Shared El Nido Tour A

El Nido is one of those places where the water looks too good to be true, and island hopping keeps the day moving through the highlights. I love that you get snorkeling and kayaking time plus sightseeing at multiple lagoons and beaches. One drawback to keep in mind is crowding and schedule slippage, since shared boats can fill up and departures may not be as crisp as the ideal 9:00 AM start.

You meet near the El Nido wharf area at Mabuhay Sports Bar, check in with a licensed English guide, and spend about 6 to 7 hours on the water with lunch included. If you get seasick easily, this is still a boat day with multiple stops, so you’ll want to plan for that.

Key Things That Make This Tour Worth Your Time

• Five-locations plan across El Nido’s best-known spots, including Secret Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, and Seven Commando Beach
• Lagoons plus beaches in one go, with swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking options at the main stops
• Lunch is included, and you’ll also have onboard meal time at Shimizu Island in the middle of the day
• Comfort basics are covered, life vests and boat transfers are included, with a licensed English guide running the day
• Your real budget includes add-on fees, there’s an environmental fee and a Big Lagoon entrance fee for Tour A

Price and Value: What $24 Really Buys You

Shared El Nido Tour A is priced at $24 per person, and on paper it’s a steal for an all-in island-hopping day. You’re not just paying for transport, you’re paying for an organized route that hits several of El Nido’s signature locations in about 6 to 7 hours.

That said, the fine print matters for value. You’ll also pay an environmental fee of ₱400 per person, plus a Big Lagoon entrance fee of ₱200 per person for Tour A. Kayak and other aqua gear rentals are not included, and snorkeling gear rental is not included either.

So the best way to think about the deal is this: $24 gets you the core tour structure, crew, guide, lunch, and life vests. The extra fees are standard in this area, and they’re part of why tours can protect the places you came to see.

Getting Started at Mabuhay Sports Bar, Near the Wharf

This tour is built around a simple meet-up: go to Mabuhay Sports Bar, which is just a few minutes walk from the El Nido wharf area. It’s also where you handle the documentation and verification before boarding.

Here’s the practical part: bring your ID card. A copy is accepted, which is helpful if you’re juggling bags and paperwork. Once the coast guard documentation is done, you’ll board the boat assigned to your group by the team.

If you’re trying to time it perfectly, give yourself a small buffer. One of the recurring headaches on shared day tours is waiting around for late arrivals, and a tighter start depends on everyone showing up on time.

Secret Lagoon and Big Lagoon: The Main Draw for Snorkelers

Secret Lagoon is the first named stop on the route, and it’s where the day often starts feeling like a proper El Nido postcard. Expect a guided tour and plenty of water time, with options like swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking, plus marine life viewing.

Big Lagoon follows, and it’s typically the moment people remember most when they think about El Nido’s lagoons. The route includes guided sightseeing, plus the same style of water activities: swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking, with scenic views on the way.

One budget note that affects Big Lagoon specifically: the Big Lagoon entrance fee is ₱200 per person for Tour A. You’ll want to make sure you have cash or whatever payment method is easiest for the day.

Lagoons can be calm, but conditions still matter

Lagoons are often sheltered, so they can feel easier than open-water stretches. Still, you’re on a shared boat with multiple transitions, and the day includes plenty of time in and out of the water. If you’re new to snorkeling, don’t assume you’ll have unlimited control of timing. You’ll get time in the water, then you’ll move on.

Shimizu Island: Break Time, Onboard Meal, and More Water

Shimizu Island is slotted in with a break time plus guided sightseeing. This stop is also where the tour includes swimming and snorkeling, and you’ll have meal time onboard.

That onboard meal detail matters. A lot of island hopping tours make lunch feel like an afterthought. Here, the meal is built into the schedule at Shimizu, so you can eat without waiting for the whole day to finish.

In a shared tour, the biggest comfort variable is how your group functions. If you like structure and moving as a team, this stop is usually easier to enjoy because you can reset before the next beach phase.

Payong-Payong Beach and the Final Beach Stop: Snorkeling with a View

After Big Lagoon, the tour heads to Payong-Payong Beach for guided tour, sightseeing, swimming, and snorkeling. This is more beach-focused than lagoon-focused, which is a nice change of pace if you’ve been in water and guided routes nonstop.

Then you get another break time, guided tour, sightseeing, swimming, and snorkeling for the next stop. The tour’s overall plan includes Seven Commando Beach, so the final phase of your itinerary is designed around that last signature beach moment.

If you want a simple rule, here it is: lagoons are for the protected water feel, and beach stops are for shifting scenery and keeping the day varied. By the end, you’ll have done a mix of calm-water snorkeling and open shoreline water time.

Small warning: boat boarding can get awkward

One review-style issue that shows up in situations like this is how boarding happens when boats are crowded. I’m not exaggerating this part, if the boat is extremely full, it can become harder to step off and on smoothly. Plan to be flexible, and keep your essentials secured so you can move fast when it’s your turn.

Boat Comfort, Crowds, and the Reality of Shared Departure Times

Shared tours are great for value, but you trade some control. The most common friction point is timing. I’ve seen reports of an operator communication problem leading to a departure that ran late, in one case about an hour and twenty minutes.

Also be aware of crowding. In one booking account, the boat was described as extremely packed, so tight that people couldn’t fit comfortably. Another note pointed out that boarding felt like it required extra effort when the boat was too crowded.

There’s a second comfort angle that you should take seriously: smell and smoke. A report described crew smoking despite the boat being presented as non-smoking, and that can seriously affect how you experience the ride if you’re sensitive.

What can you do? You can’t control other people’s timing, but you can reduce your stress by arriving early, keeping your bag minimal, and mentally switching from clock-watching to island-going mode.

Lunch on Tour Day: Where You Eat Changes the Mood

Lunch is included, and it’s served amid breathtaking scenery on one of the island destinations. Plus, as mentioned earlier, Shimizu Island includes an onboard meal time.

This matters because you’re not just eating to fuel up. You’re eating while you’re already in the day’s best views. That turns lunch from a chore into a breather.

The practical part: since plastic bottles are listed as not allowed, think about how you’ll handle water. The tour data doesn’t say water is provided, so your safest move is to plan water outside the category that is banned and follow the operator rules for what you can bring.

What’s Included vs. What You’ll Pay Extra

Included in this tour:

• Lunch
• Licensed tour guide
• Boat crew or boatmen
• Life vest
• Boat transfers

Not included:

• Environmental fee: ₱400 per person
• Big Lagoon entrance fee: ₱200 per person for Tour A
• Kayak and other aqua gear rentals
• Snorkeling gear rental
• Tricycle fare to the meet-up location at Mabuhay Sports Bar

That list is worth repeating because it changes your day if you forget gear. You’ll almost certainly want snorkeling gear if you’re serious about seeing marine life. If you don’t have your own, you’ll need to plan to rent it elsewhere since it’s not included.

Also, if you want a kayak experience, remember that kayak and other aqua gear rentals are not included. The schedule includes kayaking time at key stops, but the rental cost is on you.

Packing Smart: What You Can Bring (and What You Shouldn’t)

The tour has strict rules, and it’s easier to follow them than to debate them at the dock. Bring:

• ID card (a copy is accepted)

Not allowed:

• High-heeled shoes
• Weapons or sharp objects
• Luggage or large bags
• Mobility scooters, electric wheelchairs
• Bikes, surfboards
• Intoxication
• Red wine
• Alcohol and drugs
• Alcoholic drinks in the vehicle
• Plastic bottles
• Valuables and glass objects
• Littering, making fire
• Unaccompanied minors
• Firework
• Skates
• Non-folding strollers and non-folding wheelchairs
• Electric wheelchairs, scooter (listed)

That list tells you the operator wants a clean, safe boat day with minimal clutter. I recommend you pack light, keep valuables out of sight, and stick to practical footwear. If you’re unsure, treat it like packing for a boat trip and a beach day, not a city day.

Rainy Season Changes: When the Itinerary Isn’t Fixed

Weather can shift plans. During rainy season, tours may be diverted to alternative destinations or alternative tour options depending on weather and availability.

That’s not a deal-breaker, it’s a safety reality. The way to make this feel less stressful is to keep your expectations flexible. Your goal is marine and eco tourism in El Nido, and the operator may adjust which exact spots you reach when conditions change.

Who This Tour Fits Best, and Who Should Skip It

Shared El Nido Tour A is a good fit if you want a structured day with a guide, multiple water activities, and lunch already handled. You’ll especially like it if you’re comfortable in the water and want a mix of snorkeling and kayaking time at the main stops.

It’s not suitable for:

• People with mobility impairments
• Wheelchair users
• Visually impaired people
• People prone to seasickness
• People with pre-existing medical conditions
• People over 95 years

If you’re in one of those categories, you’ll have a safer time choosing a different kind of plan with fewer boat transitions.

If you’re not in those categories but you’re sensitive to crowds, go in with open eyes. The value is great, but tight boats and fast group movement are part of the shared day package.

Should You Book Shared El Nido Tour A?

I’d book this tour if you want the El Nido highlights in one day and you’re okay trading a bit of comfort for price. The big wins are clear: lagoons and beaches, guided sightseeing, real water time with snorkeling and kayaking options, and lunch included.

I’d hesitate if you hate boat delays, get upset by crowded conditions, or are sensitive to ride quality. The low scores linked to long waits for late arrivals and a packed boat situation are exactly the kind of problem that will ruin the day if you expect smooth, quiet, and perfectly timed.

One more honest test: if you don’t already have snorkeling gear and you’re planning to rely on rentals, factor that into your budget. Then add the ₱400 environmental fee and ₱200 Big Lagoon entrance fee, and you’ll be ready for the full cost reality.

If you arrive on time, pack light, and keep your expectations realistic for a shared boat day, this is still a strong way to experience El Nido’s top water spots.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for Shared El Nido Tour A?

You meet at Mabuhay Sports Bar, located near the El Nido wharf area.

What time do they usually schedule the meet-up?

The meet-up time is scheduled between 8:30 AM and 9:00 AM.

How long is the tour?

The tour typically lasts about 6 to 7 hours.

Which locations does the tour include?

The tour includes Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Island, and Seven Commando Beach.

What is included in the price?

Included are lunch, a licensed tour guide, boat crew/boatmen service, life vests, and boat transfers.

What extra fees are not included?

You’ll pay an environmental fee of ₱400 per person, and for Tour A you also pay Big Lagoon entrance fee ₱200 per person. Kayak and aqua gear rentals and snorkeling gear rental are also not included. Tricycle fare to the meeting point is not included.

Is this tour suitable if I get seasick?

No. The tour is listed as not suitable for people prone to seasickness.