Shared El Nido Tour A

El Nido Tour A packs Palawan’s famous lagoons, beaches, and snorkeling into one long boat day. You move between Secret Lagoon and Big Lagoon, then stop for lunch and water time at places such as Shimizu Island and Payong-Payong Beach.

I like the easy price of $24 and the fact that lunch, a licensed English-speaking guide, crew, boat transfers, and a life vest are included. I also like the mix of activities: you can swim, snorkel, kayak, or simply enjoy the scenery from the boat. The main concern is timing. The boat may not leave exactly at the scheduled hour, and a full boat can make the ride less comfortable.

Key points to know before booking

• Five famous El Nido stops: The route covers Secret Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, and Seven Commando Beach, though the order and exact stops can change with weather and local conditions.
• The base price is only part of the cost: Add ₱400 for the environmental fee and ₱200 for Big Lagoon, then budget for snorkel gear, kayak hire, and transport to the meeting point.
• Meet near the wharf: Registration takes place at Mabuhay Sports Bar, a short walk from the El Nido wharf area.
• Expect a 6 to 7 hour day: Meet between 8:30 AM and 9:00 AM, then return to Mabuhay Sports Bar later in the afternoon.
• The boat can feel crowded: A past booking recorded a boat filled very tightly, while another reported a delay of about 80 minutes before departure.
• Weather can change the route: During the rainy season, the operator may send the boat to alternative destinations or use another tour plan for safety.

What the $24 price really covers

At $24 per person, this is an inexpensive way to reach several of El Nido’s best-known coastal sights in one day. The value is strongest if you want transport and a basic organized schedule without hiring a private boat.

The included package covers lunch, boat transfers, the boat crew, a licensed tour guide, and a life vest. That matters in El Nido, where arranging each part separately can take time and may cost more than expected.

Still, do not treat $24 as the final bill. You must pay an environmental fee of ₱400 per person and a Big Lagoon entrance fee of ₱200. Kayaks, snorkel equipment, and other water gear are also extra. You will need to arrange and pay for a tricycle if you are not already near Mabuhay Sports Bar.

The practical way to read the price is this: the tour gives you a low-cost seat on a shared boat, not an all-inclusive day. It is good value for an active visitor who already has some equipment or does not mind paying small add-ons. It is less attractive if you want privacy, a quiet boat, or a fixed schedule.

Starting at Mabuhay Sports Bar near the wharf

Your day begins at Mabuhay Sports Bar, only a few minutes on foot from the El Nido wharf area. This is not simply a casual meeting point. The operator uses it for registration, document checks, and group assignments before you board.

Bring an ID card. A copy is accepted, according to the tour information. The team handles verification before the coast guard documentation process, then assigns you to a boat with other members of the group.

The stated meeting window is 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM. Arrive early enough to complete the paperwork without rushing. The departure time may not be as exact as the schedule suggests. One booking recorded a delay of about 80 minutes, and another complained about waiting for late arrivals despite a planned 9:00 AM departure.

That makes an early start useful, but it also means you should not schedule an important afternoon flight or another tight appointment immediately after the tour. The advertised duration is 6 to 7 hours, yet shared boat operations can add waiting time.

Secret Lagoon, a short route with a big payoff

Secret Lagoon is usually the first major stop listed for the route. The appeal is the change from open sea to a smaller enclosed water area reached through a limestone opening. The setting gives you a chance to see one of El Nido’s distinctive coastal formations at close range.

The planned activities include guided sightseeing, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and marine life viewing. You can choose how active you want to be. If you prefer a slower pace, stay close to the boat and take in the rock walls. If conditions allow, use the water time for a swim or snorkel.

The drawback is space and access. Secret Lagoon is a popular stop, and the route does not promise a private visit. You might find the approach or swimming area busy, especially when several shared boats arrive around the same time.

Bring only what you need. Large bags are not allowed, and valuables are specifically discouraged. A dry bag or small waterproof pouch is sensible if you need to carry a phone, though the tour does not list one as included.

Big Lagoon, the day’s main visual prize

Big Lagoon is the signature stop on Tour A. Its scale makes it different from Secret Lagoon, with dramatic rock formations and a broad body of water that gives the boat route its most memorable views.

The schedule allows guided sightseeing, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and scenic views along the way. Kayaking is an important detail here because it lets you move at a slower pace and look around without relying only on the boat ride. Kayak rental is not included, so ask about the current cost before committing.

The separate Big Lagoon entrance charge is ₱200 per person. That fee comes on top of the ₱400 environmental fee. Since Big Lagoon is one of the main reasons to choose Tour A, this extra cost is easy to justify, but it should be part of your budget from the start.

Do not expect the entire stop to feel quiet. A shared tour brings other boats and groups into the same famous area. The value comes from seeing the lagoon as part of a full route, not from having a private viewpoint.

Shimizu Island, lunch with time in the water

Shimizu Island is the planned meal stop, with lunch served onboard and time set aside for a break. Eating beside the Palawan coast is one of the pleasant parts of the day, especially after the earlier lagoon stops.

The food details are not specified, so do not book this expecting a particular menu. The useful point is convenience: lunch is included, and you do not need to leave the route to find a restaurant. The scenery does much of the work.

Shimizu also includes swimming and snorkeling. This gives you a chance to reset after the more sightseeing-focused lagoon visits. If you want to use a mask and snorkel, remember that rental equipment costs extra. The boat provides a life vest, but that is not the same as providing personal snorkeling gear.

Lunch timing can affect your day. Shared tours need to coordinate several people, so this is not a private picnic with a timetable designed around you. Treat the meal as a practical stop with a good setting rather than a culinary event.

Payong-Payong Beach and the quieter side of the route

Payong-Payong Beach is listed as another guided sightseeing and water-activity stop. You can swim, snorkel, and take in the coastal views. Its role in the day is less about one famous attraction and more about giving you another place to get into the water.

This variety is a real strength of Tour A. You are not spending the entire day on a boat or repeating the same type of stop. Lagoons provide enclosed scenery, while beaches offer open swimming areas and a chance to relax.

The schedule also includes another break with guided sightseeing, swimming, and snorkeling. The available details do not identify that stop by name. Seven Commando Beach is included among the tour’s named destinations, but actual order and stop timing can vary. Weather, boat traffic, and local availability may change how much time you receive at each place.

That flexibility is normal for island-hopping in El Nido. You should choose this tour for the general collection of places and activities, not because every minute at every beach is guaranteed.

Snorkeling, kayaking, and what you need to bring

The tour is built for water time. Swimming and snorkeling appear at several stops, and kayaking is offered where conditions and rentals allow. You can take part in everything, choose only one activity, or spend more time sightseeing.

The life vest is included. Snorkel gear and kayaks are not. If you own a comfortable mask, bringing it may be worthwhile, though the supplied information does not specify whether personal equipment is restricted. Ask the operator at registration if you plan to bring your own.

Wear practical clothes and footwear for a boat day. High heels are not allowed. Large bags, glass objects, plastic bottles, surfboards, bikes, scooters, skates, and several bulky mobility devices are also prohibited. Alcohol, drugs, weapons, sharp objects, fireworks, and anything that could create a fire hazard are banned.

The rules may sound long, but they reflect limited boat space and marine protection concerns. Pack light, protect your phone, and keep your hands free for boarding and moving around the boat.

Shared boat comfort and departure delays

The biggest issue here is not the scenery. It is the shared-boat setup. One booking described the vessel as packed so tightly that there was barely room to move. Another reported crew members smoking despite the boat being described as non-smoking, with the smell becoming unpleasant.

Those are serious considerations if you want comfort. The supplied information does not state the maximum group size, boat type, or seating arrangement, so you cannot assume a roomy vessel. Ask about the boat capacity if that matters to you.

Departure delays are another practical risk. A scheduled 9:00 AM start may become a later departure if people arrive late or if the operator needs more time for dispatch. This is common enough on shared excursions that I would leave your evening open.

The strongest praise connected with the experience is the sightseeing itself. That makes sense. El Nido’s lagoons and beaches are the reason to accept some basic transport hassles. Go in expecting a group excursion, not a polished private cruise.

Who will get the most from this day

I would choose this tour if you have one free day in El Nido and want to see several major places without arranging a private boat. It suits swimmers, snorkelers, casual photographers, and people who like having lunch and transport handled in one package.

It also works for budget-minded visitors. The low starting price keeps the day accessible, and the included guide, crew, boat, life vest, and lunch cover the basics.

I would think twice if you are prone to seasickness. The tour spends much of the day on a boat, and the activity is specifically marked as unsuitable for people prone to seasickness or those with certain pre-existing medical conditions.

It is also not suitable for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, or people with visual impairments. Non-folding wheelchairs and strollers are not allowed, and several mobility devices are listed among the prohibited items. Unaccompanied minors are not accepted, and the tour is not suitable for people over 95.

Weather, cancellations, and sensible planning

Rainy-season conditions can change the route. The operator may send the boat to alternative destinations or use different tour options based on weather and availability. This protects safety, but it means the named stops are not an absolute guarantee.

The booking terms allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if your El Nido plans may shift.

That flexibility is useful, but it does not remove the need for a buffer around the tour. Put your most flexible day here. Do not connect it to a flight, ferry, or paid activity with a strict start time unless you can afford a delay.

The tour is valid for one day, with availability and starting times checked at booking. The guide language is English.

Final verdict: book it for sights, not polish

I would book Shared El Nido Tour A if your priority is seeing Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and several beaches at a modest starting price. The combination of famous scenery and repeated water stops gives you a full day with plenty to do, and lunch plus basic boat services keep the planning simple.

I would not choose it if you need a roomy boat, exact departure times, a smoke-free experience you can count on, or a quiet trip with personal space. The extra ₱600 in required environmental and Big Lagoon fees also changes the real cost, before gear and local transport.

Pack light, arrive early at Mabuhay Sports Bar, bring ID, and keep your schedule open afterward. If you accept the shared-boat compromises, Tour A offers a practical introduction to El Nido’s best-known island scenery.

FAQ

How long does Shared El Nido Tour A last?

The tour typically lasts 6 to 7 hours. The meeting window is between 8:30 AM and 9:00 AM, with the boat returning to Mabuhay Sports Bar.

Where is the meeting point?

You must go to Mabuhay Sports Bar, located a few minutes on foot from the El Nido wharf area. Registration, document checks, and boat assignments take place there.

What locations are included?

The named destinations are Secret Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, and Seven Commando Beach. The order and exact stops may change due to weather and availability.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and is served onboard at Shimizu Island or during the planned meal stop.

Are snorkeling equipment and kayaks included?

No. Snorkeling gear, kayaks, and other aqua equipment are available at an additional cost.

What additional fees must I pay?

You must pay an environmental fee of ₱400 per person and a Big Lagoon entrance fee of ₱200 per person for Tour A. Tricycle fare to Mabuhay Sports Bar is also excluded.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments?

No. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. It is also not recommended for people with visual impairments, seasickness, or certain pre-existing medical conditions.