El Nido: Tour A (Big & Secret Lagoon, Shimizu, 7 Commando)

The best of El Nido fits in one boat day. I like the mix of Big Lagoon scenery and easy beach time at 7 Commando and Shimizu Island. I also like that buffet lunch and bottled water are included, keeping the low $23 price useful. The main concern is boat reliability, since one recent outing faced a long delay and a second poorly maintained boat.

This is a shared group trip, not a quiet private cruise. The guides can be attentive and helpful, especially in rough weather, and Mark from Akingventures Travel & Tours has been praised for answering questions, helping with snorkeling registration, and even assisting with ferry tickets to Coron. Just confirm the meeting time, since the details give both 8:30 and 9:00 AM.

Key points to know before booking

• Big Lagoon requires an extra P200 entrance fee, and a kayak costs another P300 if you want to paddle inside.
• Shimizu Island provides the longest stop, with 105 minutes for lunch, beach time, and optional snorkeling.
• The day runs about seven to seven and a half hours, ending near Bacuit Bay Floating Dock 1 around 4:30 PM.
• Weather can change the plan, and tours may be canceled when conditions are unsafe.
• Snorkeling gear and aqua shoes cost extra, at P100 each, though both are optional.
• The description also refers to Small Lagoon, but the stated inclusions specifically name Big Lagoon, 7 Commando Beach, Secret Lagoon, and other stops. Confirm the exact route before departure.

What this El Nido boat day is really like

El Nido Tour A is built around the area’s famous limestone islands, clear water, small beaches, and sheltered lagoons. At $23 per person, it offers a lot for the money: a shared boat trip, several major stops, buffet lunch, and bottled water.

You should think of it as a full outdoor day rather than a polished resort excursion. You will be moving between beaches and water stops, waiting for boat loading, paying a few local fees, and sharing the ride with other people. That trade-off is normal for this price.

The tour begins near Grounded 100% Arabica Coffee in El Nido. The published information gives two different meeting times, 8:30 AM and 9:00 AM, so I would confirm the exact departure time with Akingventures before the morning of the trip. The tour is guided in English and usually returns around 4:30 PM.

Seven Commandos Beach offers an easy first stop

Seven Commandos Beach is listed as a 45-minute guided stop. It gives you a chance to stretch your legs, see one of El Nido’s well-known shorelines, and settle into the pace of the day.

The short visit matters. You get time for photos, a swim, or a quiet look across the bay, but not a long beach afternoon. If you prefer slow travel, 45 minutes may feel brief. If you want to see several places in one day, the limited stop keeps the boat moving.

The name refers to seven Japanese soldiers who reportedly stayed on the island after World War II, though this tour description does not provide further historical detail. What you can count on is a scenic beach stop early in the schedule, before the longer island and lagoon visits.

Bring sunscreen and a hat, but keep your belongings simple. The day includes repeated movement between boat, beach, and water, so a dry bag or other water-resistant bag would be sensible, though it is not listed as included.

Big Lagoon is the headline stop

Big Lagoon is the main reason many people choose Tour A. Its tall limestone walls and calm water create the classic El Nido setting you likely have in mind before arriving in Palawan.

The experience is scenic rather than strenuous. You can look around from the boat, take photos, and explore by kayak if you choose to pay the P300 rental fee. The listed Big Lagoon entrance fee is P200, separate from the tour price.

That extra cost is worth considering when you compare the advertised $23 with your likely final spending. Add the environmental fee of P400, the lagoon fee, possible kayak rental, and optional equipment, and the total can rise quickly. The environmental fee is valid for five days if you have already paid it, so keep the issued copy and present it at checking.

There is one point to clear up before booking. The description refers to both Small Lagoon and Big Lagoon, while the stated inclusions specifically name Big Lagoon, 7 Commando Beach, Secret Lagoon, and more. Do not assume both lagoons are guaranteed on your date. Ask Akingventures which lagoon or lagoons the boat will visit.

Shimizu Island combines lunch and snorkeling

Shimizu Island receives the longest scheduled stop, 105 minutes. That makes it the practical center of the day, since this is where you can eat, rest, swim, and use the water for snorkeling.

A buffet lunch and a 300 ml bottle of water are included. The lunch is a useful part of the value, since buying food independently at every island stop would be less convenient. Still, 300 ml is not enough for a hot day on the water, so bring extra water as advised.

The island is promoted for coral reefs and marine life. Snorkeling gear costs P100 if you need to rent it, and aqua shoes also cost P100. Both are optional. Aqua shoes can be useful around rocky shorelines, but you should not expect either rental to be included in the base price.

The guides ask you not to touch marine life or plants. That rule is simple and important. Coral and sea creatures are easily damaged, and careless contact can harm both you and the place you came to see.

Shimizu is also your best chance to slow down. The other stops are built around sightseeing and short visits, while this one gives you enough time to combine lunch with water activities. If you would rather sit on the beach and enjoy the view, you can do that too.

Secret Lagoon is small, enclosed, and worth timing well

Secret Lagoon is reached through a narrow opening. That entrance is part of its appeal, but it also means the stop can feel more confined than the open water around Big Lagoon.

The scheduled visit lasts about an hour. You can expect a close look at the limestone setting and a quieter change of pace after the larger lagoon. The exact experience may depend on crowd levels and sea conditions, neither of which is fixed in the tour information.

This is a place where patience helps. You may need to wait your turn near the narrow opening, and the boat schedule leaves limited room for delays. Keep your camera protected and follow instructions around the rocks and plants.

Secret Lagoon is not a substitute for a long beach stop. It is better understood as a short natural attraction with a distinctive entrance. That makes it a good contrast to Shimizu Island, where you have more room to relax.

The boat and group format shape the day

This is a shared group tour unless you book a private option. That keeps the price low, but it also means you will follow a common timetable and share the boat with other people.

A positive experience depends heavily on the crew. One strong account describes guides who remained careful and alert during stormy weather, making safety the priority. Another account reports a broken boat, a delay of about 90 minutes, and a replacement boat that also appeared unreliable, with little communication from the crew.

That is the clearest caution attached to this trip. Boat problems can turn a seven-hour outing into a much longer day, and poor communication makes delays harder to manage. I would ask how weather and mechanical issues are handled, and I would avoid scheduling an important ferry or flight immediately after the tour.

The positive side is that Akingventures appears to provide useful help on the ground. Mark has been specifically praised for answering pre-trip questions, helping with snorkeling gear and registration, checking in after the excursion, and assisting with ferry tickets to Coron. That kind of local support can be valuable in El Nido, where plans often depend on boats and weather.

What the $23 price includes, and what it does not

The base price is attractive because it covers the core day: the boat experience, visits to the named stops, buffet lunch, and a 300 ml bottle of water. For a full day around El Nido, that is a reasonable starting price.

Budget for these added charges:

• Environmental fee: P400
• Big Lagoon entrance: P200
• Kayak rental: P300
• Snorkeling gear: P100, optional
• Aqua shoes: P100, optional

If you already paid the environmental fee earlier, it remains valid for five days. Carry the receipt or issued copy, since you may need to show it at checking.

The extra fees do not automatically make the tour poor value. They are simply part of the real cost of visiting El Nido’s protected coastal sites. The key question is how much you want to add. If you skip the kayak and bring suitable water gear, your final cost will be lower. If you want every option, the total will be much higher than the advertised figure.

Weather deserves serious attention

Tours in El Nido depend on the sea. Bad weather can lead to cancellation, and rough conditions can change the order of stops or affect how long you remain at each place.

One account describes stormy weather but also careful guides who kept watch over the group during activities. That is encouraging, but it does not remove the need for flexibility. A beautiful itinerary is not a promise that every stop will operate exactly as printed.

Bring swimwear, sunscreen, a hat, a camera, snacks, and extra water. Smoking and littering are not allowed. Touching marine life and plants is also prohibited.

I would wear clothing that dries easily and pack a light cover-up for the boat ride. Those suggestions go beyond the official packing list, but they fit the practical demands of a full day in the sun and water.

Who will get the most from Tour A?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want to see several El Nido sights in one day without paying for a private boat. It suits first-time visitors who want a broad sample of lagoons, beaches, and snorkeling rather than one slow, single-location outing.

It is also a good match if you value local help. Mark’s reported assistance with questions, equipment, and ferry arrangements suggests that the company can be useful beyond the boat ride itself.

You may want a different option if you dislike shared schedules, need dependable transport for a same-day connection, or prefer a quiet beach day with no extra charges. The boat report is too serious to ignore, even though other accounts describe a fun trip and careful staff.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

Book it if your priority is maximum scenery for a low starting price, and you can accept a shared boat, extra fees, and weather-related changes. Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, and 7 Commando Beach give you a strong introduction to El Nido in one day.

Before paying, confirm three things: the real meeting time, the exact lagoon route, and the boat operator’s current plan for weather or mechanical trouble. Leave spare time after the tour, especially if you are catching a ferry to Coron.

For many visitors, the combination of famous sights, lunch, snorkeling, and local support makes this a worthwhile budget outing. Just treat $23 as the entry price, not the complete cost, and keep your schedule flexible.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

Meet at Grounded 100% Arabica Coffee, El Nido Branch. The supplied details list both 8:30 AM and 9:00 AM, so confirm the exact time with the provider.

How long does the tour last?

The activity is listed as 7.5 hours, while the practical tour duration is also described as about seven hours. Return is expected around 4:30 PM.

Which places are included?

The stated inclusions name Big Lagoon, 7 Commando Beach, Secret Lagoon, and other stops. The description also refers to Small Lagoon, so confirm whether it is included on your departure date.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch and a 300 ml bottle of water are included.

Is the environmental fee included?

No. The environmental fee is P400. If you paid it earlier, it is valid for five days when you present the issued copy.

How much is Big Lagoon’s entrance fee?

The listed entrance fee is P200, paid separately from the tour price.

Is kayak rental included?

No. Kayak rental at Big Lagoon costs P300.

Are snorkeling equipment and aqua shoes included?

No. Snorkeling gear costs P100, and aqua shoes cost P100. Both are optional.

Is this a private tour?

No. It is a shared group tour unless you book a private option.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. Tours may be canceled when weather conditions make the outing unsafe.