Siargao Tri-Island with Drone & Mermaid Tail

Siargao’s best-known island trio makes a fine full-day outing, especially because this tour adds free drone footage and mermaid-tail photos to the usual sand, sea, and sun. You visit Naked, Guyam, and Daku Islands, then share a generous Filipino boodle fight lunch on the beach.

I like the strong value: about $35 covers the boat, island fees, guide, lunch, and the playful photo extras. I also like the relaxed social feel, with plenty of swimming, free time, and short boat rides between stops. The main caution is comfort: the boat engine can be loud, departure organization may run late, and the trip is not a good match for non-swimmers or people prone to seasickness.

Key points to know before booking

• Naked Island is a bare sandbar: Expect sun, shallow clear water, and almost no shade, so bring a hat and sunscreen.
• Daku Island gets the longest stop: Around three hours covers lunch, swimming, photos, free time, and beach sitting.
• Guyam is the prettiest stop for many visitors: It offers a small beach, local shops, and a more complete island setting than Naked Island.
• The boodle fight is part of the experience: You eat local dishes laid out for sharing, usually with the group gathered around one spread.
• Drone footage and mermaid tails cost nothing extra: These are useful photo perks, though you should confirm how and when the footage is delivered.
• The schedule depends on nature: Secret Island is tide-dependent, and sea conditions can affect timing and comfort.

Three islands, three different moods

This tour leaves from General Luna Port and visits three small islands that each have a different character. That variety is the reason the trip works so well. You are not simply repeating the same beach stop three times.

Naked Island is the simplest stop. It is a low sandbar surrounded by clear water, with little vegetation and limited shade. The appeal is immediate: swim, wade, take wide beach photographs, and enjoy the sense of being surrounded by sea.

That lack of shelter is also the catch. On a bright day, the sand reflects plenty of heat. I would put on sunscreen before leaving the port, carry water, and keep your hat handy. Naked Island is best enjoyed as a short, scenic stop rather than a place to spend the whole day.

Guyam Island gives you a more rounded island visit. You get about an hour for free time, beach sitting, swimming, and photographs. Local shops are available on the islands, adding a small everyday touch that keeps the visit from feeling like a pure photo stop.

Daku Island is the main event. It is the largest of the three and receives roughly three hours. That longer pause makes room for lunch, swimming, sightseeing, photos, and a proper break from the boat. If you want time to dry off, eat slowly, and enjoy the beach without watching the clock, Daku is where the schedule helps.

The morning at General Luna Port

Registration is set for 7:30 AM, with departure planned for 8:00 AM from General Luna Port. The meeting point is Maricel Tours, beside Wang’s Bakery and across from the church.

That location is useful because it is easy to identify, but read your voucher closely before the day. The tour instructions specifically ask you to follow the voucher, and transport details may need attention. Several bookings have included hotel pickup and drop-off in General Luna, but that service should not be assumed unless your booking confirms it.

The tour lasts about eight hours and normally returns around 4:00 PM. That timing leaves much of the evening free in General Luna, but the sea and group pace can affect the exact schedule.

A short delay is possible. One outing departed around half an hour late, which was not a major problem for the day, but you should avoid booking a tight afternoon connection. This is a full-day group trip, not a private charter with every minute controlled.

Naked Island: clear water and full sun

The first island stop is Naked Island, with about an hour for a guided visit. The name tells you what to expect: this is a small, mostly bare strip of sand with very little natural cover.

It is an excellent place for clean, uncluttered photographs. The water around the island is clear enough for swimming and simple water photographs, and the open setting makes the island feel especially exposed and remote.

Bring your own water, hat, towel, and sunscreen. Snorkeling gear is not included, so you will need to arrange or bring your own equipment if that activity matters to you. The tour includes swimming time, but it is not designed as a specialist snorkeling trip with equipment supplied.

The free mermaid-tail activity can work particularly well here. The open beach and shallow water provide an easy setting for a playful photograph, and the crew can help with the activity. If you prefer a quiet swim, you can simply skip the tail and use the stop for a cool-off.

Guyam Island: the most photogenic pause

Guyam Island follows with about an hour of free time. It is small, beachy, and often the prettiest stop of the three for visitors who want a mix of palms, sand, and water rather than a bare sandbar.

You can swim, wander, sit on the beach, or visit the small shops. The island does not require a long stay, and the one-hour schedule feels sensible. It gives you enough time to enjoy the setting without turning the stop into a repeat of Naked Island.

This is another useful spot for the drone footage. The tour includes free drone footage, a nice extra at this price. Ask the crew about the process on the day, since the supplied information does not specify the delivery method or exact number of clips. Treat the footage as a bonus rather than the main reason to book.

The crew’s attitude is a real part of the experience. Guides named Erwin and Trench have been singled out for being attentive and helpful, while Maria and her crew have been praised for making sure people got photographs and practical assistance. Staffing can change, but the tour is built around an active local crew rather than a self-guided island transfer.

The tide-dependent Secret Island stop

After the main island visits, the boat may call at Secret Island for about 30 minutes. This stop depends on the tide, so it is not guaranteed in the same way as Naked, Guyam, and Daku.

The plan allows time for a photo stop, swimming, and a short guided visit. Because the stop is tide-dependent, keep your expectations flexible. If the water level does not cooperate, the crew may need to adjust the schedule.

This is one reason not to judge the tour by a strict checklist. The three main islands form the reliable core of the day. Secret Island is an extra that can add another swimming or photo setting when conditions allow.

Daku Island and the boodle fight lunch

Daku Island receives the longest visit, around three hours, and it is where the day becomes more than a beach-hopping circuit. The stop includes a Filipino boodle fight lunch, with local food arranged for group sharing.

A boodle fight is informal by design. Food is laid out together, and you eat as part of the group rather than receiving a separate plated restaurant meal. That format fits a beach day well. It is social, generous, and distinctly Filipino, and the meal becomes one of the day’s shared moments.

The food has been a major strength of the experience. Descriptions of the meal include delicious, tasty, and very well presented, with a good spread of local dishes. You should still remember that this is outdoor group catering. It will not suit someone looking for a private dining setup or a highly controlled restaurant menu.

Daku also gives you time to swim, take photographs, relax, and let lunch settle. The three-hour stop is long enough to make the day feel less rushed. You can take part in the mermaid-tail activity, pose for drone footage, or simply sit under available shade and enjoy the beach.

Because this is the longest stop, it is also the place where basic comfort matters most. Bring a towel, water, swimwear, and sun protection. You should not count on the tour to supply snorkeling equipment, and you should not expect the same level of shade as at a mainland restaurant.

What the $35 price really covers

At about $35 per person, the tour offers strong value for a full day. The price includes the group boat, entrance fees, an accredited English-speaking guide, the boodle fight lunch, mermaid-tail use, and drone footage.

Many island tours charge separately for park fees, food, or photo services. Here, those costs are bundled into one simple price. That makes the tour especially appealing if you want a first look at Siargao’s island scenery without arranging a private boat.

The trade-off is that you share the experience with a group. Departure may be less precise, the boat engine may be noisy, and the pace is set by the group and the sea. One boat was reported to have an extremely loud engine, although headphones were available. If you are sensitive to noise, bring your own earplugs or use headphones.

The tour is also not a premium private cruise. It is a practical, social day with a busy schedule and basic boat transport. For the price, that is a fair exchange, but it is worth understanding before you book.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend this outing to first-time visitors to Siargao who want the classic three-island route in one day. It suits couples, friends, solo visitors who enjoy meeting people, and families with older children who are comfortable around the water.

The group atmosphere is part of the fun. Shared lunch, beach games, mermaid-tail photographs, and drone shots give people easy ways to interact. If you want a quiet private day with no waiting, a private boat would be a better fit.

You should also be comfortable with basic boat travel. The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers, people prone to seasickness, babies under one year, or people over 95. The trip includes swimming and time on open beaches, so anyone with mobility or medical concerns should consider the conditions carefully before booking.

Bring:

• Hat and sunscreen
• Swimwear and towel
• Camera or phone
• Drinking water
• Personal snorkeling gear if you want to snorkel

Weapons, sharp objects, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed.

A few practical details that matter

The tour accepts bookings until 6:00 PM Philippine time, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Siargao plans are still shifting.

The listed tour language is English. Guides are licensed and accredited, and the experience begins and ends at Maricel Tours, with the boat departing from General Luna Port.

Hotel transfers have been arranged for some bookings in General Luna, including return transport, but confirm this directly for your reservation. Do not assume pickup is included simply because it was available to other people.

Sea conditions, tide levels, and group timing can change the order or length of stops. The core plan remains Naked, Guyam, Daku, and a possible Secret Island visit, but flexibility is part of any island day in Siargao.

Should you book the Tri-Island tour?

Book it if you want Siargao’s classic island route, a filling local lunch, and useful photo extras at a modest price. The best features are the long Daku stop, the social boodle fight, the friendly crew, and the free drone footage.

Skip it if you dislike group tours, need a silent boat, are prone to seasickness, or want snorkeling gear and a private schedule included. For most able swimmers who want an easy full-day introduction to the islands, this is a well-priced and enjoyable choice. Give yourself a relaxed morning, protect yourself from the sun, and treat Secret Island and exact departure timing as flexible parts of the day.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at Maricel Tours, right beside Wang’s Bakery and across from the church. The boat departs from General Luna Port.

What time should I arrive?

Registration is scheduled for 7:30 AM, with departure planned for 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. A visit to Secret Island is possible if the tide allows.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The tour includes an iconic boodle fight lunch with local food served for group sharing.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling gear is not included, so bring or arrange your own equipment if needed.

Are mermaid tails included?

Yes. The tour includes free use of mermaid tails during the activity.

Is drone footage included?

Yes. Free drone footage is included. The supplied information does not specify the delivery method or exact amount of footage.

Is a guide provided?

Yes. The tour includes a licensed and accredited English-speaking guide.

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.