El Nido: Island Hopping Tour A

El Nido’s Tour A packs the area’s famous lagoons into one full day on the water. You’ll visit the Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and Shimizu Island, with time for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking around Bacuit Bay.

I like the friendly boat crew and the fact that lunch, a professional guide, and the boat are included for $34. I also like the chance to see several very different sites in one outing, from open beaches to enclosed limestone lagoons. The catch is that these places can be crowded, and the meeting-point details need checking before you set out.

Key points to know before you book

• Four famous stops in one day: Tour A visits Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and Shimizu Island.
• A full day on Bacuit Bay: The trip lasts about eight hours, with time for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking.
• A friendly crew: The boat team has been praised for being kind and attentive.
• A low headline price: At $34 per person, the tour includes lunch, the boat, a guide, and pickup in El Nido Town.
• Extra costs matter: The environmental fee is 400.00 and lagoon fees are 200.00, while masks and snorkels are not included.
• Confirm pickup details: The stated meeting point is arranged through WhatsApp, and the published app location has caused confusion.

Why Tour A is El Nido’s classic first outing

Tour A is the most direct introduction to El Nido’s famous scenery. Instead of choosing one beach or one lagoon, you move through several parts of Bacuit Bay in a single eight-hour trip.

The appeal is variety. The lagoons give you calm, enclosed water and towering rock walls. Shimizu Island adds a beach and snorkeling stop. The boat ride links everything together, giving you a broad look at the bay rather than keeping you in one place.

I would choose this tour if you are visiting El Nido for the first time and want to see the sights most often associated with the area. It also makes sense if you have only one free day for island hopping.

You should set your expectations correctly. These are famous places, not secret corners known only to locals. The stops may feel busy, especially at the best-known lagoons. That does not erase the beauty, but it changes the mood from quiet escape to shared sightseeing.

Big Lagoon, the most dramatic stop

Big Lagoon is likely to be the visual centerpiece of your day. Its clear water and steep limestone surroundings create the classic El Nido setting, with the rock walls closing around a broad stretch of calm water.

This is a good place to appreciate the scale of Bacuit Bay. The entrance gives way to a larger interior area, so the experience feels more open than the name might suggest. If you bring a camera, this is one of the stops where you will want it ready.

Kayaking is listed as part of the water activities available on the tour, but kayak arrangements are not described in detail. Ask your guide how kayaking works on the day. You may also choose to swim or simply enjoy the view from the boat.

Big Lagoon is not the best stop for anyone seeking complete peace. Its fame means you might share the water and photo spots with many other groups. Still, the combination of clear water, pale rock, and a narrow entrance makes it a strong reason to book Tour A.

Small Lagoon brings a tighter, more enclosed setting

Small Lagoon offers a different mood. The waterway is more enclosed, and the surrounding rock creates a stronger sense of entering a separate pocket of the bay.

This stop suits you if you enjoy moving through natural spaces rather than spending the entire day on a beach. Swimming and kayaking are especially fitting here, since the calm water lets you focus on the rock walls and the shape of the lagoon.

The practical issue is space. A smaller area can feel crowded more quickly than a broad beach or open bay. If you prefer a quiet swim, you may find the timing and number of boats important. Stay close to the guide’s instructions and be ready for a shared experience.

You will need to bring or arrange your own mask and snorkel because they are not included. The tour information also says touching marine life and plants is not allowed. That is a simple rule, but an important one: enjoy the water without handling what lives there.

Secret Lagoon offers a short sense of discovery

Secret Lagoon adds another change of pace. The name suggests a concealed setting, and the attraction is the feeling of reaching a small natural space hidden behind the main shoreline.

I would treat this as a quick, memorable stop rather than a place to plan a long private swim. The lagoon is part of a popular route, so you might find other groups arriving at the same time. Its value comes from the setting and the contrast with Big Lagoon, not from guaranteed solitude.

Wear clothing that works in and around water. The tour recommends swimwear, comfortable clothes, and shoes suited to water activities. Bring extra clothes too, since you may want to change after repeated swims.

The environmental fee and lagoon fees are separate from the tour price. The listed amounts are 400.00 for the environmental fee and 200.00 for lagoon fees. Confirm the current currency and payment details before departure, since the supplied information does not specify them.

Shimizu Island adds beach time and marine life

Shimizu Island is the tour’s beach-focused stop. After the enclosed lagoons, it gives you a chance to relax on a more open shore and enjoy the water at a slower pace.

Snorkeling is one of the main reasons this stop matters. The tour promises access to clear waters and marine life in Bacuit Bay, but the mask and snorkel are not included. Bring your own gear if you have it, or ask in advance about local rental options.

You can also use this stop to take a break from sightseeing. Eight hours on a boat can feel long if every stop becomes a race for photographs. A little time on the sand, with lunch included, helps balance the day.

Lunch is part of the package, which improves the value of the $34 price. Personal snacks and water are still recommended. You should not assume that every food or drink you want will be supplied, since personal expenses are excluded.

What the boat day feels like in practice

The experience is built around a shared boat, a guide, and a series of water stops. Hotel pickup is included for hotels in El Nido Town only. If your hotel is farther away, a tricycle fare is charged separately to your personal account.

The meeting point deserves special attention. Pickup details are sent through WhatsApp, and the instruction says to use the nearest hotel as the meeting point. Ask for the exact location before the morning of the tour, especially if your accommodation is outside the town center.

Be ready 15 minutes before the pickup time. One useful warning comes from the tour’s own booking experience: the meeting point shown in the app was incorrect, and follow-up communication was not very smooth. A quick WhatsApp confirmation can prevent a rushed start or a missed boat.

The tour has an English-speaking live guide. No guide name is provided, so you should not expect to request a specific person. The crew has received praise for being friendly and attentive, which matters on a day when you need help with boarding, swimming areas, and the order of stops.

The schedule lasts eight hours, but the exact starting time depends on availability. Check the date you want before booking. The tour also advertises skip-the-ticket-line access, though you should still allow time for group arrangements and site fees.

The real value of $34

At $34 per person, Tour A is priced as an affordable full-day outing rather than a private charter. The package includes the boat, a professional guide, lunch, and hotel pickup in El Nido Town.

That is a useful bundle. Booking these parts separately would take more planning, and you would still need to decide which lagoons and islands fit into one day. For a first visit, the simple structure has real value.

The low price is not the final cost, however. You must add the environmental fee of 400.00 and lagoon fees of 200.00. Masks and snorkels are also excluded, as are personal expenses and any tricycle fare needed for a hotel outside El Nido Town.

I would compare the total price, not just the advertised $34. Even with the extra charges, the tour can be a sensible deal if you want a group boat, included lunch, and access to four major stops. If you already have transport, food, and water gear arranged, the package may be less important to you.

Who should book this tour

Tour A is best for you if you want a broad introduction to El Nido without arranging a private boat. It suits active visitors who are comfortable with swimming and water-based activities, but you do not have to take part in every activity.

It is also a good fit for photographers and first-time visitors who want the famous lagoon scenery. Bring a camera, hat, sunscreen, swimwear, water, and extra clothes. Snacks are recommended, even though lunch is included.

This is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or non-swimmers. The itinerary involves boat travel and water activities, so you should be honest about your comfort in the water before booking.

You should also think about crowds. If your ideal day means sitting alone on a beach with no other boats nearby, this route may disappoint. If you can accept popular sights and focus on the scenery, it offers a lot in one day.

Small details that make the day easier

Pack light, but do not leave out the basics. A hat, sunscreen, water, camera, snacks, swimwear, and a dry change of clothes all have a clear purpose here.

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that can handle water activities. Avoid bringing anything you cannot protect from splashes. Smoking is not allowed, and you must not touch marine life or plants.

Ask about the lagoon fees, gear, pickup hotel, and meeting point before departure. Those questions are more useful than trying to plan every minute of the day, since the precise order and timing can depend on conditions and availability.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your El Nido plans are still moving around.

Tour A compared with the other El Nido routes

The same program offers four island-hopping choices. Tour A focuses on Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and Shimizu Island.

Tour B takes you to Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave, and Matinloc Shrine. Tour C combines destinations from Tours A and B, while Tour D centers on Cadlao Island, the largest island in Bacuit Bay, along with its beaches.

Choose Tour A when lagoons are your priority. Choose Tour B if Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave, and Matinloc Shrine sound more appealing. Tour C may suit you if you want a mix, while Tour D is aimed at Cadlao Island and its beaches.

The information does not provide exact stop times for each route, so compare the destinations rather than assuming one tour is longer or quieter than another.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

Book it if you want four major El Nido sights, a full eight-hour boat day, lunch, and a professional English-speaking guide at a modest starting price. The friendly crew is a real plus, and the route gives first-time visitors a strong overview of Bacuit Bay.

Pause before booking if you dislike crowded attractions, need included snorkeling gear, or are staying far outside El Nido Town. Confirm the WhatsApp pickup point and ask about the 400.00 environmental fee, 200.00 lagoon fees, and transport surcharge before paying.

For most able swimmers who want the classic El Nido experience in one day, Tour A is a practical choice. Just treat the $34 as the base price, prepare for shared stops, and get the meeting details in writing.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Island Hopping Tour A last?

The tour lasts eight hours. Starting times depend on availability, so check the date you want before booking.

Which locations are included on Tour A?

Tour A visits Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and Shimizu Island.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the tour price.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is included for hotels in El Nido Town only. If your hotel is farther away, a tricycle fare is charged separately.

Are masks and snorkels included?

No. Masks and snorkels are not included, so bring your own or ask about rental arrangements before the tour.

Are extra fees required?

The environmental fee is listed as 400.00, and lagoon fees are listed as 200.00. Confirm the current currency and payment method before departure.

What language does the guide speak?

The live tour guide speaks English.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, swimwear, camera, snacks, sunscreen, water, and extra clothes for changing. Comfortable clothing and shoes for water activities are recommended.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.