El Nido: Tour A (Big & Secret Lagoon, Shimizu, 7 Commando)

A good lagoon day starts with the right pace. El Nido Tour A mixes Big Lagoon views, plus snorkeling time at Shimizu Island. You also get a Secret Lagoon stop, a Seven Commandos Beach visit, and a real buffet lunch to keep your energy up.

The main watch-out is schedule wobble. Like many El Nido boat days, conditions can change fast, so you should expect some timing adjustments if weather turns choppy.

Key highlights you should know before you go

• Big Lagoon and lagoon hopping: time for scenic cruising and photos of those limestone walls people come for
• Shimizu Island snorkeling: a longer stretch on the island to swim, float, and look at coral near the shore
• Secret Lagoon access: you’ll go through a narrow opening, so bring your best calm-and-go mindset
• Seven Commandos Beach stop: a guided beach segment that fits the tour’s overall adventure feel
• On-the-ground support from Akingventures: the company’s staff (including Mark) is known for helping you prep and handle gear smoothly

From Grounded coffee to Bacuit Bay Dock, here is the flow

Your day begins at Grounded 100% Arabica Coffee, El Nido Branch. You’ll want to arrive early because the meeting time may be listed as 8:30 AM or 9:00 AM, so double-check your confirmation. The tour runs about 7 to 7.5 hours, with a typical return by around 4:30 PM.

The route is built like a classic El Nido circuit: you meet, then you head out by boat, and you come back through Bacuit Bay Floating Dock 1. This matters because it shapes what you can actually do. You are not just “passing by.” There’s enough time at each stop that you can swim, take photos, and still enjoy the guides’ explanations without feeling rushed every five minutes.

You’ll be in a shared group (unless you book private), so think of this as a social day on the water. The tour includes an English-speaking live guide, and that helps a lot, especially when you’re dealing with lagoon rules and water entry timing.

Seven Commandos Beach: a short stop that sets the tone

One of the first stops is Seven Commandos Beach, with a guided segment of about 45 minutes. This isn’t a marathon hike or a long excursion. Instead, it functions like a warm-up, a place where you can stretch your legs, get your bearings, and shift from town to island mode.

What I like about this kind of opening stop is how it makes the rest of the day feel easier. You get your camera out, you take a few photos on land, and you can also get your swimwear and sunscreen ready before the water time ramps up.

A practical tip: use this stop to do quick prep. If you plan to rent anything, ask then. If you have optional items like snorkeling gear or aqua shoes, decide early. It’s always smoother when you sort it before you’re already in a rhythm of island-to-lagoon timing.

Big Lagoon: why this stop is worth planning for

Big Lagoon is the headline of Tour A. It’s described as the lagoon with striking scenery and marine life, and the tour allocates about one hour for the guided lagoon experience in the middle of the itinerary. This is your main photo and viewing window.

Here is what makes Big Lagoon practical, not just pretty. You usually get a mix of:

• time to look at the limestone formations and take photos from the boat and/or shore areas, depending on how the day is running
• a guided explanation of what you’re seeing
• a chance to time your water moments without feeling like you are constantly climbing on and off gear

Because the tour also includes a Big Lagoon entrance fee of P200.00 that is not included in the base price, it’s smart to budget for that up front. Think of it as part of the cost of doing the classic itinerary item. If you want Big Lagoon in your El Nido “greatest hits” list, this is the stop that makes the day feel complete.

Small Lagoon and the lagoon circuit: expect close quarters

Tour A is marketed as hitting the Small Lagoon, alongside Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon. Even if the exact order varies slightly with conditions, you should expect a lagoon-circuit feel, meaning:

• shorter stretches of travel between stops
• more time spent looking around and less time on long transit

Why you should care: lagoon days reward calm timing. You want to be ready when the group reaches the viewpoint, and you want to keep your movements controlled around the water. If you’re prone to rushing, you’ll miss the details, like how the light changes across the limestone and how the water color shifts as you move between sheltered sections.

If you’re the type who likes nature photography, this circuit is a good match because you’ll have multiple “framing chances” in one day. If you’re the type who wants only one big highlight, you might find you are moving faster than you want. In that case, decide if you prefer volume (more stops) or focus (fewer stops).

Secret Lagoon: narrow opening, quieter mood

Secret Lagoon is where the tour turns from sightseeing into a more personal, hush-hush feeling. The itinerary includes about one hour for Secret Lagoon, and the access involves a narrow opening.

That narrow entry is not just a fun detail. It’s part of why Secret Lagoon feels different from the bigger lagoon stops. You’re typically dealing with:

• more careful boat maneuvering
• closer passage through the opening
• a stronger “wait your turn, then go” rhythm

For your comfort, plan for small steps and patient timing. This is a great stop if you want to slow down and take fewer, better photos. It’s also a good place to notice the way the area feels protected compared to the more open views elsewhere on the route.

A quick reminder to keep things smooth for everyone: the tour rules say no touching marine life and no touching plants. Stick to that. It also protects you, because coral and other organisms can be easy to break or harm, even by accident.

Shimizu Island: snorkeling time that actually feels long

If you want the best use of your water time, Shimizu Island is the anchor. You get about 105 minutes there, guided, which is a generous block compared to many short island stops. This is also where the tour emphasizes snorkeling among coral reefs and colorful marine life.

What you’re really buying with this part of the day is options. With over an hour and a half, you can do:

• a relaxed snorkel near the reef areas the crew points out
• a second, calmer swim if conditions are decent
• time to just float and watch without feeling like you have to rush to get your turn in the water

If you didn’t pack snorkeling gear, you can rent it for P100.00 (optional). You can also rent aqua shoes for P100.00 if you want extra comfort on rocky or coral-adjacent entry points. I like that you have the choice, because everyone travels differently. Bring your own mask if you have it, but if you forgot, the rental option can save your day.

Also note the rule set: no smoking, no littering, and keep your hands to yourself. Coral looks sturdy, but it is not. And even touching plants can damage them or get you a nasty sting.

Lunch buffet and water: the simple value win

Tour A includes lunch (buffet) and 300 ml bottled water. That might sound minor, but on a boat day, it can make or break your comfort level.

Why it matters:

• you won’t have to hunt for food mid-circuit
• you get fuel before lagoon time and snorkeling time
• you can focus on the scenery instead of managing snacks between stops

One small practical note: the tour also suggests bringing snacks. That’s a nice backup if you’re a person who gets hungry easily, or if you want something familiar in the middle of a long day.

Price, fees, and the real budget for Tour A

The listed price is $23 per person for about 7.5 hours of guided lagoon and island time. That’s strong value for El Nido, especially because the tour includes lunch and a dedicated snorkeling stop.

But you should budget for what is not included. Plan on these extra costs:

• Environmental fee: P400.00 (if paid earlier, it’s valid for 5 days, but you must show the issued copy during checking)
• Big Lagoon entrance fee: P200.00
• Kayak rental: P300.00 (optional)
• Snorkeling gear: P100.00 (optional)
• Aqua shoes: P100.00 (optional)

This is the key point for value. A low headline price can still be a good deal if the included parts are the ones you actually care about. In this case, you’re paying for the main lagoon circuit, guided time, and Shimizu snorkeling, plus lunch. As long as you arrive with your environmental and entrance fees covered, you’ll feel the value right away.

Weather, boats, and what safety looks like on this kind of day

El Nido has a weather rhythm, and Tour A is subject to weather conditions. Sometimes that means changes on the day, and in rougher moments it can mean you spend more time thinking about safety than about perfect photo angles.

Two things stand out from the way this tour operates:

• The guides tend to prioritize group safety and awareness during weather issues
• The operator support can help reduce stress, especially with prep and gear handling

One caution from a past experience: boats can occasionally run into mechanical trouble, and a replacement boat can mean lost time and confusion if communication isn’t great. You can’t control that. What you can control is attitude and readiness. Keep your timeline flexible and keep your expectations tied to enjoying the stops, not hitting every minute like a stopwatch.

If storms are coming in, pack smarter. Bring sunscreen, keep a dry layer if you have one, and expect that some parts of the day might feel slower.

What to bring so you are comfy the whole day

Here’s your practical packing list based on the tour guidance:

• Hat
• Swimwear
• Camera
• Snacks
• Sunscreen
• Water

And don’t forget the mindset gear. You’re in a shared group, so moving efficiently matters. Also, follow the rules: don’t smoke, don’t litter, and avoid touching marine life or plants.

If you want to make the snorkel portion easier, consider:

• renting gear in advance if you can
• using aqua shoes if you expect rough entry
• having a small bag for wet items so your day doesn’t feel chaotic at the end

Who this tour fits best

Tour A is a good match if you want a classic El Nido day with multiple nature stops and at least one real swim time. It’s especially appealing for people who:

• want Big Lagoon plus Secret Lagoon in one outing
• care about snorkeling at Shimizu Island
• prefer a guided day with lunch included

It may be less ideal if you hate boats and you prefer a land-only itinerary. It also might not suit you if you want total control over timing, because the day can flex with conditions.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

I’d book Tour A if your priority is a balanced lagoon-and-island day with a meaningful snorkeling window and a guided experience that helps keep you safe and organized. The combination of lagoon highlights plus Shimizu Island time, plus lunch and water, makes the base price make sense.

Skip it or think twice if you have zero flexibility for schedule changes, because weather can alter the day. Also budget for the local fees so the total cost stays predictable, especially the environmental fee and the Big Lagoon entrance fee.

If you want the feeling of a full El Nido circuit without planning every detail yourself, this is a solid choice.

FAQ

What time does El Nido Tour A start and when do we get back?

You meet at Grounded 100% Arabica Coffee, El Nido Branch. The info provided lists 8:30 AM and also notes meeting at 9:00 AM, so check your confirmation for the exact time. The tour runs about 7 hours to 7.5 hours and returns around 4:30 PM.

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes visits to Big Lagoon, Seven Commandos, Secret Lagoon, and more, plus lunch (buffet) and 300 ml of bottled water.

What extra fees should I budget for?

Not included fees include an environmental fee of P400.00, a Big Lagoon entrance fee of P200.00, and optional costs like kayak rental (P300.00), snorkeling gear rental P100.00, and aqua shoes P100.00.

Is snorkeling gear provided?

Snorkeling gears are not included, but they can be rented for P100.00 (optional). Aqua shoes are also optional for P100.00.

Do I need a reservation, and can I cancel?

You can book with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also offers reserve now, pay later.

What rules are not allowed during the tour?

Smoking and littering are not allowed. You also cannot touch marine life or touch plants.