Siargao Tri-Island with Drone & Mermaid Tail

The best part of this Siargao trip is the mix of three very different islands in one day. You get a bare sandbar at Naked Island, a longer beach stop at Daku, and a more intimate shoreline at Guyam, with time for swimming and photos between them.

I like the boodle fight lunch, which turns a standard island stop into a shared Filipino meal, and the free drone footage, a useful extra when you want more than phone snapshots. The main thing to consider is the open-water ride: the boat engine can be loud, timing may slip, and this is not a good fit if you are prone to seasickness or cannot swim.

• Naked Island is a pure sandbar stop, with no shade or buildings to distract you from the sea.
• Daku Island gets the longest visit, with about three hours for lunch, swimming, photos, and free time.
• Guyam Island often makes the strongest visual impression, thanks to its small scale and attractive beach.
• A boodle fight lunch is included, served as a shared spread of local food rather than an individual packed meal.
• Mermaid tails and drone footage cost nothing extra, giving you playful photo options without hiring separate equipment.
• Secret Island depends on the tide, so treat it as a possible bonus rather than a guaranteed stop.

What the Siargao Tri-Island Tour Really Offers

For $35 per person, this is a full eight-hour day built around Siargao’s classic island route. You leave from General Luna Port and visit Naked, Guyam, Daku, plus a short tide-dependent stop at Secret Island.

That price includes the boat, entrance fees, an English-speaking licensed guide, lunch, mermaid tails, and drone footage. You still need to bring water, sunscreen, a towel, swimwear, a hat, and your own camera. Snorkeling gear is not included, so pack or rent your own if seeing the underwater life matters to you.

I see this as a good-value group outing rather than a quiet private cruise. The free extras add real appeal, and the lunch alone makes the day feel more substantial than a simple boat transfer between beaches. You should still expect a shared atmosphere, fixed stops, and the normal rough edges of a busy water-based excursion.

Starting Beside Wang’s Bakery

Registration is at 7:30 AM at Maricel Tours, right beside Wang’s Bakery across from the church. Departure from General Luna Port is scheduled for 8:00 AM, with a return around 4:00 PM.

Give yourself enough time to find the office and complete registration. Some bookings include hotel transfers in General Luna, but the core meeting point is the Maricel Tours office. Pickup reports are generally positive, though one day ran about 30 minutes late. That is not unusual for a group boat tour, but it is worth remembering if you have an evening flight or another fixed appointment.

The first boat ride is part of the experience, not just a way to get somewhere. You will be out on open water for repeated crossings between the islands. One boat was reported to have an extremely noisy engine, with headphones supplied, so I would not count on a silent ride. If you are sensitive to noise, carry earplugs.

Naked Island: A Simple Sandbar With Big Views

Naked Island is the first main stop, with about an hour to visit and swim. It is a small sandbar surrounded by clear water, and its appeal comes from its simplicity. There is no complicated sightseeing plan here. You step off the boat, find your patch of sand, and look out in every direction.

This is the place for wide photos, a quick swim, and a first taste of the open sea. The lack of shade is part of the charm, but it also means you need your hat and sunscreen. Reapply sunscreen after swimming, especially if you plan to spend the rest of the day in the sun.

Naked Island works best as a short opening stop. You get the cleanest possible beach scene, but not much shelter or variety. If you want shops, long walks, or a shady café, this is not that kind of island.

Guyam Island: The Small Stop With Strong Photo Appeal

The route continues to Guyam Island for about an hour of free time. It is small, beach-focused, and often the prettiest-looking stop of the day. You can swim, take photos, use a mermaid tail, or simply sit by the water before the larger lunch stop at Daku.

Guyam has a more complete island feel than Naked Island. It is still compact, but the beach gives you a little more character and a better sense of place. Shops are available on the islands, so you might find small purchases or refreshments, though you should not treat this as a shopping trip.

This is a good moment to ask the crew about the drone footage. Since the footage is included, you do not need to arrange a separate photographer. Exact delivery details are not given, so ask when and how you will receive the files before the boat leaves the area.

The Short Tide-Dependent Stop

The itinerary includes a 30-minute stop described as a lesser-known spot, with time for a photo stop, swimming, and a guided visit. Secret Island is tide-dependent, so the crew may adjust or skip it depending on conditions.

That flexibility matters. The sea controls the schedule here, not the brochure. If the tide permits, this short stop can break up the longer beach visits and give you another place to swim or take photos. If it does not, the main three islands still form the heart of the day.

Do not plan your whole decision around Secret Island. Think of it as an extra that may be available, rather than a promised centerpiece.

Daku Island and the Boodle Fight Lunch

Daku is the main stop, with about three hours set aside for lunch, sightseeing, photos, swimming, and free time. It is the largest of the three islands, so the longer stay makes sense. You are not rushed through a meal and straight back onto the boat.

The boodle fight is one of the most appealing parts of the tour. Food is laid out for the group to share, creating a relaxed, social meal on the island. The spread includes local delicacies, and the food has received especially strong praise for taste and presentation.

A boodle fight is also a practical choice for this setting. Instead of waiting for separate restaurant orders, the group eats together and gets more beach time. It is best approached as a communal meal, so it may not suit you if you need a private table or have strict dietary requirements. The supplied details do not confirm vegetarian, allergy, or other special meal options, so ask Maricel Tours before booking if that affects you.

Daku is likely where you will spend the most time in the water. Bring your own snorkeling gear if you want to look below the surface, since equipment is not part of the package. Several comments highlight good snorkeling, but conditions can change with the tide and weather, and non-swimmers are not considered suitable for this trip.

Mermaid Tails and Drone Footage

The mermaid tails are a playful bonus, not a separate lesson or water sport. You can use them for photos during the island stops, provided you are comfortable in the water and follow the crew’s instructions.

The free drone footage may be the most useful extra for couples, friends, and solo visitors. Aerial images show the sandbars and clear water better than a standard selfie can. The value is not only the novelty. You leave with a record of the day that you may not be able to create yourself.

Still, keep your expectations practical. The tour promises free drone footage, but the supplied information does not state the number of clips, resolution, or delivery method. Ask the guide for those details, and continue taking your own photos so you are not relying on one final file.

Guides named in feedback include Erwin, Trench, and Maria, with specific praise for friendly, helpful service and attention to photos. Staff quality can vary by departure, but the tour is designed around an English-speaking guide and an accredited crew.

How the Day Feels on the Water

The distance between stops is fairly short, with one account describing roughly 15 to 20 minutes of travel between islands. That leaves most of the day for beach time instead of long hours on the boat.

The group atmosphere is part of the appeal. Shared meals, mermaid-tail photos, and stops at the same beaches make it easy to chat with other people. One of the strongest social points is the sense of group fun, so this suits you if you enjoy a friendly day with a bit of shared energy.

The tradeoff is less control. You cannot choose how long to stay at each island, and the boat schedule has to work for everyone. An engine may be noisy, a pickup may run late, and tide conditions can change one stop. You get a lot for the price, but not the stillness or privacy of a private charter.

Who Should Book This Day Out

I would recommend this tour to first-time visitors who want Siargao’s famous island route without arranging separate boats, fees, meals, and photo services. It also suits couples and friend groups who want plenty of swimming and pictures, plus solo visitors who like meeting people during a shared outing.

Families with older children may enjoy it, but babies under one year are not suitable. The tour is also not suitable for people over 95, non-swimmers, or people prone to seasickness. Those limits are important because you will spend much of the day around open water, often with little shade.

You should also think about your comfort in strong sun. A hat, sunscreen, water, and a towel are not optional extras here. Alcohol, drugs, weapons, and sharp objects are not allowed.

Value at $35 Per Person

The price is strong for an eight-hour group trip. Boat transport, entrance fees, a full lunch, a guide, mermaid tails, and drone footage are all included. If you paid separately for the same pieces, the total would be harder to keep this low.

The real value depends on how you use the day. If you swim, eat the lunch, take part in the drone session, and enjoy the three islands, the package gives you a full schedule at a modest cost. If you dislike group outings, need silence, or want to set your own timetable, the low price will not solve those problems.

A free cancellation policy up to 24 hours before departure gives you some flexibility, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check your voucher carefully for the exact booking instructions, since the operator accepts bookings until 6:00 PM Philippine time.

Practical Advice Before You Go

Pack light, but pack for the water. Your basic kit should include:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Drinking water
• A camera or waterproof phone case
• Snorkeling gear if you want to explore below the surface
• Earplugs if boat-engine noise bothers you

Keep valuables protected from spray and sand. I would also download or prepare your camera before boarding, since the most useful photo moments can be brief, especially during the mermaid-tail and drone sessions.

Wear something easy to move in during boat transfers. You will likely board and leave the boat several times, and wet clothing can become uncomfortable during the later crossings.

Should You Book the Maricel Tri-Island Tour?

Yes, if you want a well-priced, full-day introduction to Naked, Guyam, and Daku Islands, with lunch and photo extras already arranged. The strongest reasons to book are the tasty boodle fight, the generous three-hour Daku stop, the free drone footage, and the easy English-speaking guide service.

Think twice if you are a poor swimmer, get seasick, need guaranteed punctuality, or want a private and quiet day. The engine may be loud, transport can run late, and Secret Island depends on the tide.

For most people staying in General Luna, this is a practical way to cover Siargao’s classic island circuit in one outing. Bring your own snorkeling gear, protect yourself from the sun, and treat the tide-dependent stop as a bonus. At $35, the package earns its value through the combination of scenery, food, and useful extras.

FAQ

Where does the Siargao Tri-Island tour meet?

Meet at Maricel Tours, right beside Wang’s Bakery across from the church. Registration is at 7:30 AM, followed by an 8:00 AM departure from General Luna Port.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours. You should expect to return to Maricel Tours at about 4:00 PM.

Which islands are included?

The main route includes Naked Island, Guyam Island, and Daku Island. A visit to Secret Island may be added if tide conditions allow.

Is lunch included?

Yes. An iconic boodle fight lunch with a spread of local food is included in the tour price.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling gear is not included, so bring or arrange your own equipment if you want to snorkel.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option lets you hold a booking without paying immediately.