El Nido Island Hopping Tour A – Is it Worth It? What to Expect?

El Nido is known for its amazing island hopping tours that take you to paradise-like spots—beaches with crystal-clear blue water and soft white sand, sharp and unique cliffs surrounding lagoons, sandbanks, caves, stunning landscapes, and more.

Tour A is the most popular island hopping tour in El Nido. But is it worth it? In this article, we’ll share everything you need to know about the tour, a quick overview of how our day went, and our honest opinion.

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First Time in the Philippines? Read our ultimate guide to prepare a trip to the Philippines with essential and useful tips: How to Plan a Trip to the Philippines: 33 Essential Travel Tips

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Table of Contents

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El Nido Tour A – What to Expect

There are four island hopping tours in El Nido designated Tour A, B, C, and D. Tour A is the most popular and well-known. It includes the Big Lagoon, which is so stunning that it makes the whole tour worth it on its own. It also includes stops for snorkeling, swimming and kayaking, time at the beach, and lunch at a beautiful paradise-like island.

What Stops are Included in El Nido Island Hopping Tour A?

Tour A, includes the following stops:

• 7 Commando Beach
• Big Lagoon
• Shimizu Island
• Secret Lagoon
• Payong-Payong Beach

The tours in El Nido are standardized, so no matter the company you chose, they all stop at the same places and have a fixed price. The order of the places you visit may vary. They try to arrange it so that not everyone is at the same spot at the same time—but even with that, most places still get crowded.

Where to Book the El Nido Island Hopping Tour A?

We booked our El Nido Tour A through our accommodation, but you can also book it in advance on sites like GetYourGuide, Klook, or similar platforms. Another option is to book directly through one of the many tourist stalls or tour vendors you’ll find around town.

Some tours might seem more expensive, but that’s because they already include the required fee for renting the kayak at the Big Lagoon. If you’re travelling in high-season it’s best to book your tour in advance.

How Much Does El Nido Tour A Cost? Budget Breakdown

We booked our El Nido Tour A at our accommodation and we paid 1200PHP per person. Besides that, you also need to pay an environmental fee of 400PHP per person (valid for 10 days—you only need to pay this once even if you go on other island hopping tours); and entrance to the Big Lagoon is 200PHP.

On the day of your tour, to enter the Big Lagoon, you need to go on a kayak. You need to pay 300PHP for a two-person kayak. If you want to rent snorkeling gear before the tour, it’s 150PHP per person. If you also need water shoes, add another 150PHP.

In summary (prices as of 2025):

• EL Nido shared tour A: 1200 PHP
• Environmental fee: 400 PHP
• Big Lagoon fee: 200 PHP
• Kayak rental: 150 PHP
• Snorkeling gear rental (Optional): 150 PHP
• Water shoes (Optional): 150 PHP

There’s also the optional to rent an action cam like a GoPro at some tourist stalls around El Nido. Expect to pay 1000 to 1200 PHP per day.

El Nido Island Hopping Tour A—Our Experience

To give you a better idea on what to expect on Tour A, we’ll describe our experience.

After checking in with the tour provider, all groups are brought to El Nido Beach.

It might feel a bit chaotic with all the people and boats, but in the end, everything works out. We left El Nido, at around 9AM.

Miniloc Island (Snorkeling)

The first stop of our tour was next to Miniloc Island. The boat stopped there for snorkeling. Most people just stayed on the boat taking pictures.

Us, loving snorkeling, decided to jump in. But the sea was rough, which wasn’t great for swimming and the visibility was not great. On top of that, there were lots of small plastic pieces floating around—probably trash that flew off from the other boats during the island-hopping tours.

We stayed in the water for about 10 minutes, but I wasn’t feeling comfortable swimming with all that plastic and barely seeing anything. If the sea had been calmer, I think the experience would have been better.

For snorkeling, we had the best experiences in Siquijor (Tubod Marine Sanctuary) and Apo Island.

Nest, we were supposed to stop at Payong Payong beach also in Miniloc island. But, for some reason, it was skipped.

Secret Lagoon (Miniloc Island)

Then, we anchored at Miniloc Island, right on a beautiful beach with crystal clear water and soft white sand. It really looked like paradise—if it wasn’t for the number of people there. The cliffs surrounding the island are just incredible.

The Secret Lagoon is a small hidden lagoon on Miniloc Island. You need to go through a small hole in the rocks to get inside the lagoon. Be careful with the rocks as they are really sharp—make sure you’re wearing water shoes.

The lagoon is actually beautiful, with calm blue water surrounded by towering limestone cliffs with the sun coming through, but the guides will try to fit as much people inside as possible in such a small place. It was so crowded when we went that we wanted to get out as soon as possible.

Shimizu Island

We stopped for lunch at Shimizu Island. The beach and surrounding landscape is just incredible.

The food included fish, rice, noodles, vegetables, and fruit. I was still recovering from food poisoning from a few days earlier, so I only had a banana. But my boyfriend said the food was good.

We stayed there for about an hour. I wish we could’ve stayed longer—the beach was really nice and the water was amazing for swimming.

Big Lagoon

The next stop was the Big Lagoon. This was definitely the highlight of the tour. Just coming here makes the whole tour worth it. And the water really has this color you see on the pictures.

This place is unreal. If you have a drone, you can get some amazing shots from above. The boats are not allowed to enter the lagoon, but they stop at the entrance, and from there you need to kayak in. If you’re not comfortable with kayaking, the guides can help you out.

You need to pay to rent the kayak. So make sure you take some money with you. Some tours might have a higher price, but already have this included.

As you kayak in, the water becomes shallower and more clear. Eventually, you’ll reach a spot where you can get out of the kayak and just walk in knee-deep water. This is the most beautiful part. Take your time here and snap some pictures—you won’t have time on the way back.

If you keep kayaking, you’ll enter deeper into the lagoon. It’s stunning—it reminded me a bit of Halong Bay in Vietnam (read our Halong Bay Guide here).

At one point, we found a quiet little corner full of jellyfish (which freaked me out a bit). Later, I found out these jellyfish (Moon Jellyfish) don’t sting much or at all, but it’s still good to be careful. Funny thing is, some people travel to other parts of the Philippines just to see this kind of jellyfish concentrated in a small bay/kind of lake (I saw this in a video on Instagram)—and we just happened to come across this by chance.

7 Commando Beach

Our last stop was at 7 Commando Beach. It was a bit crowded, with lots of boats from the island-hopping tours. There’s plenty of shade from the coconut trees and a volleyball net on the sand.

If you walk a bit away from where the boats dock, you’ll find more space to enjoy the beach. We didn’t snorkel here, but you definitely can. I also read some reviews from people who got lucky and spotted a turtle.

Return to El Nido

At around 5PM, we arrived at El Nido. This time, we used the small “dock” to get out of the boat.

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Is the El Nido Island Hopping Tour A Worth It?

Absolutely! The places you’ll visit are amazing—especially the Big Lagoon, which alone makes the whole trip worth it. It was one of the most memorable places of our whole trip to the Philippines.

Some of the things we didn’t like much and that you should expect so you don’t get disappointed:

• most spots will be crowded (to avoid this, you can book a private tour and try to start earlier);
• the tour will feel rushed — you’ll want to spend more time at the places that it is allowed;
• the boat is very noisy and not very comfortable;
• you’ll spend a considerable amount of time in the boat—travel times between the spots can be long;
• if the sea is rough, the snorkeling might not be good (as it was in our case).

Even though most spots will be crowded and the tour can feel a bit rushed, you’ll still have one of the most incredible times.

Other El Nido Island Hopping Tours — How to Choose One?

In El Nido, there are four different tours to chose from. We recommend doing Tour A, and another tour of your choice. You’ll find that the other tours are much less crowded than Tour A, and everything will be at a more relaxed pace (at least this was our experience).

You can read our detailed guide comparing the different tours:

• El Nido Island Hopping Tours A, B, C, D — Which One to choose?

Here’s what to expect on each of the tours:

Tour A – The Most Popular

Tour A is the most popular and well-known. It includes the Big Lagoon, which is so stunning that it makes the whole tour worth it on its own. We did Tour A and highly recommend it—even though it’s the most crowded, the places you visit are absolutely amazing

Tour A stops:

• 7 Commando Beach
• Big Lagoon
• Shimizu Island
• Secret Lagoon
• Payong-Payong Island

You can book your island hopping Tour A here.

Tour B – Caves and Sandbards

Tour B is a bit less popular, so it’s usually less crowded. It features caves, unique rock formations, and the famous Snake Island, where you can walk along a sandbar during low tide. During our time in El Nido, they didn’t recommend this tour because the sea was rough, and the main places to visit are more exposed to open water and stronger waves.

Tour B stops:

• Entalula Island
• Snake Island
• Pinagbuyutan Island
• Cathedral Cave
• Cudugnon Cave

You can book your island hopping Tour B here.

Tour C – Hidden Beaches and Shrine

During our time in El Nido, we did a custom mix of tour C and D. This was because some places of tour D were closed for the recording of a reality show. The spots we visited were beautiful and way less crowded than Tour A.

Tour C stops:

• Helicopter Island
• Hidden Beach
• Matinloc Shrine
• Talisay Beach
• Secret Beach

You can book your island hopping Tour C here.

Tour D – Lagoons and Beaches

During our mix of Tour C + D, we visited Cadlao Lagoon. It is incredibly beautiful. Sometimes, the landscapes don’t even feel real. They were also much less crowded than the Big Lagoon in Tour A. So, if you’re looking for something more relaxed and just as stunning, this tour is definitely a great choice. We liked our mix of Tour C + D even more than the classic Tour A.

Tour D stops:

• Small Lagoon
• Cadlao Lagoon
• Paradise Beach
• Pasandigan Beach
• Bukal Beach

You can book your island hopping Tour D here.

What to Bring on El Nido Tours (or rent)?

There are some essentials that we recommend packing for these tours (this also applies to most tours in the Philippines):

Water Shoes

We highly recommend bringing your own water shoes—you’ll need them. Some places you’ll visit have sharp rocks at the bottom. If you don’t have them, you can buy them in El Nido town (you’ll find several stores selling them). You can also rent them at the start of your tour—just let your tour provider know. Expect to pay between 100 to 150PHP.

If you have plastic sandals that you can use on the water, those will also do. I used my sandals without any problems. Just don’t go barefoot.

Snorkeling Gear

For snorkeling, you’ll need a mask and tube, which are available to rent for a fee (150PHP at the time we visited). We rented ours, and while sometimes we got a good one, other times the fit and quality weren’t that great. If we were to do it again, we’d bring our own snorkel gear (as we had to rent one several times during our time in the Philippines).

Waterproof Bag or Pouch

There’s no dock for boarding the boat—you’ll need to walk into the sea right at the beginning of the tour, so expect to get wet from the start.

We suggest bringing a waterproof bag for your valuables and clothes. Vendors sell them right on the beach before the tours depart, including waterproof pouches for phones. You can also buy one before heading to the Philippines to ensure you get more options and know the quality beforehand.

We had this super practical waterproof pouch we bought at Amazon before our tour. Even though it doesn’t fit our clothes, it secures our valuables well. It’s perfect for when you want to go into the water and don’t want to leave your valuables unattended.

Action waterproof camera

I took our DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro Camera (the camera is amazing). We bought it specifically for this trip to the Philippines. I’m so glad we did because we got so many great shots and underwater videos. The quality is much better than using your smartphone in a waterproof case. You’ll find that your phone will overheat inside the case, it will get slow and the image will turn darker (at least this is what happened with our iPhones).

Sun Protection

You’ll be exposed to the sun for most of the day. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. A long-sleeve UV shirt is also a good idea. We used our UV shirt during most tours in the Philippines and we never get burned. Many people on the same tours got burned, even with sunscreen.

Where to Stay in El Nido

If it’s your first time in El Nido, we recommend staying close to the center. You’ll have more options for restaurants, shops, bars, and souvenir shops. Additionally, you’ll be close to El Nido Bay for the departure of the island hopping tours.

If you prefer somewhere quieter, Lio Beach or Las Cabañas are great options. They’re more relaxed and scenic, and you can still easily get to the center by tricycle.

Main Areas to Stay:

• Town Proper – Best for first-timers; close to tours, restaurants, and bars. Recommended places:
  • Spin Designer Hostel (budget)
  • Sea Coccon Hotel (mid-range)
  • H Hotel El Nido (luxury)

• Caalan – Quiet and walkable to the center; good if you want to stay away from the nightlife. Suggested places:
  • Keira Backpackers (the one we stayed at) (budget)
  • Cadlao Resort & Restaurant (mid-range/luxury)

• Lio Beach – Chill beach vibe near the airport; upscale, quiet, and relaxed. Here are some suggested places:
  • Seda Lio – Modern, beachfront, with a pool and good amenities (luxury)
  • Balai Adlao – Cozy and calm, walking distance to the beach (luxury)
  • Domes and Dreams Lio Glamping – Cozy air-conditioned domes near Lio Beach, great for a peaceful stay close to nature and not far from shops and restaurants (mid-range)

• Las Cabañas – Sunset views, beach bars, and a laid-back feel; great for couples or relaxing. Accommodation options:
  • Maremegmeg Beach Club (luxury)
  • Mua Tala Hotel El Nido (luxury)

• Corong-Corong – Just south of town; less busy but still close. Several accommodations on the beach.
  • Outpost Beach Hostel (budget)
  • Beach Huts El Nido (mid-range)
  • Terra Sancta Boutique Resort (luxury)

• Nacpan Beach – Farther out (about 45 min drive); perfect for a remote, peaceful beach place with fewer crowds.
  • Nacpan Beach Glamping (mid-range)
  • Mad Monkey Hostel (budget)

Tips for Visiting El Nido

For more tips about El Nido, including the best things to do, and how to spend four incredible days in this beautiful place, make sure to check out our detailed travel guide:

• How to Spend Four Days in El Nido: Travel Guide and Best Things to Do

More Philippines Travel Guides

If you’re planning a trip to the Philippines, make sure to check out our other guides:

• El Nido Travel Guide – Everything You Need to Know
• El Nido Island Hopping Tours A, B, C, D — Which One to choose?
• How to Plan a Trip to the Philippines: 33 Essential Travel Tips
• How to Spend Two Days in Coron: Travel Guide and Best Things to Do
• Siquijor 3-Day Itinerary & Travel Guide: Best Things to Do
• Moalboal Travel Guide: Best Things to Do & 3-Day Itinerary
• Bohol 3-Day Itinerary & Travel Guide: Best Things to Do
• Apo Island Snorkeling Tour — What to Expect
• Manila One Day Itinerary (or Less) — Ideal for a Layover or Short Stay

Also, check out our Philippines’ three-week itinerary:

• Three Weeks in the Philippines – Our Itinerary

We hope you find this review of the Island Hopping Tour A useful.

Finally, you can use our links to book your accommodation, and activities and find cheap flights. You won’t pay more for it and you’ll be supporting our work.

Thanks for reading.