Want to visit Naked Island in Siargao? Then you’re certainly in the right place because this detailed guide includes everything you need to know about this magical island!
The Philippines in the summer are stunning and Naked Island is one of the most popular locations in the country. How to get there, what to expect, and where you should stay are just a few of the things covered in our detailed guide. Read on to learn everything you need to know about this fabulous destination and start planning your Philippines itinerary immediately!
The easiest way of reaching Siargao Island is by direct flight from Manilla. Several local airlines operate this route and tickets are pretty inexpensive, especially if you buy them a few weeks in advance.
Ticket prices for the nonstop flight start at some 30 Euros and go up to some 80 Euros for a one-way trip. Round trip tickets are sometimes as cheap as 60 Euros, and at the priciest, they cost around 140 Euros.
There are also direct flights from Cebu and they’re even cheaper. It’s about an hour-long flight from Cebu City to Del Carmen, and tickets are about half the price of those from Manila. International travelers are most likely to land at either Manila or Cebu, so this is by far the quickest and most convenient way of reaching the slice of paradise that Siargao is.
Traveling by ferry is also an option, especially if you’re looking for the most budget-friendly option. It’s not nearly as convenient as flying, since there aren’t any direct ferries between Siargao and Cebu, or Siargao and Manila.
You’ll need to make your way to Surigao City first, from where you can take a two-hour ferry to Siargao Island. Travel time between Cebu and Surigao is some 10 hours, and ferry tickets cost between 15 and 25 Euros.
It’s even worse if you’re thinking of taking the ferry from Manila – that journey takes up to 35 hours, and you need to take at least three different ferries.
Once you’ve reached Siargao Island, getting to Naked Island is a piece of cake. To visit Naked Island you should either book a private boat transfer or join the popular Three Islands Tour.
The Three Islands Tour from Siargao is by far the most common way of traveling to Naked Island. The tour departs from General Luna and stops at Naked Island, Daku Island, and Guyam Island.
This island hopping tour is the perfect adventure for anyone who wants to explore the many different islands off the coast of Siargao, but keep in mind that you rarely get more than an hour at each of these islands.
Travelers who enjoy their freedom should look into booking either a private island hopping trip or a private boat transfer just to Naked Island. It’s the more expensive option, but it also means that you can stay at any one of the islands however long you want.
One thing to note is that there’s no entrance fee for Naked Island, so all the money you will spend is what you pay for the tour.
Nothing! The small island got its name because it’s practically naked – there’s no shade, trees, or any facilities at Naked Island. There’s only sand, crystal clear azure sea, and the occasional patch of grass. There’s maybe a tiny tree or two at the island’s edges, but that’s it.
If you’d like to spend a day at Naked Island, you will need to bring everything you could possibly need, from snacks to sun umbrellas. There is zero shade on the island so you’re bound to get a nice tan even if you stay on the island for only a couple of hours.
The good things you can expect on Naked Island are soft white sand, extraordinary views, and clear water. It’s the perfect place to admire a beautiful sunset, and it’s even more enjoyable in the late afternoon when the temperatures drop a bit and the sun isn’t quite as strong.
Another thing you should expect at Naked Island is crowds of people, especially if you’re visiting on a tour during peak season. It’s an extremely popular destination from Siargao, so it’s common to encounter dozens of other boats docked at the island.
An island hopping tour is one of the most popular things to do at Siargao Island. It includes trips to Guyam, Naked, and Daku islands, and it’s the best way to explore the beautiful nature of the Philippines.
Most island hopping tours depart from General Luna, a town on the southern coast of Siargao Island. The island hopping tour is a full-day activity that includes pick up, drop off, and lunch and the average price for the tour is some $30.
The value for money is definitely there, especially if you’re traveling alone or with a partner. If you’re traveling in a larger group, it might be cheaper to book a privately chartered tour of the islands, just keep in mind that these rarely include lunch.
Most tours depart from General Luna and stop at Naked Island for 45-60 minutes first. From there they take you to Daku Island for a little while, and you spend the rest of the day at Guyam Island. It’s also possible to do this tour in reverse, and it’s honestly the better way since you get to visit the islands without the crowds.
It’s worth noting that there are dozens of vendors in General Luna that offer this island hopping tour. If you don’t want to book anything in advance, you can just go for a walk and compare offers until you find one that sounds good to you.
Another thing to keep in mind is that most tours that include lunch will offer only seafood lunch. That’s a staple of the Philippine cuisine, so you might want to pack a sandwich if you’re not that into seafood.
What to bring to Naked Island depends on whether you’re visiting it on your own or as part of an island-hopping trip. If it’s the former, you will need everything from towels and loungers to sun umbrellas.
You should also bring snacks, loads of water, and a bucket of sunscreen. The Philippines sun is no joke and there’s no shade on the island, so it’s very easy to burn.
Bring something to keep you entertained while you’re on the island, whether that’s a book or water pistols. Again, there’s literally nothing on this island, so you should bring everything that you think you might need during your stay there.
In case you’re traveling to Naked Island, Siargao as part of an island hopping tour, you will need a lot less stuff. Most island hopping tours include lunch at one of the islands, so you likely don’t need to bring any food. Also, you don’t really need umbrellas or loungers, since you won’t be staying at any of the islands long enough to actually use them. Water and sunscreen are still necessary, so be sure to pack plenty of both.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the other islands on the tour are not as bare as Naked Island. Guyam Island is full of lovely palm trees, and Daku Island even boasts some restaurants near the beach, in addition to beach huts and lots of palm trees. That’s why most island hopping tours include longer stays on these two islands, as opposed to the 45-minute visit to Naked Island.
It’s also worth noting that there aren’t any entrance fees to Naked Island or any of the other islands, so you don’t even need to bring any money on the tour.
General Luna is one of the best places to stay in Siargao. Most island hopping tours depart from there, plus it’s where you’ll find the Cloud 9 Surfing Area. The place is known for surfing, waves, and beautiful sunsets/sunrises. It’s possible to rent all the equipment you need on the spot, so you can go surfing even if you didn’t pack everything you need.
This municipality is also known for its abundance of beautiful beaches, loads of resorts, and its proximity to the popular islands off the coast of Siargao. General Luna also boasts grocery stores, restaurants, bars, and plenty of other facilities you would need for a comfortable stay in the Philippines.
The town of Pilar in the Surigao del Norte province is also worth considering if you’re staying in Surigao for a while. It’s not too far away from General Luna, so you can still do all the island hopping trips easily. Pilar is also home to quite a few of Surigao’s natural attractions, making it a great place to stay for all adventurers who really want to get out and explore.
The small town is also great for families with children since it’s not as busy as the island’s other provinces. If you’re trying to avoid huge crowds of party-goers, Pilar is a great place to stay on the island.
Anna is the co-owner of expert world travel and can't wait to share her travel experience with the world. With over 54 countries under her belt she has a lot to write about! Including those insane encounters with black bears in Canada.