Siargao Island reminds me of the untouched paradise of Boracay 25 yrs ago. The island has a great scenic beauty and a quiet charm of its own. This place is a real gem of Surigao del Norte province.

Let me take you to the next big travel destination in the Philippines…Siargao Island.

Where is Siargao Island?

Siargao is an island in the Philippine Sea situated 800 kilometers southeast of Philippines’ capital,  Manila. It is part of the province of Surigao del Norte located in the Caraga region of Mindanao, Philippines.

What to do in Siargao Island?

a. Surfing

If you are into surfing, then you have found your piece of paradise. Siargao was named as the Top 9 among the World’s 50 Best Surf Spots by CNNGo. And recently, Condé Nast Traveler featured Siargao as one of the 10 Best Surfing Spots in the World for 2017. Siargao Island is well known as “The Surfing Capital of the Philippines” and is famous throughout Asia.

The most famous of the many surfing waves on Siargao is the Cloud 9. Domestic and international surfing competitions are being held here.

But there’s a lot more to Siargao than just surfing. Siargao Island is not just a surfer’s haven. This tear drop shaped island offers plenty of beautiful attractions and fun-filled activities.

Best time for surfing

Experience Cloud 9’s infamous thick, hollow tube waves from August to November. If you want to witness the best surfers in action, visit in September during the Annual Siargao International Surfing Cup.

b. Island-hopping

One of the best things to do in Siargao is the island-hopping. The common islands to visit are the Naked Island (also Pansukian Island), Daku Island (also Dako Island) and Guyam Island.

Naked Island is a pristine beach with powdery white sands and clear, turquoise waters.

Daku Island is an island dotted with palm trees and has a stunning beach. It has few huts by the beach where we had our grilled lunch. We also had a good time playing beach volleyball here.  Also, there are a few good surf breaks here too.

Guyam Island was the last stop on our island-hopping tour. It’s another small island with very calm waters good for wading. 

c. Sugba Lagoon

Head west of the island, Del Carmen, where a boat will take you to Sugba Lagoon in Caob Island. It’s perfect for kayaking and paddleboarding.

d. Tayangban Cave Pool

For the adventure seekers, jump off the cliff into the refreshing waters of Tayangban Cave Pool in Pilar. Then go spelunking with a local guide after.

e. Magpupungko Rock Pools and Beach

This place in Pilar with amazing rock formations is the perfect spot during low tide. The sea water gets trapped in the tidal pools forming a natural infinity pool.

f. Kitesurfing

There are so many activities and attractions in Siargao. Not to mention that it’s a good spot for learning or advancing your kitesurfing skills. Winds are moderate (12 to 20 knots) here. Come on Windy Season, which is from end of November to end of March.

How to get to Siargao Island?

If you are departing from:

• Manila, take a direct flight to Siargao via Skyjet and Cebu Pacific.
• Cebu, take a direct flight to Siargao via Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific.
• Surigao City, take a 3-hour ferry ride from Surigao City to Dapa in Siargao Island.

Where to stay in Siargao?

Stay in General Luna, the go-to place for accommodations and food options as well as for boat transfers to the nearby islands. I suggest these mid-range to high-class hotels / villas / resorts:

• Siargao Bleu Resort and Spa
• Isla Cabana Resort
• LUX Boutique Resort and Restaurant Siargao
• Nay Palad Hideaway

Best time to visit Siargao

The Peak Season for Siargao is during the Dry Season between March and October. Off-peak season is from November to February. But the best time to visit Siargao really depends on what you intend to do.

General Tips

• Bring enough cash. ATMs are limited and few kilometers away.
• A good way to experience the island is by motorbike.
• Make reservations for famous restaurants.
• Bring a headlamp for spelunking at Tayangban Cave.

I don’t surf but this “Surfing Capital of the Philippines” doesn’t disappoint. We met very nice people. Siargao Island is such a small island with such a big character, making it a must-visit place for beach bums as well. I fell in love with Siargao that I’m considering of moving here next year.

I hope you could also discover Siargao Island while this beautiful paradise remains untouched by mass tourism.

Thinking of going to Siargao Island, Philippines soon? Tag your friends with whom you want to travel.