El Nido Island Hopping Tour A with Lunch

El Nido Tour A puts the best-known parts of Bacuit Bay into one full day: a narrow entrance to the Secret Lagoon, a lunch stop near clear water, and the bright sand of Seven Commando Beach. You will spend much of the day on a local boat, with short visits to beaches, coves, and limestone islands.

I like the low starting price and the fact that lunch and boat transfers are included. I also like the mix of scenery: this is not five nearly identical beach stops, but a day that shifts between a lagoon, a shaded island beach, and a longer swimming break.

The main catch is that the advertised $24 is not the final cost. Environmental, lagoon, kayak, snorkel, and aqua-shoe charges can add up, and boarding may involve wading through deep water depending on the tide and beach conditions.

Key points to know before booking

• The Secret Lagoon is the tour’s most distinctive stop: You enter through a small opening in the limestone to reach the enclosed pool.
• Shimizu Island gives you shade and swimming time: Its trees make it a useful break from the open boat and sun.
• Seven Commando Beach allows the longest listed stop: Plan on about one hour for swimming, relaxing, and photos.
• Lunch is a substantial Filipino-style spread: Expect rice, fruit, vegetables, fish, chicken, and pork, with special meals needing clear advance communication.
• Extra charges need careful checking: The environmental fee and lagoon fee are listed separately, while the provider’s explanation describes a combined payment.
• The group can reach 30 people: This keeps the price down, but the boat and popular stops may feel busy.

What a $24 El Nido boat day really includes

At $24 per person, this tour is priced as an accessible way to see El Nido’s famous island scenery without hiring a private boat. Lunch, a local guide, and boat transfers are included, which gives the base fare solid value for a six to eight hour outing.

But treat the headline price as the starting point, not the complete budget. The supplied cost details list a ₱400 El Nido Eco-Tourism Development Fee, a ₱200 Big Lagoon user fee, ₱350 for a kayak at Big Lagoon, ₱150 for snorkeling equipment, and ₱150 for aqua shoes.

There is an important point to clarify before you pay at the meeting point. One explanation says the ₱400 collected can cover a ₱200 environmental fee plus a ₱200 lagoon fee, while the cost breakdown lists the environmental fee as ₱400 and the Big Lagoon fee as ₱200. Ask the operator to explain the exact total for your chosen route. This is not nitpicking. It prevents a cheap day from becoming a surprise expense.

The overview also refers to free snorkel equipment, while the exclusions list snorkeling equipment at ₱150. Again, confirm what applies on your departure date. Clear questions at the start are worthwhile.

Meeting at Mabuhay Sports Bar at 9 a.m.

The tour begins at Mabuhay Sports Bar in El Nido at 9 a.m. and ends back at the same meeting point. Downtown pickup is included, so you do not need to arrange a separate taxi transfer from the central El Nido area.

The stated duration is about six to eight hours. That range matters. Boat loading, sea conditions, tide levels, crowd levels, and time spent at each island can all affect the finish time. Keep your evening plans flexible rather than booking a tight airport transfer or another activity immediately afterward.

The boat can carry up to 30 people. A group of that size makes the price attractive and gives the day a social feel, but it also means that boarding and landing take longer. You may need to wait your turn at the ladder, and popular beaches can feel less peaceful when several boats arrive together.

One practical warning comes from the boarding experience described by a participant: getting onto the boat may require wading through chest-high water before reaching the ladder. This will depend on the day’s tide and the exact loading point, but wear swim clothes under your travel clothes and protect phones, cameras, and wallets in a waterproof pouch.

Secret Lagoon: a short stop with a memorable entrance

The first listed stop is Secret Lagoon, with about 30 minutes at the site. A white-sand beach and clear water meet a limestone island, where a small opening leads into the enclosed lagoon.

The entrance is part of the appeal. You do not simply walk from a dock into a broad open bay. You wait for access through the rock, then look around the sheltered pool inside. The space is compact, so 30 minutes can pass quickly, especially if several boats arrive at once.

Use this stop for a quick swim, photographs from the beach, and a look inside the lagoon. If you want a long, quiet swim, this may feel rushed. The short timing is better suited to seeing a famous El Nido formation than to settling in for the afternoon.

The Big Lagoon fee and kayak charge deserve special attention here. The supplied details specifically list a Big Lagoon user fee and optional kayak rental, yet the named itinerary highlights Secret Lagoon rather than Big Lagoon. Ask your guide which lagoon is included in your actual Tour A route and which fee applies. Do not assume that every lagoon charge refers to the same place.

Shimizu Island: shade, sand, and a useful pause

Shimizu Island is listed for about 30 minutes. Its white-sand beach is lined with leafy trees, giving you a cooler place to sit after time under the tropical sun.

This stop works well as a short reset. You can swim in clear blue water, stay beneath the trees, or take in the limestone scenery from shore. It is not presented as a long beach afternoon, so keep your expectations in check. Thirty minutes is enough for a dip and a few photographs, but not much more if the group must return to the boat on schedule.

Shimizu also helps break up the day. A full boat outing can become tiring when every stop requires swimming and climbing in and out of the water. A shaded beach gives you the option to slow down.

Lunch on the boat day

Lunch is one of the strongest parts of the package. The meal has been described as a generous spread with fruit, vegetables, fish, chicken, pork, and plenty of rice. That is more substantial than a token packed meal, especially during a long day in the sun.

Food is often where a budget group excursion either succeeds or disappoints. Here, lunch gives the day practical value because you do not need to search for food between islands. You can eat, rest, and return to the water without losing time.

If you are vegetarian or vegan, tell the company clearly before departure and confirm the request with the crew. A vegan meal has been arranged on at least one outing, but you should not treat that as automatic. The same applies to allergies or other dietary needs. The information provided does not promise a set menu or guaranteed substitutions.

The meal may be served at a beach or near the boat, depending on the route and conditions. Do not expect restaurant service or a private table. This is a simple island day, and the value comes from a plentiful shared meal in a scenic setting.

Seven Commando Beach: the longest chance to slow down

Seven Commando Beach has the longest listed stop, about one hour. Limestone cliffs and green growth frame the white sand, while clear water gives you an easy place to swim and cool off.

This is the stop where you get the most freedom. Use the hour for a swim, sit on the beach, take photographs, or simply let your body recover from the boat ride. Compared with the 30-minute visits at Secret Lagoon and Shimizu Island, the extra time makes Seven Commando feel less like a quick photo stop.

The beach can also be the busiest-feeling part of the day. The tour is limited to 30 people, not to one private boat, and El Nido’s popular beaches draw several boat groups. If you want the calmest experience, follow your guide’s timing and move a little away from the main landing area when permitted.

The limestone and greenery are the setting, but the real advantage is the pace. After two shorter stops, one hour lets you enjoy the water without checking the clock every few minutes.

Guides and the human side of the trip

The crew matters on a group boat tour. The strongest feedback about this experience centers on friendly, attentive service, helpful assistance, and guides who stay involved throughout the day.

A guide named Ariel has been specifically praised for being attentive and helpful. You cannot assume Ariel will lead every departure, but the mention gives you a useful standard: a good guide should explain the stops, help with boarding, keep the group moving, and pay attention to people in the water.

The operator named for this experience is Corazon Travel and Tours. Some of the praise also refers to LoveLynne tours, so check the exact operating company and meeting instructions on your confirmation. Several local companies may share boats or arrange related routes, and knowing who you are meeting removes confusion at 9 a.m.

A guide can also help with the day’s practical choices. Ask which lagoon you are visiting, which fees are due, where lunch will be served, and if snorkeling equipment is included or rented. Those questions are especially useful because the supplied information gives different details about some extras.

The route, crowds, and comfort tradeoffs

One guide has reportedly taken the boat in the reverse direction used by many other tours, making the stops feel less crowded. That may be a smart local adjustment, but it is not something you can count on for every departure. Routes change with weather, tides, boat traffic, and local instructions.

The six to eight hour schedule gives you a broad taste of El Nido rather than a slow, private exploration. You will see several settings in one day, but each stop has a time limit. If you want to linger at one beach, snorkel for hours, or choose your own departure time, a private boat would give you more control, at a higher price.

For this group format, comfort depends on your attitude. You need to be ready for shared space, wet boarding, changing conditions, and a day that runs on the boat crew’s timetable. In return, you get access to several famous sites without planning a route yourself.

The tour is described as suitable for most people and near public transportation. Still, water entry and boat ladders require care. If you have concerns about swimming or boarding, ask the provider what assistance is available before booking. Aqua shoes can be rented for ₱150 if the operator has them available, and they may help on rocky or slippery entries.

Who should book Tour A

I would choose this tour if you want a first look at El Nido’s classic scenery, prefer a low upfront price, and like having lunch and transport arranged. It suits couples, friends, solo visitors comfortable in a group, and families whose older children can handle a full day around water.

It is also a good fit if you want variety. Secret Lagoon offers a rock passage and enclosed water, Shimizu Island provides shade, and Seven Commando Beach gives you the longest beach break. The day has enough contrast to keep it interesting.

I would hesitate if you dislike crowds, need a fixed finish time, or want a quiet beach with no timetable. I would also think twice if extra charges cause stress. The base fare is appealing, but the final cost needs to include local fees and any equipment you plan to use.

Snorkeling may be part of the day, but the supplied information does not guarantee a specific reef or a long snorkeling session. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, confirm the equipment fee and the exact route first.

Cancellation and final booking advice

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. Poor weather can cancel the trip, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund.

My view is simple: book Tour A if you want value and variety, not private-island peace. The lunch, boat transfers, local crew, and five-stop format make $24 a strong starting deal, especially for a first El Nido outing. Just confirm the fee structure, lagoon route, snorkel equipment, and dietary requests before departure.

If you do that homework, you will know what you are paying for and can enjoy the day for what it is: a lively, water-based introduction to El Nido’s white sand, limestone islands, and clear blue bays.

FAQ

Where does the El Nido Tour A experience start?

The tour starts at Mabuhay Sports Bar in El Nido, Palawan, at 9 a.m. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the island-hopping tour last?

The expected duration is approximately six to eight hours. The exact finish time can vary, so keep later plans flexible.

Which places are included in the itinerary?

The listed stops are Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commando Beach. The wider tour description refers to visiting five islands, so confirm the full route with the operator, especially because Big Lagoon fees are also listed.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the tour price. The meal has been described as including rice, fruit, vegetables, fish, chicken, and pork. Special dietary requests should be communicated clearly in advance.

What extra fees may I need to pay?

The supplied information lists a ₱400 environmental fee, a ₱200 Big Lagoon user fee, ₱350 kayak rental at Big Lagoon, ₱150 snorkeling equipment, and ₱150 aqua shoes. The fee details include a possible combined environmental and lagoon charge, so ask the operator for the exact amount before the tour begins.

Can I cancel the booking for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the experience are not refunded. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.