A day on Siargao’s islands can feel like a photo shoot, but this one adds real value with free drone footage and fun add-ons like a mermaid tail. I like that the trip is structured around three different kinds of water and shorelines, so you get sandbar views, coconut-tree lunch time, and an easy swim on a smaller island. One thing to consider: snorkeling time can be limited, and the sea can be a bit choppy at some stops, so set your expectations for casual snorkeling, not a long reef session.

This is an all-in-one day with hotel pickup in General Luna, a licensed boatman, entrance and environmental fees, and life vests taken care of. I also like the pacing, especially the longer stretch on Daku Island for lunch and lounging, which helps if you’re traveling with friends, family, or anyone who wants a beach day more than a hardcore swim day. If you want maximum snorkeling, plan to keep your eyes on your guide and be flexible with the stop times.

Key things to know before you go

• Free drone footage focused on Daku Island so your best water moments get recorded
• Mermaid tail included for photos and fun at the islands
• Lunch on Daku Island is a boodle fight style meal during the longest stop
• Hotel pickup in General Luna with coverage from poblacion 1 to Catangnan area
• Life vests and a licensed boatman for a more comfortable ride
• Bookings close at 5 PM so don’t wait until the last minute

Tri-Island Siargao with drone footage and lunch built in

This tour is built for people who want the Siargao island-hopping dream, without spending extra time sorting logistics. From the start, you’re paying for a day that bundles the boat, the guide, the fees, and even some photo extras into one price, with pickup and drop-off arranged from within General Luna town proper.

The biggest reason this feels like good value is what’s included beyond the basics. Many tours cover transport and guide time, but here you also get free drone footage on Daku Island and a mermaid tail included for your group. That turns the day from just another day at the beach into something with a little “wow, we’ll actually remember this” energy.

The other advantage is variety. Naked Island is mostly about the sandbar look and turquoise water. Daku Island is where the lunch happens, and it’s described as the biggest of the three with coconut trees and crystal-clear water. Guyam Island is smaller with a mix of rocky and sandy shores, so it feels a bit more like a quiet swim spot than a big picnic area.

Getting from General Luna to the boat stops smoothly

Your day starts in General Luna, and pickup is included if you’re staying within the General Luna town proper area, covering poblacion 1 to Catangnan. After pickup, you’ll do a short transfer by tuk-tuk (about 30 minutes) before reaching the Maricel Tours area and heading out.

Once you’re on the water, you’re not left to fend for yourself. You have licensed tour guides, a private boat with a licensed boatman, and life vests provided through the Siargao tourism boats setup. That matters on island tours because you want clear instruction, especially when you’re hopping between sandbars and shorelines.

A practical note: you should show up ready to move. Bring beachwear and biodegradable sunscreen. The sunscreen part is not just a “nice” idea. It’s part of keeping the island water clean, and it’s an easy way to avoid being the person holding up the group while everyone waits.

Naked Island: the sandbar stop for turquoise water and quick snorkeling

Naked Island is all about the classic Siargao sandbar look. Expect pristine sand and turquoise water, and enough time to enjoy it without rushing. Your scheduled stop here is about 40 minutes, which is short enough that you’ll want to move fast once you hit the shore.

This is a great stop for:

• Quick photo moments where the water color does most of the work
• Sunbathing on the sandbar
• Casual snorkeling, if conditions are right

Here’s the consideration I’d plan for: this kind of sandbar snorkeling can be affected by waves. If the sea is choppy, it may be harder to stay comfortable and focused on snorkeling for long. So if snorkeling is your main mission, treat Naked Island as a “try it” stop rather than a guarantee.

Also, since you’re moving between islands, you may find that you get more time watching the water and relaxing than you do exploring a reef in-depth. That’s not bad. It’s just the reality of a tri-island day format.

Daku Island lunch with a boodle fight feel and drone footage

Daku Island is the heart of the day. It’s the biggest of the three, and it’s the scheduled lunch stop with the most time: about 105 minutes of lunch, guided time, and free time. This is where the tour earns its keep.

You’ll likely notice three things once you arrive:

• Water that’s described as crystal clear
• Coconut trees and a more picnic-like vibe
• Time to actually slow down, eat, and hang out

Lunch is an iconic boodle fight style meal. That’s fun because it shifts the mood from “tourist buffet” to “group feast.” It can also be a little unpredictable depending on how many dishes are available that day. If you eat vegetarian, it’s smart to assume options might be limited and plan accordingly. You can still enjoy the day, just don’t count on a full vegetarian spread.

The standout add-on here is free drone footage (Daku Island). If you care about getting clear, wide-angle shots of the water and sand from above, this is the moment to make it worth it. Don’t just stand around. If your guide invites you into the photo spot, say yes. Those drone shots generally look best when people are actually in the water or posing naturally.

And yes, you also have that mermaid tail included. If you want one goofy, memorable photo that feels very Siargao, this is the time to use it.

Guyam Island: smaller, rockier edges, good for a relaxed swim

Guyam Island comes next with a shorter stop: about 20 minutes. It’s described as small and charming, with a mix of rocky and sandy shores. That mix changes the feel. You often get fewer “full sandbar” moments, and more swim-and-chill time.

Because your stop is quick, it’s best to think of Guyam as:

• A good spot to cool down
• A chance to swim around and enjoy the shoreline mix
• A reset before heading back to the sand-and-water rhythm of the other islands

If you’re traveling with someone who wants variety but doesn’t want to be out of the water all day, Guyam fits well. It’s also a nice stop for people who prefer fewer crowds and a more local-feeling island size.

Secret Island: the extra break for swimming and snorkeling

The highlights for this tour mention Secret Island as an extra escape for swimming and snorkeling. Even if your main brain focuses on Naked, Daku, and Guyam, treat this as the “spare time” stop where the day gets a little more adventurous.

What I’d expect here is less about finding a single iconic photo angle and more about enjoying a quieter swim moment. When island-hopping days add one more stop, it usually helps break up the schedule so you don’t feel like you’re repeating the same beach scene three times in a row.

Since the exact timing for Secret Island isn’t spelled out in the stop-by-stop breakdown, keep your day flexible. The general idea is simple: swim, enjoy the tropical water, and let the guide handle the route.

Snorkeling expectations: how to set them for a tri-island day

Let’s talk snorkeling honestly. This tour includes snorkeling setup in the overall description, but the fine print also says snorkeling gear is not included. That means you should plan for one of two scenarios:

• You might need to bring your own snorkel mask and gear
• Or you’ll want to confirm what you’ll receive on the day

My advice: check when you book. If you show up without your own mask, you could end up waiting or borrowing something that doesn’t fit well.

Also, snorkeling conditions matter more than people think. On some sandbar and open-water areas, waves can be stronger than you expect. If water movement feels intense, don’t force it. Keep it easy, focus on breathing and staying stable, and use the life vest and guide instructions.

The good news: you still get plenty of non-snorkeling fun. Even if snorkeling is limited, the real wins here are the shoreline variety, the longer Daku break, the included lunch, and the photo add-ons like drone footage and the mermaid tail.

Price and value: why $32 can work, plus the tourism fee

At $32 per person for a full day, this tour is priced like a value option if you care about having everything bundled. Here’s what your money is doing, based on the included items:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off within General Luna proper
• Private boat and a licensed boatman
• Local guide assistance
• Entrance and environmental fees
• Docking fees
• Life vests
• Island photos and assistance
• Free drone footage on Daku Island
• Free mermaid tail
• Iconic boodle fight lunch

There is one extra cost to plan for: a tourism fee, which is paid at the main office in Siargao. That means your true “out the door” total can be slightly higher than $32, so budget a little extra.

Still, when you compare this to a DIY island day, the big savings is time and hassle. You’re not arranging boat transport, hunting down entrance fees, or negotiating logistics across multiple stops.

What to bring, what not to bring

You’ll get a better day if you pack light but smart.

Bring:

• Biodegradable sunscreen
• Beachwear

Not allowed:

• Alcohol and drugs
• Baby strollers (so plan for carriers or alternatives)

Also, this tour is not suitable for people over 95 years. If you’re near that range or traveling with older family members, I’d choose a different day format that offers more rest time and less transfer.

Finally, do not rely on one miracle of planning. If snorkeling gear matters to you, confirm what’s provided, since the details conflict between overall inclusion and the “not included” note.

Who this Siargao tri-island tour fits best

This is a solid choice for:

• Couples, families, and small groups who want a single day that hits multiple islands
• Travelers who want a mix of swimming, sun time, and a real lunch stop
• People who care about photos, especially with drone footage and the mermaid tail
• Travelers staying in General Luna who want pickup and drop-off handled

It’s less ideal if you’re a “snorkeling all day, reel it in” type of traveler. The schedule format is built for hopping, and some snorkeling moments may be short, depending on conditions.

If you’re on a tight itinerary, or you just want the best Siargao highlights without overthinking it, this tour makes life easy.

Should you book the tri-island with Maricel Tour Services?

Book it if you want:

• A simple, structured day with pickup from General Luna
• The Daku lunch experience, including boodle fight style food
• Photo perks like free drone footage and mermaid tail
• A balanced mix of sand, swim time, and island hopping

Skip it or switch plans if:

• Snorkeling is your top priority and you want longer reef time
• You need guaranteed vegetarian-heavy lunch options
• You’re sensitive to choppy water and short snorkeling windows

My bottom line: this is good value for what’s included, especially if you’ll actually use the photo add-ons. And because the booking window closes at 5 PM only, it’s a tour you should commit to early enough that you’re not scrambling at the last moment.

FAQ

What islands are included in this tri-island tour?

The tour visits Guyam Island, Naked Island, and Daku Island, and it also references a Secret Island stop for swimming and snorkeling.

Is drone footage included?

Yes. The tour includes free drone footage on Daku Island.

Is lunch included, and what is it?

Yes. Lunch is included and is described as an iconic boodle fight lunch, served during the longer Daku Island stop.

Is snorkeling gear included?

The details say snorkeling gear is not included, even though snorkeling is mentioned in the overall description. I’d confirm what will be available when you book.

Do I need to pay a tourism fee?

Yes. A tourism fee will be paid at the main office in Siargao.

Where does pickup and drop-off happen?

Pickup and drop-off are included for hotels or resorts within General Luna town proper, covering poblacion 1 to Catangnan area.

What are the key rules and age limits?

The tour does not allow alcohol and drugs, and baby strollers are not allowed. It is also stated that it is not suitable for people over 95 years.