Big Lagoon is one of El Nido's most visited natural landmarks - a dramatic limestone-enclosed lagoon in the Bacuit Archipelago, accessible only by boat as part of Tour A from El Nido Town. Staying at a resort close to Big Lagoon means different things depending on how close you actually want to be: some resorts sit on the mainland near the tour departure points, while one - Matinloc Island Resort - sits directly within the archipelago, just 4.2 km from the lagoon itself. This guide covers all five and helps you decide which positioning makes the most sense for your trip.
What It's Like Staying Near Big Lagoon
Big Lagoon sits inside the Bacuit Archipelago, roughly 45 minutes by motorized bangka from El Nido Town's main pier - there is no road access, no beachfront strip, and no cluster of hotels around it. The resorts that position themselves closest to Big Lagoon either sit on the mainland near Marimegmeg or Corong Corong Beach (where tour boats depart) or, in one case, on a private island within the archipelago itself. Mainland resorts give you flexibility with tour operators and town access; island resorts put you inside the landscape but remove you from services entirely. The crowd pattern at Big Lagoon peaks between November and May, when Tour A boats arrive in tight sequences - guests who stay on Matinloc Island can reach the lagoon before the daily tour rush begins.
Pros:
- Island resort guests can access Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon before mainland tour groups arrive
- Mainland resorts near Marimegmeg and Corong Corong offer direct access to licensed Tour A operators within walking distance
- Staying in this zone keeps you close to Cadlao Lagoon, Secret Beach, and Shimizu Island, all on the same tour circuit
Cons:
- Island-based stays require boat transfers that stop operating after 5:00 PM, limiting flexibility for late arrivals
- Mainland resorts still require around 45 minutes of boat travel to reach Big Lagoon - proximity is relative
- Peak season brings heavy boat traffic at Big Lagoon between 9 AM and 2 PM, regardless of where you stay
Why Choose a Resort Near Big Lagoon
Resorts in the El Nido area near Big Lagoon range from beachfront properties with direct sea access to a fully private island resort with complimentary kayaking and snorkelling. Unlike guesthouses or hostel-style accommodations in El Nido Town, the resorts in this area include structured facilities - outdoor pools, on-site restaurants, spa services, and water sports - that remove the need to coordinate everything externally. Beachfront resorts on Marimegmeg offer a quieter departure point than the main El Nido pier, where tour boats are significantly more congested. Most resort rates in this area include breakfast, and several offer airport shuttle services, which matters given that El Nido Airport sits around 9 km from the beachfront properties.
Pros:
- On-site water sports and snorkelling facilities reduce the need to book separate activity operators
- Beachfront resorts offer direct sea entry and quieter tour boat staging compared to El Nido Town pier
- Resort breakfast inclusions and airport transfers simplify logistics in a destination where taxis are limited
Cons:
- Resort pricing carries a premium of around 40% above budget guesthouses in El Nido Town for comparable dates
- Island resort guests pay additional boat transfer costs not always included in room rates
- Resorts outside El Nido Town require tricycle or private vehicle hire for restaurant and nightlife access
Practical Booking & Area Strategy
The two main coastal areas for resort stays near Big Lagoon tours are Marimegmeg Beach (also called Las Cabanas Beach) and Corong Corong Beach - both located south of El Nido Town along the main road. Marimegmeg-based resorts sit closest to the beach itself and some snorkelling spots, while Corong Corong places you within 300 metres of the beach and closer to El Nido Airport at 6 km versus 9 km from Marimegmeg. For Tour A access (which covers Big Lagoon), boats depart from El Nido Town pier - a tricycle ride of around 15 minutes from either beach area. Book at least 6 weeks ahead for stays between December and April, when occupancy at beachfront resorts runs extremely high and airport shuttle slots fill quickly. If you plan to do multiple island-hopping tours, positioning yourself on the mainland offers more operator flexibility than committing to a single island resort.
Near Big Lagoon, other attractions on Tour A include Small Lagoon El Nido (3.8 km from Matinloc), Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commandos Beach - all reachable on the same day tour. Matinloc Shrine, a clifftop chapel with panoramic views over the archipelago, sits just 3.2 km from Matinloc Island Resort and is a short boat or kayak trip away.
Best Value Resorts
These resorts offer strong facilities and beachfront or near-beach positioning with competitive rates relative to the area, making them practical bases for Tour A departures toward Big Lagoon.
-
1. Mua Tala Hotel El Nido
Show on map
-
2. Maremegmeg Beach Club
Show on map
-
3. El Nido Moringa Resort
Show on map
Best Premium Resorts
These two properties offer the strongest differentiation in the area - one through its private island location within the Bacuit Archipelago near Big Lagoon, the other through an adults-only solar-powered beachfront experience with panoramic sea views.
-
4. Matinloc Island Resort
Show on map
-
5. Vellago Resort (Adults Only)
Show on map
Smart Travel & Timing Advice for Big Lagoon Area Resorts
El Nido's dry season runs from November through May, and December through February is when both resort rates and tour boat congestion at Big Lagoon peak simultaneously. Booking 6 weeks ahead for this window is a minimum - beachfront resorts on Marimegmeg and Corong Corong fill quickly, and Matinloc Island Resort books out even faster given its limited room count and unique positioning. June through October brings the southwest monsoon, with rougher seas that can cancel Tour A departures entirely - guests staying on Matinloc Island face the additional constraint of no boat transfers after 5:00 PM, which becomes a serious issue during storm days. The shoulder months of November and late April offer the best balance of dry weather, manageable crowds at Big Lagoon, and softer pricing. Most guests find that 3 nights minimum makes sense in this area to complete Tour A (Big Lagoon), Tour B, and at least one free-exploration half-day - anything shorter doesn't justify the travel logistics from Manila or Puerto Princesa. Last-minute bookings in peak season rarely yield good rates and frequently result in mainland guesthouse fallbacks rather than resort stays.
