Tour A is one of the easiest ways to see Bacuit Bay fast. You get lagoons and white-sand beaches in a single long day, and the Big Lagoon kayak stop is the kind of moment you’ll remember on the ride home. The only real catch: the Big Lagoon has limited entry, so if it’s full you may swap to another spot, and you’ll also want cash for extra fees and rentals.

Corazon Travel & Tours keeps the day moving with a licensed guide, life vests, and a lunch that’s repeatedly praised as better than what you’d expect for the price. The tour can also be crowded (most of these routes are), and start times can shift if the boat is waiting on late passengers.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Secret Lagoon first: a calmer-feeling start among jagged rock walls before the busiest islands.
• Big Lagoon kayaking is the headline: freedom to paddle in a large area, usually with kayak rental as an add-on.
• White sand on Shimizu and Seven Commandos: lots of time to swim, relax, and enjoy the water.
• Snorkeling is included, but conditions vary: bring aqua shoes if you hate sharp corals.
• Lunch is genuinely a highlight: multiple reviews call out a big buffet with meat, fish, vegetables, and fruit.
• Crew attention shows up fast: guides like Buddy, Dexter, Mark, Angelo, and John are mentioned for being helpful and safety-focused.

Bacuit Bay in One Day: What Tour A Really Delivers

This is an 8-hour island-hopping boat tour around El Nido’s Bacuit Bay. You’re typically looking at up to four stops during the day, with the itinerary built to give you a mix of swimming beaches and lagoon time rather than nonstop boat speed.

You can book shared or private, and that choice changes the vibe. Shared means more people at the stops (and more boat chatter). Private often feels like you’re arriving with fewer crowds at your specific timing, which some people love when they want quieter moments to swim and take photos.

One practical note before you set your expectations: there’s no hotel pickup or drop-off. Your meeting point can vary by the option you book, so be ready to get yourself to the dock area. Also, the tour is not set up for big bags or luggage. If you’re packing light, you’ll feel right at home.

Value-wise, the headline price is $23 per person, which is hard to beat for an El Nido day on the water. But do plan for the additional required and optional costs (more on that below), especially if you want to kayak.

Secret Lagoon: A Cool Start Inside the Rock Walls

Your first “wow” stop is usually the Secret Lagoon. Think jagged rock formations forming a natural bowl, with water that feels serene and protected compared to open-bay swimming.

Why I like this stop early: when you go first, you’re more likely to get that calm, open-space feeling before the bigger waves of boats. The tour is built so you don’t just stare at scenery from the deck; you get time to explore the lagoon area.

What to watch for: lagoon time can be short depending on how the day runs. If you’re aiming for swimming, plan to be ready with your gear and a quick change into swimwear. And if you’re bringing your own snorkeling comfort setup, keep it simple—most people just use what’s available and follow the guide’s flow.

Shimizu Island and Seven Commandos Beach: White Sand Time That Feels Real

After the lagoon, the day shifts to pure beach time at Shimizu Island and Seven Commandos Beach.

Shimizu is the kind of stop where the water looks clear enough that you’ll be tempted to jump in right away. The beach setup is made for relaxing: swim, float, and give your legs a break from boat transfers. If you don’t love heavy snorkeling, this is still a good stop because it’s built around easy water time and downtime.

Seven Commandos is a classic El Nido-style beach: coconut trees, pure white sand, and plenty of postcard-ready space to spread out. It’s not just “look and leave.” The tour’s pace gives you time to actually enjoy the water and not feel like you’re constantly moving.

Small reality check: these stops can get busy because this is one of the most popular styles of tours in the area. If crowds bother you, a private booking can help with the feeling of breathing room, and arriving at your scheduled time matters.

Big Lagoon Kayaking: The Stop You Should Plan Around

If you want one “anchor” activity for the day, it’s the Big Lagoon. This is the moment people keep pointing to, and for good reason. The tour design gives you a chance to go beyond snorkeling and paddle in a larger lagoon area, where you can slow down and look around at the water and rock formations at your own pace.

Here’s what matters for planning:

• Entry is limited. If Big Lagoon entry isn’t available, you’ll visit another spot instead. So keep your schedule flexible mentally, even if you’re excited for Big Lagoon.
• There’s a Big Lagoon entry fee (200 PHP) and often a premium destination fee tied to that stop.
• Kayak rental is usually not included. A common add-on cost mentioned is around 300 pesos per kayak (kayaks typically hold two people).

Why kayaking is worth the fuss: swimming lets you see the surface and coral edges. Kayaking gives you movement through the lagoon at a slower speed, so you can get a better sense of the space and explore corners that you’d miss just floating.

Safety note: everyone uses life vests, and the crew tends to be watchful. If you’re nervous in open water, you can still enjoy the experience, but be honest with yourself about comfort levels.

Snorkeling, Splash Time, and Why Aqua Shoes Save Your Day

Tour A includes a snorkeling area, and that’s a big part of why Bacuit Bay looks so special underwater.

The catch is that snorkeling isn’t uniform. One snorkeling spot can feel easy with plenty of fish, while another can be harder to reach because of sharp coral edges. Some people specifically mention the first snorkeling area feeling average and difficult to access.

If you tend to get skimpy with comfort in the water, bring (or rent) aqua shoes. They help you step around without feeling every pebble and coral tip. Fins can also be rented if you want better movement, but your biggest comfort gain usually comes from foot protection.

Also, a quick practical tip: if you’re prone to motion sickness, consider bringing medicine. Several people mention that the boat ride can be enough to trigger it, even though the day is still enjoyable.

Lunch Included: Why the Buffet Gets Better Scores Than You’d Expect

Lunch is included, and this is one of those surprises that makes the whole day feel like a bargain.

The lunch gets described as a buffet with a strong mix: meat and fish, vegetables, and fruits, with some people calling it more generous than what they got on other tours. If you’ve done island hopping before, you know the usual story: a small plate and off you go.

Here, the meal time tends to feel like a real break. You’re back on the water after lunch feeling refueled instead of rushed. For many people, that alone makes the tour feel like it’s priced fairly.

Crew, Safety, and Photos: The People Make the Day

A licensed tour guide runs the day, and you get life vests for the water activities. That’s the baseline.

What people keep praising, though, is how quickly the crew handles the small stuff: helping with boarding and disembarking, staying alert around water steps, and keeping the day organized so you don’t feel lost.

You’ll also see guide names repeatedly connected with this tour style: Buddy, Dexter, Mark, Angelo, John, and crew members like Jordan and Jojo. Even if you don’t have the same guide, the pattern is consistent—people mention staff being friendly, proactive, and safety-conscious.

Two practical extras I’d take seriously:

• The crew often offers to take photos on your phone, which saves you the hassle of asking strangers to shoot your group.
• Guides may speak quickly, so if you want something repeated, ask. One person noted the pace felt fast, so don’t be shy about requesting a slower explanation.

Price and Logistics: What You’ll Really Spend

On paper, $23 per person is the headline. In reality, you should think of it as a base price plus a few mandatory and optional items.

Costs you should plan for:

• El Nido eco-tourism / environmental fee (400 PHP) is required before boarding your boat. If you’ve already paid, show the guide a copy of the receipt to avoid paying again.
• Big Lagoon entry fee (200 PHP) is not included.
• Kayak rental is usually extra. A commonly mentioned figure is around 300 PHP per kayak.
• Aqua shoes and fins are available to rent if you want them.

Also budget for small purchases like drinks and snacks during the stops. Some people mention cold drinks and ice creams sold during the day.

The takeaway: if you budget a bit extra for fees and optional gear, the overall value stays strong. That’s why this tour works for many first-timers—you get the core highlights for a low base cost, then choose how much comfort you want.

What to Bring (and What to Leave Behind)

Pack like you’re going to be wet and sun-exposed. The tour advice is straightforward:

Bring:

• Passport or ID card
• Swimwear
• A change of clothes
• Sunscreen
• Cash

Don’t bring:

• Plastic bottles
• Luggage or large bags
• Smoking (not allowed)

One smart move: bring your cash in small bills if you can. You’ll likely pay eco fees and optional rentals in PHP, and you don’t want to fumble at the last minute while everyone else is getting ready.

Who Should Book Tour A (and Who Should Reconsider)

Tour A is not listed as suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users. If that describes you, don’t assume you’ll be able to manage the boat steps and water transfers safely.

That said, there are also stories of crew members being patient with guests who had limited balance and weren’t strong swimmers. If you’re close to the edge of comfort, the difference between “possible” and “stressful” is often staff support and how you feel about boarding/disembarking. I’d still check directly with the provider before booking.

This tour is a great fit if you:

• Want a classic El Nido lagoon-and-beach day
• Care about swimming time, not just boat photos
• Are interested in trying kayaking at Big Lagoon (when entry allows)
• Like having lunch included so the day doesn’t turn into constant buying

Should You Book El Nido Island Hopping Tour A?

I’d book it if you want a strong mix of Secret Lagoon, white-sand beaches, and the chance to do the Big Lagoon kayak stop, without paying luxury-tour prices. The combination of a low base price, life vests and guide-led structure, and a lunch that’s repeatedly praised makes it feel like solid value.

I’d think twice if:

• Big Lagoon is your one non-negotiable. Entry is limited, and you might get a different stop if it’s full.
• You hate crowds. These popular beaches and lagoons attract a lot of boats on most days.
• You need strict timing. One account mentioned waiting for late no-show passengers, which delayed the schedule. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s good to know.

If you can handle that reality, Tour A is one of the most straightforward ways to experience Bacuit Bay’s highlights in a single day.

FAQ

How long is El Nido Island Hopping Tour A?

The tour duration is 8 hours. Starting times depend on availability.

What’s included in the tour price?

The tour includes a licensed tour guide, a boat tour of the islands, life vests, and lunch.

What additional fees should I budget for?

You’ll need to pay the El Nido eco-tourism development fee (400 PHP) before boarding, and there’s also a Big Lagoon entry fee (200 PHP). Kayak and snorkeling gear like aqua shoes and fins are available for rent but are not included.

Does the tour include Big Lagoon kayaking?

Big Lagoon is part of the experience, but kayak rental is optional. Entry to Big Lagoon is limited, and if entry isn’t available, you’ll visit a different spot.

Where is the meeting point?

The meeting point may vary depending on the option booked. There’s no hotel pickup or drop-off.

What should I bring for the tour?

Bring your passport or ID card, swimwear, a change of clothes, sunscreen, and cash.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments?

The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users.