Siargao Tri-Island with Drone & Mermaid Tail

Paradise comes in three island-sized pieces. This Siargao boat trip takes you from General Luna to Naked, Daku, and Guyam Islands, with time for swimming, beach stops, photos, and a classic boodle fight lunch. I especially like the strong value at $35 and the extras that usually cost more elsewhere: mermaid-tail use and drone footage. The main catch is that the day can feel busy, and rough water, a noisy boat engine, or a late start may test your patience.

I also like the easy eight-hour format, which gives you real time ashore rather than just quick photo stops. Daku receives the longest visit and lunch, while Guyam is especially photogenic. You should know that snorkeling gear is not included, non-swimmers may struggle, and the Secret Island stop depends on the tide.

Key points to know before booking

• Three famous islands in one day: Naked, Daku, and Guyam offer different settings, from a bare sandbar to a palm-fringed beach.
• Daku gets the most time: You have about three hours for lunch, swimming, photos, sightseeing, and free time.
• The lunch is part of the attraction: A boodle fight serves local food for the group to share in a casual island setting.
• Free photo extras: You can use mermaid tails and receive drone footage, useful if you want more than ordinary phone snapshots.
• Early start, full day: Registration is at 7:30 AM, departure is planned for 8:00 AM, and return is around 4:00 PM.
• Plan for sea conditions: Seasickness and non-swimming ability are listed concerns, while snorkeling equipment is your responsibility.

Why this $35 Siargao trip offers good value

At $35 per person, this is a low-cost way to see Siargao’s best-known island trio. The fee covers the full-day group boat tour, entrance fees, an accredited English-speaking guide, the boat, lunch, mermaid-tail activity, and drone footage.

That package matters because boat tours can become expensive once you add food, island fees, and photographs. Here, the meal is already arranged, and you do not need to pay separately for the playful photo setup. The drone footage is a particularly nice touch if you want a short record of the day from above.

I would not call this a private or quiet outing. It is a group tour, and the social side is part of the appeal. One recent booking described a fun sense of camaraderie among people on board, while another praised the friendly crew and relaxed mood. If you enjoy meeting people during a beach day, that works in your favor. If you want to control every stop and avoid a group schedule, a private boat would suit you better.

The price is also attractive because the islands are not treated as rushed drive-by stops. One account of the timing put the boat rides between islands at roughly 15 to 20 minutes, leaving useful stretches of time on shore. That gives you a better return than a tour that spends most of the day moving.

Starting at Maricel Tours in General Luna

Your morning begins at Maricel Tours, beside Wang’s Bakery across from the church. Registration is listed for 7:30 AM, followed by departure from General Luna Port at 8:00 AM.

I would arrive with enough time to find the meeting point, check in, and settle your belongings before boarding. The instructions are simple, but the operator asks you to read your voucher carefully, especially because booking acceptance ends at 6:00 PM Philippine time. The practical lesson is to confirm the meeting details before you set out in the morning.

The tour is planned to return at about 4:00 PM, making this a full but manageable day. Some bookings included hotel transfers to and from the port, but that service is not listed among the standard inclusions, so you should confirm it before assuming it is provided.

The early start helps you make the most of daylight. Bring water, sunscreen, a hat, swimwear, a towel, and a camera. I would keep your valuables to a minimum and use a waterproof bag for anything that cannot get wet.

Naked Island: the simplest stop, and one of the most striking

Naked Island is the first main stop, with about an hour for a guided visit. Its appeal is easy to understand: this is a small sandbar surrounded by clear water, with little to distract you from the sea and sky.

The name is accurate. You should not expect a shaded village, rows of shops, or many facilities. You get an open strip of sand and water, which makes this a good place to swim, take wide-angle photographs, and enjoy the clean simplicity of the setting.

The lack of shade is also the drawback. Bring your hat and sunscreen, and do not treat the first stop as a place to escape the sun. The water may look inviting, but you should follow the guide’s advice about where swimming is suitable.

Naked Island works best as an opening scene. You quickly understand why island hopping is popular around Siargao, and you have a chance to get into the water before the longer lunch stop later in the day.

Guyam Island offers the prettiest photo setting

The schedule places Guyam after Naked Island, with about an hour of free time. From the available descriptions, Guyam is often the most attractive of the three for photographs, thanks to its beach and compact island feel.

You can use this stop for a swim, a slow walk, or the mermaid-tail activity. The free mermaid tails are a playful extra rather than a serious water activity, but they give you a fun way to make your photos different from the usual beach pictures. The drone footage adds another angle, so this is a good point to ask the crew how and when they plan to record it.

You may also find small shops on the islands. That can be handy for simple purchases, though I would still carry water and the essentials you need rather than depend on island stalls.

Guyam receives less time than Daku, but an hour is enough to enjoy the beach without turning the stop into a long wait. I like that the tour places a scenic, relaxed stop before lunch. You can take photos while you still have plenty of energy, then use Daku for a longer break.

A tide-dependent stop adds a little uncertainty

The tour includes a short visit to a small side stop described as Secret Island or a hidden gem, but this visit depends on the tide. The planned time is about 30 minutes for a break, photographs, swimming, and a guided visit.

That tide condition is important. You should see this as a bonus, not a guaranteed centerpiece. If the water level does not allow the boat to stop safely or use the area properly, the schedule may change.

The short visit can still be worthwhile when conditions cooperate. It gives you another chance to swim and take photographs without committing a large part of the day. I would keep your expectations flexible and avoid judging the tour by this one optional stop.

Because water conditions control access, this is also one reason to listen closely to the guide. The crew decides what is safe and practical on the day, and a change here does not necessarily mean the main island visits will be affected.

Daku Island turns lunch into the day’s main event

Daku is the largest of the three islands and receives about three hours. This is where the tour slows down for a proper island break, with lunch, free time, sightseeing, photographs, and swimming.

The main attraction is the boodle fight lunch. Food is laid out for the group to share, creating a communal meal rather than an individual restaurant order. The spread focuses on local dishes, and several bookings praised the flavor and presentation of the food. If you want a taste of Siargao that feels tied to the setting, this is one of the strongest parts of the day.

A boodle fight is also practical for a group tour. You eat together, spend less time waiting for separate meals, and get back to the beach sooner. I would bring an open mind and expect a casual meal rather than formal table service. The point is shared food, a relaxed island atmosphere, and plenty of time to sit around after eating.

Daku’s longer stop helps balance the quick boat transfers. You can swim without checking the clock every few minutes, take photos, and rest in the middle of the day. The beach is described as pristine, but shade and seating arrangements may vary, so your towel is useful.

Some bookings specifically praised the snorkeling spots, but snorkeling gear is not included. If you want to explore below the surface, bring your own equipment or arrange rental gear separately. Do not assume the free mermaid tails replace a mask and snorkel.

The boat engine was described as very noisy on one outing, although headphones were available. This is worth knowing if you are sensitive to noise. The boat rides are not especially long according to the timing provided, but a loud engine can still make the transfers less comfortable.

What the crew adds to the day

The tour includes licensed and accredited guides, with English listed as the tour language. The guide’s role is more than pointing at beaches. You need help with boarding, stop timings, swimming areas, lunch, and the photo activities, especially when the group is moving between several locations.

The staff received strong praise for being friendly, helpful, and attentive. Erwin was singled out for accommodating service, while Trench and his crew were praised for looking after the group from snorkeling through the drone shots. Maria and her crew also received thanks for helping with photographs and keeping the day enjoyable.

Those names suggest a personal crew culture, but staff assignments can change. I would still expect the general strengths of this type of tour: simple instructions, help with activities, and a social atmosphere.

Organization may not be perfectly polished at every moment. One booking described the start as unorganized, and another noted a delay of around 30 minutes. The late start did not ruin that day, but you should avoid scheduling a tight evening activity immediately after the estimated 4:00 PM return.

Transport has received mixed practical feedback too. Some bookings reported smooth transfers and hotel drop-offs, while the standard details only guarantee the meeting point at Maricel Tours. Confirm your pickup arrangements before booking if you are staying outside central General Luna.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want the classic Siargao island-hopping experience without paying private-boat prices. It is a good fit for swimmers, beach photographers, couples, friends, and solo visitors who enjoy a shared day with an easy social feel.

The tour also suits anyone who wants photos without arranging a separate photographer. The mermaid tails are lighthearted, and the drone footage can give you a memorable record of your time on the islands.

I would think twice if you are prone to seasickness. The tour spends much of the day on a boat, and even short transfers can feel uncomfortable when the water is rough. Bring whatever seasickness treatment you normally use, though the supplied information does not promise that medication or special seating will be available.

This is also not a good choice for a non-swimmer who wants a purely sightseeing day. Swimming is built into several stops, and the activity is listed as unsuitable for non-swimmers. Babies under one year and people over 95 are also excluded according to the tour conditions.

What to pack for eight hours on the water

Your packing list should stay simple but useful:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Drinking water
• A camera or phone
• Snorkeling gear, if you want to use it
• A waterproof bag for electronics

I would put sunscreen on before boarding and reapply during the island stops. Naked Island offers little shelter, and Daku’s beach conditions can change from day to day.

Alcohol, drugs, weapons, and sharp objects are not allowed. Keep your gear compact because this is a group boat, and avoid bringing anything you would worry about getting wet.

Booking flexibility and practical timing

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option helps if you are still arranging your Siargao plans. Check the available start times when booking, but the stated operating rhythm is registration at 7:30 AM, departure at 8:00 AM, and return around 4:00 PM.

The operator accepts bookings until 6:00 PM Philippine time. That cutoff is easy to miss, so do not leave a last-minute reservation until late at night.

A 4.2 rating from 89 completed bookings suggests a generally positive experience with some rough edges. The repeated strengths are clear: friendly staff, attractive islands, satisfying food, good value, and useful drone footage. The recurring cautions are also clear enough to plan around: a potentially noisy engine, occasional disorganization, and delays.

Should you book the Siargao Tri-Island tour?

I would book it if you want a straightforward, budget-friendly day that covers Siargao’s three famous island stops, includes lunch, and adds fun photo extras. At $35, the combination of boat transport, entrance fees, a full meal, guides, mermaid tails, and drone footage makes the price easy to justify.

I would skip it only if you need a private schedule, dislike group outings, cannot swim, or often suffer from seasickness. For everyone else, arrive early, confirm transport, bring your own snorkeling gear if needed, and leave your afternoon open in case the boat returns late. Those small precautions let you enjoy the islands without expecting polished luxury from a lively group boat tour.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

The meeting point is Maricel Tours, right beside Wang’s Bakery across from the church.

What time should I register?

Registration is scheduled for 7:30 AM, with departure from General Luna Port at 8:00 AM.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours and is expected to return around 4:00 PM.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The main stops are Naked Island, Guyam Island, and Daku Island.

Is lunch included?

Yes. An iconic boodle fight lunch with local food is included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling gear is not included, so bring or arrange your own equipment if you want to snorkel.

Are mermaid tails included?

Yes. Free use of mermaid tails is included during the tour.

Is drone footage included?

Yes. Free drone footage is included.

Can the Secret Island stop be guaranteed?

No. The Secret Island side trip depends on the tide.