El Nido: Big Lagoon Kayaking & Island Adventure

El Nido’s Big Lagoon is the star here. You paddle across calm turquoise water beneath towering limestone walls, then spend the day moving between a secret pool, a snorkeling site, a beach, and a Filipino lunch on Shimizu Island. It is a lot of scenery packed into six hours.

I like the easy mix of activity and downtime, especially the kayak outing and the generous lunch of fish, chicken, prawns, pancit, rice, vegetables, and fruit. I also like the crew’s hands-on approach. Guides such as Arnold, Anderson, and Ken Kyle are lively, help people on and off the boat, and keep the mood light.

The main drawback is popularity. Big Lagoon and the other stops can be crowded, and the schedule may feel rushed if you want long, quiet stretches on the beach. Bring water shoes, arrive ready for a full day, and expect extra charges for the kayak and environmental fees.

Key points to know before you book

• Big Lagoon kayaking: Kayak rental is separate, at 300 PHP for a two-seater or 350 PHP for a three-seater.
• Four famous El Nido stops: The route includes 7 Commandos Beach, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Secret Lagoon.
• Lunch by the water: Shimizu Island lunch includes grilled fish, chicken, prawns, vegetables, rice, pancit, and fruit.
• Good crew support: Guides help passengers board and leave the boat, with Arnold, Anderson, and Ken Kyle singled out for their humor and friendly style.
• Extra fees matter: Budget 400 PHP for the environmental fee and 200 PHP for one-time Big Lagoon access, in addition to the tour price.
• Best for active sightseers: You need enough energy for kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, walking over rocks, and a six-hour boat outing.

Why Tour A packs so much into six hours

At $23 per person, this is an inexpensive way to see the core sights of El Nido’s Bacuit Archipelago. The price covers the licensed tourist boat, captain, local guide, snorkel mask, life jacket, picnic lunch, and one 330-milliliter bottle of purified water at lunch.

That low headline price does not cover everything. Add the 400 PHP environmental fee, the 200 PHP Big Lagoon access fee, and the kayak rental if you want to paddle. Water shoes, fins, drinks, snacks, hotel transfers, and other extras also cost more. Even so, the package offers solid value if you want one full day of scenery, water activities, and lunch without arranging each part separately.

You meet at Marbers Resto Bar on Calle Hama Beach Front. Go inside Marbers and look for Annabelle or any member of the Alexzus staff. The day finishes at Dockyard, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so plan your own way to and from the meeting point.

The tour is conducted in English, and a private group option is available. The activity is listed as six hours, though the exact starting time depends on availability. The free cancellation window is up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later.

7 Commandos Beach starts the island rhythm

The first scheduled stop is 7 Commandos Beach, with about an hour for a guided visit, views, and a safety briefing. This is the place to slow down at the start of the day. You can sunbathe on powdery white sand, swim, use the swing, play volleyball, or sit beneath the palms with a drink.

An hour gives you a useful taste of the beach, but not much more. If you want to swim, take photos, relax, and walk along the shore, the clock moves quickly. One practical advantage of visiting early in the route is that you get your first proper stretch of beach time before the day’s kayaking and snorkeling.

Bring a change of clothes and keep your phone or camera in a waterproof case. The beach is beautiful, but the sun is strong, and there may be little reason to spend the entire stop standing in the shallows. A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are sensible additions to the supplied packing list.

Big Lagoon is the main event

Big Lagoon receives about 105 minutes, including the guided visit and kayaking. This is the part of the day most people have in mind when they book. The boat brings you into a calm area framed by steep limestone cliffs, and you continue by kayak across the still water.

The setting is made for photographs, but the best reason to kayak is the change in pace. Instead of only looking at the cliffs from a boat, you move quietly through the water and can take in the height of the rock walls at your own speed. A small cave may be accessible around the lagoon, adding another short point of interest.

The kayak is not included in the listed price. A two-person kayak costs 300 PHP, while a three-person kayak costs 350 PHP. For most people, this is a worthwhile add-on because kayaking is the defining activity of the tour. If you prefer not to paddle, ask the crew what options are available, but do not assume the kayak is included.

Big Lagoon is also the busiest part of the route. One departure had to return three times because no kayaks were available on the first visit, using other stops while waiting. That kind of delay can happen when demand is high, so keep your expectations flexible. The crew may adjust the order of stops to make the day work.

Shimizu Island combines snorkeling and lunch

Shimizu Island receives about 105 minutes, making it the longest scheduled stop. The island is used for lunch, and the nearby water is a snorkeling area filled with colorful coral and tropical fish. Depending on sea conditions, snorkeling may take place at Advance or South Miniloc instead.

The snorkeling equipment is included, along with a life jacket. Fins cost 150 PHP to rent, and water shoes or aqua shoes cost 100 PHP per pair. Fins can help you move through the water, but water shoes are the more useful purchase for this particular route because other stops include rocks and uneven footing.

Lunch is one of the strongest parts of the package. The spread can include grilled fish, chicken, prawns, pancit, rice, eggplant, other vegetables, melon, and similar Filipino favorites. There is plenty of food when service runs smoothly, but do not wait too long to eat. If you are among the last people off the boat, popular dishes may be gone.

Vegetarian choices appear limited. Rice and noodles may be available, but the meal is not described as having a dedicated vegetarian menu. If you do not eat meat or seafood, bring snacks and confirm your options before setting out. Snacks are also useful for anyone who gets hungry during the long gaps between stops.

The snorkeling itself is a major reason to choose this tour. You can see coral and fish without arranging a separate boat outing, and the crew supplies the basic mask and snorkel. Protect the site by following the rules: do not touch marine life, animals, or plants.

Secret Lagoon requires care on the rocks

Secret Lagoon gets about 45 minutes. Reaching the natural pool means passing through a small opening in the rock, then entering a sheltered pool surrounded by limestone. The enclosed setting feels very different from the open water at Big Lagoon.

The entrance can be difficult if you cannot swim. Crew members may help pull you toward the opening, but you still need to be comfortable in water and around rocks. Water shoes or sandals with secure straps are strongly useful here. Loose flip-flops can float away, and bare feet are not ideal on the rocky sea floor.

This is a short stop, so expect a quick visit rather than a long swim. Crowds can build around the entrance, and the route through the rocks may require patience. Still, Secret Lagoon adds a more enclosed, unusual setting to a day that otherwise centers on beaches, reefs, and open water.

The crew makes a difference

The experience depends partly on the weather and partly on how the boat crew manages a busy route. The boat captain and professional crew are licensed, and life jackets are provided. The crew also helps passengers on and off the boat, a small service that matters when the boat sits above wet rocks or a shallow shoreline.

The guides are one of the most praised parts of the outing. Arnold is known for keeping people entertained, while Anderson and Ken Kyle are remembered for their humor and friendly manner. That light style suits a social boat day, especially when people are waiting for kayaks or moving between crowded sites.

Do not expect a long lecture at every stop. The tour includes guided visits, but the amount of information about each location can vary. If you want more background, ask questions directly. The guides can also help you understand where to stand, how to enter the water, and when it is safe to move.

Crowds and timing shape the day

This is a popular route, and the famous stops are not isolated private beaches. Big Lagoon can run short of kayaks, and the boat itself may feel crowded. The schedule may change depending on sea conditions or waiting times, so avoid booking this tour immediately before an important flight or fixed evening plan.

The six-hour format works well if you have limited time in El Nido. You see several major sights in one outing rather than spending separate days arranging beaches, snorkeling, and lagoons. The trade-off is less time at each location. People who want to sit quietly on one beach for half a day may find the pace too brisk.

The order is also worth noting. The scheduled route begins at Marbers, then goes to 7 Commandos Beach, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Secret Lagoon, finishing at Dockyard. Boat conditions and crowd levels may influence the practical order, so treat the listed sequence as a guide rather than a promise.

What to bring for a more comfortable day

Pack light, but pack for water, sun, and wet transfers. Your most useful items are:

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

Only one 330-milliliter bottle of purified drinking water is included, served at lunch. That is not much for six hours in the sun, so bring more water if possible. Cash is useful for the kayak, water shoes, fins, environmental fee, Big Lagoon access, and purchases on the boat.

Smoking, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed. The rules also prohibit touching marine life, animals, and plants. These are sensible limits in a reef and lagoon setting, and following them helps protect the places you came to see.

Who will enjoy this El Nido outing

I would choose this tour if you are visiting El Nido for a short stay and want the classic sights in one day. It suits couples, families with active older children, and solo visitors who enjoy joining a friendly boat group. The private group option may be useful if you want more control over the day.

It is also a good match if you want several kinds of activity in one outing: kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, beach time, and a picnic meal. The guide style is social and playful rather than quiet and formal.

Think twice if you use a wheelchair, since the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users. You should also reconsider it if you dislike wet landings, rocky entrances, crowds, or a schedule that keeps moving. The route requires enough energy for a full six hours, and the short stops leave little room for a slow, unplanned day.

Is the $23 price good value?

Yes, with a few conditions. The base price is low for a boat trip that includes a licensed captain, licensed guide, snorkeling equipment, life jacket, lunch, and drinking water. The meal alone covers a broad range of Filipino dishes, and the route includes four of El Nido’s best-known stops.

The final cost is higher than $23 once you add the 400 PHP environmental fee, 200 PHP Big Lagoon fee, and kayak rental. Water shoes, fins, drinks, snacks, and transport are extra too. Even with those additions, the tour remains good value for a first visit if you want convenience and a full schedule.

I would not choose it for solitude. I would choose it for variety, strong scenery, a helpful crew, and the chance to see Big Lagoon without organizing separate activities.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the classic El Nido day: limestone cliffs, a turquoise lagoon, a small natural pool, snorkeling, white sand, and lunch on an island. The crew’s humor and practical help add real value, and the route works especially well when your time is limited.

Skip it if you want empty beaches, long swims, or a flexible pace. If you do book, pay for the kayak, bring secure footwear, carry extra water, and eat lunch early. Those small choices will make the crowded parts easier and help you get the most from a very full six hours.

FAQ

How long does the El Nido Big Lagoon tour last?

The activity lasts six hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Where does the tour meet?

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

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-seater or 350 PHP for a three-seater.

What is included in the tour?

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

What extra fees should I expect?

The environmental fee is 400 PHP per person and is valid for five days. Big Lagoon access costs 200 PHP per person for one-time access. Kayaks, water shoes, fins, hotel transfers, drinks, snacks, and other personal costs are not included.

Is lunch included, and what food is served?

Yes. Lunch is served at Shimizu Island and may include grilled fish, chicken, prawns, vegetables, rice, pancit, and fruit. Dedicated vegetarian choices are not specified.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.