REVIEW · PHILIPPINES
SIARGAO: PRIVATE ISLAND HOPPING GUYAM, DAKU AND NAKED ISLAND
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Siargao International Travel and tours · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Three islands, one smooth private day. I like how this trip packages hotel pickup in General Luna with the things that usually add surprise costs: entrance fees and a guided schedule around Guyam, Daku, and Naked Islands. One thing to watch: snorkeling gear isn’t included, so you’ll want to plan for that before you head out.
This feels especially worth it because it’s a true private group. You choose your pickup and drop-off time within General Luna, and you can share food preferences before lunch, so the day runs on your tempo instead of a fixed bus schedule.
The route is built for a full day without feeling rushed: short travel legs, then real time in the water. Expect a swim-and-snorkel style outing, plus photo stops and guided island time that gives you more than just a quick look.
In This Review
- Key highlights you’ll actually care about
- A smart route: Guyam to Daku to Naked Islands
- Price and what $270 (up to 2) buys you
- Getting there: a short tuk-tuk ride and a boat hop
- Guyam Island: guided swim time with a calmer feel
- Daku Island: the long stop with lunch, walking, and more snorkel time
- Naked Island: photo moment plus swim or snorkel
- Lunch included: boodle-fight style, timed into your island day
- Timing you control: pickup, food preference, and day-of rhythm
- Quality check: what I’d watch for before you trust the day
- What to bring: the small list that makes a big difference
- Who should book this private island hopping trip
- Should you book it?
- FAQ
- What islands are included in this tour?
- Is pickup and drop-off included?
- How long is the tour?
- Is snorkeling gear included?
- What does lunch include?
- What languages is the guide?
- What is the cancellation policy?
Key highlights you’ll actually care about

- Private group pacing: you set pickup/drop-off time inside General Luna.
- All entrances and tourism fees included: fewer pay-on-the-day surprises.
- Boodle-fight style lunch included: you’re not scrambling for food mid-island.
- Three main islands, plus extra photo moments along the way.
- Guided visit time on every stop instead of only hopping between beaches.
- Pickup and drop-off at your hotel or a specific spot within General Luna.
A smart route: Guyam to Daku to Naked Islands

This tour makes sense because the stops build momentum. You start with Guyam, where the pace is more relaxed and the “get in the water” part comes early. Then you move to Daku, which has more going on—time for photos, a guided visit, a longer stretch for lunch, walking, and more water time. Finally, Naked Island is the quick-hit stop: photo time, guided viewing, and then swim or snorkel before heading back.
If you like your island hopping to feel organized but not rigid, this hits that balance. You’re not sprinting from viewpoint to viewpoint; you get guided time on each island, and the day is clearly structured around swimming and snorkeling opportunities.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Philippines.
Price and what $270 (up to 2) buys you

The price is $270 per group up to 2 for an 8-hour private outing. For a private day, that’s where the real value shows: the essentials are covered—pickup and drop-off, all entrances, tourism fees, a local guide, boat transport, and lunch.
What that means for you in practice: you can budget for one thing and move on. The “hidden charge” problem is less likely because the usual add-ons—entrance fees and fees—are already handled. The main catch is simple: snorkeling gear isn’t included, so if you want to snorkel comfortably, plan to rent or bring your own.
Also, because this is priced per group (up to 2), it can be a solid deal if you’re traveling as a couple and want a calmer, more personal day than shared tours.
Getting there: a short tuk-tuk ride and a boat hop

The day starts with pickup inside General Luna. The plan includes two transport legs before you reach the island circuit: a tuk-tuk ride for about 10 minutes, then another water transport leg for about 15 minutes.
Why this matters: it keeps the morning from feeling like a long commute. You’re still getting the “Siargao island day” feeling, but you’re not spending most of your time in transit. Once you’re on the water, everything after that follows a clear sequence—Guyam first, Daku second, Naked third.
If you’re the type who hates waiting around, the private setup helps. The guide contacts you when it’s time to go, based on your declared pickup time.
Guyam Island: guided swim time with a calmer feel

Guyam is your warm-up island. The schedule here is straightforward: a visit with guided tour and then about 1 hour to swim.
What to expect: you’ll have time to get settled and enjoy the water without the day turning into a marathon. The guided part matters because you’re not just wandering—someone is pacing the experience and keeping you oriented, which helps if you’re not sure where to focus your time.
Possible drawback: because this stop is shorter than Daku, you’ll want to commit to the water part early. If you spend too long on photos and walking, you may feel like you blinked and Guyam was over.
Daku Island: the long stop with lunch, walking, and more snorkel time

Daku is the “main event” island on this route. You get about 3 hours total, with a mix of:
- photo stop and guided visit
- lunch as part of the day
- some walking
- swimming and snorkeling time
Why I think this stop is the best fit for most people: it has variety. You can do the classic island photos, then shift gears into a more social, longer-feeling break with lunch and a bit of exploring. The walking piece is useful too—it breaks the day up so you’re not only in and out of the water.
Water time here also tends to feel more forgiving because you have the extra hours. If you’re still figuring out snorkeling (or you just want more attempts), Daku is the stop to do it.
Small consideration: with lunch and walking in the mix, your “float time” may depend on your energy level. If you want a strictly swim-focused day, you might treat the walking and guided segments as optional mental breaks, and save your stamina for the water.
Naked Island: photo moment plus swim or snorkel

Then you roll into Naked Island, which runs about 1 hour for the main experience. Expect photo stop, guided visit, and time for swimming and snorkeling.
Naked Island is the kind of place where you’ll want to bring your camera readiness. The schedule is tight, so once you’re there, you’ll feel the clock. Plan your photos early or you’ll spend the later part of the island time wishing you had.
At the same time, this shorter stop can be a good thing. It prevents the day from wearing you down. You get a classic stop with a clean end point before heading back.
Lunch included: boodle-fight style, timed into your island day
Lunch is included as a boodle fight. That’s a fun, casual setup, and it works well in an island hopping schedule because it keeps you moving. Instead of searching for a proper sit-down meal on the go, you’re eating as part of the tour rhythm.
You’ll also get a chance to share your food preference beforehand, which is helpful. It doesn’t mean you’ll automatically get every wish, but it’s better than walking in cold.
Practical move: bring a charged smartphone and cash (even though lunch is included). Island days have a way of adding small needs—water, snacks, or gear.
Timing you control: pickup, food preference, and day-of rhythm

One of the underrated benefits here is control. Since it’s private, you can choose the pickup and drop-off time as long as it’s within General Luna. The guide will contact you when pickup is near based on your declared time.
This flexibility is great if you:
- want a slower start (sleep counts)
- plan around a massage, surfing, or a café stop
- prefer not to be rushed into transport at a set hour
There are also clear rules that keep things from getting messy. Rescheduling needs to be done the night before, and the same goes for rebooking. Cancellation on the spot isn’t accepted.
Quality check: what I’d watch for before you trust the day

Most of the value here is in the inclusions and the structured itinerary. Still, I’d be smart about one thing: reliability of timing and communication.
There’s at least one very negative report that described a last-minute cancellation on the tour day due to crew availability and a later guide experience where island information felt thin. I can’t sugarcoat that. The better way to protect your day is simple: message early, confirm your pickup time the day before, and keep your expectations realistic for a tour operation that’s working within island logistics.
If you follow that, you should still be able to enjoy the core of the experience: private hopping, guided time on three islands, and lunch without extra fees.
What to bring: the small list that makes a big difference
Bring change of clothes, beachwear, a camera, and a charged smartphone. Cash is also listed, which is a hint that small purchases may happen even when major costs are included.
One item I’m glad they call out: biodegradable sunscreen. Reef-safe products matter more than people think on small island ecosystems, and you’ll feel better using something that’s meant for water days.
Snorkel-specific heads up: snorkeling gear isn’t included. If you’re hoping to snorkel, either pack your own or plan to rent locally.
You’ll also want to avoid anything explosive, per the rules.
Who should book this private island hopping trip
This tour is best for you if you want:
- a private day without group chaos
- hotel pickup and drop-off handled for you
- guided time on each island, not just a quick stop
- swimming and snorkeling as the main activity
- lunch already taken care of
It may not be a match if you:
- have altitude sickness concerns (noted as not suitable)
- are traveling with babies under 1 year
- are over 95 years (noted as not suitable)
Basically: this is for people who can comfortably handle boat transfers and swim-focused time, with the expectation that the day is active.
Should you book it?
I’d book this if you’re traveling as a couple or small private group and you like the idea of everything built in: entrances, fees, guide, boat, pickup/drop-off, and lunch. The Guyam-to-Daku-to-Naked order also makes the day feel logical—one calmer start, one longer island with variety, and one quick photo-and-swim finish.
I’d hesitate only if you strongly rely on a specific time being perfect with no flexibility. One negative account involved day-of cancellation and a less informative guide experience, so do your due diligence: confirm details the day before, keep your phone charged, and be ready to adapt if the island-day machine needs to adjust.
If you’re okay with that reality and you’re prepared for snorkeling gear to be on you, this can be a great way to spend a single day in Siargao’s island world.
FAQ
What islands are included in this tour?
The tour includes Guyam Island, Daku Island, and Naked Island.
Is pickup and drop-off included?
Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included at your hotel or any specific place you want, as long as it’s within General Luna, Siargao Island.
How long is the tour?
The total duration is 8 hours.
Is snorkeling gear included?
No. Snorkeling gear is not included.
What does lunch include?
Lunch is included as a boodle fight.
What languages is the guide?
The local guide speaks English and Tagalog.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Rescheduling must be done the night before, and cancellation on the spot is not accepted.






