EL Nido Tour A

Tour A in El Nido is interesting because it lets you stack several of Palawan’s most famous water stops into one day, using boat access to reach places you cannot simply stroll to. The highlight loop around Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, and the Big/Small Lagoon options is the kind of itinerary that makes limited time feel workable.

I love that the tour includes the practical stuff that usually adds up: a picnic lunch plus national park admission fees, along with transfers and a guide. I also like the built-in pacing, with time set aside for swimming and photos instead of a rush-past checklist.

One thing to think about: Big and Small Lagoon are not both visited on the same day, so if lagoon order or a specific lagoon is your top priority, confirm what your exact day will include when you book.

Key Points to Know Before You Go

• Efficient island hopping: multiple major stops in one outing, reachable by boat
• Lunch and park fees included: fewer surprise costs once you’re on the water
• Life vest provided: you do not need to source your own
• Time for swimming and photos: you get more than a quick stop
• Big vs Small Lagoon choice: not both are included in a single day

Tour A at a Glance: What This Day Really Delivers

This is a classic El Nido “see the big stuff” outing. You start in El Nido, you spend the day hopping between famous island areas, and you end back in town. At a listed duration of about 7 to 9 hours, it is long enough to feel like a real day trip, but structured enough that you do not spend most of it waiting around.

The big value here is the combination of (1) boat-only access and (2) included admissions. If you are trying to hit more than five highlights without burning your whole vacation micromanaging transport, Tour A is built for that.

Price matters too. At about $21, it is hard to beat the basic structure: guide, land and boat transfer, life vest, island hopping, and pickup within El Nido town. Then the itinerary adds major named sights plus a lunch. For a budget-conscious traveler, that is a strong match.

Price and What Can Add Up: The Real Value Check

Tour A is priced low, but the “what’s included” list is what makes or breaks the value. Here is what is covered: a guide, land and boat transfer, life vest, island hopping, and free pickup within El Nido Town. On top of that, lunch is included, and national park admission fees are included.

What is not included is the part you should budget for mentally:

• Eco tourism development fee
• Small/Big Lagoon users fee
• Kayak rental

None of those items are listed with amounts, so you will not know the total until you are actually paying. Still, the good news is that the tour already covers the most expensive-feeling parts, like boat transfer, guide time, and the national park admissions. That is why the price feels fair rather than bargain-but-frustrating.

My practical takeaway: if you are the type who hates surprise add-ons, you will likely feel happier on this tour than on ones that only advertise a low headline price.

How the Day Runs: Pickup, Pier, and the 9:00 AM Start

Your day begins in El Nido with an 9:00 AM start time. The meeting point is the El Nido Pier dispatching and docking area. The tour ends back in El Nido, so you are not dealing with a full logistical reset when you are done.

If you are staying within El Nido town, pickup is offered for free. That single detail can save time and reduce stress, especially if you are trying to get to the pier without juggling tricycles or finding parking.

Group size is capped at 100 travelers, which usually means you get the energy of a shared boat day, but not an enormous party that swallows the whole experience. In practice, large caps can still mean crowding at popular photo stops. If you are very photo-first, try to stay flexible and move with the group plan.

Stop Focus: Shimizu Island and Papaya Beach in Your First Stretch

This is the heart of the El Nido “wow” start. Early on, you head to the sights that are easy to recognize from pictures, and that matters because it sets expectations fast. You begin with El Nido’s island areas, where the tour emphasizes lagoon and beach photography opportunities.

Two named stops show up clearly in the experience structure:

• Shimizu Island
• Papaya Beach

In a tour like this, the benefit of starting here is that you can enjoy calm water time and bright light before the day gets fully busy. Also, boat days tend to feel smoother when the first stops are iconic, because you are not wondering if the itinerary will deliver.

What to expect at these stops is simple: photo time, time to swim if conditions allow, and a change of scenery that feels like you are moving through El Nido’s natural highlights rather than just touring from one platform to another.

Secret Lagoon: The Stop That Turns Photos Into Memories

Secret Lagoon is one of the most important names on this route, because it is usually where the day starts to feel special. The tour builds in time so you can actually enjoy the water and take photos, not just glance and move on.

This is where your pacing matters. You will want to plan your photos around movement, since people tend to cluster quickly. If you go a little slower at the edges, you often get calmer moments for pictures without feeling like you are elbowing for a shot.

Another practical detail: you will be wearing a life vest during boat segments, and you will likely keep the day’s items on you once you are at swim stops. If you are bringing a phone or camera, protect it from spray and saltwater, then keep it accessible. You do not want your day to revolve around lost gear.

Big Lagoon vs Small Lagoon: One Day, One Choice

Here is the tricky part to understand before you commit. The tour lists Big/Small Lagoon, with an important note: you cannot visit Big and Small Lagoon on the same day.

That means Tour A is not designed to satisfy everyone’s exact lagoon checklist in one outing. It is a format built for efficiency, and efficiency comes with tradeoffs. If your dream is one specific lagoon, this is the part you should confirm when booking.

The other useful detail is that additional fees for lagoon access are not included. So depending on which lagoon you end up at, you may pay a users fee on-site. That does not make the tour a bad deal, but it does mean you should keep a little extra cash or payment method ready.

If you are flexible and just want the lagoon experience, you will likely be happy. If you are locked onto one lagoon name as your must-see, do the extra check so you are not disappointed by how the day works.

Life Vest, Boat Transfers, and Why Safety Matters Here

A life vest is included. That is not just a checkbox. It often changes how relaxed you feel on small boat transfers. It also lets you focus on the view and the swim time instead of worrying about gear.

Boat transfer is included too, which is one of the biggest reasons this tour feels simple. You are not coordinating your own motorboat logistics between stops, and you are not trying to figure out where everyone meets at each island.

The day is designed as island hopping with a guide guiding the movement between areas. This is the kind of plan that works best when you are willing to follow the schedule even if you could, in theory, explore more independently. The payoff is that you reach spots most people only see by boat.

Lunch on the Beach: Included, and It Can Be a Highlight

A picnic lunch is included, and national park admission fees are included. That combination matters because it reduces the number of times you have to think about food and entry costs during the day.

In a boat tour, lunch time is often when the trip either feels smooth or starts to fray. On Tour A, the lunch is part of the design, not an optional stop. That usually makes the whole day feel less chaotic.

Since you are at beach areas and lagoons, lunch can also add to the experience because you are not eating on the go. You can pause, reset, and then head back out for the next photo and swim window.

Practical tip: pack or plan for sun protection. Even if the tour provides life vests, sun does not come with a safety gear tag. Bring what you normally use so the day stays comfortable.

Photography and Swim Time: How to Get Better Results With Less Hassle

The tour includes ample time to swim and take photographs at each spot. That is exactly what you want on a lagoon day, because El Nido’s beauty is not just scenery, it is details. The color of water, the shape of limestone around lagoons, and the way beaches frame the horizon all reward time, not speed.

To get the most from the photo time, I suggest you treat each stop as two phases:

1) a quick sweep for your main shots

2) a second pass for the calm moments

You will have more chances for better angles when you do not chase the first crowd. Also, if you know you will want your “main” photo at the water, do it early in the stop so you are not juggling camera and swim gear at the same time.

Swim time is usually the main “value moment” for people who love water travel. If you are planning to swim, go in with a simple mindset: keep your valuables secure, use your provided life vest, and enjoy the water without overthinking it.

Weather and Cancellations: How to Plan Around Conditions

Tour A requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. That is the kind of policy you want on island hopping days, because sea and wind conditions can change quickly.

The tour also has a minimum number of travelers. If that minimum is not met, you may be offered a different experience or a full refund.

Bottom line: keep a little flexibility in your schedule if you can. If your El Nido dates are fixed with zero wiggle room, you may still book, but you should understand that weather can force changes.

Who This Tour Fits Best in Real Life

Tour A is a smart pick for you if:

• You are visiting El Nido for a short stay and need a time-efficient plan
• You want multiple major stops, including lagoon areas
• You like the idea of included transfers, a guide, and a life vest
• You want lunch handled without extra research

It is also a good fit if you are comfortable following a schedule and sharing popular stops with a group. With a maximum of 100 travelers, you will not be alone, but you should not feel stuck either if the crew runs things smoothly.

This is less ideal if:

• You have a specific lagoon obsession, like you only want Big Lagoon and you cannot adjust
• You hate the idea that you might pay additional lagoon users fees since they are not included
• You prefer total independence over an organized island-hopping route

Should You Book El Nido Tour A?

If you want an efficient day that hits famous El Nido islands and lagoon areas, this tour is usually a solid booking. The biggest reasons: boat access to the highlights, an included guide and life vest, and a picnic lunch plus national park admissions already worked into the plan.

My main caution is the lagoon detail. Since Big and Small Lagoon are not both on the same day, confirm what your day includes if lagoon selection is your top priority. Also, remember the lagoon users fee and eco tourism fee are not included, so budget for those.

If your goal is to see the iconic places quickly, swim, and come away with a folder of photos and a full stomach, Tour A is a great value way to do it in Palawan.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for Tour A?

The meeting point is at the El Nido Pier dispatching and docking area.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 9:00 AM.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about 7 to 9 hours (approximately).

Is pickup included?

Yes, there is free pickup within El Nido Town.

What is included in the tour price?

Included are a tour guide, land and boat transfer, life vest, island hopping, and free pickup within El Nido Town. Lunch and national park admission fees are also included.

What is not included?

Not included are the eco tourism development fee, the Small/Big Lagoon users fee, and kayak rental.

Can I visit both Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon on the same day?

No. The Big/Small Lagoon option is listed as not visitable as both on the same day.

How many travelers can be on the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 100 travelers.

What happens if the weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for free up to 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund.