Siargao Island Hopping: Guyam, Naked & Daku – A Detailed Review

So, you’re thinking of checking out Siargao’s island hopping tour, the one that zips you over to Guyam, Naked, and Daku Islands? That’s totally great! It’s almost certainly one of the must-do trips when you find yourself on this cool little island in the Philippines. Very, very, very quickly, here’s the lowdown based on my own time bouncing around these spots.

What’s the Buzz About? Guyam, Naked, and Daku

Okay, first, a bit about what makes this tour popular, right? It’s not just hopping from any old island to another, that’s for sure! Each of these three islands—Guyam, Naked, and Daku—has its own character, its own thing going on. I think what really got me excited was the chance to see how much variety there could be packed into just one morning or afternoon. Very, very quickly, Guyam gives you that small-island-paradise feel with its bunch of palm trees. Naked Island is literally just that—a sandbar, perfect for posing, so that’s a fun stop! And then Daku, very nearly the biggest, offers up a local vibe where you can, arguably, grab a proper lunch and see local life ticking along.

Hitting Up Guyam Island: Your Tiny Slice of Paradise

First stop is often Guyam Island, a place where, actually, all the pictures you’ve seen online? They don’t even do it justice. You get that proper ‘stranded-on-a-deserted-island’ vibe, but without all the stress that could come with being, actually, stranded. In some respects, you stroll around the whole place in like, maybe, fifteen minutes. What I really dug were the palm trees, that’s for sure, that offer little pockets of shade. Then, I found myself lazing in a hammock and just letting the whole experience sink in. It’s almost picture-postcard-perfect, this spot! Arguably, there is a little stall where you can, maybe, buy drinks. So, anyway, you’re not completely roughing it.

Naked Island: More Like a Sandbar Playground, Isn’t It?

Next up: Naked Island. You know, I heard it was just a sandbar before visiting. Still, that didn’t quite prepare me for how… naked it is! Yet, as I was saying, there’s not a single tree, not a single bit of anything besides sand. What’s totally fun is taking photos here, actually! Anyway, everyone seems to be doing it. Some people bring props, too it’s almost become a game. A bit of sunscreen is useful as there is absolutely no escape from the sun! Arguably, it’s a quick stop, maybe twenty or thirty minutes is plenty. That’s likely all you need to snap a few shots and enjoy the total simplicity of it. So, you could probably get bored if you stayed longer, to be honest. It’s very, very beautiful though.

Daku Island: Chillin’ with the Locals, Very, Very Cool!

Daku Island feels a bit more real, very, very cool. You’ll notice it’s much bigger, typically, than the other two. As I was saying, this is where most tours stop for lunch. The islanders set up little grilling stations. And honestly, you’ll likely smell the cooking food the moment you arrive. What you can do is grab yourself a spot at one of the tables. And then you order up some freshly grilled seafood. Sometimes you see there are other dishes too, you know, like rice and maybe some veggies. The food is reasonably priced and it tastes amazing after a morning of swimming and sun. The vibe here, anyway, is way more laid-back. It seems the place where you see families hanging out, basically, the children are playing, you know. It offers a glimpse of local island life as opposed to just tourism.

Booking Your Island-Hopping Thingy

Right, now, how do you make this all happen? Basically, booking the island hopping tour is pretty easy in Siargao. As a matter of fact, tour operators abound! So, you won’t have any problems finding one. You might check with your hotel, they may have partnerships. And it almost goes without saying there are loads of little travel shops in General Luna, that’s for sure, where you can, arguably, book. If you’re the planning sort, typically, you can book in advance online, anyway, through sites like Klook or Viator, maybe. I think that can give you a bit more peace of mind, so to speak. So, really, it depends if you want everything arranged before you land. Actually, just be sure to read reviews, alright? It almost goes without saying you should check what’s included. First, ask about lunch, and then ask if there are any hidden costs. The prices, arguably, tend to be fairly similar across the board.

What’s Included and What You Pay (Money Talk!)

The cost, actually, of the island hopping tour, is in the area of, like, 1200 to 1500 pesos, could be per person, typically. Often, that price, clearly, will cover the boat trip, the entrance fees to the islands. So, that’s all good. Usually, you know, the lunch on Daku is separate. Basically, you pay for that yourself. What I did, typically, was factor in another 500 to 800 pesos for food and drinks. Right, but that depends how hungry you are, actually! Anyway, you’ll probably want to tip your boat crew. Just a little something for looking after you, you know. So, bring small denominations of pesos. What happens is that often they don’t have change. That’s a fun scenario, isn’t it?

Timing it Right: When Should You Go?

What’s useful is to think about when to go, that’s for sure! Siargao, literally, has a wet season and a dry season. As a matter of fact, most people recommend visiting during the dry season, that’s from March to May. The weather, honestly, tends to be sunnier, so, naturally, the sea is calmer. As I was saying, it makes the boat trip way more enjoyable. I get the feeling that’s pretty obvious! If you go during the wet season, very, very quickly, from June to November, arguably, there could be some rain, like, maybe the seas will be rougher. Very quickly, island hopping trips could get canceled. Basically, that’s no fun. Although, obviously, there are fewer tourists at that time.

What to Expect: A Heads Up!

The boats, just so you know, they’re typically what’s called “bangkas.” These are the traditional Filipino outrigger boats, you know. Just like your photos. So, honestly, they’re pretty stable, generally, even if the waves get a bit choppy. A little something, that I always appreciate is that it’s great when you can find a boat with a shaded area. As a matter of fact, the sun, obviously, is really strong out there, right? Depending on your tour, actually, you might be sharing the boat with other travelers. I want to make that clear. If you want a private tour, anyway, make sure you ask when you’re booking, or better yet, book that sort of thing in advance. Sometimes, you’ll notice the islands can get a bit crowded, especially Naked Island. So, it’s like everyone wants that picture, I think. As a matter of fact, don’t get frustrated if you have to wait a few minutes for your turn to snap that Insta-perfect shot.

Pack Smart for Your Island Escape, That’s Important!

Okay, let’s run through a few things to bring. You know, things that you’ll definitely want with you. Right, obviously, first things first, sunscreen! Honestly, and that’s even if you’re not usually a sunscreen person. Trust me, you’ll want it here. Then there’s sunglasses. I mean, who doesn’t want those, really, and a hat, just to get an extra layer of sun protection. Actually, bring a swimsuit, duh. And then a rash guard can be good, really! That’s even if you’re planning on doing some swimming or snorkeling, you know. A dry bag is useful for keeping your phone and camera safe from splashes, actually. I did use one of those. Another option could be a waterproof phone case. Finally, a small towel! Very, very useful, naturally, for drying off after a swim.

Respect the Islands, Clearly!

While you’re enjoying the tour, anyway, please remember to be respectful of the islands, and obviously the ocean, just like your mum would tell you, actually! Don’t leave any trash behind. In fact, take everything you brought with you when you leave. I can’t see that being controversial! In the same way, just try to avoid stepping on the coral, anyway, when you’re swimming or snorkeling. Respecting the local culture and customs, almost goes without saying, shows your appreciation for the place and the people. By the way, something I want to remind you of, support local businesses when you can. When you buy food or souvenirs, clearly, you’re directly helping the island community.

Final Thoughts: Is It Worth Doing?

Actually, so is the Siargao island hopping tour worth your time and your money? That is what you’re really asking, isn’t it? Clearly, my answer is a big, like, definite YES! All things considered, I mean. The chance to visit three unique islands in one trip is pretty amazing, literally. Guyam is a peaceful getaway, that’s pretty lovely, actually. Naked Island is just a crazy cool spot for photos, you know. Very, very quickly, Daku gives you that genuine taste of local island living. Anyway, you should just remember to pack smart, to book ahead if you can, actually! Then you must, I think, respect the environment. Arguably, you’ll have an unforgettable experience. That I can tell you.

Siargao Island Hopping – The Takeaways!

• Guyam Island: So, picture-postcard perfect! So very relaxing.
• Naked Island: It’s just like a fun sandbar, and great for photo opportunities.
• Daku Island: Try to sample delicious local food and take a look at island life.
• Booking: It’s usually reasonably priced and also easily arranged via hotels or local tour operators.
• Remember: Protect the environment and respect local customs.