Small Lagoon El Nido tour: Full day with beach lunch

Paddle into narrow waterways ringed by limestone cliffs, then swim in emerald coves

Tour D is a full-day boat tour of El Nido, Palawan, visiting Small Lagoon, Cadlao Lagoon and surrounding coves with a live English-speaking guide. The itinerary includes boat transport to four main sites, beach lunch, drinking water and soft drinks, and free pickup from El Nido town. The environmental fee and lagoon entrance are included. Kayak rental and snorkeling equipment are not provided. Pickup outside town incurs extra charges.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore El Nido's lagoons and beaches

• Visit Small Lagoon
• Snorkel at crystal clear waters
• Discover Ubugon Cove (Cadlao Lagoon)
• Explore limestone formations and coves
• Relax on white-sand beaches

The experience

Small Lagoon anchors this tour: a narrow waterway carved between dark limestone cliffs with striking blue water that opens into a wider basin. The boat moves through four main stops over seven to eight hours, each one built around the water and the rock formations that frame it. Cadlao Lagoon sits on the western face of Cadlao Island, ringed by towering limestone. The coves around it are known for their clarity and the marine life underneath. Between the named stops, the route passes through El Nido's wider seascape of emerald waters, white-sand beaches and hidden caves.

Lunch arrives on the beach partway through the day, included with the tour. Drinking water and soft drinks come along. The guide speaks English and moves with the group through each stop. Snorkeling is possible at the clearer sites, though you'll need to bring your own equipment or rent it separately. The tour itself does not provide masks or fins. A kayak is not part of the booking either, so time in the lagoons is spent swimming or wading rather than paddling.

Pickup is free from El Nido town only. If you're staying outside the town center, an extra charge applies. The environmental fee (valid for 14 days) and the lagoon entrance fee are both included in the price. Infants travel on an adult's lap. The pace suits all fitness levels, and the boat is the only transport needed once you're picked up.

What’s included

• Free pickup from El Nido town.
• English-speaking guide.
• boat transport to Small Lagoon, Cadlao Lagoon and surrounding coves.
• environmental fee and lagoon entrance.
• beach lunch.
• drinking water and soft drinks.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (6 and older) · Child (3 to 5 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 7.81

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by El Nido Adventure Tours

Is this one for you?Free pickup from town means you don't need a car or a separate ride to the dock. If you're staying in the El Nido town center, the tour collects you and returns you there. Outside town, an extra charge applies, so confirm your location before booking.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 5 years); Infant (under 3).

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 is Small Lagoon like when you get there?

Small Lagoon is a scenic, narrow waterway with striking blue waters surrounded by dark limestone cliffs. The passage opens into a wider basin where the boat stops and swimmers can enter the water.

Does the tour include snorkeling gear?

Snorkeling equipment is not included with Tour D. You can bring your own mask and fins, or arrange rental separately before the tour begins.

How does pickup work if I'm staying outside El Nido town?

Free pickup is available from El Nido town only. If your accommodation is outside the town center, an extra charge applies. Confirm the location and cost when you book.

What's included in the price besides the boat and guide?

The tour includes the environmental fee (valid for 14 days), lagoon entrance fees, lunch on the beach, and drinking water or soft drinks throughout the day.

How long does the full tour take?

Tour D runs seven to eight hours from pickup to return, with time split among four main stops and the beach lunch break.