El Nido Private Tour A w/ Lunch

El Nido Private Tour A puts the famous limestone scenery within reach while giving you your own boat and guide. The best feature is private timing: you are not waiting for a large group to finish swimming, taking photos, or scrambling back aboard. Guides such as Darrel, Jul, and RJ have been praised for safety, photos, and knowing how to avoid the thickest crowds.

I like the mix of headline sights and quieter beach time, especially Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Payong-Payong Beach. I also like that lunch, water, fruit, hotel pickup within the town area, and the environmental fee are covered. The catch is the extra cost for a kayak and snorkel gear, plus the possibility of rough water or a changed schedule on a windy day.

Key points to know before booking

• A private boat gives you control: Your group travels alone, with room to adjust the pace and spend more time at places you enjoy.
• Big Lagoon is the main event: Its huge limestone walls are best seen from a kayak or stand-up paddleboard, which costs extra.
• The route covers five major stops: You visit Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, Seven Commando Beach, and Payong-Payong Beach.
• Lunch is served on the island: Shimizu Island provides the main meal stop, with soda, water, and fruit included.
• The crew gets strong marks for care: Oliver has been praised as a careful captain, while Darrel, Jul, and RJ have been singled out for safety help and photos.
• Budget beyond the headline price: Add P100 per snorkel set and P400 for a kayak, with extra transfer charges outside central El Nido.

Why a private Tour A makes sense in El Nido

El Nido’s best sights are spread across a large area of sea. A standard shared boat can be good value, but it also means moving at the pace of strangers. With this private version, you can ask your guide to adjust the order, linger at a beach, or move on when a spot feels too crowded.

At $143 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see El Nido. The price makes more sense for a couple, family, or small group that values personal space and flexibility. If several people split the boat cost, the private format becomes easier to justify.

The tour lasts about seven to eight hours. That is enough time for five stops, lunch, swimming, and boat travel, but it is still a full day in the sun. You will want to arrive ready for water, heat, and changing sea conditions.

The schedule is described as a different route intended to encounter fewer crowds. That does not mean you will have the lagoons to yourself. Big Lagoon is one of the most popular places in the region, and conditions can change with weather and boat traffic. The private setup gives you more control, but it cannot remove the popularity of El Nido’s main sights.

Big Lagoon, where the scenery takes over

Big Lagoon is the major scenic stop. Tall limestone formations rise around dark, calm water, creating the view most people picture when they think of El Nido. The scale is impressive even before you get close to the lagoon entrance.

A kayak or stand-up paddleboard is the best way to experience it. The tour includes lagoon entry, but the kayak costs P400 and snorkel equipment is separate. Check the current arrangements with your operator before departure, since the itinerary information lists admission details differently from the included-features section.

The 90-minute stop gives you time to enter the lagoon, take photos, and enjoy the water without treating the visit as a quick photo stop. You can ask your guide about the best order for paddling and pictures.

The main drawback is crowd pressure. Big Lagoon is popular, so an early or less busy arrival matters. Wind can also affect the water and boat ride. One especially windy day was enough to reduce the comfort of the outing, even though the scenery remained impressive.

Shimizu Island, lunch and clear water

Shimizu Island is the lunch stop and one of the more relaxed parts of the day. The island is associated with Shimizu, described as one of the early explorers of El Nido’s waters. The stop combines food, swimming, and time on the beach rather than focusing on one single attraction.

Lunch includes soda, water, and fruit. That matters in El Nido, where a long day on the water can leave you thirsty and hungry well before the boat returns. You should still bring any special snacks or drinks you need, since the included meal is not described in detail.

The island is also linked with turtle watching, though sightings are not guaranteed by the tour details. Snorkeling can be a highlight here or at another reef along the route. One memorable outing included swimming with a school of roughly 300 to 400 fish, so bringing a mask and fins, or renting the P100 set, can be worthwhile.

Snorkel equipment is not included in the base price. At P100 per set, the extra charge is modest, but it is easy to miss when comparing tour prices. Ask whether the set includes the items you want before leaving the beach.

Secret Lagoon, a short passage into the rock

Secret Lagoon offers a different kind of stop. Rather than a wide open beach or broad lagoon, you enter a small enclosed space through a narrow opening in the limestone. The enclosed area gives the visit a sense of discovery, though the entrance can be awkward when the water is moving or several boats arrive together.

The surrounding beach is also part of the appeal. You can split your time between the sand, swimming, photos, and the short passage into the lagoon. The stop is scheduled for about 90 minutes, which should feel generous unless the site is busy.

This is one place where the private format helps. You can ask your guide when it makes sense to enter, and you do not have to rush an entire boatload of people through at once. Still, the space itself is small. A private boat does not guarantee solitude inside the lagoon.

Seven Commando Beach and the story behind the name

Seven Commando Beach stretches along the mainland and is known for its white sand and clear water. The name comes from seven commandos who reportedly lived on the island, with their names marked on the cliffs.

The beach is a useful change of pace after the enclosed spaces at Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon. You get open views, a place to swim, and time to sit on the sand. The 90-minute stop gives you room to enjoy it without making the visit feel rushed.

This is also a practical stop for people who want a gentler part of the day. You can swim close to shore or simply rest while the crew handles the boat and meal arrangements. As always, conditions matter. Clear water and calm shallows make the beach more inviting, while wind can make the boat ride and swimming less comfortable.

Payong-Payong Beach, the quieter final stretch

Payong-Payong Beach is described by its white sand, clear water, and high limestone cliffs. It has the classic El Nido combination, but its value on this route is the change in mood. After the busier headline attractions, a smaller beach can feel like a welcome pause.

The stop is scheduled for about 90 minutes. Use it for a swim, photos, or simply a final stretch of beach time before returning to town. You may find this stop more appealing if you prefer scenery and quiet time over a long list of activities.

The itinerary notes that admission is not included here, so confirm any local entrance arrangement before departure. The tour does include the environmental fee, but that is not necessarily the same thing as every site-specific charge.

What the crew adds to the day

A private tour is only as good as its boat crew. The strongest part of this experience is the personal attention. Oliver has been praised as a careful captain who put safety first, while Darrel has been singled out for helping people in the water, explaining the stops, and taking photos.

Jul and RJ have also been praised for finding less crowded spots and helping with pictures. That is useful in El Nido, where a good photo often depends on timing, positioning, and someone willing to wait a moment instead of hurrying you back to the boat.

Names and crew assignments can change, so treat these as examples rather than a promise that a particular person will operate your tour. The important point is the service style you should expect: a licensed guide, boat crew, help with safety, and a more personal pace than a shared excursion.

The private setup also lets you communicate your priorities. Tell the guide if you care most about swimming, snorkeling, photos, beaches, or spending less time at crowded sites. The more clearly you explain that at the start, the more useful the flexibility becomes.

The real cost: $143 plus optional extras

The listed price is $143 per person. It includes:

• Private boat and crew
• Professional licensed tour guide
• Lunch, soda, water, and fruit
• Environmental fee
• Lagoon entrance
• Free pickup from accommodation in central El Nido, within the town proper or within 2 kilometers of the public market

The main extras are easy to budget:

• Snorkeling gear: P100 per set
• Kayak: P400
• Pickup outside El Nido town: additional charge

For a group that wants privacy, the price can be fair because you are paying for control, not just transport between islands. A shared boat may cost less, but it will not give you the same say over timing or stop length.

For a solo visitor, $143 is harder to defend unless a private outing is a top priority. For a family or group of friends, compare the total private price with the cost of several shared seats. Group discounts may be available, so ask before booking.

Practical details that can make or break the day

Pickup is free only around central El Nido. The listed meeting point is El Nido Police Station on C. Hama, and the tour ends back there. If your hotel is farther away, confirm the transfer fee in writing. One booking problem involved a transfer charge that differed from the amount shown on the paperwork, so clear confirmation can prevent an unpleasant surprise.

Confirmation is provided at booking. The experience is private, meaning only your group participates. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation. Most people can participate, though the day includes boarding a boat, walking on beaches, and getting in and out of the water.

Bring a swimsuit, sun protection, a dry bag, and cash for extras. The supplied information confirms the kayak and snorkel costs, but not every possible small charge at every beach. If you want to kayak Big Lagoon or snorkel, say so before the boat leaves.

Weather deserves serious attention. The tour requires good conditions. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, refunds and changes are not accepted.

Who should book this private island-hopping day

I would choose this tour for a group that wants the famous El Nido stops without sharing every moment with strangers. It works especially well for families, couples, and friends who want control over swimming, photos, and beach time.

It is also a good fit if you care about personal assistance. A guide who helps with safety and photos adds real value when you are carrying a phone, stepping onto a slippery beach, or trying to get everyone into one picture.

I would think twice if your only goal is the lowest possible price. The base amount is high for one person, and the kayak, snorkel gear, and out-of-town transfer can add to it. I would also avoid locking in a tight onward travel plan on the same afternoon, since weather can alter the schedule.

The tour receives a 4.7 rating from 70 ratings, with 94 percent recommending it. The strongest praise centers on the scenery, private format, safety, snorkeling, and crew service. The weaker point is not the route itself, but the occasional transfer-price confusion and the effect of wind on the day.

Should you book El Nido Private Tour A?

Book it if your priority is a flexible private boat covering El Nido’s major lagoons and beaches in one day. The combination of Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, Seven Commando Beach, and Payong-Payong Beach gives you a broad taste of the area, while lunch and central pickup remove some planning work.

Before paying, confirm the pickup point, any transfer surcharge, and whether you want to add a kayak or snorkel set. If the total still fits your budget, the private format is the main reason to choose this experience. If price matters more than privacy, a shared trip may be the better call.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Private Tour A last?

The tour lasts approximately 7 to 8 hours and ends back at the meeting point in El Nido.

What stops are included?

The route includes Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, Seven Commando Beach, and Payong-Payong Beach.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes soda, water, and fruit.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is hotel pickup included?

Free pickup is offered from accommodation in the town proper or within 2 kilometers of El Nido’s public market. Pickup outside that area may cost extra.

Are kayaking and snorkeling included?

No. Snorkeling gear costs P100 per set, and a kayak costs P400. The tour includes lagoon entry, but the supplied details list some site admission charges separately, so confirm the current arrangements.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.