Kayaking El Nido: Small Lagoon, Big Lagoon & snorkeling

Paddle through limestone passages and snorkel vibrant reefs on the same day

Kayak through El Nido's Small Lagoon and Big Lagoon, then snorkel at Pasandigan Beach with its coral reefs and tropical fish. The tour includes a private English-speaking guide, hotel pickup, lunch and all entrance fees across eight hours and five beach stops. Infants must sit on an adult's lap. Moderate fitness helps.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Small Lagoon2h · entry included
2. Big Lagoonpassing by

Explore El Nido lagoons and beaches

• Pass by Ipil Beach
• Paddle kayak through Small Lagoon
• Pass by Big Lagoon
• Kayak around Cadlao Lagoon
• Snorkel at Pasandigan Beach
• Relax on Natnat Beach

The experience

You paddle a kayak through the Small Lagoon, where towering limestone cliffs rise from turquoise water and the passage narrows enough that the rock walls close in around you. The Big Lagoon follows. You'll see its dramatic entrance and the enclosed turquoise basin beyond, though the cliffs here are steep enough that you view it from the water rather than entering. After paddling, you move to snorkeling at Pasandigan Beach, where the coral reefs hold colorful fish and other marine life within reach of the surface.

The day stretches across five more stops beyond the main lagoons: Cadlao Lagoon opens up for additional kayaking, Ipil Beach offers a quiet stretch of white sand and shallow water for swimming, and Natnat Beach closes the afternoon with soft sand and clear water for unwinding. Your private guide speaks English and leads the whole sequence. The operator handles hotel pickup and provides lunch and bottled water. All entrance fees are covered, so there's no stopping to pay at each site.

Eight hours is the full span, which means an early start and a late return. Infants travel free but must sit on an adult's lap throughout. The tour runs as a private booking, so the group size and pace stay under your control: no strangers, no fixed schedule beyond the day's outline.

What’s included

• All entrance fees to the lagoons and beaches.
• private English-speaking guide for the full day.
• hotel pickup and return transport.
• lunch and bottled water throughout the tour.

Options for this experience

3 options

Private, all-inclusive El Nido Ultimate Beach Lovers Tour DGuide in English · 08:30 and 09:00Pickup is included

Pickup from Nacpan BeachGuide in English · 09:00Includes pickup from Nacpan Beach

Pickup from Puerto PrincesaGuide in English · 09:00Includes pickup from Puerto Princesa

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30 and 09:00

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Child (3 to 9 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 11 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfants must sit on laps

Operated by ForeverVacation

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to paddle and snorkel across multiple beaches and lagoons in one day with a private guide who sets the pace. You'll move through five stops on a single itinerary rather than coordinating separate trips.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 9 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What's the Small Lagoon kayaking actually like?

The Small Lagoon is accessible only through a narrow limestone passage, and you paddle through towering cliffs with crystal-clear turquoise water surrounding you. It's a confined, dramatic space. The rock walls are close enough to feel the scale of them as you move through.

Do I kayak the whole time or is there a mix of activities?

You kayak through the Small Lagoon and Cadlao Lagoon, then switch to snorkeling at Pasandigan Beach where the coral reefs are. The day also includes time on the beaches (Ipil Beach for swimming and Natnat Beach for relaxing), so it's a mix of paddling, snorkeling and beach time.

What's included in the price?

All entrance fees to the lagoons and beaches, your private English-speaking guide, hotel pickup and return transport, lunch, and bottled water are included. Gratuities are separate.

How early do I need to start?

The tour runs eight hours, so expect an early hotel pickup in the morning and a late afternoon return. The exact time depends on your hotel location in El Nido.

Can I bring an infant?

Infants can join the tour at no extra cost, but they must sit on an adult's lap during kayaking and all other activities. You'll need at least moderate fitness to paddle and snorkel across the full day.