Lagoon light is the real souvenir here. On El Nido’s Tour A, you spend an easy full day bouncing through Bacuit Bay, mixing kayaking and snorkeling with classic lagoon views and beach time, and I love that it feels like a greatest-hits sampler without rushing every minute. One thing to plan for: the lagoons can get busy, so expect crowds at the most photogenic moments.

I also like that the day is run with a real live English tour guide and a proper boat setup, not just a handoff and good luck. Hotel pickup is included only if you’re in El Nido Town, and that small limitation matters because it affects how smoothly your day starts.

Key highlights to know before you go

• Big Lagoon + Small Lagoon + Secret Lagoon: three lagoons, one connected rhythm for your day
• Shimizu Island beach and water time: a strong payoff stop after the lagoon circuit
• Kayak, swim, snorkel: active time in clear water, not just sightseeing
• Skip the ticket line: saves time when you’re trying to catch the boat
• Hotel pickup in El Nido Town: easy start if you stay nearby
• Clear rules on the water: no touching marine life or plants, plus no smoking

El Nido Island Hopping Tour A: the lagoon-focused day

If you’re picturing El Nido as those iconic limestone walls, glassy water, and postcard-blue shallows, Tour A is built for that. The big idea here is a loop through Bacuit Bay with lagoon stops first, then Shimizu Island as your water-and-beach breather. It’s a straightforward plan: get on the boat, hit the lagoons in a good order, then swap lenses and flip-flops for snorkel gear when it’s time.

What makes this tour genuinely useful is how concentrated it is. You’re not driving all over town, and you’re not trying to “piece together” lagoon time on your own. Instead, you get guided transitions between stops and a clear 8-hour schedule that’s designed around boat travel and water activities.

Also, I appreciate the balance of active and relaxed moments. You’ll swim, snorkel, and kayak during the day, but you’re also given time to cool off and take in the scenery without sprinting to the next landmark every five minutes.

Price and value: $34 plus the extra fees you must budget

At $34 per person, Tour A can look like a steal for a full 8-hour boat day. The value is real—especially because lunch and boat transport are included, and you also get a professional guide plus hotel pickup in El Nido Town.

But the fine print matters: you’ll also pay additional costs that are not included:

• Mask & snorkel
• Environmental fee 400.00
• Lagoon fees 200.00

So here’s the practical way to think about it. The advertised price is your base, then you add the mandatory-on-the-day style fees for the lagoons and the gear you want to use. If you already have your own mask and snorkel, that part shrinks. If you don’t, the total rises. Either way, plan to carry some extra cash so you’re not stuck deciding on the spot.

One more value point: “skip the ticket line.” That’s not glamorous, but it saves your time when you’d otherwise be standing around.

Pickup, meeting point, and how to avoid a stressful start

This tour uses hotel-based contact to find you. The pickup is included for El Nido Town only, and if your hotel is far from town, you’ll pay a tricycle fare from your side account. That’s a simple rule, but it can change your morning a lot if you booked farther out.

The meeting point detail is also important: your hotel sends the coordination via WhatsApp to the nearest hotel only. In plain terms, you’ll want your hotel to do their part, and you should also double-check what the tour is using as the meeting spot. One recent booking note highlighted that the app-listed meeting location can be wrong, and the fix was better communication with the team before leaving the room.

My advice: before the day, message to confirm the pickup point and time. Ask for the exact name of the pickup place in the area and try to get a clear instruction like where to wait. It takes two minutes and can prevent that “are we in the wrong place?” feeling.

Also, show up early. You need to be ready about 15 minutes before pickup time, and the day runs on boat schedules, not your personal comfort.

The tour rhythm: what 8 hours feels like on the water

An 8-hour tour is long enough to feel like a full day, but not so long that you lose the energy to enjoy it. Your time is mostly split between boat travel, lagoon activity, and short breaks for snorkeling and swimming.

Expect water-ready logistics. Bring swimwear, and plan to change since “extra clothes for changing” is called out. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that work for water activities—because you don’t want to be balancing wet sandals on slippery edges while everyone else is loading up.

Also bring sunscreen, a hat, and water. You’ll be outdoors most of the day, and you’ll move between bright sun and shaded lagoon water.

Big Lagoon: the classic start that sets the tone

Big Lagoon is where the day earns its reputation. This is the kind of stop where the water looks calm enough to reflect limestone walls, and you’ll get a chance to experience the bay from the lagoon itself rather than from a distant shoreline.

What I like about starting here is pacing. You ease into the water activities while the day is still fresh. And since Tour A includes kayaking as part of the experience, Big Lagoon is a great place for that—because it’s the kind of setting where quiet movement makes a difference for photos and for simply seeing the shoreline details.

A practical consideration: popular stops can mean crowds. If you want calmer minutes, aim to arrive and get your photos done quickly after everyone settles, then focus on paddling and enjoying the water instead of waiting for an empty frame.

Small Lagoon: a tighter-feeling follow-up

Small Lagoon keeps the momentum going without turning the day into a chaotic repeat. You get another lagoon setting after Big Lagoon, and that contrast—more “cozy” feeling compared to a larger main area—can make the scenery feel more intimate.

This stop is also a useful checkpoint for your energy. By now you’ve warmed up with the boat ride and first lagoon activity, and you know what your gear setup feels like. If you’re bringing your own mask and snorkel, this is a good moment to make sure everything seals well before you’re in open-water swim/snorkel time later.

Drawback to keep in mind: the trade-off for lagoon beauty is time pressure. You might feel like you’re always waiting for the group and the next instruction, especially if the lagoon is busy.

Secret Lagoon: the name creates expectations

Secret Lagoon is the third lagoon stop, and that’s part of why Tour A feels like more than a quick photo tour. It’s a chance to keep seeing the bay’s different moods as the day progresses.

What you can reasonably expect from a stop with that name: you’ll likely notice more shelter and a more enclosed feeling compared to the biggest, most exposed viewpoints. The payoff tends to be in the moments when you’re paddling slowly, taking in the rock formations, and not rushing every time someone calls out the next position.

Still, be ready for the real-world factor: crowds. Even if the area feels more tucked away, it can still attract plenty of boats. Get your key shots early, then switch to “experience mode”—swim, snorkel, and soak in the water movement instead of chasing a perfect empty background.

Shimizu Island: where snorkel and beach time come together

After three lagoon stops, Shimizu Island is where the day becomes more about water play and resting. This is a good section to focus on swimming and snorkeling because the island setting naturally shifts the pace from lagoon paddling to open-water fun and calmer downtime.

Also, this is where your gear choices show. You’re told mask & snorkel is not included, so either bring your own or budget to get it. If you’re unsure, test your setup early in the day so you’re comfortable by the time Shimizu time rolls around.

For many people, this is the best “I’m here” moment: a sandy shore, clear shallows, and enough space to breathe between activities.

Just remember the rules: no touching marine life and no touching plants. It’s not just about being polite. It protects the ecosystem and keeps the experience fair for everyone sharing the water.

Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave, and Matinloc Shrine: where Tour A differs

Tour A stays lagoon-and-island focused. If you’re specifically interested in Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave, and Matinloc Shrine, that’s listed as part of the other option (Tour B), with Tour C mixing destinations from both. So if those are top priorities, compare tours before you lock in.

This matters because it changes the “feel” of the day. Tour A gives you more lagoon variety (Big, Small, Secret) plus Shimizu Island. Tour B and C tend to add a different style of sights beyond the lagoons.

Marine-life rules: what you should do (and not do) in Bacuit Bay

You’ll be in a protected natural area where the health of the water matters. The tour rules are clear:

• No touching marine life
• No touching plants
• No smoking

Here’s how to handle this smoothly in real time. Keep your hands to yourself, avoid standing where you might step on coral, and focus your photos and snorkeling on watching—not grabbing. If you’re tempted to feel the rocks or tug on sea life for a close-up, don’t. That’s exactly what these rules are trying to prevent.

Also, don’t forget this: you’re doing water activities, so your day will involve movement on a boat deck and wet surfaces. Keep your sunscreen and snacks secured, and watch your footing when you step down into the water.

What’s included on Tour A (so you can pack smarter)

Included in this tour:

• Professional guide
• Hotel pickup (El Nido Town only)
• Lunch
• Boat
• Live tour guide in English
• Skip the ticket line

That’s a strong set of inclusions for a day on the water. The big “cost saver” here is lunch and the boat. You don’t need to organize your own meal plan or worry about where to get transport between sites.

What to bring:

• Hat
• Swimwear
• Camera
• Snacks
• Sunscreen
• Water

I also strongly recommend bringing extra clothes to change into. Even with a towel, you’ll likely end the day damp and a bit salty, and having a dry set makes the final stretch feel a lot nicer.

Snacks are listed, and that’s smart because lagoon-to-lunch timing can feel long if you get hungry early. Pack something you’ll enjoy while you wait for instructions.

Who Tour A is best for (and who should skip it)

Tour A fits people who want a guided, lagoon-heavy day with real water time. It’s also a good fit if you’re comfortable in the water because snorkeling and swimming are part of the experience.

It’s not suitable for:

• Pregnant women
• People with back problems
• Non-swimmers

If any of those apply, you’ll have a rough time. This tour includes moving between stops and water activities, and it can’t be safely adapted based on comfort levels, so it’s better to choose a different plan.

Tips that make your day smoother on a crowded lagoon itinerary

A boat day can be fun. It can also get messy if you’re unprepared. These small moves help:

• Keep your sunscreen easy to reach before you need it.
• Use a hat that actually stays on in wind—lagoon breezes can be sneaky.
• Bring water you can sip between stops. The day is long.
• Pack snacks in a way you can open without making a whole production.
• If meeting points feel confusing, confirm the pickup spot using WhatsApp and ask your hotel to coordinate clearly.

One last practical note from the experience feedback: the crew’s friendliness is a real strength, and that makes it easier to handle minor confusion if it pops up. Good communication ahead of time still wins, though.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

I’d book Tour A if you want a single, guided day that focuses on the famous lagoons—Big, Small, and Secret—plus Shimizu Island water time, all with lunch and an English-speaking guide. The $34 base price is attractive, and the tour is structured to save you from planning gaps.

I wouldn’t book it if you’re sensitive to crowds at popular stops or if your comfort level with water activities isn’t solid. Also, budget for the extra fees listed for the lagoons and the mask/snorkel equipment, since the real cost is the base price plus those items.

If you like clear, organized schedules and you want to see a lot of the Bacuit Bay highlights without spending your day figuring out transport, Tour A is a smart choice.

FAQ

How long is El Nido Island Hopping Tour A?

The tour lasts 8 hours.

What does Tour A include?

Tour A includes Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and Shimizu Island.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is included for El Nido Town only. If your hotel is far from town, you’ll need to pay a tricycle fare at your own expense.

What fees are not included in the $34 price?

Mask & snorkel, an environmental fee of 400.00, and lagoon fees of 200.00 are not included.

Do I need to bring my own snorkel mask?

Mask & snorkel are not included, so you should plan to bring your own or arrange to get them separately.

Who is this tour not suitable for?

It is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, and non-swimmers.