El Nido: Tour A (Big & Secret Lagoon, Shimizu, 7 Commando)

El Nido Tour A puts four of Palawan’s best-known stops into one long day: Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and 7 Commando Beach. You get clear water, limestone cliffs, beach time, and a buffet lunch without paying a high upfront price.

I like the mix of active stops and easy beach time, and I like that lunch and bottled water are included. The main concern is reliability: one recent booking had a badly damaged boat and poor communication during a long delay, while other reports praised the careful crew and helpful local support.

The tour’s current rating is 3.4 from eight ratings, so I would book it for the scenery and value, but I would confirm the meeting time, boat condition, and extra charges before setting out.

Key points to know before booking

• Big Lagoon is the star stop: Expect striking limestone scenery and the option to rent a kayak for P300.
• Secret Lagoon requires a narrow entrance: This is a short, enclosed-feeling visit rather than a wide-open beach stop.
• Shimizu Island gets the longest listed visit: The 105-minute stop allows time for lunch, swimming, and optional snorkeling.
• 7 Commando Beach opens the day gently: You get 45 minutes for sand, sea views, and a first taste of El Nido’s island scenery.
• The low price has add-ons: The P400 environmental fee and P200 Big Lagoon fee are not included, while snorkeling gear and aqua shoes cost P100 each if needed.
• Weather and boat condition matter: Storms can cancel the trip, and boat reliability has been uneven in the available feedback.

What this El Nido day is really like

This is a shared island-hopping trip from El Nido, lasting about 7 to 7.5 hours. The published schedule gives an 8:30 AM meeting time at Grounded 100% Arabica Coffee, while the practical instructions also mention 9:00 AM, so confirm the exact departure time when you book.

You walk about 15 minutes from the coffee shop area before beginning the boat portion. The tour ends at Bacuit Bay Floating Dock 1, with an expected return around 4:30 PM. Since this is a shared trip, you will spend the day with other people unless you choose a private option.

The price is attractive at $23 per person, especially with a buffet lunch and a 300 ml bottle of water included. But it is not the full cost. You may also need to pay P400 for the environmental fee and P200 for Big Lagoon. Kayak rental is P300, and optional snorkeling equipment and aqua shoes are P100 each.

That still may be good value for a full day on the water, but compare the final cost rather than the headline price. If you already paid the environmental fee earlier, the issued receipt is valid for five days. Keep the copy with you.

7 Commando Beach starts the morning with sand and sea

The first listed stop is 7 Commando Beach, with about 45 minutes for a guided visit. It is a useful opening stop because you can stretch your legs, look out across the water, and settle into the rhythm of a boat day before the more enclosed lagoon visits.

This is not the place to expect a long, quiet beach afternoon. Forty-five minutes goes quickly, particularly if you want photographs, a swim, and time to walk along the shore. Think of it as a pleasant introduction rather than the main event.

Bring your hat and sunscreen from the start. The tropical sun can feel strong even when clouds are moving in, and the trip schedule leaves little time to return to the boat for forgotten items.

Big Lagoon brings the famous El Nido scenery

Big Lagoon is the most important stop on this route. It is known for tall limestone formations, calm water, and the sort of broad natural setting that makes El Nido famous.

You can explore by kayak for an extra P300. That cost matters because kayaking gives you a way to move through the lagoon at your own pace rather than simply viewing it from the boat. If you prefer not to kayak, the stop still offers striking views and a chance to appreciate the cliffs and water from the boat area.

The Big Lagoon entrance fee of P200 is separate from the tour price. Make sure you budget for it. The supplied schedule does not clearly assign a separate duration to Big Lagoon, even though it is one of the central stops, so your exact time there may depend on the day’s conditions and the group schedule.

The water and cliffs are the main attraction here, not a packed list of activities. Take a camera, but protect it from splashes. Also follow the no-touch rules for marine life and plants. El Nido’s beauty is easy to damage when people treat a natural area like a photo set.

Shimizu Island combines lunch and snorkeling

Shimizu Island receives the longest listed stop, 105 minutes. That gives you the best chance to enjoy a slower break, with time for the included buffet lunch, beach time, and snorkeling.

The island is presented as a place for colorful coral and marine life. Snorkeling gear is optional and costs P100, so bring your own if you already have suitable equipment. Aqua shoes are also available for P100, which can be useful if you prefer extra foot protection around the shore.

The long stop is valuable because it gives you choices. You can spend your time in the water, eat lunch, sit back with the scenery, or combine all three without rushing through every minute. The tradeoff is that shared tours often require you to return to the boat at the agreed time, even if you have just found a pleasant patch of beach.

Lunch is buffet-style, but the available information does not specify the menu. Bring snacks in case you have strong dietary needs or want something between stops. A hat, swimwear, sunscreen, and water are sensible basics, even though a bottle of water is supplied.

Secret Lagoon is small, enclosed, and different

Secret Lagoon is reached through a narrow opening. That entrance is the point of the stop, so expect a more enclosed experience than at Big Lagoon.

The listed visit lasts about an hour. You may find the setting appealing if you enjoy unusual rock formations and short passages that lead to a tucked-away natural space. It is less suitable if you want a wide beach, open swimming area, or lots of room to spread out.

Move carefully and listen to the guide at this stop. The instructions specifically prohibit touching plants and marine life, and the lagoon’s narrow access makes it even more important to avoid pushing ahead or blocking the entry.

The route description also refers to Small Lagoon in its general overview, but the detailed stop list names Big Lagoon, 7 Commando Beach, Shimizu Island, and Secret Lagoon. Do not assume Small Lagoon is included unless the operator confirms it directly. This is an important point for anyone comparing Tour A versions in El Nido, since island-hopping routes can use similar names while including different stops.

The guide can shape the whole day

The tour includes an English-speaking live guide. That matters because the day involves several transfers, paid extras, and rules about protecting the water and shore.

One available account specifically praises a guide for being friendly and attentive. Another describes the local company’s representative, Mark, as helpful before and after the trip. Mark assisted with questions, snorkeling gear, registration, and even ferry tickets to Coron. He is not identified as the boat guide, but his support may be useful if you need help arranging related travel.

The quality of communication is the main variable here. A separate account describes a broken boat, a replacement arriving after about 1.5 hours, and little communication from the crew. That is a serious warning because a seven-hour outing has little spare time for mechanical trouble.

At the same time, another account describes guides taking safety seriously during stormy weather and keeping watch during activities. That gives you a balanced picture: the crew may be careful and accommodating, but boat operations and communication deserve attention before departure.

Weather can change the experience

El Nido’s island trips depend on sea conditions. Tours may be canceled because of bad weather, and storms affected one outing even though the crew continued to focus on safety.

I would leave some flexibility around this tour rather than scheduling an important flight or ferry immediately afterward. If the sea turns rough, a stop may feel less relaxing, the ride may take longer, and swimming or snorkeling may be limited.

The weather also affects photographs. Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon rely heavily on scenery, so cloudy skies do not ruin the trip, but they can change the color and clarity of the water. Safety should take priority over completing every planned activity.

What to pack and what to budget

Pack lightly, since you will be moving between boat, beach, and water stops. The essential list is simple:

• Hat and sunscreen
• Swimwear
• Camera
• Snacks
• Water
• A copy of your environmental-fee receipt, if already paid
• Cash for optional equipment and entrance charges

Smoking and littering are not allowed. You also must not touch marine life or plants. These rules are straightforward, but they matter in places where coral, rock, and shallow water can be damaged quickly.

Your likely add-ons are easy to calculate. The base price is $23 per person, then add P400 for the environmental fee and P200 for Big Lagoon if you have not already paid them. Add P300 for a kayak, plus P100 for snorkeling gear or P100 for aqua shoes if you need either item.

The tour becomes less of a bargain if you add everything, but lunch, water, the boat trip, the guide, and several major stops are still included. For many people, that is a fair price for a full day in Bacuit Bay.

Who should choose this Tour A

I would choose this trip if you want to see several signature El Nido locations in one day and prefer a simple shared outing over planning boat logistics yourself. It suits you if you like a mixture of scenery, snorkeling, beach time, and short guided visits.

It also works well for a first day in El Nido. The route gives you a broad sample of the area, and you can decide later if you want a quieter private boat day or more time at one particular island.

I would be more cautious if you need a precise schedule, dislike shared groups, or have an important onward connection the same evening. The inconsistent meeting-time information and one poor boat report mean you should confirm the details directly before committing.

If you have mobility concerns, ask the operator about the walk from the meeting point, boat boarding, beach access, and the narrow entrance at Secret Lagoon. The supplied details do not describe accessibility arrangements.

Should you book this El Nido island tour?

Book it if the main goal is to see Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and 7 Commando Beach at a low starting price. The combination of famous scenery, a long Shimizu Island stop, buffet lunch, and optional snorkeling makes the day worthwhile for many first-time visitors.

Before paying, confirm whether the departure is 8:30 or 9:00 AM, whether Small Lagoon is included, and which fees you must pay locally. I would also ask for the latest boat and weather update.

The 3.4 rating and the report of boat trouble keep this from being an automatic recommendation. Still, the positive account of careful guides and strong assistance from Mark shows that the operator can provide a good day. Choose this tour for value and variety, not for perfect timing or a fully private experience.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at Grounded 100% Arabica Coffee, El Nido Branch. The provided meeting information gives both 8:30 AM and 9:00 AM, so confirm the exact time before the day of departure.

How long does the tour last?

The activity is listed as lasting 7.5 hours. The practical instructions describe about seven hours, with an expected return around 4:30 PM.

Which places are included?

The listed stops are 7 Commando Beach, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Secret Lagoon. The general description mentions Small Lagoon, but the detailed route does not clearly list it, so confirm whether it is included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch and a 300 ml bottle of water are included.

Is the environmental fee included?

No. The environmental fee is P400. If you paid it earlier, the receipt is valid for five days and should be presented at checking.

How much does Big Lagoon cost?

The Big Lagoon entrance fee is P200 and is not included in the tour price.

Can I rent a kayak?

Yes. Kayak rental is available for P300.

Are snorkeling items provided?

Snorkeling gear is optional and costs P100. Aqua shoes are also optional and cost P100.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also allows you to reserve now and pay later.