9 Kayak Trips in the Philippines to Build a Day Around

1.Big Lagoon Kayaking & Island Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 132 reviews · 6 hours · from $23Our pick

Spend six hours exploring El Nido’s classic Tour A sights with a local English-speaking guide and boat crew. Kayak through Big Lagoon, enter Secret Lagoon, snorkel near Shimizu Island, enjoy a Filipino picnic lunch, and unwind at 7 Commandos Beach. Arnold, Anderson, and Ken Kyle are among the guides praised for their humor and help.

“A lot of fun, if you have limited time in EL Nido, recommend you jump on this tour and see the beautiful scenery the Philippines has to offer.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Crystal Kayak Photo-op Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 72 reviews · 15 min · from $6Best value

Meet your English-speaking guide by White Beach in front of Astoria Boracay, then take a crystal kayak onto the water for 10 to 15 minutes of posed photos. Bring your own phone or camera. Your guide helps with angles and poses, though weather, traffic, and the exact meeting point can affect the session.

“My guide helped me with tips on how to pose for pictures and the pictures were amazing”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Firefly Watching Paddle Boat Tour & Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 47 reviews · 4 hours · from $27

You’ll start with hotel pickup, dinner at Swag Restaurant, and a short boat ride from Baywalk before entering the river by paddle boat. An English-speaking guide explains the fireflies’ role in the ecosystem. Bring insect repellent, breathable clothes, and patience for a rain-or-shine evening under dark mangrove trees.

“Great evening activity. The guide was excellent, food was good, and the boat trip accords the bay way lovely and relaxing”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.SUSTAINABLE Mangrove Tunnels & Firefly Kayaking trail

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · 5 hours · from $85Top rated

Spend five hours kayaking Bohol’s Abatan River with local guides such as Vince, Jeremy, and MacMac. Paddle through nipa palms and mangrove channels, pause for snacks, then return after dark to watch synchronous fireflies. Transfers, equipment, dinner, and conservation insight are included.

“Everything was well organized. The kayaking route was so serene and the views were amazing.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Coron Island Sunset Kayaking trail

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $64

Paddle Coron’s calm coastal waters with a professional English-speaking guide, often Julius, on a small-group sunset trip. Expect limestone islets, mangroves, coral reefs, a possible snorkeling stop, a secluded sunset beach, hot drinks, Filipino snacks, and a dark-water return where bioluminescent plankton may appear.

“was a really good way to go out and see the area. guide was amazing”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Crystal Kayak phot-op Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 8 reviews · 15 min · from $9

Spend 10 to 15 minutes in a clear kayak on Boracay’s calm waters while an English-speaking local guide helps with poses and photos. Guides named NoyPo, also called Elvine, and Mari have received praise for patience, timing, and creative direction. Bring a sunny-day or sunset plan, and confirm the meeting point before you go.

“Very nice photos, the guy helps you and suggests the best poses”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.From Tagbilaran City/Panglao Island: Bohol Mangrove Kayaking

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · 5 hours · from $64

Kayakasia Philippines takes you from Panglao or Tagbilaran to the Abatan River for a beginner-friendly paddle through mangrove tunnels. Local guides such as Vince and Jeremy explain birds, plants, crabs, and river life. Kayaks, instruction, transport, food, changing rooms, lockers, and water refills are included.

“Excellent organization and Jeremy, the guide, had a great background knowldge about the environment.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.North Face Kayaking Tour with Lunch and Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 5 hours · from $85

Spend five hours kayaking along Coron Island’s rugged north face with an English-speaking guide such as Julius or Julian. You’ll visit quiet lagoons, secluded beaches, and less crowded snorkeling spots, with lunch, coffee, water refills, gear, boat support, entry fees, and Coron Town hotel transfers included.

“vam fer la excursió amb el Julius, i va ser el tour que ens va agradar més era expectacular. Vam anar amb kayak per Coron passant per llocs increïbles on nomes s'hi pot accedir amb kayak. Racons amagats, tranquils, sense gent, envoltats d'una natura impressionant. Tot estava perfectament organitzat: ens portaven el menjar fins allà així que només ens vam haver de preocupar de gaudir del moment. una experiencia totalment unica, auntentica i super recomanable per a tothom. Sobretot si vols descobrir llocs especials fora de les rutes més turistiques. ho recomanem 100%.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Shared Underground River with Mangrove Paddle Boat & LUNCH

★★★★★★★★★★3.6 · 3 reviews · 8 hours · from $56

Spend eight hours visiting Puerto Princesa’s UNESCO Underground River, riding a paddle boat through its limestone cave, and eating a buffet lunch. A community guide leads the mangrove trip and shows you how Tamilok woodworms are taken from branches. Wildlife may include monkeys, lizards, snakes, and birds.

“Mediocre. I posti incredibili ma le guide mettevano molta fretta e non abbiamo potuto goderci a pieno il nostro tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review