Asia
Philippines
Mimaropa
Palawan Province
Palawan Island
El Nido
Things to Do in El Nido
Big Lagoon
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Big Lagoon

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Big Lagoon
4.5
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  • Bình Le
    San Jose, California69 contributions
    Must do Kayaking
    We kayaked in this lagoon as part of the Tour A package, and this was one of the top highlights of the tour (the other was snorkeling around Shimizu island). We paddle along the side (you may see some sea urchin on the rock in the water) all the way to the back, had a nice swim then paddle back in time to meet with our boat. Most people won’t go all the way to the back so I would recommend go all the way if you would like to have a nice quiet swim.
    Visited March 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written March 24, 2023
  • Snoop
    232 contributions
    Even if crowded, it is a spectacular place that is worth a visit
    Of course I was skeptical, whether you go on a private tour or a large group tour, you still end up in a fairly crowded spot. But the place is big, and it never felt too crowded, giving you the chance to enjoy it in reasonable peace. It is indeed spectacular. The contrast between the crystal clear blue of the water and the black rock walls with dark green vegetation is magnificent.
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written April 13, 2023
  • Brad S
    1 contribution
    Palawan, Philippines
    I went Solo to the Philippines, Palawan and other islands as well. I think everyone was younger than I but it did not make a difference. Everyone was cool. Big Lagoon was a great day. Met a beautiful woman from Morocco. Solo is the way to go.
    Visited March 2023
    Written June 15, 2023
  • Daniel P
    Mandaluyong, Philippines7 contributions
    Big Lagoon, El Nido, Palawan PH
    The place was so beautiful we were lucky enought to get a good tour guide and I would say that the locals are really nice. We were also blessed that it wasnt scorching hot. But do bring a hat and put a sunscreen on when you visit especialy during sunny months. Out day wasnt sunny so we enjoyed the cold breeze and cold water. Get a reputable guide who will bring you to good spots and take care of you and share history of the place. We got ours from Leatherback Travek and Cruise My friends and I trully enjoyed this trip. Oh and if you visit make sure you have some beach shoes. I promise you it is worth it. Otherwise you will have to rent for 100-150 the whole day. Brings snacks but please dont leave yihr trash anywhere. They are very strick on this.
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written August 26, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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7
Aoife Q
3 contributions
Beware of Klook Tour Company
Jan 2020
Myself and my partner recently used Klook for the first time to book a boat tour A while we were in El Nido, Phillipines on the 15th of January.

We have travelled around Asia & have went on numerous boat trips & this was by far the worst experience I have ever had. All down to our “tour guide” who clearly hated his job & working with people. He started the trip of by introducing himself saying his job was to “repeat the same information every day like a parrot & that’s what he was going to do”. He proceeded to talk non stop & extremely quickly through a really loud microphone for the first 30 minutes of trip.
Then went on to tell us how he was formally a teacher in Manila & hated his job so came to work for this tour company. He treated us exactly like children in a classroom shouting at us to hurry up at every stop, telling us to line up. He didn’t once offer to take a picture of anyone & when we did he acted like it was a huge inconvenience to him, despite other tour guides scaling rocks to take pictures of their groups. He sat on his phone for the rest of the trip after his 30 minute non stop intro. The icing on the cake was when we visited the blue lagoon & he took his snorkel & swam around entertaining himself. When I asked him to take one picture of myself & my partner he made it clear that he didn’t want to, took one and said “Ok”. He was rude, inconsiderate and ultimately ruined our experience of El Nido. I understand that tour guides have responsibilities etc but this was absolutely ridiculous. Cannot remember our tour guides name but he gave us a shortened version of his actual name & was originally for Manila. How he is employed with such a well established company is a mystery!
Written January 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dreamy7174
Seattle, WA325 contributions
Highlight of our vacation!
Jan 2020
I've travelled so many places in the Philippines, this is the best place I've gone so far in the Philippines. The tour we booked was amazing, from crew to service, it's unbeatable. The Big lagoon is true to its promise, exactly the same as in the photos. Good for snorkeling, swimming in the shallow area and kayaking up to your heart delight. Our tour guide Roland was so attentive, he made sure we were safe since we are not good swimmer and cannot kayak on our own. Perfect place for photo shoots. Will go back again someday.
Written February 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MOHAND ATIA
Tabouk, Saudi Arabia68 contributions
oh my god
Jan 2020 • Couples
breath taking place the lagoon amazing. you can go there through getting a ticket for tour A from el nido it was cost approximately 1750 php one of the stops will be at the entrance of the lagoon you will rent a kayak around 300 php for 2 persons then you will go by your own through the lagoon. i am sorry because i didn’t take a picture because my cam is not waterproof 😂 but really i enjoy the place.
Written January 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Littlegreenmonkey
Manila, Philippines11 contributions
Unique Tranquility
Feb 2021 • Friends
Due to covid and low numbers of travellers, we were able to have this beauty spot completely to ourselves. Our tour guide rowed us in via kayak and not a soul was around. I have never known peace like it. No photos or videos can do it justice. It was an unforgettable experience and I would recommend if you are able to visit before international tourists return, then do so.
Written February 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RoxRocksYeah
Manila, Philippines219 contributions
Please visit!
Jan 2022 • Friends
Jan 2022 - Definitely a must see in El Nido. It can only be accessed by renting a kayak and paid by cash. Because of the prevailing COVID restrictions during that time, it was not crowded. I sincerely enjoyed the view.
Written February 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Snoop
232 contributions
Even if crowded, it is a spectacular place that is worth a visit
Apr 2023 • Couples
Of course I was skeptical, whether you go on a private tour or a large group tour, you still end up in a fairly crowded spot. But the place is big, and it never felt too crowded, giving you the chance to enjoy it in reasonable peace. It is indeed spectacular. The contrast between the crystal clear blue of the water and the black rock walls with dark green vegetation is magnificent.
Written April 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ronald1970
Arnhem, Nederland105 contributions
WONDERFUL
Jun 2022
Boat Tour A brings you to the Big Lagoon, where you can rent a Kayak. I have seen many pictures, but now experienced it for real myself. How nice. Crystal clear water, beautiful scenery, and especially you have to go the far end, around the left corner. There you can bring your kayak in a cave and paddle through it, where there is a narrow exit at the end! So nice!
Written July 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bình Le
San Jose, CA69 contributions
Must do Kayaking
Mar 2023 • Couples
We kayaked in this lagoon as part of the Tour A package, and this was one of the top highlights of the tour (the other was snorkeling around Shimizu island). We paddle along the side (you may see some sea urchin on the rock in the water) all the way to the back, had a nice swim then paddle back in time to meet with our boat. Most people won’t go all the way to the back so I would recommend go all the way if you would like to have a nice quiet swim.
Written March 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marco Grava
Rome, Italy835 contributions
Must do - but there are better places
Feb 2020
If you ask for a private your they will take you to the big lagoon first; I suspected that the small lagoon is much more beautiful and this is the reason why they keep it for the later excursion … they do not want to spoil it. Guess what … I was right! The big lagoon is very nice, with crystal clear waters, nice cliffs, and a huge screaming mob and tens of kayaks, some jellyfishes in still waters and some plastic floating here and there to witness how ignorant people are, to only think to trash such a beautiful place. I only rate it “average” because the standards in El Nido are so high and there are so many other breathtaking places that I have to keep the score a little low to reflect the differences.
Written February 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mamabelz
Los Banos, Philippines2,548 contributions
Rainy season
Jun 2021 • Family
Today was a different experience from pre-pandemic times. They now have kayaks outside the entrance as boats are no longer allowed to enter. Swimming may be an option. Entrance fee is at P200/ person.

Anyway, if you go to the middle and shout or sing, the acoustics were cool as sounds bounced off the limestone cliffs.

Lots of sea urchins and small fry on the still clear waters.
Written July 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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