El Nido Island Hopping Tour A with Lunch

What it is

El Nido Tour A is a government-regulated full-day island-hopping excursion departing from El Nido town in Palawan, Philippines. Groups board traditional outrigger banca boats and cruise through the dramatic karst landscape of Bacuit Bay, stopping at five designated sites: the towering Big Lagoon (navigable by kayak or swimming), the narrow emerald-green Small Lagoon (kayak access), the rock-enclosed Secret Lagoon hidden behind a small cave opening, the snorkel-rich waters around Shimizu Island, and the long white-sand stretch of Seven Commando Beach where lunch is typically served. The tour is operated by licensed local boat operators under the El Nido Tourism office, and an environmental fee (Palawan Environmental Fee) is required and usually collected upon entry to El Nido town or at the pier. Most full-day departures leave around 8–9 AM and return by late afternoon.

Highlights

• Big Lagoon — the centerpiece stop of Tour A: a vast enclosed lagoon with striking limestone walls rising from jade-green water, best explored by kayak (often included or available to rent) or by swimming through the narrow channel entrance
• Small Lagoon — a serene, cathedral-like cavern lagoon accessed through a tight rocky opening; paddling inside by kayak reveals mirror-still turquoise water surrounded by sheer karst cliffs
• Secret Lagoon — a small, hidden pool reached by squeezing through a crack in the limestone cliff; the interior is a calm, secluded swimming spot that feels genuinely off-the-beaten-path
• Shimizu Island — a prime snorkeling site named after a Japanese diver; the shallow reef around the island shelters a variety of colorful coral, reef fish, and occasional sea turtles
• Seven Commando Beach — a long, sweeping white-sand beach with clear shallow water, named after seven commandos who reportedly camped here during World War II; this is typically where the boat crew prepares and serves a freshly cooked Filipino beach lunch
• Scenic Bacuit Bay banca ride — the journey between sites passes towering karst formations, hidden coves, and vivid blue waters that define the El Nido seascape and make for excellent photos even from the boat

Good to know

• Full-day tour: most departures leave from El Nido pier around 8–9 AM and return by 4–5 PM, covering roughly 7–8 hours on and around the water
• What's typically included: banca boat transport, a Filipino lunch served at Seven Commando Beach (usually grilled fish, rice, and vegetables), snorkeling gear, and a guide or boatman; kayak rental for the lagoons may be included or charged separately depending on the operator