Siargao’s Best Island Tour

While the tri-island or three-island tour—which takes you to Daku, Guyam, and Naked Islands—is Siargao’s most popular tour, a slight upgrade gives you something better. The four-island tour adds a bonus island you shouldn’t miss when in Siargao—Corregidor.



The three popular islands are all easy to reach via boat from General Luna, while Corregidor Island is about a 45-minute boat ride from the mainland. It’s a bit far, which is why the four-island tour isn’t too popular, but for me, it’s the best, especially if you’ve never been to Siargao before.

Not to be confused with the other Corregidor Island in Manila Bay, Luzon, this Corregidor is tagged as Casolian Island on Google Maps.

Kate was here in Corregidor Island, south of Siargao. Gear from Decathlon.
Corregidor Island, also known as Casolian Island

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If you’re heading to the Philippines’ surfing capital for the first time and you have only a few days to spend there, don’t skip Corregidor! You add only ₱700 ($12) more per person. The three-island tour starts around ₱1,500 ($26), while the four-island tour starts at ₱2,200 ($39). Both are joiner tour (shared) rates. Your payment covers everything from entrance fees to lunch and hotel transfer. That’s bang for your buck.

Siargao’s four-island tour begins when you get picked up via tricycle (tuk-tuk) from your hotel in General Luna at around 7:30am. They take you to the port, where your tour boat awaits.

General Luna Port

First Stop: A Hike Up The Hills of Corregidor Island

You’ll arrive at Corregidor Beach, also called Serenity Beach, at around 9am. After docking, you have two options: a.) Stay at the white sand beach to go swimming and snorkeling, or b.) Sign up for the hike. If you choose to hike like my group did, a local guide and drone photography are part of the package.

Serenity Beach, also known as Corregidor Beach
Corregidor Island, south of Siargao Island

Another reason Corregidor Island isn’t too popular is that it entails a 60-minute hike—30 minutes uphill plus 30 minutes back down. Most tourists understandably prefer a relaxing tour, but I’ll keep pleading my case—you’re missing out if you skip Corregidor or Casolian!

Seasoned hikers will call it a wee bit of a hike, but if you’re a little rusty like I am, prepare to sweat it out.

Ready to hike up the hills of Corregidor Island with my backpacker friends from Europe




You start with an easy, flat trail covered in grass. It almost feels like a garden resort, so I had to ask the locals if this laid-out path is sod or landscape grass roll, to which he said no, that kind of grass grows naturally on the island.

After climbing up a cemented staircase, you’ll start ascending the hill, surrounded by lush greenery and dots of coconut trees with the sun on full blast. Before even reaching the peak, you get a breathtaking, 360-degree view of the island and its surrounding waters. There’s a store and hut at the peak where you can buy refreshments. Nab those TikTok shots on the famous bent coconut tree and enjoy the view before hiking back down.

The scenic view uphill
Sadly, the famous bent coconut tree of Corregidor Island has lost its crown.
The 30-minute hike down

Second Stop: Naked Island

At around 12:30pm, the boat stops over at this 200-meter strip of powdery white sand. More of a sandbar than an island, Naked is completely bare of vegetation—hence the name. You can go around it in just a few minutes of walking.

Whether low or high tide, the surrounding currents tend to be on the strong side, so swim with caution.

Drone view of Naked Island
Naked is more of a sandbar than an island.

Third Stop: Daku Island + Boodle Lunch

By 1pm, you land in Daku, which means “big” in the local dialect, referencing its size compared to Naked and Guyam. Head straight to the cottage your organizers reserved for your group. The boodle fight is ready!

Boodle fight is a Filipino dining tradition that started in the army. A variety of appetizers, mostly grilled and fried ulam (entrees) and desserts are spread on banana leaves covering a long table, and in the spirit of camaraderie, people eat together using their bare hands (kamayan). There’s no actual fight, but it can get happily chaotic when hungry people dig in. Don’t forget to wash your hands first!

 

Docking at Daku Island
Dig in! The famous boodle fight (lunch spread) of Daku Island, Siargao.

As for eating with bare hands, it’s just a suggestion when it comes to the beach version. Utensils are readily available.

You’ve probably seen Siargao’s version of the boodle fight on social media, thanks to its aesthetic presentation where heaps of white rice are shaped into the word Siargao. Our spread had grilled meats and seafood, seaweed, local dipping sauces, and sliced tropical fruits for dessert.

Daku Island is where organized tours go for lunch.

If you have time, stroll around Daku Island for post-boodle swimming or frolicking on the white sand before heading back to the boat for your tour’s final stop.

Last Stop: Guyam Island

At around 3pm, you’ll dock at the small, round island of Guyam with an abundance of trees in the center. It’s full of man-made photo spots that remind me of Bali, such as beach swings that get partially submerged during high tide, a big “I love Guyam” sign, a burger and shake shack with colorful graffiti, souvenir stalls, and rentable picnic spots set up just for the ‘gram.

Guyam Island
To the left is Guyam’s popular beach swing set.

More than half of the island is full of rocky edges, which make for great photos—just walk carefully or risk cutting your feet.

Order a fresh mango shake to cap off your tour before your boat heads back to General Luna Port.

Posing by the rocky shores of Guyam
This shack serves burgers and shakes.

Where To Book The Four-Island Tour

Because Corredigor Island is off the beaten path from Siargao, it’s not the most popular tour pushed by operators or when you Google Siargao. The four-island tour is easy to book through the locals, but limited through online travel organizers. I booked my slot through Nyla Boutique Resort for just ₱2,200 (joiner rate) the day before my target date, and it was a quick and easy transaction.

If you’re the type who prefers booking ahead before landing in the destination, try Get Your Guide and Viator. Sadly, they took it out of Klook (for now).



Where To Stay In General Luna, Siargao

Siargao tourism is expanding fast—a little too fast, if you ask the locals and environmentalists, and I agree with them. Compared to the last time I was in Siargao (back in 2020, days before the first pandemic lockdown), there’s a surge in rushed and poorly-structured accommodations. I’ve stayed in my fair share of the bad lot.

My top recommendations—a mix of backpacker hostels (chill, not the party kind), boutique, and luxury—are based on my friends’ and my own experience in General Luna, the touristy municipality of Siargao.

Kate’s Top Accommodations in Siargao

  • Nyla Boutique Resort, a new yoga center where you can choose between the hostel bunkbeds and private villas. They have a cute pool and café.
  • Kawili Resort, which offers both backpacker bunkbeds and private bungalows for big groups. There’s a pool and poolside café.
  • Tropical Temple, where every nook is IG-worthy, from the café entrance to the pool and rooms. Choose between the shared dorm rooms and private rooms.
  • Siago Beach Resort. With private villas and suites, a tropical pool, café-resto with great food, and a beachfront zone—what more could you ask for?
  • Vedya Boutique Hostel, the best vegan hostel and café-resto in Siargao. This yoga retreat center offers a mix of private and backpacker bunkrooms.
  • Casavia Siargao, a chic budget hostel that offers both dorm rooms and private rooms. They have a lot of fun activities for backpacker guests.
  • Kalipay Resort. Their newly renovated rooms with a view are great for couples. They have a pool, bar, and resto downstairs.
  • Bravo Beach Resort, an institution in Siargao. This beachfront resort has a big alfresco restaurant, private pool, and tropical villas.

 

Other Tours You Can Book in Siargao

 

What’s on your Siargao bucket list? Travel responsibly!


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