The Big Lagoon in El Nido is a sheltered sheet of turquoise water inside the limestone cliffs of Miniloc Island, entered by kayak through a shallow channel. This guide explains how to visit it on Tour A or a private boat, how the time slots and visitor caps work, what you pay on top, when to go and how it compares with the Small and Secret Lagoons next door.
Miniloc is one of the limestone islands on the western side of Bacuit Bay, a boat ride from El Nido town, and it holds three of the bay's best-known sights: the Big Lagoon, the Small Lagoon and the Secret Lagoon. The Big Lagoon is the largest, a long basin of calm, clear water ringed by sheer gray cliffs topped with forest, reached through a shallow, narrow inlet from the sea.
The lagoon lies within the El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area, and its access is managed by the Protected Area Office. Miniloc Island Resort, one of the El Nido Resorts properties, is on the same island; our where to stay guide covers the island resorts.
Most visitors come on Tour A, the lagoon route of El Nido's municipal island-hopping system, which also stops at Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island and Seven Commandos Beach. Some versions of Tour A include the Small Lagoon instead, because since 2018 the two cannot be visited on the same day. When you book, check which lagoon is included; our El Nido island hopping guide compares all four routes.
A private bangka gives the most control over timing: you can ask your operator for an early slot and arrive before the shared boats. The municipality has also offered a separate Big Lagoon premium package, built around the lagoon, Shimizu Island and Entalula, as part of its effort to spread visitors across the bay.
Since December 1, 2018, El Nido's Protected Area Office has enforced a carrying capacity for the Big and Small Lagoons. The Big Lagoon admits 60 visitors and 30 kayaks every 90 minutes, or 480 people and 240 kayaks in an eight-hour day. Operators book their slots in advance, with any spare slots released after 3 pm on the day before, so last-minute bookings in peak season may not get in. Both lagoons were opened to guests from 7 am to 4 pm when the policy began.
Motorboats may not enter the Big Lagoon, except boats with special permits carrying people with disabilities, seniors or pregnant women, so tour boats wait at the mouth and you continue by kayak or swim. The rules require life jackets inside the lagoon and ban cliff jumping, loud music, grilling, washing dishes, throwing food scraps, stepping on coral, smoking and drinking alcohol. Guides and boats that break them can be refused clearance to sail.
Each visitor pays a ₱200 (about $3) environmental user fee for the lagoon, which goes to the protected area's fund; persons with disabilities, seniors and students get the usual discounts, and town residents and children aged 5 and under are exempt. This is separate from El Nido's Eco-Tourism Development Fee, reported at ₱400 (about $7.50) according to operators, which covers all tours for 10 days. Neither is normally included in the tour price.
Kayaks are rented at the lagoon from a regulated pool. The fixed rate in 2018 was ₱250 for up to 90 minutes; operators now quote around ₱350 (about $6) for a two-seater, so bring small bills. Pack a dry bag, water shoes for the rocky shallows, reef-safe sunscreen and a refillable bottle of water.
The lagoon is at its best in the first slots of the morning, when the water is still and the shared boats have not yet arrived, and again late in the afternoon. From late morning to early afternoon the inlet fills with kayaks. At low tide the entrance channel is very shallow, so expect to paddle or wade carefully over rocks and coral rubble; your guide will plan around the tide where possible.
January to April brings the calmest seas and the clearest water. In the southwest monsoon, from June to October, swells can cancel boat tours at short notice, though the lagoon itself stays sheltered once you are inside. See Palawan weather and the best time to visit.
The Small Lagoon, also on Miniloc, is entered through a low gap in the rock that is just wide enough for a kayak or a swimmer, and opens into a quiet pool walled by cliffs. It is smaller and more intimate, with a cap of 30 visitors and 15 kayaks per hour, and charges the same ₱200 fee. The Secret Lagoon is a tiny pool behind a beach, reached by squeezing through a small opening in the rock wall; it can feel crowded with only a few boats.
Cadlao Lagoon, on Tour D near town, is quieter and makes a good alternative in peak season. The Twin Lagoon often mentioned online is not in El Nido but in Coron, on its Coron island hopping tours, along with Kayangan Lake. For more on the area, see our El Nido guide.
Yes. Visits run on time slots with a cap of 60 visitors per 90 minutes, and operators book them ahead; in peak season, book Tour A or a private boat at least a day before.
The environmental user fee is ₱200 per person, on top of El Nido's Eco-Tourism Development Fee (reported at ₱400). Kayak rental is paid separately at the lagoon.
Yes, with a life jacket, which is required inside the lagoon. Most visitors paddle in by kayak because motorboats are not allowed inside.
The Big Lagoon is larger and more open, with long views of the cliffs; the Small Lagoon has a narrow entrance and a more enclosed, intimate feel. A regular tour includes only one of them.
No. Twin Lagoon is in Coron, on Coron Island tours. El Nido's best-known lagoons are the Big, Small, Secret and Cadlao lagoons.
A standard El Nido boat route for first-time visitors who want lagoons, beaches and swimming in one outing. The trip runs about six hours, so it fits into a single morning and afternoon.
from ~$25 per person
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A classic day of five stops among limestone cliffs, including Shimizu Island and Payong-Payong Beach. Suits first-time visitors; a picnic-style lunch is served on the beach with licensed guides.
from ~$39 per person
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Fits couples, families or small groups who want to set a relaxed pace without sharing the boat. The outing lasts about six hours and visits beaches and lagoons around El Nido.
from ~$165 per person
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Group sailing day with the El Nido Yachting Club, visiting three to four islands such as Big Lagoon and Star Beach. Runs 9 AM to 4 PM, needs six guests minimum, and starts at the club's town office.
from ~$158 per person
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Suits travelers short on time who want to see highlights of two classic El Nido island-hopping routes in one outing. Expect a long day of about seven hours on a speedboat.
from ~$79 per person
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Covers Big Lagoon, Secret Beach, Seven Commando Beach, Helicopter Island and Hidden Beach in one boat day. Suits first-time visitors who want snorkeling and scenery, with lunch served on an island.
from ~$196 per person
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Combines El Nido Tours A and C into one private day, covering Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Hidden Beach and Helicopter Island. Suits groups wanting a flexible pace and personal attention from the guide. Lunch included.
from ~$217 per person
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Three days and two nights in El Nido, including the van ride from Puerto Princesa, accommodation and a guided island tour with lunch. Return transfer goes to the airport or a hotel of your choice.
from ~$285 per person
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Prices are indicative and may change. The final price is shown by the booking platform. Prices checked: October 17, 2026.
El Nido island hopping tours Tours A, B, C and D compared: the stops on each route, fees paid on top, shared or private boats, combos and weather cancellations. 
Nacpan Beach El Nido's long golden beach and its twin, Calitang: how to get there, what to expect, safe swimming and staying overnight. 
El Nido airport & how to get there Lio Airport (ENI) flights from Clark and Cebu, the van from Puerto Princesa, ferries from Coron and the road from Port Barton. 