From Puerto Princesa: Day Trip to El Nido and Island Hopping

The real attraction here is a full day in El Nido without changing hotels. You leave Puerto Princesa before sunrise, cross Palawan by air-conditioned van, then trade the road for a boat through Bacuit Bay, where limestone cliffs, clear water, sandy beaches, and lagoons fill the afternoon.

I like two things right away: the lagoon and beach combination gives you more than one kind of island day, and the included kayak lets you explore at your own pace instead of only looking at the scenery from the boat. Lunch, entry fees, snorkeling gear, water shoes, and hotel pickup also keep the planning simple.

The catch is time. You spend about 10 hours in transit, with roughly five hours each way, and the return ride can involve waiting or a crowded shared van. This makes sense for a short stay, but it is a tiring way to visit El Nido.

Key points to know before booking

• Leave around 4 AM: Your day begins before dawn, with pickup from your Puerto Princesa hotel.
• Expect five hours each way: The road trip is the price of seeing El Nido from a Puerto Princesa base.
• Four main island stops: Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Seven Commandos Beach, and Big Lagoon are the planned highlights, though the route can change.
• Kayaking is included: Snorkeling masks, aqua shoes, life vests, and kayak rental are covered.
• Lunch is included, but not all meals: Barbecue pork, chicken, seafood, vegetables, and fruit are provided. Bring extra food if you need a vegetarian meal.
• The return transfer needs patience: The boat day may finish around 4 PM, but the ride back may not leave until about 6 PM and can be crowded.

Leaving Puerto Princesa at 4 AM

Your pickup is from a hotel within 15 kilometers of Puerto Princesa City Airport. Be in the lobby at least 10 minutes early, with a small bag, water, and something to eat. The driver should carry a sign with your name.

The first part of the day is not glamorous, but it is useful. You ride north through Palawan in an air-conditioned van, with a short stop to stretch your legs and buy food. The trip takes about five hours, so try to sleep during the first stretch. A towel or small pillow can make the ride easier, though neither is supplied.

The transport arrangement is the biggest factor in deciding if this tour suits you. A private booking does not always mean every transfer will feel private unless you confirm the return arrangement clearly. Shared vans may carry around a dozen people, and some return departures have been packed with additional passengers. That can turn the final five-hour ride into the least pleasant part of the day.

If your main goal is El Nido, staying there is the better plan. If your itinerary is fixed around Puerto Princesa and you have only one free day, this transfer makes El Nido possible without moving your luggage or booking another hotel.

Arriving in El Nido before the boat

The van drops you near the El Nido jump-off point. You have time to find breakfast at one of the local restaurants before boarding, but breakfast is not included. Bring cash, since you will also want money for food, drinks, and anything you need during the long return journey.

The boat is scheduled to leave around 9 AM. In practice, the exact start can depend on group arrangements and the assigned route. One of the practical drawbacks is that you may wait before departure, so do not count on every minute between arrival and boarding being spent on the water.

The trip is offered as a private or small-group outing, but the actual boat setting can still feel busy. El Nido’s main island routes attract many boats at the same time, and some stops can have more than 20 groups nearby. The scenery remains beautiful, but the quiet island fantasy is not guaranteed.

Secret Lagoon and the first look at Bacuit Bay

Secret Lagoon is usually one of the first stops. It is reached through jagged rock walls, with a small enclosed area hidden behind the larger bay. The appeal is the change from open water to a more sheltered setting.

This stop can feel tight when many boats arrive together. You may need to wait your turn, and the water and passage can become crowded. Still, it is one of the more distinctive stops because the rock formations create a clear sense of entering a separate pocket of the coast.

The included life vest and water shoes are helpful here. Bring them along even if you are a confident swimmer, since the tour requires you to move between the boat, beach, lagoon, and kayak areas. A dry change of clothes is essential after several water stops.

Shimizu Island for swimming and snorkeling

Shimizu Island offers a classic Palawan beach scene: clear water, pale sand, and rocky walls rising around the bay. This is where the included snorkeling mask can be useful, although the visibility and swimming conditions depend on the weather.

You can expect time to swim, snorkel, and relax near the beach. Do not treat the stop as a private beach visit. Boats use the popular route throughout the day, so the shore may feel social rather than secluded.

The gear package takes away several small expenses. Life vests, snorkeling masks, aqua shoes, and kayak rental are included, along with the environmental and lagoon fees. That matters because separate charges can otherwise make an island day feel less affordable once you are already at the dock.

Seven Commandos Beach and its coconut trees

Seven Commandos Beach is the easygoing beach stop, with white sand, coconut trees, and open swimming water. After the rockier lagoon settings, it gives you a place to stretch out and enjoy a more familiar beach scene.

You may find this stop crowded, especially during the main part of the day. The beach is attractive, but it is not presented as an empty shore reserved for your group. If your priority is soft sand and a chance to swim, it delivers. If your priority is solitude, the shared route may disappoint.

This is also a good place to use sunscreen again. The schedule keeps you outdoors for hours, and shade may not be available exactly when you want it. Bring a hat, towel, and dry clothes in a small waterproof bag.

Kayaking and the Big Lagoon

Big Lagoon is the grand finale on the usual route. Towering limestone walls frame calm water, and kayaking lets you see more than you would from the main boat. For many people, this is the strongest part of the day because the kayak gives you a quieter, closer view of the lagoon.

The kayak is included, so you do not need to pay an extra rental fee at the beach. You should still expect other kayaks and boats in the area. The route may change, and not every group is guaranteed the exact same order of stops.

The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. You need to manage the van, boat, beach landings, water entry, and kayak equipment. Even strong swimmers should follow the guide’s instructions and use the life vest when required.

Lunch is simple, filling, and not designed around special diets

Lunch arrives around midday and includes barbecue pork, chicken, seafood, vegetable salad, and fresh fruit. It is the kind of meal that keeps you moving through a long outdoor day rather than a restaurant-style break.

The shared setup can be awkward if people take more than their share early. Eat when food is available and do not expect unlimited portions. Bring snacks in a small bag if you know you need regular food.

Vegetarian travelers should plan carefully. The available vegetarian meal may be limited to cucumber and fruit, so pack your own substantial food if you do not eat meat or seafood. Breakfast and dinner are also your responsibility, and bottled water is worth carrying because the boat meal may not supply enough for the whole day.

The return trip is where the value becomes harder to judge

The boat portion usually ends around 4 PM, and you return to the wharf. On paper, that leaves plenty of time to begin the drive back. In reality, you may wait for the group, the vehicle, or the final departure arrangement.

The return van may not leave until around 6 PM. Some groups have reported being placed into a crowded vehicle, with extra passengers added after the island tour. That is especially frustrating after a full day in the sun and a five-hour drive still ahead.

The provider has received strong criticism for delayed departures and crowded return transport. There have also been complaints about uncomfortable seating and poor communication when people wanted to leave earlier. I would confirm these points before booking:

• Is your vehicle private on the return as well as the morning?
• How many people will be in the van?
• What time is the planned departure from El Nido?
• What happens if your boat returns earlier than expected?

You may have time for dinner in El Nido before the road trip begins, but dinner is not included. The stated arrival back in Puerto Princesa is around midnight. Delays can make the day even longer, so do not schedule an early flight or demanding activity the next morning.

What the $360 price really buys you

At $360 for a group of up to two, this is a costly way to visit El Nido if you compare it only with the local boat tour. Once you arrive in El Nido, the island-hopping portion can be much cheaper when booked directly in town. The price here pays for the convenience of collecting you in Puerto Princesa, transporting you north and back, arranging the boat, covering entry fees, and providing gear and lunch.

That convenience has real value if you are short on time, dislike changing hotels, or have flights and accommodation fixed in Puerto Princesa. You can see El Nido in one calendar day without arranging several separate transfers.

The value weakens if you have two or more nights available. In that case, spend the night in El Nido and book an island tour locally. You will avoid the 10-hour round trip, reduce the risk of a delayed return, and have time to enjoy the town instead of seeing it mainly as a launch point.

The private option may be worth considering for couples or small groups, but ask exactly what private means. The morning vehicle, boat, and return transfer may not all follow the same arrangement unless the operator confirms it.

What to pack for this very long day

Keep your bag small. Large luggage is not allowed, and you will be moving between van, boat, beach, and kayak. A compact waterproof bag is more useful than a suitcase.

Bring:

• Passport or valid ID
• Swimwear and a full change of clothes
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Water shoes
• Drinking water
• Snacks or a packed vegetarian meal
• Cash for breakfast, dinner, and drinks
• Phone protection for the boat

The tour provides life vests, snorkeling masks, aqua shoes, and kayak rental, but packing your own water shoes is still sensible if you prefer a particular fit. Do not count on the included lunch to cover every drink or dietary need.

Weather can cancel island hopping. If conditions are poor and you are already in El Nido, you may receive an alternate activity, but it may not include the boat or lagoons. Keep that possibility in mind when planning around flights.

Who should book this tour?

I would consider it for someone with only one free day, a base in Puerto Princesa, and a strong wish to see El Nido’s lagoons. The included transport and equipment remove much of the usual planning, and the island portion offers swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, beaches, and a substantial set of major sights.

It suits active people who can handle a pre-dawn start, long van rides, crowded public stops, and a late return. It also works better for a pair or small group willing to pay for convenience and confirm the transport details in advance.

I would skip it if you have limited mobility, need a quiet beach day, dislike long vehicle journeys, or are traveling with a strict dietary requirement. I would also skip it if you can stay overnight in El Nido. The island-hopping day is the strong part. The road logistics are what make this an expensive and tiring choice.

Should you book the Puerto Princesa to El Nido day trip?

Book it when time matters more than comfort. You will get the main Bacuit Bay sights, included water gear, lunch, and transport from Puerto Princesa in one very long day.

Do not book it expecting a relaxed El Nido holiday or a guaranteed private ride all day. Ask about the return van, bring food and water, and accept that the stops may be crowded. If you can arrange even one night in El Nido, that is the better-value option. If you cannot, this tour can still deliver a memorable boat day, provided you are ready for the five-hour ride home.

FAQ

How long is the tour from Puerto Princesa?

The full activity lasts about 20 hours. Pickup is around 4 AM, the drive to El Nido takes approximately five hours, island hopping runs until about 4 PM, and the return to Puerto Princesa is expected around midnight.

What stops are included on the island tour?

The usual route includes Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Seven Commandos Beach, and Big Lagoon. The exact stops and order may change depending on the assigned route and weather.

Is breakfast included?

No. Breakfast and dinner are not included. You can buy breakfast near the El Nido boat departure point and have dinner in El Nido before the return drive.

Is kayaking included?

Yes. Kayak rental is included, along with snorkeling masks, aqua shoes, and life vests.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included for hotels within 15 kilometers of Puerto Princesa City Airport. You should wait in the lobby at least 10 minutes before pickup.

Can I bring luggage?

No. Large bags and luggage are not allowed. Bring only a small bag with your identification, swimwear, towel, sunscreen, water, snacks, and a change of clothes.