El Nido: Big Lagoon Kayaking & Island Adventure

Paradise comes with a paddle. This six-hour El Nido outing packs in Big Lagoon kayaking, Secret Lagoon, snorkeling, and white-sand beach time for $23 per person. I especially like the mix of quiet water, limestone cliffs, and easygoing island stops. I also like that the local crew handles the boat, safety gear, lunch, and access between sites. The main catch is that several costs sit outside the headline price, and popular stops can feel crowded.

You meet at Marbers Resto Bar on Calle Hama Beach Front and finish at Dockyard. The route is well suited to a first visit, but it is not a slow, private retreat. You will spend much of the day moving between famous places, with roughly one hour at Seven Commandos Beach, 105 minutes around Big Lagoon, 105 minutes at Shimizu Island for lunch and snorkeling, and 45 minutes at Secret Lagoon.

Key details that shape the day

• Big Lagoon requires a separate kayak fee: Expect to pay 300 PHP for a two-seat kayak or 350 PHP for a three-seat kayak.
• The best water shoes are sturdy ones: Secret Lagoon has rocks underfoot, and simple flip-flops can float away.
• Shimizu Island brings the main meal: Lunch includes grilled fish, chicken, prawns, pancit, rice, vegetables, and fruit, though vegetarian choices may be limited.
• The route is popular for good reason: Big Lagoon and the other stops are striking, but the boat and beaches may be busy.
• The crew gets strong marks for care and humor: Guides such as Arnold, Anderson, and Ken Kyle have been praised for keeping the mood light and helping people on and off the boat.
• The total cost is higher than $23: Add the environmental fee, Big Lagoon access, and optional equipment rentals before deciding on value.

What this El Nido tour really offers

El Nido Tour A is the classic introduction to the Bacuit Archipelago. You get towering limestone cliffs, clear water, small beaches, a coral snorkeling stop, and two lagoons in one compact day.

At $23 per person, the base cost looks excellent. It includes a licensed tourist boat, captain, local guide, snorkeling mask, life jacket, picnic lunch, and one 330 ml bottle of purified water served with lunch. That is a useful bundle, especially if you want a simple day without arranging each stop yourself.

Still, budget for the environmental fee of 400 PHP per person, valid for five days, plus the 200 PHP Big Lagoon user fee. Kayaking is another 300 PHP for two seats or 350 PHP for three seats. Water shoes cost 100 PHP to rent, and fins cost 150 PHP. Hotel transfers are not included.

So the advertised rate is a good starting point, not the final number. Even with the required fees and a kayak, the tour can offer solid value because it joins several major El Nido sights with lunch and equipment. Just do the arithmetic before booking, especially if you are traveling with a family.

The experience has a 4.4 rating from 132 bookings, and the strongest praise centers on the scenery, the fun guides, the food, and the feeling of safety. The common cautions are equally clear: expect crowds, limited time at some beaches, and a wait if kayaks are not immediately available.

Starting at Marbers and getting ready

The meeting point is Marbers Resto Bar, at the Calle Hama Beach Front. Enter the restaurant and look for Annabelle or any Alexzus staff member.

The published start time can vary, so check availability when booking. Build in patience at the meeting point. One group waited around 45 minutes before setting off, which can be frustrating when you have a six-hour schedule ahead of you.

Bring cash for rentals, fees, drinks, and snacks. Pack a sun hat, sunglasses, beachwear, a change of clothes, insect repellent, and a waterproof camera. You are also advised to bring extra water, since the included purified bottle is only 330 ml and is served at lunch.

The crew provides life jackets, but this is still an active day. You will board and leave the boat several times, paddle a kayak, walk over uneven rock, swim or snorkel, and spend time in strong sun. If you need a wheelchair, this tour is not suitable.

Seven Commandos Beach, one hour of sand and palms

Seven Commandos Beach is the first full stop. The setting is made for a relaxed start, with powdery white sand, palm trees, a swing, and clear water for swimming. You can sunbathe, take photos, play volleyball, or buy a fresh coconut or cold drink if available.

The allotted hour is pleasant but tight. If you want to swim, take pictures, sit under the palms, and enjoy the beach without watching the clock, you may wish for more time. This is one of the tour’s recurring trade-offs: the route gives you a broad taste of El Nido, but each stop gets only a fixed slice of the day.

I like having the beach first because it lets you settle into the pace before the more active lagoon visits. You will also get scenic views from the boat along the way, with the limestone walls providing the setting that makes El Nido famous.

Big Lagoon by kayak, the visual centerpiece

Big Lagoon is the main event for many people. You leave the boat and paddle across calm, turquoise water enclosed by tall limestone cliffs. The scale is impressive, but the mood can also be quiet when the water settles and the paddling traffic thins.

Kayak rental is not included. A two-seat kayak costs 300 PHP, while a three-seat kayak costs 350 PHP. For most people, this is money well spent because paddling lets you move at your own pace and get closer to the cliff walls than you would from the main boat.

Allow 105 minutes for this part of the route, including sightseeing and kayaking. That sounds generous, but the stop can become complicated when demand is high. One group had to return to Big Lagoon three times because no kayaks were available at first. The crew adjusted the route by visiting other places while waiting, but the delay shows why the schedule can shift.

There is also a small cave you may reach by kayaking around the area. Since access depends on conditions and timing, treat it as a possible extra rather than a guaranteed feature.

Big Lagoon is a good reason to choose this trip, but it is not a private photo session. The route is popular, and boats, kayaks, and people can gather in the same space. Go expecting magnificent scenery with some waiting and shared access.

Shimizu Island, snorkeling and a beach lunch

Shimizu Island receives about 105 minutes, making it the longest scheduled stop. This is where lunch and snorkeling come together.

The included picnic meal is Filipino style, with grilled fish, chicken, prawns, pancit, rice, vegetables, melon, eggplant, and other dishes. The amount of food can be generous, but timing matters. If you are among the last people to serve yourself, popular items may be gone. I would move through the line promptly rather than waiting too long, especially if you are hungry after kayaking and swimming.

Vegetarian diners should take note. One traveler found the non-meat selection limited to rice and noodles. The supplied details do not promise a dedicated vegetarian meal, so contact the operator before the day if your diet is strict.

After eating, you can use the included mask and snorkel to explore the reef. The water is described as full of colorful coral and tropical fish, and snorkeling is one of the trip’s most consistently praised parts. The exact site can change with sea conditions. It may be Shimizu Island, Advance, or South Miniloc.

That flexibility is useful. The crew can choose a safer or better location when conditions change, but you should not assume the name of the snorkeling site will remain fixed. Fins are optional and cost 150 PHP to rent. Many people manage without them, but fins can help if you plan to spend longer in the water.

The boat crew also receives credit for helping people board and leave the boat. That matters here, since wet steps, equipment, and changing sea conditions can make simple transfers awkward.

Secret Lagoon, a short walk into a hidden pool

Secret Lagoon is a different sort of stop. Instead of paddling across a broad open area, you pass through a small opening in the rock into a natural pool enclosed by limestone walls.

The visit lasts about 45 minutes. It is enough to see the unusual entrance and enjoy the enclosed setting, but queues can affect how much time you actually spend inside. The entrance can also be awkward for anyone who is not a confident swimmer.

Water shoes are especially useful here. The ocean floor near the entrance has many rocks, and flip-flops can slip off or float away. The rental price is 100 PHP per pair, though sandals with secure straps may work if you already own them.

The crew may help guide people toward the entrance, but you should still be comfortable with the physical demands. Do not touch marine life, animals, or plants, and follow the guide’s instructions around the rocks.

The people make a difference

This tour includes a licensed local guide and professional boat crew, not just transportation between beaches. The guide speaks English and is expected to provide safety briefings, directions, and local color during the day.

The personality of the guide can shape the experience. Arnold is praised for his humor and for keeping the group entertained. Anderson and Ken Kyle are also singled out for making the trip memorable. The tone seems friendly and energetic rather than formal.

That said, the amount of information at each stop may vary. One person wanted more explanation about the places visited. If you are looking for detailed natural history or long talks about local culture, this may feel light. If you prefer a cheerful guide who keeps the day moving, that approach may suit you better.

Private groups are available, which could help if you want more control over the pace. The supplied details do not specify the private-group price, so ask for that before booking.

Crowds, timing, and the practical trade-offs

The route is popular because it covers El Nido’s best-known sights. Popularity brings a real cost: crowded boats, busy beaches, and possible queues at Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon.

The six-hour duration also means the day has a brisk rhythm. One hour at Seven Commandos, 105 minutes at Big Lagoon, 105 minutes at Shimizu Island, and 45 minutes at Secret Lagoon leaves little room for delays. If you want to linger at one beach for half a day, choose a slower or more tailored trip instead.

On the other hand, limited time can be an advantage if you have only a short stay in El Nido. You can sample four major stops, eat a full lunch, snorkel, and kayak without spending a second day arranging separate outings.

The route may change slightly according to sea conditions. Snorkeling can move to Advance or South Miniloc, and the order may shift if kayaks are not available. That flexibility is sensible, but it means the itinerary should be treated as a plan rather than a guarantee of exact timing.

Who should book this island day?

I would recommend it to first-time El Nido visitors who want the famous sights in one outing. It also suits active couples, families with older children, and anyone who likes a social boat day with several types of activity.

It is a particularly good choice if you want kayaking and snorkeling but do not want to organize boat hire, equipment, lunch, and access fees separately. The crew’s friendly style is another plus if you enjoy jokes and a lively atmosphere.

I would hesitate if you need a quiet, uncrowded beach day, have limited mobility, require a strict vegetarian menu, or dislike extra charges appearing after the headline price. Strong swimmers and people comfortable on uneven rock will find Secret Lagoon easier than those who prefer gentle, fully accessible stops.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful when weather or plans are uncertain, but they do not change the physical demands of the outing.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

Book it if you want a good-value introduction to El Nido, especially for your first visit. Big Lagoon by kayak, the coral snorkeling, and the warm crew are the strongest reasons to go. The lunch is substantial, and the route gives you a lot for one half-day.

Just arrive with cash, secure footwear, sun protection, and realistic expectations about crowds. Add the environmental and lagoon fees to your budget, and do not expect long, peaceful hours at each beach.

For a compact day that combines paddling, swimming, snorkeling, beaches, and dramatic limestone cliffs, Alexzus Travel and Tours offers a practical choice. If you prefer more time in fewer places, pay extra for a private option or choose a slower itinerary.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

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 kayak rental included?

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

Are the environmental and Big Lagoon fees included?

No. 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 entry.

What food is served at lunch?

Lunch is served at Shimizu Island and includes Filipino-style food such as grilled fish, chicken, prawns, pancit, rice, vegetables, melon, and eggplant. Vegetarian choices may be limited.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A mask and snorkel are included. Fins are optional and cost 150 PHP to rent.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.