El Nido Island Hopping Day Tour from Puerto Princesa City

That 4AM start is no joke. This full-day tour turns Puerto Princesa into an El Nido taste with Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and beach time in Bacuit Bay. I like the early pickup because it buys you real hours on the water, and I like that snorkeling gear plus kayak rental are included so you’re not stuck hunting for basics. The drawback is the trade-off: you’re committing to an 18 to 20 hour day (back near midnight), with no meals and plenty of sitting on shared transfers.

The big promise here is convenience. You’re picked up early, shipped to the El Nido side, and then dropped back at your hotel area once the day ends—without having to stitch together separate bookings yourself.

Logistically, it’s also a structured group outing. It caps at 50 travelers, runs with a local guide, and uses shared transfers—so expect some waiting time when the day is moving between stops.

Key things to know before you go

• 18–20 hours total: early start and late return are part of the deal.
• Big Lagoon entry isn’t guaranteed: clearance is limited, but they’ll try and swap the destination if needed.
• Snorkeling gear is included: masks and breathing tubes are part of the package.
• Kayak rental is included: you’ll have a chance to add extra water time.
• Meals aren’t included: plan snacks and water, or you’ll feel it late in the day.
• Selected pickup only: hotel pickup is for select properties within 5 km of Puerto Princesa Airport.

The 4AM Start: How This Day Trip Really Feels

This tour starts around 4:00 am, with pickup beginning at that early hour and a return to your hotel area by midnight. On paper, that sounds like a lot. In practice, it means your day begins before most places in Puerto Princesa are fully awake—and it ends after you’ve had your fill of sea, sun, and salt.

The upside is simple: you get to hit El Nido’s most in-demand spots during the part of the day when operations typically run best. The downside is that your comfort depends on how prepared you are. A long shared ride plus short beach windows can feel rushed if you show up without a plan for snacks, water, and shade breaks.

Expect the day to be “island-hopping efficient,” not slow-travel leisurely. You’ll move between stops, spend a focused block of time at each one, and then repeat. If your idea of a vacation day is long meals and long naps, this won’t be that. If your idea is classic El Nido views packed into one trip, it works.

Price and Value: What’s Included in the $199

At $199 per person, the value mostly comes from the bundled items and the fees built into the itinerary. Admission for most major stops is included, and you get practical gear for water time: snorkel masks and breathing tubes.

The tour also includes local government-related charges, including:

• Php 400 Eco-Tourism Development Fee for El Nido local government
• Php 200 User’s Fee for the Big Lagoon

Those fees matter because El Nido isn’t just a free-for-all. The areas you want to visit are managed, capped, and monitored. Paying for a package that includes these costs can save you time and headaches on the day.

What you do not get is meals. That’s not a small detail. Without food included, you’ll want to bring a snack strategy so you don’t end up hungry during the last half of the day when you’re exhausted from the ride and sun.

Also, Big Lagoon has special handling—entry is not guaranteed. That doesn’t make the tour “bad,” but it does change how you should think about your day: you’re paying for the attempt and for a backup plan if clearance doesn’t happen.

From Puerto Princesa to El Nido: Pickup Rules and Shared Transfer Reality

You can choose convenience over logistics here, but the pickup is not universal. Hotel pickup and drop-off are for selected hotels only, within 5 kilometers of Puerto Princesa Airport. If you’re outside that range, your experience may be different than the poster-perfect version, so confirm what your operator is offering for your exact property.

This is also a shared transfer. That means you might wait a bit for other passengers, and your schedule can flex slightly as the group consolidates. One of the most common frustrations with long tours is not the sightseeing—it’s the feeling of being stuck in transit without knowing why. Here, you can reduce that stress by expecting it.

Practical tip: treat pickup time as a minimum, not a guarantee. If your hotel reception can call the driver or help you coordinate, keep your phone charged and ready. Also, keep your essentials within reach because the day is long and you’ll want quick access to sunscreen, water, and a dry shirt later.

Big Lagoon: Why Clearance Matters (and What the Backup Looks Like)

Big Lagoon is the star stop, but it comes with a big caveat: entry is not guaranteed. The area has strict limits, including a cap of 500 people, and the tour notes that it will do its best to get clearance. If Big Lagoon isn’t possible at the time you arrive, the destination is swapped for a different option.

So how do you handle this emotionally? I’d go in with two mindsets at once:

1) Big Lagoon might happen and you’ll be happy you planned for it.

2) Even if it doesn’t, you still get a full day of lagoon-and-beach style highlights.

That’s what makes this tour workable despite the uncertainty. The package isn’t just a single fixed dream stop. It’s designed to keep moving even when permits and caps don’t line up.

Time at Big Lagoon is listed at about 45 minutes. That’s enough time to soak in the view, get a few photos, and enjoy lagoon vibes—without turning into a half-day commitment. If you’re the kind of person who wants lots of slow walking and lingering, you’ll need to accept that your time here is structured.

Shimizu Island: Snorkeling Time You Can Actually Use

Shimizu Island is built for water time. The stop is listed at about 1 hour, and the snorkeling area is right off the island. Since snorkel masks and breathing tubes are included, you can step into the water without spending time figuring out gear rentals.

Crowds are a real possibility because Shimizu is a popular Bacuit Bay spot. That doesn’t automatically ruin the experience, but it does affect how you snorkel. If the water is busy, focus on calm, purposeful swimming and enjoy what you can see rather than trying to do a long exploration route.

Also, remember the sun is brutal even when the day looks cloudy. Saltwater + sun makes fatigue sneak up fast. If you’ve never snorkeled in strong coastal sun, you can get tired without noticing it until you’re back on the boat and everyone starts moving again.

Payong-Payong Beach and the Wave Choice You Get

Payong-Payong Beach is the kind of stop where the mood can be different depending on the conditions. The tour lists about 1 hour here, and it’s described as a popular white-sand beach with strong waves. If you want adrenaline, this is where you’ll get it. If you want chill splashing, you can still have fun, just don’t force deep water moments.

This stop is useful for one practical reason: you’re likely to need a non-snorkel break to reset your body. After earlier lagoon-style time, a beach stop gives you a chance to move slowly, cool down, and enjoy sand-and-sun without the mental effort of swimming.

Another practical angle: beaches are where your “comfort gap” shows up. People realize they didn’t bring a change of clothes, or they forgot a towel, or they packed the wet items in with the dry ones. A long return ride is coming later, so treat Payong-Payong as your cue to think about what your clothes will feel like by evening.

Secret Lagoon Behind Karst Cliffs: Short Time, Big Atmosphere

Secret Lagoon is a highlight stop with a clear wow factor. The description emphasizes that it sits behind towering karst cliffs, which is the classic El Nido look—rock walls, sheltered light, and a sense of arriving somewhere protected.

You’ll get about 45 minutes here. That shorter time makes sense because the best part is the entrance-and-atmosphere moment, plus a limited window for enjoying the lagoon area before the day moves on.

This stop also fits nicely with the tour’s overall rhythm: lagoon time (Big Lagoon attempt), then snorkeling, then beach breaks, then another lagoon. It keeps variety high so you don’t get stuck in one mode the entire day.

My advice: don’t spend all your time trying to “optimize the perfect photo.” Take some photos, yes. But also watch what the water is doing and how light filters through the cliffs. Even on less-than-perfect weather, the cliff setting can still create that sheltered, special feeling.

Seven Commando Beach: The End-of-Day Sand Reset

Seven Commando Beach closes out the set of major stops with about 1 hour of sand-and-coconut shade time. The description notes a long, sloping stretch of fine sand and coconut trees, which makes it a good place to decompress after lots of movement earlier.

The name has a story tied to seven soldiers, though the details aren’t confirmed. Regardless of the origin, the practical point is this: you’ll have a straightforward beach experience here.

This is also where you’ll feel the day’s length most clearly. By this point, you may be sunburnt (even if you think you’re fine), tired, and ready to wash off salt. The experience includes snorkel gear and kayak rental during the tour, but it does not state that there’s a proper cleanup stop at the end. If you know you’ll hate the sticky, salty feeling on a long ride home, plan accordingly—pack wet wipes and a change of shirt.

The Real Logistics: Comfort Tips That Make or Break the Day

This is an all-day outing with real “wet clothes on a long ride” potential. One of the more common frustrations with tours like this is not the islands—it’s the return comfort. If you end up sitting on damp swimwear for hours, you’ll feel it.

Here’s my practical comfort checklist for a tour like this:

• Bring snacks and water since meals aren’t included.
• Pack a small towel and a dry shirt if you don’t want to feel gross after swimming.
• Use a zip bag or dry bag for wet swim items so they don’t soak everything.
• Sunscreen and a hat help even if skies look gray.
• If you’re prone to motion sickness, bring your usual remedy. The long transfer time can be a lot.

Also, manage expectations about waiting. A long shared transfer day typically involves pauses for group consolidation, boarding, and reloading. That’s normal. If you walk in thinking every minute will be perfectly tight, you’ll get irritated. If you treat waiting as part of the day rhythm, you’ll stay happier.

Who Should Book This (and Who Should Rethink It)

This tour is best for people who want classic El Nido highlights in one go, even if they’re staying in Puerto Princesa. It also suits you if you’re comfortable with moderate physical activity. The tour specifically notes moderate physical fitness and warns it’s not recommended for participants with heart problems or other serious medical conditions.

Children must be accompanied by an adult, which is typical for island-hopping where schedules and water conditions matter.

If you’re traveling as a couple or a small group and you want a straightforward plan with guide support and included gear, you’ll likely appreciate how organized the day is. If you’re a solo traveler, you can also enjoy the chance to meet others during transit and at shared stops, but keep your own space in mind on the shared ride.

Book It or DIY It? The Convenience vs. Cost Choice

DIY is often cheaper on paper. You can split transport and island access bookings yourself. But the value of this tour is that it reduces coordination stress and bundles fees and key gear.

For example, you’re not only paying for transport—you’re also paying for included snorkel masks and breathing tubes, kayak rental, local fees, and admission for most stops. You also get a local guide and a structure that keeps the day moving.

Still, if you’re the kind of traveler who enjoys planning, comparing prices, and building your own pace, you might choose a more independent approach to save money. The trick is deciding how much time and uncertainty you’re willing to handle. This tour pays you back with an organized, scheduled day—even if it’s long.

Should You Book This El Nido Island Hopping Day Tour?

I think this tour is a strong fit if your top priority is seeing multiple El Nido classics in one day while staying based in Puerto Princesa. The included snorkeling gear, kayak rental, and most admissions make it feel like a prepared package rather than just a transport service.

I’d hesitate if you’re sensitive to long days, dislike waiting, or rely on meals being included. Since meals aren’t part of the deal, you’ll need to show up with snacks and a plan—or you’ll pay for that decision with fatigue later.

If Big Lagoon is your absolute must-do, go with optimism but not certainty. Clearance isn’t guaranteed, and the tour swaps the destination if it can’t happen—so you’ll still get your day, just not the exact version you pictured.

FAQ

How long is the El Nido island hopping day tour from Puerto Princesa?

The tour lasts about 18 to 20 hours, with pickup starting around 4:00 am and returning to your hotel area by midnight.

What’s included in the tour price?

The package includes snorkel masks and breathing tube, hotel pickup and drop-off for selected hotels, a local guide, round-trip shared transfer, eco-tourism fee(s), kayak rental, and admission for most stops. Big Lagoon entry is not guaranteed, but the Big Lagoon user’s fee is included.

Are meals included?

No. Meals are not included, so plan snacks and water for a very long day.

Is Big Lagoon entrance guaranteed?

No. Big Lagoon entry is not guaranteed due to limited access. The tour says it will try to get clearance, and if it can’t, it will swap in a different destination.

Where do hotel pickups happen in Puerto Princesa?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are for selected hotels only, within 5 kilometers of Puerto Princesa Airport.

What if the tour is canceled because of weather?

If the tour is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered an alternative tour date or a full refund.