We spent the day on El Nido’s Tour A with Leatherback Tours. It took us through the turquoise water of Big Lagoon, and then we slipped into Secret Lagoon, which is reached by wading through a narrow gap in the rock.
After that we snorkelled at Shimizu Island, and the day finished with a feast on the sand at Seven Commandos Beach.
Good to know
- El Nido fee: visitors pay a 400-peso Ecotourism Development Fee, valid for ten days. Tour operators usually collect it on your first trip. El Nido Paradise
- Big Lagoon: there’s an extra entrance fee of about 200 pesos.
- Secret Lagoon: you get in by wading through a narrow gap in the rock, so wear water shoes.
We checked these details in October 2026. Times, prices and rules do change, so it’s worth a quick look at the official sites before you go.