EL NIDO: Private Island Hopping Tour A with BUFFET LUNCH

El Nido Tour A packs Palawan’s greatest hits into one long day: a narrow passage into Big Lagoon, a squeeze through the limestone wall at Secret Lagoon, and swims in clear water at several beaches. It is a strong choice if you want variety rather than one slow beach day.

I like the private boat format, which gives your group more room and lets the guide adjust the route when weather changes. I also like the helpful crew, with guides such as Julius, Leonard, and Cyron praised for taking photos, assisting with boarding, and helping visitors through the Secret Lagoon entrance. The main caution is timing: one private group left late, reached crowded sites, missed parts of the plan, and had a child injured after a kayak was handled poorly. Ask for an early start and stay alert around kayaks.

Key points to know before booking

• Big Lagoon kayaking: One kayak is included, giving you a quiet way to explore the cliff-lined water.
• Secret Lagoon entrance: You reach the inner pool through a small opening in the limestone wall, which can be awkward for anyone carrying bags or needing extra assistance.
• Five scenic stops: The day combines beaches, snorkeling, kayaking, swimming, and rock formations rather than repeating the same activity.
• Lunch arrangements can shift: Lunch is listed at Shimizu Island, but the guide may choose another stop, including Payong-Payong Beach.
• Extra government fees apply: Budget for the 200 lagoon entrance fee and 400 environmental fee, in addition to the $139 tour price.
• Private does not always mean early: Confirm your pickup time, since leaving late can reduce the benefit of having your own boat.

What the $139 price really covers

At $139 per person, this is not a cheap beach outing. You are paying for an eight-hour private excursion, hotel pickup within El Nido Town and Corong-corong, a licensed tourist boat, captain, guide, crew, life vest, mask, snorkel, one kayak, buffet lunch, water, soft drinks, and fruit.

That package can make sense for couples, families, or small groups that value personal space and a guide focused on their needs. The cost is easier to justify when split among several people, although the advertised rate remains per person. You are not simply paying for transport. You are paying for a full day on the water, equipment, meals, and help at places where getting on and off the boat can be awkward.

The price is not all-inclusive. Add 200 for the lagoon entrance fee and 400 for the environmental fee, both listed as government charges. The currency is not specified in the tour details, so confirm the exact amount and payment method before departure. Hotel drop-off is also not included, and an extra kayak costs more.

I would compare this option with a shared Tour A if you are traveling alone or as a couple on a tight budget. The private format becomes more useful when you want control over the day, need extra help, or prefer not to share a boat with a larger group. Still, do not assume private automatically means first out on the water. Ask the operator to confirm the pickup time in advance.

Starting at 7 Commandos Beach

The day begins at 7 Commandos Beach, a bright strip of white sand backed by coconut palms and limestone cliffs. The water is suited to a first swim, and you have about an hour for photographs, sightseeing, and a relaxed dip.

The name comes from a local story about seven commandos who supposedly lived on the island after World War II. You do not need to treat the tale as settled history. It is simply a memorable detail that gives the beach more character than its postcard appearance.

Small bars and shops offer cold drinks and snacks, but bring cash if you plan to buy anything. The tour includes water, soft drinks, and fruit, yet personal purchases are extra. This is also a good moment to apply biodegradable sunscreen before the day’s snorkeling and swimming.

Seven Commandos can feel less secluded than its name suggests, especially if several boats arrive together. The private boat gives your group flexibility, but it cannot guarantee an empty beach. Use the stop for swimming and photos, not for expecting complete solitude.

Kayaking into Big Lagoon

Big Lagoon is the visual centerpiece. Your boat approaches a narrow entrance, then the cliffs open into a large pool enclosed by tall gray limestone walls. The water shifts between blue and green, and the setting feels much more enclosed and still than the open sea.

One kayak is included, which is an important detail. You can paddle into quieter corners instead of viewing the lagoon only from the main boat. The itinerary allows about an hour for photos, swimming, sightseeing, and kayaking, so you will need to choose your priorities rather than attempt everything at length.

Your guide may take photographs and videos while you paddle. Leonard was especially appreciated for doing this at Big Lagoon, a useful service when you want pictures without risking your phone. Bring a waterproof bag anyway, and do not treat the guide’s camera help as a substitute for protecting your own equipment.

Kayaking requires care. One family reported falling from the kayak after poor handling, with a six-year-old child hurting a leg. That is a serious warning, not a reason to skip the lagoon. Wear the provided life vest, listen carefully when boarding, and ask the crew to steady the kayak. Families with young children should be especially direct about safety.

The lagoon entrance fee is separate from the tour price. Because access rules and conditions can change, confirm the current charge before you go.

Snorkeling around Shimizu Island

Shimizu Island is the main snorkeling stop. The island is named after a Japanese diver associated with its waters, and the reefs around it support colorful fish and other sea life. The tour provides masks and snorkels, so you do not need to bring your own unless you prefer familiar equipment.

The water is clear, and the stop also works well for a break from the boat. You have time for swimming, photographs, lunch, and free time. A buffet meal is included, along with drinks and fruit, making this the practical middle of the day rather than just another quick photo stop.

Keep expectations sensible. One rating described the snorkeling as disappointing compared with better sites elsewhere, even though the rest of the day was excellent. Conditions, visibility, and the exact reef area can affect what you see. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, this tour offers a convenient sample, not a specialist reef trip.

Lunch is listed at Shimizu Island in the planned schedule, but the guide chooses the lunch location and may move it to Payong-Payong Beach. Another itinerary account placed the meal at Payong-Payong and described the food as delicious and well catered. The useful point is simple: expect a buffet, but not necessarily at one fixed beach.

The squeeze into Secret Lagoon

Secret Lagoon adds a small adventure to the day. Instead of entering by boat, you reach the inner pool through a narrow opening in a limestone wall. Once inside, steep rock surrounds a quiet body of water.

The entrance is part of the fun, but it is not effortless. Keep bags small, use a waterproof pouch, and wear footwear with a secure grip. Closed-toe shoes and waterproof shoes are both recommended in the packing instructions. Your guide can assist, and Julius was praised for helping one visitor safely through the opening.

The stop allows about an hour for sightseeing, swimming, photographs, and free time. The inner pool may feel calmer than the open beaches, but the entrance can become crowded when boats arrive at similar times. This is another reason to request an early departure.

Do not expect the Secret Lagoon to be a private pool reserved for your group. The boat is private, but the destination itself is shared. Weather, water conditions, and local operating decisions can also change the order or availability of stops.

A quieter pause at Payong-Payong Beach

Payong-Payong Beach is smaller and more sheltered in feel, with pale sand, clear water, plants, and rock formations around it. The stop offers swimming, snorkeling, photographs, and a break from the more dramatic sites.

I would use this beach as your unhurried pause. Big Lagoon demands attention, Secret Lagoon requires some maneuvering, and Shimizu Island combines food with snorkeling. Payong-Payong gives you room to simply sit, swim, or look at the cliffs without trying to complete a specific task.

The beach is described as a possible lunch location, even though the schedule also lists Shimizu Island for lunch. Since the guide chooses the stop, do not build your day around eating at one exact island. The crew provides a buffet, water, soft drinks, and fruit, but bring cash for anything bought from local sellers.

How the private format works in practice

Pickup is free from accommodation in El Nido Town and Corong-corong. You need to provide your hotel name when booking. Drop-off back at your hotel is not included, so plan for your own return after the boat trip.

The group type is private, and the guide may speak English or Tagalog. A licensed captain, licensed guide, and crew operate the boat. Their practical role matters: they help you board, handle equipment, set up lunch, and guide you at the beach and lagoon stops.

The strongest service details come from the crew’s hands-on care. Julius was described as funny and attentive, with particular care at the Secret Lagoon. Leonard took photos and videos at Big Lagoon. Cyron and the crew were praised for attention throughout the day and for the meal. Simon was also singled out positively, though the available detail is brief.

That said, service quality can vary by crew and by day. The late departure and kayak accident reported in one account show why you should ask questions rather than assume every private trip will run perfectly. Confirm the meeting time, make sure every passenger has a life vest, and tell the guide if anyone in your group needs extra help.

What to pack for eight hours on the water

Bring a change of clothes, towel, camera, beachwear, biodegradable sunscreen, cash, waterproof bag, closed-toe shoes, and waterproof shoes. The list looks long because the day moves between boat, sand, shallow water, kayak, and a tight limestone passage.

A waterproof bag is especially useful for phones, wallets, and dry clothing. Cash covers snacks, drinks, and other personal expenses, as well as any payment arrangements for fees. The included soft drinks and fruit reduce the need to buy refreshments, but they do not replace lunch preferences or personal snacks.

Plastic bags, smoking, alcohol, drugs, and littering are not allowed. Follow the rules closely. El Nido’s clear water and clean beaches are central to the experience, and careless packing can quickly become a problem on a small boat.

Who will like this tour most

I would recommend Tour A to first-time visitors who want a broad sample of El Nido in one day. You get iconic cliffs, several beaches, snorkeling, a kayak, a buffet, and time for photos without arranging each piece separately.

It also suits families and couples who value a private boat and direct help from a guide. Families should take the kayak warning seriously and supervise children closely. The Secret Lagoon opening may be uncomfortable for anyone who has trouble squeezing through narrow spaces or walking over uneven surfaces.

This is less suitable if your priority is serious snorkeling, complete quiet, or a very slow pace. The five-stop schedule is full, and each major location receives roughly an hour. You will see a lot, but you will not have unlimited time at any one place.

Weather can change the destinations or order. That flexibility protects the day from poor sea conditions, but it means the advertised sequence is not a promise. Go for the mix of experiences, not a rigid checklist.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

Book it if you want El Nido’s most famous sights in one private day and value a crew that can help with kayaks, photos, meals, and boarding. The combination of Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, 7 Commandos Beach, and Payong-Payong Beach gives you a useful balance of scenery and activity.

Before paying, ask for the earliest available pickup, confirm the extra government fees, and check where lunch is likely to be served. If you are traveling with a young child, ask how the kayak will be handled and request close assistance. If you want the best snorkeling of your trip, consider a different tour or keep your expectations modest.

At $139 per person, the value is strongest for a private group that will use the kayak, lunch, equipment, and guide support. It is weaker for a solo visitor who only wants a beach and a swim. For the right group, this is a well-rounded introduction to El Nido, with enough practical safeguards to make the day enjoyable.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Private Island Hopping Tour A last?

The tour lasts eight hours. Starting times depend on availability, and the order of destinations can change because of weather.

Which places does Tour A visit?

The planned stops are 7 Commandos Beach, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, and Payong-Payong Beach. The guide may change destinations or the order according to conditions.

Is the tour private?

Yes. The activity is for a private group, with a licensed tourist boat, captain, guide, and crew.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch, water, soft drinks, and fruit are included. The guide chooses the lunch stop. The schedule lists Shimizu Island, but lunch may also be served at Payong-Payong Beach.

Are kayaking and snorkeling equipment included?

One kayak, a life vest or jacket, and mask and snorkel are included. Additional kayak rental costs extra.

Are there any extra fees?

Yes. The 200 lagoon entrance fee and 400 environmental fee are not included in the advertised price. Hotel drop-off and anything not listed under inclusions also cost extra.