If Big Lagoon is El Nido’s cathedral, Small Lagoon is its chapel — more intimate, more enclosed, and in many ways more magical. Accessible only by kayak or swimming through a narrow rock passage, Small Lagoon rewards those who make the effort to enter with a serene, secret-feeling world of still water and soaring limestone walls draped in hanging vines. This guide covers everything about El Nido’s most underrated lagoon.
Small Lagoon: Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Adjacent to Big Lagoon, Miniloc Island — same bangka stop |
| Access | Kayak or swim through a narrow rock passage (~3m wide) |
| Size | Smaller and more enclosed than Big Lagoon |
| Kayak rental | ₱150–₱200 at the entrance (same as Big Lagoon) |
| Accessible via | Tour A (group), private charter |
| Swimming | Calm, clear — excellent once inside |
| Atmosphere | Quieter and more enclosed than Big Lagoon |
| Best time | Morning; tide matters for the entrance passage width |
How to Enter Small Lagoon
Small Lagoon’s defining characteristic is its entrance: a narrow passage in the limestone cliff wall, approximately 3 metres wide, through which you paddle or swim to access the enclosed lagoon inside. The passage is wider at the top and narrower at the water line — kayakers need to lean back and pull themselves through using handholds in the rock.
- By kayak (recommended): Paddle to the cliff face, line up with the passage, lean back in the kayak, and pull yourself through using the rock walls. It takes about 15 seconds and feels exhilarating. Guide usually goes first to demonstrate.
- By swimming: Non-kayakers can swim through the passage wearing a life jacket. Hold the rock wall to guide yourself through.
- Tide matters: At high tide the passage narrows and sits lower to the water — still passable but tighter. At low tide it’s wider and easier. Your guide will know the current tide.
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate — anyone reasonably comfortable in water can do it. The guide will not allow entry if conditions are unsafe.
What’s Inside Small Lagoon
Emerging from the dark passage into Small Lagoon is one of El Nido’s genuine revelations. The lagoon is completely enclosed by limestone walls on all sides — no visible horizon, no sky noise, just cliff face and water and the eerie acoustic echo of your own paddle strokes.
- Water colour: Deep jade-green in the shadows, shifting to brilliant turquoise where sunlight penetrates — different from Big Lagoon’s blue because the enclosed walls change the light
- Jungle vines: The cliff walls are draped in trailing vines and ferns growing from cracks in the limestone — creates a prehistoric, lost-world atmosphere
- Acoustics: Sound reflects off the enclosing cliffs in unusual ways — whisper and you’ll hear it come back to you
- Size: Roughly 150 metres long and 80 metres wide — intimate enough to feel private even with a few other kayaks present
- Wildlife: Kingfishers nest in cliff crevices; occasionally visible from kayaks. Monitor lizards sometimes bask on the rock ledges.
Big Lagoon vs Small Lagoon: Which is Better?
| Factor | Big Lagoon | Small Lagoon |
|---|---|---|
| Scale / drama | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ More dramatic | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ More intimate |
| Colour | Electric turquoise | Deep jade-green |
| Atmosphere | Open, grand | Enclosed, secret |
| Crowds | 🔴 More people | 🟡 Fewer (harder to enter) |
| Access | Easy — boat anchors, swim or kayak freely | Moderate — must navigate entrance passage |
| Kayaking experience | Open exploration | Technical entrance, serene interior |
| Photography | Wider compositions | More dramatic cliff/vine shots |
| Verdict | More famous, more visited | More memorable for many visitors |
Tour A visits both lagoons — you don’t have to choose. Most visitors find Small Lagoon leaves a stronger impression precisely because the entrance passage makes it feel earned.
Tips for Small Lagoon
- Kayak is essential: Unlike Big Lagoon where swimming is viable, Small Lagoon is significantly better experienced by kayak — the passage entry and interior exploration are both more rewarding from a kayak
- Let the guide go first: Watch how they navigate the passage before attempting it yourself
- Don’t rush: Once inside, stay as long as the tour schedule allows — paddle slowly around the perimeter and look up at the cliff walls
- Waterproof camera: The light inside Small Lagoon is challenging but beautiful — underwater camera or GoPro captures it better than a phone in a waterproof case
- Listen: The acoustic echo inside the lagoon is eerie and wonderful. Float and listen to the water against the rock walls.
- Morning timing: Sunlight enters the lagoon from above in the morning — the colour is most vivid 8:30–11am
Small Lagoon is part of Tour A: Tour A Complete Guide
Big Lagoon guide: Big Lagoon Guide
Kayaking guide: El Nido Kayaking Guide
