El Nido Tour A

Hidden water worlds await here. El Nido Tour A packs Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commando Beach into one long day on Palawan. I like the mix of grand scenery and easy beach time, and the $27 price includes the boat, guide, captain, lunch, and bottled water. The catch is that lagoon fees, the environmental fee, and possible kayak hire cost extra.

I also like that you can reserve now and pay later, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. The main concern is organization: one booking had an almost-forgotten hotel transfer, unclear instructions, and delays while people gathered their belongings at each stop. Bring patience, a dry bag if you have one, and modest expectations for the lunch.

Key points before you book

• Four very different stops: You get dramatic Big Lagoon, the more enclosed Secret Lagoon, white sand at Shimizu Island, and a relaxed finish at Seven Commando Beach.
• The $27 price is only the starting cost: Add the PHP 200 environmental fee, PHP 200 lagoon entrance fee, and PHP 300 kayak rental for two people if you want to paddle.
• Pack for water, sun, and a change of plan: Wear swimwear, bring dry clothes, a sun hat, sunscreen, and your passport.
• Lunch is included, but food is a weak point: Portions may feel tight, and the vegetarian choice may be limited to cucumber with lemon.
• The sea route can be hard on your stomach: This trip is not suitable for people prone to seasickness or those with high blood pressure.
• Instructions may need chasing: Ask early about pickup, stop lengths, what to carry, and when to return to the boat.

What El Nido Tour A really offers

El Nido Tour A is an eight-hour island and lagoon trip from Palawan, operated by BIZ IT Travel and Tours. Its appeal is simple: you spend one day moving between the region’s most famous types of scenery instead of committing the whole day to beaches or only to lagoons.

The route combines limestone cliffs, clear water, white sand, and short boat transfers between stops. You get a licensed boat captain, a licensed English-speaking guide, boat transport, a packed lunch, and bottled water for each person.

At $27 per person, that is a low entry price for a full-day boat outing. It is not the final cost, though. The environmental fee is PHP 200 per person and is valid for 10 days. The lagoon entrance fee adds another PHP 200 per person. A kayak costs PHP 300 for two people, so a pair can split that charge.

That means you should compare the full out-of-pocket price, not just the advertised fare. Even with the extra charges, the trip may offer good value if you want the major El Nido sights in one day. If you dislike add-on fees or want a slower, more polished outing, the bargain price comes with some tradeoffs.

Big Lagoon, the dramatic centerpiece

Big Lagoon is the stop most likely to define your memory of the day. The route takes you to the clear water around Miniloc Island, where steep rock walls and calm water create El Nido’s signature setting.

The attraction here is scale. Big Lagoon feels open and grand compared with Secret Lagoon, which is tighter and more enclosed. It is the place to look around, take in the cliffs, and appreciate how the water cuts into the island.

You should pay attention to the kayak charge before you arrive. Kayak rental costs PHP 300 for two people, and that fee is not included. The supplied details also refer to kayaking through Small Lagoon, even though Small Lagoon is not listed among the main highlights. This suggests that route names or descriptions may vary, so ask the guide which lagoon access is planned on your day.

That small point matters. You do not want to assume every lagoon or kayak stop is guaranteed when the route wording is not fully consistent. Ask at the meeting point which exact sites are included and whether the kayak fee applies to the lagoon you will visit.

Big Lagoon also rewards simple preparation. Carry only what you need from the boat. A phone, sunscreen, and waterproof storage are more useful here than a full beach bag. If instructions are brief, ask when you must return to the boat before you walk away from the group.

Secret Lagoon and the short route to the water

Secret Lagoon offers a different kind of scenery. Instead of the broad views of Big Lagoon, you get a more enclosed setting and a sense of entering a small natural chamber in the island.

The approach can involve a short movement between the boat and the lagoon entrance, and water conditions may affect how easy that feels. The provided information does not promise a particular access method or exact time at the site, so listen closely to the guide before leaving the boat.

This is one of the places where clear instructions matter. One booking found that the group often arrived at a stop and then lost time while people worked out what to take and what to do. You can avoid some of that by carrying your essentials in one small waterproof bag and asking the guide how long you have at the lagoon.

Secret Lagoon is likely to suit you if you prefer a compact, enclosed setting to a wide open viewpoint. It may feel less comfortable if you dislike crowded access points, uncertain timing, or scrambling around near the water. The tour is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the exact conditions at each lagoon are not described, so you should confirm what accessibility means for the specific stops before booking.

Shimizu Island and the best lunch setting

Shimizu Island provides the day’s easiest pause. Its white sand and clear water offer a chance to slow down after the lagoon stops, sit in the sun, and swim if conditions allow.

The island’s name comes from a story about a Japanese diver who allegedly died in a nearby underwater tunnel. That story connects the stop to local folklore and to the area’s history of contact with people from outside Palawan. It is a small detail, but it gives the place more character than a simple photo stop.

Lunch is included, which helps keep the basic price down. You should not expect a full restaurant meal, though. One meal felt short on portions, with people holding back so there would be enough for everyone. Vegetarian food was also criticized as being little more than cucumbers with lemon.

If you eat vegetarian food, have allergies, or need a larger meal, ask BIZ IT Travel and Tours what can be arranged before departure. Do not assume the packed lunch will cover every dietary need. Even if you eat everything, a few snacks may be sensible, since the day lasts eight hours and food quality is one of the weaker parts of the package.

Shimizu Island is still a strong stop because the setting does part of the work. The beach gives you a break from moving between narrow lagoons, and the white sand makes it one of the more restful parts of the route.

Seven Commando Beach for a softer finish

Seven Commando Beach adds another stretch of sand and open water to the day. After the enclosed lagoons, this stop should feel more relaxed and spacious, with time to enjoy the beach rather than focus on a single dramatic rock formation.

The supplied information does not give a fixed list of activities or a precise stay length, so treat this as a beach stop rather than a scheduled water-sports session. You may want to swim, sit under the sun, or simply dry off before the boat ride back.

This is also a useful reminder to bring a change of clothes. Swimwear is recommended, but staying wet for the whole return trip can make the final part of the day less pleasant. A sun hat and sunscreen are not optional luxuries in this setting. The white sand and open water offer little reason to stay out of the sun for long.

The real cost: fees, lunch, and what is included

The advertised $27 price covers a useful set of basics:

• Packed lunch
• Bottled water for each person
• Licensed English-speaking guide
• Boat transfer
• Licensed boat captain

You still need to budget for the PHP 200 environmental fee per person. It remains valid for 10 days, so you may not need to pay it again for another qualifying outing during that period. There is also a PHP 200 lagoon entrance fee per person.

Kayaking is optional and costs PHP 300 for two people. If you are traveling with a partner, that is a reasonable shared cost. If you are alone, ask whether you can join another person or whether the charge is handled differently.

The value is best for someone who wants a straightforward day on the water. You receive the main transport and basic supplies without arranging a private boat, captain, and guide yourself. The price is less attractive if you add every fee, need special food, or expect polished handling at every stage.

Meeting point and the day’s organization

The meeting point is the BIZ IT Travel representative. That sounds simple, but the practical details deserve attention.

A booking had a hotel transfer that was nearly forgotten. Another problem was the environmental fee payment point, described as a roadside office, followed by an awkward route between hotels and local homes to reach the beach. None of this changes the scenery, but it can make the morning feel less settled than you would like.

I would confirm your pickup time and meeting point before the day of departure. When you meet the representative, ask four quick questions:

• Where exactly do I wait?
• Has my hotel transfer been recorded?
• Which stops are included today?
• How much time do I have at each stop?

The crew was praised for working hard and taking good care of the group, but the instructions were not always clear. That means you should not wait quietly if you are unsure. Ask when to return, what to bring ashore, and whether the next stop requires a kayak or a separate fee.

The tour includes a guide who speaks English, but the level of commentary is not described in detail. You may receive helpful information about the stops, or you may need to ask questions to get more context.

What to wear and pack

Keep your packing list short and practical. You need swimwear, a change of clothes, a sun hat, sunscreen, and your passport.

A small waterproof pouch would be useful for your phone and identification, though waterproof storage is not listed as an included item. Since the boat and beach stops involve water, avoid carrying anything that cannot handle splashes.

You should also consider food for yourself. Lunch and bottled water are included, but the portion size and vegetarian choices may not suit everyone. A compact snack is a sensible backup, especially if you have a large appetite or dietary restrictions.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. People prone to seasickness should avoid this tour, and it is also not suitable for people with high blood pressure. Those warnings matter because this is a full day on a boat, not a short ride to a single beach.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend El Nido Tour A to you if you want the classic El Nido sights at a modest starting price. It suits people who are happy to trade some organization and comfort for a full route that includes both lagoons and beaches.

It is also a good match for first-time visitors with only one open day. Big Lagoon gives you the famous scenery, Secret Lagoon changes the mood, and Shimizu Island and Seven Commando Beach provide time on sand. You get variety without arranging several separate outings.

You may want another option if you are prone to seasickness, need carefully managed meals, or prefer a quiet private schedule. It is also less suitable if you expect detailed instructions without having to ask. The crew appears willing to help, but the day may work better when you take an active role in confirming the plan.

The wheelchair-accessible listing is encouraging, but the available information does not explain access at each beach and lagoon. If you use a wheelchair, check the exact boarding and shore arrangements with the operator before paying.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

Book it if your priority is seeing Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commando Beach in one eight-hour outing without paying a high starting fare. The crew and guides are a positive part of the experience, and the boat, captain, lunch, water, and guide are included.

Go in with clear eyes. Your actual cost will be higher than $27, the lunch may be basic, and the morning pickup or stop instructions may require follow-up. Confirm the route, carry a change of clothes, bring a snack, and ask about kayak access.

For flexible plans, reserve now and pay later. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. With those precautions, this is a sensible introduction to El Nido’s famous water scenery, especially when value matters more than polish.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour A last?

The tour lasts eight hours. Starting times depend on availability when you book.

What is included in the $27 price?

The price includes a packed lunch, bottled water for each person, a licensed English-speaking guide, boat transfers, and a licensed boat captain.

What extra fees should I expect?

The environmental fee is PHP 200 per person and is valid for 10 days. The lagoon entrance fee is PHP 200 per person. Kayak rental costs PHP 300 for two people and is not included.

What should I bring and wear?

Wear swimwear and bring a change of clothes, a sun hat, sunscreen, and your passport.

Where do I meet the tour?

Look for a BIZ IT Travel representative. If hotel pickup is part of your arrangements, confirm the pickup time and location in advance.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.