El Nido arrives fast. That’s what makes this 3D2N setup interesting: it gives you an efficient mix of land travel, a full day of Bacuit Bay water time, and a smooth return to Puerto Princesa. I like the included transfers and park fees, because you avoid the usual ticket-and-cost surprises. I also like that the island-hopping day is built around specific lagoon and beach highlights with clear time blocks. The main drawback is the shared format, so you might feel some crowd pressure at the stops that get busiest around midday, like Simizu Island.

Starting at Puerto Princesa Airport at 10:00 am, you’ll get picked up by a representative and moved by air-conditioned van for about six hours (roughly 160 miles). You’re then in El Nido with time to yourself in the afternoon, and on day two you’ll do the classic Bacuit Bay run: Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Simizu Island, Seven Commando Beach, and Payong-Payong Beach. Day three is designed around an afternoon flight back, so you’re not stuck with an early wake-up.

Key Things I’d Watch For Before You Go

• Air-conditioned van transfer from Puerto Princesa, about 6 hours, with stops along the way
• Shared Bacuit Bay island hopping with 1-hour time blocks at each lagoon or beach stop
• Big Lagoon shallow start with emerald water that hints where the deeper areas are
• Secret Lagoon inside towering karst cliffs (Miniloc Island’s Hidden Lagoon)
• Tour A crowd reality: Simizu Island can get crowded during midday
• Price includes fees: environmental fees, national park fees, taxes, plus lunch and breakfast (2)

From Puerto Princesa to El Nido: The Van Ride That Sets the Tone

The first thing you’ll notice is how the day is organized around getting you to El Nido without extra stress. You start at Puerto Princesa Airport at 10:00 am, then an airport representative meets you and takes you to the Mabuhay Lounge area to coordinate with the rest of the group.

Departure time can shift based on when other guests arrive. That’s normal for shared transfers, but it’s also why you’ll feel less rushed than if everything were on a strict, solo schedule. Once you’re on the road, you’re in an air-conditioned van and looking at about 6 hours of travel time between Puerto Princesa and El Nido (roughly 160 miles). The drive also allows for stops along the way, which matters in a long stretch like this.

Why that matters: in a short 3-day trip, your best friend is not just good weather—it’s good pacing. If the ride is manageable and you reach El Nido with enough afternoon time, you can actually enjoy the island rather than simply “arrive, sleep, repeat.”

Practical note: since departure depends on other group arrivals, I’d try to land your Puerto Princesa flight on time. Late arrivals can tug the schedule.

Day 1 in El Nido: Use That Afternoon Time Wisely

After the transfer, you get time in El Nido on your own during the afternoon. That’s valuable because El Nido isn’t just about boat tours. You’ll want time to walk around, get your bearings, and handle whatever you need before the lagoon day.

This part of the plan is intentionally loose. The tour structure gives you a comfortable arrival and then lets you choose how you spend the evening. Maybe you want a relaxed meal, maybe you want to stroll, maybe you just want to recharge after a long road day. Either way, this block of free time is what turns the trip from a full-on schedule into something that still feels like a vacation.

One thing to plan for: the itinerary doesn’t spell out your lodging or nightly arrangements. So you’ll want those details already sorted before the island hopping day. If you’re unsure, I’d make sure your hotel check-in timing matches the day one arrival rhythm.

Big Lagoon: Shallow Entrance to Emerald Water Clues

Day two starts with Big Lagoon, and the highlight here is the water at the entrance. The lagoon is surrounded by dark limestone cliffs, and the entry area is shallow at first. What makes it fun is that you don’t just get the view of rock walls—you also get a sense of depth as you move in.

The water color is the clue. Even at the entrance, the emerald tone signals deeper areas. It’s a small detail, but it changes how the stop feels. You’re not stuck guessing what’s under the surface. You can read the water and choose your comfort level as you go.

Time-wise, you get about one hour at Big Lagoon. That’s enough for photos, soaking in the cliffs, and some slow exploring without feeling like the stop drags. The only reality of a popular lagoon: you may share the space with others, especially if your boat arrives around the same time as other groups.

If you care most about photos: I’d aim to time your shots early or late in the hour to avoid the busiest seconds.

Secret Lagoon (Hidden Lagoon): Behind the Karst Walls

Next up is Secret Lagoon—also referred to as Hidden Lagoon—on Miniloc Island. This lagoon is described as concealed behind towering karst cliffs, and it’s also noted as being a very popular spot.

That combination matters. The cliffs create a dramatic, sheltered feel. But popularity means the stop can get busy. You’re still given about one hour, so it’s best to treat this like a concentrated experience: arrive ready, enjoy what makes it special, then move before the hour feels too crowded.

A good way to enjoy it without rushing: start by taking in the cliff shapes and the sheltered water look, then give yourself time to settle. When a place is “hidden,” even when it’s well known, it tends to feel calmer once you’re inside the scene rather than just looking at it from the edges.

Simizu Island, Seven Commando Beach, and Payong-Payong: Your Bacuit Bay Beach Loop

After the lagoons, the trip shifts into beach mode with three stops that round out a classic Bacuit Bay day.

Simizu Island: Nice Views, Possible Midday Crowds

Simizu Island is one of the islands in El Nido Island Hopping Tour A. The note here is blunt: it can get crowded during midday. So if your energy runs hot when there are lots of people around, you may want to keep your pace flexible and focus on the best moments rather than expecting quiet.

You still get about one hour here. That means you’ll want a plan for what you want out of this stop: scenery, photos, a swim break, or simply a calm sit-down for a few minutes.

Seven Commando Beach: Fine Sand and Coconut Shade

Seven Commando Beach (7 Commandos Beach) is part of Tour A too, and the description paints a clearer picture than many beach stops: a long, sloping stretch of fine sand with coconut trees. That kind of setup is great if you want to walk a bit, not just stand in one spot.

This stop also comes with about one hour. With a beach like this, that’s plenty for a slow stroll, a swim break, and a snack break if lunch timing makes you hungry.

Payong-Payong Beach: Pick Your Wave Mood

Payong-Payong Beach is described as popular with white sand on Miniloc Island. Here the fun split is in the water conditions: you can get the thrill of swimming when the waves are stronger, or you can go for a more relaxed vibe with gentler splashing conditions.

Again, about one hour. The best approach is to decide early which mood you want—play with the waves or keep it chill—so you don’t spend the first few minutes switching plans.

What You’re Really Paying For: Value in Transfers, Fees, and Meals

At $250 per person, this isn’t the cheapest way to hit El Nido. But it’s also not priced like a barebones day trip. The value shows up in what’s included.

Here’s what you get in the included package:

• Round-trip transfers between Puerto Princesa City Airport and the El Nido area
• A local guide
• Lunch
• Breakfast for 2 mornings
• Local taxes, environmental fees, and national park fees

That matters because El Nido and its nearby protected areas can carry a pile of fees and environmental charges. If those are handled for you ahead of time, you avoid the common pain of budgeting last-minute add-ons while you’re excited and distracted.

I also like that the tour uses a mobile ticket. In places where paper tickets can get lost, digital access can save headaches.

Two extra notes that affect value:

• The tour has a maximum of 20 travelers, which helps the day feel more controlled than giant group chaos.
• Price timing: it’s commonly booked about 118 days in advance on average. That signals demand. If you want a smoother experience around popular dates, earlier booking can help.

Pace, Physical Fitness, and Group Reality (Without Sugarcoating)

This experience is designed for a moderate physical fitness level. That doesn’t mean you need to be an athlete. It does mean you should be comfortable with the moving-day rhythm: getting on and off boats, walking short distances around beaches, and handling a schedule that changes from lagoon to beach to transport.

You’ll also be in a shared group. That’s part of the trade-off for a well-priced, fee-inclusive trip. Shared doesn’t automatically mean uncomfortable. But it does mean you should expect some crowding at well-known stops, especially Simizu Island during midday.

A quick mental checklist for the day two water stops:

• Bring a plan for when you want to swim versus when you just want to enjoy the view.
• Keep a calm expectation: each stop is about one hour, so there isn’t time to “hang out forever” at one location.
• Use the order of the stops as your guide—lagoon first for the cliff drama, beaches after for sand-and-splash time.

If the idea of crowded midday makes you unhappy, you might enjoy the lagoons more than the later beach rhythm. On the flip side, if you like the social energy of shared island time, the structure can feel lively.

How Corazon Travel and Tours Shows Up on the Ground

The provider here is Corazon Travel and Tours, and the feedback summary highlights two things: the experience felt extraordinary, and the agency staff are friendly and available if you have concerns.

That’s not a small detail. In a place where island schedules depend on the day’s logistics, you want a partner who can respond quickly if something doesn’t line up. You’re also dealing with shared transfer timing (departure depends on when other guests arrive), so having support can reduce stress.

Also, this isn’t a massive operation. With a maximum group size of 20, you’re more likely to get help without feeling like a number in a crowd.

Should You Book This 3D2N El Nido Experience?

Book it if:

• You want lagoon + beach highlights in one compact 3-day window
• You prefer a package where park fees, environmental fees, and taxes are included rather than paid one by one
• You like the idea of a shared island-hopping day with a guide and a max group size of 20
• You can plan your flights so day three works with an afternoon departure out of Puerto Princesa

Skip it (or rethink it) if:

• You strongly dislike crowds and already know that midday busy moments will ruin your mood
• You’d rather do slower, private stops with more flexibility at each location
• You are trying to fit this into a flight schedule that forces an early day on day three

My take: if you want El Nido’s big-name scenery without building your own logistics puzzle, this is a strong, practical choice. It’s structured, fee-inclusive, and paced for a short trip—just remember it’s shared, and Simizu Island is the likely crowd hotspot.

FAQ

Where is the tour starting point?

The tour starts at Puerto Princesa Airport in Puerto Princesa, Palawan Island, Philippines.

What time does the experience start?

The start time is listed as 10:00 am.

How long is the transfer between Puerto Princesa and El Nido?

The travel time is about 6 hours, covering roughly 160 miles.

What’s included for food during the trip?

Breakfast is included for 2 days, and lunch is included during the experience.

What island-hopping stops are included?

The day two stops include Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Simizu Island, Seven Commando Beach, and Payong-Payong Beach.

Is there a local guide and are fees included?

Yes. The package includes a local guide, local taxes, environmental fees, and national park fees.

What’s the maximum group size?

The tour has a maximum of 20 travelers.

You Might Also Enjoy

Half-Day Manila City TourAuthentic Manila Chinatown Food Tour ExplorationPrivate Underground River Tour In Puerto PrincesaEl Nido: Tour A (Big & Secret Lagoon, Shimizu, 7 Commando)