Three Little Islands

Siargao Island is not all surfing and reef breaks. Sandy beaches can be had too. Get away from Cloud 9 and find the beach in General Luna town proper. It is clean and inviting. This is also where pumpboats can be hired to go to the three nearby islands. The rate is Php500 for each island. Pumpboats can carry up to 15 people.

The three little islands off the southern coast of Siargao island are...

Don't be too hasty in tearing off your clothes as you near Naked Island...the island is naked, not the people. Naked in that it has no trees, no cottages, just a big mound of white sand. You will get scorched here. And fast.

Daku is Visayan for big. From the name itself, you can guess it's the biggest island of the three. You can bring along food to be grilled and cooked. People here are enterprising. They can cook for you for Php200. They can also let you borrow plates and utensils. And will even offer to get coconuts for Php20 apiece.

Open cottages for day use can be rented for Php200. There are also cottages for overnight stay (forgot to ask how much). Bring a volleyball, they have a net set up ready for a game.

If you can't live without surfing, take your board with you. There's a surf spot near Daku Island (just ask the boatman to bring you there on the way to Guyam Island).

One side is all sand, the other side all rocks. And in the middle are a bunch of trees. A ten-peso entrance fee per person is collected here. Even if you just dock and don't step on the island.

From Siargao, you can also hire a pumpboat to take you on a day trip to Sohoton Cove in the island next door, Bucas Grande Island. Take heed, the water gets very choppy from Siargao to Bucas Grande.