El Nido: Secret Lagoon Island Hopping with Lunch

El Nido’s best-known sights arrive in one busy, beautiful sweep on this six-hour boat trip. You’ll paddle or swim at Big Lagoon, snorkel around Shimizu Island, squeeze through the small entrance to Secret Lagoon, and finish on Seven Commandos Beach.

I like the mix of scenery and water time, plus the fact that lunch and boat transport are included in the $34 price. I also like the practical help from the boat crew, especially when getting in and out of the water. The main catch is that the beaches and lagoons are not quiet hideaways, and some shore landings require waist-deep wading.

Key points to know before booking

• Big Lagoon may require an extra fee and kayak rental: The lagoon entry fee is PHP 200 per person, and kayaks cost extra.
• The total cost is more than $34: You also pay a PHP 400 environmental fee, plus the Big Lagoon charge if that stop is available.
• You may need to wade to the boat: Water landings can reach waist depth, so a dry bag is a smart purchase.
• The route covers four major stops: Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, and Seven Commandos Beach.
• Snorkeling gear is not included: Masks, snorkels, flippers, water shoes, and kayaks cost extra or must be brought separately.
• Big Lagoon access is limited: If tickets are gone, the guide takes you to another spot instead.

Four famous El Nido stops in six hours

This is a compact introduction to El Nido’s limestone islands. You are not simply riding around looking at cliffs from a boat. The day gives you time for paddling, swimming, snorkeling, beach time, and a picnic lunch.

The schedule begins at either Jarace Grill or Marber’s Restaurant in downtown El Nido. Your return is to one of those same two locations. Hotel pickup is not included, so check your booking details carefully and allow time to reach the correct meeting point.

The tour runs for about six hours. That makes it useful if you have limited time in town or want to leave room for another activity later. It also means each stop is fairly focused. You should expect a full day of scenery and activity, not long, lazy hours at one beach.

Big Lagoon and the extra cost of kayaking

Big Lagoon is the dramatic opening act. Tall limestone cliffs rise around clear turquoise water, creating the classic El Nido view you have probably seen in photographs. The water inside the lagoon is calmer than the open sea, making it suitable for a paddle or a swim.

Kayaking is optional, but it changes how you experience the place. From a kayak, you can move at your own pace and look closely at the rock walls and shallow water. It is also physical work. One customer found the kayaking fun but tiring when paddling alone, so do not assume this will be effortless sightseeing.

The Big Lagoon entry fee is PHP 200 per person, and kayak rental is not included. If you are trying to keep the price low, you can ask what other options are available at the stop, but the tour information clearly treats kayaking as an extra expense.

Access to Big Lagoon is limited. If tickets have sold out, the route changes to another location. This is important because the headline stop is not guaranteed, even though the rest of the day still includes several strong sights.

Shimizu Island for coral and fish

Shimizu Island is the main snorkeling stop named on the route. The water around the island offers coral gardens and tropical fish, giving you a chance to trade the wide views of Big Lagoon for a closer look at marine life.

The tour also includes another snorkeling location. The exact second site is not named, so you should think of it as a flexible stop rather than a promised landmark. That flexibility can help the guide choose a suitable place for the conditions, but it also means you cannot plan around a specific reef.

Masks, snorkels, and flippers are not included. Bring your own equipment if you have it, or expect to rent gear separately. Life vests are provided, which is useful if you are not a strong swimmer. The water activities are open to more people because you can use a flotation vest, but you still need to be comfortable entering the water from the boat or shore.

Sea turtles may be seen during the snorkeling portions. They are not guaranteed, so treat them as a possible bonus rather than the main reason to book.

Secret Lagoon through a narrow opening

Secret Lagoon is the most playful stop on the route. A small opening in the limestone leads into an enclosed pool surrounded by rock walls. The entrance itself is part of the fun, although it can feel tight when several groups arrive at once.

Inside, the mood changes quickly. The open sea disappears behind the rocks, and you get a short pause in a more enclosed setting. This is a good place for photographs, but do not expect solitude. The name suggests a private hideaway, yet this is one of El Nido’s known stops.

You may need to leave the boat in the water to reach the shore or entrance. Wear clothing that can get wet and keep your phone in a waterproof pouch. A dry bag is especially useful because the route includes repeated transitions between boat and beach.

Seven Commandos Beach as the easy finish

Seven Commandos Beach gives you a relaxed final stop after the more active lagoon and snorkeling sections. It has white sand, coconut trees, and room to swim or simply sit by the water.

You can also play beach volleyball. That small detail makes the stop feel less formal than a quick photo call. If you are tired, you can skip the game and use the time to cool off before returning to El Nido.

The beach is also affected by the popularity of the route. Expect other people, boats, and activity rather than an empty stretch of sand. The reward is easy access to a scenic beach without needing to arrange a separate trip.

Lunch on an island, with a practical catch

A picnic lunch is included and served on one of the islands. That saves you from carrying a full meal and gives the day a useful pause between water activities.

The supplied information does not specify the menu, so you should not book this expecting a particular dish or dietary arrangement. If you have food restrictions, ask the operator before booking rather than relying on the standard picnic.

Eating on a beach sounds effortless, but it can be awkward. Tables, shade, and firm seating are not described, and one older customer found shore dining difficult. If you have trouble walking on sand, stepping from a boat, or sitting low, this trip may not suit you.

Getting on the boat and staying dry

The most important practical detail is the water entry. At least one shore transfer can involve wading to the boat, with water reaching around the waist. Several stops may also require you to leave the boat in the water.

A life vest is provided for every participant. That helps non-swimmers or nervous swimmers, but it does not keep your phone, wallet, or camera dry. Bring a waterproof pouch or dry bag. If you want to take photographs, this is not an optional extra in practical terms.

Wear comfortable clothes that can get wet. Water shoes are not included, and they can make rocky or sandy entries easier. Flippers are also not included, so check your gear before setting out.

The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. The reason is clear: you must handle boat steps, wet landings, sand, and possibly uneven rock near the lagoon entrance.

What the $34 price really covers

At $34 per person, the base price is appealing for a six-hour trip with boat transfers, an English-speaking licensed guide, life vests, and lunch. You are paying for a broad route rather than a single attraction, and the number of major stops gives the day good value.

Still, the advertised price is not the final cost. Add the PHP 400 environmental fee per person. Add another PHP 200 for Big Lagoon if that visit goes ahead. Kayak rental, snorkeling gear, water shoes, and hotel transfers are separate.

That makes this a good value if you already have some equipment and are happy with a group-style day. The price is less attractive if you need to rent several items or want private transport from your hotel.

A private group option is available. The supplied details do not state the private-group surcharge or exact group size, so ask for the full price before choosing it. A private arrangement could be worthwhile if you want more control over timing, but the standard trip is the more economical choice.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend this tour to an active first-time visitor who wants the major El Nido sights in one outing. You get cliffs, lagoons, reefs, beaches, swimming, and lunch without arranging several separate bookings.

It also works well for people who want support in the water. The boat crew is described as helpful, and the included life vest gives you a bit more confidence during shore transfers and snorkeling.

You may want another option if you need quiet beaches, dislike wet landings, or have limited mobility. You should also think twice if your main goal is long snorkeling sessions. The route has several stops, so time in the water is divided between sites.

Families and older participants should consider the physical side carefully. The tour is not labeled suitable for people with mobility impairments, and shore meals can be challenging for anyone who struggles with sand or low seating.

Simple ways to prepare

Bring only what you can protect from water. A phone, camera, cash, and room key should go into a dry bag before you reach the boat.

I would also pack:

• Comfortable clothes that dry quickly
• A towel
• Sun protection
• Water shoes if you own them
• Your own mask and snorkel if you prefer a better fit
• A waterproof phone pouch
• Extra cash for fees and rentals

Keep your belongings light. You will move between boat, beach, lagoon, and snorkeling water several times, and there may not be a dry place to set everything down.

Before departure, confirm your environmental fee and keep the QR code available for verification. You must have this fee settled before boarding, and the guide cannot let you join the boat without proof. The fee is collected at the transport terminal, hotel, or municipal hall, not as part of the tour price.

Booking flexibility and timing

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also helps if your El Nido plans are still shifting.

Starting times depend on availability. The meeting point depends on the option you book, with Jarace Grill and Marber’s listed as the two starting locations. Do not assume hotel pickup. Plan to reach the stated downtown meeting point on your own.

English is the listed tour language. A licensed guide leads the day, and the guide handles the route, stops, and boat movements. The route may change if Big Lagoon access is unavailable.

Should you book this El Nido tour?

Book it if you want a well-rounded six-hour introduction to El Nido at a reasonable starting price. The combination of Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, Seven Commandos Beach, lunch, and boat transport gives you plenty for one day.

Go in with realistic expectations. The secret places are popular, the water entries can be wet and awkward, and the final cost rises once you add environmental fees, the Big Lagoon charge, and optional gear.

My practical verdict: this is a strong choice for active visitors who value variety over solitude. Bring a dry bag, confirm the environmental fee before you go, budget for extras, and choose it for the scenery and range of stops, not for an empty beach experience.

FAQ

How long is the El Nido island-hopping tour?

The tour lasts six hours.

What locations are included?

The route includes Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, and Seven Commandos Beach. Another snorkeling location is also included, but its name is not specified.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic lunch on one of the islands is included.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel transfers are not included. You meet at either Jarace Grill or Marber’s Restaurant, depending on the option booked.

What extra fees must I pay?

You must pay the El Nido environmental fee of PHP 400 per person. Big Lagoon also has a PHP 200 entry fee per person if that stop is available.

Is kayaking included?

No. Kayak rental at Big Lagoon is not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Masks, snorkels, and flippers are not included. Life vests are provided.

Do I need to pay the environmental fee before the tour?

Yes. You must pay it at the transport terminal, hotel, or municipal hall and keep the QR code for verification. You cannot board without it.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.