El Nido: Big Lagoon Kayaking & Island Adventure

Big Lagoon is the star of the day. This six-hour island trip packs El Nido’s famous limestone cliffs, clear water, snorkeling, and white-sand beaches into one efficient outing, making it a strong choice if you have limited time in Palawan. I especially like the chance to kayak inside Big Lagoon and the generous Filipino lunch at Shimizu Island. The main drawback is popularity: boats and kayaks can crowd the best stops, and the schedule may leave you wishing for more beach time.

I also like the cheerful local crew. Guides such as Arnold, Anderson, and Ken Kyle have been praised for keeping the mood light while helping people on and off the boat. Bring footwear with straps, not loose flip-flops, because the rocky entry at Secret Lagoon can be awkward, especially if you are not a confident swimmer.

The four details that shape your day

• Big Lagoon kayaking: You pay an extra 300 PHP for a two-seat kayak or 350 PHP for a three-seat kayak, but this is the visual centerpiece of the trip.
• Secret Lagoon requires careful footing: Reaching the entrance involves rocks and water, so water shoes or strapped sandals are a smart buy or rental.
• Shimizu Island provides the main meal: Expect grilled fish, chicken, prawns, vegetables, pancit, rice, fruit, and other Filipino dishes, though vegetarian choices may be limited.
• Seven Commandos Beach is short but appealing: The one-hour stop gives you time for swimming, sun, palms, and a sandy shoreline, but not endless lounging.
• Extra charges affect the real price: The advertised $23 covers the basic tour, but kayak rental, entrance fees, footwear, and the environmental fee cost more.
• The route is popular for a reason: Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commandos make a very good first look at El Nido, but expect company.

What the $23 price really gets you

At $23 per person, this is an inexpensive way to see several of El Nido’s best-known coastal sights in one day. The price includes a licensed tourist boat, licensed captain, local guide, snorkeling mask, snorkel, life jacket, picnic lunch, and one 330-milliliter bottle of purified water served with lunch.

That is good value if you want variety. You are not paying only for a boat ride. The fee covers transport between four major stops, basic water equipment, crew support, and a substantial meal. The boat crew also helps people board and leave the boat, a small service that matters when the sea is moving and the dock or beach entry is uneven.

The advertised amount is not the full door-to-door cost. You need to budget for several extras:

• Big Lagoon user fee: 200 PHP per person for one access
• Environmental fee: 400 PHP per person, valid for five days
• Kayak rental: 300 PHP for two seats or 350 PHP for three seats
• Water shoes: 100 PHP per pair
• Flippers or fins: 150 PHP per pair

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You meet at Marbers Resto Bar on Calle Hama Beach Front, entering the restaurant and looking for Annabelle or any Alexzus staff member. The tour finishes at Dockyard.

The extra fees are easy to overlook, so add them before deciding that this is the cheapest possible island day. Even so, the package remains appealing for people who want a full schedule without arranging a private boat, captain, guide, food, and equipment separately.

Starting at Seven Commandos Beach

The first listed stop is Seven Commandos Beach, with about one hour for sightseeing, swimming, and relaxing. It is a pleasant way to begin because the setting gives you the classic El Nido picture: powdery white sand, palm trees, clear water, and dramatic rock formations nearby.

You can sunbathe, swim, sit under the palms, or look for a cold drink. There may also be a swing, which makes a quick photo stop easy. The hour passes quickly, though. If your perfect beach day means lying in the sand for half a day, this schedule will feel rushed.

The stop also includes a safety briefing. Pay attention, even if you are comfortable in the water. You will spend much of the day getting on and off a boat, entering shallow water, snorkeling, and moving around rocky areas. A little care at the start makes the rest of the trip easier.

I would use Seven Commandos for a swim and a quick reset rather than trying to do everything. Put on sunscreen before boarding, keep your phone protected, and save some energy for kayaking and snorkeling later.

Kayaking through Big Lagoon

Big Lagoon receives the longest scheduled visit, about 105 minutes, and for good reason. Towering limestone walls frame calm turquoise water, creating a broad natural corridor that feels much quieter than the open sea.

The kayaking is an optional extra, but it is the activity that gives this tour its name and character. A kayak lets you move at your own pace and look up at the cliffs from water level. The lagoon is also a strong place for photos because the water, cliffs, and narrow passages create clean lines in every direction.

The practical catch is demand. The route can become crowded, and kayaks may not be available immediately. One group had to return to Big Lagoon several times before finding boats, using other stops while waiting. That kind of delay can reduce the time you actually spend paddling, so do not assume the advertised 105 minutes means 105 uninterrupted minutes in a kayak.

If you want a kayak, tell the crew early and listen to their instructions. A two-seat boat costs 300 PHP, while a three-seat boat costs 350 PHP. Sharing spreads the fee across the occupants, but it also means coordinating your paddling with someone else.

The lagoon may have small passages and cave-like sections that you can reach by kayak. Keep your camera secured and avoid treating the boat like a race. The pleasure here comes from the cliffs and still water, not from covering a great distance.

Lunch and snorkeling at Shimizu Island

Shimizu Island receives about 105 minutes, combining lunch and time in the water. This is the most useful break of the day because you can eat, dry off, and enjoy one of the area’s popular snorkeling sites.

The meal is Filipino-style and served on the beach. The spread can include grilled fish, chicken, prawns, vegetables, pancit, rice, melon, eggplant, and other dishes. There is usually plenty of food, but timing matters. If you arrive late to the buffet, popular items may be gone. Move through the line early rather than assuming you can return later for the best portions.

Vegetarians should ask about the menu before departure. The available meat-free choices may be limited to rice and noodles, so bring a snack if you need a fuller vegetarian meal. Snacks are also useful for anyone with allergies or strong dietary restrictions, since no special menu is promised.

The snorkeling here is one of the day’s strongest features. You can expect colorful coral and many tropical fish in the water around the island. The exact snorkeling location can change with sea conditions, and the boat may use Advance or South Miniloc instead. That flexibility is sensible because the sea decides where conditions are safest and clearest.

The crew provides masks, snorkels, and life jackets. Fins are not included, but you can rent a pair for 150 PHP. A life jacket can make snorkeling less tiring if you are not a strong swimmer, though it may take a little practice to keep your face comfortably in the water.

Do not touch the coral, fish, plants, or other marine life. Apart from protecting the reef, this rule keeps you from damaging the very place you came to see. Bring a waterproof camera if you want pictures, but secure it carefully around the boat and beach.

Entering Secret Lagoon

Secret Lagoon is a shorter stop, about 45 minutes, but it offers a different kind of experience. Instead of paddling across a broad open pool, you make your way through a small rock opening into a secluded natural pool surrounded by limestone walls.

The entrance is the tricky part. Rocks cover the sea floor, and getting through may be difficult if you cannot swim. The crew can assist by pulling you toward the opening, but you still need to move carefully and protect your feet.

This is where water shoes earn their 100 PHP rental fee. Strapped sandals can work, but loose flip-flops may float away or fall off. Avoid going barefoot if your feet are sensitive, and take your time rather than following the crowd too closely.

Once inside, the confined walls give the stop a more enclosed, quiet feeling than Big Lagoon. Forty-five minutes is enough to see the pool and take photographs, but the area can become congested when several boats arrive. The attraction is the unusual entrance and rock setting, not a long swim session.

A six-hour schedule with real tradeoffs

The whole outing lasts about six hours, including boat travel and transfers between sites. The published stop times add up to just under five hours, leaving the rest for movement, loading, safety instructions, and waiting.

That distinction matters. You are getting a full day of activity, but not six hours of uninterrupted swimming and kayaking. Some departures may also take time to organize before the boat leaves. One reported wait lasted about 45 minutes, so keep your schedule flexible and avoid booking a tight connection immediately afterward.

The tour moves at a brisk pace because it covers several famous places. I see that as both its strength and its weakness. You get a broad sample of El Nido in one outing, but you may wish Seven Commandos had more time, or that you could linger longer at a snorkeling site.

The crew can sometimes adjust the order when a stop is crowded or kayaks are unavailable. That helps, but it does not remove the basic limitation of a popular shared route. If you want long, quiet stays at each beach, a private boat with a custom schedule may suit you better. A private group option is available, although the supplied details do not give a separate private-group price.

The crew and the feel onboard

The human side of this trip matters. A funny, energetic guide can make a busy boat feel much more enjoyable, especially when people are waiting to kayak or lining up for lunch.

The crew is expected to provide English-language guiding, safety instructions, local information, and help getting in and out of the boat. Guides named Arnold, Anderson, and Ken Kyle have been singled out for humor and friendly energy. Do not expect a long lecture at every stop, though. The amount of information can be fairly light, so ask questions if you want more context about the lagoons, islands, or marine life.

The boat crew’s practical help is valuable for families and less confident swimmers. Everyone gets a life jacket, and staff assist with boarding. Still, the boat and beaches can feel crowded, particularly on the most popular route. If personal space is a high priority, private arrangements are worth considering.

What to bring for a smoother day

Pack lightly, but pack intelligently. You will be wet, exposed to the sun, and moving between boat, sand, and rocky water.

Bring:

• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Beachwear and a change of clothes
• Water and snacks
• A waterproof camera
• Insect repellent
• Cash
• Water shoes or sandals with secure straps

Only one 330-milliliter bottle of purified water is specifically included, and it is served at lunch. Bring extra water if you know you drink often in hot weather. Snacks also help during delays or if the lunch menu does not suit your diet.

Smoking, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed. You must not touch marine life, animals, or plants. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, and the rocky water entry at Secret Lagoon makes this a poor fit for anyone who needs fully step-free access.

Who will like this El Nido tour most?

This is a strong fit if you are visiting El Nido for the first time, have only a short stay, or want the main Tour A sights handled in one booking. You get kayaking, snorkeling, beaches, lagoons, lunch, and a lively guide without having to coordinate each piece yourself.

Families with older children may appreciate the variety. A child who tires of snorkeling still has the beach and kayak to anticipate, although parents should be ready to help with equipment and rocky entries.

You should think twice if you dislike crowds, need a quiet beach day, or have strict dietary needs. The schedule is active, the popular stops can fill up, and vegetarian food may be sparse. Strong swimmers are not required, but you should be comfortable entering the water and moving over uneven footing with crew assistance.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now while paying later. Starting times depend on availability, so check the departure details carefully before booking.

Should you book Big Lagoon Kayaking and Island Adventure?

Book it if you want the efficient El Nido essentials: Big Lagoon by kayak, coral snorkeling, Secret Lagoon, Seven Commandos Beach, and a full beach lunch. At $23, the included boat, crew, equipment, and food offer solid value, provided you allow for the added fees.

I would book early in your El Nido stay so you still have room to adjust plans if sea conditions or crowding affect the route. Bring strapped footwear, extra water, cash, and a snack. If you can accept a busy schedule and shared boat, this is a fun, practical introduction to the Bacuit Archipelago.

FAQ

How long does the El Nido Big Lagoon tour last?

The experience lasts six hours. The schedule includes time at Seven Commandos Beach, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Secret Lagoon, along with boat travel and transfers.

Where is the meeting point?

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

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 or 350 PHP for a three-seat kayak.

What is included in the tour?

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

Are the environmental and Big Lagoon fees included?

No. The environmental fee is 400 PHP per person and remains valid for five days. The Big Lagoon user fee is 200 PHP per person for one access.

Can the snorkeling location change?

Yes. Depending on sea conditions, snorkeling may take place at Shimizu Island, Advance, or South Miniloc.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. The rocky water entry at Secret Lagoon also requires careful footing and may be difficult for people with limited mobility.