The Best Islands Around Siargao You Need to Visit

Siargao has a reputation built on surf — the Cloud 9 break, the longboarders, the salty-haired crowd nursing San Miguels at sunset. But if you've spent any time on this teardrop-shaped island in the Philippine Sea, you already know there's a whole other world waiting just a short boat ride away. The islands scattered around Siargao are, arguably, the most underrated part of visiting here. Some are barely bigger than a volleyball court. Others hide lagoons so calm and clear they look digitally altered. A few have enough shade and grilled fish to spend an entire lazy afternoon without a care in the world.

This guide covers the best islands around Siargao — the famous ones, the quieter ones, and a handful that most visitors skip entirely. Whether you're planning a classic day trip or trying to piece together something a little more off the beaten path, this is everything you need to know.

Table of Contents

• The Classic Three: Naked, Daku, and Guyam
• Naked Island
• Daku Island
• Guyam Island
• Sohoton Cove and the Islands of Bucas Grande
• Escaped Island (Corregidor Siargao)
• Mamon Island
• Poneas Island
• Ditaytayan Island
• How to Organize Your Island Hopping
• Best Time to Go
• What to Bring
• Frequently Asked Questions

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The Classic Three: Naked, Daku, and Guyam

Almost every island hopping boat that leaves General Luna makes the same first stop: the trio of Naked Island, Daku Island, and Guyam Island. They're the easiest to reach, the most visited, and honestly — even with the crowds — completely worth it. Don't let anyone talk you out of doing this trip just because it's popular. There's a reason everyone goes.

Naked Island

Naked Island is exactly what it sounds like. There are no trees. No shade. No structures of any kind — just a long, crescent-shaped sandbar rising out of brilliantly clear water with nothing to hide behind. At low tide, the sandbar stretches wide enough to walk from end to end in a few minutes. At high tide, it shrinks dramatically, and the whole thing feels like it might disappear under the sea.

The water surrounding Naked Island is phenomenal for snorkeling. Schools of small fish weave through the shallows, and the coral, while not pristine, is alive enough to make the dip worthwhile. Most boats arrive here first thing in the morning before the midday heat turns a sun-exposed sandbar into a legitimate survival challenge. If your boat gets you there before 9 AM, you might have the whole strip almost to yourself.

One practical note: there's absolutely no shade here, so sunscreen is not optional. Wear a rash guard, bring a hat, and don't plan to spend more than 45 minutes to an hour unless you enjoy being slowly roasted.

Daku Island

After Naked Island fries you, Daku Island saves you. This is the largest of the three, and unlike its stripped-down neighbor, Daku is lush — swaying coconut palms, wooden picnic tables under the trees, and a string of small local restaurants that will grill you fresh fish, serve garlic rice, and crack open a cold buko (young coconut) while you eat. Lunch on Daku is genuinely one of the better meals you'll have in Siargao, not because the food is fancy but because the setting is absurd and the fish is caught the same morning.

Daku means "big" in the local Visayan dialect, and the island earns the name. The beach stretches for a good stretch in both directions from the main docking area, and if you walk far enough, you'll find quieter patches away from the lunch crowd. The water here is calmer than the open sea facing Naked Island, making it perfect for kids or anyone who just wants to float.

Local fishing families live on Daku year-round, which gives it a grounded, lived-in feel that the other two islands lack. Kids run around, bancas come and go, and life continues independently of the tourist boats.

Guyam Island

Small, circular, and postcard-perfect — Guyam Island might be the most photographed spot in all of Siargao. The island is barely more than a ring of white sand around a dense cluster of coconut palms, sitting in open water with nothing around it for miles. From a drone or even from the water, it looks almost too perfect to be real.

There's a small hut on Guyam where you can buy drinks, and hammocks are strung between the trees. Most tours stop here last, in the afternoon, when the light goes golden and everyone's pleasantly tired from a day on the water. It's an ideal place to just sit in the shade with a cold drink and let the day wind down.

Guyam is tiny enough that it gets crowded when multiple boats arrive at once. If you can time your visit to arrive slightly off the main rush — either early in the morning or late in the afternoon — you'll have a much better experience.

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Sohoton Cove and the Islands of Bucas Grande

If you're willing to push further — and you should be — the islands around Sohoton Cove on Bucas Grande Island are among the most spectacular natural environments in the entire Philippines. This isn't a quick day trip from General Luna. The boat ride alone takes between one and a half to two hours each way, so most people book it as a full-day tour starting very early in the morning.

Sohoton Cove is a protected marine sanctuary, and the experience of arriving there is unlike anything on the main island hopping circuit. The water turns an otherworldly shade of green as you enter the cove, flanked by dramatic limestone karst formations draped in jungle. Resident jellyfish — stingless ones — drift through the water in the thousands during certain months, and you can swim right through them. It's disorienting and genuinely magical.

Beyond the cove itself, the area includes hidden lagoons you access by swimming through submerged cave entrances at low tide, towering rock formations you can cliff jump from, and snorkeling spots with some of the healthiest coral in the region. The Surigao del Norte tourism board has designated Sohoton as a protected area, and guides are mandatory — which is actually a good thing, because without one you'd miss half of what makes it special.

Go early, bring waterproof everything, and prepare to be completely blown away.

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Escaped Island

Escaped Island — sometimes called Corregidor locally, though not to be confused with the famous island near Manila — sits off the coast near the town of Del Carmen, not far from the Siargao mangrove forest. It's a quieter stop that most standard island hopping tours don't include, which means if you make the effort to get there, you'll likely find far fewer people.

The sandbar here appears and disappears with the tides, creating a dramatic, shifting landscape. When the tide is right, a long strip of white sand connects two points of shallow water, and the surrounding sea takes on that pale turquoise color that makes you want to just sit in the middle of it and do nothing at all. Locals sometimes camp here overnight, and it's easy to understand why.

Getting here independently requires hiring a local banca from Del Carmen, which is straightforward enough and usually cheaper than adding it to a group tour from General Luna. If you're already visiting the mangrove forest — which is the largest in the Philippines and worth several hours of your time — Escaped Island makes a natural add-on for the afternoon.

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Mamon Island

Mamon Island tends to fly under the radar of most visitors, which is its greatest asset. Located on the western side of Siargao, it's a short ride from the coastal barangays near Burgos, and it sees a fraction of the foot traffic that Naked, Daku, and Guyam receive.

The island has a raw, unpolished quality — fewer facilities, fewer tourists, and a beach that feels genuinely untouched compared to the more popular spots. The snorkeling is excellent, and the reef here is in noticeably better condition than around some of the more heavily trafficked islands. If you're a diver or a serious snorkeler, this alone makes the detour worthwhile.

Reaching Mamon requires a bit more planning. You'll need to arrange a private banca from one of the northern barangays, and it helps to ask your accommodation in General Luna to connect you with a trusted local boatman. This is one of those trips where having a local contact makes a real difference. Check out our guide to hiring boats in Siargao for tips on arranging private trips.

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Poneas Island

Poneas (sometimes spelled Poneyas) is another gem that sits outside the standard tour circuit. It's a small island with a beautiful beach and unusually clear water, located in the waters between Siargao and the mainland of Surigao del Norte. Local fishermen know it well. Tourists, not so much.

What makes Poneas appealing is the silence. On a good day with a private boat, you might arrive and find the whole island empty. The beach is clean, the shade is plentiful, and the water is calm enough for safe swimming most of the year. There's no infrastructure to speak of — no restaurants, no rentals, nothing. Bring your own food, bring your own water, and treat the place with respect.

This kind of island is increasingly rare in Southeast Asia. Go while it's still this way.

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Ditaytayan Island

Ditaytayan is one of the more scenic sandbar islands in the Siargao area, known particularly for its dramatic split appearance at certain tide levels — the sandbar forms a narrow strip between two bodies of water, creating an effect that looks stunning from above. Drone photos from here circulate endlessly on travel social media, which has started to draw more attention to the island in recent years.

Despite growing awareness, Ditaytayan still sees relatively light tourist traffic compared to the big three. It's often included in extended island hopping itineraries or can be reached on a private boat from Del Carmen. The island itself is flat and exposed, so like Naked Island, sun protection is critical. But the surrounding water is gorgeous for swimming, and the shifting sandbars make for constantly changing scenery throughout the day.

For more on where Ditaytayan fits into a broader Siargao itinerary, take a look at our Siargao travel itinerary guide.

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How to Organize Your Island Hopping

The most common way to do island hopping around Siargao is to book a group tour through your accommodation or a local tour operator in General Luna. These typically run between PHP 600–1,200 per person depending on the itinerary and what's included, and they usually cover the classic three islands. You'll share the boat with other travelers, which keeps costs down and is generally a good social experience.

For anything beyond the classic circuit — Sohoton, Poneas, Mamon, Ditaytayan — you're better off hiring a private banca. A private boat for the day typically costs PHP 2,500–4,500 depending on distance and duration. Split between four to six people, it becomes very reasonable and gives you full control over your schedule.

A few things worth knowing before you book:

• Always confirm fuel is included in whatever price you're quoted. Some boatmen quote without fuel, which adds up.
• Check the weather the night before. Conditions in the Philippine Sea can shift quickly, and experienced boatmen will tell you honestly if a trip is inadvisable.
• Negotiate, but be fair. Boatmen rely on this income to support their families, and pushing too hard on price isn't the move.
• Bring cash. Most islands have no card facilities, and even General Luna can be cash-dependent.

For a deeper breakdown of tour options and pricing, the Siargao Island official tourism Facebook page is regularly updated with current operators and community recommendations.

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Best Time to Go

The dry season in Siargao runs roughly from March through October, with March through June being the most reliably calm for island hopping. July and August see occasional squalls, and September through November is when swells pick up — great for surfing, but sometimes rough for open water boat trips.

December through February is the rainy season. Island hopping is still possible and sometimes spectacular on clear days between storms, but cancellations are common and you need to be flexible. If island hopping is the primary reason for your trip, plan for the dry season.

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What to Bring

• High-SPF waterproof sunscreen (reef-safe if possible)
• Rash guard or light long sleeves
• Dry bag for phone, camera, and valuables
• Cash in small denominations
• Snorkeling gear (you can rent in General Luna, but bringing your own is more hygienic)
• Reusable water bottle — many operators now provide refill stations to cut down on plastic
• Light snacks, especially for longer trips to places like Sohoton where meal options are limited

For a full packing checklist, our Siargao packing guide covers everything from surf trips to island hopping days.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does island hopping cost in Siargao?

Group tours to the classic three islands (Naked, Daku, Guyam) typically cost PHP 600–1,200 per person, often including boat fare and sometimes a simple lunch. Private boat hire for custom itineraries runs PHP 2,500–4,500 per boat per day, which works out cheaply when split among a group.

Can you do island hopping without a tour operator?

Yes. You can hire a banca directly from the beach in General Luna by negotiating with local boatmen. This is straightforward and gives you more flexibility over timing and destinations. Just confirm the price, fuel inclusion, and departure time clearly before you go.

Is snorkeling gear provided on island hopping tours?

Most group tours do not include snorkeling gear in the base price. Some operators rent it for an additional PHP 100–200. It's worth bringing your own or renting a quality set in General Luna before you head out if snorkeling matters to you.

Are the jellyfish at Sohoton Cove really stingless?

Yes — the jellyfish found in the lagoons of Sohoton Cove are a species that has lost its stinging capacity due to the closed, predator-free environment they evolved in. Swimming with them is safe and completely surreal. That said, the trip to Sohoton is tide and season dependent, and not every visit guarantees a jellyfish encounter. Your guide will know conditions on the day.

What is the best island around Siargao for families with kids?

Daku Island is the best choice for families. It has shade, calm shallow water, toilet facilities, and restaurants — making it practical and comfortable for children. Guyam is also gentle enough for kids who are comfortable around water, though the island itself is small and exposed.

How far in advance should you book island hopping in Siargao?

For group tours during peak season (December–January and July–August), booking one to two days ahead is wise, especially in General Luna where operators fill up fast. Outside of peak season, same-day or next-day bookings are usually fine. For Sohoton Cove specifically, booking ahead is strongly recommended since the trip requires coordination with registered guides from Bucas Grande.

Is it possible to visit multiple islands in one day?

Absolutely. The classic three-island tour covers Naked, Daku, and Guyam all in a single day, typically leaving around 8–9 AM and returning by mid-afternoon. Sohoton requires a full day on its own. If you want to combine some of the quieter islands like Ditaytayan or Escaped Island with the classic route, a private boat gives you the flexibility to do that.