El Nido: Island Hopping Tour A with Kayaking on Big Lagoon

Big Lagoon looks unreal from inside your kayak. This El Nido Tour A strings together the most iconic island-hopping stops, with kayaking, snorkeling, sightseeing, and swim time in one smooth half-day. I love the Big Lagoon kayaking for the close-up limestone cliffs and calm turquoise water, and I also love that you get the mask and snorkel plus a life jacket so you can focus on enjoying the day. The main drawback is extra costs for kayak rentals and the lagoon and environmental fees, and lunch options can feel basic if you are vegetarian.

I also like that the tour runs with a licensed boat and licensed captain and local guide, plus you get a safety briefing before you head out. The route is popular, so some stops can feel crowded, especially around the busiest photo and swim moments. Still, if you show up ready to be flexible and follow your guide’s timing, the whole day feels like good value for what you get.

Key highlights you should care about

• Big Lagoon kayaking with towering limestone cliffs and great photo angles
• Secret Lagoon time that feels more secluded behind rock formations
• 7 Commando Beach for powdery sand relaxing and a proper swim break
• Snorkeling with coral and colorful marine life at the day’s chosen site
• Shimizu Island picnic lunch served during a longer island stop
• English-speaking guide and a structured plan with guided sightseeing

Why Tour A feels like the classic El Nido day

If you want the best-of package, this itinerary is built for it. You start with a beach reset, then move into lagoons that look made for kayaking, and you finish with a snorkeling stop and another lagoon for photos.

For me, the smartest part is the pacing. You get multiple chances to cool off in clear water, but you are not stuck doing one long activity the entire day. That makes it easier to enjoy it even if you are not a hardcore snorkeler.

Meeting at Marber’s and what that means for your day

This tour starts at Marber’s Resto Bar on Calle Hama beachfront. Go inside and look for Annabelle or any staff of Alexzus, then you will get oriented before boarding.

One practical thing to know, there is no hotel pick-up or drop-off included. If your hotel is far from the beachfront, plan a simple buffer for getting there on time, because the tour duration is only about 6 hours.

Seven Commandos Beach: sand time before the water work

Your first big stop is 7 Commando Beach, with around an hour to settle in. This is the moment to switch from travel mode to island mode: relax on the powdery white sand, swim in crystal-clear water, and get your camera ready.

I like this stop because it gives you a real warm-up. If you are planning to snorkel and kayak later, your hands and comfort levels will thank you after you have warmed up in the water here.

Snorkeling near the Miniloc area: gear provided, come prepared

Next you head to the snorkeling haven, described as coral-rich waters near the day’s selected spot, including options like Advince or South Miniloc. The good news is that the tour includes mask and snorkel, so you do not need to scramble for basic equipment.

That said, you might still want extra comfort gear. The tour does not include water shoes or flippers, and rentals are available on-site: water shoes (100 PHP per pair) and fins or flippers (150 PHP per pair). If the water is bouncy or the entry is a little rough, fins and water shoes can make the difference between a smooth experience and a constant adjustment.

Also, follow the rules closely. Touching marine life is not allowed, and you will enjoy the coral more when you keep your hands to yourself.

Big Lagoon kayaking: how to get the best experience in 105 minutes

This is the headliner, Big Lagoon, where the main activity is kayaking with guided sightseeing. You have about 105 minutes here, enough time to paddle, pause for photos, and still feel like you had time to actually enjoy the water.

What you are looking for is the mix of scale and calm. The cliffs rise around the lagoon, and the water stays clear and glassy enough that your kayak view feels special. This is also where you will want your waterproof camera or phone setup ready, because photo opportunities are part of the experience.

Kayak rentals are not included. Rental pricing is listed as 300 PHP for a 2-seater and 350 PHP for a 3-seater. If you are sharing, you might find it worth thinking ahead about whether you want your own kayak pair or you are happy to match with others in your group.

Shimizu Island picnic lunch: filling, but plan for food realities

Lunch happens on Shimizu Island with a long stop of about 105 minutes. You get a picnic lunch and purified drinking water, and you will likely eat with lagoon views, which makes it feel like more than just fuel.

Here is the balanced note. Lunch can be simple, and if you are vegetarian, you might find limited options other than staples like rice and noodles. If that is you, I would come with a little extra snack from the start so you feel covered.

Use this time to refill your water bottle, dry off a bit, and reset your sunscreen. The next lagoon stop is shorter, so you want to feel comfortable when the photos start again.

Secret Lagoon: short stop, worth the rock-frame walk

After lunch, you head to Secret Lagoon, with about 45 minutes on-site. The appeal here is the sense of discovery, hidden behind rock formations and framed by cliffs.

Even with a short time limit, this stop works because it is different from the open beach and the wide lagoon kayaking. You tend to get that secluded feeling faster here, and it is a great moment to slow down, take photos, and enjoy the calmer atmosphere.

Costs and value: how the $21 price adds up in the real world

At $21 per person, the base price is very attractive. What makes it good value is that it already includes key items: a licensed tourist boat, licensed captain, licensed local guide, mask and snorkel, a life jacket, picnic lunch, and purified water.

Where costs can creep up is in the additional fees and optional rentals. The tour lists:

• Kayak rental (300 PHP for 2-seaters, 350 PHP for 3-seaters)
• Water shoes (100 PHP per pair)
• Flippers or fins (150 PHP per pair)
• Environmental fee: 400 PHP per person, valid for 5 days
• Big Lagoon users fee: 200 PHP per person, one-time access
• Hotel pick-up and drop-off not included

If you budget for those items ahead of time, the trip feels like a solid half-day deal. If you show up expecting the $21 to cover everything, you may feel surprised at the end.

My practical advice: bring cash and plan a little buffer, so you do not have to make last-minute decisions mid-tour.

Crowds, timing, and how to keep your energy up

This route is popular, and you should expect some crowding on the most famous stops. That can mean more people on boats, and busier swim and photo areas at peak moments.

The best way to handle it is simple:

• Come in with a flexible mindset, not a strict photo checklist.
• Focus on moving through each stop at the right pace, instead of lingering when the group is ready to go.
• Use the earlier beach time at 7 Commando to relax before things get busier later.

Also, bring enough energy for a full 6-hour active day. The plan includes swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking, so water, snacks, and a change of clothes are not optional nice-to-haves.

Guide vibe and what names to watch for

The tour runs with a local guide in English, and there is a safety briefing before you start the water activities. In past trips, guides have been described as funny and memorable, including names like Anderson and Ken Kyle.

If your guide has that energetic style, you will feel the difference because the day runs smoother. Quick explanations, playful encouragement, and clear safety steps make kayaking and snorkeling feel less stressful and more fun.

Who this tour suits best, and who should skip it

This is a great match if you want a classic lagoon-and-snorkel day without planning every detail. It is especially good for people who enjoy photos, calm water paddling, and short but satisfying stops rather than all-day marathons.

It is not suitable for people over 70 years, based on the tour rules. If you have mobility or balance concerns, you should also think carefully about kayaking and water entry during snorkeling, since the tour includes active time in and around the sea.

Should you book this El Nido Island Hopping Tour A with Big Lagoon kayaking?

Book it if you want a high-value, iconic El Nido route: Big Lagoon kayaking, Secret Lagoon, 7 Commando Beach, and snorkeling all packaged into a half-day plan with licensed operators and included gear.

Skip or reconsider if you want everything fully included for a single price, because the lagoon fees and kayak rental costs can add up. Also, if vegetarian food is a priority, plan ahead with snacks so you are not stuck eating only what is available.

If you are okay with bringing cash, following the water rules, and moving with the group, this is one of the easier ways to get the El Nido highlights in a single day.

FAQ

How long is El Nido Tour A with Big Lagoon kayaking?

The duration is listed as 6 hours. Starting times vary, so you will need to check availability for the specific slot you want.

What is included in the tour price?

Included items are a licensed tourist boat, licensed boat captain, licensed local tour guide, mask and snorkel, life jacket, picnic lunch, and purified drinking water.

What fees or rentals are not included?

Kayak rental is not included, and water shoes and flippers or fins can be rented separately. The environmental fee (400 PHP per person, valid for 5 days) and the Big Lagoon users fee (200 PHP per person, one-time access) are also not included. Hotel pick-up and drop-off are not included either.

Where do I meet the tour?

Meet at Marber’s Resto Bar on Calle Hama beachfront. Go inside and look for Annabelle or any staff of Alexzus.

Where and when is lunch served?

Lunch is a picnic lunch on Shimizu Island during a stop listed as 105 minutes. The tour also mentions picnic lunch at Shimizu Island or Payong Payong while enjoying the view.

What should I bring, and what is not allowed?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, change of clothes, snacks, water, a waterproof camera, beachwear, insect repellent, and cash. Smoking and alcohol are not allowed, and you are not allowed to touch marine life, animals, or plants.