EL NIDO: Sharing/Joiner Island Hopping Tour A w/BUFFET LUNCH

El Nido Tour A packs the area’s biggest postcard sights into one boat day: Big Lagoon, white-sand beaches, coral reefs, and the narrow entrance to Secret Lagoon. At about $23 per person, it gives you a lot of scenery and swimming for the money, though you should expect shared-boat crowds and extra charges at some stops.

I like the mix of activities. You can kayak through the quiet water of Big Lagoon, then snorkel at Shimizu Island and simply stretch out at 7 Commandos Beach. I also like the buffet lunch and the friendly crew, which several bookings praised. The main drawback is timing: boats may leave late, and popular stops can become crowded when many boats follow the same route.

Key points to know before you book

• Big Lagoon is the main event: Kayaking gives you a better look at the cliffs and calm water than staying on the boat.
• Five stops make this a full day: You get beaches, snorkeling, lagoons, and a beach lunch rather than one long stop in a single place.
• The buffet lunch is a real plus: Food, fruit, and drinks are part of the package, though bring extra water to be safe.
• Extra fees affect the low headline price: An environmental fee of 400 and lagoon entrance fee of 200 are not included.
• The route may change: Weather can alter the order or choice of stops, including the final beach.
• Expect a shared-boat pace: This is good value, but not the right pick if you want private timing or empty beaches.

What the $23 price really buys you

The base price is unusually low for a full day around El Nido. You get pickup within El Nido Town and Corong-corong, a licensed tourist boat, captain, guide and crew, life vest, buffet lunch, fruit, and water listed among the inclusions.

That is strong value if you want the classic Tour A route without paying for a private boat. You can see five major places, eat on the beach, and spend most of the day on the water for less than the cost of many short guided outings.

Still, the final cost is higher than $23. The environmental fee is listed at 400, and the lagoon entrance fee is listed at 200. Additional kayak rental is also excluded. Confirm the current charges and whether the lagoon fee applies to your planned visit before you pay.

There is one small point worth checking. Water is included in the package details, but one booking reported that no drinking water was offered on the boat and advised bringing your own. I would carry a refillable bottle regardless. It is a simple precaution in a hot, exposed setting.

Starting the day with a shared boat

Pickup is free within El Nido Town and Corong-corong, with the starting point listed as Beachfront Travel & Tours. The day lasts around eight hours, so plan for a morning departure and a return later in the afternoon.

The timing may not be perfectly tidy. The advertised start time and the requested arrival time have caused some confusion, with one booking reporting a 9:00 start after expecting 8:30. Confirm the meeting time directly before the morning of your tour and arrive early.

This is a joiner trip, so you share the boat with other people. That keeps the price down, but it also means the group moves together. The guide may call everyone back to the boat at set times, especially at Big Lagoon and the snorkeling stops.

The crew speaks English and Tagalog. Their role is practical rather than formal: helping with boarding, directing you at each stop, handling the boat, and keeping the group moving. Several bookings praised the crew for being helpful and cheerful, while one older booking described the operation as disorganized at times. Keep your expectations sensible. You are booking a budget group outing, not a private charter.

7 Commandos Beach: an easy first swim

7 Commandos Beach is often the most relaxed stop. Picture soft white sand, coconut trees, clear water, and high limestone cliffs around the bay. The name comes from a local story about seven commandos who supposedly lived here after World War II.

You get about an hour for swimming, photographs, sightseeing, and a break. The water is inviting, and the beach gives you a chance to settle into the day without rushing straight into a more active stop.

Small shops and rustic beach bars sell drinks and snacks. Bring cash if you want something beyond the included food and drinks. The beach is also a good place to use the camera, but keep your phone in a waterproof bag when you are near the water.

The tradeoff is popularity. 7 Commandos is one of the standard stops, so it may not feel secluded. I would enjoy the view, take a swim, and avoid expecting a private tropical beach.

Big Lagoon: the reason many people choose Tour A

Big Lagoon is the signature stop. The boat passes through a narrow opening between tall limestone cliffs, then enters a broad, calm body of water with shades of blue and green. The cliffs make the lagoon feel enclosed and quiet, even when boats are arriving nearby.

Kayaking is the best way to appreciate it. From a kayak, you move at your own pace and can look into the corners of the lagoon instead of viewing everything from the main boat. The water is clear, and the steep rock walls provide the memorable setting.

Kayak rental costs extra, so check the price before you go. If you want to paddle, bring cash and be ready for a possible wait. One booking reported spending nearly an hour in open water while waiting for canoes to enter the lagoon. That kind of delay can happen when many boats reach the same point at once.

Weather matters here. Strong wind or poor conditions may make kayaking less pleasant, and the guide can change the plan. One booking chose not to enter the lagoon because the weather was not suitable and was unhappy about not receiving a refund for the fee. Ask how lagoon charges work if conditions look poor before committing to the extra cost.

Even with those concerns, Big Lagoon gives Tour A its strongest visual moment. If you have only one full day for El Nido’s standard island tours, this is the stop most likely to justify the choice.

Shimizu Island: lunch and snorkeling in one stop

Shimizu Island combines a beach break, buffet lunch, and snorkeling. The island is named after a Japanese diver associated with its waters, and the reefs around it attract colorful fish and other sea life.

You have roughly an hour here, so do not wait too long before deciding what matters most. If snorkeling is your priority, get your mask and life vest ready early. If you prefer a slow lunch, claim a place in the shade and enjoy the beach setting.

The buffet is one of the tour’s strongest practical features. It gives you a proper meal without requiring you to buy lunch at an expensive beach stop. Food quality was repeatedly praised, with comments noting a good selection and drinks served during the meal.

The snorkeling can be very good, but conditions change with weather, water clarity, and the number of boats. This is a shared stop, not a private reef outing. You will get a useful taste of El Nido’s underwater life, though serious snorkelers may want a tour built around longer reef time.

Secret Lagoon: a short entrance with a big reveal

Secret Lagoon is reached through a small opening in a limestone wall. Depending on water levels and conditions, getting through the entrance can feel tight, so move carefully and follow the guide’s instructions.

Inside, the cliffs close around a small, sheltered pool. The appeal is the sudden change from open sea to a tucked-away rock setting. The stop is good for photographs and sightseeing, and snorkeling may be offered when conditions allow.

Do not assume you will spend a long time inside. The entrance can create a queue, and the space is limited. In a busy period, the magic comes more from the unusual entry and rock formation than from solitude.

This is also one of the places where waterproof footwear helps. Limestone can be uneven, and a waterproof bag protects your phone and camera when you move between the boat, beach, and lagoon.

Payong-Payong Beach: a calmer finish when conditions allow

Payong-Payong Beach is a small sandy cove surrounded by thick plant growth and rock formations. The water is clear, and the beach works well for a final swim, a short snorkel, or a quiet rest before the boat returns.

It can feel more peaceful than the larger stops, but the word quiet depends on the day. Boats may follow different plans, and the guide may switch the last stop to another beach if one location is too crowded or the weather changes.

That flexibility can improve the day. A recent booking described the crew changing the final stop to a prettier, calmer beach with cocktails. Treat that as a possibility rather than a promise. The exact beach and available drinks can change.

If you are tired after four earlier stops, Payong-Payong is a useful place to slow down. If you still want snorkeling, use the time in the water. The tour gives you options rather than forcing one final activity.

Food, water, and what to bring

Bring a change of clothes, beachwear, biodegradable sunscreen, cash, a camera, waterproof shoes, and a waterproof bag. You will move between boat, sand, shallow water, and rock, so ordinary shoes are less useful than footwear that can get wet.

I would also bring a refillable bottle even though water is listed as included. The tour details and actual service have not always matched perfectly on that point. Fruit and buffet food are included, and drinks may be provided with lunch, but extra snacks and purchases at beach bars require cash.

Plastic bags, alcohol, drugs, smoking, and littering are not allowed. Those rules matter in a place where the beaches and reefs are the main attraction. Use a reusable dry bag or pouch for your belongings and take all personal rubbish back with you.

The sun is strong, and much of the day is exposed. Biodegradable sunscreen is required for environmental reasons and is the right choice for swimming near coral.

Crowds, delays, and the shared-tour tradeoff

The biggest weakness is not the scenery. It is the number of boats using the same route at the same time. Tour A is popular, and standard stops can feel crowded, especially around Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon.

The boat may also wait for kayaks, delay lunch, or adjust the order of stops. One booking described a long wait for canoes. Another reported that the boat left late and spent much longer than planned at an early beach after lunch supplies were forgotten.

These reports do not mean every day will run badly. More recent bookings describe a smooth, easy day with enough time at each place. They do show why you should leave some flexibility in your schedule. Do not book an airport transfer, ferry, or important evening plan too close to the expected return.

A calm attitude helps. If the crew changes the final beach or reverses the order, that is usually a response to conditions or crowd levels. If exact timing matters more than price, a private boat or a smaller group may suit you better.

Who will enjoy this Tour A outing?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors who want the classic El Nido sights in one day. Families, couples, solo visitors, and friends can all use the mix of swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, lunch, and beach time to get a broad introduction to the area.

It also suits people who want an easy adventure. You do not need advanced skills for the listed activities, and the crew provides life vests and guidance. You can be active at Big Lagoon or simply swim and sit on the sand at the beach stops.

I would hesitate if you dislike crowds, waiting, or group schedules. The low price comes with less control. I would also think twice if Big Lagoon is your one absolute priority and you would be upset by poor weather, a queue, or an extra fee that does not lead to usable kayaking conditions.

The rating attached to the activity is 4.3 from 92 bookings, which fits the overall picture: strong scenery, good food, and helpful crews, balanced by occasional confusion and crowded stops.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

Book it if you want strong value and the classic El Nido route. Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, 7 Commandos Beach, Secret Lagoon, and Payong-Payong Beach give you a full day of different settings for a modest base price.

Before paying, confirm the meeting time, the environmental and lagoon charges, kayak rental cost, drinking-water arrangements, and the exact pickup details. Bring cash, a waterproof bag, and patience for shared-boat delays.

Skip it in favor of a private or smaller outing if you want quiet coves, precise timing, or more control over where you stop. For most first-time visitors on a budget, though, Tour A is a sensible way to see El Nido’s best-known sights in one packed day.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour A last?

The tour lasts about eight hours. Starting times can vary, so check availability and confirm the meeting time before departure.

What places does the tour visit?

The planned stops are 7 Commandos Beach, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, and Payong-Payong Beach.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch is included, along with fruit. Drinks may be served with the meal, and water is listed among the inclusions.

Is kayaking included?

No. Kayak rental at Big Lagoon costs extra.

Are entrance fees included?

No. The environmental fee of 400 and lagoon entrance fee of 200 are listed as additional government charges.

Where is pickup available?

Free pickup is available within El Nido Town and Corong-corong. The listed starting location is Beachfront Travel & Tours.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide service is available in English and Tagalog.

Can the tour be canceled for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.