El Nido: Island Hopping Tour A

El Nido Island Hopping Tour A is interesting because your day is built around a chain of calm limestone lagoons, then finishes with open-water time for snorkeling and shore breaks. I like the way Big Lagoon and the other lagoons keep the focus on swimming and easy exploration, not just long boat rides. I also like that you get both lagoon paddling and beach time at Shimizu Island. One drawback to plan for: this is a popular route, so you can hit busier spots, especially in the lagoons.

This is a classic Bacuit Bay day: you’ll hop islands by boat, stop at multiple lagoon entrances, and spend time in the water with a live English guide. You also get lunch, and the tour is set up to help you move smoothly on the day (ticket line skip is included). If you hate crowds, or you’re looking for totally private coves, you may want to adjust expectations.

Before you go, I’d do one thing: confirm the exact pickup spot in advance. One traveler noted that the meeting point shown in the app can be off, and communication afterward may not be perfectly smooth. If you get your bearings early, the rest of the day usually feels like it clicks.

Key highlights at a glance

• Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, and Secret Lagoon on one tour, with time to swim and take it slow
• Snorkeling and kayaking in clear Bacuit Bay water, with a live English guide
• Shimizu Island for beach time and more water fun
• Lunch and boat included, so you only need to plan personal extras
• No touching marine life or plants, which helps keep the bay healthy
• Hotel pickup inside El Nido Town only, so location matters

The route that makes Tour A feel worth your time

Tour A is designed around a simple idea: spend your day where the water is the main event. Bacuit Bay is famous for lagoons that look bright and clear even from a boat, and Tour A gives you multiple chances to get in and see what’s under the surface.

Instead of doing one big highlight and then rushing to the next stop, the tour stacks the lagoon experience. You start with a larger lagoon stop, then move to smaller, tighter-feeling areas, and then shift to Shimizu Island for beach and open-water play. That pacing matters because lagoons can be visually similar until you’re actually there, floating, looking around, and realizing each entrance has its own feel.

The “8 hours” also helps. This is long enough to feel like a real excursion, but short enough that you still get back with energy. And since lunch is included, you’re not stuck hunting food mid-day.

What I like most is the balance of water time and downtime. You’ll be in the lagoons and doing water activities, but you’ll also have boat rides and natural pauses to cool off, change clothes, and reset for the next swim.

Price, fees, and what you should budget beyond the $34

At $34 per person, Tour A is positioned as a budget-friendly way to do the classic El Nido circuit. The catch with El Nido island tours is that the “tour price” is only part of the math.

Included:

• Professional guide
• Hotel pickup within El Nido Town only
• Lunch
• Boat
• Skip the ticket line

Not included:

• Mask and snorkel
• Environmental fee (400.00)
• Lagoon fees (200.00)
• Personal expenses

So your best value move is to add those extras before you decide. If you don’t bring your own snorkel setup, you’ll need to rent or buy mask and snorkel, which can change your final total. The environmental and lagoon fees are fixed add-ons, so plan for them as part of the real cost of doing lagoon stops.

Is it still good value? For many people, yes. You’re paying for a guide, transport by boat, lunch, and access to multiple lagoon destinations in one day. If you try to cobble together everything yourself, it usually costs more in time, effort, and coordination. Tour A is basically paying to remove friction.

Pickup in El Nido Town, and the meeting point reality check

Tour A includes hotel pickup, but only if you’re in El Nido Town. If your hotel is far outside town, you may be charged for tricycle fare as a personal expense.

Your meeting point method is also worth noting: your hotel is supposed to send you the details via WhatsApp, using the nearest hotel only. That’s helpful, but it also means you should not wait until the last minute.

Here’s what I recommend to avoid frustration:

• The day before, ask your hotel staff to confirm the pickup instructions sent on WhatsApp
• Ask for the exact pickup location name and the pickup time window
• Be ready about 15 minutes before pickup time

One guests mentioned the meeting point shown in the app was incorrect, and that follow-up communication was not great. You can prevent this kind of problem by treating pickup confirmation like part of your morning routine.

Your day on the water: timing, gear, and rules that matter

Tour duration is 8 hours. You’ll spend that time switching between boat segments and water stops, including snorkeling and kayaking. You’ll also want to think about comfort and water readiness more than you think.

What to bring:

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

And bring extra clothes for changing. That simple detail makes a huge difference after you’ve been wet for hours. Comfortable clothes and shoes for water activities are also a good idea, because you’ll move around on boats and shore areas.

What not to do:

• No smoking
• Don’t touch marine life
• Don’t touch plants

Those rules are more than “good behavior.” They help protect the bay’s living ecosystem, and they also reduce the risk of getting in trouble with the staff on the day.

Also remember this isn’t ideal for everyone. It’s not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, and non-swimmers. If you’re even a little unsure about your comfort in open or uneven water, take that seriously.

Big Lagoon: the calm start and why the first stop sets the tone

Big Lagoon is the kind of stop that shapes your whole day. When the tour starts with a larger lagoon, you get an easy mental reset. The water is typically calm enough for snorkeling and swimming, and it’s where you’ll likely spend your earliest time looking around underwater.

Why it’s special:

• It gives you that classic lagoon look right away
• You can get into the water early, which helps if you’re feeling nervous about water conditions
• It’s a natural place to take photos before the day gets busier

What to watch for:

• This route can attract a crowd, especially at popular lagoon entrances
• If you want quieter moments, be ready to move quickly when the group arrives, then settle when the water time begins

A practical tip: keep your camera and sunscreen easy to reach. In lagoon time, you don’t want to spend the good light fiddling with bags.

Small Lagoon and Secret Lagoon: tighter spaces, better focus

After Big Lagoon, you hit the smaller stops. Small Lagoon and Secret Lagoon tend to feel more intimate because the spaces you’re navigating are narrower and the shoreline detail feels closer.

What you’ll get out of these stops:

• Another round of swimming and exploring clear water
• A change in scenery without a huge travel jump
• Extra moments that feel more like exploration than sightseeing

The value here is variety. If you’re doing a full-day tour, variety keeps the day from feeling repetitive. Even if the water looks similar on the surface, the entrance shape, the angle of light, and where you swim make each lagoon distinct.

Crowds can still happen. That’s normal for El Nido’s peak season. The best approach is not to fight it. Instead:

• Bring your patience and a flexible plan for photos
• Keep your snorkeling time focused, so you feel like you got something out of each stop
• Stay aware of where the guide is directing the group

Secret Lagoon is usually the stop people talk about, but I’d treat it as a bonus rather than a guarantee. Even on a perfect day, conditions and timing can change your experience. What matters most is how prepared you are for the water.

Shimizu Island: beach breaks plus water time

Shimizu Island is where Tour A shifts from lagoon pacing to a more classic island vibe. Expect beach time and more chances for swimming and snorkeling. The tour description also flags kayaking, so if you enjoy paddling, this is the part where you may get your fill of that water activity style.

Why this stop is valuable:

• It breaks up the day after multiple lagoon entrances
• It gives you a more open-water feeling, which changes how you look at the bay
• You get a chance to relax and reset between swim sessions

One thing to keep in mind: islands can be exposed to sun and wind. Bring your hat, keep sunscreen ready, and plan to drink water when you can. You’ll feel it later if you treat the beach time as “just resting” instead of “recovery.”

Also, lunch is included on this tour. If you’re prone to getting hungry fast after swimming, time your energy. Eat when the schedule allows so you don’t feel sluggish during later lagoon segments.

Snorkeling and kayaking: how to get the most without stressing

Tour A includes boat time plus active water time, including snorkeling and kayaking. The included guide is your friend here, especially when everyone is moving through different stops in a day.

I suggest you do three things to make snorkeling easier:

• Bring your own mask and snorkel if you can
• If you borrow or rent, double-check the fit before you enter the water
• Keep an eye on the group pace so you don’t drift too far from the guide

Kayaking is another way to explore without exhausting yourself. It can also help you reach spots you might not swim to easily, depending on how the water is at each stop. Just be mindful of where you’re putting your paddle, and follow staff instructions.

And please follow the rules about touching marine life and plants. This is one of those places where a small action can do real harm, and it can also create problems for the crew trying to manage safety and conservation.

If you’re a strong swimmer, you’ll probably feel more comfortable in open areas. If you’re not, don’t push it. This tour is not suitable for non-swimmers.

The human factor: what a good crew means on a crowded day

One of the best parts of Tour A is the crew. A verified booking noted that the boat crew was super nice and accommodating. That kind of attitude matters because island hopping can be hectic. When the team is patient and organized, you lose less time to confusion.

The same review also flagged that some places were a bit full, which is a realistic expectation for popular lagoon stops. Here’s the balance: crowds don’t automatically ruin the day, but they can affect how calm the water feels when you arrive. A good guide helps you settle in fast, so you get your snorkeling time without feeling rushed.

If you care about smooth communication, still do your part. Confirm pickup instructions with your hotel, and show up early. That reduces the chances of needing extra help in the moment.

Who should book El Nido Tour A, and who should skip it

This tour is a solid fit if you want:

• Multiple lagoon stops in one day: Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, and Secret Lagoon
• A mix of swimming and snorkeling with kayaking
• A full-day outing that includes lunch and boat transport

It’s also a good choice if you like structure. You get a guide, a schedule, and a clear set of destinations. That’s a relief when you’re visiting El Nido for the first time.

But it may not be ideal if:

• You need total privacy or hate crowding
• You have back problems
• You’re pregnant
• You’re a non-swimmer

If you fall into any of those categories, don’t try to “tough it out.” You’ll have a better trip by choosing a different style of tour that matches your comfort level.

Should you book Tour A? My practical yes or no

Book El Nido Island Hopping Tour A if you want the classic Bacuit Bay lagoon experience with real water time, and you’re okay with the fact that it can get busy. The price can be a strong value once you remember lunch and boat are included, but you should budget for the environmental fee and lagoon fees, plus mask and snorkel if you don’t have your own.

Skip it if you’re sensitive to crowds or if water activities are a concern for your health or comfort. In that case, the day may feel stressful instead of fun.

My final advice is simple: confirm your pickup details early with your hotel, pack the water basics, and keep your snorkeling gear situation handled before you arrive. Do those two things and Tour A tends to deliver exactly what you came for, clear lagoons, island scenery, and a satisfying day on the water.

FAQ

What does El Nido Tour A include?

Tour A includes a professional guide, hotel pickup within El Nido Town, lunch, and boat transportation. It also skips the ticket line.

What is not included in the tour price?

You’ll need to pay personal expenses, environmental fee (400.00), lagoon fees (200.00), and you’ll need mask and snorkel since those are not included.

Where is pickup available?

Pickup is included only for hotels in El Nido Town. If your hotel is far from town, you may be charged a tricycle fare as a personal account expense.

What should I bring for the day?

Bring a hat, swimwear, camera, snacks, sunscreen, and water. Also bring extra clothes for changing.

Is the tour okay for non-swimmers or people with mobility issues?

No. The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers, pregnant women, or people with back problems.

How long is the tour?

The tour duration is 8 hours. Check availability for starting times.