The Day El Nido Took My Breath Away
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Before I Set Sail
El Nido was one of those places that had been sitting somewhere on my travel bucket list long before I actually knew when I would get there. I had seen the photos. dramatic limestone cliffs, hidden lagoons, tiny beaches and water in every possible shade of blue, but honestly, I wasn't sure how much of it could really look that incredible in real life. During my trip through the Philippines, I finally got the chance to find out for myself. After exploring Cebu, Bohol and Puerto Princesa, arriving in El Nido felt like stepping into a completely different part of the country. I knew that if I wanted to experience the real magic of El Nido, I had to get out on the water. That is how I ended up booking Island Hopping Tour A, one of the most popular ways to explore Bacuit Bay. I didn't really know what to expect, except that I was hoping for beautiful beaches and crystal-clear water. What I got was so much more than that.
In this post, I'm taking you with me through the entire day, from the moment I woke up and grabbed breakfast before the tour to the moment our boat returned to El Nido after hours of exploring. I'll show you what it actually felt like to approach those huge limestone cliffs by boat for the first time. We'll visit the Secret Lagoon, discover the incredible scenery around Shimizu Island, spend time at Seven Commandos Beach and, of course, get into that unbelievably clear Philippine water. But this isn't going to be just a list of places we visited. I want to tell you about the little moments between them, the views from the boat, the excitement of arriving somewhere new and those moments when I genuinely had to stop and think, “Am I really here?” I'll also share what surprised me, what I wish I had known before going, whether I think the tour was worth the money and whether I would do it all over again. So, if El Nido is somewhere on your bucket list, come with me, because this was one of those travel days that looked like a dream long before it became real.
In This Guide
QUICK INFORMATION
| 📍 Location | El Nido, Palawan, Philippines |
| 🇵🇭 Country | Philippines |
| 💰 Currency | Philippine Peso (PHP) — approx. €1 = ₱67 |
| 🗣️ Language | Filipino & English |
| ☀️ Best Time to Visit | November to May — the dry season; December to April is generally ideal for island hopping |
| 🚐 How I Got There | From Puerto Princesa to El Nido by van — ₱800 |
| 🏨 Where I Stayed | Inngo Tourist Inn, El Nido |
| 🌙 How Long I Stayed | 4 nights / 5 days |
| 🏝️ Tour | El Nido Island Hopping Tour A – Lagoons & Beaches |
| ⏱️ Tour Duration | Approximately 6–8 hours |
| 💶 My Tour Price | €21 per person |
| 🗺️ Main Stops | Secret Lagoon · Shimizu Island · Seven Commandos Beach · Bacuit Bay |
| 🍱 Lunch | Included |
| 🎟️ Island Entrance Fees | Included |
| 🌱 Environmental Fee | Paid separately; one-time fee valid for all island-hopping tours in El Nido |
| 🤿 Snorkeling Equipment | Rented separately |
| 📍 Meeting Point | You make your own way to the designated meeting point |
| 🚐 Hotel Pickup & Drop-off | Not included |
THE ADVENTURE BEGINS
The morning of my El Nido island-hopping adventure started much earlier than I had expected.
I woke up at my hotel while El Nido was still slowly coming to life. It was just after 7 AM, and since breakfast was not included in my stay, my first mission of the day was a simple one: find somewhere to eat.
I walked around the quiet streets of El Nido looking for a place that was already open and eventually found the cutest little spot that immediately felt like the kind of place you want to discover while travelling. Nothing overly fancy, nothing complicated, just a lovely little breakfast place where I could sit down, slow down for a moment and prepare myself for a long day at sea.
I ordered a coffee, a freshly squeezed orange juice and a proper breakfast, eggs, vegetables, some fruit and a few other little things that were exactly what I needed before spending the entire day on a boat. I knew lunch would be waiting for me later during the tour, but I definitely did not want to start an all-day island-hopping adventure on an empty stomach.
And the best part?
The whole breakfast cost me only around ₱300 (approximately €4.15).
That is one of those little travel moments that stays with you, sitting somewhere beautiful, drinking freshly squeezed orange juice in the morning, knowing that in just a little while you will be surrounded by some of the most spectacular scenery in the Philippines, and paying almost nothing for the privilege.
After breakfast, I made my way toward the beach, where our island-hopping adventure was scheduled to begin.
This is where the whole El Nido experience starts to feel very real.
The beach was already filling up with travellers. Boats were lined up along the shore, people were checking their reservations, tour guides were calling out numbers, and groups were slowly gathering around their assigned crews. Unlike a typical tour where you simply walk onto a bus and wait for it to leave, island hopping in El Nido feels like a little operation of its own.
There were boats everywhere.
And not just any boats.
The traditional Filipino bangka is one of the most recognizable sights in El Nido. These wooden boats are fitted with long bamboo outriggers on both sides, known as katig, which help keep the boats stable on the water.
I had booked my tour through GetYourGuide, but I wasn't going to experience it completely alone.
By this point in my Philippines adventure, I had already made a few lovely connections, and one of them was a couple from San Marino whom I had originally met during my tour in Bohol. By a happy coincidence, they were also in El Nido at the same time.
Since I had already told them that I had booked an island-hopping tour, we decided to go together.
So we agreed to meet at the beach that morning and hopefully spend the entire day on the same boat.
When we arrived, we showed our GetYourGuide reservations and told the staff that we were travelling together and wanted to be placed on the same boat. This was actually important because there were so many boats and so many different groups leaving at roughly the same time that simply arriving together did not necessarily mean you would end up on the same boat.
Luckily, they were able to arrange it for us.
Now all we had to do was wait.
And wait we did.
For roughly half an hour, we watched the organized chaos around us, travellers arriving, guides checking reservations, crews preparing their boats and groups being called one by one. Eventually, our boat number was called, and suddenly the waiting was over.
Before boarding, we also rented snorkeling equipment for ₱150 (approximately €2.07).
Then it was finally time to step onto our bangka.
There were around twenty of us on board, perhaps even a few more, and as everyone settled into their seats, the excitement started to build. This was the moment I had been waiting for.
The engine started.
The boat slowly pulled away from the shore.
And El Nido began to reveal itself.
At first, we were still close to town, but with every minute that passed, the scenery became more dramatic. The water stretched out in front of us in shades of blue and turquoise that almost didn't look real. Around us, enormous limestone cliffs rose straight from the sea, covered in lush green vegetation, while tiny islands appeared one after another on the horizon.
I remember looking around and thinking that this did not feel like a normal boat ride.
It felt like we had somehow left Earth behind.
The combination of the impossibly blue water, towering limestone formations, hidden coves and countless little islands made the entire landscape look almost surreal. Everywhere I looked there was another postcard-perfect view, and every time I thought I had already seen the most beautiful part, another island appeared in front of us.
This was El Nido.
And somewhere between the sound of the engine, the wind on my face and that endless blue stretching in every direction, I finally understood why people talk about this place as if it belongs to another world.
The tour had barely begun.
And I already knew this was going to be one of those travel days I would remember for a very long time.
Seven Commandos Beach
Our first stop of the day was Seven Commandos Beach, and as soon as our bangka began approaching the shore, I could already see why this place had earned its reputation as one of El Nido's most beautiful beach stops.
The closer we got, the more the landscape seemed to unfold in front of us. A long stretch of incredibly fine, almost powdery white sand curved along the coastline, framed by tall coconut palms and dramatic limestone cliffs covered in thick tropical greenery. The water surrounding the beach shifted between shades of turquoise and blue, becoming lighter and almost translucent closer to the shore.
Our boat anchored as close to the beach as it could, and, as is often the case with the traditional bangkas in El Nido, we couldn't simply step directly from the boat onto the sand. One by one, we climbed down into the warm, shallow water and slowly made our way toward the beach.
And honestly, there is something incredibly special about arriving at a beach this way.
You don't simply arrive.
You walk through the sea to get there.
With every step, the water becoming shallower beneath my feet and the beach getting closer, it felt like I was entering one of those tropical postcards I had seen so many times before. Except this time, there was no screen between me and the view.
I was actually there.
The moment we reached the sand, of course, we did what practically every other tourist visiting Seven Commandos Beach does, we stopped for a photo next to the famous Seven Commandos Beach sign written in the sand. Because let's be honest, when you travel all the way to El Nido, you cannot simply walk past a sign like that without taking a picture.
But there was something else that immediately caught my attention.
The beach was crowded. Very crowded.
And that was probably the biggest downside of Seven Commandos Beach for me.
The scenery itself was absolutely breathtaking, but there were already large numbers of tourists spread across the sand and in the water. Boats were constantly arriving and leaving, groups were taking photographs, people were swimming, and several small vendors were selling coconuts, drinks and other refreshments along the beach.
Of course, I completely understand why.
A place this beautiful was never going to remain a secret forever.
Seven Commandos Beach is one of the most popular stops on El Nido's Tour A, and its combination of soft white sand, turquoise water, towering limestone scenery and easy access by boat has made it one of the most photographed beaches in the area. The beach itself is not actually a separate island, as many visitors assume; it is part of the mainland of El Nido, although there is no road access to it, which means arriving by boat is essentially the only way to reach it.
And despite the crowds, I didn't want to let that take away from the experience.
After all, this was my first real opportunity on this trip to properly get into the water, put on my snorkeling gear and explore what was underneath that unbelievably blue surface.
So instead of spending too much time around the little beach stalls, I headed toward the water.
I put on my snorkeling mask, walked into the sea and started exploring the area around the rocky edges of the beach. Beneath the surface, small tropical fish moved through the clear water, weaving around the rocks and shallow coral areas. It wasn't the most extraordinary snorkeling experience of my entire Philippines trip, but it was still incredibly special simply because of the setting.
Imagine floating in warm, crystal-clear water, surrounded by enormous limestone formations, coconut trees swaying behind you and one of the most beautiful beaches in Palawan stretching out in front of you.
Even with all the people around, it was impossible not to feel incredibly lucky.
We spent roughly half an hour at Seven Commandos Beach, using the time to swim, snorkel, take photographs and simply enjoy being there. My friends from San Marino and I stayed together throughout the stop, laughing, talking and trying to take in as much of the scenery as possible before it was time to return to the boat.
There were coconuts everywhere, and naturally, there were vendors offering fresh coconut drinks to tourists. It was tempting, especially in that heat, but I decided not to spend our limited time sitting around with a coconut in my hand.
I wanted to experience the beach.
I wanted to swim.
I wanted to snorkel.
I wanted to feel the warm Philippine water around me and actually take in the fact that I was standing on a beach in Palawan that I had once only imagined seeing in photographs.
And there was also something rather fascinating about the name itself.
Why is it called Seven Commandos Beach?
The name Seven Commandos Beach has an intriguing story behind it, although the exact origin is surrounded by local legends rather than firmly documented history.
According to one of the most widely repeated stories, the beach was named after seven soldiers who were reportedly stranded in the area during World War II. Some versions describe them as Japanese soldiers, while other accounts refer more generally to seven soldiers or commandos who supposedly stayed here during the war. The story has been passed down locally for years, but the historical details are disputed and there is no definitive documentation confirming exactly what happened.
There is even another local story about the name, one involving a large fishing vessel that became stranded in El Nido. According to that version, the people aboard stayed on the beach for several months while waiting for their boat to be repaired, and the words “Seven Commando” were later found carved into a rock, supposedly referring to the name of their vessel.
Whether you believe the story about the seven soldiers or the story about the stranded fishing boat, the mystery somehow makes the beach even more interesting.
Today, of course, there is very little that suggests the dramatic stories that may have inspired its name.
Instead of soldiers hiding among the limestone cliffs, there are travellers carrying cameras and snorkeling masks.
Instead of a deserted tropical refuge, there are bangkas arriving throughout the day, tourists swimming in the turquoise water and vendors selling fresh coconuts beneath the palm trees.
The contrast is almost poetic.
A place that may have once been associated with survival and uncertainty is now one of the happiest and most photographed corners of El Nido.
And although the crowds were definitely a downside, I couldn't deny what was right in front of me.
Seven Commandos Beach was stunning.
The sand was unbelievably soft, the water was warm and inviting, the limestone cliffs created a dramatic natural backdrop, and the coconut palms gave the entire place that unmistakable tropical feeling I had come to the Philippines hoping to experience.
After about thirty minutes, it was time to leave.
We slowly made our way back through the shallow water toward our bangka, climbed aboard and found our places again.
As the boat pulled away from the beach, I looked back at Seven Commandos one more time.
It wasn't the secluded, untouched paradise I might have imagined before coming here.
It was something different.
It was paradise shared with many other people.
And perhaps that was my first real lesson about El Nido, the most beautiful places are often no longer secrets.
Still, as our boat disappeared from the shore and the limestone cliffs began to surround us once again, I had a feeling that the best part of the day was still waiting for us.
Big Lagoon
Leaving Seven Commandos Beach behind, we climbed back onto our bangka and continued toward our next destination, Big Lagoon, one of the most iconic and breathtaking places in El Nido.
I don't remember exactly how long the boat ride from Seven Commandos Beach to Big Lagoon lasted, but I remember the journey itself much more clearly than I remember the time. Sitting on the boat with the warm Philippine sun above us and the fresh sea breeze constantly blowing through my hair, I had that wonderful feeling that comes only when you are completely present in a moment and have absolutely nowhere else you would rather be.
The further we travelled, the more spectacular the scenery became. Huge limestone cliffs covered in dense tropical vegetation rose dramatically from the turquoise sea, while countless islands and smaller rock formations appeared around us, creating an endless panorama that seemed almost impossible to capture with a camera. No matter which direction I looked, there was another incredible view waiting for me, and I found myself constantly turning my head because I was afraid that if I looked away for even a second, I might miss something beautiful.
There was also something incredibly special about the atmosphere on the boat. Everyone seemed genuinely happy to be there. People were laughing, smiling, taking photographs and admiring the scenery, and there was this wonderful shared excitement among all of us. Most of the people around me had probably travelled thousands of kilometres to reach the Philippines, just as I had, and now we were all sitting on the same traditional bangka, surrounded by the extraordinary landscapes of Palawan, finally experiencing a place that many of us had probably dreamed about seeing for years.
That is one of the things I love most about travelling. You can arrive somewhere as a complete stranger, surrounded by people whose names you don't even know, and yet for a few hours you somehow become part of the same little story. Everyone is there for the same reason — to discover something new, to experience something beautiful and to collect another unforgettable memory.
And then, slowly, we began approaching Big Lagoon.
Arriving at Big Lagoon
The moment Big Lagoon came into view, I understood immediately why this place is considered one of the highlights of El Nido's famous Tour A. The enormous limestone cliffs seemed to rise directly from the sea, forming a dramatic natural entrance into the lagoon, while the water surrounding them changed from deep blue to vivid turquoise as we got closer to the shallower areas.
Our bangka joined the many other boats already anchored around the entrance. There were quite a lot of them, which immediately reminded me that Big Lagoon is not exactly an undiscovered secret anymore. It is one of the most famous and photographed attractions in the Bacuit Archipelago, and thousands of travellers come here to experience the extraordinary combination of towering limestone karsts, crystal-clear water and the enormous natural lagoon hidden among them.
To continue into the lagoon, we had to transfer from our larger bangka into a smaller kayak.
And this was where our patience was tested.
There were numerous boats waiting in the area, with groups of tourists constantly getting on and off the kayaks. Guides were trying to organize everyone, people were returning from the lagoon while others were waiting to enter, and somehow, despite arriving with plenty of time, we ended up being almost the very last group to get our kayak.
We waited for what felt like forever, definitely more than half an hour, and by that point we were honestly starting to get a little frustrated. Some of the other groups were already returning toward their boats while we were still sitting there waiting for our turn, watching precious minutes of our tour disappear.
But we decided that there was absolutely no point in allowing a frustrating wait to ruin what was supposed to be one of the most exciting parts of our day.
Eventually, our kayak arrived.
The three of us, my friends from San Marino and me, climbed into the same kayak, ready to paddle toward the lagoon.
Only to discover that three people trying to paddle one kayak is considerably more difficult than it looks.
We tried to coordinate our movements, pushing our paddles into the water and trying to move forward, but somehow the kayak barely seemed to move at all. We were putting in a ridiculous amount of effort while making almost no progress, which, despite being slightly frustrating at the time, became one of those funny little moments that you end up remembering long after the trip is over.
Fortunately, one of the young guides noticed that we were struggling and came over to us. He suggested that I move onto another kayak with him, which would make everything much easier.
And that simple change completely transformed my experience.
Instead of fighting with the paddle and trying to coordinate three people in one kayak, I could finally sit back, relax and actually look around.
The guide slowly paddled us toward Big Lagoon, and I suddenly had the opportunity to simply take in everything surrounding me without having to think about anything else.
Paddling Into the Heart of Big Lagoon
As we moved deeper toward the lagoon, I honestly didn't know where to look first.
The limestone cliffs surrounding us were absolutely enormous, rising vertically from the water and disappearing high above us into the tropical greenery. Their rugged surfaces had been shaped by nature over countless years, creating dramatic formations that looked almost unreal against the incredibly blue sky and the brilliant turquoise water.
The colour of the sea was something I still struggle to describe properly.
It wasn't simply blue, and it wasn't simply turquoise. It seemed to change with the light and the depth, sometimes becoming an almost luminous shade of turquoise and then turning into a much deeper blue as the water became deeper. The surface was so clear that in some places I could see beneath us, while the reflections of the cliffs created an almost surreal mirror-like effect around the kayak.
I remember sitting there thinking that photographs would never really be enough to explain what I was seeing.
You can photograph a place, but you cannot photograph the feeling of sitting in a tiny kayak while enormous limestone cliffs surround you on every side, with nothing but clear tropical water beneath you and the warm wind moving gently through your hair.
That feeling belongs to the moment itself.
And I was completely lost in it.
My guide was also telling me interesting facts about the area and pointing out different places around us, which made the experience even more fascinating. He showed me locations connected to the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series, which had taken place in El Nido in April 2025, only a short time before my visit.
The event brought some of the world's best cliff divers to this spectacular part of Palawan, with the competition taking place around the dramatic limestone landscapes of El Nido, including locations around Lagen Island, Small Lagoon and Big Lagoon. Watching the cliffs from the kayak while imagining professional divers launching themselves from these enormous natural formations was almost impossible to comprehend.
My guide continued explaining different things about the lagoon, but there were moments when I realized that I was barely listening because I was simply too fascinated by everything around me. I wanted to remember every detail, the shapes of the rocks, the colour of the water, the sunlight reflecting across the surface and the incredible feeling of being completely surrounded by nature.
Through the Limestone Passage
Then we approached one of the most spectacular parts of the experience.
The kayak slowly moved toward a narrow passage between the towering limestone cliffs, and as we got closer, I couldn't help but wonder how we were going to fit through such a small opening.
The walls were incredibly close together, and from the kayak it felt as though, if I stretched my arms out, I could almost touch the limestone on both sides.
Our guide carefully paddled us through the passage while the water became calmer around us and the enormous rock formations surrounded us from every direction. The contrast was incredible: only moments earlier, we had been surrounded by dozens of boats and tourists, and now we were moving through this narrow natural corridor where the cliffs seemed to completely block out the outside world.
It felt almost like entering another world.
And when we emerged from the passage, Big Lagoon opened up around us in all its spectacular beauty.
The enormous turquoise expanse surrounded by gigantic limestone cliffs was something I genuinely could not believe I was seeing with my own eyes. I remember simply sitting there with a huge smile on my face, completely overwhelmed by the scenery and by the realization that I was actually experiencing this place rather than simply looking at it in photographs.
That was the moment when Big Lagoon truly became special to me.
Not because it was simply beautiful, but because it made me feel something that is difficult to explain. It was a mixture of excitement, happiness, disbelief and that wonderful feeling of knowing that you are somewhere incredibly far from your everyday life, experiencing something that you will probably remember for the rest of your life.
I honestly could have stayed there for hours.
If I ever get another opportunity to return to the Philippines, I would love to experience Big Lagoon again, but this time without constantly looking at the clock. I would love to have enough time to put on my swimsuit, swim in those incredible waters, explore the lagoon at a slower pace and simply allow myself to enjoy the surroundings without knowing that another stop is waiting for us.
Unfortunately, our time was already running short.
The long wait for the kayaks had taken away a significant part of the time we were supposed to spend at Big Lagoon, and by the time we started heading back, most of the other people from our group were already waiting for us on the bangka.
So, with a little reluctance, we began our return journey.
The guide paddled us back through the narrow passage, and I continued looking around, trying to memorize as much of the scenery as possible. I had that enormous smile on my face that I simply couldn't get rid of, because even though I knew we were leaving, I was still trying to process everything I had just experienced.
When we finally reached the boat, everyone else was already on board.
We climbed back onto the bangka, found our places and, shortly afterwards, the crew lifted the anchor and started the engine.
As the boat slowly moved away from Big Lagoon, I turned around and looked back at the cliffs one last time.
The landscape gradually became smaller in the distance, but the feeling remained.
There are places you visit simply because they are beautiful, and then there are places that somehow stay with you long after you have left them behind.
Big Lagoon was one of those places for me.
And as our bangka carried us toward the next stop of our El Nido adventure, I couldn't help but wonder what could possibly come next after something this spectacular.
Shimizu Island
Leaving Big Lagoon behind was not easy.
Even after we had climbed back onto our bangka and started moving toward our next destination, I still found myself looking back at the enormous limestone cliffs, trying to hold on to the last few views of that extraordinary landscape before it disappeared behind us.
But there was no time to stay nostalgic for too long, because another beautiful part of our El Nido adventure was already waiting for us.
Our next stop was Shimizu Island.
The boat ride from the Big Lagoon area to Shimizu Island takes roughly twenty minutes, although the exact time can vary depending on the route, sea conditions and how the tour is organized that particular day.
And once again, the journey itself was just as enjoyable as the destination.
By this point, everyone on the boat was still completely caught up in the excitement of what we had just experienced at Big Lagoon. There was a constant exchange of impressions between the passengers, with people talking about what they had seen, comparing photographs and trying to describe the incredible places we had just visited.
It was almost impossible to believe that all of this was happening on the same day.
The smiles had not disappeared from anyone's faces, and there was this wonderful sense of anticipation throughout the boat because nobody really knew what the next stop would look like. After Big Lagoon had already set the bar impossibly high, I was genuinely curious whether another place could possibly surprise me again.
As our bangka continued across the calm waters of Bacuit Bay, the scenery around us remained absolutely spectacular. The enormous limestone formations continued to dominate the horizon, but gradually the landscape began to change, and we could see a smaller island appearing ahead of us, surrounded by clear turquoise water and a beautiful stretch of pale sand.
Soon, we were approaching Shimizu Island.
A Little Beach Hidden Away from the World
Our boat slowly approached the shore and anchored near a small, incredibly charming beach.
And this time, something immediately felt different.
Unlike Seven Commandos Beach, where we had been surrounded by large numbers of tourists and constantly arriving boats, Shimizu Island felt much more peaceful. At least during our visit, there was no huge crowd waiting for us on the sand, it was essentially our group, our guides and this beautiful little piece of paradise surrounded by nothing but sea and limestone scenery.
That was exactly what I needed.
After the intensity of Big Lagoon, the quiet atmosphere of this little beach felt like a welcome change.
We stepped onto the sand and, almost immediately, our crew began preparing lunch.
Watching the guides work was actually part of the experience itself. They quickly transformed this tiny tropical beach into our own little outdoor restaurant, setting up a table and preparing an impressive buffet for everyone while the rest of us were able to relax, explore the beach or simply admire the scenery.
And honestly, I don't think there could have been a more beautiful dining room.
There were no walls, no ceiling and certainly no fancy decorations.
Just a small tropical beach, crystal-clear water, towering limestone formations in the distance and the sound of the sea moving gently along the shore.
A Filipino Beach Buffet
The lunch was exactly the kind of food I had hoped to experience while travelling through the Philippines.
The buffet-style meals served on island-hopping tours are generally built around simple, generous Filipino food, with grilled fish or meat, steamed rice, noodles such as pancit, vegetables and plenty of fresh tropical fruit. Depending on the tour and the day's catch, seafood such as prawns or other grilled dishes can also be part of the spread.
Our lunch followed that same wonderful island-hopping tradition.
There was rice, grilled food, vegetables, noodles and fresh fruit, creating a colourful and surprisingly generous spread considering that everything had been prepared in the middle of an island rather than in a proper kitchen.
And perhaps it was the setting, the sea air, the fact that we had already spent hours travelling through some of the most spectacular scenery I had ever seen, or simply the hunger that comes after spending so much time in the water, but everything tasted even better than it probably would have anywhere else.
There is something very special about eating a meal barefoot on a tropical beach.
You sit there with your plate in front of you, surrounded by people you met only recently, while the sea is literally a few steps away and enormous limestone cliffs rise in the distance.
It doesn't matter that the table isn't fancy.
It doesn't matter that the chairs aren't perfect.
It doesn't matter that the buffet isn't presented like something from a luxury restaurant.
Because the view is something no restaurant in the world could recreate.
And once again, I found myself thinking about how incredibly lucky I was to be sitting there.
The three of us, my friends from San Marino and me, enjoyed lunch together, talking about everything we had already experienced that day and, of course, trying to understand how the next few hours could possibly become even better.
At that point, I was already beginning to realize that El Nido was not going to be one of those destinations where you simply visit a few beautiful places, take some photographs and go home.
Every stop had its own personality.
Every island had something different to offer.
And every time I thought I had already seen the most beautiful view of the day, another one seemed to appear.
Into the Water Again
After lunch, we still had some time to enjoy Shimizu Island before returning to the boat, so naturally, we headed back into the water.
This was another opportunity to put on the snorkeling gear and explore what was hiding beneath the surface.
Shimizu Island is particularly well known for its snorkeling, with coral gardens and shallow reef areas that attract colourful tropical fish, making it one of the highlights of Tour A for anyone who enjoys exploring the underwater world.
The moment I put my face underwater, another completely different world appeared.
The surface of the sea had already looked incredible from the beach, but underneath it was even more fascinating. Colourful fish moved between the coral formations, disappearing and reappearing as I slowly swam around, while the sunlight filtered through the clear water and illuminated everything beneath me.
I could have stayed there much longer.
There is something almost addictive about snorkeling when the visibility is this good. You keep thinking that if you swim just a little farther, you might discover something even more beautiful, another school of fish, another coral formation or another little part of the reef that you hadn't noticed before.
And that was exactly how I felt.
I wasn't thinking about anything else.
I wasn't thinking about the time.
I wasn't thinking about work, everyday life or everything waiting for me back home.
For those few minutes, there was only the water, the reef and this extraordinary underwater world unfolding right in front of me.
It is very difficult to explain this feeling to someone who has never experienced it.
You can show them photographs.
You can tell them how clear the water was.
You can describe the colours of the fish and the coral.
But somehow, none of those things really capture what it feels like to put your head underwater and suddenly realize that there is an entire world moving beneath you.
It is one of those experiences you simply have to have for yourself.
After spending some time snorkeling and enjoying the water, we returned to the beach and took a little time to relax.
The whole stop felt wonderfully unhurried.
There was no pressure to constantly move from one thing to another. We had time to eat, talk, swim, snorkel and simply enjoy the surroundings.
And I think that was one of the things I appreciated most about Shimizu Island.
After the crowds and excitement of Seven Commandos Beach and the overwhelming scenery of Big Lagoon, this little island gave us a chance to slow down for a moment and actually enjoy being there.
Eventually, though, our time was running out.
We had spent roughly 45 minutes to an hour on the island, enjoying lunch, swimming, snorkeling and taking in the scenery, and the guides began calling everyone back toward the boat. Shimizu Island is commonly given around 45 minutes to an hour on standard Tour A itineraries, although the exact amount of time depends on the operator and the day's schedule.
One by one, everyone began making their way back onto the bangka.
I took one last look at the little beach, the turquoise water and the incredible landscape surrounding us, already knowing that this was another place I would remember long after leaving the Philippines.
Then we climbed back onto the boat.
The crew made sure everyone was safely on board, pulled up the anchor and started the engine.
And once again, our little group began moving across the beautiful waters of Bacuit Bay, heading toward the next stop on our El Nido adventure.
At this point, I honestly had no idea what could possibly surprise me anymore.
We had already experienced the breathtaking cliffs and turquoise waters of Big Lagoon, enjoyed a beautiful tropical lunch on Shimizu Island and explored the colourful underwater world beneath its surface.
But El Nido wasn't finished with us yet.
There was still more waiting around the next corner.
Secret Lagoon
After our peaceful lunch and snorkeling session on Shimizu Island, it was finally time to climb back onto our bangka and continue toward the last destination of our Tour A adventure.
By that point, the day had already given us more than I could have imagined when I woke up that morning. We had sailed through the spectacular landscapes of El Nido, walked onto the beautiful Seven Commandos Beach, kayaked through the extraordinary scenery of Big Lagoon and enjoyed a beautiful Filipino lunch before swimming among colourful tropical fish around Shimizu Island.
And yet, there was still one more place waiting for us.
Our final stop was Secret Lagoon.
The boat continued across the turquoise waters surrounding Miniloc Island, and I remember sitting there wondering what exactly we were going to see. I had obviously done some research before coming to the Philippines, and I knew the names of the places included in Tour A, but I had deliberately avoided reading too many details about each individual stop.
I wanted to be surprised.
I wanted to arrive somewhere without already knowing exactly what I was supposed to see.
And Secret Lagoon was the perfect place for that.
Because if you don't know what is waiting for you, there is absolutely nothing about the approach that prepares you for what comes next.
Where Is the Lagoon?
When our bangka finally approached the area, there was no enormous beach waiting for us, no spectacular entrance that immediately revealed the lagoon and no obvious indication that anything extraordinary was hidden inside the enormous limestone cliffs.
The boat anchored near the rocky coastline of Miniloc Island, and for a moment I remember looking around thinking, Okay... so where exactly is the Secret Lagoon?
Then our guides explained what we had to do.
We were told to get into the water and follow one another toward the limestone wall.
One by one, we entered the sea and slowly made our way toward the rocks.
And then I saw it.
A tiny opening in the enormous limestone cliff.
At first glance, it looked almost ridiculous to imagine that this could possibly be the entrance to an entire lagoon. The opening is only around 60 centimetres wide, depending on the tide, and from the outside it looks more like a small crack in the rock than an entrance to anything worth visiting.
But that tiny opening was exactly where we were going.
Our guides warned us to be careful because the rocks could be slippery and uneven, and everyone was instructed to move slowly and carefully so that nobody slipped, hit the limestone or scratched themselves while entering.
One of the guides stood beside the opening, helping people get through safely.
And then it was my turn.
I remember looking at that tiny hole and thinking, There is absolutely no way there is something incredible behind this.
But there was.
And this is the moment when Secret Lagoon completely changes the meaning of its name.
One Tiny Opening, Another World
I slowly made my way through the opening.
And suddenly, everything changed.
One moment I was outside, surrounded by the open sea and the bright Philippine sunlight, and the next I was squeezing through this tiny passage in the limestone, with the rock surrounding me on almost every side.
It was such a strange feeling because the entrance was so small that it felt almost impossible that an entire lagoon could be hiding behind it.
And then I came through.
I honestly don't know how to describe what I saw.
The tiny opening suddenly opened into a completely different world, a secluded natural pool enclosed by enormous limestone formations, with the blue sky visible high above us and sunlight pouring down into the hidden space.
It felt like discovering a secret room inside the island.
The lagoon itself is a small enclosed pool hidden within the limestone cliffs of Miniloc Island, reached through that narrow rock opening and surrounded by the dramatic karst landscape that makes this part of Palawan so extraordinary.
And the contrast was what made the experience so incredible.
From the outside, you see almost nothing.
Just rock.
Just a tiny opening.
Just another section of the enormous limestone coastline.
But inside, you suddenly find yourself surrounded by walls of rock, tropical vegetation, clear water and a patch of brilliant blue sky directly above you.
I remember looking up and thinking how incredibly small I felt.
The limestone cliffs around El Nido can rise hundreds of metres above the sea, with some of the dramatic karst formations in the Bacuit Archipelago reaching roughly 300 metres in height.
Standing inside this hidden lagoon and looking upward at the towering walls made that scale feel almost impossible to comprehend.
And somehow, I was there.
Not watching a video.
Not looking at somebody else's photograph.
Not scrolling through Instagram.
I was standing inside it.
The Kind of Place You Cannot Properly Photograph
There are certain places where you take hundreds of photographs because you are afraid you might forget what they looked like.
Secret Lagoon was different.
I could take photographs, of course, but I knew they would never completely capture the feeling of being there.
A photograph can show you the colour of the water.
It can show you the limestone walls.
It can show you the tiny entrance through which you had to squeeze to get inside.
But it cannot show you what it feels like to enter through a hole barely large enough for a person and suddenly discover an entire hidden world on the other side.
It cannot capture the surprise.
It cannot capture the silence inside compared with the open sea outside.
And it certainly cannot capture that moment when you look around and realize that this entire place had been hiding behind that ridiculously small opening.
That was the magic of Secret Lagoon.
The lagoon itself was beautiful, but the discovery was what made it unforgettable.
We were given some time to enjoy the water and explore the lagoon, and naturally, we spent part of our visit swimming and simply taking in our surroundings.
After spending most of the day moving from one spectacular location to another, there was something wonderful about slowing down for a moment and allowing ourselves to simply exist in that space.
The water was calm, the cliffs surrounded us from every direction, and the opening through which we had entered looked almost impossibly small when viewed from inside.
I kept thinking about how strange nature can be.
It can create something enormous and spectacular, and then hide it behind something so tiny that you could easily walk past without ever realizing what is on the other side.
Even now, almost a year and a half later, I still get excited when I think about that moment.
I still have that same feeling of disbelief.
That same feeling of How did I actually get here?
And honestly, I still don't think I have found the right words to properly describe it.
One Last Swim Before Heading Back
We spent roughly half an hour inside Secret Lagoon before it was time to leave.
Eventually, our guides began gathering everyone together and reminding us that it was time to return to the boat.
So once again, we made our way toward that tiny opening.
Going out was almost as strange as coming in.
From inside the lagoon, the entrance looked like a tiny window connecting our hidden little world with the enormous open sea outside. One by one, we carefully made our way through it, following the guides and watching our footing on the slippery limestone.
And then suddenly, we were back outside.
The open sky felt enormous after spending time surrounded by those towering rock walls.
We made our way through the water toward the bangka and climbed back aboard.
By then, most of the group was already waiting for us.
Everyone was tired, sun-kissed and probably just as overwhelmed by everything we had experienced during the day as I was.
The crew lifted the anchor, started the engine and began our journey back toward El Nido.
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The Journey Home
The ride back felt different from the morning.
In the morning, everyone had been excitedly talking, laughing and wondering what the day would bring.
Now, after hours of exploring some of the most spectacular landscapes in Palawan, the atmosphere on the boat had become noticeably quieter.
People were sitting back in their seats, looking out toward the horizon and seemingly processing everything they had just experienced.
I was doing exactly the same.
I kept replaying the entire day in my head, the first glimpse of Seven Commandos Beach, the warm water, the snorkeling, the unbelievable cliffs surrounding Big Lagoon, the little lunch on Shimizu Island, the colourful fish beneath the surface and, finally, that tiny opening that had led us into the Secret Lagoon.
It was almost too much to process in a single day.
As the boat moved farther away from Miniloc Island, I found myself constantly looking around and trying to absorb as much of the scenery as possible. The sun was slowly moving across the sky, the wind was still blowing through my hair and the enormous limestone formations continued to surround us as we made our way back toward El Nido.
I was tired.
But I didn't want to close my eyes.
I didn't want to miss anything.
I wanted to remember the colours, the shapes of the islands, the changing light on the water and that incredible feeling of being somewhere so completely different from my everyday life.
And, of course, I still had that smile on my face.
The kind of smile you don't even notice until you realize that you've been wearing it for hours.
Eventually, after what felt like a long final journey across the sea, El Nido began to appear in the distance.
The adventure was coming to an end.
Our bangka slowly approached the shore, and one by one, we climbed off the boat.
We returned the snorkeling masks and equipment we had rented that morning, thanked our guides and crew, and finally stepped back onto the beach where our journey had started several hours earlier.
There was something almost surreal about standing there again.
That morning, I had arrived at the beach wondering what kind of day was waiting for me.
Now I was standing in exactly the same place, but somehow feeling like I had experienced an entire little lifetime in between.
I had seen places I had only ever seen in photographs.
I had swum in turquoise Philippine waters, explored coral reefs, travelled between limestone islands, kayaked through Big Lagoon and squeezed through a tiny opening in a cliff to discover a hidden lagoon.
And I had done it all in one single day.
The End of Tour A - But Not the End of the Story
Before leaving, my friends from San Marino and I said goodbye to the rest of the group and made plans for the evening.
During the tour, we had decided to have dinner together. They already had a reservation at a beautiful restaurant in El Nido, and they kindly invited me to join them.
So after saying our goodbyes, I headed back to my hotel, ready for a quick shower and a little time to get myself together after an entire day in the sun and sea.
As I walked away from the beach, I realized that the day had turned out to be so much more than just another excursion booked through GetYourGuide.
It had been one of those rare travel days when almost everything comes together, incredible scenery, new friendships, unexpected moments, laughter, adventure and that indescribable feeling of being exactly where you are supposed to be.
And although the Tour A adventure was officially over, my evening in El Nido was only beginning.
A shower, a change of clothes and a completely different kind of adventure were waiting for me.
Dinner in El Nido was next.
An Evening at Barakuda Seafood Restaurant
After an entire day of island hopping, swimming, kayaking and discovering some of the most extraordinary places I had ever seen, I finally returned to El Nido completely exhausted, but with that beautiful kind of exhaustion that makes you feel incredibly alive. My mind was still somewhere between the turquoise waters of Big Lagoon, the hidden world inside Secret Lagoon and the tiny beaches scattered around Bacuit Bay, and although my body was begging for a shower and a bed, the evening was not over yet.
Earlier that day, I had made plans with the lovely couple from San Marino to have dinner together, so after returning to the hotel I took a shower, changed into something a little nicer and headed back out into the warm evening streets of El Nido. After spending the entire day in swimwear and walking barefoot through the sand, it felt almost strange to dress up for dinner, but I was actually looking forward to seeing another, more elegant side of El Nido.
Our destination that evening was Barakuda Seafood Restaurant, one of the places in El Nido that has built a reputation for turning the incredible abundance of Palawan's sea into something much more refined and sophisticated. The restaurant combines Filipino flavours with European culinary techniques and focuses heavily on fresh, locally sourced seafood, which made it a particularly fitting choice after a day spent travelling through exactly the waters that provide much of the inspiration for its cuisine.
The atmosphere immediately felt different from the casual beach restaurants I had visited earlier in my trip. There was something elegant about the place without making it feel overly formal or pretentious, and after such a spectacular day, sitting down at a proper table with good company, beautiful food and a glass of wine felt like the perfect way to slow everything down for a few hours.
I ordered a glass of Pinot Grigio, a wonderfully crisp and refreshing white wine that was exactly what I wanted after hours under the tropical sun. The cool wine in my glass, the warm evening air around us and the feeling of finally being able to sit down and simply enjoy the moment created this incredibly pleasant little pause between one adventure and the next. I was tired, sun-kissed and probably still had traces of saltwater somewhere in my hair, but I couldn't stop smiling.
Then the food began to arrive.
One of the dishes that immediately caught my attention was the restaurant's beautifully presented Leche de Tigre, a grilled white-fish steak served with a fresh langkawas leche de tigre dressing, pickled jicama, fragrant herbs and crispy fried shallots, accompanied by white rice. It was priced at ₱740, approximately €10, which felt remarkably reasonable for such a carefully prepared seafood dish in what was considered one of El Nido's more sophisticated dining spots.
The fish itself was delicate and beautifully cooked, while the bright, slightly acidic dressing gave it a completely different character, balancing the richness of the fish with freshness and acidity. The pickled vegetables added another little burst of flavour, the herbs brought a wonderful freshness to every bite and the crispy shallots gave the dish that satisfying contrast between softness and crunch. It was the kind of plate where every element seemed to have its own purpose, yet everything came together into one beautifully balanced combination.
But the real centrepiece of the table was the whole grilled Barakuda, a spectacular char-grilled barracuda served whole with tomato salsa, sesame-lime sauce and a sweet soy dressing, accompanied by a choice of sides. The dish was ₱1,350, around €19, and because it was intended for two people, it was perfect for sharing.
There was something wonderfully dramatic about having an entire grilled fish placed on the table. After spending the day surrounded by the sea, seeing a beautiful whole fish arrive like that almost felt like a continuation of the day's story, only now the ocean had somehow made its way onto our dinner table. The smoky aroma from the grill, the colourful tomato salsa, the fresh herbs and the contrasting sauces made the dish look almost too beautiful to disturb, although obviously that feeling lasted only a few seconds before we started serving ourselves.
The barracuda had that wonderful combination of smoky grilled flavour and delicate, flaky meat, while the sesame-lime sauce brought brightness and acidity, and the sweet soy dressing added a deeper, slightly sweeter note. Together with the fresh tomato salsa, it created a plate that felt both distinctly Filipino and surprisingly sophisticated, exactly the kind of combination that makes dining in another country so memorable.
And then, because no special dinner of mine can really be complete without dessert, we finished the evening with two completely different creations.
The first was Dark Desire, an incredibly indulgent chocolate dessert made with chocolate mousse, dark chocolate madeleine, milk-chocolate soil and a delicate chocolate tuile, finished with olive oil and a touch of salt. At ₱380, approximately €5.25, it was rich, elegant and intensely chocolatey, the kind of dessert that feels almost impossibly decadent after a long day in the sun.
Alongside it came Pavlovalova, which was almost the complete opposite: light, colourful and beautifully tropical, with baked meringue, pineapple-mango compote, an amaretto-panna-cotta foam, ginger microsponge, passion-fruit and mango gels and a delicate dehydrated pineapple ring. It cost ₱360, around €5, and visually it looked almost like a tiny piece of tropical art placed in front of us.
I loved the contrast between the two desserts. One was deep, dark and luxurious, while the other was bright, fruity and playful, and somehow having both on the same table felt like the perfect representation of the evening itself: sophisticated enough to feel special, but still completely connected to the tropical surroundings of Palawan.
As we sat there talking, laughing and remembering everything we had experienced that day, I realised just how extraordinary the whole day had been. Only a few hours earlier, I had been swimming through crystal-clear water, squeezing through a tiny opening in a limestone cliff to discover a hidden lagoon and standing on beaches surrounded by some of the most spectacular scenery imaginable. Now I was sitting in a beautiful restaurant in El Nido, dressed up for dinner, sipping Pinot Grigio and tasting beautifully prepared seafood with two people I had met earlier during my travels.
That is one of the things I love most about travelling: a single day can contain so many completely different worlds. You can begin your morning searching for a simple breakfast, spend the afternoon kayaking through a turquoise lagoon, swim into a hidden cave-like entrance, and then end the same day sitting at an elegant dinner table with a glass of wine in your hand, wondering how it is even possible that all of those experiences happened within the space of just a few hours.
By the time we finished our dinner at Barakuda, I was completely exhausted, but also incredibly happy. It had been one of those rare travel days where almost everything feels bigger, brighter and more beautiful than you imagined before arriving, and where every new place somehow manages to surpass the one you saw only an hour earlier.
I walked back towards my hotel with that familiar feeling of having lived through a day that I knew I would remember for a very long time.
And as I finally went to bed that night, I couldn't help thinking that El Nido had somehow managed to turn an ordinary day into one of the most unforgettable days of my entire trip.
One of Those Travel Days
What made this day so special wasn't just the individual places.
It was the feeling of moving through this incredible landscape by boat.
Every time we left one location, I thought the next one couldn't possibly impress me more.
And somehow, it always did.
The limestone cliffs, hidden lagoons, tiny beaches and unbelievably clear water made the entire day feel almost unreal.
There were moments when I simply sat on the boat without saying anything, watching the scenery pass by.
And those were probably my favourite moments.
Because sometimes you don't need to do anything.
You just sit there, look around and realize:
I'm actually here.
By the time we started heading back toward El Nido, I was completely exhausted. My hair was full of salt, my skin had seen more sun than it probably needed, and I had spent the entire day in and out of the water.
But I was also incredibly happy.
This was exactly the kind of day I had imagined when I started planning my trip to the Philippines.
A day full of adventure, incredible scenery, swimming, snorkeling and those little moments where you have to remind yourself that this isn't a dream.
It's real.
And if I had to choose one experience that truly captured the magic of El Nido for me, this would definitely be one of them.
El Nido Island Hopping Tour A wasn't just a tour. It was one of those travel experiences that makes you stop and think — “I can't believe I actually got to see this.”
🌍 Did You Know?
Interesting facts that make every destination even more fascinating.
🪨 El Nido fackts
💰 Is This Tour Worth the Time and Money?
Absolutely. Without a doubt.
Tour A was one of the cheapest tours I booked during my trip to the Philippines, and considering everything that was included, I honestly felt like I got so much more than I paid for. Together with Island Hopping Tour C, these were easily some of the best-value experiences of my entire trip.
For around €20–€25, you get almost a full day out on the water, beautiful islands and lagoons to explore, time for swimming and snorkeling, a lunch included, a boat ride through some of the most incredible scenery in El Nido, and memories that are worth far more than the price of the ticket.
Could you do something similar for free? Maybe. If you have plenty of time and happen to meet locals who have a boat and are willing to take you around, you might be able to arrange something independently. But for me, joining an organized group tour was by far the easiest and safest option.
And honestly, when you're paying just a little over €20 for almost an entire day on a boat, I don't think there is much to think about.
❤️ My Honest Opinion
What I also love about these tours is that they really aren't limited to one type of traveler. Young or old, solo traveler, couple, friends or family — there is something for everyone. You don't need to be an experienced swimmer or adventurer to enjoy it. You can swim, snorkel, relax on the beach, admire the scenery or simply sit on the boat and take it all in.
So, is it worth the time? Absolutely.
Is it worth the money? 100%.
Would I do it again?
In a heartbeat. And honestly, if I could, I'd do both Tour A and Tour C another hundred times. 🌴💙
💭 Things I Wish I Knew Before Taking the Tour
Honestly, I didn't have many surprises on this tour because I had already done quite a bit of research before coming to El Nido. I knew what to expect, what to bring and how the island-hopping tours worked.
But there is one thing I would strongly recommend to everyone: bring proper water shoes.
Not just regular sandals or flip-flops, actual water shoes with a good grip. Some of the places you visit have rocky or uneven surfaces, and getting in and out of the water is much easier when your feet are protected. For me, this is probably the most useful thing you can bring with you.
I rented my snorkeling equipment on the day of the tour, but if you already have your own snorkeling mask and equipment, I would definitely recommend bringing it with you. Having your own mask can simply be more comfortable, especially if you already know that it fits you well.
And if you're planning to capture the experience, don't forget to bring a fully charged power bank — you'll probably be taking a lot of photos and videos throughout the day. 😄 If you have a GoPro or another waterproof camera, even better. There are simply too many beautiful moments that you'll want to capture both above and below the water.
Other than that, I honestly felt pretty well prepared for the tour.
So my advice is simple:
Bring good water shoes, your own snorkeling gear if you have it, a power bank, and a GoPro if you own one, and leave the rest to El Nido. 🌊💙
⭐ Would I Do It Again?
Absolutely - without hesitation.
If I had the chance to go back to El Nido, I wouldn't just do Tour A again… I would probably book Tour A and Tour C all over again. There is something about spending an entire day surrounded by turquoise water, enormous limestone cliffs and hidden beaches that simply doesn't get old.
My Rating ⭐
| Category | My Rating |
|---|---|
| 🏝️ Locations & Scenery | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 |
| 💙 Overall Experience | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 |
| 🚤 Boat & Adventure | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 |
| 💰 Value for Money | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 |
| 🍱 Food & Organization | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 |
| 🤿 Swimming & Snorkeling | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 |
| 👨👩👧 Suitable for Different Ages | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 |
❤️ Final Verdict
There is honestly very little I would change.
The scenery is incredible, the experience is unforgettable, the price is more than reasonable, and the whole day feels like one big tropical adventure.
Would I do it again?
Yes. A hundred times over. 🌴🌊
Tour A gets a very easy 5/5 from me, and if you're visiting El Nido, this is one experience I would absolutely not skip.
PRACTICAL TRAVEL INFORMATION
🚤 How Does El Nido Tour A Work?
Tour A is one of the most popular island-hopping tours in El Nido and takes you through the spectacular scenery of Bacuit Bay.
The tour lasts approximately 6–8 hours and includes several stops for swimming, snorkeling and exploring the islands and lagoons.
For my tour, I arrived at the designated meeting point in the morning and rented my snorkeling equipment before boarding the boat. From there, we started our island-hopping adventure and continued from one beautiful location to another throughout the day.
💰 What Is Included in the Price?
The tour I booked included:
- Licensed tour guide
- Boat transportation
- Island entrance fees
- Lunch
- Life vest
However, some things were not included:
- Snorkeling equipment
- Environmental / Eco-Tourism Fee
- Transportation to and from the meeting point
The Environmental / Eco-Tourism Fee is paid separately, but the good thing is that it is a one-time fee and remains valid for your other island-hopping tours in El Nido.
🏝️ What Places Does Tour A Visit?
The main stops on my Tour A were:
Seven Commandos Beach
A tropical white-sand beach located on the mainland of El Nido, with clear turquoise water, swaying palm trees and spectacular limestone scenery. It was our first stop of the day and the perfect introduction to the beauty of Bacuit Bay.
Big Lagoon
One of the most iconic destinations in El Nido, located on Miniloc Island and surrounded by towering limestone karsts and incredibly clear turquoise water. Reaching the lagoon by kayak made the experience even more magical, as we slowly made our way through the dramatic scenery.
Shimizu Island
A beautiful little island surrounded by crystal-clear water and impressive limestone formations, where we had time for swimming and snorkeling before enjoying a Filipino buffet lunch right on the beach.
Secret Lagoon
A hidden lagoon on Miniloc Island, tucked behind towering limestone cliffs and accessible through a tiny opening in the rock. Swimming through that narrow entrance and suddenly finding myself inside this secluded natural pool was one of the most unforgettable moments of the entire tour.
Bacuit Bay
The incredible landscape surrounding the entire journey, and honestly, one of the biggest highlights of the tour itself. With its spectacular limestone islands, hidden lagoons, turquoise waters and secluded beaches, Bacuit Bay is what gives an El Nido island-hopping adventure its truly unforgettable character.
🤿 Do You Need Snorkeling Equipment?
If you want to snorkel, keep in mind that snorkeling equipment was not included in my booking, so I rented mine separately before the tour.
I would definitely recommend having it with you. Getting into that crystal-clear water and seeing what is beneath the surface is a big part of the El Nido experience.
🎒 What Should You Bring?
For a full day of island hopping, I recommend bringing:
- 🩱 Swimwear
- 👕 Change of clothes
- 🧴 Sunscreen
- 🪪 ID or passport
- 💵 Cash
- 🤿 Snorkeling gear, if you have your own
- 📱 Waterproof phone case
- 🕶️ Sunglasses
- 🧢 Hat
And honestly, bring only what you really need. You'll spend most of the day on a boat and in the water.
🗺️ My Route
El Nido → Seven Commandos Beach → Big Lagoon → Shimizu Island → Secret Lagoon → El Nido
Ovdje ćemo kasnije ubaciti tvoju mapu rute.
💵 My Budget Breakdown
| Expense | My Cost |
|---|---|
| Tour A | €21 |
| Snorkeling equipment | €2.5 |
| Environmental Fee | €9 |
| Breakfast before the tour | €4.5 |
| Transport to meeting point | € / |
| Total | €37 |
⚠️ Things to Keep in Mind
The itinerary can be affected by weather and sea conditions, so the exact route may sometimes change.
You're also going to spend several hours outside, so be prepared for plenty of sun, swimming and time on the boat.
And one thing I would definitely keep in mind:
Don't judge the tour only by the individual stops.
Some of the most beautiful moments can happen between the stops, while you're sailing through Bacuit Bay and watching those enormous limestone cliffs appear around you.
📸 Photo Tip
Bring a waterproof phone case or another way to protect your camera.
Because once you see those cliffs, lagoons and turquoise water from the boat, you're going to want to photograph everything. 😂
🌴 NEXT STOP: EL NIDO TOUR C
Just when I thought El Nido couldn't possibly surprise me anymore, I had one more adventure waiting.
Tour A had already taken me through hidden lagoons, turquoise waters and tropical beaches — but Tour C was about to show me a completely different side of El Nido.
More hidden beaches, dramatic limestone cliffs, crystal-clear water and some seriously unforgettable views.
And if you thought Tour A looked like paradise...
Wait until you see what happened on Tour C. 🌊🏝️
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