El Nido: Big Lagoon Kayaking & Island Adventure

El Nido’s famous limestone cliffs are at their best from the water, and this six-hour trip gives you several ways to enjoy them. You’ll paddle through Big Lagoon, squeeze through the rocky entrance to Secret Lagoon, snorkel above coral, and finish with time on Seven Commandos Beach.

I like the mix of active and easygoing stops. Kayaking gives you a quiet way to see Big Lagoon, while the beach lunch at Shimizu Island turns the middle of the day into a proper break. The crew also gets strong marks for helping people on and off the boat and keeping the mood light. The tradeoff is popularity: Big Lagoon and the boat can get crowded, and the schedule may leave you wishing for more beach time.

Key points to know before booking

• Big Lagoon requires extra payment: Kayak rental costs 300 PHP for two people or 350 PHP for three, and the lagoon charges a 200 PHP access fee.
• Seven Commandos is your first beach stop: You get about an hour for swimming, photos, palm trees, and sunbathing.
• Shimizu Island handles lunch and snorkeling: Expect Filipino food such as fish, chicken, prawns, rice, pancit, vegetables, and fruit.
• Secret Lagoon is rocky at the entrance: Water shoes or secure sandals are a smart choice, especially if you are not a confident swimmer.
• The route can change with sea conditions: Snorkeling may take place near Advance or South Miniloc instead of Shimizu.
• The tour is lively rather than quiet: Guides including Arnold, Anderson, and Ken Kyle are known for jokes and friendly energy.

Why Tour A works so well in El Nido

At $23 per person, this looks like an inexpensive way to see several of El Nido’s best-known places in one morning and afternoon. The price includes a licensed tourist boat, captain, local guide, life jacket, mask and snorkel, picnic lunch, and one 330 ml bottle of purified water served with lunch.

The headline price is not the final cost, though. Add the 400 PHP environmental fee, valid for five days, plus the 200 PHP Big Lagoon users fee. You also need to budget for a kayak, since kayaking is central to the Big Lagoon visit. Water shoes cost 100 PHP to rent, and fins cost 150 PHP if you want them.

Even with those extras, the package can be good value if you have limited time in El Nido. You get four major stops, boat transport between them, food, gear, and a guide in about six hours. The price makes the most sense for someone who wants a broad sample of the Bacuit Archipelago rather than a slow day at one beach.

The trip begins at Marber’s Resto Bar on Calle Hama Beach Front. Go inside Marber’s and ask for Annabelle or a member of the Alexzus staff. The tour finishes at Dockyard, so plan your evening from there rather than assuming you will return to the starting point.

Seven Commandos Beach starts the day gently

Seven Commandos Beach is the first substantial stop, with about an hour for a guided visit and free time. It is the kind of opening that lets you settle into island time before the more active parts of the day.

The appeal is simple: powdery white sand, palm trees, open views, and a chance to swim or lie in the sun. You can also look for the beach swing and take photos of the surrounding cliffs. A fresh coconut or cold drink may be available to purchase, but bring cash because drinks and snacks are not part of the package.

One hour goes quickly here. If your ideal beach stop includes a long swim, a slow lunch, and plenty of time beneath a palm tree, you may feel hurried. The schedule is designed to show you several places, not to let you settle into one.

The boat ride between stops is part of the experience. You get views of the tall limestone walls and small islands, though the ride is not presented as a quiet cruise. The crew handles boarding and disembarking, which helps when the boat is busy or the water is moving.

Big Lagoon is the main event

Big Lagoon is the reason many people choose this trip. The boat brings you to a dramatic entrance framed by high limestone walls, then you continue by kayak across calm, turquoise water. The official stop lasts about 105 minutes, including the guided visit and kayaking.

You’ll want to move slowly here. The water can look almost mirror-like, and the high cliffs make the lagoon feel enclosed and grand without requiring a difficult hike. It is also the best part of the trip for photographs, especially from the kayak rather than the larger tour boat.

Kayaks are not included. A two-person kayak costs 300 PHP, while a three-person kayak costs 350 PHP. If you are traveling with a partner or family, sharing keeps the extra charge reasonable. The cost is worth considering before you book because paddling is not just an optional side activity here. It is the way you experience the lagoon properly.

Crowds are the main concern. Big Lagoon is one of El Nido’s most popular stops, and kayaks may not be immediately available. On a particularly busy day, you might leave the area temporarily and return when a kayak opens up. That can add some waiting and reduce your time on the water.

Keep your phone or camera protected from splashes. The tour recommends a waterproof camera, and that advice is useful even in calm conditions. You may also find a small cave or passage around the lagoon while kayaking, but do not count on having unlimited time to explore it.

Shimizu Island provides the midday reset

Shimizu Island receives about 105 minutes, making it the longest scheduled stop. This is where lunch and much of the snorkeling take place, so the time needs to cover several activities.

The meal is served picnic-style on the beach. Expect grilled fish, chicken, prawns, vegetables, rice, pancit, eggplant, melon, and other Filipino-style dishes. The quantity can be generous, but timing matters. If you are among the last people to eat, some popular dishes may be gone. I would head to the lunch area promptly rather than waiting until everyone else has finished.

Vegetarian food may be limited to rice, noodles, and vegetables. If you do not eat meat or seafood, bring a snack and state your needs clearly before the boat leaves. Snacks and extra drinks are not included, so cash is useful.

The snorkeling is one of the strongest parts of the day. You get a chance to see colorful coral and tropical fish in shallow coastal water, with mask and snorkel equipment supplied. Fins are optional and cost 150 PHP to rent. The exact snorkeling site can change with sea conditions. It may take place at Advance or South Miniloc instead of Shimizu Island.

That flexibility is practical, not a flaw. Water conditions matter more than sticking rigidly to one named beach. Still, you should understand that the advertised stop and the actual snorkeling location may not always be identical.

Life jackets are included, and the crew assists with getting in and out of the boat. That is useful for anyone who feels awkward climbing down a boat ladder or moving over wet rocks. You should still be comfortable with swimming or floating if you plan to snorkel independently.

Secret Lagoon involves rocks and a tight entrance

Secret Lagoon is a shorter stop of about 45 minutes, but it offers a very different kind of scenery. You pass through a small opening in the limestone into a natural pool enclosed by rock walls. The entrance is the memorable part, though it can also be the least comfortable.

The floor near the opening is rocky, and the water may make footing uncertain. Water shoes cost 100 PHP to rent, and they are a better choice than loose flip-flops. Secure sandals can work, but anything that slips off may float away. If you cannot swim, tell the crew before entering. Assistance may be available, but the route can still be difficult.

This stop is not designed for a long, peaceful swim. Lines and other boats can make the entrance feel crowded, and 45 minutes gives you time to visit, take photographs, and look around rather than linger. The contrast with Big Lagoon makes it worthwhile: Big Lagoon is open and spacious, while Secret Lagoon feels enclosed and personal.

Protect your knees and feet as you move across the rocks. A waterproof pouch for your phone is useful here, especially if you want photos near the entrance.

The guides shape the day

The practical quality of this trip depends heavily on the guide and boat crew. The advertised language is English, and the guide handles the schedule, safety briefing, and movement between the stops.

Specific guides praised for their humor include Arnold, Anderson, and Ken Kyle. Their style is energetic and social, with jokes and island trivia rather than a quiet, formal lecture. That suits people who enjoy a friendly group atmosphere. If you prefer detailed explanations about geology, ecology, or local history, ask questions directly. One weakness of the experience is that the commentary may feel light in places.

The crew also helps passengers on and off the boat at each stop. That small service matters because wet ladders, rocks, and crowded beaches can make the day tiring. You should still expect a physical outing with repeated boarding, swimming, walking over uneven ground, and paddling.

Smoking, alcohol, drugs, and touching marine life, animals, or plants are not allowed. Those rules protect the sites and make the day safer for everyone.

What to pack for six hours on the water

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, beachwear, a change of clothes, insect repellent, snacks, and extra water. The included water is only one 330 ml bottle served at lunch, so do not treat that as enough for the whole outing.

Cash is important for the kayak, environmental fee, lagoon access, shoes, fins, drinks, and snacks. A waterproof camera is welcome, but a waterproof pouch for smaller items may be just as useful.

Wear footwear that stays on your feet. Water shoes are best for Secret Lagoon and other rocky entries. Flip-flops can work on sand but are a poor choice for slippery boat steps and uneven sea floors.

The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users. It also demands reasonable energy because the six hours include beach stops, boat boarding, swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking. If you want a completely restful day, this is not the right format.

Crowds, timing, and the real pace

The tour gives you a lot in six hours, but the schedule is tight. Each stop is measured, and delays can happen when kayaks are unavailable or boats queue at popular sites. You may wait before departure or spend extra time shifting between locations.

That pace is the price of seeing Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commandos Beach in one trip. You get variety, but you do not get long, empty stretches of beach. The boat may feel crowded, particularly at the busiest stops.

I would choose an early starting time if one is available, then keep your expectations realistic. The best moments often come in the gaps: paddling quietly before the lagoon fills, watching the cliffs from the boat, or finding a few minutes on the beach after lunch.

The tour has a 4.4 rating from 132 bookings, and the strongest praise centers on the scenery, snorkeling, kayaking, friendly guides, and helpful crew. The main complaints are consistent too: crowded sites, limited beach time, possible waiting, and weak vegetarian lunch choices. That is a fair picture of a popular El Nido group excursion.

Who should book this El Nido tour?

Book it if you have only a short stay in El Nido and want the classic island stops in one organized outing. It suits couples, families, and first-time visitors who value variety, included lunch, and crew support more than solitude.

It is also a good choice if kayaking appeals to you. Big Lagoon is not merely a photo stop here, and the paddle adds a quiet, active element to a day that otherwise alternates between boat rides, beaches, and snorkeling.

Think twice if you need a calm, uncrowded schedule, have strict dietary needs, use a wheelchair, or dislike wet and uneven conditions. You should also add the extra fees to the advertised price before deciding.

For most visitors, I would book this tour if the goal is to see El Nido’s famous scenery efficiently. Bring water shoes, cash, a snack, and patience for crowds. With those preparations, the combination of Big Lagoon kayaking, coral snorkeling, a Filipino beach lunch, Secret Lagoon, and Seven Commandos Beach offers a strong first look at the area.

FAQ

How long does the El Nido Big Lagoon tour last?

The tour lasts about six hours. The listed stops include around one hour at Seven Commandos Beach, 105 minutes at Big Lagoon, 105 minutes at Shimizu Island, and 45 minutes at Secret Lagoon.

Where does the tour begin?

Meet at Marber’s Resto Bar, Calle Hama Beach Front. Enter Marber’s and ask for Annabelle or any member of the Alexzus staff.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour finishes at Dockyard.

Is kayak rental included?

No. A two-person kayak costs 300 PHP, and a three-person kayak costs 350 PHP.

What fees are not included?

The 400 PHP environmental fee and the 200 PHP Big Lagoon users fee are not included. Water shoes cost 100 PHP per pair, and fins cost 150 PHP per pair.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic lunch is served at Shimizu Island, with Filipino-style food such as fish, chicken, prawns, vegetables, rice, pancit, and fruit. One 330 ml bottle of purified drinking water is served at lunch.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.