Siargao Tri-Island with Drone & Mermaid Tail

Three islands, one very full day. This Siargao boat trip combines bright sand, clear water, a generous boodle fight lunch, and playful extras that make it more than a basic island transfer. I especially like the free drone footage and mermaid-tail activity, since they give you memorable photos without adding another fee. The friendly crew, including guides such as Erwin and Trench, also earns strong praise for looking after the group.

The main consideration is comfort. The boat engine can be loud, and the early start leaves little room for a slow morning. The Secret Island stop depends on the tide, snorkeling gear is not included, and the tour is a poor fit if you are prone to seasickness or cannot swim.

Key points to know before booking

• Three classic Siargao stops: Visit Naked Island, Daku Island, and Guyam Island from General Luna Port.
• A proper Filipino lunch: Eat a communal boodle fight spread at Daku Island, with local dishes arranged for sharing.
• Free photo extras: Use a mermaid tail and receive drone footage at no additional charge.
• A long but manageable day: Registration is at 7:30 AM, departure is planned for 8:00 AM, and return is around 4:00 PM.
• Tide-dependent bonus stop: The Secret Island visit may be added after lunch when water conditions allow.

Why this $35 boat trip offers good value

At $35 per person, this is one of the easier Siargao day trips to justify. Your fee covers the full-day group boat, island entrance fees, an accredited English-speaking guide, lunch, mermaid-tail use, and drone footage. You are not paying only for a seat on a boat. You are getting a full program with food and a few photo-friendly extras built in.

I particularly like the balance between scenery and social time. You get beaches and swimming, but you also share lunch and boat time with a group. That makes the trip a good choice if you enjoy meeting people and do not need a private, quiet itinerary.

The value is strongest if you want the familiar Siargao trio in one day. You do not need to arrange separate boats, entrance payments, or a restaurant stop on the islands. Bring your own snorkeling gear if you want to explore underwater, since it is not part of the package.

The tour has an overall rating of 4.2 from 89 submitted ratings, with repeated praise for the staff, scenery, lunch, organization, and drone clips. A few practical complaints keep it from being perfect: the start can feel disorganized, transport may run late, and one boat had an especially noisy engine. Those are worth knowing before you commit.

Meeting at General Luna Port before 8:00 AM

You register at 7:30 AM and leave from General Luna Port at about 8:00 AM. The meeting office, Maricel Tours, is beside Wang’s Bakery across from the church, a useful landmark if you are walking through the area.

You should read the voucher carefully before arriving, since the operator gives instructions there. If you are staying in General Luna, ask at booking about transport. Some customers arranged pickup and return to their accommodation, but the stated meeting point is the tour office and port, so do not assume hotel transfers are included in the $35 price.

A little patience may help at the start. One account describes a delay of roughly 30 minutes, while another calls the opening of the tour disorganized. That does not ruin an island day, but you should avoid scheduling a tight afternoon appointment after the planned 4:00 PM return.

The boat ride between stops is reported to take around 15 to 20 minutes. That leaves a fair amount of time on the islands rather than turning the day into one long ride. If your boat has a noisy engine, the crew may provide headphones, but packing earplugs is still sensible.

Naked Island, a sandbar with nowhere to hide

Naked Island is the first major stop and usually gets about an hour. Its name is accurate: this is a small, open sandbar with little or no shade, buildings, or visual clutter.

That simplicity is the attraction. You see pale sand surrounded by clear water, and the lack of trees makes the island feel exposed and clean. It is a good place for a first swim, wide beach photos, and a quick adjustment to the heat.

Bring your hat and sunscreen, then use them. The sun can feel strong on an open sandbar, especially when there is no shelter nearby. A towel and camera belong in your day bag, along with drinking water.

Naked Island is not the place for a long meal or a wandering village visit. It is a short scenic stop, so enjoy the water and views rather than expecting a full range of activities. If you want to stay dry, you can still take photographs, but swimming is a central part of the day.

Guyam Island, the prettiest stop for many visitors

The schedule gives Guyam Island about an hour of free time. Several strong reactions single it out as the prettiest of the three, and I can see why it often becomes a favorite: it offers a more defined beach setting than the bare sandbar of Naked Island.

You can swim, take photographs, sit on the beach, or look around the small island at an easy pace. Shops are available on the islands, so you may find simple purchases or snacks, though your included lunch comes later at Daku.

Guyam is a good reminder that this tour is not only about checking off names. Each island has a different feel. Naked is open and spare, Guyam is more scenic and intimate, and Daku is the place where the day slows down for food and a longer break.

The one-hour stop goes quickly. If you want drone footage or mermaid-tail photos, listen carefully when the crew explains how and when those activities work. You may need to share time with other people in the group, so do not expect a private photo session.

The tide-dependent stop after the main islands

The schedule includes a short 30-minute visit to a lesser-known stop, described as a hidden gem in the activity details. I will call it the extra island stop, since its exact appearance and timing depend on the conditions.

This portion can include a photo stop, swimming, a break, and a guided visit. Its biggest limitation is the tide. If water levels do not cooperate, the boat may skip it or adjust the plan. Treat it as a bonus rather than a promise.

That uncertainty is normal for a water-based day. The most dependable parts are Naked, Guyam, and Daku. If the extra stop operates, it adds another change of scenery without requiring a full additional excursion.

Daku Island and the three-hour lunch break

Daku Island receives the largest block of time, about three hours. That makes sense. It is the biggest of the three islands and serves as the main place to eat, swim, rest, and enjoy the social side of the tour.

The centerpiece is the boodle fight lunch. Food is spread out for everyone to share, creating a communal meal rather than a series of individual plates. The meal has earned especially warm praise for its flavor and presentation, and it gives you a chance to try local dishes in a relaxed island setting.

Do not expect a private restaurant table. A boodle fight is designed for shared eating, so the meal works best if you are comfortable sitting with the group and reaching for food together. That shared setup is part of the experience, not a flaw, but solo visitors should know the tone is social.

After eating, you have time for swimming, photographs, sightseeing, or simply lying low. Three hours is long enough to avoid rushing, though the heat may make the shade and water especially appealing. Keep drinking water and protect yourself from the sun.

Daku is also where the tour’s group spirit becomes most obvious. One highly praised part of the experience is the camaraderie among people having fun together. If you want a quiet, private beach day, a private boat charter may suit you better. If you like an easygoing shared outing, this long Daku stop is a strength.

Mermaid tails and drone footage without a separate charge

The mermaid-tail activity is a playful extra rather than the reason to book the trip, but it adds real value. You can try the tail in the water or use it for photographs, depending on the crew’s arrangements and conditions.

The free drone footage is the more useful bonus for many people. A drone can show the sandbars, boat, and bright water from an angle that a phone cannot match. Several people singled out the footage as a welcome addition, and one described it as one of the best parts of the day alongside snorkeling.

You should ask the crew when the drone recording will happen and how the files will be delivered. The provided details confirm that drone footage is included, but they do not explain the delivery method or guarantee a specific number of clips. Keep your own camera ready too, since the drone session may be brief or shared across the group.

These extras also explain why the price feels fair. A standard boat trip might give you the same islands, but the included lunch and aerial footage make this package more useful for a first Siargao visit.

Swimming and snorkeling: bring what the tour leaves out

Swimming is built into the day at the islands and the extra stop. The water is described as clear, and snorkeling receives strong praise, but snorkeling equipment is not included.

Bring your own mask, snorkel, and any other gear you need, or confirm rental options before departure. The operator provides the boat and entrance fees, not personal snorkeling equipment. This small detail can affect your enjoyment if you are counting on exploring the water.

The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers or people who are prone to seasickness. The boat time is not extreme, with island crossings of roughly 15 to 20 minutes, but open-water conditions can still make some people uncomfortable. If that is you, take seasickness precautions before leaving, and consider whether an eight-hour boat day is sensible.

The activity is also not suitable for babies under one year old or people over 95. Those limits are stated clearly, so check your group before booking.

What the guides add to the day

The guides are among the tour’s most consistent strengths. The crew is described as friendly, helpful, accommodating, and attentive to photographs. Erwin receives specific praise for making the day easier, while Trench and his crew are noted for keeping the group well cared for.

That matters on an island day. Boat timing, meals, equipment, and photo stops all need coordination. A good guide keeps you from wondering where to go next and helps the group make use of the limited time at each island.

The tour is offered in English with a live guide. You should still expect a group experience rather than a private guide assigned only to you. If your priority is personal attention, ask about a private arrangement. If you mainly want clear direction and a friendly crew, the group format should work well.

What to pack for this particular day

Pack light, but do not arrive empty-handed. You will want:

• Swimwear and a towel
• A hat and strong sunscreen
• Water
• A camera or phone
• Your own snorkeling gear, if needed
• Earplugs or headphones if boat noise bothers you

Alcohol, drugs, weapons, and sharp objects are not allowed. Keep valuables protected from spray and sand, and use a waterproof phone pouch if you have one. The tour information does not promise dry storage, so sensible packing matters.

The early registration time also means you should prepare the night before. Have swimwear, sunscreen, and water ready instead of trying to organize everything at the port.

Should you book this Siargao island tour?

I would book it if you want the classic three-island route at a low price, enjoy a social group atmosphere, and like the idea of lunch and drone footage included. The strongest reasons are excellent value, a tasty communal meal, pretty beaches, and a crew that appears to take care of people.

I would hesitate if you dislike shared boats, need a quiet beach day, cannot swim, or often feel sick on the water. The start may be untidy, the boat engine may be loud, and the tide-dependent stop is not guaranteed.

For most first-time visitors based in General Luna, this is a practical way to see Naked, Guyam, and Daku in one day. Bring snorkeling gear, expect a full schedule, and leave your afternoon flexible. At $35, the package gives you enough scenery, food, and extras to make the long day worthwhile.

FAQ

How much does the Siargao Tri-Island tour cost?

The tour costs $35 per person.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours. Registration is at 7:30 AM, departure is planned for 8:00 AM, and return is expected around 4:00 PM.

Where is the meeting point?

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

Which islands does the tour visit?

The main stops are Naked Island, Guyam Island, and Daku Island. A short visit to Secret Island may be added when the tide allows.

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 equipment if you want to snorkel.

Is the drone footage included?

Yes. Free drone footage and free use of mermaid tails are included in the tour.