El Nido Island Day Tour
About this tour
El Nido Island Hopping Tour A is the classic introduction to the Bacuit Archipelago, a maze of jagged limestone islands rising straight out of turquoise water off the northern tip of Palawan. It is the single most-booked day trip in El Nido for one simple reason: it strings together the bay's most iconic lagoons and beaches in one well-paced day on the water.
The route, stop by stop
You set off mid-morning from the El Nido town beach aboard a traditional outrigger boat (a bangka), the wooden bamboo-armed vessel that has carried Filipino fishermen across these waters for generations. The first highlight is the Big Lagoon on Miniloc Island, a wide emerald channel walled in by towering karst cliffs where you glide in by kayak or paddleboard over water so clear the seabed looks inches away. Nearby, the Small Lagoon hides behind a narrow rock gap you swim or paddle through into a quiet, cliff-ringed pool.
From there the boat continues to the Secret Lagoon, reached through a low crack in the limestone that opens into a sheltered sandy cove, then to Shimizu Island, the day's snorkeling and lunch stop, where the crew grills a beach BBQ while you drift over coral gardens busy with reef fish. The final stop is Seven Commandos Beach, a long curve of soft white sand backed by coconut palms and the perfect place to swim, grab a fresh buko (coconut), and unwind before the boat turns home for the late-afternoon ride back to town.
What's the day like?
Tour A is a shared (joiner) boat trip, so you travel with a small group, an experienced captain and crew, and a licensed local guide. Between stops you spend a couple of relaxed hours on the water with the cliffs of Bacuit Bay sliding past on every side. It is an easy, family-friendly day; you do not need to be a strong swimmer, life jackets are provided and mandatory, and the guide stays close at the lagoons.
Good to know
El Nido charges a one-time Eco-Tourism Development Fee (ETDF) that helps protect the bay; it is paid separately and is not included in the tour price (see the FAQ below). Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a dry bag, and a little cash for the buko stand and tips. Big Lagoon is busiest in the late morning, and on calm-sea days the colors here are some of the most extraordinary in the Philippines.
Highlights
- ✓Kayak into the Big Lagoon's cathedral of karst cliffs
- ✓Swim through the hidden entrances to the Small and Secret Lagoons
- ✓Snorkel coral reefs and beach BBQ lunch at Shimizu Island
- ✓Relax on the white sand of Seven Commandos Beach
- ✓Cruise the Bacuit Archipelago by traditional outrigger bangka
- ✓Licensed local guide, crew, and life jackets included
What's included
- ✓Traditional outrigger boat (bangka) with captain and crew
- ✓Licensed English-speaking local guide
- ✓Life jackets (mandatory, for all passengers)
- ✓Snorkeling gear (mask and snorkel)
- ✓Grilled beach BBQ lunch with rice, vegetables, and fruit
- ✓Drinking water
- ✓Hotel/inn pickup and drop-off within El Nido town
Not included
- ✗Eco-Tourism Development Fee (ETDF) - approx. PHP 400, paid once and valid 10 days
- ✗Lagoon entrance / kayak rental fees (e.g. Big Lagoon kayak)
- ✗Tips and gratuities
- ✗Personal expenses (buko, souvenirs, extra drinks)
- ✗Pickup outside El Nido town proper
- ✗Travel insurance
📋 Good to know
📍 Meeting point
El Nido town - hotel/inn pickup within town, departure from the main beachfront
ℹ️ Important information
What to bring
- ✓Comfortable shoes
- ✓Sunscreen and a hat
- ✓Water
- ✓Small cash for entrance fees and souvenirs
Not allowed
- ✗Straying from the group at restricted sites
- ✗Drone use where prohibited
Know before you go
This is gentle and family-friendly, involving only light walking - a comfortable way to see the highlights without a strenuous itinerary.
About the area
El Nido takes its name from the Spanish for "the nest" - a nod to the edible nests of swiftlets that cling to these limestone cliffs and were once harvested for bird's-nest soup. The town sits at the gateway to Bacuit Bay, where around 45 islands and islets of Permian-age karst limestone, sculpted over millions of years into knife-edged towers and hidden lagoons, form one of Southeast Asia's most dramatic seascapes. Long a sleepy fishing village, El Nido grew into a world-renowned eco-tourism hub from the 1980s onward, and much of the bay now lies within a protected managed-resource area where boat numbers, anchoring, and visitor fees are regulated to keep the reefs and lagoons alive.
Frequently asked questions
What are the exact stops on Tour A?
What is the El Nido Eco-Tourism Development Fee (ETDF) and is it included?
Do I need to know how to swim?
Is lunch included, and can dietary needs be met?
What should I bring?
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