your guide can help make this stop easier by pointing out where to go and keeping an eye on the group. The strongest staff feedback for this tour centers on safety and hands-on help, which is especially useful around rocks and water.

Seven Commando Beach and the Story Behind the Name

Seven Commando Beach has a long stretch of sand on the mainland, backed by the usual El Nido combination of clear water and limestone cliffs. Its name comes from seven commandos who reportedly lived on the island, with their names appearing on the cliffs.

The stop is scheduled for about 90 minutes. That gives you time to swim, walk, take photographs, or simply sit under the open sky. Compared with Secret Lagoon, this is the place to spread out and enjoy a more conventional beach stop.

The beach can feel more familiar than the lagoons. If your main goal is dramatic rock scenery, Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon will likely make a stronger impression. If you want a chance to move around, dry off, and enjoy the water without squeezing through a rocky opening, Seven Commando is a useful change of pace.

There is no separate admission fee listed for this stop. As always, conditions can shape the experience. Wind, water movement, and the number of boats in the area may affect how long you want to swim.

Payong-Payong Beach for a Final Swim

Payong-Payong Beach closes the route with white sand, clear water, and tall limestone cliffs. It is a photogenic stop, and the setting gives you the classic El Nido combination of beach and rock.

The visit is scheduled for 90 minutes. That makes it long enough for a final swim or a slow walk along the shore before returning to town.

Admission is not included for this stop, so ask about the current fee before setting out. The supplied details do not give the amount. That is one of the small costs worth checking in advance, especially if you are planning your budget closely.

Payong-Payong may be the most relaxing ending because you have already seen the main lagoon and eaten lunch. If your group still has energy, use the time for swimming and photographs. If the sun has taken its toll, the beach provides an easier final stop than another active water excursion.

What the Price Includes, and What It Does Not

The $143 price per person includes more than a basic boat ride:

• Private boat experience for your group
• Professional licensed guide and crew
• Lunch, soda, water, and fruit
• Environmental fee
• Big Lagoon entrance
• Free pickup within town proper or 2 kilometers of the public market
• Round-trip transport to the meeting point
• Snorkeling equipment availability, though rental is extra

The exclusions deserve equal attention. Snorkel equipment costs P100 per set, and kayak rental costs P400. Pickup outside the free zone also brings an extra charge. Payong-Payong admission is not included, and Big Lagoon admission is included even though kayak use is not.

The price is easiest to justify when privacy matters. A shared boat may cost less, but you lose control over the schedule and spend the day with people you did not choose. If you are splitting the private cost among a group, the balance becomes more attractive.

I would not call this a low-cost day on the water. I would call it a convenience-focused option with a clear premium for privacy, a guide, food, and transport. Ask for the current extra charges before departure so the final bill does not surprise you.

Snorkeling, Safety, and What to Pack

Snorkeling is not the main focus of every listed stop, but it can be a memorable part of the day. One account described swimming with a school of roughly 300 to 400 fish, calling it unforgettable. That is a strong reason to add the P100 snorkel rental if you do not have your own equipment.

Conditions vary, and the tour does not promise a particular marine sighting. Still, the combination of clear water, reefs, and island stops gives you several chances to ask about swimming.

The crew’s safety record is one of the best reasons to choose this operator. Oliver was specifically praised for careful handling, and Darrel for helping keep the group safe. Staff names may change, but the tour includes a licensed guide and crew rather than leaving you to manage the boat day alone.

Bring sun protection, swimwear, a towel, dry clothes, and cash for optional items. The information provided does not specify whether towels or personal dry bags are supplied, so plan as if you need to bring your own. Also keep your phone protected around the water, even if your guide is willing to take photographs.

Who Will Enjoy This El Nido Tour Most

I would recommend this outing to people who want El Nido’s major sights in one day but do not want to share every decision with a large group. Couples and families benefit from the private schedule, while groups of friends can make better use of the boat by splitting the cost.

It also suits visitors who care about photographs. Guides such as Darrel, Jul, and RJ have been praised for taking good pictures and helping groups find attractive viewpoints. That can save you from asking strangers to take hurried shots at every stop.

The tour is less suitable if you want a cheap, simple beach day. The price is high for a solo booking, and the additional fees for snorkeling, kayaking, pickup, and one beach admission can add up. It may also disappoint anyone expecting every stop to be empty, since the most famous locations remain popular.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The experience requires good weather, so the sea may force a change of date or a cancellation. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

Should You Book El Nido Private Tour A?

Book it if you value a private boat, a flexible pace, a full list of famous El Nido stops, and practical extras such as lunch, drinks, a licensed guide, and town pickup. The strongest reasons to choose it are the attentive crew, the chance to snorkel in clear water, and the ability to avoid some of the waiting that comes with a shared boat.

Skip it if your main concern is the lowest price, or if you dislike paying separately for optional equipment. Before booking, confirm your pickup location, ask about the Payong-Payong admission fee, and decide if you want to budget for a kayak and snorkel set.

For a group that wants a full day on the water with fewer compromises, this is a strong El Nido choice. Just treat the $143 price as the starting point, not the complete cost of every extra.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Private Tour A last?

The tour lasts approximately seven to eight hours.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your own group participates in the activity.

Which locations are included?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch, soda, water, and fruit are included.

Is hotel pickup available?

Free pickup is available from accommodations in El Nido town proper or within 2 kilometers of the public market. Pickup outside that area may cost extra.

Is the Big Lagoon entrance fee included?

Yes. The lagoon entrance is included, but kayak rental is not.

How much do snorkeling equipment and kayaks cost?

Snorkeling equipment costs P100 per set. Kayak rental costs P400.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.