Siargao Tri-Island Hopping: Naked, Daku & Guyam

What to expect

You set off from General Luna in the morning on a traditional outrigger boat (bangka) and spend the day looping between three of Siargao's most photogenic islets. The classic order is Naked Island first, while the light is soft and the crowds are thin, then Daku for lunch, and Guyam to finish -- though crews adjust the route to the tide and the weather.

Naked Island is exactly what it sounds like: a pure white sandbar with no trees, no shade and nothing built on it, sitting alone in turquoise water. It is the spot for that classic "marooned on a sandbar" photo, so bring a hat and reef-safe sunscreen because there is nowhere to hide from the sun.

Daku Island ("daku" means big in the local Surigaonon tongue) is the largest of the three and the usual lunch stop. There is a small fishing community here with shaded cottages, and your boatmen typically grill the seafood and serve a Filipino spread -- often a "boodle fight" of rice, grilled fish, chicken and fruit laid out on banana leaves. You can swim, walk the long beach, or buy fresh coconuts from local vendors.

Guyam Island is the smallest -- a tiny circle of sand crowned with a cluster of coconut palms and a fringing reef. It is the prettiest for snorkeling and for shade, a calm place to end the day before the boat heads back to General Luna in the late afternoon.

Most operators run this as a shared "joiner" trip (you share the boat with other travelers), with a private-boat upgrade available for groups who want their own schedule. Snorkeling gear is usually available, and the pace is relaxed and family-friendly.