EL Nido Tour A

El Nido Tour A packs the area’s famous island scenery into one long day on the water. For $21, you can reach Shimizu Island, Papaya Beach, Secret Lagoon, and possibly one of the two main lagoons, with lunch and a guide included. It is a simple way to cover places you cannot reach by road.

I like the included boat transport and lunch, which keep the day easy to budget. I also like the chance to swim and take photos at several stops instead of spending the whole day at one beach. The main catch is important: Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon cannot be visited on the same day, and the booking details do not clearly guarantee that one will be included. Confirm this before paying, especially if your children are counting on seeing a lagoon.

Key points to know before booking

• Shimizu Island and Papaya Beach provide the classic island stops, with time set aside for swimming and photographs.
• Secret Lagoon adds a more enclosed stop to a day otherwise focused on open water and beaches.
• Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon are alternatives, not two stops on the same day.
• Lunch, a guide, life vest, island hopping, and town pickup are included.
• The eco tourism fee, lagoon user fee, and kayak rental cost extra.
• The $21 price is strong value, but the final cost depends on the additional fees and whether you choose a kayak.

Why Tour A is El Nido’s practical first outing

El Nido’s island groups are the reason many people come to Palawan. Tour A gives you a broad sample in about seven to nine hours, rather than asking you to arrange separate boat trips for every stop. You leave from the El Nido pier area at 9:00 am and return to El Nido, with free pickup offered within El Nido Town.

That matters if you have limited time. The islands are not connected by ordinary roads, so the boat is not just a pleasant extra. It is the only practical way to reach these places in one day. You get several named stops, time in the water, and a supplied lunch without having to organize transport between them.

The day is best understood as a sampler. You are not booking a quiet private cruise or a slow beach retreat. You are booking a shared island-hopping route that aims to show you several famous places before bringing you back to town.

The maximum group size is listed as 100 people. That is a large possible group, so do not expect the intimacy of a private boat. The actual feel of the day will depend on how many people join, but the stated capacity is worth keeping in mind if you prefer calm, personal service.

Shimizu Island brings the classic Palawan view

Shimizu Island is one of the named stops, and it represents the postcard side of El Nido: small islands, clear water, dramatic rock formations, and a beach setting made for photographs. The day allows time for swimming and pictures at the stops, so you should not treat this as a sightseeing pass where the boat only pauses for a quick look.

The island stop also gives the schedule some variety. After time on the boat, you can step onto land, look around, and enjoy lunch or beach time as arranged by the crew. One particularly positive detail about the food is that it has been described as a full meal served on the beach, rather than a token snack.

Do keep your expectations sensible. The supplied information does not promise a private section of beach or a set length of time at Shimizu Island. The boat route and group size shape the day, and a popular island can feel busy.

Papaya Beach is made for swimming and photos

Papaya Beach is another straightforward pleasure on Tour A. Its appeal is the combination of sand, warm water, and the surrounding island scenery. If you want a stop where you can swim, take photos, and enjoy a break from the boat, this is one of the most useful parts of the route.

I like that Tour A is not limited to lagoons. Beaches give you open views and room to enjoy the water, while the lagoon stops offer a different kind of scenery. That mix helps the day feel less repetitive.

The practical point is to use the beach stop well. Bring a swimsuit, sun protection, and whatever you need to keep your phone or camera safe around the water. The tour supplies a life vest, but the information does not say that personal waterproof storage is provided.

Secret Lagoon offers a more enclosed stop

Secret Lagoon is the route’s more enclosed attraction. It is one of the places that gives Tour A its name recognition, and it adds a change of pace after open beaches and exposed island views.

The attraction is included in the listed route, but the supplied details do not explain the exact access conditions or how long you remain there. Treat it as a planned stop with time for photos and swimming as conditions allow, rather than assuming you will have unlimited time inside the lagoon.

This is also where a little patience helps. The tour may be popular, and the maximum group size is high. You may need to wait your turn or follow the guide’s instructions closely, especially at a place with limited access.

Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon require careful checking

This is the most important booking issue. Tour A lists both Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon, but it also clearly says that they cannot be visited on the same day. You will normally need to choose one, and the information provided does not establish which one your particular departure will visit.

There is also a separate lagoon user fee, and kayak rental is not included. That means the advertised $21 price does not cover every possible lagoon-related cost. If you want to kayak, ask for the current rental price before the day begins.

One serious warning deserves attention. A family booking this tour was told before departure that neither Big Lagoon nor Small Lagoon was included, despite expecting at least one of them. That is a major mismatch for anyone booking mainly to see a lagoon. The safest approach is to contact CTPH TOUR in advance and ask three direct questions:

• Will this departure visit Big Lagoon or Small Lagoon?
• Is the lagoon user fee included, or must I pay it separately?
• Is a kayak available, and what is the current rental charge?

Do not rely on the title alone. The description names both lagoons, but the operating plan can differ. Written confirmation is especially useful if this is the main reason you are booking.

What the $21 price really covers

At $21, Tour A is inexpensive for a full day that includes land and boat transfers, island hopping, a guide, life vest, lunch, and free pickup within El Nido Town. You also get the convenience of a planned route and admission to the national park included in the package.

That is good value for a budget-conscious visit. You are paying for access to several boat-only sights without arranging a boat, crew, route, and meal yourself. The lunch also reduces the need to carry or buy food during the day.

Still, $21 is not the full possible spend. The eco tourism development fee is excluded. The Big or Small Lagoon user fee is excluded, and kayak rental is also extra. The precise total depends on which fees apply to your departure and what you choose to do at the lagoon.

I would compare the tour on total cost, not only the headline price. It remains a strong budget option if you want a shared route and are comfortable with a few extra charges. It is less appealing if you want a private boat, guaranteed lagoon choice, or a tightly controlled schedule.

A full day on the water, with a few tradeoffs

The stated duration is about seven to nine hours, starting at 9:00 am. That is enough time for several stops, but it is also a long day. You should expect a full outing rather than a short morning trip.

The included land and boat transfers make the start easier, especially if you are staying within El Nido Town. The meeting and return point is the El Nido pier dispatching and docking area, so confirm the exact pickup arrangement when booking. Pickup is offered, but the stated free area is within El Nido Town.

The guide and crew are central to how the day feels. The information describes the crew as attentive and experienced, and the guide as friendly and well prepared. That is useful because a shared boat day depends on clear directions, safe movement around the water, and good timing at each stop.

The life vest is included. Use it as directed, particularly during boat transfers and any water activity. The tour requires good weather, so rough conditions can lead to a changed date or a full refund.

Lunch makes the long schedule easier

Lunch is included, and that is more important than it may first appear. A seven to nine-hour boat outing can become tiring if you have to search for food between stops. A supplied picnic meal lets you spend more of the day enjoying the route.

The strongest food detail available is a full meal served on the beach, with the crew handling the service attentively. That points to a practical, filling lunch rather than a very small packed bite.

The exact menu is not specified, so do not book this expecting a particular dish or special dietary arrangement. If you have food restrictions, ask CTPH TOUR before departure. The supplied details confirm lunch, but not menu choices or dietary substitutions.

Who will enjoy this trip most

Tour A suits you if you have only a short stay in El Nido and want to see several of its best-known natural sights in one day. It also fits a budget-conscious couple, family, or solo visitor who is happy to join a shared boat and follow a set route.

Families should pay close attention to the lagoon question. One family’s disappointment came from expecting Big or Small Lagoon and learning before departure that neither was included. If the lagoon is the reason you are bringing children, get a firm answer before booking.

The tour can also work well for first-time visitors who want an overview before deciding how to spend a second day. It is less suited to you if you dislike group outings, need a quiet pace, or want to choose every stop yourself.

Most people can participate, according to the supplied information. No special accessibility details are given, so anyone with mobility concerns should ask the provider about boarding, beach access, and movement around the boat before booking.

Booking advice and cancellation rules

You receive confirmation when you book. The experience has free cancellation if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted.

Weather matters. If poor conditions cause the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, you will also be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Those rules are fair for a sea-based outing, but keep the cutoff in mind. Do not wait until the morning of departure if your plans change.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

Book it if you want a low-cost, full-day introduction to El Nido’s famous island scenery. The route covers Shimizu Island, Papaya Beach, Secret Lagoon, and a possible Big or Small Lagoon visit, while the guide, boat, life vest, lunch, and town pickup keep the basics simple.

Before booking, confirm the lagoon plan and all extra fees. That single step can prevent the biggest disappointment. If you are happy with a shared boat and a flexible route, the $21 starting price offers a lot. If you need a guaranteed specific lagoon or a quieter private outing, choose another arrangement.

FAQ

What is included in El Nido Tour A?

The tour includes a guide, land and boat transfer, life vest, island hopping, free pickup within El Nido Town, lunch, and national park admission.

What is not included?

The eco tourism development fee, Big or Small Lagoon user fee, and kayak rental are not included.

Can I visit both Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon?

No. The supplied tour information states that Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon cannot be visited on the same day.

Does the tour guarantee a visit to Big Lagoon or Small Lagoon?

The information does not clearly guarantee which lagoon, if any, will be visited on your departure. Confirm this with CTPH TOUR before booking.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts and ends in El Nido, Palawan. The meeting area is the El Nido Pier dispatching and docking area, with pickup offered within El Nido Town.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 9:00 am. The outing lasts approximately seven to nine hours.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes the tour to be canceled, you will be offered another date or a full refund. Minimum-participant cancellations also qualify for another date or experience, or a full refund.