Private or shared
Private vs shared island-hopping tours in El Nido
By the El Nido Private Tours team
Updated:
5 min read
Short answer
A shared (joiner) tour sells individual seats on a boat with other travellers and a fixed schedule. A private tour gives your group its own boat and crew, with your own start time and pace. Shared is cheaper per person; private costs more, but the gap narrows quickly as your group grows.
| Private tour | Shared tour | |
|---|---|---|
| On board | Only your group | Up to a full boat of travellers |
| Price | For your group, with a starting total | Per person |
| Start time | Discussed with your crew | Set departure |
| Time at each stop | As long as you like, within the day | Fixed by the group schedule |
| Route | Standard, combined or tailored | The standard route |
| Best for | Couples, families, groups, celebrations | Solo travellers, tight budgets |
When a shared tour makes sense
If you are travelling alone or on a tight budget, a shared tour is a good way to see the islands. Boats fill with other travellers, the route is fixed, and the day runs to a timetable. Many people enjoy the company.
When private is worth it
- Couples and celebrations. Anniversaries, honeymoons and proposals are better without strangers on board.
- Families with children. Rest when the children need it, and move on when they are ready.
- Groups of four or more. The per-person difference shrinks as the boat fills with your own people.
- Photographers. Wait for the light and the gaps between other boats.
- Short stays. Combine Tour A and Tour C into one day.
What a private boat does not change
The lagoons and beaches are still shared places, and private boats follow the same visitor limits, fees and safety rules. A private boat gives you your own company and your own pace, not an empty lagoon.
For the numbers, see how much a private boat tour costs.
Plan a private day in under a minute
Plan my dayQuestions people ask
A joiner tour is a shared island-hopping tour. You buy a seat on a boat with other travellers and follow a fixed route and schedule.
For couples it is a clear upgrade in price. For families and groups of four or more, the per-person difference is much smaller, and you gain your own start time, pace and route.