REVIEW · PALAWAN
El Nido Island Hopping Tour A with Lunch
Book on Viator →Operated by Corazon Travel and Tours · Bookable on Viator
Five islands, one long boat day.
El Nido Island Hopping Tour A is interesting because you get a proper lunch on the water plus a crew that actually keeps things moving, with guide Ariel showing up in at least one memorable day I learned about. The main thing to think about is that the start can be wet and awkward, and the day can include extra on-site fees and optional rentals even when the ticket looks simple.
You’ll spend about 6 to 8 hours on the water with a group that tops out at 30 people, and you’ll be picked up for round-trip transport from downtown El Nido. The route is built around five island stops, with Secret Lagoon (30 minutes), Shimizu Island (30 minutes), and Seven Commando Beach (about 1 hour) named clearly, while two additional stops fill out the full loop.
One more practical note: the price you see is not the whole story, because the Eco-Tourism Development Fee and the Big Lagoon User’s Fee are listed separately. Plan for possible add-ons like kayak access, snorkeling gear, and aqua shoes, and if you’re picky about gear, confirm what’s included before you go.
In This Review
- Key things to know before you go
- El Nido Tour A in 6–8 Hours: What You’re Actually Buying
- Price and Logistics: $24 Ticket vs Real On-Site Costs
- First Stop: Secret Lagoon, Beach Views, and a Tight 30 Minutes
- Shimizu Island: Shade Under Trees and Clear-Water Swim Time
- Seven Commando Beach: Limestone Views and an Hour to Breathe
- The Other Two Stops: How the Full 5-Island Loop Usually Feels
- Lunch on the Water: Big Portions and Vegan Options
- Snorkeling, Kayaks, and Rentals That May Change Your Budget
- Crew, Boarding, and Group Size: Smooth Help or Wet Start
- Should You Book This Tour? My Honest Recommendation
- FAQ
- What does the El Nido Island Hopping Tour A include?
- How long is the tour, and what time does it start?
- Is the listed $24 price the total cost?
- Are snorkeling equipment and kayaks included?
- How many people are in the group?
- What happens if weather is bad?
Key things to know before you go
- Lunch is a real meal, not just snacks, and it can include fruits, veggies, fish, chicken, pork, and rice
- Secret Lagoon is timed (about 30 minutes), so bring your camera ready and don’t overpack your bag
- Shade matters at Shimizu Island, where trees line the beach and help you cool down between swims
- Seven Commando Beach gets more time (about 1 hour), which is enough for photos and a slower hang
- You may pay on site for eco and lagoon fees that are listed as excluded
- Optional rentals can add up, especially if you want a kayak or water-shoe support
El Nido Tour A in 6–8 Hours: What You’re Actually Buying
This is a classic El Nido format: you start at 9:00 am, get shuttled from downtown, and then spend the day hopping between island stops by boat. The duration is listed at roughly 6 to 8 hours, which means you’ll be busy most of the day, not just “drive, stop, and chill.”
The big value is that your ticket handles the major moving parts: boat transfers, a local guide, and lunch. Group size caps at 30 travelers, which helps with how quickly you can get oriented, board, and get back to your seats.
One more thing: this is Tour A with a 5-island route. In plain terms, that usually means you’ll get more variety than a single beach day, but you also won’t have endless time at any one spot.
A few more Palawan tours and experiences worth a look
Price and Logistics: $24 Ticket vs Real On-Site Costs
On the face of it, $24 per person is a budget-friendly way to do El Nido island hopping. But the tour description also lists specific extra fees that are not included, which is where your final cost can move.
Here are the excluded items you should expect to deal with:
- El Nido Eco-Tourism Development Fee: ₱400 per person
- Big Lagoon User’s Fee: ₱200 per person
- Kayak to access Big Lagoon: ₱350 per person (rent)
- Snorkeling equipment: ₱150 per person (rent)
- Aqua shoes: ₱150 per person (rent)
Now for the practical advice: bring extra cash or a payment method you trust for on-site fees. Also, don’t assume “excluded” means “nobody will ask.” If your stop involves lagoon access, those fees are the kind you may be asked for during the day.
There’s also a small info mismatch worth flagging: the overview says snorkeling equipment rentals are free, while the excluded section lists snorkeling equipment as available for rent. Before you board, ask the crew what gear you’ll actually receive that day, and whether you need to pay to use it.
First Stop: Secret Lagoon, Beach Views, and a Tight 30 Minutes
Secret Lagoon is the kind of place you remember because it looks hidden until you’re right there. The tour time here is about 30 minutes, and admission is listed as included, so you can treat it as a timed experience rather than an open-ended wander.
What you should plan for:
- You’ll arrive for the beach view, then head in to explore the lagoon area.
- Because your time is limited, it helps to have swim gear ready and not spend the whole first minute digging for a phone case.
This stop is also your early “wow” moment of the day. Once you’ve seen Secret Lagoon once, you’ll understand why people put El Nido on their list for water clarity and limestone-shore beauty.
Shimizu Island: Shade Under Trees and Clear-Water Swim Time
Shimizu Island is built for the simple rhythm: step off the boat, find a spot, cool off, and swim. The stop lasts about 30 minutes, with admission included.
The details that matter:
- It’s known for white-sand beach and a cover of lush green trees, which means you get natural shade.
- The water is described as clear blue, so if you like quick snorkeling or just floating around to cool off, this is the kind of stop that fits.
A 30-minute stop can feel short if you’re chatting the whole time, so I recommend doing one real swim session, not a bunch of half-tries.
Seven Commando Beach: Limestone Views and an Hour to Breathe
Seven Commando Beach gets about 1 hour, which is the most relaxed timing of the three named stops. Admission is included here too.
The vibe is described as limestone scenery plus greenery, and it’s the sort of beach that rewards a slower pace:
- You can spend time walking for photos.
- You can settle in for a longer swim or just hang after the earlier stops.
If Secret Lagoon and Shimizu Island feel like quick hits, Seven Commando Beach is where you can actually feel the day settle. One hour also gives you enough time to grab lunch later without feeling rushed when everyone else is still in the water.
The Other Two Stops: How the Full 5-Island Loop Usually Feels
Tour A is a 5-island route, and only three stops are named in the info you have. You can still count on the day feeling varied because the tour is designed around multiple island moments rather than one repeated location.
Even without the names of the last two stops in front of you, this kind of El Nido loop typically mixes:
- beach time,
- sheltered coves or lagoon-adjacent views,
- and a couple of “good photo, quick swim” moments.
The best mindset for the unknown stops is to treat the day as a sampler. You’ll still get the anchors of Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commando Beach, and the remaining time should round out the theme with more water-and-rock scenery.
Lunch on the Water: Big Portions and Vegan Options
Lunch is included, and it’s one of the reasons this tour earns high marks. One standout description says the meal could include fruits and vegetables, fish, chicken, pork, and rice. It also came across as a proper sit-down style lunch rather than a tray of leftovers.
There’s also a helpful detail if you have dietary needs: vegan options have been arranged by the crew. That matters because on island tours, it’s easy for special meals to fall through, and here the staff has shown they can work with requests.
Practical tip: eat like you mean it. You’ll likely swim and move more than you think, and a good lunch helps you avoid the afternoon crash that makes you cranky in the boat.
Snorkeling, Kayaks, and Rentals That May Change Your Budget
Snorkeling equipment is mentioned in the overall description as something you might get, but the excluded list also shows snorkeling gear available for ₱150. That’s a classic “confirm before you pay” moment.
Kayak access is even clearer as a paid add-on: the tour lists kayak rental for ₱350 per person to reach Big Lagoon. If you’re not interested in paddling, don’t feel pressured to rent one. If you do kayak, plan for it as extra effort on top of the beach time.
Aqua shoes are listed as ₱150 rental too. If you’ve ever stepped on coral or sharp rock in flip-flops, you know why this matters. If you don’t want to rent, bring your own water shoes with grip.
Crew, Boarding, and Group Size: Smooth Help or Wet Start
The tour includes a local guide and boat transfers, and you’ll notice the crew quality fast. In the positive experiences, the guide was described as friendly, helpful, and attentive, and the lunch was handled well. Ariel in particular is named as an extremely helpful guide.
One caution that’s worth taking seriously: boarding can be rough. One account describes wading through chest-high water to reach the ladder at the start. That means you should expect wet conditions right away.
What I’d do in your shoes:
- wear sandals or footwear that can handle water and provide grip,
- keep your valuables sealed and up high,
- and don’t assume you’ll stay dry at any point.
Also, there’s a time-and-organization reality to group tours. Some days run tight; other days can feel a bit disorganized. The good news is the crew behavior can still be very service-minded even when the flow isn’t perfect.
Should You Book This Tour? My Honest Recommendation
Book El Nido Tour A if you want:
- a variety day across five stops,
- a lunch included that’s more than basic,
- and a guided day that covers transportation plus boat hops.
Don’t book this tour if:
- you hate paying on site for extra fees, or you need a very clear all-in price before you arrive,
- you expect every stop to be long and unhurried,
- or you’re counting on snorkeling gear being fully provided with zero questions (the description conflicts, so you’ll want confirmation).
The smart move is to message or ask the operator the night before about snorkeling gear and what fees you should pay on site. Bring cash for the listed eco and lagoon fees, and plan for a wet, slightly chaotic start so it doesn’t annoy you later.
If you’re flexible and you’re going for scenery, water time, and a solid meal, this is the kind of El Nido day that can feel worth it fast.
FAQ
What does the El Nido Island Hopping Tour A include?
The tour includes lunch, a local guide, and boat transfers. Round-trip transport from downtown El Nido is also included.
How long is the tour, and what time does it start?
It runs about 6 to 8 hours and starts at 9:00 am. The meeting point is MABUHAY Sports Bar in El Nido, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.
Is the listed $24 price the total cost?
Not necessarily. The tour price is listed, but several fees are excluded, including the El Nido Eco-Tourism Development Fee (₱400 per person) and the Big Lagoon User’s Fee (₱200 per person).
Are snorkeling equipment and kayaks included?
Snorkeling equipment is listed as available for rent (₱150 per person) and kayaks are also listed as rent (₱350 per person for kayak access to Big Lagoon). The overview also mentions free snorkel equipment, so you should confirm what you get on your specific day.
How many people are in the group?
The tour has a maximum of 30 travelers.
What happens if weather is bad?
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
