Last updated: 2020 • 12 • 3
Here’s our list of recommended activities and tourist spots to add to your SIARGAO ITINERARY. If you need more help planning your trip, check out our SIARGAO TRAVEL GUIDE!
With its swells that make the surfers’ adrenaline pumping and feet itching, Siargao has been luring both local and international wave riders to its rolling shores. No wonder that this teardrop-shaped island is widely regarded as “the Surfing Capital of the Philippines”.
The island had been under-the-radar and is only known to surfers until the early 2010s. But today, Siargao enjoys being the “rockstar” tourist destination in the country. It is also more accessible now more than ever, welcoming about 12 flights daily from Manila, Cebu, and Clark. The road from the airport to other parts of the island has also been developed from the bumpy rough road to smooth concrete ones, making traveling around the island more convenient and efficient.
Other than surfing, the island boasts other attractions like coconut-lined roads and rivers, pristine beaches, caves, lagoons, and food! Here are some of the things you can see and do while on the island.
Three-Island Tour
The three-island tour covers Guyam, Naked, and Daku Islands. Each has its unique feature, so the experience won’t seem redundant. Take this tour and see for yourself what these islands have to offer.
You can charter a private boat or join a group tour.
- By private boat. Head to the wharf and charter a private boat for P1500 – P2000. This is a great option for groups because the rate is per boat, so you can split the cost. However, this does not include lunch and the additional entrance and docking fees. More info about the islands and corresponding fees below.
- By group tour. If you’re traveling alone, you don’t want to deal with finding a boat or preparing food, or you simply want to make friends, we recommend joining a group tour instead. The price usually covers the boat fees, all the entrance fees, and a boodle-style lunch buffet.
✅ BOOK TOUR W/ BOODLE-STYLE LUNCH HERE!
Naked Island
Naked Island is a sandbar that is the usual stop on the way back to the main island. Because there isn’t much here, not even trees, the activities are limited. But you can always take lots of photos.
Daku Island
Daku Island is the largest of the three islands and is a whole barangay in itself. It is primarily a fishing village with cottages lined up along the coast. There are also private properties along the beach.
This is a common lunch stop. If you rented a boat, lunch is not covered. But fresh fish and other seafood are available and you can have the locals cook for you. But if you’re on a tight budget you can always bring your own food.
If you’re on a group tour, lunch is usually served as part of the package. You also don’t need to worry about the other fees because these are part of what you paid for.
Entrance fee: P100 per boat
Cottage rental: P250
Guyam Island
Guyam Island is a small, circular island, usually your first stop for the three-island tour. It has two distinct sides: one side is rocky with strong currents, while the sandy side is more serene. Smiling ladies with a small box will greet you and cheerfully let you know there’s a fee once you set foot on the island. If you’re not sure what island you’re in, the large letters spelling GUYAM might be a nice indicator.
Entrance fee: P30 per person.
Cottage rental: P300
(If you’re on a group tour, this is already included in the package.)
Siargao Land Tour
You can explore the main island and see the wonders it keeps in its jagged corners and lush landscapes. Here are the usual stops of the land tour (not in order):
- Magpupungko Rock Pools
- Coconut Mountain View
- Maasin River
There are many ways to do this. You can rent a car or motorbike. But the most convenient is to join a group tour. Most group tours also include a stop at Sugba Lagoon, which is located on another island so a boat transfer is added.
Magpupungko Rock Pools
Another well-known tourist destination on the island of Siargao is the Magpupungko Rock Pools, which affords revelers the chance to take a dip in the crystal clear waters when you get there at the right time. The rock pools only appear at certain times, particularly when the tide is low. The location is a 45-minute drive from General Luna. Explore the Magpupungko Beach if you want to feel some sand beneath your feet or do cliff-jumping but be extra careful because the rocks are sharp; it would be better to wear protective footwear or aqua shoes.
Note: Always check the tide schedule as it changes daily. See it here: Port Pilar Tides
Entrance Fee: P50
Parking Fee: P20
How to Get There: You can join a group tour, hire a habal-habal or rent a motorcycle and drive to Pilar. You will pass by local eateries before you reach the beach and rock pools. The drive will take you about 45 minutes from General Luna.
Maasin River
Maasin River is a 30-minute drive from General Luna. You’ve probably seen photos of the bent coconut tree sticking out over the river. There’s a rope attached to the tree where you can swing back and forth from and, maybe, let go and plunge into the river. The water is about 6-foot deep.
Heading to the northern portion of the island, you will arrive at a very conspicuous red bridge. That’s your landmark for the bent coconut tree.
Location: Siargao Circumferential Rd, Dapa, Surigao del Norte
Entrance Fee: P20
Coconut Mountain View
Make a short stop on the side of the road to appreciate the lush coco paradise that seems endless as it sprawls across the island!
Sugba Lagoon
Another popular attraction on the island is Sugba Lagoon. It is located on the northwestern portion of the island. The jumping-off point is the town of Del Carmen, which is about a two-hour drive from General Luna. There are many ways you can explore the lagoon — by renting canoes, bamboo rafts, and paddleboards and by snorkeling. There’s a two-layer docking area or rest area where you can also rent a table for P50. One of the highlights here is jumping off the diving platform into the clear turquoise (sometimes emerald) waters.
How to Get There:
- From General Luna, you have to get to the town of Del Carmen port. The travel time is approximately two hours. Here are your options:
- Join a group tour. Tour operators and some resorts offer this tour. The rate is around P2000 per person inclusive of lunch, transportation, and entrance.
- Habal-habal: P500 RT + P30 (parking fee at Del Carmen pier)
- Van Rental: P3000/day (good for 12 pax)
- Motorcycle Rental: P350 – P500/day + gas
- From Del Carmen port, register at the local port authority and charter a boat or wait for other passengers to fill up the boat. The normal boat rate is P1600 for six people. The travel time from the port to the lagoon is approximately one hour.
Sohoton Cove (Bucas Grande Islands)
Located in the town of Soccoro in Surigao del Norte, Bucas Grande is a separate group of islands from Siargao. Getting there is quite expensive, but all those islets, lagoons, beaches, caves, and karst cliffs make up for it. And should you visit at the right season, you will be able to encounter the stingless jellyfish at Sohoton Cove.
Getting There: From Siargao, the jumping-off point to Bucas Grande Islands is Dapa port. Join a group tour or charter your own boat to Bucas Grande.
Boat Tour Rates: P3000 – P3500 (Sohoton Cove Tour Only, good for 5 pax); P4000 (Sohoton + Three-Island Tour, good for 5 pax)
Other Fees: P500 (smaller boat to Sohoton Cove) P50 (entrance fee); P50 (environmental fee); P350 (tour guide); P100 (docking fee per boat)
Note: Jellyfish season starts in March, but you will witness the highest concentration of jellyfish during the months of July and August.
Some tour operators combine Sohoton Cove with the 3 Islands Tour! If you’re solo or you don’t want to plan anything, you can join a group tour instead!
Surfing
You’ve come to one of the best surfing spots not only in the Philippines but also in the world, so why not? If you don’t know how to ride the waves, there are numerous surf lessons offered at the surf break sites. Also, the good thing about Siargao is that it covers all degrees of expertise, so whether you are a newbie or an expert, there’s a surf break that is right for you. Beginner’s surfing lesson starts at P1000 for two hours.
The waves are perfect for surfing all year round, but the best time is from as early as July to as late as January. The waves can become gnarly from September to November. Please be extra careful especially if you are just new to surfing.
Here is the list of Siargao’s surf breaks:
Note: The annual ‘Cloud 9 Surfing Cup’ usually happens in late September or early October, so expect huge crowds during this time. The competition is officially recognized by the World Surf League Pro.
Beginner
Expert
|
Intermediate
|
Cloud 9 Boardwalk and View Deck
Cloud 9 is one of the popular surf breaks in General Luna, but if you are not that into balancing yourself on a surfboard and be wiped out several times, you can just relax and chill strolling down the iconic long boardwalk. You can also watch the seasoned surfers dance with the roaring waves from the three-story view deck at the end of the boardwalk. You can also wait for the sunrise here as surfers catch the early morning swells and/or savor the moment as you think of nothing else but the beautiful spectacle that is sunset.
Burgos Coconut Road
Siargao is blanketed in thick coconut forests. Some roads cut across this coco paradise, which creates a scenic view. That particular shot of a strip flanked by coconut trees is a strong contender for the title of most photographed (or “Instagrammable”) spot in Siargao.
Food trip!
The town of General Luna has the most number of commercial establishments on the island — resorts, restaurants, cafés, and bars. The food place selection ranges from simple eateries or carinderias to international restaurants. The food choices cater to both locals and foreign visitors. Some of the most favored restaurants are Harana Surf Resort & Restaurant, Kermit Surf Resort & Restaurant, Buddha’s Surf Resort, Mama’s Grill, Shaka Siargao, and Aventino’s Pizzeria.
When the sun goes down, the nightlife starts to kick in. And it’s very much alive on the island! If you still have the energy for dancing, socializing, and drinking with other travelers, parties usually happen at Jungle Disco, Viento, Bravo, and RumBar. If you like beers, you might want to try Siargao’s very own draft beer — General Luna Pale Ale. I had a chance to try it while dining at Harana.
Motorcycle or Bicycle Around the Island
There are many ways you can get around the island of Siargao — van, tricycle, habal-habal, motorcycle, and bicycle. Siargao is a motorcycle- and bicycle-friendly island. Renting a motorcycle or a bicycle for a day or more is a popular transportation option among tourists. The Siargao Circumferential Road will treat you to a very picturesque drive, leading you to different tourist sites on the island. Even before reaching your destination, the ride itself is already an attraction.
However, always prioritize safety! Make sure you have a license and wear a helmet even if no one else is doing it.
Don’t Forget to Travel Responsibly
The booming tourism industry has a positive effect on the economy and livelihood of the people by opening business and job opportunities, but it also has a negative impact.
A large part of Siargao, despite the many developments happening in some areas, is still undisturbed and unspoiled. For the touristy towns of General Luna, Del Carmen, and Soccoro, measures are being taken to lessen the impact of rising tourism-related activities on the island. Some of the businesses are taking the initiative to do their part in preserving the environment like using metal straws instead of plastic ones. Airline companies are making an effort too like Cebu Pacific’s initiative, the Juan Effect sustainable tourism campaign, encouraging everyJuan to do his or her part no matter how small that act is.
Besides helping the local economy by purchasing things and availing of services, you can also help to preserve the natural resources of the destination for the future generation. By simply bringing your own refillable water bottles, eco-bags, and throwing your trash properly, you are already making a huge difference.
For more information about this campaign, visit www.juaneffect.com.
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