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 near Shimizu Island, squeeze through the entrance to Secret Lagoon, and finish on Seven Commandos Beach.

I like the mix of scenery and sea time, especially the picnic lunch and the helpful boat crew. I also like that the route gives you several different views of Palawan, from towering limestone walls to coral gardens and white sand. The trade-off is that these famous spots can be crowded, and getting from shore to boat may mean wading through waist-deep water.

Key points to know before booking

• Big Lagoon sets the tone: Expect dramatic limestone cliffs, calm turquoise water, and the option to rent a kayak or swim.
• Secret Lagoon has a narrow entrance: You pass through a small opening in the rocks to reach the quiet pool inside.
• Shimizu Island is the main snorkeling stop: Coral, tropical fish, and possibly sea turtles are part of the appeal.
• You may need to wade to the boat: Wear clothing and shoes that can get wet, and protect your phone in a waterproof bag.
• The $34 price has extra costs: Add the Php 400 environmental fee and Php 200 Big Lagoon entry fee, plus any kayak or gear rental.
• Big Lagoon access is limited: If tickets are gone, the crew will take you to another stop instead.

Four major El Nido sights in six hours

This is a compact island-hopping day built around El Nido’s most recognizable places. The boat transfers, licensed guide, life vests, and picnic lunch are included, so you can focus on the water and scenery rather than arranging each stop yourself.

The route 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 allow time to reach the meeting point on your own.

At $34 per person, the base price is appealing for a six-hour outing that includes transport by boat and lunch. Still, the real cost is higher once you add the Php 400 environmental fee and the Php 200 Big Lagoon fee. Kayaks, water shoes, flippers, and masks with snorkels are also extra.

That makes this a good-value outing if you want several famous locations in one day and do not mind paying local fees separately. It is less attractive if you want a quiet, private beach day with every expense included.

Big Lagoon and the price of calm water

Big Lagoon is likely to be the visual high point. Tall limestone cliffs rise around still turquoise water, creating the enclosed feeling that makes El Nido so popular. The water is suited to paddling, swimming, and taking in the rock walls from below.

You can rent a kayak here, but the rental is not part of the tour price. Kayaking gives you a slower, more personal way to see the lagoon, although it takes real effort. If you are the only person paddling a shared kayak, the trip can become tiring, especially before the rest of the stops.

The lagoon has controlled entry. That matters because the tour cannot promise Big Lagoon on every departure. Access is limited, and if the available entry is gone, you will visit a different location instead. I would treat Big Lagoon as a likely highlight, not an absolute guarantee.

You also pay the Big Lagoon entry fee on site. Keep this separate from the environmental fee so you are clear about the total cost before boarding.

Snorkeling around Shimizu Island

Shimizu Island shifts the focus from cliffs to the sea. This is the main snorkeling stop, with coral reefs and many types of tropical fish. You use a life vest, and the crew can help with the basic boat-to-water transition, but the tour does not include masks, snorkels, or flippers.

That is an important packing detail. If you do not bring your own equipment, you will need to arrange rentals separately. The supplied information does not specify rental prices or whether every item is available at the meeting point, so I would not leave this until the last minute.

The setting suits you if you want a straightforward introduction to El Nido’s marine life rather than a specialist snorkeling expedition. You might see coral gardens, colorful fish, and perhaps a sea turtle. Wildlife is never guaranteed, so enjoy the reef for what is present on the day rather than booking solely for a promised animal sighting.

The boat crew has been praised for being helpful, which is useful when you are moving between boat, water, and shore. Life vests are included, even though snorkeling equipment is not.

A second chance to see El Nido underwater

The day includes another snorkeling location after Shimizu Island. The exact name is not provided, but the purpose is clear: more time among coral, fish, and the area’s underwater habitats.

This second stop adds value because you are not relying on one short swim for all your sea life. Conditions can vary from place to place, and a different reef may offer clearer water, more fish, or a better chance of spotting a sea turtle. It also gives you another opportunity if you are still finding your balance in the water at the first stop.

Keep your expectations practical. The six-hour schedule must include boat movement, shore access, lunch, and four main stops, so this is not an all-day snorkeling program. You will get a taste of several sites rather than hours at one reef.

Entering Secret Lagoon through the rocks

Secret Lagoon is the most unusual stop on the route. From the open water, you pass through a small opening in the limestone to reach a pool enclosed by rock. The entrance is part of the fun, but it also means you should expect a little squeezing, stepping, and waiting when many boats arrive at once.

Inside, the mood changes quickly. The cliffs block much of the outside view, and the water feels more enclosed and sheltered. It is a good place to appreciate how El Nido’s rock formations create small, almost hidden spaces along the coast.

The name can create the wrong expectation. This is not a private beach reserved for your group. It is a popular stop, and you may share the entrance and lagoon with many other people. I would go for the shape of the place and the short passage through the rock, not for solitude.

Because some shore stops require you to leave the boat in the water, a waterproof bag is one of the smartest things you can bring. Your phone, camera, wallet, and spare clothes need protection.

Seven Commandos Beach for the final swim

Seven Commandos Beach provides a softer ending. After the cliffs and snorkeling stops, you get white sand, coconut trees, and time to relax. You can swim, sit on the beach, or play beach volleyball if a game is underway.

This stop works well at the end because it does not demand much planning. You can simply slow down and enjoy the shore. If the earlier kayaking or snorkeling has worn you out, the beach gives you room to rest rather than adding another demanding activity.

It is still worth remembering that the beach is one of El Nido’s popular stops. The appeal is the setting, not a guarantee of empty sand. Bring sun protection and clothing that dries quickly, since you may already be wet from earlier boat transfers.

The boat ride and getting wet

The boat is your transport between all the main locations. Life vests are supplied, and a licensed English-speaking guide leads the group. The guide’s job is especially useful here because the day involves several entry points, water stops, and local fees.

The practical catch is boarding. One direct account describes wading from shore to the boat in water reaching the waist. At some locations, you may also need to step out of the boat into the water before reaching land.

You do not have to be a strong swimmer if you use the life vest, but you should be comfortable getting wet and moving through water. This tour is not a good match for someone with limited mobility, and the activity is specifically not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Wear comfortable clothes that can handle salt water and sand. I would add quick-drying shorts or swimwear, a waterproof phone pouch, and a dry bag for valuables. Water shoes can help, but they are not included. Flippers and snorkeling masks are also not included.

The supplied information does not name the guide or crew members, so you should not expect a particular person when booking. A private group option is available, which may be worth considering if you want more control over the pace and company.

Picnic lunch on an island

Lunch is included and served as a picnic on one of the islands. That is useful on a six-hour outing because you do not need to return to town or search for food between stops.

Eating on the shore is part of the experience, but it can be less comfortable than a restaurant meal. Sand, uneven ground, sun, and the water entry can make the lunch stop challenging, particularly for older people or anyone who needs stable seating. One older participant found shore dining difficult, so I would keep expectations modest.

The supplied details do not list the exact dishes or dietary options. If you have food restrictions, ask the operator before booking rather than assuming the picnic will meet your needs.

What the $34 tour really includes

The advertised $34 covers a useful base package:

• Boat transfers
• A licensed tour guide
• Picnic lunch
• Life vest use

You still need to budget for the Php 400 environmental fee and Php 200 Big Lagoon entry fee. Hotel transfers are not included, and you meet downtown at Jarace Grill or Marber’s Restaurant. Kayak rental, water shoes, flippers, and snorkeling masks are separate.

The price makes sense for someone who wants transport and a planned route without paying for a private boat. It also lets you see four major locations in one outing. The value is weaker if you already have your own boat or want long, unhurried time at one beach.

A six-hour duration is enough for a broad sample of El Nido, but not enough to make every stop slow and empty. Expect a full schedule with movement between places.

Who should book this island-hopping day?

I would recommend it to you if you want the classic El Nido sights, enjoy swimming and snorkeling, and prefer a ready-made day with lunch included. It suits active couples, friends, and families with older children who can manage wet boarding and shore access.

It is also a practical choice if you are staying downtown and can reach the meeting point easily. The English-speaking guide and included boat transport remove much of the planning work.

I would think twice if you have mobility limitations, dislike crowded beaches, or want guaranteed access to Big Lagoon. I would also reconsider if you expect all snorkeling gear, kayak rental, and local fees to be covered by the headline price.

Bring a waterproof bag above all else. The scenery is highly photogenic, but your camera will not help much if it is damaged before you reach Secret Lagoon.

Cancellation and booking flexibility

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your El Nido plans are still moving around.

Before the tour, you must pay the El Nido Tourism Development Fee or Environmental Fee at the transport terminal, hotel, or municipal hall. Keep the QR code for verification. Without it, the guide will not allow you to board, and the booking fee will not be refunded.

Should you book this El Nido boat tour?

Book it if your priority is seeing Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, and Seven Commandos Beach in one organized six-hour trip. The boat crew, lunch, life vest, and guide add practical value, while the mix of cliffs, reef, lagoon, and beach keeps the day varied.

Skip it if you need easy, dry access from boat to shore, dislike shared popular sites, or want a quiet beach escape. Also calculate the extra fees and equipment costs before deciding.

For most active visitors based in downtown El Nido, this is a strong introduction to the area. Just arrive ready to get wet, protect your belongings, and accept that the most famous stops are shared.

FAQ

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

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

Where does the tour start?

You can meet at either Jarace Grill or Marber’s Restaurant, both located downtown. The exact meeting point depends on the option you book.

Where does the tour end?

The drop-off is at either Marber’s or Jarace Grill.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel transfers are not included. You need to reach the downtown meeting point yourself.

What places are included in the route?

The route includes Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, and Seven Commandos Beach. It also includes another snorkeling stop during the day.

Are snorkeling equipment and kayaks included?

No. Kayak rental, water shoes, flippers, masks, and snorkels are not included.

What extra fees must I pay?

You must pay the El Nido environmental fee of Php 400 per person and the Big Lagoon entry fee of Php 200 per person. These are collected separately on site.

What happens if Big Lagoon entry is no longer available?

Entry to Big Lagoon is limited. If tickets are no longer available, you will visit a different spot instead.