El Nido: Secret Lagoon Island Hopping with Lunch

El Nido rewards early energy. This six-hour boat trip packs Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, and Seven Commandos Beach into one memorable day around Palawan’s limestone cliffs. I like the strong mix of scenery and swimming stops, and I also like that lunch, a licensed guide, boat transfers, and life vests are included. The main catch is that the day involves wading through water and stepping between boat and shore, so it is not a good match for anyone with limited mobility.

You should also budget for the Php 400 environmental fee and Php 200 Big Lagoon entry fee, both paid separately. Snorkels, masks, flippers, kayaks, water shoes, and hotel transfers are not included, so this is not quite a walk-on, everything-covered excursion.

Key points before you book

• Big Lagoon access can change: Entry is limited, and you may visit another location if tickets are no longer available.
• Expect wet boarding: You may wade waist-deep from shore to the boat, and some stops require getting into the water.
• Four very different stops: You get cliffs and calm water at Big Lagoon, snorkeling at Shimizu Island, a narrow opening into Secret Lagoon, and beach time at Seven Commandos.
• Bring protection for your phone: A wet bag is one of the smartest things you can pack.
• Lunch is included, equipment is not: The picnic meal comes with the tour, but snorkeling gear and kayaks cost extra or must be arranged separately.
• Private groups are available: The standard experience is guided in English, with private group booking offered as an option.

What the Php 34 price really covers

At about $34 per person, this tour offers good value for a six-hour outing, especially because the boat, guide, lunch, and life vests are bundled together. Those basics can add up quickly on a day at sea, and having a guide organize the route keeps you from sorting out separate boat rides between four popular sites.

Still, do not treat the advertised price as your final cost. The El Nido Environmental or Tourism Development Fee is Php 400 per person, and the Big Lagoon entry fee is another Php 200 per person. These are collected locally, bringing the known required charges to Php 600 before any equipment rental or personal spending.

The environmental fee also has a practical rule attached to it. You must arrange payment at the transport terminal, your hotel, or the municipal hall, then keep the QR code ready for inspection. Without proof of payment, you will not be allowed to board the boat, and the tour booking fee is not refunded.

The price makes the most sense if you already have your own basic beach gear or are happy to rent only what you need. If you need a kayak, mask, snorkel, flippers, and water shoes, the final total will rise. Ask yourself if you want a simple group outing or a private boat day, since a private group is available but may carry a different price.

Starting at Jarace Grill or Marber’s

You meet at either Jarace Grill or Marber’s Restaurant, both listed as downtown starting points. Hotel pickup is not included, so leave time to reach the correct meeting place and confirm which option applies to your booking.

The same two places are used for drop-off. That is useful if you are staying near central El Nido, but less convenient if your accommodation is farther out. Since the exact meeting point can vary by the option booked, check your confirmation carefully rather than assuming you can turn up at either restaurant.

The excursion lasts six hours, which gives you a busy half-day rather than a slow, drifting cruise. You will spend part of that time on the boat, part in the water, and part walking or sitting on shore. Bring comfortable clothing, but pack for getting wet.

Big Lagoon and the cost of limited entry

Big Lagoon is the visual centerpiece. Towering limestone cliffs rise around calm turquoise water, creating the kind of setting that makes even a short paddle feel special. The guide leads you through the stop, and you can kayak across the quiet water or swim if conditions and local rules allow.

Kayak rental is not included. That matters here because one piece of booking feedback described the kayaking as fun but tiring when one person did all the paddling. If you are sharing a kayak, agree on who will paddle before setting off, and do not assume the route will feel effortless.

Entry to Big Lagoon is limited. If access is already full, the boat will go to another spot instead, so this stop is not guaranteed even though it is central to the advertised route. You should see this as a real planning point, not a minor footnote.

The lagoon is also where the additional Php 200 entry payment applies. You will want to have your environmental fee QR code ready before the day begins, since the guide cannot let you board without the required tourism payment.

Shimizu Island and the first snorkeling stop

Shimizu Island shifts the mood from cliff scenery to sea life. The stop is set up for snorkeling around coral areas and tropical fish, giving you a chance to spend time in the water rather than simply admiring it from the boat.

The tour does not include masks, snorkels, or flippers. You will need to bring your own equipment or arrange rentals, and water shoes are also excluded. A life vest is supplied, which helps if you are not a confident swimmer, but it does not replace proper snorkeling gear.

This is also a good point to manage your expectations. The waters can be clear and the marine life rewarding, but conditions and visibility vary. The supplied information mentions tropical fish, coral gardens, and the chance to see sea turtles, not a guaranteed turtle sighting.

The boat crew has been praised for being helpful, which matters when you are stepping into the water or getting back aboard. Even with a friendly crew, follow the guide’s instructions closely and keep your belongings in a waterproof pouch.

A second marine stop for fish and coral

After Shimizu Island, the route includes another snorkeling location. The purpose is simple: more time around coral gardens, fish, and the chance of seeing a sea turtle gliding past.

I like this part of the schedule because it gives you a second opportunity if the first water stop is crowded or visibility is less than ideal. It also spreads the day between scenery and marine life instead of making every stop another beach photo session.

The details of this second location are not fixed, so you should not expect a named site with a guaranteed set of animals. The guide chooses the stop as part of the day’s route. Keep your expectations open, and treat turtle sightings as a lucky bonus rather than the main reason to book.

If you want to snorkel seriously, bring or rent your own mask and snorkel before departure. The tour supplies life vests, but the rest of the kit is specifically excluded.

Secret Lagoon through the narrow opening

Secret Lagoon is the tour’s most unusual stop. A small opening in the limestone leads into a sheltered pool, where rock walls surround a quieter space away from the open sea.

Getting inside is part of the fun, but it also explains why this stop is not ideal for everyone. You need to move through the opening and may enter from the water, depending on conditions. The beach is not an empty private hideaway, either. Popular El Nido stops can be busy, so expect to share the setting with other boat groups.

That does not cancel out the appeal. The contrast between the open boat ride and the enclosed lagoon gives the day a strong sense of variety. You get a brief, close-up look at how the limestone formations shape the coast, rather than only viewing them from a distance.

Keep your phone protected here. A waterproof or wet bag is more useful than a normal daypack, since you may be in the water before and after reaching the lagoon.

Seven Commandos Beach for a softer finish

Seven Commandos Beach is the final scheduled stop. Its white sand, coconut trees, and open shoreline make it a natural place to slow down after the lagoon and snorkeling stops.

You can swim, relax, or play beach volleyball. This is the least structured part of the day, which I appreciate. After several boat transfers, having time to sit on the sand or simply look back toward the water can be a welcome change.

The beach is also part of the reason the tour suits mixed groups. A strong swimmer can spend time in the sea, while someone who prefers dry land can stay onshore. That said, the overall excursion still involves wet boarding and uneven shore access, so a relaxed beach stop does not remove the mobility concern.

Do not expect complete solitude. Seven Commandos is a well-known stop, and the same is true of the other popular locations on the route. The appeal is the scenery and the chance to enjoy it, not guaranteed isolation.

Picnic lunch on an island

Lunch is included and served as a picnic on one of the islands. That saves you from having to find food during a tightly timed six-hour route, and eating near the shore adds to the appeal of the day.

The supplied details do not specify the exact menu, so you should not book this expecting a particular dish. Think of it as practical fuel between water stops. Bring your own water and any personal snacks you need if you have dietary requirements, since those details are not provided.

Eating on shore can be awkward for anyone who has trouble sitting low, walking on sand, or moving from the boat to land. One older participant found shore meals physically challenging, a useful warning if your knees, balance, or stamina are limited.

The wet and practical side of the day

The most important tip is to assume you will get wet from the start. One account of the trip described wading waist-deep from shore to reach the boat, while other stops required getting out of the boat into the water.

Life vests are provided, and that is reassuring if you are not a swimmer. Still, pack your belongings as if they could fall into the sea. A dry bag or wet bag for your phone, wallet, passport, and camera is far safer than relying on a standard backpack.

I would bring:

• Comfortable clothes that can handle water
• A waterproof phone pouch or wet bag
• Money for the environmental and Big Lagoon fees
• Your environmental fee QR code
• Snorkeling gear, if you have it
• Water shoes, if you prefer extra foot protection

Explosive substances are not allowed. The more relevant practical rule, though, is to keep your gear light and secure. Boat transfers, water entry, and sandy shore stops are easier when you are not hauling a large bag.

Who will enjoy this El Nido tour most?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want the classic El Nido combination in one organized outing. The route gives you major scenery, snorkeling, a famous lagoon, and a beach break without requiring you to plan several separate activities.

It suits active couples, friends, and families with older children who are comfortable getting wet. The guide, boat crew, lunch, and life vests make the day easier for first-time island hoppers, while the private group option may appeal if you want more control over your party.

I would think twice if you have a mobility impairment, dislike crowded attractions, or want a quiet luxury cruise. You will be stepping between boat and shore, wading in water, moving through a small lagoon opening, and eating on a beach. The route is scenic, but it is not physically effortless.

The English-speaking guide is another useful feature, especially when you need help with boat boarding, snorkeling locations, and timing. The available feedback gives the crew credit for being helpful, which is exactly what you want on a day where the logistics are spread across several stops.

Should you book the Secret Lagoon island trip?

Book it if you want a well-priced, active introduction to El Nido and are happy to pay the extra Php 600 in required fees. Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, and Seven Commandos create a varied day, and lunch plus boat transport make the base price attractive.

Skip it if your priority is solitude, guaranteed Big Lagoon access, or easy shore access. Also skip it if you expect snorkeling equipment to be provided, since masks, snorkels, flippers, kayaks, and water shoes are all separate.

My practical verdict: bring a wet bag, arrange the environmental fee before meeting the boat, confirm your starting restaurant, and prepare to wade. With those details handled, this is a strong value choice for seeing several of El Nido’s signature sights in six hours.

FAQ

How long is the El Nido Secret Lagoon island-hopping tour?

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

Where do I meet the tour?

The two listed starting points are Jarace Grill and Marber’s Restaurant in downtown El Nido. The exact meeting point depends on the option booked.

Are lunch and boat transfers included?

Yes. The tour includes a picnic lunch, boat transfers, a licensed English-speaking guide, and life vests.

What extra fees must I pay?

You must pay the El Nido Environmental or Tourism Development Fee of Php 400 per person and the Big Lagoon entry fee of Php 200 per person. Both are collected separately.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

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

What happens if Big Lagoon entry is unavailable?

Big Lagoon access is limited. If entry is no longer available, the tour will visit a different location instead.