El Nido Island Hopping Catamaran Tour: Big Lagoon & Beaches

Four island stops in seven hours aboard a sailing catamaran, with lunch and a private beach most tours can't reach

A group island-hopping tour by catamaran from El Nido that visits Big Lagoon, Star Beach (a private beach exclusive to El Nido Yachting Club guests), Hidden Beach and Seven Commandos Beach over seven hours. The boat departs from El Nido Town Office on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:00 AM, with a minimum of six guests required. The tour includes a personalized guide in English, lunch, towels, life jackets and access to the operator's private beach; kayak rental is available as an optional add-on at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Island hopping and beach visits

• Meet at El Nido Yachting Club
• Visit Big Lagoon for swimming and kayaking
• Relax at Star Beach private island
• Explore Hidden Beach
• Enjoy Seven Commandos Beach

The Experience

The catamaran leaves El Nido Town Office at 9:00 AM and heads to Big Lagoon first, where limestone cliffs frame the entrance and the water stays calm enough for swimming and kayaking. From there the boat moves to Star Beach, a private island reserved only for El Nido Yachting Club guests—the sand is fine white, the coral reefs are close to shore, and the rock formations create a layout that feels like stepping into a painting. A personalized guide in English stays with the group throughout, and lunch is served on board.

Hidden Beach comes next, a natural infinity pool ringed by limestone formations where the water runs clear enough to see the bottom. Seven Commandos Beach, the final stop, sits on white sand under coconut trees and is the kind of place where the day slows down. The tour runs seven hours total and wraps by 4:00 PM. Towels and life jackets are provided; if you want to kayak at any of the stops, you can rent one at checkout.

The boat operates only on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and a minimum of six guests is required for the tour to depart. Public transportation options are available near the meeting point if you're staying elsewhere in El Nido and don't have a car.

What’s included

• A personalized guide in English throughout the day.
• lunch served on board.
• towels and life jackets.
• access to Star Beach, the operator's private island.
• and the environmental fee (ETDF) required by the Department of Tourism. Kayak rental is optional and added at checkout.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by El Nido Yachting Club

Is this one for you?Book this if you're staying in El Nido town and want a shared-boat experience on fixed days (Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays); choose the weekday schedule instead if those days don't work for your itinerary.

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Top questions

What's the difference between Big Lagoon and Hidden Beach on this tour?

Big Lagoon is marked by towering limestone cliffs at its entrance and is the place to swim and kayak in calm water. Hidden Beach is a natural infinity pool surrounded by limestone rock formations, with crystal-clear water and a different feel—more sheltered and intimate.

Is Star Beach included in every departure, or does it depend on the day?

Star Beach is usually part of the itinerary already, according to the operator. It's the private beach exclusive to El Nido Yachting Club guests, so it's a standard stop on this tour.

What do I need to bring, and what's provided on the boat?

Towels and life jackets are provided. Lunch is served on board. Bring sunscreen, a hat and water shoes or sandals; the boat has no air conditioning, so light clothing works best for the seven-hour day on the water.

Can I kayak at the islands, or is it just swimming?

Both are possible. Swimming is included at the stops. Kayak rental is optional and can be added at checkout if you want to paddle out from Big Lagoon or the other beaches.

How many islands does the tour actually visit?

The itinerary lists four stops: Big Lagoon, Star Beach, Hidden Beach and Seven Commandos Beach. The Department of Tourism restricts visits to three to four islands per tour, and this operator's schedule includes all four on the standard route.

What time does the tour end, and how do I get back to my hotel?

The tour ends at 4:00 PM. You return to El Nido Town Office, where you started. Public transportation options are available nearby if you need a ride back to your accommodation.