The Complete Travel Guide to Siargao, Philippines
You know the feeling when you find something so special that you’re absolutely torn between sharing it to the world for everyone to know or keeping it to yourself so you can enjoy its beauty a little longer? That’s what Siargao is to me.
But as much as I want to keep this island in obscurity, I can’t keep people from visiting so I’ve decided to share my own mini travel guide to help first-time travelers make the most out of their time in Siargao.
Where is it?
Siargao is a tear-shaped island located in the southeast part of the Philippines.
Why should you go?
Unlike its more popular counterparts Boracay and El Nido, Siargao Island remains to be low key. There are no big hotel or resort chains here and the locals seem to treat all visitors like they’re their friendly neighbors. The island is known for its laid back tropical beach lifestyle, its white sand beaches lined with coconut trees, and its world-famous surf spots with swells as high as 10 ft., winning the right to be called the surfing capital of the Philippines.
When should you go?
Generally, the surf season is from August to November but the best waves can be experienced between September and October.
How do you get there?
The easiest and quickest way to get to the island is to fly direct from the country’s capital city of Manila where there are currently two airlines that ply the direct Manila to Siargao route: Skyjet Airlines that fly once daily and Cebu Pacific Airlines that fly twice each day of the week. The flight takes around two and a half hours and starts at around PHP 2,500 one way.
Alternatively, travelers can stop over and fly from Cebu City. Cebu Pacific Airlines have two daily flights while the country’s flag carrier, Philippine Airlines, have one daily flight, and it takes about an hour to get to the island. The flight starts at PHP 1,000 for each way.
Another option for people who are coming from other places in Mindanao is to travel by land to Surigao City and hop on a boat to Dapa Port in Siargao. This takes between two to three hours and only costs around PHP 200 one way but is not the most comfortable option.
How do you get around?
Upon arriving at the Siargao Island’s Sayak Airport, there are vans that bring passengers to General Luna where most resorts and restaurants are located. It costs P300 per person and takes a little over an hour. Those who have pre-booked their accommodations can also inquire for airport pick-up and drop-off service before flying in as this is often offered by resorts for the same price. There are also motorcycles (called habal-habal by locals) and tuk-tuks available in the airport but prepare for a bumpy ride if you pick this option.
If you’re coming from Dapa port, there are also vans and habal-habal available. it’s quicker to get to General Luna, too.
Once settled in your resort, you can choose to rent a habal-habal for PHP 500 a day, which can be shared by two people, for the rest of your trip. If you’d rather not drive on your own, you can hail one or a tuk-tuk from the road instead. The one-way fare to any place within General Luna is PHP 20 before 7 P.M., PHP 30 between 7 P.M. and 10 P.M., and PHP 50 beyond 10 P.M.
Where can you go on the island?
Cloud 9 and Boardwalk
This is the famous surf spot for the experienced surfers where annual pro surf competitions are held. The boardwalk located in Cloud 9 is a long wooden bridge with huts where people can watch the surfers and the sunset.
Magpupungko Rock Pools
This is a good spot during low tide when the rock formations and natural tide pools are visible and are safe to be enjoyed by guests. There is an entrance fee of PHP 50, and it can be reached within 45 minutes from General Luna via a habal-habal or a van for big groups. Make sure to check the tide tables before leaving your resort because you won’t be allowed to enter if you visit at the wrong time.
What else can you do?
There are several surf schools and resorts that offer one-on-one surf lessons for PHP 500 an hour. The popular ones are Turtle Surf Camp, Very Good Nice, and Kermit Surf Resort. Beginners will most likely learn first at either the Jacking Horse or Guiuan surf spots. Those who want to just rent a board can do so for just PHP 350 a day and the best ones can be found in Fat Lips Surf.
There are three nearby islands that most people who visit Siargao go to — Naked Island, Daku Island and Guyam Island. All three have powder white sand and clear blue waters. A trip to these islands can be done in a day and can be arranged by resorts or by tour operators such as My Siargao Guide. The rate is pretty much the same everywhere at PHP 1,000 per person which includes boat transfers, snorkeling gear rental, sumptuous island lunch, and drinks.
Another place worthy of a visit is Sugba Lagoon which is surrounded by rock formations and mangroves. Resorts and tour operators charge PHP 2,000 per head which includes more than an hour of land transfer, another hour of boat transfer, entrance fees, lunch, drinks, and snorkeling gear and stand up board rentals.
Where can you stay:
Kermit Surf Resort
It’s one of the most popular resorts for tourists. It’s not located on the beach but is easily accessible via a habal-habal. They have fan and air-conditioned rooms ranging from PHP 950 to PHP 2,750 per night.
This is a beachfront property with its own restaurant that features a Spanish-inspired menu. It has three types of rooms — surf bunk, double room, and garden room. Rates start from PHP 1,200 a night which includes complimentary breakfast. Sign-ups for My Siargao Guide tours are also done here.
This small eco-friendly accommodation has three bungalow style houses facing the beach and a jungle-themed house at the back. The houses are bigger than normal and can fit around 4 persons with rates ranging between PHP 4,200 and PHP 4,700 per night.
Where can you eat?
It serves healthy, bright-colored, and filling power bowls that are perfect for post-surf meals.
This is a 24-hour restaurant and bar that serves (and delivers to resorts) the best marinated chicken on the island. It’s also best eaten with their garlic rice.
The menu includes a variety of Italian dishes but the make-your-own pizza is the best seller. These are baked in the restaurant’s brick oven made straight from Italy. Happy hour is also at 4 P.M. to 7 P.M. daily. The restaurant is always packed so best to call for table reservations.
What can you buy and bring home?
Coco Surf offers high-quality and custom surfboards made locally in Siargao.
How can you get money and / or communicate with people?
The island is kind of remote but despite that, most resorts and restaurants offer free WI-FI connection. Unfortunately, they are not always reliable. For foreigners, it’s also best to get a local SIM. Some telco companies offer as little as PHP 50 for 700MB data that lasts for three days.
Most establishments in the island only accept cash (roughly USD 1 to PHP 50) and the nearest ATM is around an hour away and is not always active.
How can you contribute to the island?
Help the local minimize plastics. The island is having issues with waste management so establishments are careful about using plastics. They do not encourage take outs and they use bamboo straws for their drinks.
Are you thinking of going to the Philippines soon? Let me know if you have any travel questions and I would be happy to answer them!
