Tour A in El Nido: Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon and kayak choices
Updated October 28, 2026 · 5 min read
Tour A is El Nido’s standard first-day route, but its name does not guarantee one fixed itinerary. The most-reviewed Tour A Lagoons and Beaches explicitly lists Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island and Seven Commandos. Other Tour A products advertise Big Lagoon. Read the selected option rather than assuming both lagoons are included.
Big Lagoon or Secret Lagoon?
Big Lagoon is the wide, cliff-framed waterway associated with kayak photographs. Entry is controlled through limited slots and normally carries a separate premium-lagoon fee unless the booking says otherwise. Secret Lagoon is a smaller enclosed pool reached through an opening in the rock. They are different experiences, and a route naming one should not be read as promising the other.
The leading trip lasts 6–8 hours, starts at €21.75 and has 4.4 from 2,006 reviews. Its description also names beach time on Shimizu Island and Seven Commandos. That balance is why Tour A suits first-time visitors: the day is not only a kayak session.
Check the kayak before paying
“Big Lagoon included” can mean that the boat takes you to the entrance while kayak hire remains payable locally. Check four lines on the booking page: lagoon user fee, kayak hire, environmental fee and lunch. A cheaper headline price can finish higher when several items are excluded.
Kayaks are usually shared by two people. If you travel alone, ask whether you will share, pay for a whole kayak or can join another guest. If you cannot swim confidently, tell the operator before booking; a life jacket provides flotation but conditions still matter.
When Tour A is a poor fit
Skip it if you mainly want Hidden Beach – that belongs to Tour C – or caves and Snake Island, which define Tour B. Tour A is also a poor choice when you dislike busy headline sights. A private departure improves control over pace, but it cannot create an empty lagoon or override access slots.
Recommendation
Choose the leading Tour A for a broad introduction, but confirm which lagoon appears on your exact date and whether kayaking is included. The route name alone is not enough.
