The famous Big Lagoon El Nido seems to be at the top of everyone’s Philippines Bucket List and it’s easy to see why! I can tell you now that it’s every bit impressive and I highly recommend adding El Nido Big Lagoon to your list of places to see in Palawan!
I have put together this complete guide of Big Lagoon El Nido including how to get there and what to expect!
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HOW TO GET TO BIG LAGOON EL NIDO
El Nido Big Lagoon can only be accessed by boat on one of the El Nido Island Hopping Tours. More specifically, El Nido Tour A is the only boat tour that operates trips to Big Lagoon Palawan.
I personally booked Tour A El Nido online in advance with Klook and it couldn’t have been easier!
El Nido Tour A is the most top-rated El Nido Island Hopping Tour with great reviews and thousands of bookings.
Tour A El Nido includes a full day of island hopping on an outrigger boat to Seven Commandos Beach, Big Lagoon El Nido, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island and a BBQ lunch on the boat. All this for just $18 USD.
Book Now ∼ El Nido Tour A
BIG LAGOON EL NIDO
Big Lagoon El Nido is located on Miniloc Island and it’s typically the second stop on El Nido Tour A. When we arrived on the boat I could finally see why El Nido Big Lagoon was at the top of everyone’s list of things to in El Nido!
The towering limestone cliffs of Miniloc Island are other-worldly and the deep blue-colored waters inside Big Lagoon El Nido are too inviting not to go for a swim!
One of the best activities to do at Big Lagoon El Nido is to rent a kayak and paddle your way through the opening of the lagoon and explore the deep blue waters inside. The cost to rent a kayak is an additional 250 pesos which is worth every cent.
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Big Lagoon El Nido
Kayaking at El Nido Big Lagoon
EXPLORING EL NIDO BIG LAGOON
If you opt not to go kayaking in Big Lagoon El Nido, it’s possible to swim from the boat into the opening of the lagoon where the water is quite shallow. From here you can walk around beneath the curving limestone cliffs and take a moment to let the phenomenality of this place soak in!
I decided to fly my DJI Mavic Drone at Big Lagoon El Nido to capture the beauty of it all from a birds-eye perspective. Safe to say these were my favorite photos I took on the El Nido island hopping tour!
You’ll have around 1 hour – 1.5 hours to enjoy your time inside the Big Lagoon El Nido before heading off to the next stop of El Nido Tour A which is Secret Lagoon!
Full Blog Post ∼ El Nido Island Hopping
Big Lagoon Palawan
PIN LOCATION BIG LAGOON EL NIDO
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WHERE TO STAY NEAR BIG LAGOON EL NIDO
El Nido has hundreds of accommodation options to choose from, so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay near Big Lagoon El Nido to fit the needs of budget backpackers and luxury travelers.
See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:
Luxury: Lagùn Hotel
Lagùn Hotel is one of the best and most modern hotel near Big Lagoon El Nido featuring an outdoor swimming pool, terrace, restaurant, bar and free wifi throughout the property. The rooms are fitted with a flat-screen tv, wardrobe, work desk, fridge, kettle, private bathroom and some with a balcony. A buffet breakfast is also included for all guests. Recommended for couples, families and friends.
Mid Range: Sea Cocoon Hotel
I personally stayed at Sea Cocoon Hotel and can’t recommend this place enough! Located right in the heart of El Nido town and just minutes walk to the beach. Sea Cocoon Hotel features an outdoor swimming pool, terrace, restaurant, bar and a shared lounge. The rooms are spacious and modern with air-conditioning, large comfy beds, wardrobe, balcony and private bathroom. A buffet breakfast is also included for all guests. Affordable place to stay for couples, families and friends!
Budget: One Hostel El Nido
One Hostel is one of the best budget accommodations near Big Lagoon El Nido with great reviews! Centrally located and walking distance to the bus terminal, shops, cafes, bars, restaurants and beaches. There are dorm rooms, double rooms and quadruple rooms available with air-conditioning. The Hostel also has free wifi and a shared lounge area for guests to hang out. Perfect place to stay in El Nido for solo travelers, couples and friends!
FOR ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY NEAR BIG LAGOON EL NIDO, SEARCH ON AGODA OR SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM
BEST EL NIDO TOURS
AIRBNB EL NIDO
Another option for accommodation near Big Lagoon in El Nido is to stay at an Airbnb, which generally has some great deals.
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LONELY PLANET – PHILIPPINES
One of the best books to take on your trip is the Lonely Planet Philippines Travel Guide!
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MORE PHILIPPINES TRAVEL GUIDES
- Philippines Travel Guide: 3 Weeks Philippines Itinerary
- Cebu: 15 Things To Do In Cebu
- Bohol: 31 Epic Things To Do In Bohol
- Siargao: 15 Things To Do In Siargao
- El Nido: El Nido Island Hopping
- Coron: Coron Island Hopping
- Boracay: 15 Things To Do In Boracay
- Siquijor: 3 Day Siquijor Itinerary
- Bantayan: 15 Things To Do In Bantayan
- Malapascua: 11 Things To Do In Malapascua
- Camiguin: 13 Best Camiguin Tourist Spots
- Romblon: 12 Epic Things To Do In Romblon
- Tablas: 10 Things To Do In Tablas
- Carabao: 7 Best Things To Do In Carabao
- Dumaguete: Best Dumaguete Tourist Spots
- Sumilon Island: Sumilon Island Itinerary
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WHAT TO PACK FOR BIG LAGOON EL NIDO
Everyday Backpack: One of the best backpacks on the market! The Nomatic 20L Backpack is perfect for on the go adventures. Featuring multiple storage spaces for valuables, drink bottles, chargers, notebooks and more. This sleek backpack was designed for you.
Universal Power Adapter: Don’t leave home without one! I highly recommend getting this Universal Power Adapter so that you are able to charge all of your electronics when you’re on the road. Compatible in Asia, UK, Europe, Africa, USA, SA and Australia.
Hidden Money Belt: I never go on a trip without one! The best thing is they are always out of sight, hidden beneath your clothing. With RFID blocking, they are perfectly designed to keep your credit cards, cash and other valuables safe when you’re out adventuring!
Waterproof Phone Case: A waterproof phone case is a must-have item! This universal case will keep your phone safe from water damage, sand and scratches during your adventures. Suitable for all smartphone models.
Portable Charger: One of the best portable chargers on the market! The Anker Power Bank keeps your phone and accessories charged on those longer adventures. Featuring 2 USB charging ports, rechargeable battery, works with iPhone, iPad, Samsung, Oppo and Android.
Microfibre Travel Towel: To pack a towel or not to pack a towel? A standard bathroom towel can take up a lot of space in your travel bag. Get your hands on a quick-dry Microfibre Travel Towel which is perfect for the beach, backpacking, camping and general traveling.
Rain Jacket: A light-weight rain jacket is an absolute must when traveling! North Face waterproof rain jackets come in both men and women sizes, featuring a breathable mesh lining and adjustable hood that can be tucked away inside the collar.
Kindle: The best alternative for books! Kindle e-readers are perfect for long haul flights, reading on the beach or a quiet evening away from the bars. Kindle’s are waterproof with rechargeable batteries and adjustable light settings to suit indoor/outdoor conditions.
Packing Cubes: My favorite item in my backpack! Perfect for organizing your shirts, pants, jackets, socks, underwear and more. This 5 Set Packing Cubes makes packing easier and more efficient, adding extra space in your bag for your next trip.
Activated Charcoal Tablets: Want to avoid food poisoning? Most of us have been a victim of travelers diarrhea from eating street food. Organic Activated Charcoal Tablets are fast-acting and will rid your system of the bad bacteria that causes stomach upset.
MY CAMERA GEAR
Everyday Camera: The most affordable mirrorless camera on the market! I personally use the Sony A7ii Mirrorless Camera on all of my adventures. It’s compact, lightweight and super easy to use for all levels of photography. A 28-70mm Sony lens is also included.
Drone Camera: Take your photography to new heights! The DJI Mavic Pro 2 Drone is at the top of the game when it comes to high-quality images and video, easy to control functions and traveler-friendly capabilities. I guarantee you won’t regret purchasing one.
GoPro Hero 8: One of the most popular cameras on the planet! I love using the GoPro Hero 8 for all of my underwater shots and fast-paced adventures. The GoPro Hero 8 captures the best moments with its wide range of functions that are very simple to use!
Camera Bag: My favorite camera bag I have ever owned! The Lowepro Protactic 450 AW II Camera Bag features a waterproof rain cover, drink bottle holder, padded compartments for cameras, drones, lenses, accessories and it also has a laptop pocket.
Selfie Stick: Everyone loves a good selfie, right!? The Sandmarc Metal Edition Selfie Stick is sleek, stylish and can extend to 1.2m. I find it much easier to take photos and videos with the GoPro when it is mounted to the Sandmarc Selfie Stick!
Camera Tripod: The Joby GorillaPod is suitable for all cameras. This tripod is easy to use and perfect for setting up a time-lapse video or even using it as a selfie stick. The legs are flexible so you can wrap it around a tree or a pole to get creative with your shot.
GoPro Dome: Have you ever wanted to capture those under/over water shots with the GoPro? This epic underwater GoPro dome housing is the best camera accessory to have to create the perfect 50/50 shot. I use mine every time I am in the ocean!
Memory Card: The best thing about SanDisk Extreme Pro is that it delivers maximum speed for images and videos. Having 64GB of storage means that you can store hundreds of files on this SD card for 2-3 days and not have to worry about running out of space.
External Hard Drive: As a photographer, my images and video files take up a lot of space on my MacBook so I use the WD Elements External Hard Drive to store everything. With 4TB worth of storage space, this is more than enough for 1 year worth of content.
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MY SHOP
Before you go from this Big Lagoon El Nido post, don’t forget to check out My Online Shop!
I’ve got a wide range of digital products for sale and I’m sure you’ll find something that will come in handy during your travels!
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FINAL THOUGHTS OF BIG LAGOON EL NIDO
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions at all about El Nido Big Lagoon, please leave me a comment below and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
Happy Travels!
