Siargao Island Hopping: Guyam, Daku, Naked & Beyond

The tri-island hopping tour — Guyam, Naked, and Daku — is the signature Siargao activity and for good reason. Three islands, three completely different vibes, and the boat ride between them across turquoise open water is half the experience. But most visitors do the standard tour, tick the box, and miss the fact that Siargao has much more to explore by boat. Sohoton Cove with its stingless jellyfish, Corregidor Island for empty beaches and snorkelling, Mamon Island for solitude — these are the trips that the second-timers know about. This guide covers all of them.

The Tri-Island Tour — The Classic

This is the island hopping tour that every visitor to Siargao does, and it genuinely earns its status. You board a traditional bangka (outrigger boat) from the General Luna shoreline and spend a half-day visiting three islands, each within 15–30 minutes of each other by boat. The standard tour runs roughly 9am to 2–3pm, though “9am” on island time usually means departure closer to 9:30. You can pre-book the tri-island tour on GetYourGuide for guaranteed departure or arrange it locally the night before.

Pricing

Group/joiner tour: ₱1,200–1,500 per person. This puts you on a shared boat with other travellers (typically 6–10 people). The tour includes the boat, a boatman, and usually lunch on Daku Island. An LGU (local government unit) fee of ₱100 per person is sometimes included, sometimes added at the dock.

Private boat: ₱3,000–4,000 for the whole boat (up to 8–10 passengers). If you’re a group of 3–4, private works out about the same per person as a joiner tour and you control the schedule. You decide how long to stay at each island. Compare private boat options on Viator if you want to lock in pricing before you arrive.

Guyam Island

The postcard island. Guyam is a tiny, palm-fringed islet that you can walk around in about 5 minutes. It’s the most photogenic of the three — the kind of island that looks too perfect to be real. There’s a small hut, some palm trees, and white sand. That’s it.

The water around Guyam is shallow and warm, good for wading and relaxed snorkelling close to shore. The coral is modest but you’ll see small reef fish. Most tours stop here for 30–45 minutes, which is enough. There’s no shade beyond the palm trees, so position yourself under one if the sun is strong. Make sure you’ve got data on your phone for those postcard shots — an Airalo eSIM keeps you connected on the islands where there’s signal.

During peak season, Guyam can feel crowded because the island is genuinely small and multiple tour boats arrive at once. If you’re on a private boat tour, ask to visit Guyam first (before the group tours arrive around 10:30am) for the full desert-island experience.

Naked Island

The one that catches everyone off guard. Naked Island is a pure sand bar — no trees, no shade, no structures, nothing. Just a slender strip of white sand rising out of the turquoise Pacific. It’s called “Naked” because the island itself is bare. The visual contrast between the white sand, the turquoise water, and the endless sky is stunning.

The reality: you’ll be standing on a sandbar in direct sun with no cover. Most tours stop for 20–30 minutes, which is enough for photos and a swim. Any longer and you’re baking. Bring SPF 50+ sunscreen and a hat. The water around Naked is deep enough for proper swimming but there’s no reef worth snorkelling. If you’re booking through GetYourGuide, check whether the tour includes Naked Island or substitutes it for another stop during rough weather.

Daku Island

The largest of the three and where most tours have lunch. Daku has a proper beach, palm trees for shade, a small local community, and several food stalls where you can buy fresh-grilled fish, rice, and seafood for ₱200–400 (bring cash — a Wise card lets you withdraw pesos from General Luna ATMs at the real exchange rate before your tour). Many group tours include a boodle fight lunch here — a communal feast of grilled fish, rice, fruit, and vegetables spread on banana leaves. It’s fun, messy, and a genuine cultural experience.

The beach is long enough that you can find a quiet spot away from the main landing area. The water is excellent for swimming — clear, warm, and gradually deepening. There’s reasonable snorkelling along the north side of the island. Daku is also where beginner surf lessons are sometimes held — there’s a sandy-bottom break off the south side with gentle, rolling waves. If you’re staying overnight in General Luna, book your accommodation on Agoda close to the shore for easy morning departures. See our surfing guide for details.

Most tours spend 1–2 hours on Daku, which is about right. If you want to use it as a base for the afternoon (swimming, snorkelling, just chilling), a private boat via Viator can drop you off and pick you up later.

Sohoton Cove & Bucas Grande — The Full-Day Adventure

If you only do one thing beyond the tri-island tour, make it this. Sohoton Cove is a protected area on Bucas Grande Island, about 2–2.5 hours by boat from General Luna. It’s a longer, more expensive day trip, but it’s a genuinely different experience from anything else on Siargao. Check Sohoton day trips on Viator for pricing and availability — tours sell out during peak season.

What You’ll See

Stingless Jellyfish Sanctuary: A lagoon filled with thousands of small, non-stinging jellyfish that you can swim among. It’s surreal — hundreds of translucent jellyfish pulsing around you in crystal-clear water. The jellyfish are most abundant from March to May, sometimes extending into June. Outside these months, numbers drop and the experience is less impressive. If the jellyfish are the main draw, time your visit accordingly.

Hagukan Cave (Snoring Cave): A sea cave you swim into at low tide. The name comes from the sound the waves make echoing inside. The cave opens into a hidden lagoon — you swim through darkness into sunlight. Genuinely atmospheric.

Diving Cave & Crystal Cave: Limestone caves with clear pools inside. You swim or kayak in, depending on the tide. The rock formations inside Crystal Cave are the standout.

Dagatan Bay: Open-water snorkelling in a bay with healthy coral and good fish life. This is some of the best snorkelling accessible from Siargao — better than anything around the tri-island group.

Pricing & Logistics

Joiner tour: ₱2,500–3,000 per person, typically includes boat, guide, lunch (boodle fight on the boat or at Bucas Grande), park entrance fees, and kayak/snorkel gear. Full day — departure around 6–7am, return by 4–5pm. Pre-book through GetYourGuide for free cancellation if weather forces a change of plans.

Private boat: ₱8,000–12,000 for the whole boat (up to 6–8 passengers). Worth it for a group.

The 2–2.5 hour boat ride each way is open water. If the sea is rough, it’s uncomfortable and the tour may be cancelled. The calmest conditions are March–May. Take seasickness medication if you’re prone — there’s no pharmacy on the boat. Having travel insurance through SafetyWing is worth it for water-based activities like this, especially during monsoon season.

Beyond the Standard Tours

If you have 5+ days on Siargao and want to explore beyond the tourist circuit, these are worth arranging:

Corregidor Island

A small island off Siargao’s coast with white sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs, and some of the best snorkelling in the area. Far fewer visitors than the tri-island group because it’s not on the standard tour circuit. Arrange a private boat from General Luna (₱1,500–2,500 for a half-day) or look for private island hopping packages on Viator that include Corregidor. Bring snorkel gear, food, and water — there are no facilities. The coral reefs off the south side are in excellent condition with good fish diversity.

Mamon Island

Another off-the-beaten-path island with pristine beaches and genuine solitude. During low season, you might have the entire beach to yourself. Accessible by private boat from General Luna — combine with Corregidor for a full-day exploration. Some GetYourGuide operators offer custom island routes that include Mamon. Snorkelling is good and the island has a raw, untouched feel that the main tourist islands have lost. If you’re basing yourself in General Luna for several days, Agoda has the best range of beachfront stays for easy boat access.

Del Carmen Mangrove Tour

Not technically island hopping, but worth mentioning. The Del Carmen Mangrove Forest is the second-largest mangrove system in the Philippines, covering roughly 4,871 hectares. A boat tour through the channels takes 1.5–2 hours and costs ₱500–800 per boat. It’s a completely different experience from the beach islands — quiet, shaded, and ecologically fascinating. Best combined with a trip to Sugba Lagoon, which is in the same area. Viator lists combined mangrove and lagoon tours with pickup from General Luna hotels.

How to Book & What to Expect

Tri-island tour: Book through your accommodation, any tour shop on Tourism Road, or directly with boatmen at the General Luna shoreline. Book the evening before for a morning departure. Prices are standardised — you won’t find dramatically different rates between operators. GetYourGuide and Viator both offer the tri-island tour with free cancellation, which is worth the peace of mind during monsoon season.

Sohoton Cove: Book through a reputable operator at least a day in advance, or pre-book the Sohoton Cove day trip on GetYourGuide for instant confirmation and free cancellation. Viator also lists Sohoton tours with hotel pickup included. This requires a larger boat and specific permits — don’t try to DIY this trip.

Private island trips: Arrange directly with boatmen at the shore. Best for groups of 3+. Negotiate the price based on distance, number of islands, and duration. A half-day private boat runs ₱1,500–2,500. A full day with multiple stops: ₱3,000–5,000. If you’re flying in, book your Siargao flights and ferries through 12Go to compare operators and lock in the best price.

What to Bring

This list applies to any island hopping trip from Siargao:

• Dry bag (10–20L) — Non-negotiable. Boats get spray, you wade through shallows to reach islands, and your phone (with your Airalo eSIM for photos and maps), cash, and passport need to stay dry. A roll-top dry bag is the single most useful thing you’ll own on Siargao.
• Reef-safe sunscreen (SPF 50+) — Apply before you board. Reapply every 2 hours. You’re on open water with no shade on the boat.
• Hat & sunglasses — The reflection off the water doubles the UV exposure.
• Snorkel mask — Some tours provide them, but the quality is often poor. If you snorkel regularly, bring your own. A mask that fits your face properly makes the difference between an amazing experience and a frustrating one.
• Reef shoes — For wading to shore and walking on coral beaches.
• Cash — For lunch on Daku, drinks, LGU fees. ₱500–1,000 is enough for a day. Withdraw pesos from General Luna ATMs the night before using your Wise card to avoid poor exchange rates at money changers.
• Water (1.5L minimum) — You can buy water on Daku but not on Guyam, Naked, or any of the remote islands. Stock up at your General Luna accommodation before departure.
• Rash vest / UV top — Better sun protection than sunscreen alone for a full day on the water.

Tour Comparison — At a Glance