El Nido Islands tour: Secret Lagoon & Papaya Beach

The Secret Lagoon's rock formations rise straight from the water you swim in.

Island-hopping tour of El Nido Islands visiting Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island and Papaya Beach with a live English-speaking guide, boat transfers and hotel pickup included within El Nido Town. The tour runs 7 to 9 hours and suits all fitness levels. Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon are subject to availability and cannot both be visited on the same day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore El Nido Islands lagoons and beaches

• Visit Shimizu Island
• Relax at Papaya Beach
• Explore Secret Lagoon
• Tour Big or Small Lagoon

The experience

The tour starts with pickup from your hotel or accommodation in El Nido Town, then heads straight to the water. You board a boat with your guide and life vest, moving between the islands and lagoons that make this stretch of Palawan famous. Secret Lagoon is the centerpiece: a sheltered cove ringed by limestone rock formations that rise above the surface and continue underwater, creating the clear-water landscape the destination is known for. Shimizu Island and Papaya Beach round out the stops, each one a different kind of beach and water.

The day is built around island hopping, so you're moving between sites rather than anchoring in one place. Your guide handles the route and timing, and the boat transfers are included. A life vest comes with you. The tour runs somewhere between 7 and 9 hours depending on conditions and which lagoons are accessible that day: Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon are subject to availability and cannot be visited together on a single departure, so the exact itinerary shifts. All fitness levels can join. The activity is mostly swimming and moving between boat stops rather than hiking or climbing.

What’s included

• Island hopping with a live English-speaking guide.
• boat transfers between Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon and Papaya Beach.
• life vest.
• hotel or accommodation pickup within El Nido Town.
• all boat transport for the full 7 to 9 hour tour.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (4 and older) · Child (2 to 3 years) · Infant (under 2)

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by CTPH TOUR

Is this one for you?Pickup from your hotel in El Nido Town means you don't need a car or separate transport to reach the boat. The guide collects you and handles the rest of the day on the water, so it works whether you're staying in town or arrived without a rental.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 3 years); Infant (under 2).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is the Secret Lagoon and why is it worth the trip?

Secret Lagoon is a sheltered cove surrounded by rock formations that rise from the water and extend underwater, creating the clear, enclosed swimming space El Nido is famous for. The formations are the draw. They frame the lagoon and make it visually distinct from the open beaches elsewhere on the islands.

Does the tour include time to swim at each stop, or is it mostly boat travel?

The tour is built around island hopping, so you stop at each site to swim and explore in the water. How long you spend at each lagoon and beach depends on the day's schedule and sea conditions, but swimming is the main activity, not just passing by.

What happens if Big Lagoon or Small Lagoon isn't available on my departure date?

Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon cannot be visited on the same day and are subject to availability, so the operator substitutes other stops: likely Shimizu Island and Papaya Beach, which are the core stops. The exact islands you visit may shift, but you'll still see multiple lagoons and beaches in the 7 to 9 hour window.

Is pickup really included from anywhere in El Nido Town?

Pickup is included within El Nido Town itself, so if you're staying at a hotel or accommodation in town, the guide collects you there. You don't need to arrange separate transport to the boat dock.

What do I need to bring or pay for separately?

The tour includes your guide, boat, life vest and all transfers. You'll want swimwear, sunscreen and a towel. Eco-tourism fees, lagoon user fees and kayak rentals are not included and may be charged separately depending on which sites you visit that day.