El Nido: Tour A&C by Private Speedboat –Skip the Crowds Fast

Fast boats, famous lagoons, fewer people. This private El Nido trip combines the best-known stops from Tours A and C, including Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Hidden Beach, Helicopter Island, and Seven Commandos Beach. The main appeal is simple: you spend less time crossing Bacuit Bay and more time enjoying the islands.

I like the private speedboat and the choice between an early start and a sunset schedule. I also like the flexible pace, which matters when you want extra time for a swim instead of being hurried back onto a shared boat. The main drawback is price: at $315 per person, or a quoted ₱35,000 per private group, this is aimed at couples, families, and small groups willing to pay for comfort and privacy.

Key points to know before booking

• Private high-speed boat: Your group has the boat to itself, with no strangers sharing the ride.
• Two popular tours combined: You visit major Tour A and Tour C sights in one six-hour outing.
• Early departure or sunset cruise: The morning schedule is designed to miss peak crowds, while the afternoon trip aims for golden-hour views.
• Fast transfers across Bacuit Bay: A speedboat can give you more usable time at the islands, though the ride may feel rougher in poor sea conditions.
• Lunch, masks, and safety gear included: Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, water, and a waterproof bag.
• Best for comfort seekers: The cost makes the most sense for a private celebration, family outing, proposal, or small group sharing the charter.

Why a private speedboat changes the day

El Nido’s famous islands are spread across Bacuit Bay. On a standard shared boat, the actual sightseeing time can be reduced by long transfers, scheduled stops, and waiting for a full group to return. This trip is built around cutting down that lost time.

The speedboat is not just a luxury detail. It is the reason this plan can fit major Tour A and Tour C highlights into six hours. The operator says transfers may be up to twice as fast, although actual travel time depends on sea conditions and coast guard clearance.

You also avoid the social compromises of a shared outing. You do not need to wait for strangers who want one more photograph, and you can ask the crew to keep the pace relaxed at a favorite stop. The boat remains private for your group, with a licensed captain, professional crew, life vests, first aid supplies, and other safety equipment onboard.

There is one tradeoff. A faster boat may feel less gentle than a slower outrigger boat, particularly when the water is choppy. If you are prone to seasickness, this trip is not a good match. People with mobility impairments and those with serious medical conditions should also consider the physical demands before booking.

Starting at Marbers on Calle Hama

The meeting point is Marbers Resto Bar on Calle Hama, right by the beach. Go inside and ask for Annabelle or any Alexzus staff member. The tour ends at Dockyard, so plan your hotel location and any later plans around that finish point.

The schedule needs careful checking before you pay. The information gives an early option as both 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The afternoon option is consistently shown as 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Confirm the exact morning departure with Alexzus Travel and Tours, since a one-hour difference matters when the chief goal is beating the crowds.

Hotel pickup and drop-off outside El Nido town are not included, though they can be arranged for an added charge. Mandatory local fees, passenger trip clearance, fuel, and docking fees are included, so the final cost should be clear before departure.

Big Lagoon: the morning’s main prize

Big Lagoon is the stop that gives this tour much of its fame. Tall limestone cliffs close around green water, creating one of El Nido’s most recognizable views. The planned visit lasts about an hour, with time for photographs, sightseeing, swimming, and kayaking according to lagoon management rules.

Arriving early is especially useful here. Big Lagoon can become crowded as boats arrive, and the narrow approach can feel much less peaceful when many groups reach it at once. The private speedboat is intended to get you there before the heaviest traffic.

Still, do not treat the early schedule as a guarantee of having the lagoon entirely to yourself. Weather, local rules, and coast guard clearance can change the order or timing. The smart reason to choose the morning trip is improved odds of calmer conditions and fewer boats, not a promise of total solitude.

If kayaking inside Big Lagoon matters to you, ask how it will work on your date. Kayak use is subject to local lagoon management guidelines. Bring a camera, but protect it carefully from spray during the boat ride and around the water.

Secret Lagoon and the rock-wall entrance

Secret Lagoon is a short, dramatic stop of about 30 minutes. It sits behind rock walls and is reached through a small natural opening. That entrance is part of the fun, but it also means access can feel tight and less suitable for anyone who has trouble moving over uneven or confined spaces.

The visit is geared toward photographs, sightseeing, and a quick look around rather than a long beach stay. I would keep expectations sensible here. The name suggests total isolation, but this is a well-known El Nido stop. Its appeal is the unusual setting and the short passage through the rock, not guaranteed silence.

Because the stop is brief, listen to the crew’s timing. It is easy to spend too long taking pictures at the entrance and then have less time inside.

Hidden Beach, reached through a narrow passage

Hidden Beach brings another enclosed karst setting, this time with swimming and snorkeling planned for roughly 40 minutes. Massive limestone formations screen the beach from open water, and you reach it through a narrow passage.

This is one of the places where the private format helps. You can make the most of a short stop without trying to organize a large shared group. The crew can also guide you toward the safest way to enter and leave the water, subject to conditions.

The narrow approach may not suit everyone. If you dislike squeezing through tight spaces or moving in water near rocks, tell the crew before entering. Wear secure footwear if you have it, and keep small personal items in a waterproof bag.

Lunch at a quiet island stop

The itinerary includes a 45-minute break at a secret stop for a freshly prepared island lunch. The exact location is not fixed in the information provided, which likely gives the crew room to adjust for weather, boat traffic, and local conditions.

That flexibility is useful. A lunch stop does more than fill your stomach. It gives you a real pause after several water-based visits, when you can dry off, sit down, and enjoy the bay without rushing from one attraction to the next.

Bring snacks and water anyway. They are specifically recommended, and six hours in sun, salt water, and wind can make you thirstier than expected. Plastic bottles are not allowed, so pack water in a permitted reusable container or follow the operator’s instructions.

Secret Beach and the Tour C appeal

The itinerary lists a 30-minute visit to Secret Beach, with swimming and snorkeling. This stop is separate from Secret Lagoon and Hidden Beach, so you should expect another compact coastal visit rather than one long stay in a single place.

Tour C is often valued for its rock formations and tucked-away beaches. Here, the attraction is the feeling of finding a small opening into a protected coastal space. Thirty minutes is enough for a swim or quick snorkel, but not for lingering on the sand for most of the afternoon.

Snorkeling masks are included. You may want to bring your own mask if you prefer a particular fit, but the supplied equipment covers the basic need. Do not feed marine life or touch plants. Those rules protect the area and help keep the water experience respectful.

Helicopter Island for open beach time

Helicopter Island gets its name from its distinctive outline. The stop lasts about 30 minutes and includes photographs, swimming, sightseeing, and snorkeling.

Compared with the enclosed lagoons and narrow beach entrances, this is a chance to enjoy a wider sandy shoreline and open water. You can swim, rest, or look for coral gardens beneath the surface. The short stop means you may need to choose one main activity rather than trying to do everything.

This part of the trip also shows why a fast boat matters. The itinerary includes several separate locations, and every saved minute between islands protects your time in the water.

Seven Commandos Beach closes the day

The final major stop is Seven Commandos Beach, with about an hour set aside. It is known for a long palm-lined shoreline and easy swimming conditions, making it a good place to slow down after the more active lagoon stops.

An hour gives you enough room to swim, take pictures, and sit on the sand without watching the clock every few minutes. For families, this may be the most comfortable stop. For couples, it can be a relaxed end to the island circuit.

On the afternoon schedule, the later part of the trip is designed to meet golden-hour light and a tropical sunset on the water. The exact sunset view will depend on weather, season, and the day’s timing. Still, the 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM option has a clear romantic advantage over the morning run.

Morning escape or afternoon sunset?

The morning option is the practical choice if you care most about cooler conditions, calm water, and photography. It is also the better plan for Big Lagoon, where arriving early may reduce the number of boats around the entrance.

The sunset schedule is aimed at atmosphere. Starting at 1:00 PM lets you see the islands in warmer afternoon light and finish around sunset. Couples celebrating an anniversary or planning a proposal may find this timing worth the compromise of potentially greater activity at the earlier stops.

You cannot maximize every benefit at once. The morning offers the best chance of quieter conditions, while the afternoon offers warm light and a romantic finish. Pick the schedule based on what matters most to you, not simply on the word sunset.

Is ₱35,000, or $315 per person, good value?

The quoted price is $315 per person, while the package also gives a price of ₱35,000 per private group. Those figures do not describe the same pricing method, so confirm the current total, group size, and currency before booking.

The value depends heavily on how many people share the boat. For a couple, ₱35,000 is a major spend. For a small group dividing the private charter, the cost becomes easier to justify, especially if you would otherwise pay for several seats on a premium outing.

Your price covers the private speedboat, fuel, docking fees, captain, crew, passenger clearance, lunch, snorkeling masks, life vests, safety equipment, and the listed island stops. It also buys flexibility and faster movement, which are hard to add to a cheaper shared tour.

A standard boat trip will likely cost less. It may still give you beautiful scenery and the same broad type of island experience. Choose this one when privacy, time, comfort, and schedule control matter more than keeping the day cheap.

What to pack for six hours on the bay

Keep your bag small and protect anything that cannot get wet. Bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Hat and sunscreen
• Water and snacks
• Camera or phone in a waterproof bag
• Personal essentials
• A suitable reusable water container, since plastic bottles are not allowed

Use sunscreen responsibly and avoid touching plants or feeding animals. Smoking is not allowed. The boat provides masks and life vests, but you should still bring anything that makes swimming more comfortable for you.

Sea conditions can change the route or timing. The crew may adjust the order of stops for safety, and the coast guard may control departures. That is a sensible part of a sea trip, not a flaw in the plan.

Who should book this private El Nido tour?

I would recommend it to a small group that wants the major Tour A and C sights without sharing a boat. It suits couples seeking a private day, families that need control over the pace, and friends who can divide the charter cost.

It is also a strong option for a special occasion. The sunset schedule, private boat, and flexible timing fit proposals, anniversaries, and VIP-style outings better than a fixed shared tour.

I would not choose it if your top priority is the lowest possible price. I would also avoid it if you are prone to seasickness, have serious medical concerns, or find narrow rocky passages and boat transfers difficult.

Alexzus Travel and Tours has operated locally since 2012 and provides a licensed captain, professional crew, first aid kit, and safety equipment. That does not remove the normal risks of sea travel, but it gives you useful basics for a private outing.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you value time and privacy more than bargain pricing. The private speedboat lets you cover Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Hidden Beach, Secret Beach, Helicopter Island, and Seven Commandos Beach in one six-hour plan, with lunch and snorkeling gear included.

Before booking, confirm the exact morning departure, final price, group capacity, and pickup details. Choose the early trip for quieter conditions and the sunset option for warm light and romance. If those details fit your plans, this is a polished way to see El Nido’s most famous water stops without spending your day waiting for other people.

FAQ

How long is the private El Nido speedboat tour?

The experience lasts six hours. The afternoon schedule is listed as 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The morning schedule is shown as both 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM, so confirm the exact departure time before booking.

Is the boat private?

Yes. The speedboat is reserved for your group, with a maximum capacity applying.

Which islands and beaches are included?

The route includes Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Hidden Beach, Secret Beach, Helicopter Island, and Seven Commandos Beach. It combines highlights associated with Tour A and Tour C.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A freshly prepared island lunch is included, with about 45 minutes set aside for a lunch break.

Are snorkeling masks provided?

Yes. Snorkeling masks are included. Life vests and complete safety equipment are also provided.

Can I kayak at Big Lagoon?

Kayaking may be available at Big Lagoon, but use is subject to lagoon management guidelines.

Where does the tour begin?

Meet at Marbers Resto Bar on Calle Hama Beach Front. Go inside and ask for Annabelle or any Alexzus staff member.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour finishes at Dockyard.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off outside El Nido town are not included. They may be available for an additional charge upon request.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, camera, snacks, sunscreen, water, and a waterproof bag for personal items.

Is the tour suitable for people prone to seasickness?

No. The experience is not suitable for people prone to seasickness. It is also not recommended for people with mobility impairments, pregnant travelers, or people with serious medical conditions.