If you are planning island hopping in El Nido, Palawan, the lagoons are probably the part you are most looking forward to. But Big Lagoon El Nido, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon and Cadlao Lagoon are surprisingly different, and they are split between two tours. After seeing how each one works, here is how I would choose between the four, how to get there, and exactly what you need to budget for each lagoon.
El Nido’s Four Famous Lagoons at a Glance
On a standard single-route tour, the four lagoons are split between Tour A and Tour D. Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon are part of Tour A, while Small Lagoon and Cadlao Lagoon are on Tour D. To visit all four, you would normally need to combine both routes or plan them across separate island-hopping days.
| Lagoon | Big Lagoon | Small Lagoon | Secret Lagoon | Cadlao Lagoon |
| Location | Miniloc Island | Miniloc Island | Miniloc Island | Cadlao Island |
| Tour | Tour A | Tour D | Tour A | Tour D |
| Water and scale | Largest of the four, with a mix of lighter and deeper shades | Smaller than Big Lagoon, with a generally deeper, more uniform colour | Smallest of the four, reached through a small opening in the limestone | Palest water of the four, sand on the floor reflects the light |
| Kayak | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Swimming | Not permitted | Not permitted | Allowed (swim-in access) | Allowed |
| Lagoon fee | PHP 200 (ages 6+) | PHP 200 (ages 6+) | No lagoon fee | No lagoon fee |
| Ticket / rental | Kayak PHP 300 (2 pax), PHP 350 (3 pax) | Kayak PHP 300 (2 pax), PHP 350 (3 pax) | None | Ask your operator |
| Best for | First-time visitors and iconic scenery | Travellers who prefer a quieter, more intimate lagoon experience | Travellers who enjoy unusual natural formations | Travellers who want to swim and relax by the beach |
2026 update: Tour routes and fees shown above are based on the 2026 schedule. Tour operators may occasionally adjust stops, so confirm the latest itinerary and fees with your operator when booking.
The biggest difference when planning ahead is Big and Small Lagoon. Both charge an additional PHP 200 lagoon fee and have visitor limits, so your operator needs to arrange the permit in advance. Book at least one day ahead, as same-day arrangements can be difficult. Secret and Cadlao Lagoon do not have an additional lagoon fee.
Big Lagoon El Nido: The Iconic Kayak Experience
This is the lagoon on the postcards, but it takes a little more planning to visit. Like Small Lagoon, you need an advance permit, a PHP 200 lagoon fee and a kayak to enter. It is worth the extra planning, especially if you get the timing right.
What to Expect
Big Lagoon is the largest of El Nido’s four lagoons, and the only way in is by kayak. Tour boats stop outside the shallow entrance channel, where you transfer to a kayak and paddle between two limestone walls.
Once inside, you start to realise just how large the lagoon is. The water shifts from lighter shades near the entrance to deeper blue further in, with limestone cliffs rising around you as you paddle deeper into the lagoon. If you are taking photos, the wider sections are great for capturing the scale of the cliffs against the kayak.
The size also means spending a long time exposed to the sun. There is little shade once you are out on the water, so bring plenty of sunscreen and a water bottle. Unlike Secret and Cadlao, there are no floating vendors outside Big Lagoon, so bring what you need before getting into the kayak.
The paddle in feels easy, but the return can feel longer than expected. Keep an eye on your guide’s meeting time, especially if you have paddled deep into the lagoon.
Swimming inside Big Lagoon is not permitted. You may still see some visitors entering the water, but the rule is to stay in your kayak.
Fees & Kayak Rental
Three charges apply before you are on the water.
- Environmental fee (ETDF): PHP 400 (ages 14+), PHP 250 (ages 6–13), free under 6; valid 5 days
- Big Lagoon fee: PHP 200 (ages 6+), free under 6
- Kayak rental: PHP 300 for a two seater, PHP 350 for a three seater
One fee you do not need to pay every day is the ETDF. The PHP 400 environmental fee is valid for 5 days, so keep the receipt somewhere dry if you are joining more tours. For Big Lagoon, budget another PHP 200 per person for the lagoon fee, plus PHP 300 for a two-person kayak or PHP 350 for a three-person kayak.
Permits & Daily Limits
Big Lagoon has a daily visitor limit, so you cannot simply turn up and expect to get in. Your tour operator needs to arrange the permit in advance, and same-day bookings can be difficult.
Book at least one day ahead, especially if Big Lagoon is high on your list. Big Lagoon’s visitor limit was set at 720 people per day in 2018, and according to our local operator, this has not been specifically adjusted since. Visitor limits can change, so check with your operator before you go. In practice, entry timing is managed by tour operators and guides rather than through a fixed public timetable.
If you are visiting during a busy period, it is still worth asking your operator about timing when you book.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Big Lagoon depends less on a fixed entry slot and more on the season, crowds, daylight and tide.
In peak season (roughly November to April) the lagoon is busiest and you may have to wait for a kayak, while clear dry-season days (December to May) give it the bright, postcard look. In the low season (June to October) there are fewer visitors and less waiting, although cloudy weather can give the lagoon a darker, more atmospheric look. Our guide to the best time to visit El Nido covers the seasons in more detail.
Time of day can make a difference for photos too. Earlier visits usually have more direct light, while the tall limestone walls can cast more shadows later in the afternoon.
The tide matters more for how easy it is to enter than for the colour of the water. Higher tide generally makes the shallow entrance easier to paddle through, while at low tide you may need to walk or pull your kayak through parts of the approach. Reef shoes are useful if you visit at low tide. The main lagoon itself is deep enough that its water colour does not change dramatically with the tide.
Tide times change from day to day, so check the tide table for your actual travel date. NAMRIA’s PH TIDES (also available as an Android app) is a useful option for checking local tide predictions.
For the quietest possible experience, a private tour gives you more control over how early you leave, although departure still depends on the day’s sea conditions and local clearance procedures. If seeing Big Lagoon in the quiet early morning is especially important to you, staying at Miniloc Resort is another option worth considering.
Small Lagoon El Nido: Kayak Through the Keyhole
Small Lagoon may be smaller than Big Lagoon, but getting through its narrow entrance is part of the experience. The opening sits between towering limestone walls, giving the lagoon a much more enclosed feel from the start. It is part of Tour D and, like Big Lagoon, requires a PHP 200 lagoon fee and advance booking.
What to Expect
The narrow entrance is one of the highlights of Small Lagoon. At higher tide you may need to lean back in your kayak to fit under the rock, but the entrance itself is passable at any tide. Further inside there is a small hole in the rock that does depend on the tide: at very high tide you cannot get through, and at very low tide kayaks can get stuck. If it is windy outside, follow your guide’s instructions and take extra care when paddling through.
Once inside, the lagoon feels much more compact than Big Lagoon, with deeper, more uniform water colours and limestone walls enclosing the smaller space.
Fees & Kayak Rental
The cost structure matches Big Lagoon.
- Environmental fee (ETDF): PHP 400 (ages 14+), PHP 250 (ages 6–13), free under 6; valid 5 days
- Small Lagoon fee: PHP 200 (ages 6+), free under 6
- Kayak rental: PHP 300 for a two seater, PHP 350 for a three seater
If you are doing Big and Small on separate days within the ETDF’s five-day validity period, you do not need to pay the environmental fee twice. The PHP 200 lagoon fee is charged separately at each lagoon, so budget for it both times.
Permits & Daily Limits
Small Lagoon also has visitor limits and requires a permit in advance. Same-day arrangements can be difficult, so book at least one day ahead rather than leaving it until the morning of your tour.
Your operator will arrange the permit for you, so confirm that Small Lagoon is included when you book.
Best Time to Visit
Timing matters less at Small Lagoon than at Big Lagoon. Going earlier or later makes little difference here, as Small Lagoon sees fewer kayaks than Big Lagoon, so there is no need to plan specifically for an early visit. The tide mainly affects the clearance at the entrance and at the small hole further inside, as covered above.
Secret Lagoon El Nido: The Hidden Cove
Secret Lagoon feels hidden right up until you reach it. From the boat, you first see the limestone wall and the small opening you need to pass through to get inside. It is part of Tour A, along with Big Lagoon.
The entrance is part of the experience: you get in by swimming over from the boat, so wear your life vest or bring it with you. Once inside, you are in the smallest of El Nido’s four famous lagoons, surrounded by limestone on almost every side.
Secret Lagoon is also the only one of the four where you do not need a kayak. There is no additional lagoon fee here either.
Pay particular attention to the tide. At high tide, the water inside the lagoon can be too deep to stand, so you may need to float or tread water. Bringing or wearing your life vest makes this much easier, even if you are a confident swimmer. Most people come in to see the limestone formations and take photos rather than swim around, as the lagoon itself is quite small.
Outside the lagoon, you may also see the little floating vendors paddling between the tour boats. They sell drinks, coconut water, snacks, beer and ice pops, and will often paddle right up to your boat. You can pay once you are back on board, so keeping a little cash somewhere dry can come in handy.
Cadlao Lagoon El Nido: The Palest Water and a Beach
Cadlao feels quite different from the other lagoons. It is the only one of the four with a beach inside the lagoon, and the pale sand reflects light through the water, giving it the lightest colour of the four. Compared with the deeper shades at Big and Small Lagoon, the water here has a softer, almost milky appearance.
Of the lagoons you kayak into, Cadlao is the only one where you can get in the water for a swim. You can cool off by the beach or explore the lagoon by kayak, so there is more freedom to slow down and enjoy the stop. After the more enclosed kayaking experience at Small Lagoon, Cadlao feels noticeably more open and relaxed. There is no additional lagoon fee here either.
Cadlao Lagoon is part of Tour D, along with Small Lagoon. Outside the lagoon, you may also spot the little floating vendors paddling between the tour boats, selling water, coconut water, snacks, beer and ice pops. Keep a little cash somewhere easy to reach in your dry bag if you want to grab something cold before heading back to the boat.
Big vs Small vs Secret vs Cadlao: Which Lagoon Should You Prioritise?
If you only have time for one lagoon, I would still put Big Lagoon first. It is the largest of the four, the most iconic, and the one that gives you the classic El Nido kayaking experience most people have in mind.
Big Lagoon is best for first-time visitors. The scale is what makes it stand out: the lagoon is much larger than the others, the water shifts between lighter and deeper shades, and you spend most of the visit paddling through the limestone landscape. It does require an additional PHP 200 lagoon fee and advance booking, but if this is your first trip to El Nido, it is the easiest one to prioritise.
Small Lagoon is a better pick if you prefer a quieter, more intimate lagoon experience or do not want to paddle as far. It is smaller and more enclosed than Big Lagoon, with a narrow keyhole-style entrance that makes the experience feel quite different despite its smaller size. Like Big Lagoon, it has a PHP 200 lagoon fee and requires advance booking because of visitor limits.
Secret Lagoon is the one to choose for the unusual entrance rather than the kayaking. It is the smallest of the four and the only one where kayaks are not used. You enter through a small opening in the limestone, and at high tide the water can be deep enough that you cannot touch the bottom. There is no additional lagoon fee.
Cadlao Lagoon is the best choice if you actually want to swim. It is the only one of the four with a beach inside the lagoon and gives you more space to properly swim and relax in the water. The pale sand also gives the water the lightest colour of the four, making it feel very different from the deeper shades at Big and Small Lagoon. Kayaking is available here too, and there is no additional lagoon fee.
Big and Secret Lagoon are on Tour A, while Small and Cadlao Lagoon are on Tour D. Big and Small require an additional lagoon fee and advance booking, while Secret and Cadlao have no additional lagoon fee.
Can You Visit Big and Small Lagoon on the Same Day?
Not on a standard joiner tour. Big Lagoon is part of Tour A, while Small Lagoon is on Tour D, so the fixed routes normally mean choosing one or the other for the day.
A private tour gives you more flexibility and may allow you to request both lagoons in the same itinerary. However, both have visitor limits and require permits, so visiting both still depends on availability. If you want to try, arrange it with your operator in advance.
Fun Fact: Big and Small Lagoon were actually part of the same tour years ago. They sit right next to each other, separated by a limestone ridge with no passage between them. In 2018, the two lagoons were split between Tour A and Tour D as part of new measures introduced to protect the lagoons. That is why these neighbouring lagoons are now on two different tours.
How to Visit: Tours, Private Boats & Booking
Check the weather forecast a few days before your trip, as conditions can affect whether island-hopping tours are able to depart. Typhoon conditions vary from year to year, but boat tours are typically cancelled when it is unsafe to head out.
All four lagoons are in Bacuit Bay and are reached by boat from El Nido. Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon and Secret Lagoon are around Miniloc Island, while Cadlao Lagoon is on Cadlao Island. From El Nido town, the boat ride to the Miniloc Island area varies with sea conditions and your route that day.
For most travellers, the main choice is between a joiner tour and a private boat. Joiner tours are priced per person and follow a set route, so you simply choose Tour A for Big and Secret Lagoon or Tour D for Small and Cadlao Lagoon. Our El Nido Tour A guide and Tour B vs Tour D comparison go through each route in more detail, and Tour A vs Tour C helps if you are also considering Tour C.
Private tours are priced around the boat instead, which changes the maths as your group gets bigger. The cost is shared between everyone in your group, while you also get more flexibility over the departure time, order of stops and which lagoons you want to prioritise. If you are trying to fit Big and Small Lagoon into the same day, this is also the option to discuss with your operator. Our El Nido private tour review goes into more detail.
Whichever option you choose, book at least one day ahead if Big or Small Lagoon is on your list, as both require permits and have visitor limits.
Not sure which option works better for your group? H Hospitality Travel & Tours can help you compare joiner and private tours and plan the route around the lagoons you want to see. If Big or Small Lagoon is your priority, book ahead so there is time to arrange the permit.
What to Bring & Lagoon Rules
There are a few lagoon rules worth knowing before you get on the boat. The ETDF environmental fee is PHP 400 per person and is valid for 5 days, so keep the receipt somewhere dry if you plan to go island hopping again within that period.
Life vests are mandatory whenever you are kayaking. Swimming is not permitted at Big or Small Lagoon, even though you may occasionally see visitors ignoring the rule. Of the three lagoons you paddle into, Cadlao is the only one where swimming is allowed. Secret Lagoon is different: at high tide, the water inside can be too deep to stand, so bringing or wearing your life vest makes floating or treading water much easier.
Big Lagoon also deserves a little extra preparation. It is the largest of the four, and you can spend quite a while exposed to the sun while paddling. Bring enough water and sunscreen, and reapply before getting into your kayak rather than waiting until you are already inside.
What to pack in your day bag:
- A dry bag. You will be moving between the boat, water and kayak throughout the day, so keep your phone, wallet and anything else you want dry properly sealed.
- Reef shoes. They are especially useful at Secret Lagoon, where the rocky entrance can be awkward to navigate.
- Snorkel gear, or check whether your tour provides it. Most boat operators do not provide snorkelling equipment, but you can usually rent a set by the beach before departure. H Hospitality Travel & Tours is an exception, as its tours include a mask and snorkel. Check with your operator beforehand so you know whether you need to arrange your own.
- A waterproof phone case. Daylight is generally better for lagoon photos, as the tall limestone walls can create more shadows later in the afternoon. A waterproof case also keeps your phone protected while taking photos from the kayak.
Planning to bring a drone? Rules can change, so check with your tour operator before departure to confirm whether flying is permitted at the lagoons.
Keep a little cash somewhere dry, too. Floating vendors outside Secret and Cadlao Lagoon sell water, coconut water, snacks, beer and ice pops. There are no floating vendors at Big Lagoon, so bring enough water with you. Most tour boats carry a large container of drinking water for the group, but it is worth confirming this with your operator when you book.
The lagoons are within the El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area, so be mindful of what you bring. Leave Bluetooth speakers and unnecessary plastics behind, choose marine-friendly sunscreen when possible, and check with your operator before bringing a drone. It is also a good idea to have a cover-up, clothes or a towel ready over your swimwear when returning to shore.
Pro-Tip: Where to Stay After Island Hopping
Island-hopping tours usually get back to El Nido town around 4:00 PM, so a hotel in town means a short walk back to your room. Two of our partner hotels give El Nido Insights readers a discount when you book direct:
• S Resort El Nido: less than a two-minute walk from El Nido’s port. Code ENINSSR takes 15% off. More in our S Resort El Nido review.
• J Boutique Hotel: on Rizal Street in El Nido town, about an 8-minute walk from the main beach. Code ENINSJB takes 10% off. More in our J Boutique Hotel review.
FAQ
Big Lagoon is part of Tour A, along with Secret Lagoon. Small Lagoon and Cadlao Lagoon are on Tour D. If Big Lagoon is one of your priorities, book at least one day ahead, as visitor numbers are limited and a permit needs to be arranged in advance.
Swimming is not permitted at Big and Small Lagoon, even though you may occasionally see visitors ignoring the rule. Cadlao is the best of the four if you actually want to swim, and it is the only one with a beach inside the lagoon. Secret Lagoon is different: getting inside means swimming over from the boat, and at high tide the water inside can be too deep to stand, so bringing or wearing a life vest makes floating much easier. It is very small, though, so it is more of a place to see the limestone formations and take photos than a swimming spot.
Kayak rental is PHP 300 for a two-person kayak or PHP 350 for a three-person kayak. Big and Small Lagoon also have an additional PHP 200 lagoon fee per person. The ETDF environmental fee is PHP 400 per person and valid for 5 days, while Secret and Cadlao Lagoon have no additional lagoon fee.
Yes, but I would not prioritise all four equally. Big Lagoon is my first choice for a first visit to El Nido, so if you only have one day, pick Tour A. Small Lagoon suits travellers who prefer a quieter, more intimate lagoon or do not want to paddle as far, while Cadlao is the one for swimming and time on the beach. Secret Lagoon is the smallest of the four and feels very different, with a small opening in the limestone that you pass through to get inside.
For most travellers, the easiest way to visit is by joining Tour A (Big and Secret Lagoon) or Tour D (Small and Cadlao Lagoon). If you want more control over which lagoons you visit and the order of your stops, book a private tour instead. Keep in mind that Big and Small Lagoon still require permits and are subject to visitor limits, even on a private tour.
Conclusion
There is no single “best” lagoon in El Nido. Big Lagoon is still my first pick for a first visit, while Small is a better choice if you prefer a quieter, more intimate lagoon experience or do not want to paddle as far. Cadlao is the one to choose if you want to swim, while Secret stands out for its unusual entrance and smaller, more enclosed setting.
The main thing is to plan around the tour routes and permits rather than trying to fit everything into one day. Big and Secret are on Tour A, while Small and Cadlao are on Tour D. Pick the experience that matters most to you, and leave enough time to enjoy it rather than simply trying to tick off all four.
Once you have chosen, book Tour A or Tour D at least a day ahead if Big or Small Lagoon is on your list; our El Nido Tour D itinerary is the next read if Small and Cadlao are your pick. For the rest of your stay, see our guide to things to do in El Nido.
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