El Nido Tour A – Big Lagoon Premium Tour (Private / Shared)

El Nido’s Big Lagoon Premium tour is interesting because it packs some of the area’s most famous water stops into one seven-hour boat day, with Big Lagoon as the anchor. I like how the schedule mixes active water time with classic lagoon scenery, so you get that wow-factor without feeling like you are rushing nonstop.

I also like the variety: swimming and snorkeling at Shimizu Island, the cave-access thrill of Secret Lagoon, and the calm reset at Seven Commando Beach. The main drawback to consider is that the ticket price does not cover the Big Lagoon entrance fee, plus you still need to pay an environmental fee, so your final spend is higher than the headline number.

Key Things I’d Plan Around

• Big Lagoon is the ticket for most people, but it has extra entrance costs you should budget for.
• Shimizu Island adds a beach break, with time to swim and snorkel in clear, shallow water.
• Payong-Payong is weather dependent, and the plan can shift to another snorkeling spot if conditions are off.
• Secret Lagoon is cave-access only, so you spend part of the experience squeezing through the entrance for that hidden-lagoon payoff.
• Kayak inclusion depends on the tour type, with kayak listed for private tours only.
• Hotel pickup is offered, but it can depend on where your hotel sits relative to the pickup area.

Big Lagoon Premium, What You’re Actually Buying

This is a full-day El Nido boat tour built around lagoons and beaches that look like they were designed by a bored cartographer. Big Lagoon is the first and biggest focus, a narrow waterway with striking blue water pressed between dark limestone cliffs. If you care about natural scenery, this route makes sense because it doesn’t waste the best views early, it saves your energy for when the water and the cliffs are at their most dramatic.

The tour is positioned as premium and it includes solid basics that matter on the water: hotel pickup, boat transfer, an experienced crew or licensed guide, life jackets, purified water, and a picnic lunch with fruits. In plain terms, that means you spend less time figuring out logistics and more time in the water.

One thing to keep in mind, though: the add-on fees can surprise people who only look at the $40 headline price. Between the Big Lagoon entrance fee and the environmental fee, the total cost climbs quickly. If you budget for those up front, the day feels like better value.

Pickup, Timing, and the Reality of a 7-Hour Day

The day runs about seven hours. That’s long enough to feel like you got out of town and into the best parts of El Nido, but short enough that you don’t come back exhausted, as long as you pack smart and treat it like a boat day, not a sightseeing marathon.

Hotel pickup is included, and there are also group discounts. Still, pickup is one of those “included but not always automatic” situations in El Nido. Some hotels are close enough for an easy transfer, while others may be treated differently depending on where the boats depart and how they route transport. If your hotel is on the edge of town or you are unsure, confirm the exact pickup point and timing before the morning of.

Timing can also shift based on conditions. In this region, the operator may adjust departure timing to match favorable weather. That is frustrating when you planned your day tightly, but it usually comes down to keeping the water travel safer and smoother.

Stop 1: Big Lagoon, The Main Event

Big Lagoon is where you should expect the biggest “how is this real?” moments. The waterway is narrow, with dark limestone cliffs rising on both sides, so the scenery feels close and dramatic rather than far-off and postcard-flat. This is the stop built for swimming, snorkeling, and even kayaking depending on your tour type.

You also get the longest chunk of time here, about 1 hour 30 minutes. That timing matters. With one short stop you might feel rushed, but with this length you can actually do what you came for: swim, put your face in the water, and watch the limestone shapes change as you move.

What adds up here

Big Lagoon has an entrance fee that is not included. You should budget PHP 200 per head for entrance. There’s also an environmental fee of PHP 400 per head valid for five days. If you want to avoid last-minute surprises, have cash ready for both.

Snorkeling gear note

Snorkeling masks are not included. Rental is listed at PHP 150 per person. If you already own a mask, bring it. If you do not, it can be worth paying for a rental rather than hunting one at the last minute.

Stop 2: Shimizu Island Beach Break and Snorkel Time

After Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island shifts the tone. Instead of tight cliffs and intense lagoon views, you get powdery sand, a more relaxed beach feel, and a chance to slow down.

This stop runs about 1 hour 30 minutes, which is a good mix. It gives enough time to enjoy the beach break and still fit in snorkeling without feeling like you barely changed out of your water shoes.

The water here is described as crystal clear and the snorkeling experience is linked to shallow turquoise conditions. Translation: it’s a stop that tends to work well if you want to see fish without needing advanced skills.

A practical tip

If you are someone who likes to swim early and longer, this is a good place to do it because you already had the most intense scenery stop first. If you are tired, Shimizu Island gives you a softer landing, you can spend more time floating and less time rushing around.

Stop 3: Payong-Payong Beach, A Plan B With Great Snorkeling

Payong-Payong Beach is beautiful, with white sand and clear turquoise water, but it comes with one important detail: it is weather dependent. The tour notes that they will take you there or to another spot to enjoy snorkeling if conditions are not right.

This is not a dealbreaker. In fact, it is often the difference between a good day and a frustrating one. If wind or sea conditions make one location uncomfortable, swapping to another snorkeling-friendly area helps keep the overall experience on track.

You get about 1 hour here. That hour is long enough for swimming and a snorkel session, but short enough that the day still feels like it moves forward rather than bogging down.

Stop 4: Secret Lagoon, Cave Access Adds the Drama

Secret Lagoon earns its name in a very literal way. It is described as accessible only through a small cave. That means you spend part of the experience transitioning through a tight passage, then coming out into a small lagoon space that feels more hidden and protected than the open beaches.

This stop is about 1 hour. It’s a reasonable time because it includes more than just water. You also factor in the slow moments: finding your rhythm in the cave entry area, watching the light shift as you move through, and then settling in once you arrive in the lagoon.

Why this stop is worth it

Even if you’ve seen lagoons before, cave access changes the vibe. It adds a sense of arrival, you do not just swim to a shoreline, you reach a place that feels tucked away. That is part of why Secret Lagoon remains one of the signature stops on the El Nido circuit.

Stop 5: Seven Commando Beach, Calm Views and a Beach Bar

Seven Commando Beach is described as a serene white-sand stretch with clear turquoise water, palm trees, and rock formations, plus a beach bar. This stop is often the “take a breath” moment after the earlier active swimming and snorkeling.

You get about 1 hour here. That’s enough time to swim a bit, enjoy the views, and grab a snack or drink from the bar if you feel like it. The bar detail matters because it means you might not need to spend the whole hour just looking at water, you can actually enjoy the beach vibe longer without feeling stranded.

If your day has felt a little fast, this is where it slows down. If your day has felt slow, this is still a good stop because the scenery stays interesting even when you are not snorkeling.

Lunch and Comfort: What the Included Picnic Really Delivers

You get a picnic lunch with fruits as part of the tour. That might sound basic, but on a boat day it is one of the most important “included” items, because it saves you from finding a meal in between swim stops.

The lunch is described as having a variety that can include seafood as well as pork or chicken, plus fruit. In other words, it is not just bread and fruit. Having a mixed meal also helps if you spent the morning snorkeling and your appetite is ready the moment you sit down.

Comfort is supported by the essentials too: life jackets and purified water are included. That keeps the day feeling organized rather than chaotic. You are still going to be on a boat, sun will do its work, and you should expect a saltwater day, but the basics are covered.

One more detail I appreciate: this is run with an experienced crew and a licensed tour guide. When a guide is paying attention, it makes the snorkeling stops and timing feel smoother, and you waste less time trying to figure out what to do next.

In one memorable case, a guide named Jerry was singled out for being helpful and making sure everyone had a good experience. That matches the kind of energy you want on a water day, clear directions and calm problem solving.

Price and Value: The $40 Ticket Plus the Fees

At $40 per person, the tour price can look like a bargain compared with some of the more expensive “lagoons only” options. But value is not just the upfront cost, it is how the day is built and what you still need to pay once you arrive.

Here’s the practical breakdown based on the listed fees:

• Big Lagoon entrance fee: PHP 200 per head (not included)
• Environmental fee: PHP 400 per head, valid for five days
• Snorkeling mask rental: PHP 150 per person (if you need one)

That means your final cost is usually higher than $40, especially if you need a rental mask. The good news is that these fees are standard for the area. If you budget for them, the tour starts to feel like fair value because you also get hotel pickup, boat transfer, a guided experience, and lunch.

One piece of advice to protect your wallet: compare prices if you are booking online. There’s a simple reality in El Nido, lots of operators run similar routes, so pricing can vary wildly. If you see a price that feels too good to be true or too high to be reasonable, it often is.

What Can Go Wrong, and How to Reduce the Odds

Most of the potential issues here are not dramatic, they are logistical. The biggest ones to watch:

• Pickup accuracy: it is included, but your hotel location can affect pickup. Double-check pickup details so you do not lose time waiting.
• Boat feel: the tour is sold as private or shared depending on your option, and boat size can make the day feel tight. If you are sensitive to cramped spaces, ask about the boat setup for your chosen option.
• Schedule changes: timing can shift with weather conditions. Plan your day loosely around the tour, do not stack tight activities right after.

There is also a reminder worth stating plainly: this experience requires good weather. If conditions are not favorable, the itinerary can be changed or the experience can be canceled with a different date or a refund offered. That depends on how it is handled for your booking, so build flexibility into your El Nido schedule.

Who This Tour Is Best For

This tour makes the most sense if you want:

• A classic El Nido lagoon day with Big Lagoon as the headline
• A mix of swimming, snorkeling, and beach time
• The convenience of pickup, boat transfer, and lunch all handled
• A route that includes both open views and a cave-access lagoon

It is also a good fit if you like variety. Big Lagoon is active and scenic, Shimizu Island is a relaxed beach and snorkel blend, Payong-Payong can be a snorkeling wildcard, Secret Lagoon feels special, and Seven Commando Beach is a calmer finish.

If you are traveling with a group and can use the group discounts, it can be even better value. If you care about kayaking specifically, choose the private tour option since kayak is listed for private tours only.

Should You Book This Big Lagoon Premium Tour?

Book it if you want a well-known El Nido route that hits Big Lagoon first, adds multiple snorkeling and beach stops, and includes a guided day with lunch. Just budget correctly. Plan for the Big Lagoon entrance fee and the environmental fee, and decide in advance whether you will rent a mask.

Skip or reconsider if you:

• Need perfectly predictable pickup and timing and do not have any buffer
• Are uncomfortable with the idea of a small boat day, where space can feel limited
• Are trying to minimize all extra costs and want a truly all-inclusive price

If you do book, a couple of smart moves will make the day go smoother: confirm pickup details with your operator, bring cash for the entrance and environmental fees, and either bring your own snorkeling mask or accept the rental cost so you can relax once you get on the boat.

FAQ

What is the duration of the El Nido Tour A Big Lagoon Premium Tour?

The tour runs about 7 hours.

Which stops are included in the itinerary?

The itinerary includes Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, Secret Lagoon, and Seven Commando Beach.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, hotel pickup is included.

Are entrance fees included in the tour price?

No. Big Lagoon has an entrance fee of PHP 200 per head, and there is also an environmental fee of PHP 400 per head (valid for 5 days).

Is a snorkeling mask included?

No. Snorkeling mask rental is listed at PHP 150 per person.

Is kayaking included?

Kayak is included for private tours only.