El Nido: Secret Lagoon Island Hopping with Lunch

El Nido’s best sights arrive by boat, and this six-hour outing packs four of them into one easy day: the grand Big Lagoon, coral-rich Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, and Seven Commandos Beach. The limestone cliffs and clear water do most of the talking, while your guide handles the route and boat transfers. Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon provide the day’s signature scenery.

I like the mix of activities. You get paddling and swimming, two snorkeling stops, a beach break, and a picnic lunch rather than four look-but-don’t-touch viewpoints. I also like the practical setup: boat transfers, a licensed guide, lunch, and life vests are included for $34 per person.

The catch is that this is not a dry-footed sightseeing trip. You may wade waist-deep from shore to the boat and step into the water at some stops. The famous sites can also be busy, and Big Lagoon may require a separate kayak rental if you want to paddle.

Key points before you book

• Big Lagoon is the headline stop: You can take in its steep limestone walls by boat, swim, or rent a kayak for a closer look.
• Secret Lagoon requires a short water-level entrance: A small opening in the rock leads to a calm pool surrounded by cliffs.
• Two snorkeling stops add real variety: Shimizu Island and another nearby site offer coral, tropical fish, and the possibility of seeing a sea turtle.
• You will pay extra on the day: The El Nido environmental fee is Php 400, and Big Lagoon entry costs Php 200 per person.
• Prepare for wet transfers: A previous guest reported wading waist-deep to reach the boat, so protect your phone and spare clothes.
• The $34 price covers the basics well: Lunch, the guide, boat transportation, and life vests are included, but snorkeling gear and hotel pickup are not.

What the $34 price really covers

At $34 per person, this tour offers solid value for a six-hour outing in one of Palawan’s most sought-after areas. You are paying for the boat, a licensed English-speaking guide, lunch, and life vests. Those are the costly and useful parts of an island-hopping day.

The price does not cover everything. Add Php 400 per person for El Nido’s environmental or tourism development fee and Php 200 per person for Big Lagoon entry. That makes a total of Php 600 in required extra charges, before any kayak rental or personal equipment.

Snorkeling masks, snorkels, and flippers are not included. Water shoes are also extra, and neither hotel pickup nor drop-off is provided. You meet at either Jarace Grill or Marber’s Restaurant downtown, depending on the option you book, and return to one of those two locations.

That arrangement keeps the headline price low, but you should budget honestly. If you need a mask, snorkel, fins, water shoes, and a kayak, the final cost will rise. The tour still makes sense if you already have some gear or are happy to keep the day simple.

Starting at Jarace Grill or Marber’s

The morning begins at one of two downtown meeting points, Jarace Grill or Marber’s. Since hotel transfers are not included, allow time to reach the correct restaurant and confirm your selected meeting point before leaving your accommodation.

You must also have your El Nido environmental fee arranged before boarding. The fee can be paid at the transport terminal, a hotel, or the municipal hall. Keep the QR code available for checking. Without proof of payment, the guide will not allow you onto the boat, and the booking fee is not refunded.

This is one of those small details that can spoil an otherwise good day if ignored. Put the QR code on your phone and keep a screenshot available in case the signal is poor.

Bring comfortable clothing, but think beyond ordinary beachwear. You may enter the water several times, so a swimsuit, quick-drying clothes, sun protection, and a dry bag are sensible choices. One previous guest specifically advised buying a wet bag for a phone and valuables. That is excellent advice here.

Big Lagoon and the limits of a popular icon

Big Lagoon gives you the classic El Nido scene: tall limestone cliffs rising around clear turquoise water. The scale is impressive, and the quiet water makes it a natural place to paddle or take a refreshing swim.

The activity describes this as a guided visit, so your guide should help you understand where to go and how the stop fits into the day. The exact amount of time at each location is not stated, and six hours must cover boat travel, lunch, and four stops. Plan for a memorable visit, not an unhurried morning spent only inside the lagoon.

Kayaking is an optional extra. One guest found paddling around Big Lagoon fun but tiring, especially when handling the kayak alone. That is useful context. The lagoon looks calm, but a kayak still requires work, and you may prefer to share the effort if that option is available.

Entry to Big Lagoon is limited. If access is no longer available, the group visits another location instead. This is worth understanding before you book, since Big Lagoon is the stop many people picture first when they think of this tour.

The good news is that the replacement plan still keeps you on the water and among El Nido’s limestone scenery. The less good news is that you cannot assume the named lagoon is guaranteed. Pay the separate entrance fee only with this possibility in mind.

Shimizu Island and two chances to snorkel

Shimizu Island shifts the day from grand scenery to sea life. It is one of the main snorkeling stops, with coral reefs and tropical fish in the water around the island.

The tour also includes another prime snorkeling location. The supplied details do not name this second site, but the aim is clear: you get another chance to see coral gardens, small reef fish, and possibly a sea turtle. That second stop matters because marine conditions and visibility can change. If one area is less clear or less active, the next may offer a better look.

Do not assume equipment is waiting on the boat. Masks, snorkels, and flippers are not included, so confirm your rental plans before setting out. Water shoes are also excluded. They are useful where the seabed or shoreline is uneven, though the tour does not promise a particular kind of entry at each snorkeling site.

Life vests are provided. That helps if you are not a confident swimmer, especially because getting from shore to the boat may require wading. Still, a life vest does not remove the need to take care around rocks, ladders, and wet boat steps.

The snorkeling is best suited to people who want a simple introduction to El Nido’s marine life rather than a specialist reef excursion. You get two opportunities, which is a strong feature for the price, but the schedule also includes several other stops.

Secret Lagoon through the rock opening

Secret Lagoon is the most playful stop on the route. A small opening in the limestone leads into a sheltered pool, where the high rock walls create a strong sense of separation from the open sea.

You should expect a short, physical entrance rather than a grand dock. The opening is part of the appeal, but it also means the stop may feel cramped when many boats arrive. The word secret describes the shape of the entrance, not an empty beach known only to a few people.

That distinction matters. The location is photogenic and special, yet popular. If you expect complete solitude, you may be disappointed. Instead, focus on the unusual rock passage, the calm water inside, and the change in mood from the open boat ride.

Take care with your phone here. Water entry and narrow rock spaces are a poor combination for loose belongings. A sealed wet bag lets you take pictures without gambling with your phone.

Seven Commandos Beach for the final swim

Seven Commandos Beach provides the easiest finish to the route. It has white sand, coconut trees, and room to swim, relax, or play beach volleyball.

After snorkeling and moving between islands, this stop gives you a chance to slow down. You can simply sit on the sand and look back at the cliffs, or use the time for one last swim. The beach is also a better setting for a relaxed break than the tighter spaces at Secret Lagoon.

As with the other famous stops, do not count on having the shore to yourself. The beach is well known, and the tour’s appeal comes partly from visiting El Nido’s most popular places in one day. If you want quiet, use the pause to find a less crowded stretch rather than expecting total isolation.

Lunch on an island, with a wet day in mind

A picnic lunch is included and served on one of the islands. The meal gives you a proper pause between stops and keeps you from having to arrange food during the boat route.

The details of the menu are not provided, so do not book this expecting a particular dish or dietary arrangement. You can, however, expect a straightforward picnic meal rather than a restaurant setting. Bring water and any personal snacks you may need, especially if you have specific dietary requirements.

Eating by the shore sounds effortless, but it can be less comfortable than a table. One older guest found getting to the shoreline challenging. Sand, shallow water, and boat access can all require extra care, particularly for anyone with limited balance or mobility.

This is not a suitable choice for people with mobility impairments. Even able-bodied visitors should wear secure footwear, keep valuables protected, and accept that the day involves climbing in and out of a boat.

Wet transfers are part of the adventure

The most useful practical warning is simple: you may get wet before the sightseeing even begins. One previous guest reported wading waist-deep from the shore to the boat. At several locations, you may also leave the boat directly into the water.

Life vests are supplied, so you do not need to be a strong swimmer to take part. But you should be comfortable with wet transfers and follow the crew’s instructions. Keep cameras, wallets, passports, and dry clothes in a waterproof bag.

A sensible packing list includes:

• Swimsuit and quick-drying clothing
• Waterproof phone pouch or wet bag
• Sun protection
• Comfortable sandals or water shoes
• Cash for the Php 400 environmental fee and Php 200 Big Lagoon fee
• Personal snorkeling equipment if you do not want to rent it

The tour specifically lists explosive substances as prohibited. That is an obvious rule, but the larger point is that this is a boat and beach activity, not a formal sightseeing outing. Pack light and protect anything that cannot get wet.

Who will get the most from this six-hour route

I would choose this trip if you want a broad sample of El Nido in one day. The route gives you limestone scenery, snorkeling, a lagoon, a beach, lunch, and guided boat transport without requiring you to plan four separate stops.

It suits active couples, friends, and families with older children who can manage water entry. It also works for visitors with limited time in El Nido who want the major sights in a compact schedule.

I would be more cautious if you have mobility problems, dislike getting wet, or want a quiet and private experience. The tour is not designed around empty beaches or long periods in one place. Its strength is variety.

A private group is available, which may be worth considering if you want more control over the pace or prefer to spend the day with your own party. The supplied details do not state the private-group price or exact group size, so check those points before paying.

Booking, cancellation, and timing details

The advertised duration is six hours. Starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule before you commit to other plans that day.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful when your El Nido plans are still moving around.

The tour is conducted in English, and a licensed guide accompanies you. No individual guide names are provided, so you should not book this expecting a particular person. The crew’s role is especially useful for boat movements, entry points, and keeping the route on schedule.

The tour has an overall rating of 4.4 from three reviews. The most praised points are the beauty of the places, the helpful boat crew, the enjoyable kayaking, and the fact that the day delivers a lot of scenery and activity. The main complaints are practical rather than fundamental: shore access can be hard for older people, kayaking can be tiring, and the wet transfers and crowds should be explained more clearly in advance.

Should you book this El Nido island tour?

Book it if you want a well-priced sampler of El Nido’s famous water sights and you are ready for a wet, active day. The combination of Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, Seven Commandos Beach, snorkeling, lunch, and boat transport is good value at $34, provided you add the required fees and equipment costs to your budget.

Skip it if your priority is solitude, easy dry-land access, or a slow day at one beach. Big Lagoon access is not guaranteed, the sites can be busy, and kayaking and snorkeling gear cost extra.

My practical verdict: bring a dry bag, arrange the environmental fee early, carry cash, and treat the tour as an energetic introduction to El Nido rather than a private escape. For that purpose, it offers a strong mix of scenery and activity.

FAQ

How long does the El Nido island-hopping tour last?

The tour lasts six hours. Starting times vary, so you should check availability when booking.

Where does the tour start and finish?

The available meeting and drop-off points are Jarace Grill and Marber’s Restaurant. The exact point may depend on the option you book. Hotel transfers are not included.

Is lunch included?

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

Do I need to pay any extra entrance fees?

Yes. The El Nido environmental or tourism development fee is Php 400 per person, and Big Lagoon entry is Php 200 per person. These fees are collected separately.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Masks, snorkels, and flippers are not included. Water shoes and kayak rental are also excluded.

Can I cancel the booking for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The tour also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.