Philippines · LAGOON TOURS IN EL NIDO
Good lagoon tours in El Nido fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 9 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Spend eight hours in Bacuit Bay visiting the Secret Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Seven Commandos Beach, and a snorkeling site. A guide such as Buddy, Dexter, or John leads the day, with lunch and safety gear included. Kayaks, fins, aqua shoes, and entry fees cost extra.
“the tour guides will happily take photos for us on our phones”
Spend seven hours island hopping from Marber’s Beach Club to Small Lagoon, Cadlao Island, Nat Nat Beach, Paradise Beach, and Bukal Island. Swim, snorkel, and kayak in clear water with an English or Tagalog guide. Tour guides such as Mark, Jordan, Arnold, and TJ have earned praise for their friendly help and photos. Expect a packed lunch and extra fees for the environmental fee, lagoon entry, and kayak rental.
“We really enjoyed our tour D, it was the only one we did in El Nido but it seemed like the perfect pace, less touristic than others. In the Small Lagoon we were the only boat which I do not think happens very often in other places. Also the guide and entire crew was great, working hard and making sure we have a great day, whicb we certainly did!”
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.”
Spend eight hours sailing from El Nido to Small Lagoon, Cadlao Lagoon, Pasandigan Cove, Paradise Beach, and Serenity Beach. You get hotel pickup in El Nido Town proper, lunch, water, towels, a licensed English-speaking guide, and a guaranteed boat ride. Kayak rental, snorkeling gear, and entrance fees cost extra.
“I don’t complain easily, but I was really deeply disappointed with this tour. The app clearly states what is and isn’t included, but that turned out to be completely false. You arrive at the meeting point in the morning, and the first thing they do is charge you for renting a snorkel. How is that not included in a snorkeling tour? The kayaks, which are supposed to be part of the tour, were also charged separately—and believe me, the prices are steep. When I questioned this, they told me to take it up with the tour operator. I contacted them before posting a negative review, but they kept stringing me…”
Spend about seven hours visiting El Nido’s Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, Secret Lagoon, and Seven Commando Beach. You get boat transport, lunch, a guide, life jackets, and hotel pickup. Kayaks are included only on private tours. Jerry is one named guide associated with the experience.
“Private / Shared is very misleading, its more of a shared experience. boat was cramped and not as good as others. Food was pretty good but limited”
Spend about seven hours around Cadlao Island and Bacuit Bay, visiting Cadlao Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Nat Nat Beach, Pasandigan Cove, Paradise Beach, and Serenity Beach. Expect boat transport, lunch, water, life jackets, and an experienced crew. Kayaks are included on private tours. Guides Joshua and Bernard have earned special praise for their care.
“Really amazing staff. stunning views, super fun boat ride. I could not recommend this experience more!”
Spend about 7.5 hours exploring El Nido’s lagoons and beaches with an English-speaking guide. Tour A includes Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, 7 Commando Beach, a buffet lunch, and bottled water. Expect a shared boat, optional kayak and snorkeling fees, and a possible schedule change if weather turns rough.
“Thank you, Ruben, for your wonderful review! 😊 We truly appreciate your support and are delighted to have been part of your travel experience. We hope to welcome you again on another amazing adventure! 🌴✈️✨”
Spend 6 to 7 hours touring El Nido by licensed boat, with kayaking at Small Lagoon and Cadlao Lagoon, lunch at Paradise Beach, and swimming at Bukal Island. A live English-speaking guide leads the day. The low base price is appealing, but kayak rental, environmental fees, and the Small Lagoon fee cost extra.
Spend six hours island hopping from downtown El Nido to Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, and Seven Commandos Beach. Your English-speaking guide and boat crew handle the route, while you swim, snorkel, kayak, and eat a picnic lunch by the sea. Bring water shoes, a dry bag, and your own mask and snorkel, since these cost extra.
“We had a fantastic day. This is a beautiful slice of the Philippines. There's a few things to note about this tour. 1. You will need to get into the water, from getting to the boat from shore first time we waded to the stairs of the boat waist deep in water. Some of the locations need you to exit the boat into the water. However everyone has a life jacket, so no dramas if you're not a swimmer. Buy a wet bag for your stuff and phone ... or you won't be able to capture anything from the day. 2. The pictures are amazing and the location are beautiful,…”
Pick an island, a reef or a canyon.
