El Nido Tour A – Big Lagoon Premium Tour (Private / Shared)

Big Lagoon is the reason to consider this day on the water. Dark limestone walls rise around striking blue-green water, and you can swim, snorkel, or kayak through one of El Nido’s most memorable natural settings. Big Lagoon is the star, with Shimizu Island close behind for white sand, shallow water, and fish.

I like the range of stops. You get a grand lagoon, a beach break, a small cave passage, and a palm-lined beach with a bar, all in one roughly seven-hour outing. I also like that lunch, purified water, a life jacket, boat transfer, and an experienced crew are included. Guide Jerry is specifically praised for keeping the day pleasant and helping everyone take part.

The main concern is that private and shared can be unclear. Some bookings have involved cramped boats, pickup limits, or changes to the advertised start time. At $40 per person, the price can be fair for the included meal and transport, but you should confirm the boat setup, pickup point, and kayak access before paying.

Key points at a glance

• Big Lagoon takes about 90 minutes: This is the main scenic stop, with limestone cliffs, clear water, and time for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking.
• Five stops fill roughly seven hours: The route combines Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, Secret Lagoon, and Seven Commando Beach.
• Kayaking is for private tours only: The listing includes a kayak with the private option, not the shared arrangement.
• Several extra charges apply: Big Lagoon costs PHP 200 per person, the environmental fee is PHP 400 per person for five days, and a snorkeling mask costs PHP 150.
• Pickup needs checking: Hotel pickup is offered, but some properties may be considered too far from the departure area.
• Weather can change the plan: Payong-Payong Beach is weather dependent, and poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Big Lagoon gives this trip its purpose

If you have only one day for an island tour in El Nido, Big Lagoon is the stop that carries the most weight. The boat moves into a narrow stretch of water framed by dark, craggy limestone. The color shifts between blue and green, and the steep rock walls make the place feel far removed from town.

You have about 90 minutes here. That is enough time to take in the cliffs, swim, snorkel, and use a kayak if your booking is private. The lagoon is scenic first, active second, so you do not need to fill every minute with swimming. Bring your camera, but keep it protected. Water, boat movement, and frequent transfers are part of the day.

Big Lagoon has an admission charge of PHP 200 per person, separate from the tour price. That matters when you compare the $40 rate with cheaper local boat arrangements. The headline price is not the final cost, especially when you also add the PHP 400 environmental fee and possible mask rental.

The environmental fee is valid for five days, which is useful if you plan another island trip during the same stay. Keep proof of payment if you have it, since the fee is not only tied to this one outing.

Shimizu Island offers the best beach break

After the lagoon, Shimizu Island gives you a change of pace. Expect powdery white sand, clear water, forested slopes, and a relaxed stop of about 90 minutes. This is a good place to swim in fairly shallow turquoise water and use a mask to look for schools of fish.

The island works well for a mixed group. Strong swimmers can spend more time in the water, while anyone wanting a quiet pause can stay on the beach and enjoy the view. The long stop also gives lunch some breathing room rather than forcing you to eat quickly between short photo stops.

The picnic lunch includes fruit and a selection that may include seafood, pork, and chicken. The food has received positive marks for variety and taste, though the quantity can feel limited. I would treat it as a practical island lunch, not a lavish spread. Purified water is included, which saves you from having to arrange drinking water separately.

Snorkeling equipment is not included. A mask costs PHP 150 per person, so bring your own if you have one. The boat supplies life jackets, but you should still expect to manage your own comfort and gear during the beach and snorkeling stops.

Payong-Payong Beach depends on the weather

Payong-Payong Beach is scheduled for about an hour. It offers a scenic beach setting and time to relax or snorkel in clear El Nido water. It is also the least certain stop on the route because conditions can determine whether the boat goes there.

If the weather does not cooperate, the crew may take you to another snorkeling spot. That is a sensible adjustment for a boat day, but it means you should not treat Payong-Payong as guaranteed. The broader promise is time in a clean-water setting, not a fixed piece of sand at a fixed hour.

This is one reason the tour can feel different from the printed plan. Island routes depend on wind, waves, and safe access. The provider has also changed the starting time in response to favorable weather conditions. If you care about reaching Big Lagoon early, ask for the confirmed departure time close to the date of travel.

Secret Lagoon adds a short cave passage

Secret Lagoon is reached through a small cave, followed by a hidden pool used for sightseeing. The stop is planned for about an hour, so you have time to see the passage and take in the enclosed setting without rushing through it.

The cave entrance is the feature here. It gives the stop a sense of discovery, but it can also make access less straightforward than a normal beach landing. The tour information does not provide exact details about the cave’s size or water conditions, so ask the crew for current guidance on the day.

Secret Lagoon is best understood as a scenic stop rather than a long swimming session. Big Lagoon offers the wide views and open water. Secret Lagoon gives you a more enclosed setting and a different kind of photo opportunity.

Seven Commando Beach closes the route gently

The final stop is Seven Commando Beach, with white sand, turquoise water, palm trees, rock formations, and a beach bar. The planned visit lasts about an hour, making it a pleasant place to slow down before returning to El Nido.

The beach is a good match for anyone who wants a final swim or simply wants to sit by the water. The bar adds a little convenience, though the tour does not state that drinks are included. Plan to pay separately if you want anything beyond the supplied lunch and water.

Ending here makes practical sense. After several boat transfers, snorkeling stops, and a cave visit, a simple beach hour feels easier than another demanding activity. You return to the El Nido floating dock with the day’s main sights completed.

What the $40 price really includes

At $40 per person, the tour offers a reasonable package if you value convenience. You get hotel pickup, boat transport, crew support, a licensed guide, a life jacket, purified water, and a picnic lunch with fruit. For a first visit to El Nido, combining five well-known locations in one day can save you the work of arranging separate transfers.

The value becomes less clear if you are comparing it with local operators in town. One piece of feedback points out that the same general route may cost much less when arranged directly with a boat operator. That does not automatically make this booking poor value, since an online reservation can provide a clear itinerary and advance confirmation. It does mean you should compare prices before committing.

Private and shared terminology deserves special attention. The activity is described as private in the practical details, yet the title includes private and shared, and one booking found the boat experience more shared than expected. A private tour should mean your group has the boat and route arrangement to itself. Confirm that point in writing if privacy is important.

The kayak is included only with the private option. Do not assume a shared booking includes one. If kayaking through Big Lagoon is one of your main reasons for booking, confirm that your selected package lists it clearly.

Pickup and departure details need a quick check

Hotel pickup is offered, but it has caused confusion for some bookings. Properties listed in the pickup menu have still been judged too far from the town departure area, with guests asked to meet closer to the dock instead.

This is easy to avoid. Before your date, confirm the exact pickup point, the pickup time, and whether your hotel qualifies. A short car ride to the departure area may be manageable, but it is better to know before breakfast than at the last minute.

The trip ends at the El Nido floating dock. The total duration is about seven hours, though the exact schedule can shift with weather and operating conditions. The advertised start time has changed in some cases, so do not arrange a tight afternoon connection or another fixed activity without checking the final schedule.

The tour is near public transportation, and most people can participate. No special access information is provided for the cave, beaches, or boat, so anyone with mobility concerns should ask the provider for current details before booking.

Weather and cancellation rules matter here

This is a weather-dependent boat trip. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. Payong-Payong Beach can also be replaced by another snorkeling location if conditions make the planned stop unsuitable.

The standard cancellation rule is strict. The booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons after purchase. You should avoid booking until your El Nido dates are firm.

Weather changes can be frustrating, especially if a start time shifts close to the outing. Still, moving the schedule to suit safer or more favorable conditions is preferable to forcing a boat trip in poor weather. Keep your plans flexible on the day before and day of the tour.

How the crew affects the day

A good boat crew matters on a route with five stops. Guide Jerry is specifically noted for helping the group enjoy the day, and attentive driving and boat service have also been singled out as strengths. Those details are valuable because the crew handles transitions, lunch, safety equipment, and timing.

The experience is not a luxury cruise. One account describes a cramped boat and limited food, so expectations should match the price. You are booking a practical island-hopping day, not a private yacht with generous space.

The route can still feel personal if the private arrangement is confirmed and your group is not combined with others. If you want room to stretch out, a quieter boat, or complete control over stops, ask detailed questions before booking rather than relying on the word premium.

Who will enjoy this El Nido day

I would recommend this tour to someone who wants the famous El Nido sights in one organized outing. It suits couples, families, and small groups who value hotel pickup, a supplied lunch, and a guide who handles the boat day.

It also works for people who want variety. You get limestone cliffs, open beach, snorkeling, a cave entrance, and a beach bar rather than five versions of the same stop. The route gives you a broad first look at the area.

I would be more cautious if you are highly price sensitive or expect a truly private boat without further confirmation. I would also think twice if you need a fixed departure time or cannot accept changes caused by weather.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if Big Lagoon is your priority and you want a simple package with boat transport, lunch, water, safety gear, and several stops. The combination of scenery is strong, and the crew support can make a long island day easier.

Before paying, confirm four things: the exact pickup point, whether your booking is genuinely private, whether kayaking is included, and the final start time. Add the PHP 200 Big Lagoon ticket, PHP 400 environmental fee, and PHP 150 mask rental to your budget.

The tour is a fair convenience choice, not necessarily the cheapest way to see the same route. If the details are confirmed and the price fits your plans, it offers a full day of El Nido’s signature scenery. If privacy, low cost, or strict timing matters most, compare direct local options before you commit.

FAQ

How long does El Nido Tour A take?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours.

What places are included?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is included, but some hotels may be considered too far from the departure area. Confirm your exact pickup point before the trip.

Is kayaking included?

Kayaking is included for the private tour only.

How much is the Big Lagoon entrance fee?

The Big Lagoon entrance fee is PHP 200 per person and is not included in the tour price.

What other fees are not included?

The environmental fee is PHP 400 per person and is valid for five days. A snorkeling mask costs PHP 150 per person.

Is lunch provided?

Yes. A picnic lunch with fruit is included, along with purified water.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. Payong-Payong Beach may also be replaced with another snorkeling location when conditions require it.