El Nido Island Tour A

Limestone cliffs and clear lagoons are the reason people come to El Nido. On Island Tour A, what I like most is the big focus on Big Lagoon plus time at Secret Lagoon and Shimizu Island, all strung together in one efficient day. The tour also runs with an upbeat, helpful crew, which matters when you are bouncing by boat between multiple coves.

The main trade-off is simple: extra fees are collected at the booking office (200 pesos Lagoon fee and 400 pesos Environmental fee), and your day can feel rushed if you expect long, slow beach hangs at every stop. If you go in with the right timing mindset, it is a strong value for seeing several of El Nido’s signature spots.

Key things to know before you go

• Big Lagoon is the anchor stop, with a photo stop, guided tour, and a safety briefing.
• You only get about 40-50 minutes per destination, so plan for quick swims and photos.
• Extra fees are paid at check-in: 200 pesos Lagoon fee and 400 pesos Environmental fee.
• Kayak rental is optional in Big Lagoon only, at 300 pesos per hour.
• Snorkeling is part of the day, and masks are available during boat dispatch.
• Hotel pick-up is only free within El Nido Town, so confirm your location.

Entering El Nido’s lagoon circuit, without the planning headache

El Nido island hopping can turn into a puzzle fast: which lagoon needs what fee, which beach works for swimming, where you get lunch, and how you get back without wasting time. Island Tour A is built for the “see the highlights today” traveler. For $22, you are not just paying for boat time. You are paying for a guided route that lands you at five well-known destinations in one smooth block.

You will see classic limestone scenery up close, especially around Big Lagoon and the lagoon stops. And because the tour includes a tour guide plus a boat permit, you are not scrambling to figure out which sites require special access. You are also not left to guess how long each stop lasts. The schedule is fairly consistent: about 20-30 minutes traveling to the first destination, then roughly 40-50 minutes at each stop.

Price and logistics: what $22 includes, and what it does not

At a listed price of $22 per person, Island Tour A is priced like a budget-friendly way to hit multiple El Nido icons. That is the good news. The careful part is that two important fees are collected separately at the booking office:

• 200 pesos Lagoon fee
• 400 pesos Environmental fee

So your real total is the $22 plus those office fees. It also helps to know what else can add up on the water. If you want a kayak in Big Lagoon, rental is 300 pesos per hour (not included). Snorkeling masks are available during boat dispatch, but the cost is not specified in the tour details.

On the plus side, the tour includes:

• life vest
• tour guide
• boat permit
• picnic lunch
• free pick-up in hotel within El Nido Town only

That last item matters. If your hotel is outside El Nido Town, you might not get free pick-up, and you may need to get yourself to the meeting point. The tour’s value is best when you are close to the action.

Meeting point timing: how to avoid a shaky start

For Island Tour A, the meet-up point is Cliffside Travel and Tours booking office, beside El Nido Cliffside Cottages. The instruction is to be there before 8:30am. Then the boat dispatch happens between 9:00am and 10:00am, depending on Coast Guard clearance.

That clearance window is the reality of island hopping in El Nido. It can push your departure later, even if you arrive on time. One reported problem that you should guard against is losing time at the start if you are not ready to move when your group is called. My practical advice is to show up early, keep your paperwork easy to reach, and stay near the office until your group is actually dispatched.

Also note the tour ends at El Nido Beach, which is great if you want to walk, grab food nearby, or continue exploring. Just make sure you know where you will finish in relation to your hotel before you settle into the daydream mode.

The day’s rhythm: 40 to 50 minutes per stop

This is the part that makes or breaks expectations. Island Tour A is designed around short island visits. You get about 40-50 minutes at each destination, plus travel time between stops.

That timing works if you treat each stop like a highlight sprint:

• swim, snorkel, or sunbathe for a limited window
• grab your photos quickly
• then hop back on before the boat leaves

If you prefer slow, long beach sitting, you may feel the schedule is tight. But if your goal is to see multiple destinations in one day, the short stays are also efficient, and they help you avoid the “we only saw one place, and now you wasted the day” problem.

Stop 1, Big Lagoon: the photos, the guidance, and the kayak add-on

Big Lagoon is where you will likely spend your mental energy. This stop is built as the main experience, with:

• a photo stop
• guided tour
• safety briefing
• hop-on hop-off time

Expect to spend enough time here to orient yourself, take the lagoon photos, and enjoy a real swim or snorkel session. It is also the only place on this itinerary where kayak rental is mentioned. If you want to do that, plan for 300 pesos per hour and remember it is an add-on, not included.

One practical mindset shift: at Big Lagoon, you may feel like there is a lot happening quickly. That is normal. If you want the best shots, prioritize your photo timing early in your lagoon window, then shift into water time once you know where the light and boats are.

Shimizu Island: quick access to a classic island vibe

After Big Lagoon, Island Tour A goes to Shimizu Island. Here it is a hop-on hop-off stop, meaning you get time on site without a long listed guided component.

This stop is usually the kind of break that helps you recharge. Even with a shorter total experience, you still get:

• swimming and sunbathing time
• a chance to snorkel if conditions are good

Because time at each stop is capped, treat this island as your “reset and enjoy the water” break, not as a full independent beach day.

Secret Lagoon: when the scenery is the main event

Next up is Secret Lagoon (El Nido), again listed as a hop-on hop-off stop. If you are coming to El Nido for limestone and lagoon scenery, this is one of the stops you will remember.

The tour also includes a picnic lunch at one of the islands, but the details here do not specify whether it is always at Secret Lagoon or another stop. Either way, you will be eating outdoors on the water route, not in a proper restaurant setting. Plan for a simple meal and focus on the day rather than expecting a fancy lunch service.

Because this is a lagoon stop, it is also directly connected to why the Lagoon fee exists. If you see that 200 pesos fee on the day, it is part of what keeps these lagoon access systems running.

The in-between stop near 48WC+77 El Nido: practical time on the route

The itinerary lists a hop-on hop-off stop at 48WC+77 El Nido. This isn’t described like Big Lagoon or Secret Lagoon, but the important takeaway is that it is part of the planned circuit and built into your overall pacing.

If you want to make your day feel smoother, use this in-between time to:

• refuel with water and snacks if allowed by your own preferences
• check your snorkeling gear and rinse off if needed
• mentally prepare for Seven Commandos Beach, your next bigger beach moment

When islands are grouped like this, the “extra” stop can feel short, but it helps keep the route flowing and the timing realistic.

Seven Commandos Beach: beach time with room for activity

Then you arrive at Seven Commandos Beach, another hop-on hop-off stop. This is the stop where you can shift from lagoon water to beach energy.

The tour details specifically mention you can do more than just swim and snorkel. You can:

• sunbathe
• play volleyball
• eat at the restaurant

That restaurant mention is a useful clue. It means this stop is more than just a photo location. It is a beach hang where there may be more food options than you would assume on a boat tour day.

If you are traveling with friends and you want at least one social, playful moment, this is usually the stop where that happens, because volleyball and beach relaxation fit the short timeline.

What the included lunch and water activities really feel like

Island Tour A includes a picnic lunch. In practice, these meals on boat tours tend to be simple and quick. If you go into it expecting a formal seated lunch, you might be disappointed. If you go into it as fuel for the day, you will probably feel fine.

For activities, you have a lot of options listed right in the tour details:

• snorkeling
• swimming
• sun bathing
• play volleyball
• eat at the restaurant

Snorkeling mask rental is available during boat dispatch. So you do not have to carry your own mask if you do not want to. Bring your own if you are picky about fit, but if you are flexible, renting is a convenient way to keep your day light.

Also, life vests are included, which is an important comfort point when you are dealing with small boats and island-to-island movement. The guide’s safety briefing at Big Lagoon is another plus. You want someone who can point you to the right behavior in the water, not just tell you where to take photos.

Weather matters more than you think

El Nido can look stunning in perfect weather, but it is still a coast day. One reported experience mentioned that when the weather was not ideal, the sea was not as blue. That tracks with what you should expect in real life: wind, cloud cover, and waves can change how bright the water looks and how comfortable swimming feels.

Your best plan is to treat this tour as a nature day, not a color-filter guarantee. You will still see the limestone formations and the lagoons. But the exact shade of the water is not under your control.

Service quality: when guides and boats make the difference

What I value most in island hopping is the smoothness of the crew. This tour is operated by Cliffside Travel and Tours, and it emphasizes that a licensed tour guide is available for assistance.

In practical terms, that means if you need help during boarding, you have questions about safety, or you get turned around on a stop, you are not stuck. One positive review highlighted strong guide attitude and helpful guides. Another pointed out a well-maintained boat and friendly staff.

That matters on a day where you are moving fast. You want a calm guide who can keep the group organized and help you stay focused on the experience, not the chaos.

Who Island Tour A is best for

This is a good fit if you:

• want to see multiple El Nido highlights in one day
• like a structured plan with a guide and basic safety support
• are happy with short beach and lagoon time slots
• want an included picnic lunch and life vest, with add-ons as optional

It might not be your best choice if you:

• hate being on a strict time schedule
• expect long beach lounging at every stop
• are counting on hotel pick-up outside El Nido Town without checking first

The tour is priced for value. But value only works if you show up prepared and flexible.

Quick packing checklist for a lagoon-heavy day

Since snorkeling, swimming, and sun time are part of the day, pack for water and sun:

• swimsuit and a quick-dry layer for the boat ride
• sunscreen and sunglasses
• a small dry bag for your phone and wallet
• water shoes if you like better grip on beach entries
• a towel or you might rely on sun time and quick drying

You can rent a snorkeling mask during boat dispatch, so you do not need to buy one beforehand. But if you have your own mask that fits well, it is still worth bringing.

Should you book El Nido Island Tour A?

If your goal is to hit Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commandos Beach in one well-paced day, Island Tour A is an easy yes. The included life vest, tour guide, boat permit, and picnic lunch make it straightforward, and the itinerary covers the classic El Nido highlights.

I would book it if you are willing to plan for the extra office fees and keep a flexible attitude about timing, since Coast Guard clearance can shift the dispatch. I would think twice if you know you get stressed by tight stop times or if you are hoping to roam slowly at each beach.

Overall, this is a practical way to experience El Nido’s lagoons and limestone scenery without building a complicated day plan yourself.