Siargao Island Hopping: Itinerary, How to Book Tour, Tips
Famous for its pristine white beaches and thriving coconut forests, Siargao Island has become one of the best places to visit in the Philippines and has attracted tourists from across the globe. The island also enjoys reliable surfing conditions year-round, earning it the title "Surfing Capital of the Philippines."
Outside of surfing, travelers often spend their days lounging in top beach resorts in Siargao, visiting Siargao tourist spots like the Magpupungko Rock Pools and Maasin Coconut Forest, and dining at the best Siargao restaurants.
A vacation in this tropical paradise isn’t complete without experiencing Siargao island hopping tours. Thanks to its proximity to surrounding islets and the area's rich biodiversity, island-hopping is a great way to immerse in the beauty of the Siargao islands and Philippine geography.
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- See our 1-week Coron to Cebu to Siargao Philippines island-hopping packages
To help you plan your island hopping escapade in Siargao, here are some of our best tips that range from which islands to visit and what activities you can do at each stop.
How to Book a Siargao Island Hopping Tour
Travelers can pre-book with an accredited tour operator and guide via their accommodation's front desk or by directly speaking with any of the vendors at known jump-off points such as General Luna. It's highly recommended to book a Siargao tour package in advance. For a hassle-free adventure, you can book one that already includes an island-hopping tour, accommodations at hotels in Siargao, and airport transfers.
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When booking a tour, you can typically choose to go on a private or a shared/joiner tour. Private island-hopping Siargao tours often already include hotel pickup and drop-off, the service of a guide, roundtrip boat transfers, and a set lunch. Private tours also factor in the cost of the entrance fee for Daku Island and the other islands. On the other hand, opting for shared/joiner Siargao island hopping tours allows you to meet new people as you visit the different islands on a Siargao island-hopping rental boat.
Siargao Island Hopping Itinerary Attractions
All island-hopping tours generally include Naked Island, Daku Island, and Guyam Island, as these are among the best attractions off the coast of Siargao. Before heading out on your tour, make sure to double-check the inclusions of your trip, as not all island-hopping tours come with a set lunch. If you want to feast on fresh seafood during your island escapade, it's best to book a private Siargao island hopping tour package, as they usually already have a picnic or boodle fight-style lunch factored into the price.
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Naked Island
This 200-meter-long islet features nothing but powdery white sand that resembles some of the best white sand beaches in the Philippines. As the island is completely bare, the best activities here are sunbathing, swimming, and snorkeling. Feel free to lay down on the shore to work on your tan but make sure to apply enough sunscreen to avoid getting a sunburn. Travelers can also wade into the surrounding clear waters to cool off and relax as they take in the tropical atmosphere.
If you bring snorkeling gear or your tour operator provides a set, you can dip underneath the waves to discover the various sea animals that live just a few feet from Naked Island's shore. Meanwhile, photography and videography enthusiasts can use drones to get fantastic shots of this top attraction. The contrast of the turquoise waters against the white sand makes for one of the best Siargao Island pictures as well.
Daku Island
Spanning 136 hectares, Daku Island boasts a thriving coconut tree forest that ends just a few steps from the surrounding turquoise waters. Aside from swimming and lounging on the beach, travelers can also stroll along a powdery sand bar when the tide is low. It also stays true to Siargao's reputation as the country's surfing capital, as you can often find regular waves a few meters off the shore.
Since the waves usually form above deeper areas, Daku Island is a great place to try surfing in the Philippines, as there are fewer chances of scratching yourself on reefs and rocks if you fall off your board.
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As the biggest island on the Siargao island-hopping tour, this is also where most groups stop for lunch. If your tour does not come with a set meal, you can easily walk to any beachside shacks and buy an affordable local dish. If you're visiting during one of the holidays in the Philippines, expect large crowds, especially during the summer months (March to May).
Guyam Island
Guyam Island boasts a small coconut tree forest bordered by a pristine shore similar to some of the best Philippine beaches. This palm-covered oasis is about 64 meters long and is surrounded by beautiful turquoise waters, perfect for a refreshing dip. Thanks to its size, you can easily walk from one side to the other with just around 50 steps.
Along with relaxing under the shade of the trees and cooling off in the clear waters, travelers may also unwind on the hammocks and swings along the shoreline. If you're craving some fresh coconut juice, your guide or some locals are usually willing to grab a fresh coconut from the nearby trees and open it for you for a small fee.
Siargao Island Hopping Tips
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What to bring: It's best to pack your own sunscreen, beach towel, beach mat, sunglasses, refillable tumbler, hat or cap, aqua shoes or flip flops, and a waterproof bag for your valuables. If your tour operator does not provide rental snorkeling gear, you should also bring your own gear, such as goggles.
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As a safety precaution against COVID-19, it's also best to bring face masks and hand sanitizer or alcohol on the tour. While masks are mandatory outdoors, it's best to keep one with you just in case you decide to visit indoor establishments after your island-hopping tour. You can also read our Philippine Travel Guide to keep up to date with any changes regarding any Philippine Travel Requirements related to COVID-19.
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For your safety, all tour operators provide life vests in the boats. You may also wear them when snorkeling or swimming, so you can still explore the surrounding waters even if you do not know how to swim.
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Most tours only allot around an hour at each island, so make the most of your adventure by planning what activities you want to try out ahead of time.
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Itineraries may change depending on the season or water conditions on the day of your tour. If the Coast Guard issues a warning regarding strong currents, all tours for the day are likely to be canceled for everyone's safety.
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Please remember to clean up after yourselves during the tour. Make sure you leave nothing but footprints behind when hopping from one island to the next.
Book a Siargao Island-Hopping Tour Now
Make the most of your vacation in one of the most beautiful islands in the Philippines by going on an island-hopping tour of its nearby islets. Along with surfing, exploring the Siargao Islands is one of the best things to do in Siargao as it also features top diving spots in the Philippines.
For a hassle-free trip, it's recommended to finalize your online trip booking for Siargao and Philippine tour packages ahead of time. You can also check out our Siargao Travel Guide to know the best time to visit Siargao and find a sample Siargao itinerary you can follow.
- Check out this 10-day Davao to Cebu to Siargao Philippines tour package
Outside of island-hopping in Siargao, you should also check out other hidden gems and tourist spots in Mindanao, like Mamon Island, Corregidor Island, Secret Island, and Sohoton Island, during your vacation here.
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