Guyam Island

Guyam Island is a tiny islet located in Siargao Bay, in the province of Surigao del Norte, Philippines. Covered with coconut palms and ringed by a shallow lagoon in turquoise hues, it can be visited in a few hours from General Luna. Its reduced size — you can walk around it in just minutes — makes it an ideal stop on a boat excursion combining several neighboring islands.

Practical information at a glance

• Access: motorized boat (bangka) from General Luna; the island is part of Siargao's classic multi-island circuits.
• Suggested duration: 1 to 2 hours on site, generally combined with Naked Island and Daku Island.
• What to bring: swimwear, biodegradable sunscreen recommended to protect the reef.
• Note: no permanent infrastructure on the island; bring water and food if you're not stopping at Daku Island.

What you'll see

The island is dominated by a dense palm grove of coconut trees that provides shade on the white sand beach. The shallow lagoon allows swimming and snorkeling in immediate proximity to the shore. A few basic tables and shelters allow for picnicking. The water's transparency makes the seabed visible to the naked eye from the surface.

Highlights of the visit

The turquoise lagoon

The water around Guyam remains shallow across a wide band, ideal for swimming without equipment. The hues range from emerald green to blue depending on the time of day and light.

Coastal snorkeling

Coral formations are found at a short distance from the shore. Mask and snorkel are enough to observe tropical fish and corals without straying far from the beach.

The palm grove and island atmosphere

The dense vegetation creates a striking contrast with the white sand and clear water. The islet is small enough to be photographed in its entirety from the boat on approach.

Photography tips

Morning light (before 10 a.m.) is most favorable: the sun is still low, the water colors are intense and there are few boats. From the bangka on approach, a wide angle captures the entire islet with the palm grove in the background. At midday, the overhead light emphasizes water transparency for underwater or snorkeling photos.

Location and access

Guyam Island is located in Siargao Bay, a short boat ride from General Luna, the main tourist town on the island of Siargao. It is almost always visited as part of a combined excursion with Naked Island and Daku Island. Bangkas depart from General Luna's waterfront; local agencies and hotels organize these outings daily. Accessibility for people with reduced mobility is limited due to disembarkation from a boat onto the beach.

Nearby attractions

• Naked Island — submerged sandbank with no vegetation, a classic stop on the same boat circuit.
• Daku Island — the largest of the three islands in the circuit, with food vendors and hammocks under coconut palms.
• Cloud 9 — Siargao's iconic surf spot, in General Luna, the departure point for excursions.
• Sugba Lagoon — an enclosed lagoon accessible by boat from Del Carmen, another key excursion in Siargao.