SIARGAO TRI-island DAKU/NAKED/GUYAM free drone/lunch

Siargao’s Tri-Island Tour gives you the classic island-hopping day in one tidy package: Guyam’s rocky-sandy shore, Naked Island’s bare sandbar, and Daku’s palm-fringed beach. The boat ride, guide, lunch, entrance charges, and even drone footage at Daku are built into the advertised $32 price.

I like the easy pickup within General Luna and the cheerful local setup, especially the boodle-fight lunch and free mermaid-tail photo prop. I also like that the boat comes with life vests and a licensed boatman. The main catch is snorkeling: one account describes only about 30 minutes in open water, with fairly strong waves, and the inclusions list gives conflicting information about snorkeling gear and the tourism fee.

The quick facts that matter most

• Three famous islands in one day: Visit Guyam, Naked, and Daku from a General Luna pickup.
• Daku gets the longest stop: You have about 105 minutes for lunch, photos, swimming, and free time.
• Drone footage is included: The complimentary aerial video is offered at Daku Island.
• Lunch is part of the experience: Expect an iconic Filipino boodle-fight meal, though vegetarian choices may be limited.
• The snorkeling stop is brief: Plan for roughly 30 minutes, and expect open-water conditions rather than a sheltered lagoon.
• The price is strong if the inclusions hold: At $32 per person, transport, boat, guide support, lunch, and fees offer good value, but confirm the extra charges before paying.

What the $32 price really buys you

At $32 per person, this is priced as an affordable full-day outing rather than a luxury cruise. You are paying for the practical pieces that can add up quickly on an island day: hotel pickup and return within General Luna, boat transport, a licensed boatman, guide assistance, lunch, life vest, docking charges, cottage fees, entrance fees, and environmental charges.

The package also includes drone footage at Daku and a mermaid tail for photographs. Those extras will not matter to everyone, but they add fun if you want a few polished holiday images without arranging a separate photographer.

The value depends on how many of the advertised fees are truly included. The information says all entrance, environmental, docking, and cottage fees are covered. Elsewhere, it says a tourism fee is paid at the main Siargao office, and another section lists the tourism fee, snorkeling gear, and pickup and drop-off as not included. Since pickup is also clearly advertised as included within General Luna, I would confirm these points before booking.

That small check matters. A $32 tour remains good value even with a modest tourism charge, but you do not want an unexpected fee at the pier or a surprise equipment rental once the boat leaves.

Starting in General Luna and riding out to sea

Pickup is available from hotels, Airbnbs, and resorts in General Luna’s town proper, covering Poblacion 1 through the Catangnan area. The transfer begins by tuk-tuk and is listed at about 30 minutes, followed by the boat portion of the day.

This is useful if you are staying in the main resort zone and do not want to arrange a tricycle or taxi before sunrise. It also keeps the morning simple: meet the local team, transfer to the boat area, and let the guide handle the basic arrangements.

The experience is conducted in English. The provider is identified as Siargao Tourench, while the service itself is presented under Maricel Tour Services. No individual guide names are supplied, so you should not book expecting a particular guide. What is clear is that the boat crew includes a licensed boatman and that guide assistance is part of the day.

The boat is described as a Siargao tourism boat with life vests. Bring your own biodegradable sunscreen and beachwear. You will also want a towel, dry clothes, waterproof phone protection, and cash for anything not covered by the package.

Guyam Island, a compact first stop

Guyam is the first island listed, with about 20 minutes of guided time. It is small and has a mix of rocky and sandy shore, which gives it a different feel from the nearly bare Naked Island and the broader beach setting at Daku.

I would treat this as a quick orientation stop rather than a long beach session. You may have time for a few photographs, a short swim, and a look around, but 20 minutes passes quickly once the boat is unloaded and everyone is ready.

The mixed shoreline is part of Guyam’s appeal. It is not presented as a broad, uninterrupted sandbar, so do not arrive expecting Naked Island’s clean sweep of pale sand. Instead, you get a compact island stop that breaks up the day and gives the route some variety.

If you like taking pictures, Guyam is a good place to capture the boat, shore, and small-island setting without spending the longest part of the day here. Wear footwear that can handle a rougher edge if you are sensitive to rocks.

Naked Island and the famous sandbar view

Naked Island comes next, with about 40 minutes listed for the stop. Its appeal is simple: a pristine sandbar, clear turquoise water, and very little visual clutter. The name fits. There are no palm trees or substantial shade described here, so the island gives you an open beach scene rather than a leafy picnic spot.

I would use this stop for swimming, sunbathing, and photographs. The bright sand and open water make it the most obvious place for a classic Siargao postcard image, but the lack of shade means you should apply sunscreen before leaving the boat and bring a hat.

Forty minutes is enough for a pleasant pause, not an extended beach afternoon. You may spend part of that time walking from the boat, getting photos, and returning to the group. Keep an eye on the meeting time. The boat cannot leave until everyone is back aboard, and a short stop works best when you are ready to move promptly.

The water is described as crystal clear and turquoise, but conditions can change. This is an outdoor boat trip, not a controlled swimming pool. If you are not a confident swimmer, use the life vest and follow the guide’s instructions.

Daku Island, the day’s main event

Daku is the largest of the three islands and receives the longest stop, about 105 minutes. This is where the day slows down. You have time for lunch, swimming, photographs, and free time beneath the island’s coconut trees.

The lunch is an iconic Filipino boodle fight, a communal meal arranged for the group. That style suits an island outing because it is social, informal, and easy to share after the boat ride. It is also one of the more memorable parts of the package, since you are not simply buying transport from one beach to another.

Vegetarian diners should plan carefully. The available information indicates that there are not many vegetarian choices. If you do not eat meat or seafood, ask Maricel Tour Services what can be arranged before the trip, and consider bringing a small backup snack.

Daku is also the location for the free drone footage. This can give you a higher view of the beach and surrounding water, adding something different from ordinary phone photos. The package also includes a free mermaid tail, presumably for posed beach pictures. Since the details of the footage delivery are not stated, ask whether the video is sent digitally later and how long that usually takes.

With nearly two hours at Daku, you are not forced to rush through lunch. You can eat, swim, dry off, and take photos without treating every minute as a race. That longer pause is important because the other stops are short.

The snorkeling question you should settle first

Snorkeling is promoted as part of the island experience, but the details need careful reading. One account describes only a 30-minute snorkeling stop in open water. The waves were fairly strong there, and the stop was not in a calm, protected cove.

That makes this better for a quick look at marine life than for a full snorkeling day. If your main goal is to spend hours in the water, this tour may feel too beach-focused. The main appeal is the three-island route, lunch, swimming, and photographs.

The package details also conflict about snorkeling equipment. One section lists snorkeling gear as included in the general tour description, while the specific inclusions say snorkeling gear is not included. Do not assume a mask and fins will be waiting on the boat. Ask directly if equipment is provided, rented separately, or expected from you.

A life vest is listed as included. Use it if the sea feels rough or if you are not a strong swimmer. You can still enjoy a short water stop without turning the day into a test of endurance.

Lunch, photos, and the rhythm of the day

The timing gives the tour a clear rhythm: a quick stop at Guyam, a longer photo and swim stop at Naked Island, then a relaxed meal and beach period at Daku before returning to General Luna.

That order makes sense. Guyam gets your attention early, Naked Island delivers the clean sandbar view, and Daku gives you enough time to eat and rest. The day is not designed around long walks, cultural visits, or detailed nature talks. It is a sea-and-sand outing.

The free drone footage and mermaid tail add a playful, social-media-friendly layer. If you enjoy posed pictures, you will probably get more from these extras than someone who prefers a quiet beach with no organized photo activity.

The communal lunch also means you should be comfortable eating as part of a group. If you need special meals, have allergies, or follow a strict diet, ask before departure. The limited vegetarian selection is the only specific food caution provided, but it is enough reason to check.

Where this tour works best

I would recommend this trip to you if you want the standard Siargao island-hopping route without arranging a private boat, separate guide, lunch, and transport. Families, friends, and solo visitors can all use the package, provided they are comfortable with a full day around the water.

It is also a good match if you value convenience. Hotel pickup within General Luna, a licensed boatman, life vests, guide assistance, lunch, and fee coverage take away much of the planning work.

The tour is less suitable if you want serious snorkeling, a quiet private beach day, or a long stay on each island. The stops are structured and fairly short apart from Daku. One listed account found the islands less exciting than expected because much of the time involved simply sitting on another beach. That is a fair warning: the scenery changes, but the basic activity remains swimming, sunbathing, eating, and taking pictures.

The tour is also not suitable for people over 95, according to the stated restrictions. Baby strollers, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed.

Practical details before you reserve

Bookings are accepted only until 5 PM, so do not leave the reservation until late in the evening. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later, which helps if your Siargao plans are still shifting.

Pickup and drop-off are advertised for the General Luna town proper area, from Poblacion 1 to Catangnan. If your accommodation is outside that zone, ask about transport before paying. The supplied information gives both included and excluded wording for pickup, so location confirmation is sensible even if you are staying in General Luna.

The tourism fee is another point to clarify. One instruction says it is paid at the main Siargao office, while other wording suggests fees are covered. Ask for the current amount and payment location.

Bring:

• Biodegradable sunscreen
• Beachwear
• Towel and dry clothes
• Waterproof protection for your phone
• Cash for possible extra fees
• Personal snacks if you need vegetarian or special food

The English-speaking guide can help with the route and island stops, but no named guide is guaranteed. The service is described as friendly and organized, yet the experience will still depend on weather, sea conditions, boat timing, and the quality of the day’s crew.

Should you book the Siargao Tri-Island Tour?

Book it if you want a straightforward, affordable day covering the three best-known stops near General Luna. At $32, the boat, lunch, guide support, life vest, fee coverage, drone footage, and hotel transfer can make this a very practical choice.

Do not book it solely for snorkeling. The water stop may last only about 30 minutes, waves can be strong, and snorkeling gear may cost extra. Also confirm the tourism fee, pickup terms, and vegetarian lunch options before you commit.

My call: this is a good-value island sightseeing day for you if beaches, photos, a shared lunch, and simple logistics matter most. If you want long swims, extensive snorkeling, or a private pace, spend more for a different boat arrangement.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

Pickup is available from hotels, Airbnbs, and resorts within General Luna town proper, covering Poblacion 1 through the Catangnan area.

Which islands are included?

The route visits Guyam Island, Naked Island, and Daku Island.

How long does the tour last?

It is described as a full-day activity. The listed stops include about 20 minutes at Guyam, 40 minutes at Naked Island, and 105 minutes at Daku Island, plus transport time.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The package includes an iconic Filipino boodle-fight lunch at Daku Island.

Is snorkeling gear included?

The information is inconsistent. One section presents snorkeling gear as part of the tour, while the specific exclusions say it is not included. Confirm this with the provider before booking.

Is drone footage included?

Yes. Free drone footage is offered at Daku Island. The delivery method is not specified, so ask how you will receive it.

Are entrance and environmental fees included?

Entrance, environmental, docking, and cottage fees are advertised as included. The tourism fee is listed inconsistently, so confirm whether you must pay it separately at the Siargao tourism office.

What should I bring?

Bring biodegradable sunscreen and beachwear. A towel, dry clothes, waterproof phone protection, and cash for possible extra fees are also sensible.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option is also available.