Best Islands Around Siargao: A Complete Island Hopping Guide

Table of Contents

• Why Island Hopping Around Siargao Is Worth Every Peso
• The Classic Three: Naked, Daku, and Guyam Islands
• Bucas Grande and the Enchanted River Region
• Britania Island Group in Del Carmen
• Sohoton Cove and Its Hidden Lagoons
• Lesser-Known Gems Worth Exploring
• How to Plan Your Island Hopping Trip
• Best Time to Go Island Hopping
• What to Pack for a Day on the Islands
• Responsible Island Hopping: Leave No Trace
• Frequently Asked Questions

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Siargao gets most of its fame from Cloud 9, that legendary barrel wave that draws surfers from every corner of the planet. But the island itself — the big, teardrop-shaped landmass where General Luna sits — is surrounded by a constellation of smaller islands, lagoons, and coves that honestly steal the show just as often. You don't have to be a surfer to fall completely in love with Siargao. Grab a boat, slap on some reef-safe sunscreen, and the ocean becomes your playground.

This guide covers every significant island worth visiting around Siargao, including the classics everyone does on their first day, the more adventurous spots that require a longer journey, and a few under-the-radar places locals don't always advertise to tourists. Whether you have one free afternoon or a full week of exploring, there's enough out here to keep you completely absorbed.

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Why Island Hopping Around Siargao Is Worth Every Peso

Let's be honest — island hopping anywhere in the Philippines tends to be a highlight of any trip. But what makes the waters around Siargao particularly special is the variety packed into a relatively small geographic area. Within an hour's boat ride from General Luna, you can find sandbar islands barely bigger than a basketball court, forested islands with shaded picnic spots, and offshore reefs buzzing with marine life.

The water color alone is worth the trip. Depending on the depth and the time of day, you'll see everything from pale jade to deep cobalt. On calm mornings, the sea between Siargao and the surrounding islands looks almost glassy, and the boat rides themselves feel cinematic.

Island hopping tours are widely available from General Luna and typically cost between ₱1,200 and ₱2,000 per person depending on the route and whether meals are included. Private boat hires give you more flexibility and are great for small groups. Budget travelers can often join a shared tour and split costs with other guests from their accommodation.

For a deeper look at how to budget your time on the island, check out our Siargao travel itinerary guide — it lays out how to realistically fit island hopping alongside surfing lessons, lagoon visits, and food stops.

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The Classic Three: Naked, Daku, and Guyam Islands

Ask any traveler who's visited Siargao what they did on their first full day, and there's a solid chance they'll say "the three islands." Naked Island, Daku Island, and Guyam Island form the classic island hopping trio departing from General Luna — and they've become iconic for genuinely good reasons.

Naked Island

The name says everything. This is a narrow strip of white sand with almost no vegetation — no trees, no shade, nothing but the ocean surrounding it on all sides. At high tide, the sandbar shrinks dramatically, which makes it feel even more surreal. You're basically standing in the middle of the sea.

Naked Island is best visited early in the morning before tour groups arrive. Around 8 to 9 AM, you might have the place mostly to yourself. By midday, it gets crowded and — since there's no shade — the sun is absolutely relentless. Swim, take your photos, soak in the strange beauty of it, and then move on.

Daku Island

Daku is the largest of the three and the place where most tours stop for lunch. It has actual palm trees, a small community of fishermen, and long stretches of white sand on multiple sides. You can walk the entire perimeter in under 30 minutes, and depending on which side of the island you're on, the water shifts from shallow and calm to slightly more open and breezy.

The seafood lunch served here is one of the more underrated parts of the experience. Local families cook fresh grilled fish, shrimp, and rice right on the beach, and eating under a coconut tree with sand between your toes hits differently. If you're the type to wander, explore the interior of the island — it's just a narrow strip of land, but the shade is welcome and you'll often spot children playing and locals going about their afternoon.

Guyam Island

Guyam is the smallest of the three and arguably the most photogenic. It's a tiny round island covered in dense coconut palms, ringed by a narrow beach, with a wooden nipa hut perched right at the waterline. From a drone or even from the boat approaching, it looks like something out of a postcard.

The snorkeling around Guyam isn't bad either — there's some coral close to shore and small reef fish darting around. It's a quick stop on most tours, but if you have a private boat, ask to linger a little longer. The late afternoon light on Guyam is absolutely beautiful.

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Bucas Grande and the Enchanted River Region

A bigger adventure requires a longer boat ride — about 1.5 to 2 hours from Siargao — but Bucas Grande Island and the surrounding Sohoton area deliver an experience unlike anything in the classic three-island loop.

Bucas Grande itself is a large island in Surigao del Sur that forms part of the boundary of the Sohoton Natural Bridge National Park. The journey to get there takes you through a network of small limestone karst formations rising from the water, passages that narrow dramatically as you approach the cove, and tunnels you have to duck through in a smaller banca.

The natural bridge formation here is a geological marvel — if you appreciate dramatic landscapes carved by thousands of years of water and wind, this area is mind-blowing. It's also one of the few places in the Philippines where you can swim with stingless jellyfish in a sheltered lagoon, which is genuinely one of the more unusual and magical things you can do in the region.

This trip requires an early start — leave General Luna by 5 AM at the latest to reach the cove before the tide shifts and restricts access to the lagoon. Most tours to Sohoton Cove depart from Dapa or Del Carmen and can be combined with a stop at the Bucas Grande island group.

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Britania Island Group in Del Carmen

The Britania Archipelago sits in Del Carmen municipality and consists of around 24 islands and islets scattered across a relatively shallow bay. Not all of them are accessible or worth visiting individually, but a boat tour through the area gives you a sense of just how absurdly beautiful this part of the Philippines is.

A few of the standout islands in the Britania group include:

Hagonoy Island

A long, curving sandbar island with turquoise water on both sides and minimal development. Good for swimming and picnics.

Bohay Island

Slightly larger, with a mix of sandy beach and rocky coastline. The snorkeling here can be very good depending on the season and conditions.

Small Britania and Big Britania

The two most-visited islands in the group, each with beach areas, palm trees, and basic facilities. Big Britania has a small resort where you can rent kayaks and enjoy a more extended stay.

The Britania Islands make for a great day trip from Siargao, combining nicely with a stop in Del Carmen to see the famous mangrove forest — one of the largest intact mangrove ecosystems in the Philippines. You can take a boat through the mangrove channels, which is eerie and beautiful in equal measure.

For more on what Del Carmen has to offer beyond the mangroves, take a look at our Del Carmen and mangrove day trip guide.

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Sohoton Cove and Its Hidden Lagoons

Sohoton deserves its own section because it's not really just one destination — it's a whole ecosystem of caves, lagoons, tunnels, and jellyfish-filled waters that takes a full day to properly explore.

Access to Sohoton is regulated by the local government, and guides are required. This is one destination where the restrictions actually make the experience better — the guides know the tides intimately, know which passages are safe to enter at what time, and can point out details you'd absolutely miss on your own.

The stingless jellyfish lagoon is the headline attraction, and it delivers. Imagine floating in warm, shallow water surrounded by hundreds of translucent jellyfish, all drifting slowly through shafts of sunlight filtering down through the rock. They don't sting (or sting so mildly it's imperceptible), so you can literally swim through them. It's one of those rare travel experiences that feels genuinely alien and wonderful.

The natural bridge — a massive limestone arch spanning a waterway — is another highlight. Kayaking or swimming under it with the jungle rising on both sides is a reminder of how wild and untouched parts of the Philippines still are.

According to the Surigao del Norte tourism office, Sohoton Cove is best visited between March and November when sea conditions allow safe passage through the narrow tidal corridors.

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Lesser-Known Gems Worth Exploring

Beyond the well-trodden routes, a few islands around Siargao reward those willing to do a bit more research — or just ask the right boat captain.

Mamon Island

Small, mostly forested, and rarely crowded. Some travelers have described it as what Guyam probably looked like 15 years ago. The beach is narrow but clean, and the solitude makes it appealing.

Anajawan Island

Located near the southern end of Siargao, this island has a small fishing community and a beautiful long beach. It's not a common stop on commercial tours, but private boat hire can get you there. The vibe is relaxed, local, and completely unpretentious.

Corregidor Islet (Siargao)

Not to be confused with the famous Corregidor in Manila Bay, this tiny islet near Siargao has a lighthouse and some decent snorkeling. It gets very few visitors, which is its primary appeal.

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How to Plan Your Island Hopping Trip

Most accommodations in General Luna can arrange island hopping tours, but it's worth knowing your options before you commit.

Shared tours are the most budget-friendly option, typically running ₱1,200 to ₱1,800 per person. You'll be grouped with other travelers and follow a set itinerary. This works well if you're flexible on timing and enjoy meeting people.

Private boat hire costs more — usually ₱3,500 to ₱6,000 for the whole boat — but gives you complete freedom over your schedule. If you have a group of four or more, it often works out to the same cost as a shared tour, with none of the compromises.

Multi-day island trips to Sohoton or the Britania group are best arranged through reputable tour operators who have relationships with local guides and know the safe passage windows for tidal areas.

Always confirm whether entrance fees (which vary by island and are usually ₱50–₱200 per head) are included in your tour price. And it's worth asking whether the boat has life vests — reputable operators will always have them on board.

Check out our complete guide to Siargao boat tours and operators for recommendations on who to book with.

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Best Time to Go Island Hopping

The dry season in Siargao — roughly March through October — is generally the best time for island hopping. Seas are calmer, visibility is higher for snorkeling, and the sandbar islands are at their most beautiful.

November through February brings the northeast monsoon, which can make boat travel uncomfortable or unsafe. That said, short windows of calm weather do occur even during the wet season, and some of the best underwater visibility happens right after a storm has cleared.

Morning departures (7 to 9 AM) consistently outperform afternoon trips in terms of sea conditions, crowd levels, and light quality for photos. Aim to leave early and be back before midday if possible.

The Philippine tourism authority provides seasonal advisories for island destinations that are worth checking before planning extended offshore trips.

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What to Pack for a Day on the Islands

• Reef-safe sunscreen (regular sunscreen is harmful to coral reefs)
• Rash guard or light long-sleeve shirt
• Dry bag for your phone and valuables
• Snorkeling mask (rental gear isn't always high quality)
• Water shoes for rocky entry points
• Plenty of drinking water — shade is limited on sandbar islands
• Cash in small bills for entrance fees and food
• A fully charged phone or camera

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Responsible Island Hopping: Leave No Trace

The islands around Siargao are stunning precisely because they haven't been over-developed, and keeping them that way requires active effort from every visitor. A few things to keep in mind:

Don't take sand, shells, or coral. Don't leave food waste or plastic on the islands. Use reef-safe sunscreen without exception when swimming near coral reefs. Respect any designated no-entry or conservation zones — they exist for a reason. Support tours and operators who actively practice responsible tourism.

Naked Island in particular has suffered from litter in the past. Some community groups run occasional cleanup drives, and many responsible tour operators now include trash collection as part of their standard procedure. It's genuinely moving to see locals caring this much about their environment, and it's easy to do your part.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many islands can you visit in a single day around Siargao?

On a standard shared tour, most people visit three islands — the classic Naked, Daku, and Guyam circuit. With a private boat and an early start, you could add one or two more stops. Trips to Sohoton Cove or the Britania Islands are typically full-day affairs on their own.

Is island hopping in Siargao suitable for non-swimmers?

Yes, mostly. The waters between the islands can be choppy during some stretches, but the islands themselves are generally surrounded by calm, shallow water. Life vests are available on all legitimate tours. If you're anxious about swimming in open water, stick to the three-island loop rather than the more remote destinations.

What is the best island to visit near Siargao for snorkeling?

Guyam Island has decent snorkeling for beginners, and the waters around Sohoton Cove offer some of the most dramatic underwater scenery in the region. The coral gardens near Bucas Grande and around some of the Britania Islands are also well worth exploring if you have a mask.

How much does island hopping cost in Siargao?

Shared tours run roughly ₱1,200 to ₱2,000 per person, often including lunch and entrance fees. Private boat hires range from ₱3,500 to ₱6,000 for the whole vessel. Remote destinations like Sohoton may cost more due to the longer travel time and guide requirements.

Can you visit the islands around Siargao independently without a tour?

Technically yes — you can hire a bangka (outrigger boat) directly from the shore and arrange your own itinerary. However, for destinations like Sohoton Cove, accredited local guides are mandatory and genuinely essential for safety. For the classic three-island loop, going independently is doable and can work out cheaper if you're with a group.

Are there any islands around Siargao where you can stay overnight?

Daku Island has some basic homestay accommodation, and a few of the Britania Islands have simple resorts. The experience of waking up on a small island with no other tourists around is well worth it if you're the adventurous type. Just make sure to arrange this in advance — facilities are limited.

Is Sohoton Cove accessible from Siargao in a single day?

Yes, but it's a long day. You'll need to leave General Luna by 5 AM, spend most of the day in the cove area, and return by late afternoon. It's physically tiring but absolutely worth it for the experience. Many travelers choose to stay overnight in Del Carmen or Dapa to break up the journey.