Island Hopping in Siargao: Naked, Daku, Guyam & Beyond.

Three Islands Tour (The Classic)

The Three Islands Tour is the quintessential Siargao day trip: a motorboat tour hitting three distinct islands, lunch on a sandbar, and snorkeling. Most tours last 4–5 hours and depart 9–10 am.

The Three Islands

Naked Island (Daku Dako). A bare, flat sandbar — no vegetation, just white sand meeting turquoise water. Stunning for photos; fun for swimming and floating. Time there: ~30 minutes. The sandbar disappears at high tide, so go during low-to-mid tide windows.

Daku Island (Big Island). A coconut-palm-covered island where most tours stop for lunch. The tour operator usually provides a simple meal (rice, grilled fish, fruit, drinks) prepared on the island or brought from GL. Decent food; nothing fancy. Time there: 1.5–2 hours. Good for swimming, snorkeling in adjacent waters, and hammock napping.

Guyam Island (Small Island). A tiny postcard-perfect islet with a handful of palm trees and a small shelter. Snorkeling around the island is excellent — shallow reef with colorful fish. Time there: ~30 minutes. Instagram gold.

Cost & Logistics

Price: ₱1,500–2,000 (~USD 27–36) per motorboat, typically holding 4–6 people. If traveling solo, you can join a shared boat (ask at your accommodation or tour operator) and split the cost with other travelers (₱300–500 per person ~USD 5–9). Departure: Usually 9–10 am, returning by 3–4 pm. Operators: Island Safari and Siargao Islands Tour are reliable and popular; ask your accommodation for recommendations. Booking: Can be booked day-of or a few days in advance. Peak season (Sept–Nov), book the day before. What to bring: Sunscreen, rash guard, reef shoes, dry bag for valuables, snorkel gear (provided or bring your own).

Practical Notes

The boat ride is 30–40 minutes each way; sea sickness is possible if swells are rough. Dramamine or ginger helps. Water and some accommodation provide decent snorkeling gear; if yours is poor quality, bring your own or rent from GL beach shops. The islands themselves have minimal facilities — no shops, limited toilets (usually a basic structure on Daku). Plan accordingly. Tipping the boat captain/crew (₱100–200 ~USD 1.80–3.60) is customary and appreciated.

Sugba Lagoon

Sugba Lagoon is a stunning turquoise lagoon sheltered by mangrove-covered islets. The water is calm, crystal-clear, and perfect for SUP (stand-up paddling) or kayaking. Located in Del Carmen (about 1 hour drive from General Luna), Sugba is less crowded than the Three Islands Tour.

What to Do There

Paddle around on a SUP or kayak (rentals ₱300–500 per day ~USD 5–9 from local operators). Swim. Explore mangrove tunnels via kayak (magical). Snorkel in the lagoon. Pack a picnic or grab food from Del Carmen town before heading to the lagoon. Entrance fee: ₱50 (~USD 0.90).

Getting There

Motorbike (~1 hour from GL via decent roads) or hire a van/driver (₱2,000–2,500 ~USD 36–44 for the day). Tour operators in GL also offer Sugba day trips (₱1,500–2,500 ~USD 27–44 including transport and SUP rental) — more convenient if you don't want to drive yourself.

Timing

Sugba is best visited in calm-weather months (March–May). June–August can be rough due to monsoon swells. Spend 2–3 hours here minimum; half-day trips feel rushed.

Magpupungko Rock Pools

Magpupungko is a natural rock formation with tidally-formed pools — natural saltwater aquariums filled at high tide, exposed at low tide. The landscape is dramatic: limestone formations, crystal-clear pools, excellent photo opportunities. Located about 30 minutes south of General Luna.

CRITICAL: Low Tide Only

The pools are only accessible and visible at low tide. High tide submerges them completely, leaving a flat, boring reef. Check tide times daily (ask your accommodation or use World Tides app). Visit within 2 hours on either side of low tide for best conditions. Missing the tide window means a wasted trip.

What to Do

Walk the rock formations, explore the pools (water is calm and great for swimming), take photos, snorkel in the pools if you have gear. Pack water, sunscreen, and a light snack. The site has minimal facilities — one small warung (food stall) selling drinks, nothing else. Plan for 1.5–2 hours minimum.

Getting There

Motorbike (~30 min from GL), habal-habal (~45 min), or arranged tour (₱1,000–1,500 ~USD 18–27 from operators). Entrance: ₱50 (~USD 0.90).

Practical Notes

Wear reef shoes — the rocks are sharp. Bring a dry bag or waterproof phone case for photos. Going at sunrise (if low tide aligns) means fewer crowds and better light for photos. The site is genuinely stunning and worth the effort to get the timing right.

Sohoton Cove

Sohoton Cove is a natural cave system with an underground lagoon and river passage. The lagoon contains stingless jellyfish (harmless, odd sensation to swim among them). The cove is less touristy than the Three Islands and requires a bit more effort to reach.

What to Do

Kayak or boat through the cave system, swim in the lagoon (with jellyfish), explore the Enchanted River (a river that flows through the cave into the lagoon). The experience is surreal and genuinely unique to Siargao.

Getting There

Sohoton is in the northeastern part of the island, about 45–60 minutes drive from GL. Most visitors book a guided tour with a local operator (₱2,000–3,000 ~USD 36–54 including transport, guide, kayak, and entry). Solo motorbike travel is possible but less practical — navigating small side roads without local knowledge is tedious.

Timing

Half-day (3–4 hours) or full-day option. Shoulder season (March–May, Dec–Feb) is best; June–August can see rough seas making boat entry difficult.

General Island-Hopping Tips

Weather Dependency

All boat tours are weather-dependent. June–August (monsoon) may see cancellations; September–November (swell season) can have rough seas. Tours are typically cancelled only in serious conditions, but swells may make the boat ride uncomfortable. Accept the risk or schedule island trips for calmer months.

Seasickness Prevention

Dramamine or Bonine (available at GL pharmacies, ₱200–300 ~USD 3.50–5) taken 30 minutes before departure helps significantly. Ginger candies or ginger tea also help. Eat a light breakfast and stay hydrated.

Snorkeling Gear

Most tour operators provide basic masks and snorkels; quality is inconsistent. Bring your own if you're serious about snorkeling or have a sensitive face (ill-fitting masks leak). Reef shoes prevent cuts and scrapes.

Sunscreen Reality

Reef-safe sunscreen is important (avoid oxybenzone and octinoxate, which harm coral). Budget tourism on the islands doesn't always prioritize reef safety, but you can control your own sunscreen choice. Reapply every 2 hours; the sun here is fierce.

Operator Reputation

Island Safari and Siargao Islands Tour are both solid, established operators. Smaller, unnamed boat owners can be cheaper but less reliable. Ask your accommodation for a recent recommendation rather than booking blindly online.

Practical Information

Combining with Other Activities

Most travelers do one major island/lagoon day trip and balance it with surfing, food exploration, or digital work. A typical week might look like: Two days surfing (Cloud 9, lessons, or beginner breaks), one Three Islands Tour, one Magpupungko visit, and the rest split between exploring GL food/nightlife, relaxing, and miscellaneous exploration by motorbike. Read Siargao Itineraries for day-by-day plans depending on your trip length.