El Nido: Big Lagoon Kayaking & Island Adventure

El Nido’s best-known sights arrive in one busy, beautiful day: Big Lagoon by kayak, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commandos Beach. You move between limestone cliffs, clear water, coral reefs, and white sand beaches by licensed tourist boat.

I like the balance here. You get active time on the water, a proper picnic lunch, and quiet moments for swimming or sunbathing. I also like the helpful crew, with guides such as Arnold, Anderson, and Ken Kyle keeping the mood light and helping people on and off the boat. The main catch is crowding, and one hour at Seven Commandos Beach may feel short.

Key points to know before booking

• Big Lagoon requires extra planning: Kayak hire costs 300 PHP for two people or 350 PHP for three, and the lagoon has a separate 200 PHP access fee.
• Secret Lagoon is rocky at the entrance: Water shoes or sandals with secure straps are much better than loose flip-flops.
• Shimizu Island gets the longest stop: Expect a Filipino-style lunch, snorkeling, and about 105 minutes in the area.
• This is El Nido’s popular classic route: The scenery is excellent, but the boat and main stops can be crowded.
• The $23 price is a starting point: Add the environmental fee, Big Lagoon fee, kayak, and any equipment rentals to your budget.
• You finish at Dockyard: The meeting point is Marber’s Resto Bar on Calle Hama Beach Front.

Why this six-hour El Nido tour works

El Nido Tour A is popular for a simple reason: it packs the region’s signature scenery into one half-day outing. You see tall limestone cliffs, clear water, small beaches, coral reefs, and natural lagoons without arranging several separate trips.

I see this as a good first island-hopping day, especially if your time in El Nido is limited. You get a taste of almost everything the Bacuit Archipelago is known for. It is not a slow, private escape, though. The route is well known, and the pace depends on boat traffic, available kayaks, sea conditions, and the number of people arriving at each stop.

The advertised price is $23 per person, which is attractive for a six-hour outing with a licensed boat, captain, guide, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, lunch, and one 330 ml bottle of purified water. The final cost is higher once you add the required or optional extras.

Plan for these additional charges:

• Environmental fee: 400 PHP per person, valid for five days
• Big Lagoon access: 200 PHP per person for one visit
• Kayak rental: 300 PHP for a two-seat kayak or 350 PHP for a three-seat kayak
• Water shoes: 100 PHP per pair
• Fins: 150 PHP per pair

Bring cash. Drinks and snacks may also be available on board, but they are not included in the stated price.

Starting at Marber’s on Calle Hama

Your meeting point is Marber’s Resto Bar, located on the beach front along Calle Hama. Go inside and look for Annabelle or staff connected with Alexzus Travel and Tours.

The day can involve some waiting before the boat leaves. One report described a delay of roughly 45 minutes, so do not schedule an important appointment immediately afterward. Once the boat gets moving, the plan can also change slightly to match conditions and crowd levels.

The tour ends at Dockyard, not necessarily at your starting point. Keep that in mind when planning your walk back to your hotel or your next activity.

The boat is operated by a licensed captain, and a licensed local guide leads the outing. The crew provides life jackets and helps people board and leave the boat at each stop. That small bit of assistance matters when the water is choppy or the boat is crowded.

Seven Commandos Beach: pretty, but allow for a quick visit

Seven Commandos Beach is usually the first major stop. Expect roughly one hour for the beach, swimming, photos, and a safety briefing.

This is a classic postcard stop, with powdery white sand, palm trees, clear water, and a relaxed beach feel. You can sunbathe, swim, play volleyball, or simply sit under the palms. A fresh coconut or cold drink can make the stop feel even better, though drinks are an extra purchase.

The tradeoff is time. One hour passes quickly if you want to swim, take photos, enjoy the swing, and sit on the sand. I would choose one or two priorities before you arrive instead of trying to do everything.

Seven Commandos is also a useful first stop because it gives you a gentle start to the day. You can check your sunscreen, adjust your beachwear, and get comfortable moving around the boat before the more physical lagoon stops.

Big Lagoon: the main event by kayak

Big Lagoon gets about 105 minutes, making it the central experience of the day. The boat brings you toward a broad stretch of calm water enclosed by towering limestone walls. You then explore by kayak rather than simply viewing the lagoon from the boat.

The water can look almost mirror-like when conditions are calm. The high karst cliffs make the setting feel much larger than the small kayak beneath you. This is the point where you will want a waterproof camera, but keep it secured because you may be handling a paddle, climbing in and out, and moving close to the water.

Kayak rental is not included. A two-seat kayak costs 300 PHP, while a three-seat kayak costs 350 PHP. Sharing can make this quite reasonable, but remember that the Big Lagoon also has a separate 200 PHP access fee per person.

One practical issue is availability. Big Lagoon is a popular stop, and kayaks may not be ready when your boat first arrives. If that happens, the guide may take you elsewhere and return later. This can work out fine, but it means the exact order of the day is not fixed.

There may also be a small cave or passage nearby that you can reach while kayaking. Ask the guide about it if conditions allow. Do not treat the lagoon as a race. The best part is the contrast between the quiet paddling and the huge limestone walls.

You should be comfortable getting into a kayak and paddling for a while. Life jackets are provided, and the crew can help, but this is still an active portion of the tour. If you are unsure about kayaking, ask about sharing a kayak before setting off.

Shimizu Island: lunch beside the reef

Shimizu Island receives about 105 minutes, the longest scheduled stop. It combines lunch, beach time, and snorkeling, so it serves as the day’s main rest and meal break.

The picnic is Filipino-style, with grilled fish, chicken, vegetables, rice, prawns, pancit, fruit, and other dishes. The food is served by the beach, which makes lunch part of the setting rather than a separate restaurant stop.

Food supply can be uneven if you wait until the end of the serving line. To make sure you get the dishes you want, eat when lunch begins rather than assuming everything will still be available later. One particularly useful point: vegetarian choices may be limited to rice, noodles, and a few vegetable items. If you need a fuller vegetarian meal, bring extra snacks.

Snorkeling near Shimizu Island is one of the strongest parts of the tour. You can expect coral and many kinds of tropical fish in the water. Mask and snorkel equipment are included, as is a life jacket. Fins cost extra, so decide if you want them before leaving the meeting point.

Sea conditions may move the snorkeling to Advance or South Miniloc. That does not mean the activity is canceled. It means the crew may choose a safer or more suitable site for the day.

Respect the marine area by keeping your hands off coral, fish, plants, and other sea life. This is not only a rule for the tour. Touching coral can damage it, and handling animals can harm them.

Secret Lagoon: a short passage into a natural pool

Secret Lagoon is scheduled for about 45 minutes. Reaching it involves passing through a small opening in the limestone into a secluded pool surrounded by rock walls.

The entrance is part of the fun, but it is also the least easy stop for people who are not confident in the water. The route can be rocky, and the water may be deep enough that non-swimmers need assistance. The crew can help pull people toward the entrance, but you should still tell the guide if you need support.

Wear water shoes or sandals with straps. Loose flip-flops can float away, and bare feet are uncomfortable on the rocks. Water shoes cost 100 PHP to rent, so bringing your own pair can save money and make this stop easier.

Forty-five minutes is enough to enter, look around, take photos, and enjoy the unusual setting. It is not enough for a long, unhurried swim if the area is busy. Follow the guide’s instructions and be patient at the opening, since several groups may be moving through the same narrow space.

The crew adds a human touch

The scenery does much of the work, but the guide and boat crew shape the day. This is not a silent sightseeing cruise. The guides aim to keep the mood cheerful, share local information, and help with boarding, kayaks, snorkeling, and the more awkward parts of Secret Lagoon.

Arnold is noted for keeping people entertained, while Anderson and Ken Kyle are also associated with a lively, friendly approach. The style suits people who like a social boat ride with jokes and conversation. If you want a quiet, private day, request the private-group option when booking and confirm the extra details.

The amount of information about each place can vary. If you want more background on the geology, islands, or marine life, ask direct questions rather than waiting for a long talk at every stop. The guide is there in English, and questions are the best way to get more from the stops.

Crowds, timing, and the real pace of the day

The popular route is both the attraction and the drawback. Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commandos Beach are famous for good reason, but you will not have them to yourself.

Crowding affects several things:

• Kayaks may not be available immediately at Big Lagoon.
• The boat may have limited room when several groups arrive together.
• Secret Lagoon’s narrow entrance can create a wait.
• Lunch may feel rushed if many people serve themselves at once.
• Beach time can feel too short for swimming, photos, and rest.

The crew may adjust the order of stops to manage these issues. That flexibility is useful, but it also means the day may not follow the exact order you expect.

The total duration is six hours, which gives you a strong overview but not long, lazy stays at every beach. I would think of this as a highlights tour with active stops, not a day built around reading on the sand.

What to bring for a smoother day

Pack lightly, but bring the items that make a wet boat day easier:

• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Beachwear and a change of clothes
• Waterproof camera or phone case
• Snacks and extra water
• Insect repellent
• Cash
• Water shoes or secure sandals

Only one 330 ml bottle of purified water is included with lunch. That is not much for six hours in the sun, so bring additional water.

Avoid smoking, alcohol, and drugs on the tour. Do not touch marine life, animals, or plants. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, and the rocky water access at Secret Lagoon makes this especially important to consider.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available starting time before booking because the tour lasts six hours and the schedule can affect the rest of your day.

Who should book this island adventure?

I would choose this trip if you are visiting El Nido for the first time, have limited time, and want the major Tour A sights in one outing. It suits couples, families with active older children, and anyone who wants a mix of kayaking, snorkeling, beaches, and a substantial lunch.

You should think twice if you dislike crowds, need a fully accessible activity, or want long stretches of quiet beach time. It is also less suitable if you cannot swim comfortably and do not want help in the water at Secret Lagoon.

Should you book the Big Lagoon and island tour?

Book it if your priority is variety. For $23 before the extra fees, you get a licensed boat and crew, a local English-speaking guide, snorkeling equipment, lunch, and access to four of El Nido’s best-known stops. The day gives you plenty of scenery for the money.

Budget for the environmental fee, Big Lagoon access, kayak rental, and possible water shoes. Arrive ready for a social, busy outing, eat lunch early, and wear secure footwear.

If you can accept the crowds and short beach stops, this is a practical way to see El Nido’s signature sights in six hours. If you want more peace and personal space, ask about the private-group option or choose a trip built around fewer stops.

FAQ

How long does the El Nido island tour last?

The tour lasts six hours.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at Marber’s Resto Bar, Calle Hama Beach Front. Enter Marber’s and look for Annabelle or any staff member connected with Alexzus Travel and Tours.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour finishes at Dockyard.

Is kayaking included in the price?

No. Kayak rental costs 300 PHP for a two-seat kayak and 350 PHP for a three-seat kayak.

What is included in the tour?

The tour includes a licensed tourist boat, licensed boat captain, licensed local guide, mask and snorkel, life jacket, picnic lunch, and one 330 ml bottle of purified drinking water served at lunch.

Is the Big Lagoon access fee included?

No. Big Lagoon has a separate 200 PHP per-person fee for one-time access.

Is the environmental fee included?

No. The environmental fee is 400 PHP per person and remains valid for five days.

Is lunch suitable for vegetarians?

Vegetarian choices may be limited to rice, noodles, and some vegetable dishes. Bring extra food if you need a fuller vegetarian meal.

Can I cancel the tour?

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