El Nido: Big Lagoon Kayaking & Island Adventure

El Nido Tour A packs four famous stops into one six-hour outing: Big Lagoon by kayak, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commandos Beach. You move between limestone cliffs, clear water, coral reefs, and soft white sand, with lunch served on the beach.

I especially like the chance to kayak inside Big Lagoon rather than only view it from the boat, and I like the generous Filipino-style lunch at Shimizu Island. Guides such as Arnold, Anderson, and Ken Kyle add plenty of humor and help people on and off the boat. The catch is simple: this is a very popular route, so waiting, crowded boats, and short beach stops are part of the deal.

Key points to know before you go

• Big Lagoon is the main event: Kayaking lets you move at your own pace beneath El Nido’s towering limestone cliffs.
• Secret Lagoon requires care: Reaching the opening can mean moving over rocks in the water, so water shoes or secure sandals are useful.
• Shimizu Island combines lunch and snorkeling: Expect grilled fish, chicken, prawns, noodles, rice, vegetables, and fruit, though vegetarian choices may be limited.
• Seven Commandos is scenic but brief: You get about an hour for swimming, sunbathing, photographs, and the palm-lined beach.
• Crowds can affect the schedule: Kayaks may not be immediately available at Big Lagoon, and the boat can feel busy.
• The basic price is low, but extras add up: The $23 cost excludes kayaking, environmental and lagoon fees, hotel transfers, and optional water gear.

Four famous El Nido stops in six hours

This is the classic Bacuit Archipelago day out. You meet at Marbers Resto Bar on Calle Hama Beach Front, then board a licensed tourist boat with a licensed captain, local guide, mask, snorkel, life jacket, lunch, and one 330-milliliter bottle of purified water served at lunch.

The route is designed for first-time visitors who want the biggest names in one outing. You are not spending a quiet half-day at one beach. Instead, you get a fast-changing mix of kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, sightseeing, and a beach meal.

That variety is the tour’s main strength. If your time in El Nido is short, you can see several signature places without arranging separate trips. The tradeoff is that each stop has a clock attached to it. You will see a lot, but you will not have unlimited time to linger.

The tour is offered with an English-speaking guide, and a private group option is available. The supplied information does not state the standard group size, so expect a shared outing unless you book privately. Some departures may also begin slowly. One booking reported a wait of about 45 minutes before the boat got moving, so do not plan a tight activity immediately afterward.

Seven Commandos Beach starts the day with sand and palms

Seven Commandos Beach is scheduled for about one hour. You get scenic views on the way in, a safety briefing, and time to walk, swim, sit beneath the palms, or take photographs.

This is a pleasant first stop because it gives you a chance to settle into the rhythm of island hopping. The powdery sand and clear water make an easy introduction to El Nido. There may also be a swing and places to buy a cold drink or fresh coconut, although your time here is limited.

I would not count on one hour feeling generous. If you want to swim, sunbathe, photograph the beach, and enjoy the palms, the time can pass quickly. One practical advantage of visiting early in the route is that you can enjoy the beach before the day’s kayaking and snorkeling make you tired.

Bring beachwear under your clothes and keep a change of clothes in a dry bag. Sunglasses and a sun hat help here, but remember that loose items can become a nuisance once you move between the boat and the water.

Big Lagoon is best seen from a kayak

The Big Lagoon portion lasts about 105 minutes, including the guided visit, sightseeing, and kayaking. This is the visual centerpiece of the trip. The boat carries you toward a calm opening framed by steep limestone cliffs, then you continue across the lagoon by kayak.

The water is known for its calm, turquoise appearance, and the cliffs give the setting a grand, enclosed feel. From a kayak, you are low to the water instead of looking down from the boat. That changes the experience. You can paddle slowly, look up at the rock walls, and stop for photographs without having to keep pace with a motorboat.

A two-seat kayak costs 300 Philippine pesos, while a three-seat kayak costs 350 pesos. The kayak is not included in the advertised $23 price, so carry cash. If you are traveling with a child or prefer a steadier boat, the three-seat option may be useful, but the tour information does not specify weight limits or seating rules.

Crowds are the main issue at Big Lagoon. Kayaks can be in short supply at busy times. One outing had to return three times before kayaks were available, using other stops as a temporary solution. The crew did keep the day moving, but you should not assume that your lagoon time will follow a perfectly fixed sequence.

There is also a small cave that you may reach while kayaking around the area. It is an appealing extra, though the exact route depends on conditions and access. Keep your camera in a waterproof case, and listen carefully to the guide before paddling away from the boat.

Shimizu Island brings snorkeling and lunch together

Shimizu Island receives about 105 minutes, making it the longest scheduled stop. This is where the day’s water activities and lunch come together.

The snorkeling area is known for colorful coral and many tropical fish. Depending on sea conditions, snorkeling may instead take place at Advance or South Miniloc. That flexibility is useful because water conditions can affect visibility and safety, but it also means the exact underwater setting is not guaranteed.

Masks and snorkels are included, as are life jackets. Fins cost 150 pesos per pair, and water shoes cost 100 pesos per pair. You do not need to rent every item, but fins can make swimming easier and water shoes are especially helpful for rocky entries.

Lunch is served on the beach in a Filipino style. The spread can include grilled fish, chicken, prawns, pancit, rice, eggplant, vegetables, and melon. This is more substantial than a basic packed meal, and the range of food matters after a morning in the sun.

Vegetarian diners should plan carefully. The available information indicates rice and noodles may be the only clear options, so bring a snack if you need a fuller meat-free meal. Anyone with a strict diet should ask the operator before departure rather than assume that substitutions will be available.

Lunch service can also be affected by the order in which people leave the boat. One passenger reached the food near the end of service and found that much of the chicken was gone. I would make a point of following the crew’s instructions and getting your plate promptly, particularly if you are hungry or traveling with children.

Only one 330-milliliter bottle of purified water is included, served at lunch. That is not much for six hours in the sun. Bring more water and carry cash for drinks or snacks sold on board.

Secret Lagoon means rocks, a small opening, and a natural pool

Secret Lagoon is scheduled for about 45 minutes. The entrance is reached through a small opening in the limestone, leading into a secluded natural pool surrounded by rock walls.

This stop feels different from Big Lagoon. Big Lagoon is open and expansive, while Secret Lagoon is compact and enclosed. The appeal lies in the narrow entrance and the sense of moving into a place hidden from the open sea.

The approach is not effortless for everyone. The water around the entrance can be difficult if you cannot swim, and the sea floor has many rocks. Crew members may help pull you toward the opening, but you should still be comfortable entering shallow water and following directions.

Wear water shoes or sandals with secure straps. Loose flip-flops can float away, and bare feet are uncomfortable over rocks. Water shoes are available to rent for 100 pesos per pair. Keep your hands free, protect your phone, and do not touch marine life, plants, or animals.

Forty-five minutes is enough to see the lagoon and take photographs, but not enough for an unhurried visit if the entrance is busy. Treat this as a short, memorable stop rather than a private swim.

The crew shapes the feel of the day

The boat crew and local guide are a major part of this experience. Arnold is singled out for his humor and entertainment, while Anderson and Ken Kyle are also praised for making the trip lively. The crew helps people on and off the boat at each stop, which is reassuring when the water is moving or the shore is rocky.

The guide speaks English and leads the sightseeing portions. You can expect a social atmosphere, jokes, island trivia, and practical directions rather than a quiet, formal lecture. One useful criticism is that the information about each place can feel brief, so ask questions if you want more context.

The safety briefing matters. You will be moving between a boat, beaches, kayaks, and snorkeling water several times in one day. Life jackets are included, and you should use one whenever the crew requires it, even if you are a confident swimmer.

The no-smoking, no-alcohol, and no-drugs rules help keep the boat safe and comfortable. Do not touch coral, fish, other marine life, plants, or animals. These rules are also basic good manners in a fragile coastal setting.

What the $23 price really covers

At $23 per person, the tour is an inexpensive way to reach several of El Nido’s best-known sites. The price includes the licensed boat, captain, local guide, mask, snorkel, life jacket, picnic lunch, and a small bottle of water.

The headline price is not the final cost. Budget for these required or likely extras:

• Kayak: 300 pesos for two seats or 350 pesos for three seats
• Environmental fee: 400 pesos per person, valid for five days
• Big Lagoon access: 200 pesos per person for one-time access
• Water shoes: 100 pesos per pair
• Fins: 150 pesos per pair
• Hotel transfers: not included
• Extra drinks and snacks: bring cash

Even after adding the environmental fee, lagoon fee, kayak, and perhaps water shoes, the package can still offer good value if you want the classic Tour A route. The price is less attractive if you already have access to a kayak, dislike shared boat trips, or prefer to spend a full day at one quiet beach.

The five-day validity of the environmental fee is helpful if you plan another eligible outing during the same period. Keep proof of payment if the operator provides it, since the fee is not limited to this one six-hour trip.

How to prepare for the boat, water, and sun

Pack lightly, but bring the items that solve real problems. Your best kit includes:

• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Beachwear and a change of clothes
• A waterproof camera or phone case
• Extra water and snacks
• Insect repellent
• Cash for fees, rentals, drinks, and snacks
• Water shoes or sandals with straps

Do not bring anything you cannot protect from splashes. The day includes repeated transfers between boat and shore, so a dry bag is more useful than a large suitcase or loose beach bag.

You need enough energy for a full six hours of activity. The schedule includes paddling, swimming, snorkeling, walking over uneven surfaces, and time in strong sun. This is not suitable for wheelchair users, and the rocky access at Secret Lagoon may be difficult for anyone with limited mobility.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Go to Marbers Resto Bar, Calle Hama Beach Front, enter the restaurant, and look for Annabelle or any Alexzus staff member. Confirm the meeting details before departure, especially if your accommodation is outside central El Nido.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend this trip to a first-time El Nido visitor who wants the famous sights in one efficient day. Families with older children may like the mix of kayak time, snorkeling, beach time, and a filling lunch, though parents should consider the heat, boat transfers, and rocky lagoon entrances.

It also suits anyone with limited time. You can check off the main Tour A stops without arranging separate transport. The English-speaking guide and included safety equipment make the day fairly straightforward once you reach the meeting point.

You may prefer another arrangement if your priority is peace and quiet. Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and Seven Commandos are popular places, and the shared boat may feel crowded. You should also choose a different plan if you want long, lazy beach stays, strict vegetarian catering, or a completely flexible schedule.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now while paying later. That flexibility is useful when your El Nido plans depend on weather, ferry timing, or other island trips.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

Book it if you want a lively, affordable introduction to El Nido’s most famous water sites. The kayaking at Big Lagoon, snorkeling near Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon’s narrow entrance, and the beach lunch create a full day with plenty of variety.

Go in with realistic expectations. You may wait before departure, compete for kayaks, share crowded spaces, and get less beach time than you want. Bring extra water, secure footwear, cash for the added charges, and a snack if you need vegetarian food.

For a first visit, I think the value is strong. For a second or third visit, compare it with a smaller private trip that gives you more control over timing and quieter stops.

FAQ

How long does the El Nido Big Lagoon tour last?

The activity lasts six hours. The schedule includes Seven Commandos Beach, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Secret Lagoon before finishing at Dockyard.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at Marbers Resto Bar, Calle Hama Beach Front. Enter Marbers and look for Annabelle or any Alexzus staff member.

Is kayaking included in the price?

No. A two-seat kayak costs 300 Philippine pesos, and a three-seat kayak costs 350 pesos.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes a mask, snorkel, and life jacket. Fins and water shoes are optional rentals and cost extra.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic lunch is served at Shimizu Island. It may include grilled fish, chicken, prawns, pancit, rice, vegetables, and fruit.

Are the environmental and Big Lagoon fees included?

No. The environmental fee is 400 pesos per person and is valid for five days. The Big Lagoon users fee is 200 pesos per person for one access.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.