Are you planning to go on the El Nido Tour A? It’s the most popular island hopping tour here, and for good reason.
Tour A takes you to some of the most stunning beaches and lagoons in the Philippines and is definitely a must-do during any El Nido itinerary.
To help you plan your trip, I’ve put together this comprehensive guide covering everything you need to know about El Nido island hopping tour A, including what to expect, places visited and the best time to visit.
I’ll also provide information on the cost of the tour and how to book it at a discount rate, so you can make the most of your trip without breaking the bank.
Top Pick
BEST EL NIDO ISLAND HOPPING TOUR A
Want to save money? Book this awesome El Nido Tour A for only 950 pesos instead of 1,200 pesos! Includes buffet lunch, life jacket and a licensed tour guide.
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Read more about Palawan Philippines:
- El Nido itinerary for 3 or 4 days
- Detailed review of El nido Tour C
- How to spend 10 days in Palawan?
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Price of El Nido Tour A
The El Nido Island Hopping Tour A costs 1,200 pesos for a group tour, which is about USD 22. If you check at any travel agency in EL Nido, you’ll find that they all offer the same price for the tour.
However, if you want to save money, I recommend booking your El Nido Tour A on Klook as it costs only 950 pesos!
CLICK HERE TO BOOK EL NIDO TOUR A ON KLOOK
Keep in mind that the tour price doesn’t include the entrance fee for the Big Lagoon and eco-tourism development fee.
Both cost an additional 200 pesos each, bringing the total price of the tour to 1,350 pesos if you book on Klook or 1,600 pesos if you book from a travel agency in El Nido.
Alternatively, you can book a private tour, but it will be considerably more expensive, costing around 10,000 pesos.
What to expect during Tour A El Nido?
Expect some of the most gorgeous beaches, crystal-clear water, pristine coral reefs, colorful fish, and towering rock formations as far as the eyes can see!
Seriously, I was in awe at the color of the water. Just thinking of it makes me want to go back to El Nido!
The sand is super soft at most beaches but I highly recommend wearing water shoes to protect your feet from the sharp corals, especially at the Secret Lagoon.
Water shoes can be rented anywhere in El Nido for 100 pesos per day or you can buy a pair for about 300 pesos.
I also recommend bringing a waterproof bag and phone case as you have to wade in the water to get on the boat. Note that you also have to swim to get to the Secret Lagoon.
Another thing you should know is that the El Nido Palawan Tour A normally lasts around 7-8 hours, starting at 9-9.30 a.m and ending at 4-5 p.m.
The tour I booked had about 18 people but depending on the operator, there may be around 15 to 25 people.
All tours come with a licensed tour guide, a life jacket, and a buffet lunch, but water isn’t included, so remember to bring your own.
However, drinks can also be purchased on some of the islands, and you may sometimes find locals selling ice cream and coconuts from their kayaks.
Note: Due to a recent regulation change, the boat crew is no longer permitted to prepare food on the islands, so the food served may be cold. Nevertheless, the food is still delicious and consists of fish, chicken, vegetables, rice, noodles, and fresh fruits.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK EL NIDO TOUR A
Highlights on El Nido Tour A
Seven Commandos Beach
Seven Commandos Beach is situated on the mainland but can only be accessed by boat or kayak.
It’s typically the first stop on the El Nido island hopping tour A. We had approximately 45 minutes there, and despite the crowd, I enjoyed my time swimming and snorkeling in the ocean.
The beach boasts soft white sand, crystal-clear water, and rows of palm trees that offer plenty of shade to relax.
Additionally, there’s a volleyball court and a small restaurant that sells snacks, coconuts, and drinks.
Tip: This is the only stop on the tour where you’ll have access to a toilet.
Snorkeling
We then proceeded to our next stop between Shimizu Island and the Secret Lagoon where we spent about 30 minutes swimming and snorkeling among the colorful fish.
Secret Lagoon
The Secret Lagoon is another popular stop on EL Nido Tour A, so do expect crowds.
The lagoon can only be accessed through a small opening in the limestone cliff, which often results in a line of people waiting to get in
This is where water shoes would come in very handy as the corals here are quite sharp.
Inside the lagoon, you’ll find a small pool surrounded by jagged rock formations. However, the water was a bit cold, and since it was too crowded, I didn’t spend much time there.
Instead, I spent most of my time on the beach next to the Secret Lagoon, which has fine white sand, rows of palm trees, and towering cliffs.
Shimizu Island
Just across the Secret Lagoon is Shimizu Island, which usually serves as the lunch spot. When we visited, the island was so crowded that it was impossible to dock the boat so we ended up having lunch on Payong-Payong Beach instead.
Despite the change in plans, we still got the opportunity to snorkel in the lagoon, which was filled with so many fish.
Top Pick
BEST EL NIDO ISLAND HOPPING TOUR A
Want to save money? Book this awesome El Nido Tour A for only 950 pesos instead of 1,200 pesos! Includes buffet lunch, life jacket and a licensed tour guide.
Payong-Payong Beach
We then made our way to Payong-Payong Beach, another idyllic spot with turquoise water and fine white sand.
The crew set up a table on the beach with a delicious buffet spread of chicken, fish, vegetables, rice, noodles, and fruits.
After lunch, we had some free time to swim and explore the beach before moving on to our next destination.
Big Lagoon
About a 10-minute boat ride away is the Big Lagoon, which is no doubt the most picturesque attraction on El Nido Tour A.
Here, you can explore a turquoise lagoon bordered by towering limestone cliffs on kayaks. Be sure to turn left before reaching the end of the lagoon to see the cave tunnel.
Note that there is an extra fee of 300 pesos for a double kayak or 350-400 pesos for a triple kayak. Clear kayaks are also available for rent and cost around 500 pesos.
There are no single kayaks available, so if you are traveling solo, you’ll still have to pay 300 pesos. Luckily, I met two other travelers on the tour so we shared a triple kayak and explored the lagoon together.
Should you book a group or private tour?
I don’t normally do group tours but since the private ones were too expensive, I didn’t have much choice. However, I had a great time on the tour as there were only about 18 people.
Traveling with a group allowed me to make friends with other travelers, and we even shared a kayak so I ended up saving money.
Keep in mind that even if you book a private tour, you’ll still be following the itinerary set by the tour operator and sharing the experience with other tourists once you arrive at each destination.
Ultimately, whether you choose a private or group tour depends on your preferences.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK EL NIDO TOUR A
Best time to do El Nido Island Hopping Tour A
The best time to take the island hopping tour is during the dry season which falls between December and April.
The rainy season, on the other hand, runs from May to November, with July and August experiencing the highest amount of rainfall.
I personally did the tour in November and although a local told me that it usually rains a lot during this time of the year, the weather was perfectly sunny with a clear blue sky.
Where to Stay in El Nido?
Most tour operators don’t provide hotel transfers so if you want to be within walking distance of the meeting point, it’s best to stay in El Nido Town.
I personally stayed at Frendz Hostel and Spin Designer Hostel. Both are located in the middle of town and offer various room types, including dorms (mixed and women-only) and private rooms as well as free high-speed Wi-Fi.
Frendz Hostel has a great social vibe with friendly staff. The rooms are clean and there’s even a rooftop bar and pool offering a stunning view of the ocean. They also organize daily activities like island hopping, karaoke, game nights, and more. Check rates and availability here.
Spin Designer Hostel is more laidback and better suited for those who don’t want to party every night. Although it’s slightly more expensive, the room rate includes a delicious buffet breakfast. Check rates and availability here.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HOTELS IN EL NIDO
Hopefully, you found this review of El Nido island hopping tour A helpful. Don’t forget to book your tour on Klook here to get a discount! And, if you have any questions, let me know in the comments below.