Tour A is El Nido’s most popular island-hopping route, and the one most first-time visitors start with. It’s a full-day boat trip built around three destinations nearly every Tour A itinerary includes — Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Secret Lagoon — plus one or two additional stops that vary by operator and day. Below is what to actually expect: the real itinerary, what’s included, what isn’t, and today’s operators and prices.
Quick summary
- Route type: Full-day island hopping, Bacuit Bay
- Core stops (on every operator’s Tour A): Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon
- Typical additional stops (varies by operator/day): one or two of Entalula Island, Austria Beach, Payong-Payong Island, Seven Commandos Beach
- Duration: Roughly 7–8 hours, morning pickup (around 8:30–9:00 AM) to mid/late afternoon (around 4:30–5:00 PM)
- Typical price: ₱1,500–₱1,600 per person, base rate
- Not included: environmental/eco fee (~₱400) and a Big Lagoon entrance fee (~₱200), paid separately — see Fees below
- Departs from: El Nido town
See today’s Tour A operators & prices →
What’s actually on the itinerary
Tour A’s identity is Big Lagoon — a limestone-walled lagoon you enter by kayak or by swimming through a narrow rock opening, one of the most recognizable spots in El Nido. Every operator’s Tour A includes it, along with two other consistent stops:
Big Lagoon — kayak or swim in through the rock entrance into a wide, cliff-walled lagoon.
Shimizu Island — a snorkeling stop with visible marine life close to shore.
Secret Lagoon — a smaller, hidden pool reached by swimming through a narrow gap in the rock.
Beyond those three, operators round out the day with one or two more stops — most commonly a beach for lunch and swimming (options include Entalula Island, Austria Beach, Payong-Payong Island, or Seven Commandos Beach depending on the operator and the day). Destinations can shift day to day based on weather, tides, and how busy each spot is — every operator’s own listing says as much, so treat the extra stop(s) as “one of the above,” not a fixed guarantee.
A typical day looks like this:
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| ~8:30–9:00 AM | Pickup or meetup in town |
| ~9:00/9:15 AM | Depart by boat |
| Late morning–afternoon | Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, plus one more stop |
| Midday | Lunch, usually served on a beach stop |
| ~4:30–5:00 PM | Return to town |
What’s included and what isn’t
Inclusions vary slightly by operator, but a standard Tour A booking covers:
- Boat and licensed boat crew/guide
- Life vest
- Lunch (buffet or packed, depending on operator)
- Drinking water
- Basic snorkeling gear on most listings
Not included, and worth budgeting for separately:
- An environmental/eco fee, typically around ₱400 per person
- A Big Lagoon entrance fee, typically around ₱200 per person
- Optional add-ons: kayak rental (where not already included), aqua shoes/fins, underwater camera rental, gratuities
These fees are standard across El Nido tour operators generally, not unique to any one company — worth stating plainly here rather than letting a visitor discover them at checkout, since fee transparency is exactly the kind of thing that builds trust before a booking decision.
Today’s Tour A operators & prices
See today’s Tour A operators & prices →
Choosing between Tour A, B, C, and D
Tour A is El Nido’s original lagoon route — Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon. Tour B swaps lagoons for sandbars and caves — Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave, Entalula Island. Tour C covers the most secluded, most photographed beaches — Hidden Beach, Secret Beach, Talisay Beach, Helicopter Island. Tour D covers a second, quieter set of lagoons — Small Lagoon and Cadlao Lagoon — plus Nat-nat Beach and Pasandigan.
Worth knowing: Tour D is the one tour that shares a theme with Tour A (both include a lagoon), but the specific lagoons don’t overlap — Big Lagoon here, Small Lagoon and Cadlao Lagoon there — so pairing A and D still covers different ground, it’s just the closest thing to a repeat among the four. B and C have no thematic overlap with any of the others.
FAQ
What’s the difference between Tour A and the other tours?
Tour A is built around Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Secret Lagoon. Tours B, C, and D cover different stops around Bacuit Bay.
Are the environmental and entrance fees included in the price?
No — these are paid separately from the tour price, typically around ₱400 for the environmental fee and ₱200 for Big Lagoon’s entrance fee. Check the specific operator’s listing for their current amounts.
Will I definitely visit the same stops every time?
The three core stops — Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Secret Lagoon — are on every Tour A. The remaining stop or two can vary by operator and by day, depending on conditions.
What should I bring?
Swimwear, sunscreen, a change of clothes, cash for the entrance/environmental fees and any add-ons, and a dry bag if you have one.
Can I cancel?
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before departure on every tour listed here. If the coastguard suspends sailing, you are refunded in full or moved to another day.
What if my tour is cancelled?
The coastguard suspends sailing when the sea is rough. You are refunded in full or moved to another day, your choice.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Tour B — Caves & Sandbars — pairs naturally with Tour A since the stops don’t overlap
- Tour C — Hidden Beach & Secret Beach — also non-overlapping with Tour A
- Tour D — Small Lagoon & Cadlao Lagoon — the only tour with a thematic overlap with Tour A (lagoons), but different specific ones
- Where to Stay — featured stays with direct-booking discounts
- Getting to El Nido — flights, Cherry Bus, and transfers
- Budget & Cost Breakdown — see what a full trip costs, tour by tour
