Sea turtles are not the only surprise here. El Nido Tour A stitches together lagoon scenery with beach time, from the famous Big Lagoon views to the tight little entrance that leads to the Secret Lagoon. It is a full, one-day route that mixes photo stops, swimming, and calm water moments.

I especially like how the day builds around two different moods: the big, open spectacle of the Big Lagoon, then the quieter feel once you move toward the Secret Lagoon. You also get solid snorkeling time at Shimizu Island, where the water is made for spotting fish around coral.

One real consideration is cost creep. The headline price is budget-friendly, but you will likely pay extra on the water, including the environmental fee and the Big Lagoon entrance, plus optional gear and kayak rentals.

Key Things You Should Know Before You Go

• Big Lagoon is the star stop, with classic El Nido scenery and time to take it in from the water
• Secret Lagoon is reached through a narrow opening, so expect a more peaceful, enclosed-feeling visit
• Shimizu Island is your main snorkeling window, with plenty of time to swim if conditions are good
• Seven Commandos Beach adds variety, breaking up the day with a guided beach stop
• You’re on a shared group tour, so pace and boat comfort depend on the group and day’s conditions
• Operator support can be a plus, especially if you need help with gear and on-the-ground questions

From Coffee Shop to Bacuit Bay, How the Day Actually Starts

This tour begins at Grounded 100% Arabica Coffee in El Nido. The info you will see says 8:30 AM for the activity start, but it also notes meeting at 9:00 AM. Either way, show up early enough to avoid stress, grab a quick snack, and get your swim stuff ready. After check-in, you are looking at a short walk before you get into the boat rhythm.

Timing matters on island tours. Your day is built for a smooth sequence: beach stop, lagoon time, then Shimizu, then Secret Lagoon, with lunch and swimming slotted in. If you arrive late, it can mess with the whole flow. I’d treat this like a “be ready to go” day, not a casual stroll and see what happens.

Seven Commandos Beach: The Beach Break You Get Between Lagoons

Your first named stop is Seven Commandos Beach, with about 45 minutes of guided time. This is the part of the day where you reset. You get a proper land moment, good photo opportunities, and a break from the boat. It is also a nice way to build anticipation because the next segments are all about lagoons and water time.

What to watch for here is your schedule math. You will want to use this stop efficiently, especially if you plan to snorkel later. If you burn too much time here, Shimizu can feel rushed. If you treat it like a short stretch and photos, you stay ahead of the pace.

Lagoon Hour: Where Small, Big, and the Main Seascape Work Together

After Seven Commandos, you head into the lagoon portion of the route for about an hour. The tour experience is designed around multiple lagoon sights, including the Small Lagoon and the big highlight, Big Lagoon. This is the “look at the walls and curves of limestone, then look at the water” segment.

Why this matters: lagoons in El Nido look different from every angle, and the boats move in a way that lets you see the shapes, not just stare from one spot. Expect more of a guided scenic experience than a long stay. If you love the classic El Nido photos, this is where you get them.

There is also a practical side. The lagoon part often ties into entrance requirements. You should plan that you may need to pay the Big Lagoon entrance fee on top of your tour price. That is not a dealbreaker, but it is a real reason to keep a little extra cash handy.

Big Lagoon: The Famous Views, Plus What You Should Expect From the Water

Big Lagoon is your signature stop for a reason. You are in the right place for that classic El Nido wow factor, and the tour is set up to let you enjoy it without turning the day into a sprint.

What I like about this stop is the mix of viewpoints and the sense that you are in the middle of the scenery, not just passing by it. If the water conditions are decent, it tends to be one of those parts where you can relax and just watch. If visibility is limited due to weather, you’ll still get the scale of the lagoon even if marine life spotting is harder.

Also, Big Lagoon can carry extra costs. The info here lists a Big Lagoon entrance fee of P200.00 not included in the base price. That is a small fee compared to the overall day, but I like being honest: this tour is not all-inclusive in the strict sense.

Secret Lagoon: The Narrow Entrance Stop That Changes the Mood

Then you transition to the more intimate-feeling Secret Lagoon. You spend about 1 hour here, and it is described as accessible through a narrow opening. That detail is key. Narrow entrances typically mean a calmer, more enclosed atmosphere once you get inside, which is exactly why people remember this stop.

This is a great moment to slow down. The tour format keeps moving, but Secret Lagoon gives you a different feel than the open lagoon scenes. You can take time for photos, soak up the quiet, and stay mindful of the rules around nature.

One more practical point: because access is through that narrow passage, you should follow your guide’s instructions carefully about where to move, how to enter, and how to handle your time in the lagoon. It is not about being rigid, it is about keeping everyone safe and keeping the stop smooth.

Shimizu Island: Snorkeling and Beach Time That Makes the Tour Worth It

If your idea of a good day includes water you can look into, Shimizu Island is where this tour delivers. You get about 105 minutes there, guided, which is a useful chunk. You can snorkel among coral reefs and also take a calmer break on the beach.

You have two variables here: water conditions and your comfort level with snorkeling on a reef. The tour description includes snorkeling, and it also lists optional snorkeling gear rental for P100.00, plus optional aqua shoes for P100.00. If you are not bringing your own gear, those rentals are the difference between feeling awkward and feeling ready.

I also like that Shimizu time is long enough to avoid the common “one minute in the water, next, move on” problem. Even if you snorkel for part of the window, you can still enjoy the beach and just enjoy the setting.

Safety is a bigger deal than people think. The rules explicitly say no touching marine life and no touching plants. Follow that. In reef waters, even accidental contact can harm coral, and it is not worth the risk. Also, smoking is not allowed and littering is a no-go.

Lunch, Water, and the Comfort Factor on a Shared Group Tour

Lunch is included as a buffet, plus 300 ml of bottled water. That is helpful, since island days can be snack-hungry. The tour also suggests bringing snacks, and I agree. A small snack can save you if the day runs ahead or if you get extra hungry between stops.

This is a group tour, shared with other adventurers unless you book private. That matters for two reasons. First, the pace is a group pace. Second, your comfort depends on the boat and crew handling the day. One piece of real-world feedback here points out that boat issues can happen, and communication might not always be perfect. It is not something you can fully predict, but it is why I’d pack patience and keep expectations flexible.

If the operator’s team is on it, the experience can feel smooth and even caring, especially around gear help and safety. Some feedback also highlights that the team can be very responsive when plans get changed by weather.

Price Breakdown: Is $23 a Good Deal After the Extras?

At $23 per person, this tour is priced like a value play. The catch is that the base price does not cover everything you may pay once you are in the water zone.

Here is what is listed as not included:

• Environmental fee: P400.00 (and if you already paid earlier, it is valid for 5 days with the issued copy you show at checking)
• Kayak rental: P300.00 (optional)
• Big Lagoon entrance fee: P200.00
• Snorkeling gears: P100.00 (optional)
• Aqua shoes: P100.00 (optional)

So when does it feel like a deal? When you show up prepared. If you bring your own swim gear and snorkeling setup, you can avoid the P100 gear rental and only pay what you must, plus the entrance and environmental fee.

When does it stop feeling like a bargain? If you add kayak time and rent both snorkel gear and aqua shoes, then you are stacking extras on top of the base tour. Still not crazy for a full day, but it will not feel like a $23 day anymore.

My simple advice: decide before you go. If you plan to snorkel seriously and walk on reefy edges, rent or bring the right footwear. If you want the kayak option, budget for it.

What to Bring So You Don’t Spend the Day Borrowing

The tour’s practical list is spot on:

• Hat
• Swimwear
• Camera
• Snacks
• Sunscreen
• Water

Then I add two “you’ll thank yourself later” notes. First, bring a dry bag or waterproof pouch so your phone and camera stay safe in sea spray. Second, if you are sensitive to sun or wind, pack more sunscreen than you think you need.

Also, the rules are clear:

• No smoking
• No littering
• No touching marine life
• No touching plants

These rules help protect the reefs and make your photos more about the view, not about an avoidable mistake.

Weather Reality: Why Your Day Might Change

Tours in this part of Palawan are weather-dependent. Storms and rough water can shift or cancel plans. The good sign is that the tour structure is built around multiple stops, so even when conditions are imperfect, guides typically focus on safety and group awareness.

If storms are rolling in, I’d expect calmer choices, shorter swim moments, or a tighter focus on scenic parts rather than heavy water activities. That is normal for the region, not a personal failure of the tour.

Still, keep expectations flexible. If your day is a weather washout, you may not get the same level of snorkeling and water clarity.

Who This Tour A Fits (And Who Might Want a Different Plan)

This is a strong fit if you:

• Want a one-day mix of lagoon scenery plus snorkeling
• Like having a guided structure so you do not have to plan everything yourself
• Enjoy beach and lagoon variety in the same day

It may feel less ideal if you:

• Have a low tolerance for boat variability and want zero chance of delays
• Are only interested in one kind of experience, like strictly snorkeling or strictly beaches
• Want a perfectly predictable schedule no matter the weather

Given the shared group format, this is best for people who can roll with a day that might run slightly different depending on sea conditions.

Should You Book El Nido Tour A?

I’d book El Nido Tour A if you want the classic El Nido route with two lagoon moods, plus a real chunk of Shimizu snorkeling. It is good value for the number of places you visit, and the mix of Big Lagoon spectacle, Secret Lagoon calm, and Shimizu reef time is exactly the kind of day that feels worth leaving the hotel for.

Just go in prepared for the extra fees and optional rentals, and plan your day with a little flexibility for weather. If you do that, you’re setting yourself up for a memorable half of your El Nido trip, not a stressed one.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for El Nido Tour A?

You meet at Grounded 100% Arabica Coffee, El Nido Branch.

What time does El Nido Tour A start?

The information lists both 8:30 AM and a 9:00 AM meeting time. Confirm the time in your tour details to be safe.

How long is the tour, and when do you return?

The tour duration is about 7.5 hours, with a return by about 4:30 PM.

What is included in the price?

Included are the visits to Big Lagoon, Seven Commandos, Secret Lagoon, and more, plus lunch (buffet) and 300 ml of bottled water.

What fees and rentals are not included?

Not included are the environmental fee (P400.00), kayak rental (P300.00), Big Lagoon entrance fee (P200.00), snorkeling gears (P100.00 optional), and aqua shoes (P100.00 optional).

If I already paid the environmental fee earlier, do I need to pay again?

If you already paid earlier, the environmental fee is valid for 5 days. You should present the issued copy when checking.

What snorkeling gear is available?

Snorkeling gears can be rented for P100.00 (optional). Aqua shoes can also be rented for P100.00 (optional).

What is not allowed during the tour?

No smoking, no littering, no touching marine life, and no touching plants.