El Nido Island Hopping Tour A

El Nido Tour A packs a full day of limestone cliffs, clear lagoons, white sand, and snorkeling into one boat trip. I like the mix of swimming and beach time, and I like that a picnic lunch and DOT-licensed guide are included. The main catch is the extra environmental and lagoon fees, plus optional charges for a kayak or snorkeling gear.

I also appreciate the flexible booking terms and the chance of seeing sea turtles, though wildlife is never promised. A nine-hour day on a motorized boat can feel long if you get seasick, so take that warning seriously.

Key points at a glance

• Shimizu Island combines snorkeling and beach time: Swim over coral and look for fish, or stay ashore on the fine white sand.
• Seven Commando Beach makes a relaxed final stop: You can stretch out on the long beach and buy a drink at the small bar.
• The $27 price covers the main tour basics: Boat, guide, life vest, hotel pickup in El Nido Proper, and picnic lunch are included.
• Budget for PHP 600 in required fees: The environmental fee is PHP 400 per person, and the lagoon fee is PHP 200 per person.
• Pickup depends on your hotel: Properties in El Nido Proper get pickup, while outlying hotels require a tricycle ride to Petron near El Nido Port.
• The day suits active beach lovers: Snorkeling, swimming, and boat transfers are central to the experience, and people prone to seasickness may want another plan.

Why Tour A is so popular in El Nido

Tour A gives you the classic El Nido day out: a boat, dramatic limestone cliffs, sheltered lagoons, bright sand, and warm water. It is easy to understand the appeal. You get several different settings in one trip without arranging separate transport or meals.

The scenery changes as the boat moves between stops. Tall rock walls covered with vegetation rise from the sea, then give way to sandy beaches and snorkeling water. I like this variety because the day is not built around only one activity.

You should keep your expectations sensible. This is a popular route, so the experience is focused on seeing the main natural sights rather than finding total solitude. The tour is also nine hours long, which gives you time at several locations but makes the day physically demanding in strong sun.

The morning pickup and boat departure

Pickup is included if your accommodation is within El Nido Proper. If you are staying outside the town proper, you need to arrange a tricycle ride to the Petron Gasoline Station near El Nido Port, where you meet your assigned guide.

That detail matters. An inexpensive tour can become less convenient if you assume every hotel in the wider El Nido area receives door-to-door pickup. Check your hotel location before booking and allow enough time for the tricycle ride.

The main transport is a motorized boat, and a life vest is included. The exact boat size and group size are not provided, so you should not assume a private or small-group trip. This is best approached as a shared island-hopping day unless your booking specifically says otherwise.

The guide speaks English and Tagalog and is described as a DOT-licensed tour guide. That is useful for basic coordination, safety instructions, and explaining the stops, though no individual guide names are provided.

Lagoons, cliffs, and the first swim

The lagoon stops are a major reason to choose Tour A. You can expect enclosed or partly sheltered water framed by high limestone cliffs and thick plant growth. These rock formations give El Nido its unmistakable look and provide the most dramatic views of the day.

The supplied details do not identify every lagoon by name, so I would avoid booking this tour based on a promise of one specific named lagoon. Instead, think of the lagoon portion as a chance to see El Nido’s famous rock formations from the water and swim in scenic surroundings.

A lagoon visit can involve waiting for access, boarding and leaving the boat, and sharing the area with other groups. Bring a waterproof bag for phones, wallets, and clothing. A waterproof camera is also worth packing if you want pictures without worrying about spray.

You should wear beachwear from the start. There may not be a convenient place to change at every stop, and the day revolves around getting in and out of the water.

Shimizu Island for coral and white sand

Shimizu Island is the clearest all-round stop on this route. You can snorkel over coral and look for hundreds of fish species, or relax on the fine white sand if you prefer not to swim.

I like having that choice. A snorkeling stop is more enjoyable when nobody feels forced into the water, especially if one person in your group wants to rest while others explore. The island also gives you a chance to slow down after time on the boat.

Snorkeling gear is listed as optional, not included. Bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them, or budget for a rental. Goggles are also recommended in the packing advice.

Use biodegradable sunscreen. Apply it before boarding, then reapply after swimming. The combination of sun, reflected light from the water, and a long day outside can catch you off guard even when the air feels comfortable.

The corals and fish are the attraction here, but sea conditions affect visibility. The tour promises access to a snorkeling spot, not perfect water every day. Keep that in mind if underwater viewing is the main reason you are booking.

Picnic lunch between the water stops

A picnic lunch is included, which improves the value of the $27 base price. You do not need to arrange a separate meal while moving between islands, and you can spend the day focused on the route.

The meal is described as a picnic lunch, and one booking specifically praised the buffet lunch. That suggests you may receive a buffet-style meal, but the supplied information does not give a fixed menu. If you have dietary restrictions, ask before booking rather than assuming the meal will suit you.

Lunch also works as a practical break. Nine hours in the sun, with swimming and boat movement, can drain your energy. Eat enough, drink water, and do not wait until you feel tired or light-headed.

Food is one of the more useful inclusions here. A tour that appears to cost $27 can feel less attractive if you must add a restaurant meal, boat transport, and guide separately. Here, the main day package already covers those core needs.

Seven Commando Beach and the small bar

Seven Commando Beach is the final named stop. It has a long stretch of white sand, giving you room to walk, swim, or simply sit after the earlier lagoon and snorkeling visits.

The small bar adds a simple social touch. You can buy a drink there, but the drink is not listed as part of the tour inclusions, so bring spending money if you want one.

I like this beach as a closing stop because it is less equipment-focused than snorkeling. You can finish the day at an easy pace instead of being asked to swim again. Still, the beach may feel busy on a popular departure, and the exact amount of free time is not provided.

There is also a chance of seeing sea turtles during the day. Treat this as a lucky possibility, not a scheduled encounter. Do not choose the tour solely for turtles.

What the $27 price really covers

At $27 per person, Tour A offers good basic value. The price includes:

• Hotel pickup in El Nido Proper
• A DOT-licensed tour guide
• Motorized boat transport
• Life vest
• Picnic lunch

The advertised price is not the entire required cost. You must pay the PHP 400 environmental fee and PHP 200 lagoon fee per person before the tour, bringing the required local fees to PHP 600 per person.

Optional costs may include kayak rental, mask rental, and snorkeling equipment. If you already own a mask and snorkel, packing them keeps the final price closer to the advertised figure. If not, ask about rental prices before the boat leaves.

This is still a sensible deal for someone who wants a full day on the water without organizing each piece alone. The value is strongest when you use the included lunch, guide, boat, and pickup. It is weaker if you stay outside El Nido Proper, need a tricycle, rent several items, and are mainly interested in one beach.

Timing, comfort, and the seasickness question

The tour lasts about nine hours. That means a full day of sun, boat movement, swimming, walking on sand, and waiting around departure points. You should bring water, sunscreen, a waterproof bag, beachwear, and a waterproof camera.

People prone to seasickness are specifically advised not to take this activity. That is an important warning, not a minor footnote. If boat motion regularly makes you ill, a long island-hopping route may turn the scenery into hard work.

A life vest is included, but the information does not say that snorkeling gear, kayaks, towels, or drinks are included. Pack only what you need, and protect electronic items from splashes.

Morning timing may not always go perfectly. One January departure faced several problems early in the day but still completed the planned activities and served the buffet lunch. That gives you a useful practical lesson: keep some flexibility in your schedule, especially if you have an important connection later the same day.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would choose Tour A if you want El Nido’s main natural ingredients in one outing. It suits you if you enjoy swimming, casual snorkeling, beaches, boat rides, and big rock scenery more than detailed cultural touring.

It also works well for groups with mixed interests. One person can snorkel at Shimizu Island while another relaxes on the sand. Seven Commando Beach offers another chance to slow down before returning to town.

You may want to skip it if you dislike shared boat trips, struggle with seasickness, or want a quiet beach with no other groups around. It is also not the best fit if you need a private itinerary or a carefully controlled meal, since boat size, group size, and menu details are not stated.

The route is family-friendly in the broad sense that swimming and beach time are central, but the provided information does not specify age limits or special arrangements for young children. Ask the operator directly if that matters for your group.

Booking flexibility and a sensible plan

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which is helpful when your El Nido schedule is still changing.

I would book after checking three things: your hotel’s pickup location, the required PHP 600 in fees, and the cost of optional snorkeling gear. Those checks prevent the most common surprises.

Keep the day after this tour reasonably open if you can. A nine-hour boat outing may leave you sun-tired, and morning delays are possible. If you must catch transport soon after, leave a generous buffer.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

Book this tour if you want a straightforward, good-value day that combines lagoons, limestone cliffs, snorkeling, white sand, and lunch. The strongest features are the range of stops, the included boat and meal, and the choice between swimming and relaxing at Shimizu Island.

Think twice if seasickness is a problem, if you want a private boat, or if your hotel is outside El Nido Proper and the added tricycle ride sounds inconvenient. Also remember that $27 is the starting price, not the final required amount, because the PHP 400 environmental fee and PHP 200 lagoon fee come separately.

For most active visitors who want the classic El Nido island-hopping experience, Tour A is a sensible choice. Go prepared for sun, shared spaces, optional equipment charges, and a long day, and you will get the most from it.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Island Hopping Tour A last?

The tour lasts about nine hours. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability when booking.

How much does Tour A cost?

The listed price is $27 per person. You must also pay a PHP 400 environmental fee and a PHP 200 lagoon fee per person.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is included for accommodations within El Nido Proper. If your hotel is outside the town proper, you need to take a tricycle to the Petron Gasoline Station near El Nido Port to meet your assigned guide.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic lunch is included, and the lunch may be served in buffet style.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Mask and snorkeling equipment are optional, so you may need to rent them or bring your own.

Is a kayak included?

No. Kayak rental is optional and is not part of the listed inclusions.

What languages does the guide speak?

The tour guide speaks English and Tagalog. A DOT-licensed tour guide is included.

What should I bring?

Bring sunscreen, biodegradable sunscreen, a waterproof camera, beachwear, a waterproof bag, goggles, and snorkeling gear if you have it.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.