El Nido Tour A

El Nido Tour A puts you among Palawan’s most famous sights in one long, water-filled day. The main draw is Big Lagoon, where steep limestone walls frame clear water, but the route also gives you quiet swimming time, a beach lunch, and several chances to leave the boat.

I like the way the price includes boat transport, a licensed captain, an English-speaking guide, lunch, and bottled water. I also like the mix of stops: Shimizu Island brings white sand and sun, while Secret Lagoon and Seven Commando Beach offer a change of pace. The main caution is organization. One booking had a nearly missed hotel transfer and unclear instructions, and the lunch may feel limited, especially for vegetarians.

Key points to know

• Big Lagoon is the star stop: Expect striking limestone scenery and clear water, with a separate lagoon entrance fee.
• The advertised price is not the final cost: Add the environmental fee, lagoon entrance fee, and optional kayak hire.
• The crew receives strong marks for care: The boat team and guide are praised for looking after the group.
• Lunch is practical but not a highlight: Vegetarian food may be especially sparse, so bring extra food if allowed and useful for you.
• Allow a full eight hours: Slow transitions, collecting belongings, and unclear timing can eat into time at the stops.
• Bring cash and a dry plan: You need swimwear, a change of clothes, sun protection, a passport, and money for fees.

Why Tour A remains El Nido’s classic day out

El Nido Tour A is built around the scenery that appears in nearly every picture of this part of Palawan: pale limestone cliffs, clear water, small beaches, and narrow openings into lagoons. You travel by boat for about eight hours, stopping at a series of well-known places around Miniloc Island and nearby islands.

That makes this a good first outing if you want a broad taste of El Nido rather than a slow day at one beach. You get lagoons, swimming, a packed lunch, and beach time in one package. You also get the practical support of a licensed boat captain and an English-speaking guide.

The experience is not designed for people who dislike boats, crowds, or a fixed schedule. You will spend much of the day moving between stops, and the timetable can feel hurried when the group is slow to collect bags or follow instructions. People prone to seasickness should think carefully before booking, and the activity is not recommended for people with high blood pressure.

Big Lagoon and the limestone scenery

Big Lagoon is the strongest reason to choose this route. The entrance opens into a broad stretch of clear water surrounded by tall limestone cliffs. The setting feels grand without requiring a hard walk, since the boat brings you close to the main attraction.

You can explore the lagoon by boat, and kayak hire is available for PHP 300 for two people. That extra cost can be worthwhile if you want to move at your own pace and get closer to the quieter edges of the water. If you prefer to keep the day simple, staying with the group boat avoids another charge and another piece of gear to manage.

The water and cliffs are the real experience here, not a long guided talk. Your guide can help you understand where to go and when to return, but the quality of the stop depends partly on how clearly the crew gives instructions. Pay attention when the boat arrives. If you wait until then to organize your phone, towel, dry bag, and clothes, you may lose useful time.

There is also a separate lagoon entrance fee of PHP 200 per person. This is in addition to the PHP 200 environmental fee, which is valid for 10 days. If you are visiting El Nido for several days, the environmental fee may cover other activities during that period, but the lagoon fee remains a separate cost for this outing.

Secret Lagoon and the appeal of smaller spaces

Secret Lagoon offers a different mood from Big Lagoon. Instead of a wide open setting, you pass into a more enclosed area through a small opening in the rock. The attraction is the change in scale: the limestone feels closer, and the space feels more tucked away.

Conditions can affect how easy it is to enter and move around. You should follow the guide’s directions and avoid rushing through narrow access points. The supplied information does not promise a specific amount of time at Secret Lagoon, so keep your expectations flexible.

The tour description also refers to Small Lagoon and Secret Beach, which suggests that the exact lagoon combination can depend on the operating route or the day’s arrangement. The headline highlights for this experience are Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Seven Commando Beach, and Shimizu Island. If seeing Small Lagoon or Secret Beach is especially important to you, confirm the day’s precise route before paying.

This is one place where good instructions matter. A clear reminder about what to carry, where to wait, and how long you have makes a real difference. The crew is praised for working hard, but one account describes too little guidance at the stops. Keep your essentials together and listen for the return time.

Shimizu Island for lunch and beach time

Shimizu Island is the day’s easiest place to slow down. Expect white sand, clear water, and time to swim or sit in the sun. After the enclosed lagoons, the open beach gives you room to stretch your legs and dry off.

Lunch is included, along with bottled water. That is useful at this price, since you do not have to arrange a separate meal while away from town. Still, keep your expectations modest. The meal is packed and intended to feed a group, not to provide a restaurant-style spread.

Vegetarian food is the weak point. One booking reported that the available option was little more than cucumbers with lemon, and that some people held back because they were concerned about food running short. If you do not eat meat or fish, bring suitable extra food if you can, and tell the operator about your needs before the tour.

The island’s name has an unusual story. It was reportedly named after a Japanese diver who died in an underwater tunnel nearby. That detail connects the place to local folklore and foreign influence, but you should treat it as a brief piece of context rather than expect a long history presentation.

Seven Commando Beach and the final beach stop

Seven Commando Beach gives you another stretch of sand and water away from the cliff-lined lagoons. It is a useful counterpoint to the more dramatic rock scenery. You can swim, relax, and enjoy the simple pleasure of being on a beach during a boat trip.

The supplied details do not specify exactly how long you stay here or what facilities are available. Plan to carry only what you need from the boat. A sun hat, sunscreen, and a change of clothes are particularly useful because the day combines swimming with time exposed to strong sun.

Seven Commando Beach is also a reminder that this is not just a sightseeing cruise. You should expect wet feet, damp clothing, and repeated movement between boat and shore. Pack your phone and passport carefully, and keep anything important protected from spray.

What the boat day feels like in practice

The tour lasts around eight hours, usually taking up most of the day. It includes boat transfer, a licensed captain, and a licensed English-speaking guide. A BIZ IT Travel and Tours representative is the meeting contact, so look for that representative at the agreed meeting point.

Hotel transfer needs attention. One booking described a pickup that was nearly missed. I would confirm the pickup arrangement in advance and arrive early rather than rely on a last-minute phone call. The meeting process may include stopping at an office or roadside point to pay the environmental fee before reaching the beach.

The route to the boat may not feel polished. One account described an office by the roadside and a path between hotels and local homes leading toward the beach. That does not change the natural scenery, but it can make the start feel less organized than the main attractions.

Once aboard, the crew’s care is a positive part of the day. The boat team and guide received strong praise for looking after the group. The issue is not effort. It is communication. You may need to ask directly how long you have at each stop, what to bring ashore, and when to return to the boat.

The tour is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the information does not explain how boarding, beach landings, or lagoon access are handled. If you use a wheelchair, ask for specific details before booking rather than relying on the general accessibility label.

The true cost at $27 per person

At $27 per person, the headline price is attractive for an eight-hour boat outing. Boat transport, a captain, a guide, lunch, and bottled water are included. For someone who wants a simple way to reach several famous sites, that package can offer good value.

You need to budget for the extras. The environmental fee is PHP 200 per person and is valid for 10 days. The lagoon entrance fee is another PHP 200 per person. Kayak hire costs PHP 300 for two people, so a pair sharing one kayak would pay PHP 150 each.

That means the basic add-ons total PHP 400 per person before kayak hire. If you share a kayak, the practical total becomes PHP 550 per person in local fees and optional equipment, added to the advertised tour price. Confirm how and where each fee is collected, and carry enough Philippine pesos.

The value depends on what you want. If you would otherwise arrange separate boat transport, a guide, and lunch, the package is convenient. If you dislike group schedules or want a more private boat, the low price may not compensate for the fixed pace and occasional confusion.

What to wear and pack for eight hours

Start with swimwear under your clothes. You will have several water and beach stops, and changing after lunch or toward the end of the day will be easier if you bring a full change of clothes.

A sun hat and sunscreen are essential. Bottled water is provided, but sunscreen is not, and you should not assume that shade will be available at every stop. Bring your passport as requested, along with cash for the environmental fee, lagoon fee, and kayak.

Keep your belongings organized in a waterproof bag if you have one. The boat, beaches, and lagoon access points all create chances for items to get wet. Put your phone, passport, money, and dry clothing in one protected place before the first stop.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. People prone to seasickness should avoid this trip or speak with a medical professional about whether it is suitable. The activity is also not suitable for people with high blood pressure.

Who will get the most from this route

I would choose Tour A if you are visiting El Nido for the first time and want the area’s best-known sights in one day. It suits swimmers, beach lovers, photographers, and anyone happy to trade some independence for an organized route.

Families and mixed groups may appreciate the variety. One person can swim, another can sit on the beach, and another can use a kayak, although everyone still needs to follow the group’s schedule.

This is less suitable for anyone who needs quiet, precise timing, or a generous vegetarian meal. It is also a poor match if you are uncomfortable on boats or have health concerns linked to sea travel.

The overall customer rating is 4.3 from eight verified bookings, which points to a generally positive experience but not a flawless one. The praise centers on the crew’s care and the route itself. The main weaknesses are food, pickup coordination, and instructions at the stops.

Booking, cancellation, and practical flexibility

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you keep your plans flexible and pay nothing at the time of reservation.

The tour is offered in English, with a live guide. Starting times depend on availability, so check the available departure before booking rather than assuming a particular hour.

I would also confirm three points before the day begins: the hotel pickup, the exact lagoon route, and the meal options. Those questions address the most useful practical concerns without adding much effort.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

Book it if you want a budget-friendly introduction to El Nido’s lagoons and beaches, and you are comfortable with a full group day on the water. Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commando Beach give you a well-rounded route, while the included boat, guide, lunch, and water keep planning simple.

Go in with realistic expectations. The $27 price does not include all fees, lunch may be basic, and instructions may not always be as clear as you would like. Confirm pickup, carry cash, protect your belongings, and bring extra vegetarian food if needed.

For a first visit, I think the route is worth considering. Its value comes from seeing several major sights without arranging the boat and guide yourself. If you want a quieter or more polished day, ask about private alternatives before committing.

FAQ

How long is El Nido Tour A?

The activity lasts eight hours. Check the available starting times when booking.

What places are included?

The main highlights are Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Seven Commando Beach, and Shimizu Island. The tour information also refers to Small Lagoon and Secret Beach, so confirm the exact route before departure if those stops matter to you.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A packed lunch and bottled water for each person are included.

How much are the environmental and lagoon fees?

The environmental fee is PHP 200 per person and is valid for 10 days. The lagoon entrance fee is another PHP 200 per person.

Can I rent a kayak?

Yes. Kayak hire costs PHP 300 for two people. It is not included in the tour price.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a change of clothes, a sun hat, sunscreen, and your passport. You should also carry cash for the environmental fee, lagoon entrance fee, and optional kayak rental.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but you should ask for details about boat boarding and beach access. It is not suitable for people prone to seasickness or people with high blood pressure. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.