El Nido Tour A – Group w/ Buffet Lunch

Big Lagoon is the star of this day. You glide through a narrow channel of brilliant blue water, with dark limestone cliffs rising on both sides. I like that the tour also includes five very different stops, from a famous lagoon to a palm-fringed beach, and that the crew often helps with photos, timing, and getting in and out of the boat.

The buffet lunch is another strong point, especially for a shared tour at this price. Local food is served during the island stops, and guides such as Albert, Ramon, and Willy have been praised for being friendly, careful, and helpful. The catch is simple: this is a busy group tour, and queues, shared kayaks, boat loading, and limited time at each stop can test your patience.

Key points to know before booking

• Big Lagoon is the main event: Expect striking blue water, steep limestone walls, and the option to explore by kayak for an added fee.
• Five stops fill seven to eight hours: You visit Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, Secret Lagoon, and Seven Commando Beach.
• The group can reach 50 people: That keeps the price down, but it also means waiting at popular sites and sharing the boat with a large crowd.
• Lunch is included, but the setting may vary: It is described as a beach lunch, though the boat may be used as the eating area depending on conditions and timing.
• Bring water shoes and a dry bag: Boarding can involve walking through seawater, and some beach landings require crossing rocks or shallow water.
• The crew is a major part of the experience: Albert, Ramon, Willy, and other staff have received strong praise for safety, photos, flexibility, and help with older family members.

Why Tour A remains El Nido’s classic introduction

Tour A works because it packs several of El Nido’s best-known sights into one day. You get lagoons, beaches, limestone cliffs, swimming areas, a meal, and time on the open water without arranging a private boat.

At $44.95 per person, the price is attractive for a seven to eight hour outing. The package includes lunch, town pickup, the lagoon entrance fee listed at P200 per person, and the environmental fee listed at P400 per person, valid for 14 days. Mask and snorkel rental costs P100 per set, and a kayak costs P400 for two people.

That is good value if you want to see the headline sights without paying private-tour prices. You are paying for convenience and access, not quiet beaches or a custom schedule.

The group limit is listed as 50 people. That is not a small boat experience. Several boats may arrive at the same stop, and the popular sites can feel like a queue at a theme-park ride. Still, the crew may adjust the order of stops to reduce some congestion, and that kind of flexibility can make a noticeable difference.

The advertised start time is 9:00 a.m. The full outing generally runs about seven to eight hours, although one schedule described a return to El Nido around 4:45 p.m. Plan on most of your day being committed.

Big Lagoon: the reason to choose Tour A

Big Lagoon is reached through a narrow waterway surrounded by tall, dark limestone cliffs. The water has the intense blue color people associate with El Nido, and the enclosed shape gives the stop a dramatic, almost theatrical feel.

You can see the lagoon from the boat, but kayaking makes the experience more active. The extra kayak charge is P400 for two people, so it is not an unreasonable add-on if you want to paddle into the quieter corners. The tour description specifically presents kayaking as part of the appeal, but the rental is not included in the base price.

The lagoon entrance fee is listed at P200 per person and included in the package information. Because the wording about fees can vary between operators, I would confirm at booking exactly which charges are covered and which may be collected locally.

Big Lagoon is also where crowding matters most. The scenery is powerful, but you may wait for a kayak, queue to enter, or share the water with many other boats. If you want photographs without people in every frame, be ready to use patience rather than expecting solitude.

Shimizu Island: lunch, water, and a welcome pause

Shimizu Island is used as the main lunch stop. It is also a good place to sit back, look across the limestone formations, and get into the water if conditions allow.

The meal is described as a buffet with local food. Several parts of the experience praise the lunch for its variety and taste, while one account found the quantity disappointing. Another practical wrinkle is the location: the tour is promoted as lunch on the beach, but some outings have served the meal on the boat.

That difference matters if you picture a relaxed picnic under the palms. You may instead eat aboard the vessel, depending on where the boat can anchor and how the day is running. Treat the lunch as a useful included meal, not as a guaranteed beach banquet.

Snorkeling equipment is not included. A mask and snorkel cost P100 per set. The tour information highlights snorkeling around Shimizu Island and turtles, but other descriptions indicate that snorkeling is not always the central activity at every stop. Bring your own expectations down to earth: this is an island-hopping circuit first, not a dedicated snorkeling trip.

The stop lasts around an hour and a half in the planned schedule. In practice, that time includes eating, moving around, swimming, and boarding again.

Payong-Payong Beach: beautiful water with a tricky landing

Payong-Payong Beach offers white sand, clear water, and limestone cliffs close to shore. It is a classic El Nido scene, and the contrast between the pale beach and dark rock makes this a good place for photographs.

The landing may be less simple than it looks. Some people have had to walk through the water and across large rocks for more than 50 feet to reach shore. That can be awkward, especially while carrying a phone, camera, towel, or bag.

This is why I would pack water shoes rather than ordinary sandals. A waterproof bag is just as useful. You may need to wade between the boat and beach several times during the day, and keeping your belongings dry is your responsibility.

The planned stop is about 90 minutes, but group tours run on a shared clock. You may have enough time for a swim and a look around, but not an extended beach afternoon.

Secret Lagoon: a short entrance and a big crowd

Secret Lagoon is entered through a small cave. The passage is part of the attraction, though it can also create a bottleneck when several boats arrive together.

Once inside, the enclosed lagoon gives you a change from the open beach stops. The setting is compact, so the experience is more about passing through the cave and seeing the rock formation than spreading out in a large swimming area.

The stop is listed as free admission, while the general lagoon entrance fee is separately listed as included in the package. Again, check the precise fee arrangement when you reserve, since the information distinguishes between individual site admission and the environmental fee.

Secret Lagoon is one of the places where timing matters. A guide may adjust the order of the day to avoid the worst congestion, but there is no promise of an empty entrance. Expect to wait if the cave is busy, and take care when stepping through the shallow water.

Seven Commando Beach: palm trees, a bar, and the busiest finish

Seven Commando Beach has white sand, turquoise water, palms, rock formations, and a beach bar. It is an easy stop to understand: sit on the sand, swim, take photographs, and enjoy one last look at the island scenery.

It is also the stop most likely to divide opinion. Some people appreciate the calm beach setting and the chance to relax. Others find it crowded and feel the stop is unnecessary, especially when loading and unloading the boat takes time.

If the boat arrives with several other groups, the beach can feel tight. The bar is useful if you want a drink, but drinks such as water and soda are not included in the tour price. Bring extra cash for purchases.

The planned stay is about 90 minutes. If you would rather have more time at Big Lagoon or Shimizu Island, a shared itinerary leaves little room to negotiate. This final stop is part of the fixed route, so consider it a pleasant bonus rather than the main reason to book.

What the crew does well

The crew is one of the strongest reasons to consider this particular group outing. Albert and Ramon are praised for friendly service, while Willy is described as attentive to the schedule and the needs of people on board.

Safety also comes up often. Staff help people get into and out of the boat, and that matters because boarding may involve a ladder, seawater, or an uneven landing. People traveling with elderly parents have found the crew accommodating when family members could not take part in every activity.

The guides may also help with photographs and videos. One guide was especially willing to take photos and videos, including short social-media clips. That is a small service, but it saves you from choosing between enjoying the view and trying to record it.

There are limits. One account felt the boat driver needed more experience when parking at stops. On a group boat, loading and unloading can also be slow. You should listen carefully to crew instructions and allow extra time when moving between the boat, rocks, and shore.

The real cost of a low-priced group tour

The $44.95 price makes Tour A appealing, but the value depends on what you want from El Nido.

You receive a full day of transport by boat, five major stops, lunch, town pickup, and listed environmental and lagoon fees. Renting a kayak for two people adds P400, while mask and snorkel rental adds P100 per set. Drinks cost extra, and pickup outside El Nido Town may require another charge.

A private boat costs more, but it can change the character of the day. You may avoid some waiting and have more say over the order and length of stops. One account strongly preferred a private Tour C after finding the shared experience slow and crowded.

I would not call the group option poor value. I would call it a budget tradeoff. You save money by sharing the boat, and you give up space, privacy, and some control over timing.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Wear a swimsuit under your clothes. The boat may require you to walk through seawater, and one particularly negative experience came from not being warned clearly enough about repeated water crossings.

Pack:

• Water shoes for rocky or shallow landings
• A waterproof bag for phones, cameras, and dry clothes
• Cash for drinks and optional rentals
• A towel and sun protection
• Your own mask and snorkel if you prefer better-fitting equipment

Town pickup is offered only within El Nido Town at no extra charge. Pickup outside town may cost more. The tour is near public transportation, service animals are allowed, and most people can participate, but the boarding and beach landings require care.

Weather is important. The tour requires good conditions, and a cancellation caused by poor weather may result in a new date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made later are not accepted for a refund.

Who should book El Nido Tour A

I would choose this tour if you are visiting El Nido for the first time, want to see the famous sights, and prefer a clear all-day plan. It suits couples, families, and budget-minded people who value a helpful crew and included lunch more than quiet beaches.

It can also work well for older family members if they can manage the boat boarding with crew assistance. The staff have shown care toward people who needed extra help, but you should still consider your own mobility before booking.

I would think twice if crowds frustrate you, if you need long stretches of quiet, or if you want a serious snorkeling day. You should also consider a private boat if your budget allows and your main goal is to control the route.

Should you book it?

Book El Nido Tour A if Big Lagoon is high on your list and you want five major sights for a reasonable price. The scenery is the star, the crew can be excellent, and the included meal and fees make planning easy.

Skip it in favor of a private trip if you dislike queues, crowded beaches, or fixed stop times. If you do book, bring water shoes, protect your belongings, confirm the fee details, and treat the day as a busy shared adventure rather than a private escape.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour A last?

The tour lasts approximately seven to eight hours. The advertised start time is 9:00 a.m.

Which stops are included?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch is included. The tour describes it as lunch on the beach, though the meal may be served on the boat depending on the outing.

Is pickup included?

Free pickup is offered within El Nido Town only. Pickup outside El Nido Town may involve an additional charge.

Is kayaking included?

No. Kayaking costs P400 per kayak, and one kayak is suitable for two people.

Are mask and snorkel included?

No. Mask and snorkel rental costs P100 per set.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks such as water and soda are not included.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 50 people.

Is the environmental fee included?

The tour information lists an environmental fee of P400 per person, valid for 14 days, as included. It also lists the P200 lagoon entrance fee as included. Confirm the exact fee arrangement when booking.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. If poor weather causes the tour to be canceled, you are offered another date or a full refund.