El Nido: Island Hopping TOUR A with Lunch, Transfer & EDTF

Some days in El Nido feel like a postcard.

This island-hopping day brings you to the Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon on Miniloc Island, plus top beach time like Seven Commandos. I especially love the mix of calm lagoon water and real snorkeling opportunities with coral, and I like that you also get unhurried beach breaks for photos and swimming.

My second favorite part is the structure. You get a full, easy rhythm: a longer photo visit, a lagoon swim stop, a Shimizu Island lunch moment in the shade, then more swim-and-kayak options at two more beaches.

One thing to consider: pickup can be a problem if your hotel is outside El Nido Town Proper, and you may end up handling transport details yourself.

Key things I’d circle before you go

• Big Lagoon hour for photos and swimming on Miniloc Island limestone cliffs and bright water.
• Secret Lagoon access through a rocky cave-like passage, where your head and the tide matter.
• Shimizu Island lunch with shade and a swim stop tied to a fun local diver legend.
• Seven Commandos Beach time with a long white-sand stretch and coconut shade.
• Payong Payong Beach for relaxing snorkeling with gentle water and lots of fish.
• Life vests and included lagoon and environment fees, so fewer surprises on the day.

Why El Nido Tour A is such a smart pick

El Nido island hopping works best when you balance “wow” stops with time that actually feels like vacation. Tour A nails that balance for most people because it mixes lagoons, beaches, and one proper lunch break. You’re not spending the day trapped in a single area, but you also aren’t constantly rushing between far-flung spots.

The tour is built around Bacuit Bay beauty: limestone cliffs, pocket lagoons, and beaches where the water looks clear enough to spot fish fast. It’s the kind of day where you can spend your time doing what you want, whether that’s snorkeling, kayaking, or just lying back on sand while the sun does its thing.

And yes, if conditions are right, you might spot sea turtles while snorkeling. Even if you do not, the coral and fish life you’ll see makes the snorkeling time worthwhile.

Price and what you’re really paying for

At $50 per person for an 8-hour outing, you’re paying for more than the boat. The price includes the big essentials that tend to add up in El Nido: roundtrip motorized boat, the guide fee, the lagoon fee and environment fee, island lunch, and drinking water.

You also get roundtrip transfer to the port, but only if you’re within El Nido Town Proper. If you’re staying outside town proper, that’s when the “cheap tour” can stop feeling cheap, because you may need to arrange your own transport.

What is not included is equally important for budgeting. Snorkeling mask, fins, and aqua, plus kayak, are listed as not included. That means you should either bring your own snorkeling gear or plan for rentals. If you want to kayak, you may need to pay extra on-site.

If you travel like most people, the best value part of this tour is that the lagoon and environment fees are handled for you. In a place where rules and access can change, paying those up front makes the day simpler.

Pickup, transfers, and how to avoid a day-of headache

This tour includes transfer within El Nido Town Proper only. After you book, you’ll get pickup confirmation by email, with pickup details sent as a reminder two days before the trip. On the day, you wait in your hotel lobby and the driver shows up holding a sign with your name.

Here’s the practical advice I’d give you: if your hotel is outside town proper, don’t assume “pickup” means the same thing everywhere. In the real world, that’s where confusion can happen, especially if your pickup location isn’t straightforward.

To protect your day, I suggest you do two things:

• Confirm the exact pickup point address and how they expect you to get there if you’re outside town proper.
• Screenshot the pickup message and check it again the day before.

Once you’re on the boat, the tour generally runs like a planned circuit. But the start of the day is where details matter most.

Big Lagoon on Miniloc Island, your first real taste of the scenery

Your first major stop is the Big Lagoon on Miniloc Island. You get about an hour that mixes a photo stop with a visit, plus time you can use for lagoon time depending on the flow that day.

What makes Big Lagoon so compelling is the setting. You’re surrounded by tall limestone cliffs that frame calm water and that bright, postcard-blue look. It’s the kind of place where your camera battery disappears fast, because every angle looks good.

This is also where the tour sets expectations for snorkeling and water time. If you came to El Nido for marine life, Big Lagoon gives you a strong start. You can keep it relaxed too, because the stop has a photo-and-visit rhythm rather than a forced “one activity only” schedule.

The only drawback here is the usual one for popular lagoons: it can feel crowded at peak moments. If you want the stillest photos, keep your timing flexible and aim for early in the hour when possible.

Secret Lagoon, the rocky passage, and the tide you can’t ignore

The Secret Lagoon, also called the Hidden Lagoon, is the stop many people wait for. It’s a natural pool behind towering limestone cliffs on Miniloc Island, and the route to get there adds to the story.

How it works: your boat docks near a white sand beach on the southern end of Miniloc Island. Then you step off the boat and move through a rocky, cave-like passage to reach the lagoon. The tour notes you should be mindful of your head, especially when the tide is high.

At low tide, you can wade into the entrance more easily. At higher tide, the walk can feel tighter underfoot and above. This is exactly why water shoes can make a difference. If you’re wearing flip-flops only, you might feel it when the ground gets slippery.

Inside the lagoon, you’ll have time for swimming and kayaking. Even if you skip kayaking, the lagoon itself is the point. It’s one of those places where you stop and just watch the water and cliffs for a while, because the scale is hard to describe and easy to understand once you’re there.

Practical tip for you: pack your snorkeling gear so you can go straight from the passage to the water. Also, keep your towel ready for quick drying, because you’ll likely move wet-to-more-wet during the day.

Shimizu Island lunch, shade, and spotting fish

Next you head to Shimizu Island, one of the Bacuit Bay islands known for a clean white sand beach and marine life. This stop is also built for a break, and it’s where lunch happens.

You’ll get time for a photo stop, a lunch break, and swimming. Lunch in a spot like this matters more than people think. It breaks the “continuous water time” cycle and gives you a moment to reset in the shade of tall limestone cliffs, depending on where you’re positioned.

Shimizu Island has a local legend tied to scuba diver Shimizu, whose remains were found after he disappeared exploring underwater tunnels nearby. It’s the kind of story that makes the snorkeling feel more meaningful, even if you’re just focused on the next fish you see.

The snorkeling here is a big reason the stop gets attention. The water clarity and coral-adjacent fish can make it feel like a living aquarium. If you’ve never snorkeled before, this is still a friendly place to try, since the island stop is timed so you’re not rushing.

One thing I’d watch: since snorkeling mask and fins are not included, bring your own if you have it. If you don’t, plan to borrow or rent, and don’t wait until the last second when you’re already on the beach.

Seven Commandos Beach and Payong Payong: two ways to do beach time

After Shimizu, your day turns more beach-forward with two more stops: Seven Commandos Beach and Payong Payong Beach.

Seven Commandos Beach

Seven Commandos Beach is famous for a long stretch of white sand, about 320 meters, surrounded by coconut trees and tall limestone cliffs. The tour includes time to visit and swim, with kayaking listed again as part of the stop options.

This is a great place for your “just relax” phase. You can swim, wade, and float, but it’s also a solid spot for photos because the beach and cliffs frame everything.

If you’re the type who gets bored with only snorkeling, this stop helps. It’s more open beach time than some of the lagoon areas, which means you can move at your own pace.

Payong Payong Beach

Then you land at Payong Payong Beach, also on the southern side of Miniloc Island. It’s known for its cliffs, interesting rocks, and shady trees. The water is described as clear and good for snorkeling, with fish and coral.

This stop feels like the tour’s “calm down” moment. Even though it’s part of a tour circuit, it’s designed so you can slow your pace: swim when you want, take photos, and enjoy the quiet between water moves.

A small note from the tour description: there are no sports or activities here. So if your idea of island hopping includes a packed agenda, you might want to adjust expectations. If your goal is relaxation with swims and snorkeling, this stop fits perfectly.

Snorkeling and kayaking: what you should expect, and what to bring

The tour encourages water time at multiple stops. Snorkeling is part of the experience, and kayaking shows up as an option at Secret Lagoon and Seven Commandos Beach. The key practical detail is that snorkeling mask, fins, and aqua are not included, and kayak is not included.

That means you should treat this like a water day where your comfort depends on what you pack.

Here’s what to bring based on the tour requirements:

• Swimwear and beachwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen, ideally biodegradable
• Sun hat or hat plus maybe a headscarf
• Flip-flops for on-land movement
• Hand sanitizer or tissues
• Snorkeling gear (bring it if you can)

I’ll add my own practical upgrade: water shoes. Secret Lagoon includes a rocky passage where slippery spots are possible. Water shoes also help when beaches are sandy but strewn with rocks near the shore.

On the safety side, the boat provides life vests. That’s a good baseline for a day spent moving between islands and swimming in saltwater.

Also, the tour has a clear rule: no alcohol and drugs. Plan for a regular water-filled day, not a party day.

What the day feels like in real time

This is an 8-hour outing, and the schedule flows in stops rather than strict minute-by-minute action. You’ll likely spend time switching modes: boat to beach, beach to lagoon, lagoon to lunch, lunch back to water.

Big Lagoon is a photo-and-visit start, then Secret Lagoon is more physical with that rocky passage before you reach the lagoon. Shimizu Island brings you the lunch break and a calmer pace. Seven Commandos and Payong Payong add more open water and beach time.

The “hop-on hop-off” style timing at some stops is also useful. It means you’re not forced into one tight activity, so if you want to skip kayaking one stop and focus on snorkeling or photos, you can.

Who should book this tour, and who should skip it

This tour is described as suitable for children, seniors, and people with disabilities, aiming for a secure and fully accessible experience. In practice, lagoon days always require some walking and some stepping in and out of water, and Secret Lagoon’s cave-like passage means you should be honest with yourself about mobility and footing.

If you’re pregnant, the tour is not suitable. If you’re over 95 years, it’s also not for you.

For everyone else, I think it’s a strong choice if you want:

• classic El Nido lagoon highlights in one day
• real time to snorkel for coral and fish
• a proper lunch stop instead of just a snack
• a schedule that mixes photos, swimming, and relaxation

If you’re someone who already knows you love kayaking, remember the kayak is not included. You’ll want to budget for it or plan gear in advance.

Should you book El Nido Tour A with lunch, transfer, and fees?

If you want an efficient, iconic El Nido day, I’d say yes, with two conditions.

Book if you:

• stay in El Nido Town Proper, so transfer is truly included
• pack snorkeling gear (since mask and fins are not included)
• want the Big Lagoon plus Secret Lagoon combo, then beach time after lunch

Think twice or get extra clarity if:

• your hotel is outside town proper, because you may need to coordinate transport yourself
• you hate uncertainty around rentals, since snorkeling gear and kayaks are not included

Bottom line: for the price, the inclusion of boat transport, lunch, and key fees makes it a good value. Just do your homework on pickup location and gear so the day stays focused on lagoons, beaches, and the water you came for.

FAQ

Is pickup included for hotels outside El Nido Town Proper?

Roundtrip transfer to the port is included only within El Nido Town Proper ONLY. Transfer is not included if your hotel is not in town proper.

What’s included in the tour price?

It includes roundtrip transfer to the port (within El Nido Town Proper only), island lunch, drinking water, lagoon fee, environment fee, roundtrip motorized boat, life vest on board, and guide fee.

Does the tour include snorkeling mask, fins, or a kayak?

No. Snorkeling mask, fins, aqua, and kayak are listed as not included.

Where and when is lunch included?

Lunch is included during the Shimizu Island stop, which includes a break time, photo stop, lunch, and swimming.

How long is the tour?

The duration is 8 hours.

Are alcohol or drugs allowed on the tour?

No. Alcohol and drugs are listed as not allowed.

Is this tour suitable for pregnant women?

No. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women. It is also not suitable for people over 95 years old.