Siargao Tri-Island with Drone & Mermaid Tail

Siargao’s best-known island-hopping day packs three very different stops into one boat trip: the bare sandbar of Naked Island, the broad beach of Daku, and palm-lined Guyam. Add a Filipino boodle fight lunch, free mermaid tails, and drone footage, and the $35 price becomes easy to understand.

I like the tour for two clear reasons. First, the stops give you plenty of swimming and beach time rather than keeping you on the boat all day. Second, the crew puts real fun into the outing, from Erwin’s helpful service to the free aerial photos and videos. The main drawback is that the start can be loose, and the boat engine may be loud.

Key points

• Naked Island is a simple sandbar stop: Expect sun, sea, and few facilities, with about an hour to swim and take photos.
• Daku Island is the longest stop: You get roughly three hours for lunch, swimming, beach time, and sightseeing.
• The boodle fight is part of the value: A shared Filipino meal is served on the island, with local dishes arranged for everyone to enjoy.
• Free drone footage adds a useful extra: The crew can capture the kind of wide beach shots that are difficult to get from shore.
• Secret Island depends on the tide: It is a short side trip, not a guaranteed full stop every day.
• Bring your own snorkeling gear: Snorkeling may be part of the day, but equipment is not included.

Three islands and one very good lunch

This is the classic General Luna island-hopping day, priced at $35 per person and lasting about eight hours. For that money, you receive the boat, entrance fees, an English-speaking licensed guide, lunch, mermaid-tail use, and drone footage.

The price is especially fair if you want a simple all-day outing without arranging each part yourself. You are not paying only for a boat ride. You are also covering the island fees, a prepared lunch, and photo help from the crew. Bring your own snorkeling equipment if you want to use it, since that is not included.

The day begins with registration at 7:30 AM and departure from General Luna Port at 8:00 AM. The meeting point is Maricel Tours, beside Wang’s Bakery and across from the church. The stated return time is about 4:00 PM, though boat trips can shift with weather, tides, loading, and group arrangements.

Getting started at Maricel Tours

The meeting point is central and fairly easy to identify, but give yourself enough time to find the office and complete registration. You should arrive ready for the water, not planning to change later.

The operator accepts bookings until 6:00 PM Philippine time. Read the voucher carefully for the exact booking instructions, as the meeting details and payment arrangements are tied to that document.

Transport from a General Luna hotel is not listed as a standard inclusion, but some bookings have included pickup and drop-off. If you need a transfer, confirm it before the morning of the trip rather than assuming it comes with the $35 price.

The boat ride between islands has been described as roughly 15 to 20 minutes at a time. That is useful to know: you get regular movement and changing views, but the trip is not one continuous long crossing. One practical complaint is engine noise. The crew has provided headphones on at least some departures, but earplugs are still a sensible addition if you are sensitive to sound.

Naked Island: sun, sand, and open water

Naked Island is usually the first major stop. Its name tells you what to expect: this is a low, open sandbar with little shade and no heavy development. The appeal is simplicity. You step into clear water, walk on pale sand, and see the sea stretching in every direction.

You have about an hour here, enough for swimming, photos, and a quick look around. This is the place for your wide beach pictures, especially if you enjoy the clean, uncluttered look of a small tropical island.

The lack of shade is also the catch. Wear sunscreen, bring a hat, and avoid treating this as a long lounge stop unless you are comfortable in full sun. Your camera should be protected from spray during the boat ride and from wet hands once you reach shore.

The free drone service is particularly useful here. From the water, a sandbar can look ordinary. From above, its shape and isolation become much clearer. Ask the crew how and when the footage will be delivered, since the supplied details confirm the footage is included but do not specify the delivery method.

Guyam Island brings a greener change

Guyam Island gives the day a different feel from Naked Island. It is small, scenic, and known for its beach and palm trees. You receive about an hour of free time, making it a good stop for a swim, a walk, or more relaxed photos.

Several island stops have small shops, so carrying a little cash may be useful. That is not a formal requirement, but it can make the day easier if you want to buy something locally. Keep your belongings compact, since a boat tour is more comfortable when you are not managing large bags at every landing.

The tour timing gives you enough time to enjoy Guyam without making the day drag. You will not have endless hours on each island, but the 15 to 20 minute boat transfers help break up the schedule.

The short Secret Island side trip

After the main island visits, the boat may stop at Secret Island, depending on the tide. The planned time is about 30 minutes for a break, photos, swimming, and a guided visit.

The tide qualification matters. Do not book this outing with the expectation that Secret Island will always look the same or always be accessible. On a day when conditions allow, it adds a pleasant extra stop. If the water level does not cooperate, the three main islands remain the dependable core of the trip.

Because this is a short visit, keep your camera and swimwear ready. You do not want to spend half the stop searching through a dry bag.

Daku Island is the heart of the day

Daku is the largest of the three main islands and the longest stop, with about three hours set aside for lunch, swimming, photos, sightseeing, and free time. This is where the schedule slows down and the island-hopping experience feels most complete.

The beach gives you room to settle in after the shorter stops. You can swim, sit in the sand, take pictures, or simply enjoy having time without immediately watching the clock. If you prefer active days, this is also the best place to use your own snorkeling gear.

The main event is the boodle fight lunch. In the Philippines, a boodle fight is a communal meal arranged for people to share, often eaten together around a long spread rather than served as separate restaurant plates. Here, you can expect a broad presentation of local food on the island.

This lunch is a real part of the tour’s value, not just a small snack between boat rides. Several bookings praised the taste and presentation, and the meal gives you a chance to try Filipino dishes in a social setting. It also fits the island setting better than rushing back to General Luna for food.

Food timing can affect your day, so bring water and a small snack only if you need one. Water is specifically listed among the recommended items. Do not bring alcohol, drugs, weapons, or sharp objects.

Mermaid tails and drone photos

The mermaid-tail activity is an unusual extra for a basic island boat tour. You can use the tails for playful photos in shallow water or along the beach. It is best understood as a photo activity, not as swimming equipment or a substitute for safety gear.

If you are not a confident swimmer, stay in shallow water and follow the guide’s instructions. The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers, and mermaid tails can make movement awkward even for people who are comfortable in the water.

The free drone footage is the more useful of the two extras for many people. Aerial video can show the curve of a sandbar, the color of the water, and the boat’s position off the beach in a way a handheld phone cannot. Crew members have been praised for making sure people receive photos and footage, but you should still confirm the collection process before leaving.

Bring a camera if you want your own close-up photos. The drone will not replace your personal pictures of lunch, beach details, or the boat ride.

The crew and the pace of the day

The tour is led in English by licensed and accredited guides. Names connected with especially attentive service include Erwin, Trench, and Maria, though the guide assigned to your departure may be different.

The strongest part of the service is the crew’s friendly, practical approach. Guides have helped with transfers, photos, drone shots, and general group care. That matters on an island day, since small problems with boarding, wet bags, or timing can otherwise become annoying.

The start may not be perfectly polished. One departure began in an unorganized way, and another ran about 30 minutes late. A delay can be frustrating when you have planned around an 8:00 AM sailing, though a little extra preparation time may also be welcome. Keep your morning flexible and avoid scheduling an important afternoon flight immediately after the expected 4:00 PM return.

The atmosphere is social. You are booking a group tour, not a private boat, so the day includes shared meals, common photo stops, and a shared pace. That works well if you enjoy meeting people and joining a cheerful outing. If you want quiet beaches with no schedule, a private charter may suit you better.

What to bring for a smoother trip

Pack light, but bring the things that make a full day beside the sea more comfortable:

• Hat and sunscreen for Naked Island
• Swimwear and towel
• Camera or phone in a waterproof pouch
• Water
• Your own snorkeling gear, since it is not included
• Small cash for possible island shops

Wear something that dries quickly and keep valuables in a sealed bag. The boat transfers are short enough to be manageable, but spray is still possible.

The tour is not suitable for babies under one year, people over 95 years, non-swimmers, or people prone to seasickness. If you often feel ill on boats, ask about conditions before booking and consider bringing your usual motion-sickness remedy. The supplied information does not promise calm water, so this is a real consideration.

Who will get the most from this $35 tour

I would choose this trip if you want the main Siargao island stops in one organized day and like having lunch, boat fees, and island access handled together. It suits couples, friends, solo visitors who enjoy group outings, and families with swimmers old enough for the pace and conditions.

It is also a good fit if you care about photos. Naked Island gives you open beach views, Guyam offers a more palm-lined setting, and Daku provides the longest period for relaxed pictures. Mermaid tails add a playful touch, while the drone creates a useful record of the day.

I would think twice if you dislike shared tours, need a perfectly timed departure, or get seasick easily. The engine can be loud, the start may run late, and Secret Island depends on the tide. Snorkeling gear is not included, so the advertised extras do not mean every water activity is supplied.

The cancellation terms are friendly: you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That gives you some flexibility while watching the weather and your wider Siargao plans.

Should you book the Tri-Island tour?

Book it if you want a good-value full day with Siargao’s three signature islands, a proper Filipino lunch, and photo extras that usually cost more on other outings. The strongest reasons are the long Daku stop, the tasty boodle fight spread, and the crew’s personal help with photos, transfers, and activities.

Skip it if you need a private, silent boat or cannot handle open-water travel. For most confident swimmers who want an easy introduction to Siargao’s island scene, the combination of beaches, swimming, shared food, mermaid tails, and drone footage makes $35 a sensible buy.

FAQ

How long does the Siargao Tri-Island tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours. Registration is at 7:30 AM, departure is scheduled for 8:00 AM from General Luna Port, and return is expected at about 4:00 PM.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at Maricel Tours, right beside Wang’s Bakery and across from the church.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The main stops are Naked Island, Guyam Island, and Daku Island. The trip may also include Secret Island, depending on the tide.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The tour includes an iconic boodle fight lunch with a spread of local food, served during the Daku Island stop.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

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

Are mermaid tails included?

Yes. Free use of mermaid tails is included as part of the tour.

Is drone footage included?

Yes. Free drone footage is included.

What language does the guide speak?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The tour also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.