El Nido: Secret Lagoon Island Hopping with Lunch

El Nido’s best-known sights come together in one busy, beautiful day here: Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commandos Beach. You’ll paddle, snorkel, swim, eat lunch by the sea, and spend much of the day surrounded by limestone cliffs and clear water.

I like the mix of famous scenery and time in the water. I also like that the $34 price includes lunch, boat transport, a guide, and a life vest, making this a useful choice if you want the main El Nido sights without arranging several separate outings.

The trade-off is that these places are popular. You should also expect to enter the water from shore or from the boat, sometimes at about waist depth, and Big Lagoon has a separate entry fee. This is not the easiest trip for anyone with limited mobility.

Key points

• Big Lagoon sets the tone: Towering limestone cliffs and calm turquoise water make this the tour’s main scenic stop.
• Secret Lagoon requires a short water entry: You pass through a small opening in the rocks to reach the enclosed pool.
• Shimizu Island is the main snorkeling stop: Expect coral, tropical fish, and the possibility of seeing a sea turtle.
• The $34 price covers the basics: Lunch, boat transfers, a licensed guide, and life vests are included.
• Extra fees matter: Bring money for the 400 Philippine peso environmental fee and the 200 peso Big Lagoon fee.
• Water access affects comfort: A dry bag, water shoes, and your own mask and snorkel can make the day easier.

What this six-hour El Nido boat tour is really like

This is a compact island-hopping trip built around El Nido’s famous scenery. You meet at either Jarace Grill or Marber’s Restaurant downtown, then board a boat for a chain of stops around the bay and nearby islands.

The pace is active. You are not simply riding around taking pictures. You’ll get into the water, walk on beaches, snorkel, and possibly paddle at Big Lagoon. The boat transfers keep the day moving, but the schedule also means you should expect short visits rather than long, quiet stays at each place.

An English-speaking licensed guide leads the tour. A private group option is available, though the supplied details do not state the maximum size of a standard group. If you value personal space, ask about the private option before booking.

Big Lagoon and the first look at El Nido’s cliffs

Big Lagoon is the visual centerpiece. The boat brings you toward a narrow opening in the limestone, where the cliffs rise around calm turquoise water. It is the kind of place that explains why El Nido appears on so many Philippine itineraries.

You can take a guided visit through the lagoon, swim, or rent a kayak. Kayak rental is not included, so you’ll need to pay separately if you want to paddle. Kayaking gives you a closer, quieter way to see the rock walls, but it can be tiring if you are doing all the paddling yourself.

That point matters more than it may sound. One visitor found the kayaking enjoyable but tiring because he was the only person paddling. If you are older, have limited upper-body strength, or simply want to save energy for snorkeling, check the rental setup before setting out. A short paddle can still be worthwhile, but do not assume it will feel effortless.

Big Lagoon access is controlled. If entry is no longer available, the tour will visit a different location instead. This is an important condition for anyone booking mainly for the lagoon. The tour still offers several other strong stops, but you should not treat Big Lagoon as absolutely guaranteed.

There is also a separate 200 peso Big Lagoon entry fee. It is collected on site, so keep some Philippine currency ready.

Shimizu Island brings the underwater portion

After the lagoon, the boat heads to Shimizu Island, one of the tour’s main snorkeling locations. The point here is not only the view from the boat. You’ll have a chance to see coral gardens and tropical fish in the water around the island.

Snorkeling gear is not included. You need to bring or rent your own mask, snorkel, and flippers if you want them. The tour does provide life vests, which help if you are not a confident swimmer, but a life vest is not a substitute for comfort in open water.

You should also expect to enter the water directly from the boat or from the shore at some stops. The water can reach about waist depth during the first approach to the boat, and some island landings also require a short water crossing. Even non-swimmers can manage this with a life vest according to the available experience, but you need to be willing and able to wade.

A waterproof or dry bag is one of the most useful things to bring. Phones and other belongings can get wet before you reach the boat, and ordinary bags offer little protection. A dry bag also lets you keep your camera close without worrying every time you step off the boat.

The second snorkeling stop adds variety

The route includes another snorkeling location beyond Shimizu Island. Its name is not specified, but the purpose is clear: you get another chance to see tropical fish, coral, and other sea life.

This second stop helps balance the day. Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon are mainly about rock formations and enclosed water, while the snorkeling stops give you a different view of El Nido. If you enjoy looking beneath the surface, these moments may be among the most rewarding parts of the trip.

Marine life is never guaranteed, but the tour specifically highlights the possibility of seeing sea turtles. Keep your expectations sensible. You may see fish and coral gardens, and you might spot a turtle, but no guide can promise a particular animal at a particular stop.

If snorkeling is your priority, bring your own equipment if possible. The tour’s included life vest is useful, but mask, snorkel, and flippers are listed as extra items. Comfortable clothes are the only clothing item specifically required, though a swimsuit under your clothes is a practical choice for a day built around swimming.

Secret Lagoon requires a little scrambling and wading

Secret Lagoon is reached through a small opening in the limestone. Passing through that gap reveals a quiet pool surrounded by tall rock walls, giving the stop a more enclosed feel than Big Lagoon.

The name suggests solitude, but you should not expect to have the place to yourself. Popular El Nido stops can be busy, and the Secret Lagoon is no exception. The setting remains photogenic, but the experience is more about seeing an unusual natural passage and enclosed pool than finding complete silence.

The entrance is also a practical consideration. You need to get into the water and move through a narrow opening. This is not a good fit for anyone with a mobility impairment, and it may feel awkward if you are carrying a phone, camera, or loose belongings. Pack light for the shore stops and keep anything valuable in a dry bag.

This is one reason the trip feels active rather than leisurely. You are repeatedly getting off the boat, walking or wading, and climbing back aboard. For most people that adds to the fun. For anyone with sore knees, balance issues, or trouble entering water, it can make the day harder.

Seven Commandos Beach gives you time to slow down

Seven Commandos Beach is the final major stop. Compared with the lagoons, it opens into a more classic beach scene, with white sand, coconut trees, and room to swim or relax.

You can spend this part of the tour in whatever way suits your energy. Swim, sit on the beach, take photos, or play beach volleyball. After the earlier water entries and snorkeling, the beach provides a welcome chance to stop rushing.

Do not expect a completely empty beach. The tour’s stops are popular, and the beach atmosphere can be shared with other groups. Still, Seven Commandos gives the itinerary a useful finish because it is less physically demanding than paddling or squeezing through a rock opening.

The beach is also where comfort can become an issue for older visitors. Getting from the boat to shore and eating by the water may be challenging if you have limited mobility. The boat crew can help, but the tour is not designed as an accessible outing.

Lunch is simple, useful, and eaten outdoors

A picnic lunch is included and served on one of the islands. The meal keeps the price reasonable because you do not need to arrange food during the day, and it saves you from returning to town between stops.

Expect a practical beach meal rather than a restaurant lunch. You’ll be eating outdoors, close to the shore, with sand, sun, and water all part of the setting. That is part of the appeal, but it also means you should not expect air conditioning, formal seating, or a long meal break.

The lunch timing also matters. You may be ready for food after snorkeling and paddling, and the meal gives you a chance to recharge before the final stop. Bring water and any personal snacks you need, since the included item is described as a picnic lunch but the exact menu is not specified.

What the $34 price covers, and what it does not

At $34 per person, this is a solid value if you want a guided overview of El Nido’s major island stops. The price includes:

• Picnic lunch
• Boat transfers
• Service of a licensed tour guide
• Life vest use

Those inclusions cover the expensive and necessary parts of the day. You do not need to arrange a boat yourself, and you have a guide to help manage the route and stops.

The advertised price is not your complete cost. You must pay:

• 400 Philippine pesos for the El Nido environmental or tourism development fee
• 200 Philippine pesos for Big Lagoon entry, if the lagoon is available

Hotel transfers are not included. You must make your own way to the downtown meeting point at Jarace Grill or Marber’s Restaurant, depending on the option you book. Kayak rental and snorkeling equipment are also extra.

That makes the tour best value for someone who already has easy access to downtown El Nido and either owns basic water gear or does not mind arranging it separately. If you add transfers, kayak hire, and snorkeling equipment, your final cost will rise.

Water access, equipment, and comfort tips

The most important preparation is accepting that this is a wet trip. You may wade from shore to the boat, and several stops require you to leave the boat in the water. Life vests are provided, but you should still be comfortable getting wet.

Bring:

• Comfortable clothes
• A dry bag for your phone and wallet
• Cash for the two required fees
• Your own mask, snorkel, and flippers if you have them
• Water shoes if you prefer extra foot protection

Water shoes and snorkeling equipment are not included. They may make the rocky or wet entries easier, but the supplied details do not specify the exact footing at each stop, so do not assume they are required.

Keep your belongings to a minimum. A large beach bag is awkward when you are wading, boarding a boat, snorkeling, and moving through the Secret Lagoon opening. A small dry bag is much more useful than a suitcase-style day bag.

Explosive substances are not allowed, which is obvious but worth noting for anyone carrying unusual equipment or supplies. The tour is conducted in English.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would choose this trip if you want the main El Nido sights in one organized outing and do not mind a full six hours of activity. It suits couples, friends, and families with older children who can swim, wade, and manage repeated boat transfers.

It is also a good match if you want a guided experience but still want choices during the day. You can kayak at Big Lagoon, snorkel at Shimizu Island and another site, swim at Seven Commandos, or simply enjoy the scenery from the boat.

I would be more cautious if you have limited mobility, dislike getting into the water, or need a quiet, uncrowded beach experience. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the most famous stops can be busy.

The private group option may suit you if you want more control over the pace, but the available information does not explain how much extra it costs or how the private route differs. Ask those questions before paying.

Should you book this El Nido island-hopping tour?

Book it if you want a reasonably priced introduction to El Nido’s signature sights and are happy to accept some crowds, extra fees, and wet boarding conditions. Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, and Seven Commandos Beach give you a good spread of scenery, snorkeling, swimming, and beach time.

Skip it if you need hotel pickup, supplied snorkeling gear, guaranteed Big Lagoon access, or an easy step-from-boat-to-sand experience. The key is to arrive prepared with cash, a dry bag, and realistic expectations about how active the day will be.

FAQ

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $34 per person. You must also pay the 400 Philippine peso El Nido environmental or tourism development fee and the 200 peso Big Lagoon entry fee when applicable.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts six hours. Starting times depend on availability.

What destinations are included?

The route includes Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, and Seven Commandos Beach. It also includes another snorkeling stop whose name is not specified.

Is lunch included?

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

Are boat transfers included?

Yes. Boat transfers and use of life vests are included.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

Do I need to pay an environmental fee?

Yes. The El Nido environmental or tourism development fee is 400 Philippine pesos per person. You must keep the QR code for verification, and you cannot board without it.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Masks, snorkels, and flippers are not included. Kayak rental and water shoes are also extra.

Can I cancel or reserve without paying today?

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