El Nido Private Tour A w/ Lunch

If you like your day on the water to feel flexible and personal, this private island-hopping tour in El Nido is built for that. You get a boat, a licensed guide, and an itinerary that you can tweak based on what you want to focus on, lagoons, beaches, or snorkeling.

I especially like the private attention factor, because it means you are not waiting on a big group at each stop. I also like the meal plan, lunch plus soda, water, and fruit so you are not scrambling for snacks between swims and slow photo moments.

One consideration: the tour price covers a lot, but a few items are extra. Snorkel gear costs P100 per set, a kayak is P400, and you will likely pay separate admission fees for Big Lagoon and Payong-Payong Beach.

Key things to know before you go

• Private guide and crew means you get one team handling your timing, safety, and photo stops
• Customize the route so you can lean more lagoon, more sand time, or more snorkeling
• Lunch is included with soda, water, and fruits, which helps you pace the day without hunting for food
• Not all lagoons are free to enter, Big Lagoon and Payong-Payong are admission-ticket stops
• Snorkel gear and kayaks cost extra (P100 per set for gear, P400 for kayak), so budget for it if you want them
• Timing runs long at about 7 to 8 hours, with roughly 1.5 hours at each main stop

Private island-hopping in El Nido: what makes this day feel better

El Nido is famous for its limestone scenery, and this tour targets the classic hits, but with a big difference: you do it private. That matters because the best moments in lagoons and coves are not just about the view. They are about when you arrive, how long you linger, and whether you can move at your own pace.

In a shared boat setup, you often end up trapped by the slowest group or the most crowded slot. Here, you have space to slow down for turtles, hunt good angles for photos, or take a longer look at cliff formations without feeling rushed. The tour also leans into off-the-beaten-path stops, which is how you get that quieter El Nido feeling that many people chase.

The other big win is how smoothly the day tends to run when the boat captain and guide are focused on your party. In the reviews tied to this tour, the captain Oliver gets called out for safety and the guide Darrel gets credit for helping everyone stay safe while also knowing the islands and photo spots. You also see praise for guides Jul and RJ for finding spots that are less crowded and for making it easy to get great pictures.

Price and value: what $143 really buys (and what to budget for)

At $143 per person, this tour is not the cheapest way to do island-hopping. But it is often good value if you care about comfort, timing, and not spending the day in a crowd.

Here is what is included:

• Lunch, plus soda and water, and fruits
• Environmental fee
• Lagoon entrance (so the lagoon-related costs are handled for the stops listed as included)
• Professional licensed tour guide and crew
• Free pickup around town proper or within 2 km of the public market
• Round-trip transfers back to the meeting point

And here is what is not included, and you should plan for:

• Snorkeling equipment: P100 per set
• Kayak: P400
• Pickup outside El Nido Town: extra charge applies
• Admission tickets: Big Lagoon and Payong-Payong Beach are marked as not included for admission

So what does that mean in real life? If you snorkel and you want a kayak at the big lagoon, your extra costs are predictable and manageable. If you skip snorkeling gear or kayak rentals, you can keep spending closer to the base price. Either way, you are not doing hidden logistics all day, because the guide and crew are handling the movement between stops.

Getting there: pickup, meeting point, and how the day stays organized

The tour starts at El Nido Police Station, and it ends back there. Most people get free pickup if they are staying in town proper or within 2 km of the public market. If you are farther out, you will pay an additional pickup charge.

Because this is a private activity, the schedule feels steadier. You are not waiting to fill extra seats, and you do not have to sync with random strangers. That does not make the day shorter, though. Expect about 7 to 8 hours, and plan for a full day in the sun and on the water.

One practical tip: check your exact pickup address the day before, especially if you are near the edge of El Nido Town. Pickup outside the town proper is where you can get surprised by extra charges.

Also, this experience requires good weather. If conditions are not safe, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

Stop 1, Big Lagoon: why kayaking is the move

Big Lagoon is the headliner. It is the one people talk about for the karst limestone backdrop and the feeling of being in a classic El Nido postcard. Your first main stop runs about 1 hour 30 minutes, and lagoon time is where your day either feels calm and floaty or feels rushed.

Admission for Big Lagoon is marked as not included, so you may pay on-site. If you want the best experience here, plan for kayak or SUP. The tour info specifically calls out that kayaking or SUP is better, because it lets you glide at your own pace and follow the lagoon’s natural lines rather than just watching from a boat.

Drawback to consider: lagoons can get choppy or wind-influenced depending on the day. If it is windy, you might spend more time focusing on getting comfortable and less time getting perfect “drift” shots. That is not a tour failure, that is just water weather.

Stop 2, El Nido (Shimizu Island): turtles, shoreline time, and a good lunch rhythm

Next up is Shimizu Island. It is described as a favorite for turtle watching and just enjoying the day. The stop runs about 1 hour 30 minutes.

One thing I like about this stop is the pacing. It tends to work as a reset point after the biggest lagoon moment. If you are the type who needs a quiet stretch to recharge, this is the part of the day where you can do it.

Lunch is included overall, but the timing of when you eat can depend on how your guide manages the route and weather. Having lunch within the tour plan matters here, because you do not end up spending your best water time searching for food.

Admission is marked as free for this stop, so you can focus on the fun instead of scanning for ticket details.

Stop 3, Secret Lagoon: the small wonder effect

After the bigger set pieces, you get Secret Lagoon. This stop is presented as a beautiful beach moment with the added bonus of getting to explore and chill inside a smaller setup.

You get about 1 hour 30 minutes here, and admission is marked as free. That matters because it makes the day feel easier to manage financially, especially if you ended up budgeting for extra gear or a kayak already.

Why this stop is worth paying attention to: smaller lagoons tend to reward slower movement. If you are rushing, you miss the feeling of it. If you linger, you get the best mix of photos, shade breaks, and a calmer vibe.

Practical consideration: if the area is crowded on your day, your private guide can often help you find the best angles and timing. That flexibility is exactly what you are paying for.

Stop 4, Seven Commando Beach: history on the cliffs and calmer shoreline time

Seven Commando Beach is one of those places where the scenery comes with a story. It is named after seven commandos who lived on the island, and their titles appear on the cliffs. Your stop is again roughly 1 hour 30 minutes, and admission is listed as free.

The physical setup is described as right on the mainland with a lonely beach stretch and a sloping feature. In plain terms, it is a stop where you can walk a bit, find a relaxed spot, and breathe for a while.

What I like about including it in a tour like this: it breaks up the day so you are not only bouncing between lagoons. You also get a different kind of photo, the cliff textural look plus a beach view rather than only water-and-rock formations.

Potential drawback: if you are craving nonstop snorkeling the whole time, a beach-focused stop can feel like a pause. But if you enjoy slowing down and taking in the island pace, it is a welcome break.

Stop 5, Payong-Payong Beach: white sand, clear water, and an entrance fee

The final major stop is Payong-Payong Beach, known for white sand, clear water, and towering limestone cliffs. You get about 1 hour 30 minutes here, and admission for this stop is marked as not included.

If you like a classic beach finish, this is a solid landing point. It is also the kind of beach where snorkeling can be great if conditions cooperate, and if you have snorkel gear. Visibility and comfort depend on the day, and wind can affect the water surface.

Why you might enjoy this stop: after a full day of lagoon exploration, it is a chance to stretch out, cool off, and reset your body before heading back to the meeting point.

Snorkeling and gear: how to decide on the P100 equipment fee

The tour does not include snorkeling gear automatically. Snorkel equipment is available for P100 per set.

If you are going to snorkel, I think it is usually worth it, especially if you do not have your own gear. One highlighted review calls out snorkeling as incredible, including swimming with a school of fish in the reef, the kind of moment that is hard to replicate just by looking from the boat.

If you hate carrying gear, you can also keep it simple: rent the set once, use it for the stops where snorkeling makes sense, then return it. Your guide can also help you decide which moments are most likely to pay off based on conditions.

Kayaks are separate (P400). Think of kayaks as the “best for slow exploration” choice, while snorkeling gear is the “best for underwater surprises” choice.

Crew, guide, and safety: the staff is part of the product

This is where the reviews are consistently loud. Captain Oliver gets praise for safety and for running the boat well. Guides like Darrel get praised for being helpful, knowledgeable in the sense of knowing the islands and spots, and for keeping everyone safe while also supporting good photos.

I also like that the tour is described as having environmental fees included. That signals at least some attention to responsible operations, and a licensed guide and crew matters when you are moving between lagoons and beaches for hours.

One more detail that matters: this is a private tour with only your group participating. That means your guide is not splitting attention across multiple groups. You can ask small questions, point out what you want to prioritize, and get immediate feedback.

Timing reality check: how to stay comfortable for 7 to 8 hours

This is an all-day outing, roughly 7 to 8 hours. That means:

• You will be out in sun and salt air for most of the day
• You will be switching between boat and water time
• You will likely want to swim, even if you think you will only watch

Bring what keeps you sane: sun protection, water-proof phone handling if you want photos, and something easy to dry after you get out. If you plan to rent snorkel gear, make sure your feet are comfortable with the water shoes or bare setup you prefer. (The tour data only mentions gear availability, not brands or sizing.)

The lunch plus fruits are included, which helps your energy levels. Still, treat this like a physical day. You do not want to be the person who shows up tired, hungry, or unprepared and then blames the scenery.

Booking tips: how to avoid the one common headache

One review in the provided set warns against issues with third-party booking, including changes to rates and transfer charges. I can’t confirm specifics from that alone, but I can offer a smart fix: before you pay, verify your final price includes pickup details that match your hotel location and that you understand what is extra (snorkel gear, kayak, and the admission-ticket stops).

If you are booking directly or through a platform, take two minutes to cross-check:

• whether your pickup is within the free zone
• which stops require admission fees
• whether snorkel gear and kayak are optional for your plan

That check prevents the kind of day-start stress that ruins the mood.

Who should book this private tour (and who might skip it)

This tour is a great fit if:

• you want fewer crowds and one guide focused on your group
• you care about flexible pacing, not rushing stop to stop
• you like mixing lagoons, beaches, and occasional snorkeling
• you want a meal plan handled for you (lunch, soda, water, fruits)

You might consider a different style of tour if:

• you want the absolute cheapest island-hopping option and do not want any extras
• you are sensitive to weather and big outdoor time (since it does require good weather)
• you do not plan to snorkel or use a kayak, and you prefer a shorter day

Should you book El Nido Private Tour A with lunch?

If your priority is a private day with strong staff, solid route planning, and classic El Nido stops with enough variety to keep the day interesting, I think this is a strong choice. The value comes from what you avoid: long waits, scramble-for-details moments, and shared-boat friction.

Book it if you are comfortable spending a bit on optional extras like snorkel gear and a kayak, and if you want Big Lagoon plus a full string of beaches and lagoons in one go. Skip it or compare alternatives if your budget is tight and you are trying to avoid any outside fees beyond the base price.

Either way, do one smart thing: plan your day around good weather, because this tour’s best moments depend on water conditions.

FAQ

Is pickup included for this El Nido private island-hopping tour?

Yes. Pickup is free for accommodation or hotel around town proper or within 2 km from the public market. Pickup outside El Nido Town has an extra charge.

How long is the tour, and when does it end?

The tour lasts about 7 to 8 hours. It ends back at the meeting point, which is the El Nido Police Station.

What’s included in the lunch?

Lunch includes soda and water plus fruits.

Do I need to pay for lagoon and beach admission fees?

Some stops list admission as not included. Big Lagoon and Payong-Payong Beach note that admission tickets are not included, while other stops are listed as free.

Is snorkel equipment included?

No. Snorkeling gears or equipment are not included. Snorkel equipment is listed at P100 per set.

What happens if the weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it gets canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.