El Nido Tour A – Group w/ Buffet Lunch

El Nido’s best-known waters are worth the early effort. Tour A packs Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, Payong-Payong Beach, and Seven Commando Beach into a 7 to 8 hour group outing. I like the mix of dramatic limestone scenery and easy beach time, and I like that the crew has earned praise for safety, helpfulness, and taking photos. The main catch is the crowd: with up to 50 people, loading boats and moving between stops can feel slow.

The tour costs $44.95 per person, including a buffet lunch, town pickup, lagoon entrance, and the environmental fee valid for 14 days. I especially like the chance to kayak at Big Lagoon, but remember that the kayak costs extra, and a shared boat means less control over your timing.

Bring water shoes, a waterproof bag, and patience. You may need to walk through seawater to board or leave the boat, and several stops can be packed with other boats. Guides such as Albert, Ramon, and Willy have received strong praise for being friendly and careful, but the experience still depends heavily on weather, traffic, and the group’s pace.

Five things to know before booking

• Big Lagoon is the headline stop: Its narrow blue waterway and towering dark cliffs deliver the classic El Nido view.
• Kayaking costs extra: A kayak is P400 for two people, while a mask and snorkel set costs P100.
• The group may reach 50 people: This keeps the price low but can create queues and slower boat loading.
• Lunch is served during the island stops: Shimizu Island is described as the main lunch stop, though the exact setup can vary and some outings serve lunch on the boat.
• You may get wet before the tour really begins: Boarding can involve walking through the sea, so wear swimwear or quick-drying clothes.
• The order can change: The crew may rearrange stops to reduce congestion and make better use of the day.

Why Tour A is El Nido’s classic introduction

Tour A is popular for a simple reason: it covers the places most people picture when they think of El Nido. You get narrow lagoons, limestone walls, pale beaches, snorkeling opportunities, and palm-fringed water in one full day.

The price makes sense if you want a broad introduction without paying for a private boat. At $44.95, the package includes lunch, the lagoon entrance listed at P200 per person, and the environmental fee listed at P400 per person and valid for 14 days. That gives the tour useful value, especially if you plan another boat outing during the same stay.

The tradeoff is control. A group boat can hold up to 50 people, and you follow the crew’s timetable rather than setting your own. If you want to linger in one lagoon, skip a crowded beach, or leave before the final stop, a private tour will suit you better.

The usual start time is 9:00 am, with free pickup offered in El Nido Town. Pickup outside town costs extra. The full day generally lasts around seven to eight hours, although one reported schedule ran from about 9:30 am to 4:45 pm.

Big Lagoon: the day’s strongest visual moment

Big Lagoon is the stop that gives Tour A its name and much of its appeal. You enter a narrow water passage framed by steep, dark limestone cliffs. The blue water and enclosed shape make it feel different from the open beaches later in the day.

You can kayak here for P400 per kayak, good for two people. I would treat that fee as part of the real cost if Big Lagoon is your main reason for booking. From a kayak, you can move at your own pace and get a closer look at the cliff walls than you would from the tour boat.

The listed visit lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes, but actual time at each stop can be shorter once docking, unloading, and reboarding are counted. The number of boats matters, too. Big Lagoon is one of El Nido’s most famous sights, so you may share the water with many other groups.

Bring a waterproof phone pouch if you want photographs. One particularly useful habit is to keep your bag closed and light, since getting from the boat to shore or a kayak may involve wet footing. Guides have been praised for taking photos and videos, so you can ask for help, but do not count on having the guide free at every moment.

Shimizu Island: lunch, views, and time in the water

Shimizu Island is described as the favorite lunch stop, and it serves as a welcome change from the enclosed lagoon. Here you get a beach setting, open views, and the chance to spend time near the water rather than simply passing through it.

The buffet lunch is included. Food quality has received good marks, with praise for the variety and local dishes. Still, set your expectations sensibly. One outing had lunch on the boat rather than directly on the beach, and another sharply criticized the amount and presentation. The exact arrangement can depend on boat position, weather, and crowd conditions.

Snorkeling is associated with this stop, and the tour description also mentions turtles. A mask and snorkel set costs P100 if you need to rent one. One useful warning is that snorkeling may not happen at every beach or in the exact place you expect, so do not book this outing solely for a long reef session.

The crew’s attitude makes a difference here. Albert, Ramon, and other staff members have been praised for being friendly and attentive, while some crews have helped older family members board and leave the boat. That is important because this is not a fully dry, step-on, step-off excursion.

Payong-Payong Beach: a beautiful stop with awkward footing

Payong-Payong Beach has the classic El Nido combination: white sand, clear water, and limestone cliffs rising around the shore. It is a good place to swim, take photographs, and slow down after the busier lagoon stops.

The practical issue is access. One account describes people walking through the water over large rocks for more than 50 feet. That can be uncomfortable or unsafe in bare feet, particularly if waves push against you or you are carrying a camera.

Water shoes are one of the smartest items to pack. They also help at the meeting point and during boat transfers, where you may get wet several times. Keep your belongings in a waterproof bag rather than an ordinary daypack.

The scheduled duration is listed as 1 hour and 30 minutes, but that does not mean you will have a full, uninterrupted beach hour and a half. Time can disappear while the boat waits, the group gathers, or people make their way back through shallow water.

Secret Lagoon: a small entrance and a crowded reward

Secret Lagoon is reached through a small cave, which is part of the attraction. The entrance gives the stop a sense of discovery, but it also creates a bottleneck. Only a limited number of people can pass through comfortably at once.

You should expect queues here, especially if several group boats arrive together. One of the strongest criticisms of the group format concerns waiting at this stop and at other narrow access points. If you dislike standing in line in the heat, this may be the least relaxing part of the day.

Once inside, the enclosed lagoon offers a different mood from Big Lagoon. It is smaller and more intimate, with limestone around the water. The tour lists about 1 hour and 30 minutes, though the practical time inside can be reduced by the line to enter and the need to return to the boat with the whole group.

Follow the guide’s instructions around the cave. Wet rocks and uneven footing are part of the route, and the place is not designed for a quick, effortless transfer from boat to shore.

Seven Commando Beach: palms, turquoise water, and the busiest finish

Seven Commando Beach is the easiest stop to understand. You get pale sand, turquoise water, palm trees, rock formations, and a beach bar. It is a pleasant place for a final swim or drink, and the scenery is easy to enjoy without a special activity.

It can also feel unnecessary if the day has already been long. One detailed assessment found the beach crowded and difficult for the boat to load and unload, while another called the stop less worthwhile than the lagoons. That is a fair criticism when your group has limited time and the main sights have already used much of the day.

Drinks are not included, so budget separately for water or soda. The beach bar adds convenience, but it also gives you one more optional expense after the tour price and equipment rentals.

If the crew changes the order, Seven Commando may come earlier or later. A flexible sequence can help avoid the worst congestion, and some guides have adjusted the schedule to reduce overlap with other boats.

What the group format really feels like

The word group matters here. The maximum is 50 people, and that affects almost every part of the day. You may wait for others to finish kayaking, gather everyone before departure, or queue while several boats try to use the same landing area.

The group format also keeps the cost manageable. For a first visit to El Nido, that can be a sensible trade. You get five major locations, lunch, town pickup, and a crew handling the route, boat, and basic safety concerns without the much higher cost of a private charter.

The experience is not always rushed, but it can feel tightly packed. Several stops are assigned 1 hour and 30 minutes on paper, while actual accounts describe roughly 40 minutes to an hour at individual locations. I would plan for highlights rather than long, quiet stretches on the beach.

There is also a physical side that the listing’s simple timing does not fully explain. You may board by walking through seawater, climb a boat ladder, cross rocks, and move between a boat, beach, kayak, and lagoon entrance. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed, but anyone with mobility concerns should ask specific questions before paying.

Safety and the crew

The crew is one of the strongest reasons to choose this particular group outing. Albert, Ramon, and Willy are named positively in the feedback, and the staff are repeatedly described as friendly, professional, helpful, and focused on safety.

That care is especially useful when people are getting on and off the boat. Staff members have assisted older parents and helped people who could not take part in every activity. If you are traveling with an older relative, tell the crew early so they understand what help is needed.

The driving and docking are not perfect. One account felt the boat driver needed more practice parking at the stops. That may mean awkward approaches or longer waits while the boat positions itself.

The most useful safety advice is practical: wear water shoes, use a waterproof bag, and do not carry anything you cannot afford to get wet. Take the ladder slowly and watch where you place your feet when the boat reaches a rocky or shallow landing.

Lunch, rentals, and the true cost

The $44.95 price is attractive because several meaningful costs are built in. Lunch is included, along with the lagoon entrance listed at P200 and an environmental fee of P400 per person that remains valid for 14 days.

You should still allow for extras:

• Kayak: P400 per kayak for two people
• Mask and snorkel: P100 per set
• Drinks: not included
• Pickup outside El Nido Town: additional charge

If two people share a kayak, the cost is reasonable for the chance to paddle inside Big Lagoon. If you want to snorkel but do not own equipment, the mask and snorkel fee is modest.

The environmental fee is particularly useful if you take another eligible outing within the 14-day validity period. Keep proof of payment if the operator provides it, since you may need it later.

Lunch generally receives positive marks for variety and local flavor, but the setting can vary. You might eat on Shimizu Island, or you might find the boat becomes the practical dining area. If a beach meal is essential to you, confirm that detail before departure.

Who should book Tour A?

I would recommend this tour to a first-time visitor who wants to see El Nido’s signature locations at a moderate price. It also suits you if you enjoy a full day outdoors, do not mind sharing space, and want the crew to manage the route.

It is a good fit for people who like variety. You can kayak, swim, snorkel, photograph cliffs, visit a cave, eat local food, and relax at a beach without arranging separate transport.

Families and mixed-age groups can also make it work, especially because the staff have helped older people move around the boat. However, each person should be comfortable with wet transfers, uneven rocks, ladders, and a long day in changing weather.

I would hesitate if you want quiet beaches, precise timing, or extended snorkeling. A private tour costs more, but it gives you better control and can reduce the waiting that defines the shared experience.

Book at least 24 hours before the start if you want the option of a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refundable, and poor weather may lead to a different date or a full refund.

Final call: a strong first-day choice with clear limits

Book El Nido Tour A if Big Lagoon is high on your list and you want the main sights, lunch, and basic fees bundled into one affordable day. The scenery is excellent, the crew has a strong reputation for care, and the route offers more variety than a simple beach trip.

Skip it in favor of a private outing if crowds, queues, and boat transfers will spoil your day. The best approach is to arrive prepared: wear swimwear and water shoes, protect your phone, budget for the kayak, and expect the schedule to shift. With those expectations, Tour A offers a solid introduction to El Nido’s famous lagoons and beaches.

FAQ

What time does El Nido Tour A start?

The stated start time is 9:00 am. One recorded schedule left El Nido around 9:30 am and returned at about 4:45 pm, so the total outing can run roughly seven to eight hours.

Is pickup included?

Free pickup is offered within El Nido Town. Pickup outside El Nido Town costs extra.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Buffet lunch is included. Shimizu Island is described as the main lunch stop, although the meal may sometimes be served on the boat instead of directly on the beach.

Does the tour include kayaking?

No. Kayaking is an optional extra costing P400 per kayak, and one kayak is suitable for two people.

Are masks and snorkels included?

No. A mask and snorkel set costs P100. Drinks such as water and soda are also not included.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 50 people. A group this large can result in queues and slower boat loading at popular stops.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather causes the tour to be canceled, you will be offered another date or a full refund.