Big Lagoon looks unreal, even on a boat tour. This private Tour A day in El Nido hits the Big Lagoon cliffs and the snorkel swim at Shimizu Island, where you may see turtles. The only real watch-out is to confirm what you get with food and drinks on the day, since a small mismatch can happen around the included refreshments.

I really like the pace here. Because it’s a private setup with your own boat, your guide can keep things calmer and time stops to help you avoid the worst crowds, and you get licensed crew support the whole way. For $135 per person on an 8-hour outing, it’s strong value if you want the classic lagoons without feeling herded, but you should plan for extra government fees that are not included.

Key Points to Know Before You Go

• Big Lagoon photo time plus kayaking and swimming at the main showstopper
• Shimizu Island turtle chance paired with snorkeling time and a proper break
• Secret Lagoon timing through a limestone grotto (short, dramatic, worth it)
• Seven Commandos Beach history and shoreline chill with coconut-water moments
• Payong-Payong’s gentle swim zone plus snorkeling, depending on conditions

Why This Private Tour A Feels Different Than Group Island Hopping

El Nido’s Tour A is the classic route for good reason. You’re going for the lagoons with black limestone walls, turquoise water, and those postcard angles that make you stop thinking and just look. This private version matters because it changes how the day feels: less waiting around, more freedom at the stops, and fewer interruptions when you’re trying to enjoy the water.

The real value is control. When your boat is used only by your group, your guide can adjust the timing if the sea is rough, if the crowds are thick, or if a spot needs a little more time. That can be the difference between rushing through the best moments and actually settling in.

The day also includes the essentials that keep you comfortable out on the water: a licensed tourist boat, a licensed guide and crew, life vests, bottled water, and a buffet lunch made with local Filipino dishes. You still need to bring what the tour does not provide, but the core setup is there.

Price and Value, Including the Fees You Should Budget

At $135 per person for about 8 hours, this is not the cheapest way to island hop in El Nido. The trade-off is privacy and flexibility. Instead of negotiating the flow of a big group, you get your own rhythm, plus your guide has a clearer job: keep you safe, keep you comfortable, and take you to the right moments around Big Lagoon and the smaller lagoons.

Here’s the part that can surprise first-timers: some costs are not included. Plan for government-mandated charges such as the environmental fee and the lagoon entrance fee. Those are typically paid separately on the ground, and you will want cash ready.

Also, don’t assume every water activity is fully covered. Even though kayaking time is listed on the Big Lagoon portion, kayak rental at the lagoon is listed as not included. Translation: you should be ready to pay if they charge for lagoon use, or if the kayak you get is only for transport, not paddling.

Pickup and Getting to the Water Like a Pro

You’ll get free pickup within 1 km of Corong-corong Beach using a tuk-tuk. Hotel drop-off is not included, so confirm where you’ll be dropped at the end. Once you’re at the meeting point, the rest of the day runs on water time, not hotel time.

One practical tip from people who’ve done this route: expect to get your feet wet even before you get fully settled. You may have to walk through water to reach the boat. That means your best move is to wear water-friendly footwear and pack with a drybag mindset.

Before you leave, I’d set yourself up for an easy day:

• Keep your phone and camera in a drybag.
• Bring a towel you don’t mind using fast.
• Have a change of clothes ready, because you will likely want one by the end.

Seven Commandos Beach: WWII Name, Beach-Bum Calm, and Quick Photos

Seven Commando Beach is often your first stop, and it sets the tone for the whole outing. It’s a sheltered beach framed by limestone cliffs, and it has that “this is why people come to El Nido” vibe without needing a huge effort. The name comes from World War II, when a group of troops were left stranded here.

You’ll typically get around 45 minutes here, which is enough for:

• A photo stop without feeling frantic
• A swim when the sea cooperates
• A slow moment on the sand before the lagoons get even more dramatic

This is also a good spot to get your body in island-hopping mode. After pickup and a short ride, it’s a friendly “warm-up” before the black-cliff scenery of Big Lagoon.

Big Lagoon: The Main Event for Kayak Time and Big-Photo Energy

Big Lagoon is the reason people plan their entire El Nido trip around Tour A. The setting is iconic: black limestone cliffs, open water, and a stream that shows up as bright blue against darker rock. It’s one of those places where your camera will either annoy you or you’ll stop using it. Either way, the view does the work.

Plan for about 45 minutes here, and you’ll typically have time for:

• Swimming and relaxing in the lagoon
• Kayaking time on the water
• Another photo stop where you can get your “I’m actually here” shots

A small reality check: gear rules can vary. Mask and snorkel are not included, and kayak rental at the lagoon is not included. Even if your schedule mentions kayaking, I’d treat it as “time to kayak” rather than “free kayak service no questions asked.”

If you want the best photos, go early in your window. Even with a private boat, there can be traffic on the water. When your guide can time the arrival well, Big Lagoon becomes calm and photogenic instead of crowded.

Shimizu Island: Turtle Swim Chance, Snorkeling, and a Real Break

Shimizu Island is the stop that turns this tour from beautiful into memorable for most people. It’s where you get the chance to swim with majestic turtles, and it’s also where the day gives you an actual break. You’ll usually get about 1 hour, which includes downtime plus water time.

This is your snorkeling segment. Mask and snorkel are not included, so if you don’t bring your own, you can rent them. Fins and aquashoes also aren’t included, so plan for either rentals or your own water shoes.

Why does this matter? Because Shimizu-style snorkeling is more enjoyable when your feet are protected and your gear fits well. Coral and stone can be rough under the surface, and even a great swimmer can have a miserable time if their fins or footwear don’t work.

Food usually happens around this break window. A buffet lunch is included, and it’s made with local Filipino dishes. In one small caution, some guests weren’t thrilled with the food portion or found the included drinks didn’t match expectations, so I recommend you treat lunch as solid but not life-changing. If you have strong preferences, bring extra cash for anything you want beyond the included items.

Secret Lagoon and the Tight Limestone Grotto Moment

The Secret Lagoon is the “wow, how is this even a place?” stop. It’s hidden between limestone cliffs, with a grotto feel that makes the entrance feel like you’re stepping into a different pocket of the world.

You’ll typically have around 45 minutes here for:

• A photo stop at the right angle
• Swimming in calmer water
• The gentle wow factor of the narrow passage feel

The biggest practical thing is how you mentally prepare for it. This lagoon is not a wide open swimming pool. Expect a more enclosed experience, where you move carefully and keep an eye on your footing and your group.

Also, weather can matter. If conditions are rough, the guide may adjust stops. The good news is your guide is guiding a private setup, so adjustments can happen more smoothly than on a big group schedule.

Payong-Payong Beach: Gentle Waves, Snorkeling Time, and Beach-Blanket Energy

After the dramatic lagoons, Payong-Payong Beach feels like a reset button. The waves are often gentler, and the water gives you room for casual swimming and a more relaxed hang. You’ll usually have about 45 minutes here, plus snorkeling time.

This is one of the best places for an easy, low-stress swim. The rock formations and cliffs make it look like a set, but the water behavior helps you stay comfortable. It’s also a good stop for anyone who wants a day that balances adventure with downtime.

Like other snorkeling segments: mask and snorkel are not included, and fins are not included. If you’re renting, do it early enough that you’re not rushed later.

Who This Private Island Hopping Tour Suits Best

This tour fits best if you want the El Nido classics, but with your own space. It’s especially good for:

• Couples who want the Big Lagoon experience without constant crowd noise
• Small groups that want a steady pace and fewer logistics headaches
• People who care about photo timing and want a guide who can manage the day flow

It’s less ideal if you’re traveling with mobility needs that require wheelchair access. This tour is listed as not suitable for wheelchair users.

And if you’re someone who gets annoyed when plans shift due to weather, you should know that destinations may change. That’s just real life on boats in Palawan. The private setup can make those changes feel less chaotic, but you should still accept that the sea runs the schedule sometimes.

What to Bring (So You Don’t Spend the Day Miserable)

This kind of island hopping is simple, but your comfort depends on preparation. Bring:

• Sun hat
• Swimwear
• Change of clothes
• Towel
• Camera
• Beachwear
• Cash

I’d add two practical extras based on what people learned the hard way:

• Water shoes or aquashoes, because stone and coral can be rough
• A drybag, because you may get wet getting onto the boat and you do not want to ruin your electronics

Also, follow the rules: no intoxication, no smoking in the vehicle, no plastic bottles, and no littering. The lagoons are the product here. Keep them clean and they stay stunning.

The Best-Use Spots, If You Want to Prioritize Your Time

If you’re the type who wants a mission, here’s how I’d think about the day.

• For pure scenery and the top photo angle, prioritize Big Lagoon.
• For snorkeling that can include turtle sightings, prioritize Shimizu Island.
• For a “this feels secret” experience, prioritize the Secret Lagoon grotto moment.
• For downtime and gentle water energy, use Payong-Payong Beach to cool off.

Your guide can shift small parts of the schedule, and some guides are known for adjusting timing and even helping with photos and videos. If you want that, tell your guide what you care about early.

Should You Book This Private El Nido Tour A?

Book it if you want the famous lagoons without sharing your day with a big herd. The private boat setup, the Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon highlights, and the chance to snorkel at Shimizu Island with turtle encounters make it a strong pick for a memorable El Nido day.

Skip it or at least adjust expectations if you need guaranteed included beverages beyond bottled water, or if you assume kayaking is fully included with no extra charges. Also, plan for extra government entrance fees and bring what the tour does not supply, especially snorkeling gear and water-friendly footwear.

If you do those three things, you’ll be set up for exactly what Tour A is famous for: big limestone drama, calm lagoon swims, and a day that feels like it was designed around your group, not around the schedule of the largest boat.

FAQ

Is this island hopping tour private?

Yes. It’s a private group experience with exclusive use of the boat for your group.

How long is the tour?

The duration is 8 hours.

Where does the pickup happen?

There is free pickup within 1 km of Corong-corong Beach by tuk-tuk. Hotel drop off is not included.

What snorkeling and water gear is not included?

Mask and snorkel are not included, and fins or aquashoes are also not included. They can be rented if you don’t have them.

Are there extra government fees?

Yes. Environmental fee and lagoon entrance fee are government-mandated and are not included.

Can I cancel or change plans?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. There is also a reserve now, pay later option.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

No. This tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.