El Nido: Secret Lagoon Island Hopping with Lunch

El Nido’s limestone cliffs and clear water are the main event here, but Secret Lagoon gives the day its best little surprise. You pass through a small opening in the rock and enter a quiet pool enclosed by stone walls. The setting is dramatic, though it is not likely to be quiet for long.

I like the mix of scenery and activity. You get time for Big Lagoon, snorkeling around Shimizu Island and another reef, a picnic lunch, and a final swim at Seven Commandos Beach. I also like the practical setup: boat transfers, a licensed English-speaking guide, and life vests are included for $34.

The catch is the water access. You may need to wade waist-deep from shore to the boat, and some stops require you to step into the sea. The famous sites can also be crowded, so pack patience along with your sunscreen.

Key points to know before you book

• Four classic El Nido stops: Visit Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, and Seven Commandos Beach in about six hours.
• Water access is part of the tour: Expect to wade from shore to the boat and step into the water at some stops.
• Lunch is included: A picnic meal is served on one of the islands, with local flavors and a beach setting.
• Big Lagoon may change: Entry is limited, and you will visit another location if permits are no longer available.
• Bring a dry bag: Phones and other belongings may get wet during boarding and shore transfers.
• Extra fees apply: The El Nido environmental fee is Php 400, and Big Lagoon entry costs Php 200 per person.

What this six-hour El Nido tour is really like

This is a compact island-hopping day built around El Nido’s most recognizable sights. You meet at either Jarace Grill or Marber’s Restaurant in downtown El Nido, then travel by boat with a licensed guide and crew.

The listed price is $34 per person, which is a fair starting point for a boat trip that includes lunch, guide service, transfers, and life vests. You still need to budget for the environmental fee and Big Lagoon entrance. Kayaks, masks, snorkels, flippers, water shoes, and hotel pickup cost extra or are not included.

I would think of this as a scenic, active outing rather than a soft cruise. You will swim, snorkel, climb through a narrow rock opening, and move between boat and beach several times. It suits you best if you are comfortable around water and can manage uneven or wet footing.

Big Lagoon: El Nido’s wide-screen opening scene

Big Lagoon is the grandest stop on the route. Tall limestone cliffs rise around calm turquoise water, giving the place the scale that makes El Nido famous. Your guide leads you into the area, and you can take a kayak or swim, depending on conditions and what you arrange locally.

Kayaking is the most practical way to see the lagoon at a relaxed pace. It lets you look up at the cliffs and move farther into the water without tiring yourself by swimming. The drawback is that kayak rental is not part of the tour price, so you need to pay separately if you want one.

If you paddle alone, expect some effort. One older participant found kayaking enjoyable but tiring because he was doing all the paddling himself. That is useful advice: a kayak makes the lagoon more accessible, but it is still a workout, especially if you are not used to it.

Big Lagoon access is limited. If tickets are no longer available, the boat will visit another spot instead. You also pay a separate Php 200 entrance fee. Keep that possibility in mind before you build your entire day around one exact photograph.

The water here is a place for slow looking. The cliffs do most of the visual work, and the calm surface makes a good contrast with the open sea. It is a strong first stop because it gives you the signature El Nido view before the day shifts toward snorkeling and beaches.

Shimizu Island: your main snorkeling stop

Shimizu Island is the first named snorkeling location. The tour provides boat transport and life vests, but masks, snorkels, and flippers are not included. You can bring your own equipment or arrange rentals separately.

The appeal is below the surface. You may see colorful fish and coral gardens in clear water, with the limestone setting still visible around you. This is not just a quick photo stop. It is one of the parts of the trip where you get to spend time in the sea rather than only looking at it from the boat.

The crew and guide matter here. You will want clear instructions about where to enter, how long you have, and how to return to the boat. The supplied information identifies an English-speaking guide and helpful boat crew, but no individual guide names are provided.

Bring a secure bag for your phone. The first transfer from shore can involve waist-deep water, and you may also enter the sea when reaching some islands. A regular backpack is not enough protection if you want to keep clothes, electronics, and documents dry.

The second snorkeling area and the chance of sea turtles

The route includes another snorkeling location after Shimizu Island. The exact name is not specified, so you should treat this as a chance to see more marine life rather than a guaranteed wildlife encounter.

The water may hold tropical fish, coral gardens, and possibly sea turtles. That last possibility is exciting, but it is not promised. Sea life follows its own schedule, so enjoy the reef even if no turtle appears.

I like having two snorkeling stops because conditions can vary. If visibility or water movement is less favorable at one site, the second gives you another chance to enjoy the sea. It also breaks up the day nicely: cliffs first, reef time next, then lagoons and beach.

Your life vest is included, which helps if you are not a strong swimmer. One participant specifically noted that getting into the water was manageable because everyone had a life jacket. Still, you should be honest about your comfort level, since the tour requires repeated water access.

Secret Lagoon: a short passage into a tight stone chamber

Secret Lagoon is the most unusual stop. A small opening in the rock leads into a contained lagoon surrounded by high limestone walls. You do not simply step off the boat onto a broad beach. You move through a narrow entrance, then find the water and rock formations inside.

This is the kind of place where the setting matters more than the length of the stop. The entrance creates a sense of discovery, and the enclosed water feels different from the wide-open sea. It is worth keeping your phone ready, provided it is protected from splashes.

The name can set up the wrong expectation. This is a well-known El Nido attraction, not a private hideaway. You may share the passage and lagoon with other groups, especially during busy periods. I would still call it memorable, but I would not expect solitude.

The footing may be wet or uneven, which helps explain why the tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Water shoes are not included, so they are worth bringing if you have them. Comfortable clothes are listed as the basic requirement, but practical water-friendly clothing will serve you better than anything delicate.

Seven Commandos Beach: the easiest place to slow down

Seven Commandos Beach gives the day a softer finish. The beach has white sand, coconut trees, and room for a swim or a game of beach volleyball. After several transfers and water activities, this is where you can simply sit down and enjoy the setting.

The beach is also a useful counterpoint to Secret Lagoon. One is enclosed by stone and reached through a small opening. The other gives you open sand, sky, and a more traditional tropical beach scene.

Do not assume that the final stop will be empty. El Nido’s popular beaches attract boats, and the overall route visits famous locations. If you want the best chance of a peaceful moment, use the time to swim, walk along the sand, or sit away from the main landing area rather than waiting for a private beach experience.

Picnic lunch with a view

Lunch is included and served on one of the islands. The meal is a practical benefit, since you do not need to arrange food in the middle of a six-hour outing. You can eat local dishes while staying close to the water and cliffs.

Beach meals are not the same as sitting in a restaurant. Sand, sun, wet clothing, and limited seating are part of the setup. One participant found eating by the shore difficult because of age and the conditions around the boat and beach. If you have trouble standing, stepping into shallow water, or sitting low, this is important to consider.

Bring a water bottle if you need one, and protect your belongings from splashes. The tour includes lunch, but it does not list drinks or special dietary arrangements. If you have dietary needs, ask before booking rather than assuming the picnic will meet them.

Getting on and off the boat

The most important practical detail is often left out of glossy island photos: you may not board from a pier. The first transfer can require wading through water up to waist height before reaching the boat’s stairs.

At later stops, you may also step from the boat into the sea. Life vests are provided, and you do not need to be a confident swimmer to use them, but you should be comfortable with wet transfers and moving on a boat ladder.

A waterproof phone pouch or dry bag is one of the smartest things you can bring. Without one, your phone may stay on the boat, which means missing photos, or it may get soaked during a short walk from shore to the boat. Water shoes and snorkel gear are also useful, but the tour does not provide them.

The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. That is not a minor footnote. Repeated water entry, uneven shorelines, and boat boarding shape the whole day.

Is $34 a good value?

At $34 per person, the tour offers a lot for the base price. You get roughly six hours on the water, a licensed guide, boat transfers, lunch, and a life vest. Four major stops are included, along with time for snorkeling and swimming.

The final cost is higher than $34. Add Php 400 for the El Nido environmental fee and Php 200 for Big Lagoon entry, per person. Kayak rental, water shoes, flippers, and masks and snorkels are not included. Hotel transfers are also not included, so you need to reach the downtown meeting point at Jarace Grill or Marber’s Restaurant.

Even with those additions, the package can make sense if you want the main El Nido highlights in one outing. It is less attractive if you already have boat transport, snorkeling gear, or a separate plan for the same sites.

The private-group option may appeal to you if you value control over pace and company. The available information does not specify the private-group price or exact group size, so confirm those details before paying.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I would recommend it to you if you want a straightforward introduction to El Nido’s classic stops and do not mind an active day. It works well for people who want a mix of cliffs, snorkeling, swimming, lagoon scenery, and a beach break without arranging each piece separately.

It is also a good fit if you want flexibility in booking. You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Check the exact start time when booking, since the six-hour duration is fixed but the available departure times can vary.

I would be more cautious if you need dry, stable boarding areas, have limited mobility, or strongly prefer uncrowded beaches. I would also ask about the snorkeling equipment before departure, since bringing your own or arranging a rental will make the reef stops much easier.

Should you book the Secret Lagoon island-hopping tour?

Book it if you want a value-focused six-hour introduction to El Nido’s best-known scenery and you are prepared for wet boarding, extra fees, and busy attractions. The strongest parts are the range of stops, the excellent cliff-and-water scenery, the included lunch, and the helpful boat setup.

Skip it if your priority is privacy, effortless access, or a slow luxury cruise. Also remember that Big Lagoon entry is limited, so the route may change if access is no longer available.

For most active visitors, I think the $34 starting price is reasonable. Bring a dry bag, water shoes if you own them, and realistic expectations about crowds. With those details handled, you can focus on the cliffs, coral, clear water, and the small thrill of passing through Secret Lagoon.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

You meet at one of two downtown El Nido locations, Jarace Grill or Marber’s Restaurant. The exact meeting point depends on the option you book.

How long does the activity last?

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

What places are included?

The route includes Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, and Seven Commandos Beach. It also includes another snorkeling location.

Is lunch included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Masks, snorkels, and flippers are not included. You need to bring or rent them separately.

Are kayak rentals included?

No. Kayak rental at Big Lagoon is an additional cost.

What extra fees must I pay?

You must pay the El Nido environmental fee of Php 400 per person. Big Lagoon entry costs Php 200 per person when access is available.

Can the Big Lagoon visit change?

Yes. Entry to Big Lagoon is limited. If tickets are no longer available, the tour will visit another location instead.