El Nido Tour A – Is it Worth It?
TL;DR
Tour A is El Nido’s most popular island-hopping tour – after doing it ourselves, we found out if it’s worth the crowds and how to make the most of it.
El Nido is famous for its limestone cliffs, turquoise lagoons, and island-hopping tours – but with four main routes (A, B, C, and D) and countless operators, choosing the right tour can feel overwhelming. Tour A is often labelled as the “most popular” option, which immediately raises questions: Is it actually worth it? Will it be too crowded? Or is it popular simply because it’s the best?
Having experienced the El Nido Island Hopping Tour A ourselves, we’re breaking down exactly what the day looked like, how crowded it felt at each stop, and whether the experience lived up to the hype. This review is written for first-time visitors to El Nido, those with limited time, and budget-conscious travellers.
We’ll walk you through the itinerary, share honest pros and cons, and help you decide if Tour A matches your travel style – so you can book with confidence and focus on enjoying one of Palawan’s most iconic experiences.
El Nido Island Hopping Tour A Review
We chose this El Nido: Island Hopping Tour A Lagoons and Beaches:
El Nido Tour A Itinerary
This is the itinerary for El Nido Tour A that we took. Stops might vary due to weather conditions or other circumstances.
1. 7 Commando Beach
As the tour does not include a pickup, we met up with the guide at the meeting point at El Nido Beach. The beach was pretty crowded as many tour groups leave at a similar time, but everything worked smoothly.
Our first stop on the tour was 7 Commando Beach. While the beach was absolutely stunning, there were already quite a few boats docked, so the beach was pretty crowded.
There’s not a ton to do here, but you can buy a drink and relax in the shade for a bit. We stayed for around an hour.
2. Secret Lagoon
Next up was Secret Lagoon. It’s a little lagoon surrounded by limestone cliffs, which you can only access through a small rock opening.
When we visited, there were a few boats “waiting in line” to make sure only one tour group at a time entered the small space – a system that worked surprisingly well. Our guide helped everybody to get inside safely. Afterwards, he took some amazing pictures which made it actually look like we had the lagoon all to ourselves (which we don’t share because we’re in bathing attire in case you wondered).
3. Lunch at Shimizu Island
Next up was lunch on Shimizu Island for what might have been the most scenic lunch spot ever. The mixture of the white fine sand and the limestone cliffs is just stunning. Lunch was served in the typical Filipino buffet style with vegetarian, fish, and chicken options. It was yummy!
Again, there were quite a lot of boats on the beach, but it felt rather private because of the many small coves.
Afterwards, we had some time to relax.
4. Big Lagoon
Our last stop of the day was Big Lagoon. Here, you can hire a kayak at an extra cost (which we highly recommend doing). When you think of Palwan, you probably think about kayaking through a lagoon surrounded by limestone cliffs – and this is the spot.
There’s a beautiful shallow patch right at the beginning where the majority of people seem to get out of their kayaks to snap some pictures in the turquoise water.
If you keep on paddling, you’ll reach the actual Big Lagoon with deeper water and wider views.
El Nido Island Hopping Tour A – Our Honest Opinion
Overall, El Nido Tour A delivers exactly what it promises: iconic lagoons, dramatic limestone scenery, and a smooth introduction to El Nido’s island hopping experience. Yes, it’s popular, but for a reason.
Our itinerary felt well-designed, and the logistics were handled efficiently. The guides kept things moving without making the day feel rushed, and small touches – like taking genuinely great photos – made a big difference. Lunch was much better than expected for a group tour, and the boat crew was attentive throughout the day.
What Other Travellers Say About El Nido Tour A
⭐ Rating: 4.3 / 5 (1431+ reviews)
The people who worked on the tour […] really took good care of us, […] we’re not good swimmers but they have been very patient from boarding the boat and disembarking and until we finished the tour. We were really impressed with their service, above and beyond. I would also like to mention the free lunch that is included in the tour, there was a lot of food compared to the other tour group and the food was delicious. For the price and service I highly recommend this tour.
– Janice (see more reviews)
What Does El Nido Tour A Include?
The tour includes:
- Licensed tour guide
- Boat tour of the islands
- Lunch
- Life vests
Not included are:
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Big Lagoon entrance fee
- Kayak
Conclusion: Is the El Nido Tour A Worth It?
In short, Tour A is popular, but for good reason.
It’s not a hidden gem, off-the-beaten-path experience. If avoiding crowds is your top priority, Tour A may feel busy, especially during peak season. But if this is your first time in El Nido and you want to visit all of the quintessential sights, you simply cannot skip it.
If you’re traveling on a budget, the group tour is an easy recommendation. For travelers who prefer a quieter, more exclusive experience, the private tour option (e.g., on GetYourGuide) is a great alternative – expect fewer crowds and more flexibility, but a higher price tag.
So yes, Tour A is absolutely worth it, especially if you want to see El Nido’s most famous lagoons and beaches in one day.
Where We Stayed in El Nido
We stayed at SG Tourist Inn. It’s a good option when you book late. The rooftop is amazing.
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