Small-Group El Nido Island Hopping Tour

El Nido Tour A packs some of Palawan’s most famous sights into one long day: Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, and Seven Commando Beach. The star is Big Lagoon, where dark limestone walls rise around calm green-blue water and the entrance starts shallow before the lagoon opens out.

I like the low price, $23.50 per person, and the fact that lunch, drinking water, a guide, boat transport, a life vest, and pickup within El Nido town proper are included. I also like the good mix of lagoon scenery, beach time, and snorkeling, though the shared boat can carry up to 25 people and these popular stops can feel crowded.

Key points to know before you book

• Big Lagoon is the main event: Allow about two hours for the tour’s most dramatic stop, with an admission fee charged separately.
• Five classic El Nido stops: You visit Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Seven Commando Beach, Shimizu Island, and Payong-Payong Beach.
• Lunch is included: Expect a picnic-style meal and drinking water, but bring your own towel.
• A budget shared tour: The boat is shared rather than private, with a maximum group size of 25.
• Extra costs matter: Lagoon and eco-tourism fees, snorkeling gear, kayak rental, and other optional items are not included.
• Plan your return: Pickup is offered within town proper, but you must arrange your own ride after the tour.

Why Tour A remains El Nido’s classic day out

Tour A works because it gives you several different views of El Nido in one outing. You get a large limestone lagoon, a small enclosed pool, a snorkeling stop, and two beaches. It is not a quiet private cruise. It is a practical way to see the area’s signature sights at a modest price.

The day runs for about seven hours, from roughly 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pickup is listed between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. within town proper, while the meeting information gives an 8:00 a.m. start time at Cafe Elena Suites on the first floor in Corong-Corong. I would confirm the exact pickup time and meeting point before setting out, since the published times differ.

The tour ends back at the meeting point. There is no hotel drop-off, so leave room in your plan for a short walk or a separate ride back to your accommodation. That small detail matters after a full day in the sun.

Big Lagoon: the two-hour centerpiece

Big Lagoon is the reason many people choose Tour A. Dark limestone cliffs form a huge natural bowl around water that shifts from shallow near the entrance to deeper green-blue tones farther inside. The scale is impressive, especially after the boat passes the narrow opening and the rock walls begin to dominate the view.

The stop is scheduled for about two hours, giving you more time here than at most other points. That makes sense. Big Lagoon is not a quick photo stop. You have time to look around, take pictures, and use a kayak if you choose to rent one.

The lagoon entrance is shallow, while the middle section is deeper. Your life vest is included, and the conditions make it important to follow the guide’s instructions. Kayak rental is extra, so ask about the cost before using one. The lagoon admission fee is also separate from the tour price.

The main drawback is popularity. Big Lagoon is one of El Nido’s best-known stops, and many operators visit the same places. You may find boats and people sharing the same striking view. If you want stillness and privacy, a private boat or a less famous route may suit you better. If you want the classic El Nido scene at a low price, this stop delivers.

Secret Lagoon: a small opening into stone

Secret Lagoon feels different from Big Lagoon. Instead of a large open body of water, you enter a small pool hidden inside unusual rock formations. The enclosed setting gives the stop a more intimate feel, though the opening and surrounding area can become busy when several boats arrive together.

You get about one hour here. That is enough for a look around without letting the stop take over the entire day. The entrance fee is listed as free, but your overall day still includes separate lagoon and eco-tourism charges, so do not assume every required local fee is covered by the $23.50 fare.

This is a good stop for people who enjoy unusual rock shapes and short, contained visits. You should wear footwear suited to wet conditions if you have it. Aqua shoes are available as an optional rental, but they are not included.

Seven Commando Beach: the relaxed beach break

Seven Commando Beach gives the schedule a welcome change of pace. You get white sand, turquoise water, coconut trees, and tall limestone around the shore. After the enclosed lagoons, this open beach feels easier and more relaxed.

The planned stop lasts about two hours, making it one of the longer breaks. You can spend that time on the sand, in the water, or simply under the palms. Bring your own towel, since towels are not provided.

The beach is attractive, but it is not a private island escape. Tour boats use the same route, so you may find other groups along the shore. That is the tradeoff with a shared day tour: you see the famous places efficiently, but you share them with other people.

Seven Commando is also where the value of the included lunch becomes clear. A picnic-style meal and drinking water are provided, so you do not need to organize a separate restaurant stop in the middle of the route. The exact menu is not specified, so bring any personal snacks or drinks you know you will want.

Shimizu Island: the best stop for snorkeling

Shimizu Island is described as a top snorkeling spot, with a clear-water beach backed by tall, dark limestone. The island gives you the chance to see a different side of El Nido, moving from rock formations and beaches to the water below.

About one hour is planned here. Snorkeling gear is not included, so you need to rent it separately or bring your own if permitted. The tour includes a life vest, but that is not the same as a mask and snorkel. Ask about gear rental before leaving the meeting point if seeing marine life is a priority.

I would rank Shimizu Island as especially useful for anyone who wants some water time but does not want the entire day focused on snorkeling. You get a scenic beach and a chance to look beneath the surface, then move on to another kind of setting.

Conditions can affect how much you see. The tour requires good weather, and the operator may offer another date or a full refund if poor weather forces cancellation. That policy is practical for a boat day, since sea conditions shape both comfort and visibility.

Payong-Payong Beach: a compact final beach stop

Payong-Payong Beach is a small white-sand beach on Miniloc Island. Rock formations surround it, creating a compact cove with a strong El Nido look. The stop lasts about one hour, so think of it as a short scenic break rather than a long beach day.

This beach works well late in the route because it offers another chance to get off the boat and stretch your legs. It also gives you a different scale from Seven Commando. Seven Commando feels more open, while Payong-Payong is smaller and more enclosed by stone.

The small size can also be the limitation. If several groups arrive at once, the beach may feel full. Still, the setting is worth seeing, especially if you want photographs of white sand framed by steep rock.

What the $23.50 price really covers

At $23.50 per person, this is a low-cost way to reach several famous El Nido sites. The included boat transfer, picnic lunch, drinking water, licensed guide, life vest, and free pickup add real value. Arranging a boat and guide separately would usually be less simple, even before adding food and transport.

You need to budget beyond the headline price. The lagoon fee and Eco Tourism Development Fee are not included. Snorkeling gear, kayak rental, and aqua shoes also cost extra, and the listing does not state the amounts.

That does not make the tour poor value. It means you should compare the final cost, not just the base fare. A cheap shared boat becomes a better deal when you want the standard route and do not need private service. It becomes less attractive if you plan to rent several pieces of equipment or prefer a quiet boat with your own schedule.

The group limit is 25 people. That is smaller than a large public cruise, but it is still enough people to affect boarding, beach space, and the timing of each stop. One practical comment from the experience is worth keeping in mind: the crew worked hard and was friendly, but the start had some disorganization. I would arrive ready for a flexible morning rather than expecting clockwork precision.

Pickup, meeting point, and the return plan

Pickup is free within El Nido town proper. The stated meeting point is Cafe Elena Suites, 1st Floor, Barangay Corong-Corong, El Nido. The experience is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying outside the free pickup area.

Because the information gives both an 8:00 a.m. start and an 8:30 to 9:00 a.m. pickup window, contact Sia Travels with your hotel name before the day. The operator specifically asks where you are staying. This is the easiest way to avoid standing at the wrong place or waiting at the wrong time.

After the island hopping, you return to the meeting point. You do not get a hotel transfer. If your accommodation is not nearby, arrange your own ride in advance, especially if you have dinner plans or another booking.

The mobile ticket is convenient, and confirmation is received at booking. Most people can take part, but this remains a boat-based outdoor activity with wet conditions, sun, and uneven access around lagoons and beaches. Use sensible footwear and carry only what you can keep secure.

How to prepare for the seven-hour boat day

Pack light. Your most useful items are a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, a hat, waterproof protection for your phone, and some cash for fees or rentals. The operator supplies drinking water, but personal snacks may still be useful.

Aqua shoes can help at wet entries and rocky areas. They are optional, not part of the included package. Snorkeling gear and kayaks also cost extra, so decide ahead of time what you actually want to use.

Keep your expectations clear about lunch. It is picnic style, with drinking water included. That is convenient and keeps the boat moving, but it is not a restaurant meal with a choice of dishes.

The shared format rewards a cooperative attitude. You may have to wait for others to board, share the best photo spots, or accept that a popular beach is not empty. The good side is that the price stays low and the guide handles the main route.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would recommend this tour to a first-time visitor who wants to see El Nido’s famous Tour A sites without paying for a private boat. It also suits budget-minded couples, small groups of friends, and solo visitors who prefer an organized day rather than arranging every stop themselves.

It is a good fit if you want variety. Big Lagoon provides the grand scenery, Secret Lagoon offers a close-up rock setting, Shimizu Island brings snorkeling, and the two beaches add time on sand and in the water.

I would hesitate to recommend it if your top priority is solitude, total flexibility, or a relaxed private schedule. All the main operators use the same popular destinations, so changing operators may not change the crowds. It may also be a poor fit if you need hotel drop-off or want all local fees and equipment bundled into one payment.

The strong rating of 4.9 from nine ratings points to a well-liked experience, but the small number of ratings means I would still pay attention to the practical limits: shared groups, possible morning confusion, extra fees, and no return transfer.

Should you book this El Nido island hopping day?

Book it if you want the classic El Nido sights for a modest starting price and you are comfortable sharing the boat. Big Lagoon and the mix of five stops give you plenty for a seven-hour outing, while lunch, water, a life vest, guide, boat, and pickup cover the basics.

Before paying, confirm your pickup time, tell Sia Travels where you are staying, and set aside money for the lagoon fee, eco-tourism fee, and any gear. Bring a towel and plan your own ride after the tour.

Skip it in favor of a private arrangement if quiet beaches and control over the schedule matter more than price. For most first-time visitors on a budget, though, this is a practical introduction to El Nido’s famous island scenery, with enough beach and snorkeling time to keep the day from feeling like one long boat ride.

FAQ

How long does the El Nido island hopping tour last?

The island hopping portion runs for about seven hours, from approximately 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Which places does the tour visit?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

Free pickup is offered within El Nido town proper. You should provide the name of your hotel and confirm the exact pickup time.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic-style lunch and drinking water are included.

Are lagoon fees and snorkeling equipment included?

No. Lagoon fees, the Eco Tourism Development Fee, snorkeling gear, kayak rental, and aqua shoes are not included. A towel is also not provided.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can be offered another date or receive a full refund. Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time.