Tour & Activity Scams in Siargao, Philippines
Unlicensed guides, fake tickets, bait-and-switch excursions, and ticket scalping. Below are the tour & activities scams reported in Siargao — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Ho Chi Minh City, Kuala Lumpur, and Vang Vieng.
Last updated: April 7, 2026
3
Tour & Activities Scams
8
Total in Siargao
How it works
Tour operators in General Luna sell island hopping packages to Naked Island, Daku Island, and Guyam Island at a quoted price that excludes island fees, snorkeling equipment, lunch, and boat fuel surcharges. The actual total is often 50-80% higher than the advertised base rate. Some boats are overcrowded beyond safe capacity.
How it works
Surfboard rental shops near Cloud 9 boardwalk charge tourist prices of 500-800 PHP per hour for beginner boards that should rent for 200-350 PHP at local rates. Some shops add an insurance surcharge not mentioned at the time of rental, claimed if the board is returned with any marks.
How it works
Individuals near Cloud 9 and Jacking Horse break offer surf lessons without certification or proper insurance, representing themselves as professional instructors. Beginners placed at unsuitable breaks by unqualified instructors have suffered injuries, and the associated rental equipment is sometimes unsafe.
See all scams in Siargao
8 total warnings across all categories
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