El Nido Island Tour A

El Nido Island Tour A packs five of Palawan’s best-known stops into one day, with Big Lagoon as the main prize. You glide between pale beaches and towering limestone cliffs, then have time for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and a picnic lunch.

I like the sensible $22 starting price and the fact that a life vest, guide, picnic lunch, boat permit, and hotel pickup within El Nido Town are included. I also like the mix of famous scenery and easy beach time. The catch is timing: Coast Guard clearance can delay departure, and the extra 600 pesos in lagoon and environmental fees changes the real cost.

Key points at a glance

• Big Lagoon is the star stop: Expect a photo stop, safety briefing, guided sightseeing, and the option to rent a kayak for 300 pesos per hour.
• Five destinations fill the day: The route includes Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, Payong-payong Beach, and Seven Commandos Beach.
• The boat may leave late: Meet at the booking office before 8:30 a.m., but dispatch can fall anywhere between 9 and 10 a.m.
• Lunch is simple and practical: A picnic meal is included and served at one of the islands, though seating may be limited.
• The true price is higher than $22: Add a 200-peso lagoon fee and a 400-peso environmental fee, both collected at the office.
• Service can be a strong point: The licensed guide speaks English or Tagalog, and the boat is described as spacious and well maintained.

Why Big Lagoon makes Tour A so popular

Big Lagoon gives this excursion its strongest sense of place. El Nido is famous for its limestone cliffs, and this stop puts you close to the formations that define the area. The route includes a guided tour, sightseeing, a safety briefing, and a photo stop, so you are not simply dropped at a beach with no direction.

You can rent a kayak at Big Lagoon for 300 pesos per hour. That extra cost may be worthwhile if you want to move at your own pace or get closer to the rock walls. If you prefer to keep spending down, you can still enjoy the scenery as part of the boat excursion.

The water color depends heavily on the weather. On a clear day, the lagoon can be the visual high point of the day. Cloud, wind, or rain can make the sea look less blue, so I would keep expectations tied to conditions rather than to postcard images.

The 20 to 30 minute ride to the first stop gives you a useful first look at El Nido’s coastline. It also means the day includes a fair amount of time on the water. Bring protection from sun and spray, since the experience is built around open-air boat travel.

The morning meeting point and delayed dispatch

Your morning begins at the Cliffside Travel and Tours booking office beside El Nido Cliffside Cottages. You should arrive before 8:30 a.m. The boat leaves from El Nido Town Beach, generally between 9 and 10 a.m., depending on Coast Guard clearance.

That one-hour range matters. A tour advertised as eight hours does not always mean eight tightly scheduled hours from the moment you arrive. You may wait at the office, then move to the beach before boarding. One booking account describes being moved around and waiting more than an hour before departure, so patience is part of the deal.

The operator provides free hotel pickup within El Nido Town only. If you stay outside that area, do not assume the pickup is included. Confirm how you will reach the office before booking, since the stated pickup coverage is limited.

The boat dispatch point is El Nido Town Beach, and the day finishes back at El Nido Beach. Make sure you understand the return arrangement at the end of the afternoon. One reported problem involved being left without the planned ride back to the original pickup point and having to pay for a tricycle. That appears to be a service failure rather than a promised feature, but it is a useful reason to keep the office details and a little spare cash with you.

Shimizu Island brings the beach break

Shimizu Island is one of the day’s hop-on, hop-off stops. Its role in the route is less about a long guided visit and more about giving you time on a beach and in the water.

The schedule allows roughly 40 to 50 minutes at each destination. That is enough for a swim, a quick snorkel, photographs, or a short rest, but it is not a leisurely half-day stay. If you want to do everything, keep an eye on the guide and return to the boat on time.

Lunch is served at one of the islands, and Shimizu may be part of that relaxed middle section of the day. The meal is described as simple, with one account noting that it was served on the boat. The exact setup can vary, but you should think picnic rather than restaurant dining.

This is also where expectations matter. El Nido’s popular routes can bring several boats to the same beaches. A small patch of sand may feel crowded at lunchtime, and seating may be scarce. I would pack a light cover-up or small towel that can serve as a place to sit, while keeping your belongings compact.

Secret Lagoon has a different kind of appeal

Secret Lagoon offers a change from the wide-open beach stops. The appeal is the enclosed limestone setting and the sense of passing from the open sea into a smaller natural space.

The stop is listed as a hop-on, hop-off visit, so the exact activity depends on water and access conditions on the day. You may spend your time swimming, looking around, taking photographs, or waiting your turn near the entrance. The schedule gives each destination about 40 to 50 minutes, which keeps the full route moving but leaves little room for a long stay.

I would treat Secret Lagoon as a scenic stop rather than the sole reason to book Tour A. Big Lagoon is the more important highlight for most people, while Secret Lagoon adds variety to the day.

Wear footwear that can handle wet surfaces if you have it, though the provided information does not specify a required type of shoe. Keep your phone and camera protected around the water. The guide is available if you need assistance, and the tour includes a life vest for water activities and boat travel.

Payong-payong Beach is time for simple pleasures

The stop identified as 48WC+77 in the route information is Payong-payong Beach. Here, the focus is straightforward: sand, water, sun, and a break from the boat.

You can swim, sunbathe, and take photographs. The tour also lists volleyball as an activity, along with the chance to eat at a restaurant. Those details make this stop useful for people who do not want every minute filled with sightseeing.

The tradeoff is short visit time. With about 40 to 50 minutes per destination, you may have to choose between eating, swimming, and taking photographs. I would decide in advance what matters most to you at each stop. Trying to fit everything into every beach can make the day feel rushed.

A beach stop also gives you a chance to notice the less polished side of a popular route. Several boats may use the same shore, and the available seating may be limited. That does not cancel out the scenery, but it does mean you should value the natural setting more than quiet solitude.

Seven Commandos Beach closes the route

Seven Commandos Beach is the final named destination. It gives the day a familiar finish: white sand, open water, and time to swim or rest before the boat returns to El Nido Beach.

The beach is well suited to a final hour outdoors. If the weather has been good, it can be an easy place to enjoy the last swim and take a few final pictures. If the sea has been gray or rough, the stop may feel less dramatic, as one booking account noted when poor weather muted the water color.

The route ends around 3 to 5 p.m. That is a wide return window, shaped by dispatch time, Coast Guard clearance, sea conditions, and the pace of the stops. Avoid scheduling an important evening connection too close to the expected finish.

You should also keep your valuables together as the boat moves between beaches. The tour is active and informal, with frequent boarding and disembarking. A small dry bag would make sense, but the supplied details do not state that one is provided, so bring your own if you need waterproof storage.

What the $22 fare really covers

At first glance, $22 is a low price for an eight-hour island route. The included items make it useful: boat transport, a licensed guide, life vest, boat permit, picnic lunch, and hotel pickup within El Nido Town.

But the advertised price is not the full compulsory cost. The booking office collects a 200-peso lagoon fee and a 400-peso environmental fee. Add those 600 pesos before comparing this tour with other El Nido options.

Optional costs include a kayak at Big Lagoon for 300 pesos per hour and a snorkeling mask rental available at the beach during boat dispatch. Since the mask rental price is not specified, ask at the office if you need one. You should also budget for any transport outside the included town pickup area.

For the money, I see good value if you want the standard five-stop route and do not need a private boat or a slow pace. The fare gives you access to several headline locations in a single day. It is less attractive if your priority is peace, long swims, or careful photography at each stop.

Service, boat comfort, and the weak spots

The strongest service details are the friendly staff, helpful attitude, and guide support. The boat has been described as spacious and well maintained, which matters on a full day when you may spend several hours sitting aboard. An English or Tagalog-speaking guide is available for directions and assistance.

The tour provider is Cliffside Travel and Tours, a tourism-accredited agency based in El Nido. That gives you a clear local contact point at the booking office, and the tour includes a licensed guide.

Still, service appears uneven. Strong guide support does not guarantee a smooth dispatch or a perfect return transfer. The reported late start and end-of-day transport problem are the main practical concerns I would raise before paying.

Ask the office to confirm three things: your boat dispatch time, how the hotel pickup works, and where you should meet for the return. These are small questions, but they can prevent a frustrating finish.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend Tour A to first-time El Nido visitors who want to see the major sights without arranging several separate excursions. It suits you if you enjoy a full day outdoors, are happy with shared boat transport, and want a blend of cliffs, lagoons, beaches, swimming, and a basic lunch.

It also works well for people watching their budget. The included equipment and meal reduce the number of extras you need to arrange, even after adding the required fees.

Families and mixed groups may like the range of activities. One person can swim while another sunbathes, takes photographs, or joins a volleyball game. The guide is available for assistance, but the supplied information does not describe special child services, accessibility features, or a private family arrangement.

I would be cautious about booking it if you dislike waiting, crowded beaches, or changing departure times. It is also not the best match for someone who wants a quiet private island day. The standard route is popular, and five destinations in eight hours require movement and cooperation.

How to prepare for the boat day

Arrive at the booking office before 8:30 a.m., even though the boat may not leave until 9 to 10 a.m. Wear swim-friendly clothes and bring sun protection, since the route includes open beaches and boat travel.

Pack only what you can manage during repeated stops. You will board and leave the boat several times, and each beach visit is relatively short. Keep your phone, cash, and other small items secure around the water.

Bring enough cash for the 200-peso lagoon fee, 400-peso environmental fee, possible kayak rental, snorkeling mask rental, and any transport not covered by the town pickup. The $22 price does not cover every unavoidable or optional expense.

Expect a simple picnic lunch, not a long restaurant meal. If you need frequent snacks or have strict food requirements, the provided information does not confirm special meal choices, so ask before departure.

Finally, leave flexibility in your afternoon. The tour can end anytime from about 3 to 5 p.m., and late dispatch is possible. A relaxed schedule will make the timing easier to handle.

Should you book El Nido Island Tour A?

I would book this tour if you want the classic El Nido route at a modest starting price and are willing to accept shared boats, short beach visits, and a possible wait before departure. Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-payong Beach, and Seven Commandos Beach give you a broad first look at the area in one day.

I would skip it in favor of a slower or more private option if crowd levels and precise timing matter more than covering five famous stops. Before booking, add the 600 pesos in required fees to the price, ask about the return pickup, and keep your afternoon open.

The guides and well-maintained boat can make this a pleasant day, while the delayed dispatch and reported return problem show why a few practical questions are worthwhile. At $22 plus required fees, it is a reasonable introduction to El Nido, especially for a first visit.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Island Tour A last?

The activity is listed as lasting eight hours. The tour may end around 3 to 5 p.m., depending on the dispatch time and the day’s conditions.

Which destinations are included?

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

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at the Cliffside Travel and Tours booking office beside El Nido Cliffside Cottages before 8:30 a.m. The boat departs from El Nido Town Beach.

What time does the boat leave?

Boat dispatch is between 9 and 10 a.m., depending on Coast Guard clearance.

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes boat transport, a licensed tour guide, life vest, boat permit, picnic lunch, and free hotel pickup within El Nido Town only.

What extra fees should I expect?

A 200-peso lagoon fee and a 400-peso environmental fee are collected at the booking office. Kayak rental at Big Lagoon costs 300 pesos per hour, and snorkeling mask rental is available separately at the beach.