El Nido Tour A: Honest Review + What to Expect in 2026
The morning I did El Nido Tour A, I already had pretty high expectations after doing Tour C the day before.
By that point, I had seen Big Lagoon all over social media and travel marketing for the Philippines. It’s one of those places that almost looks too perfect online, glowing turquoise water, kayaks floating between massive limestone cliffs, and hidden lagoons tucked into the rocks. I honestly wondered if it would actually look that good in person.
The morning itself felt just as chaotic as Tour C. Hundreds of people gathered along the beach in El Nido town waiting for boats while guides shouted names across the sand and longtail boats pulled in one after another.
But once we finally left the beach, the chaos disappeared quickly. Towering limestone cliffs surrounded us from every direction, beautiful white sand beaches started appearing between the rock formations, and the water turned that unreal bright blue colour Palawan is famous for.
And honestly, after doing both Tour A and Tour C, I can completely understand why Tour A is considered the classic El Nido island hopping experience.
From the lagoons and snorkelling to the beaches and kayaking, here’s what the experience was actually like and whether I think Tour A is worth it if it’s your first time visiting El Nido.
What to Expect with El Nido Tour A
El Nido island hopping tours are split into A, B, C, and D, and they all offer something unique. Tour A is known for its famous lagoons, turquoise water, kayaking, and some of the most iconic scenery in El Nido.
Your day starts around 8:45am, and honestly this is the most chaotic part of the whole experience. You’re standing on the beach with a bunch of other people waiting to be called, boats are coming in and out, guides are shouting names. It feels disorganized at first, but it all works itself out once you get moving.
Before you head out, people will offer rentals like snorkel masks, water shoes, and kayaks. It’s convenient, but if you have your own mask and water shoes, it’s worth bringing them since you’ll be in and out of the boat and walking on rocky beaches. A dry bag is also a good idea to keep your phone and belongings safe and dry throughout the day.
The kayak is worth thinking about ahead of time too. For Tour A, I’d honestly say renting one at Big Lagoon is basically a must. Without it, you can end up sitting on the boat while everyone else explores deeper into the lagoon. It’s an extra cost, but for Tour A it completely changes the experience.
The day itself is pretty straightforward:
• About 30 minutes between stops
• 45 minutes to an hour at each spot
• Lunch is included
• Back in town around 5pm
Most Tour A routes hit places like Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and 7 Commando Beach. The stops feel very different from each other, which helps make the day memorable instead of just feeling like repetitive beach stops.
If you’re still planning your trip, I put together a full El Nido travel guide that covers where to stay, how to get there, and what to do beyond the tours.
How to Book El Nido Tour A
When you get to El Nido, you’ll quickly realize the tours are being sold everywhere.
Shops, people on the street, tricycle drivers, even your hotel. It feels like everyone has a connection. The tours are fairly standardized, so most places are selling the same route.
I just walked around and bought my ticket that morning from a random shop. When I did Tour C the day before, I ended up on a really nice comfortable boat with no issues. Tour A was a completely different story. Smaller boat, more cramped, even holes in the tarp overhead. It doesn’t sound like a huge deal, but when you’re out in the sun all day between stops, I definitely noticed the difference.
If you book in person, it’s easy, but you’re basically picking at random. You don’t really know what boat you’re getting or how the day is going to run.
The Philippines is also very cash based, so I prefer booking online when I can to keep my cash. It lets you use a card, get organized ahead of time, and at least choose a well reviewed operator. It doesn’t guarantee a perfect experience, but you have a lot more control and a better chance of ending up on a good boat with a solid crew.
How Much Does El Nido Tour A Cost?
Tour A is pretty standardized across El Nido, so pricing is fairly consistent no matter where you book.
Expect to pay around 1400 pesos as the base price for the tour itself, which is honestly great value for a full day out on the water.
For that price, you’re getting:
• a full day island hopping experience
• multiple stops like Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon
• lunch on the beach
My lunch included fish, chicken, rice, and fruit like watermelon, pineapple, and bananas. It was freshly cooked right on the beach and it added to the overall experience.
In the Philippines, it’s common for day trips to have additional costs that aren’t included in the base price, even for things you might expect to be covered.
Typical additional costs:
• Environmental fee around 400 pesos (valid for 10 days)
• Snorkel rental around 100 to 150 pesos
• Water shoes around 100 to 150 pesos
• Kayak rental (optional) 300-500 per kayak and some can fit 2-3 people
So realistically, you’ll end up somewhere closer to 1600 to 1900 pesos all in, depending on what you rent.
Still, for what you get, it’s absolutely worth it. You’re out for the entire day seeing some of the best scenery in the world, and there aren’t many experiences at this price point that come close.
What You’ll See on Tour A in El Nido
Tour A is probably the most iconic island hopping route in El Nido and focuses on lagoons, kayaking, beaches, and towering limestone cliffs. Most tours follow a similar route, although the order of stops can change depending on conditions.
7 Commando Beach
7 Commando Beach was our first stop and one of the nicest beaches I visited during my El Nido tours.
The sand here is soft, bright white, and mostly free of rocks, making it a great swimming and relaxing stop.
The snorkelling was decent but nothing amazing. For me, this stop was more about the beach itself and the scenery. There was also a rope swing which ended up being surprisingly fun.
Secret Lagoon
Secret Lagoon was probably the most adventurous stop on Tour A.
To reach it, you walk through shallow rocky water before squeezing or swimming through a tiny opening in the limestone cliffs into the lagoon itself.
The scenery here is incredible and honestly felt like something out of a fantasy movie. Massive limestone cliffs surround the lagoon and make this one of the most unique stops on the tour.
Water shoes are definitely worth bringing since the rocks can be slippery and awkward.
Lunch was served near the Secret Lagoon area during our tour.
Big Lagoon
Big Lagoon was easily the highlight of Tour A for me.
This is the famous lagoon you constantly see in Palawan travel photos and tourism marketing, and honestly it completely lived up to the hype.
The water is an unreal shade of turquoise and the limestone cliffs surrounding the lagoon are spectacular.
We rented a three person kayak and spent most of our time exploring deeper into the lagoon through narrow channels and hidden corners.
Without a kayak, I honestly think this stop would be much less impressive. A lot of people without kayaks were basically stuck sitting on the boat while everyone else explored.
The extra kayak fee is absolutely worth it here.
This was also probably my favourite kayaking experience between both Tour A and Tour C. If you’re deciding between the two, you can also read my full El Nido Tour C review.
Shimizu Island
Shimizu Island had the best snorkelling I experienced on either Tour A or Tour C.
The water was clear, full of fish, and the ocean swell almost created a natural wave pool effect that pushed snorkellers around in a really fun way.
If snorkelling is important to you, this was definitely one of the strongest stops on the tour.
Payong Payong Beach
Payong Payong Beach was the final stop of the day.
By this point, most people were pretty tired from the heat, kayaking, swimming, and snorkelling earlier in the tour.
The snorkelling here was okay but nowhere near as memorable as Shimizu Island. We still saw some shrimp and small sandy coloured rays though.
It was probably the least memorable stop overall, but still a relaxing way to finish the day.
Planning your trip? Grab my free El Nido itinerary here and map out the rest of your days.
What to Bring for El Nido Tour A
El Nido island hopping tours are full days out on the water where you’re constantly getting in and out of the boat, swimming to beaches, and spending hours in the sun. Having the right gear makes a big difference in how comfortable the day feels.
Here’s what I’d recommend bringing based on my experience.
- quick dry towel or micro towel
- sunscreen
- sunglasses
- hat
- reusable water bottle
- snorkel mask
- water shoes
- waterproof phone case
- GoPro camera
- dry bag
- snacks
Water shoes and your own snorkel mask are things I’d strongly recommend. You’re walking on rocky beaches and getting in and out of the boat constantly, and they make everything a lot easier. Having a good quality snorkel mask prevents water from getting into your goggles.
A waterproof phone case is one of those things you don’t think about until you need it. These trips are memorable and you don’t want to be without photos. Same goes for a GoPro if you want footage while snorkeling.
Dry bags are sold all over El Nido, so you can buy one there, but the quality can vary. If you already have a good one, it’s worth bringing.
If it’s your first time travelling here, I also wrote about the most common questions people ask before visiting the Philippines.
FAQs
Which El Nido tour is the best?
Tour A is generally considered the best and most popular island hopping tour in El Nido because of Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, kayaking, and the iconic limestone scenery.
Which is better Tour A or Tour C in El Nido?
I personally preferred Tour A. Big Lagoon alone was worth it for me, especially with the kayak experience. Tour C still has incredible scenery and hidden beaches, but Tour A felt more memorable overall.
Is El Nido Tour A worth it?
Yes, absolutely. If it’s your first time visiting El Nido, Tour A is probably the one tour I’d prioritize because it includes many of the most famous spots in Palawan.
When is the best time to visit El Nido?
The best time to visit is during the dry season from December to May when you’ll usually get calmer seas and better weather.
How many days do you need in El Nido?
I’d recommend at least 3 to 4 full days. That gives you enough time for multiple island hopping tours, exploring town, and a few more relaxed days around El Nido.
How do you get to El Nido?
Flights into El Nido are the fastest but usually the most expensive.
The ferry from Coron is popular if you’re island hopping through Palawan.
Van or bus from Puerto Princesa is the most budget friendly option.
If you’re planning your trip, I also put together a full guide on how to get to El Nido plus a detailed Puerto Princesa travel guide.
In Summary: Is El Nido Tour A Worth It?
Yeah, absolutely. After doing both Tour A and Tour C, Tour A was personally my favourite.
Big Lagoon alone made it worth it for me. Kayaking through those massive limestone cliffs and bright turquoise water honestly felt like one of those classic Palawan experiences you see all over travel photos and social media.
I’d especially recommend Tour A if it’s your first time visiting El Nido because it gives you a really good mix of lagoons, beaches, snorkeling, and scenery all in one day.
It’s definitely not just a sit on the boat type of tour either. You’ll be swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, climbing in and out of boats, and walking across rocky areas at some stops like Secret Lagoon.
And honestly, for the price, it’s pretty hard to beat. The scenery the entire day is incredible and at times it genuinely doesn’t even feel real.
Additional Resources
- Find the best flight deals on Trip.com.
- Reserve budget stays with Hostelworld.
- Book hotels with Booking.com.
- Protect your trip with SafetyWing travel insurance.
- Plan trains, ferries, and buses with 12Go.
- Discover unforgettable activities with GetYourGuide.
- Compare car rentals worldwide with DiscoverCars.
- Download my free El Nido itinerary.