El Nido Tour A (shared tour)

El Nido Tour A takes you straight into Palawan’s famous island scenery: clear lagoons enclosed by limestone cliffs, small beaches, and bright blue water. The Big Lagoon gives you the grandest views, while Secret Lagoon feels more intimate, with a small rock entrance leading to a hidden pool.

I like the low $34 price, which covers the boat, guide, lunch, water, towels, and hotel pickup in El Nido town proper. I also like the range of stops, from the open views of Shimizu Island to the easy beach time at 7 Commando Beach.

The catch is the shared-tour format. Several boats can gather at the same sites, and the day may start slowly. One recent departure involved an hour of waiting at the meeting point, while another visitor found the stops too crowded for good snorkeling. Go for the scenery and value, not solitude.

Key points to know before you book

• Big Lagoon kayaking costs extra: Rent a kayak for P300, good for two people, if you want to paddle into the lagoon.
• Five named stops fill the day: The route includes Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-payong Beach, Secret Lagoon, and 7 Commando Beach.
• The price covers the basics: Boat transport, an English-speaking guide, lunch, water, towels, and pickup within El Nido town proper are included.
• Two separate fees are not included: The environmental fee costs P400 per person, and Big Lagoon access costs P200 per person.
• Crowds are part of the bargain: Shared boats keep the price down, but several tours may reach the same beaches and lagoons together.
• Bring water shoes and a dry change of clothes: Beachwear alone may not be enough for a full day around boats, rocks, and shallow water.

Five stops that show off El Nido’s best scenery

This route is popular for a good reason. It gathers several of El Nido’s most recognizable places into one full-day boat trip. You are not choosing between one lagoon and one beach. You get a broad sample of the area, with enough variety to keep the day moving.

The schedule is planned for about eight hours, though the exact starting time depends on availability. Pickup is offered within El Nido town proper, and the stated meeting point is Umi Travel at seaside Hama in Barangay Suerte, El Nido. Check the meeting instructions carefully, since the boat may not leave right away after you arrive.

The tour is operated by H&H Holidays Travel and Tours. You will have a licensed, English-speaking guide, and a guaranteed boat is included. That matters in El Nido, where the boat is your transport, dining room, changing point, and viewing platform all rolled into one.

Big Lagoon gives you the classic El Nido view

Big Lagoon is the visual centerpiece of the route. You move through clear water with limestone rock formations rising around you and continuing below the surface. The setting feels less like a normal beach stop and more like a broad natural waterway cut into the islands.

This is the place where the extra kayak charge may make sense. A kayak costs P300 for two people, so you can split the fee with a companion. Paddling gives you more control than staying on the main boat, and it lets you take in the lagoon at a slower pace.

The extra fee is not included in the tour price, so plan for it if Big Lagoon is your main reason for booking. You should also expect other boats and kayaks in the area. The setting is beautiful, but a shared route cannot promise a quiet paddle or an empty photograph.

Big Lagoon works best for you if you care about wide views, clear water, and dramatic rock walls. If snorkeling is your top goal, keep expectations measured. The day is built around scenery and several stops, and one recent account found the snorkeling disappointing because too many tours were using the same places.

Secret Lagoon has the most playful entrance

Secret Lagoon offers a different kind of scenery. Instead of arriving at a wide-open body of water, you reach a small entrance in the rocks. You duck through it to find a secluded pool surrounded by stone.

That entrance is the attraction. It gives the stop a storybook feeling without needing a long walk or complicated activity. The pool itself is compact, so the experience depends heavily on how many people arrive at once.

Take your time, but keep your expectations realistic. The word secret describes the entrance more than the level of privacy. With shared boats visiting the same route, the pool can feel busy. Still, it is one of the more memorable stops because the setting changes so quickly from open sea to enclosed rock pool.

You may want water shoes here. They are listed among the recommended things to bring, and they are useful anywhere the route involves wet surfaces, shallow water, or rocky ground.

Shimizu Island is the easy beach break

Shimizu Island supplies the classic white-sand pause. After the rock walls and enclosed lagoons, a beach stop gives you room to stretch out, enjoy lunch, and take in the island scenery from a simpler angle.

Lunch and water are included, which helps the $34 price feel practical rather than bare-bones. A full day on the water becomes tiring when every meal and drink costs extra, so these inclusions matter. Towels are also provided, although bringing a personal towel and a change of clothes is still sensible.

The appeal here is not a complicated activity. You come for the white sand, clear water, and a chance to slow down. If you want a polished resort beach with personal space, this shared stop may feel too busy. If you want an attractive beach included in an inexpensive island day, it does the job well.

Pack beachwear that you can move in, not just something intended for sunbathing. The itinerary moves between water, boat, sand, and rocky island settings, and you will be more comfortable if you can dry off and change later.

Payong-payong Beach adds a quieter-looking pause

Payong-payong Beach is another chance to enjoy El Nido’s water and rock scenery at a smaller scale. Its place in the route helps break up the lagoon stops and gives you another setting for swimming, photographs, or a short rest.

The supplied details do not promise a specific activity or length of stay here, so do not plan around a long snorkeling session or a particular beach service. Treat it as part of the day’s changing scenery. The value comes from seeing several places without arranging separate boat trips.

This is also where the shared format matters. Stops can feel very different depending on how many boats arrive together. You may find a peaceful stretch of water, or you may find a cluster of groups using the same beach. The operator cannot control the total number of tours visiting El Nido’s main route.

7 Commando Beach ends the day on a simple note

The final named stop is 7 Commando Beach. You will hear the story behind its name, then have time to relax and swim in the clear blue water.

Compared with Big Lagoon, this stop is less about a grand passage through rock and more about straightforward beach time. That makes it a useful finish. After a day of moving between boats, lagoons, and islands, you can simply sit on the sand or take a dip.

The beach is also a reminder that this tour is not only a photography circuit. You get moments that ask nothing from you. No paddling, no squeezing through a rock opening, no need to keep moving. You can enjoy the water and let the day settle.

What the $34 price really includes

At $34 per person, this is an accessible way to see several major El Nido stops in one day. The price includes:

• Hotel pickup within El Nido town proper
• A licensed English-speaking guide
• A guaranteed boat
• Lunch
• Drinking water
• Towels

That package has real value. Booking a private boat would offer more control, but a shared boat spreads the transport cost across the group. For a first El Nido visit, the route gives you a useful overview before you decide if you want to return for a slower, more focused island day.

The price is not the final amount you should budget. The environmental fee is P400 per person and is a one-time purchase valid for five days. Big Lagoon access costs another P200 per person. Kayaking at Big Lagoon is optional and costs P300 per kayak for two people.

That means the mandatory extra fees add P600 per person, before any optional kayak rental. The tour is still reasonably priced for an eight-hour island route, but you should calculate the full cost rather than treating $34 as the complete bill.

Shared boats mean more people and less control

A shared tour is the central trade-off. You get a guaranteed boat and a lower price, but you do not set the pace. The boat follows the group schedule, and the guide has to keep several people moving between stops.

Crowds can affect the day in practical ways. One account described too many people at the same locations, making snorkeling less satisfying. Another reported waiting about an hour at the meeting point before departure. Those details do not cancel out the value of the tour, but they are useful warnings.

Arrive ready for some waiting and keep your morning flexible. Do not book an important flight, ferry, or fixed appointment immediately after the stated eight-hour duration. The day on the water may be affected by group timing, boat loading, or conditions at the stops.

The shared setup suits you if you want the main sights without paying for a private charter. It is less suitable if you want quiet beaches, long snorkeling sessions, or complete control over how long you stay at each location.

What to bring for a wet day

The operator recommends a change of clothes, towel, beachwear, and water shoes. Towels are included, but a spare dry layer remains useful after repeated swims.

Bring enough personal protection for a long day outside, though the supplied information does not list specific sun equipment. Keep valuables to a minimum and protect anything that should not get wet. You will be near water for most of the day, and the boat is the main base between stops.

Masks, snorkels, aqua shoes, and fins are not included. If you want to snorkel, arrange your own equipment or ask about rental availability before departure. The available information confirms that these items are excluded, but it does not give rental prices for them.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. The tour is also not suitable for people with mobility impairments, so consider the boat access and island stops carefully before booking.

Weather can change the mood, not the setting

El Nido’s scenery remains the main reason to go, even when the weather is not perfect. One recent experience went ahead in gloomy weather and still produced a satisfying day, with strong guide service and enjoyable scenery.

That is encouraging, but you should not expect the same colors in all conditions. Gray skies can soften the water and reduce the dramatic look of photographs. The route still offers rock formations, beaches, and lagoons, yet the classic postcard effect depends on the weather.

A flexible attitude helps. If you need perfect sun for the tour to feel worthwhile, the shared booking may frustrate you. If you value the chance to see the islands and can accept changing conditions, the route has enough variety to remain worthwhile.

Who will get the most from Tour A

I would choose this tour for a first visit to El Nido when you want to cover the famous sights at a controlled price. It is especially useful if you are staying in El Nido town proper and want hotel pickup, lunch, and a guide handled in one booking.

It also suits couples or friends who can share the P300 kayak rental. The Big Lagoon is the strongest reason to add the kayak, and splitting the charge keeps the optional cost modest.

Families and casual beach lovers may appreciate the mix of swimming, sand, and scenery, but the mobility warning matters. Anyone who finds boat boarding, uneven surfaces, or moving between beach stops difficult should look for a more suitable outing.

I would not make this my first choice if your priority is serious snorkeling or a peaceful, private island experience. The route is popular, and several tours may gather at the same locations. For that kind of day, you would need a different format, but that is beyond what this experience promises.

Should you book this El Nido day trip?

Book it if you want the best-known El Nido scenery in one eight-hour outing, with lunch, water, towels, guide service, and boat transport included for $34. The route is broad, easy to understand, and good value once you account for the separate environmental and Big Lagoon fees.

Skip it if crowds, waiting, or a fixed group schedule would spoil the day for you. Also skip it if snorkeling is more important than lagoons and beaches.

For most first-time visitors on a budget, I think Tour A is a sensible introduction to El Nido. Go prepared for a shared experience, bring water shoes and dry clothes, allow extra time around the stated schedule, and consider the kayak if Big Lagoon is your main target.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour A last?

The tour lasts about eight hours. Starting times vary, so you should check availability when booking.

What destinations are included?

The route includes Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-payong Beach, Secret Lagoon, and 7 Commando Beach.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is included for hotels within El Nido town proper. Hotel drop-off is not included.

Where is the meeting point?

The meeting point is Umi Travel at seaside Hama, Barangay Suerte, El Nido.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch and water are included in the tour price.

Is kayaking included?

No. Kayak rental at Big Lagoon costs P300 per kayak for two people.

Are snorkeling masks and water shoes included?

No. Masks, snorkels, aqua shoes, and fins are not included. Water shoes are recommended as something to bring.

What extra fees must I pay?

The environmental fee costs P400 per person and is valid for five days. Big Lagoon access costs P200 per person. Neither fee is included in the tour price.

Can I cancel the booking?

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