Author: Matt and Danielle
24 September 2024
The island of Siargao is a tropical haven in the Philippines beloved by travellers and digital nomads from all around the world. This teardrop-shaped island is part of the Surigao Del Norte Region, and somewhere we absolutely fell in love with. It's also the same island that introduced the Philippines to surfing...and it definitely has the sleepy surf vibe about it. We lived in Siargao for around a month and explored as much of the island as we could. We ate at delicious cafe's and restaurants and saw the most incredible sights the island has to offer. We are now going to pass on all the best places, top tips and things you do not want to miss out. If you are looking to plan the perfect Siargao itinerary, then we are here to help.
Surfing in Siargao is a must. As the surfing capital of the Philippines it only makes sense to catch some waves while you're visiting this beautiful island. The best spot is Cloud 9, but make sure to visit at high tide. There is quite a lot of reef on the bottom of the ocean here, and at mid or low tide you could hurt yourself. If you're not a pro already then this is a great place for a surfing lesson. There are plenty of instructors ready to teach you how to catch the best waves. Cloud 9 itself hosts the annual 'Cloud 9 surfing Cup' in September, which is an official WSL Pro Event. Unlike a lot of other world-class surf breaks you can be confident of finding waves here as it has great waves pretty much all-year round. So much so that Cloud 9 ranks among the top 10 surf spots in the world. If you're not ready to catch some of the bigger waves then you can always watch the pros from the Cloud 9 boardwalk. It's one of the most popular tourist spots on the island and the perfect place to watch the pros catching the bigger waves.
Other top surf spots around the island:
Jacking Horse - The best option for beginners. It can get busy with lots of people learning how to surf, but it's busy because it's such a good place to learn.
Guyan (Secret Beach) - About 20 minutes from General Luna and another great option for beginners.
Stimpy's - Constant left-hander and some great waves to be caught here.
Pacifico - It's a bit of a trek if you're staying in the main area of General Luna. It will be at least an hour to get to Pacifico Beach, but this is where you can find the biggest waves.
Rock Island - You will have to get a small boat to bring you here, and because of that alone it's best for more advanced surfers. You can catch some awesome right-hand waves out here.
This was without a doubt the most fun thing to do in Siargao. It's super fun learning how to drive a tuk-tuk, but it turns out it's also the best way to travel around the island. We will get into the climate later on, but in short the geolocation of the island means it's seasons are different to other parts of the Philippines. We noticed it would rain most afternoons when we visited...but that doesn't matter as much in a tuk-tuk. If you're looking to see a few things around the island in a single day then this could be the best way for you to do it. You can rent a tuk-tuk for around 1,500 PHP (£20).
A scooter is cheaper, which you can get for around 250-350 PHP per day (£3.35-£4.65). Whether you rent a scooter or a tuk-tuk then keep reading to see all the amazing spots you need to visit as you explore this small island.
There isn't an official sign to get to the palm tree viewing point...but you really can't miss it. This is a road that curves around a mountain and looks out onto a palm tree forest. The best thing to do is pull up to the side of the road and stand and take in the view. You're not supposed to fly a drone here as there are people offering "human drone" services...just look it up on Tik Tok to see it. If you drive a little further along the road then you can fly your drone without any issues. The best part about this tropical paradise is that it's free. Since it's just off to the side of the road there isn't an entrance fee. You can just pull up and take in the beauty of the many, many coconut palm trees. It is definitely one of the best places to visit in Siargao.
This is one of our favourite spots. It's such a fun stop off, and it's only around a 20 minute scooter ride from General Luna so not a long drive. Like many places you will visit in Siargao, this is also a tropical dream. Maasin River is a beautiful river flowing through stunning green nature and lined with more of those coconut palms. There is a 20 PHP (£0.25) entrance fee and then it's another 20 PHP if you want a photo on the bamboo raft here. You can safely swim in paradise, swing from the rope or jump from the diving board. We don't recommend diving from here as when I (Matt) jumped I touched the bottom very easily. It's safe to jump, just make sure to be careful. Whether you jump or not, you should definitely visit. It's a great spot and has become one of the most popular places to visit on the island.
You will have to look into the tide times on the island before making the journey here, as you need it to be low tide. When the tide drops the stunning rock pools that are left behind are not to be missed. This is one of the best things to do on the island for good reason. As the ocean retreats, what is left behind is a blue lagoon full of crystal clear water that people swim, jump into and simply enjoy. You will often see the local kids jumping in from some of the nearby rocks.
Magpupungko Beach is also a beautiful white sand beach that you can visit at high or low tide. The entrance fee to the beach is 50 PHP per person (£0.70) and you will have to pay for parking if you make your own way their too. Coconut Tree viewpoint, Maasin River and Magpupungko rock pools/ beach are all great to combine together on a fun day trip as you explore the island.
I can't believe we're at #6 on this list and we have only just started to mention the beautiful beaches that you can find on this stunning island in the Philippines! That's because of just how impressive and iconic to Siargao everything so far has been on this list. Now, onto some stunning white sand beaches for those island vibes.
Pacifico Beach is not much further from the Magpupungko rock pools, and a stunning beach to visit. We've already highlighted that it is a great spot for surfing, but beyond that it is a tropical paradise lined with a dense forest of palm trees and crystal clear blue water on the other. What more could you want?
Even further afield (about 1.5hrs from General Luna) you can reach Alegria Beach. It's a picture perfect beach that is worth the drive if you are willing to make it. Cruising around the island, through the local villages, and past all the spots mentioned so far (and more to come) is a journey in itself. It's such a breathtaking island that taking a few hours out of your day to see more of it will always be worthwhile. And the "pot of gold" at the end of the rainbow is a truly stunning white sand beach with spectacular and inviting blue water. The first thing you will notice is all the palm trees lined up alongside the beach, like something from a postcard. It's truly marvellous.
Those beaches are further afield, but there are other beaches close to General Luna, if you plan on staying there. Guyan Beach is a not-so-secret beach, but it is still stunning nonetheless. You do have to walk, or take a dirt road scooter ride through some palm trees, but what awaits you is soft sandy bliss. The difficulty getting here does mean less people make the trip, so if you want to get away from the crowds then you can do that here. It's also less likely to have quality waves to surf, but you can still find them here. It's a good spot for beginners so if you take a lesson here you can kill two birds with one stone. You get a surf lesson and a local shows you the way to get to the beach!
Over on the far side of the island from General Luna you can find Danjung Cave Nature Park, near Santa Monica on Siargao. Here you can find beautiful rock formations inside the cave as well as all sorts of nature. You can see bats, turtles and even hear the wild stories and local legends about this stunning natural wonder. If you are someone who loves a tall tale, then you will want to visit here. There were supposedly some pirates who buried their treasure inside the cave...it's like something straight out of The Goonies!
This beautiful waterfall is a short ride from the Danjug Cave Nature Park, closer towards the town of Santa Monica. It's unlikely to be the most spectacular waterfall you have ever seen in your life, but it's still beautiful nonetheless. It's about 15m high and there are places you can jump in from, but make sure to be careful as they're not "official" jump spots. There is a tree branch you can reach and you can scale the nearby rocks...but be very careful. It costs 25 PHP (£0.30) to enter and another 10 PHP (£0.10) to park your scooter.
While you're this far North in Siargao anyway it makes sense to stop by the town of Santa Monica and make your way to the long jetty to look out at the beautiful ocean. It's significantly less visited than other parts of the island, so if you want to relax somewhere and be by yourself in nature then this is the perfect place for it. The surrounding area still have all those beautiful white sand beaches, bright blue water and tropical landscape you'll be used to seeing throughout Siargao so far.
The Tayangban Cave Pool is very central on Siargao, and just off the main road between Maasin River and the Magpupungko Rock Pools. These are a combination of climbing and crawling through pitch black caves, as well as cliff jumping into natural pools. It did used to be a single experience, with a single entree fee, however the pools and the caves are now owned separately. To do both it cost 200 PHP (£2.70) per person. This doesn't include the fee for the guides, which they will insist on. The guides work on a tips only basis, so it is always good to help our the local community.
These cave pools are super unique and so much fun. Being able to jump and swim in the beautiful natural pools, as well as explore the caves is an incredible experience. It likely won't be the sole activity of your day, or reason for being in this part of Siargao, however it will be something you will remember forever!
There are plenty of beaches you can sit down on and watch the sunset, but the most popular place on the island is the Catangnan Cabitoonan Bridge. This long bridge over the ocean connect two parts of the island, and every night people flock to see the beautiful colours in the sky. You can get street food here and some people, which we are not advising, jump from the bridge into the ocean below. Make sure to check the tide heights before even thinking about attempting anything like this!
Another thing Siargao is known for is amazing nightlife. Every night of the week there are parties up and down the main street of General Luna. We often spent the nights walking up and down the streets finding the best live music, which would attract huge crowds. Other places have specific parties on for different nights. As the main parts of Siargao continue to grow and gain popularity this can change, but as far as we are aware the parties each night are:
Monday's @ Mama Coco - If you love your retro beats and 80's vibes then this is the best way to kickstart you week.
Tuesday's Explorers' Bar Siargao - Their 'Tuesday Thing' party is one of the most famous throughout the entire island.
Wednesday's at Goodies or El Lobo - You may not believe it, but Goodies has techno and house music from 9pm, and El Lobo has live dj sets and delicious mexican food.
Thursday's @ Bed and Brew - You cannot beat BBQ, beers and beats!
Friday's @ Mama Coco or El Lobo - El Lobo has the same vibe as the Wednesday night, but Mama Coco is all about house and techno.
Saturday's @ Harana - One of the biggest nights of the week. They have live music and awesome quirky acts.
Sundays @ Happiness or Surfing Temple - Surfing Temple is more laid back if you want a chill end to the week and Happiness have their 'Sunday Funday' night market and beach party.
As we said, we apologise if this has changed. Siargao is an island drawing in all kinds of investment. Either way, it's not difficult to find a good night any night of the week.
No Ultimate Guide would be complete without covering the different day trips to nearby islands. There are some fantastic places a short day trip away and you can book a private boat or group tour with a number of tour operators. Here are the best island hopping trips that you can take from Siargao.
The 3 island hopping tour is incredibly popular in Siargao, and as the name suggests you can visit 3 beautiful islands nearby. We will start with Naked Island, which isn't quite what you might have in mind initially. This is a completely bare island covered in nothing but soft white sand, and surrounded by beautiful blue waters. It's a tiny island that is more like a sand bank, but it's stunning nonetheless.
If you have visited Siargao and think that it is a sleepy surf island, then just wait until you get to Daku Island. This island only got full electricity in 2018. It's much larger than Naked Island and is perfect for a lunch stop as there are small beach cafe's and shacks along the beach. It's perfect for snorkelling and it's such a beautiful beach lined with picture-perfect palm trees and the most crystal clear bright blue water. It's also only a 15-minute boat ride from general Luna.
Guyam Island is another small island, but still beautiful. It's actually privately owned with people there to maintain the islands beauty, collect small entrance fees and watch out for tourists. It's the best island of the three for snorkelling as there is an abundance of marine life and great colourful coral reefs to explore.
Sugba Lagoon is one of the most popular things you can do from Siargao, and a lot of people's reason for visiting the Surigao Del Norte region in the first place. A trip here should cost around 1,500 PHP (£20) and its 1.5hrs from General Luna by boat (1hr from Del Carmen). Some of the tours will include a stop at Kawhagan Island and Pamomoan Island. While it is a very popular place to visit, if you have already been on boat trips in Coron or El Nido in Palawan, then you will think you have stumbled upon some otherworldly hidden gem! It's much lesser visited than places you visit on tours from both these spots, and it's a huge open space for all to enjoy. These little green islands all dotted around and coming up from the ocean make such a stunning scenic view.
There is a place called The Pontoon House, which is a great stop for lunch. There is a high jump here where you can jump into the blissful blue water below, and food is a reasonable price. In a shack on the water you really need to be trying the seafood here! You can rent paddle boards, snorkelling equipment, kayaks and all kinds of things from near here so it is perfect for anyone who loves water activities. The Hidden Tree Cliff Jump is a not-so-hidden spot, and your boat driver will know how to get there, it's definitely worth stopping off for a dip.
Book your trip to Sugba Lagoon here.
We finally reach our personal favourite Siargao tourist spot...although it's actually not in Siargao. It's about a 2hr boat road from Siargao in fact, but from Siargao is the only way you can get there. What awaits you here is a beautiful haven.
The landscape is very similar to Sugba Lagoon, but Sohoton Cove has something that very few places in the entire world have. You can swim with thousands upon thousands of stingless jellyfish. When we arrived at the small lagoon we were nervous about jumping off the boat. You can see all the big orange jellyfish swimming just beneath the surface, and there were so many of them. I jumped first into the deep water and even cringed when I felt countless jellyfish touch me, expecting the sting that never came. Danielle and I continued to swim with them for a while and it is one of the best experiences we have ever had. We only wish we could have stayed longer to swim with them.
After swimming with the jellyfish our boat took us to the nearby Hagukan Cave. We went through, up and eventually came out to a platform where you jump back into the start again to get back on the boat that makes it's way to the part around Sohoton Cove. It's an epic trip and well worth the 2hr boat from Siargao.
We got our own boat from General Luna which also stopped at Tiktikan Lagoon Cottages for lunch. This little paradise in the middle of the green dotted islands around Sohoton Cove was amazing! You can actually stay here and one of the rooms opens up right onto a high dive. That would be better than any morning coffee for waking up! We had a delicious lunch and then made our way back to Siargao again. It's a great way to spend a day.
You can get direct flights into Sayak Airport (Siargao Airport) from either Manilla or Cebu, and that is by far the easiest way. It's a 2hr flight from Manilla, which is around £50 one-way/ £100 return or 1hr from Cebu for about £25 one-way/ £50 return. Obviously the flight prices can fluctuate depending on what is happening in the area at that time and whether they're last minute etc. To get a ferry you still need to fly into Surigao City (it is a different place to Siargao) and then get a 2 or 3hr ferry to Siargao. The easiest thing by far is to fly directly.
Because the Philippines is so huge and spread out the climate does change from one end to the other. It could be The Wet Season in one part and The Dry Season in another. The best time to visit Siargao is from July to November. We visited in March, as we didn't realise it would have a different climate to other part of the Philippines and it rained A LOT! Luckily it is still sunny most days, we just found that by 2 or 3pm each day the thick clouds set in and the rain started.
There are a few different parts of the island where you can stay on Siargao. If you want to explore the entirety of this breathtaking tropical island paradise, then staying in different parts can help you avoid long days on the scooter. Even though it's a stunning island to drive around, hours at a time on the scooter can start to give you...there's no other way to put it than...butt ache. The easiest way to see it all is to book a few nights in different spots.
The most popular place to stay on the whole island is General Luna. I have mentioned this place throughout this blog post already, and it's where most of the restaurants, hotels, hostels and bars are. Towards the West of here you have the next largest place, which is Dapa. just up from General Luna you have Santa fe. Further North and West you have Del Carmen and then all the way in the North you have Santa Monica.
These places are all big enough so that you should be able to find somewhere to stay easy enough, and restaurants each night etc. but ideally you will want to book the majority of your stay around the General Luna area.
Some great options of places to stay in General Luna are:
Sunlit Hostel - If you are on a budget then hostels are a great way to save some money, and also the perfect place to meet other backpackers. We stayed here and it was a brilliant place to stay. They have private rooms, which is what we chose, but also dorm rooms for those on a tight budget. They also had Starlink installed while we stayed here so it made it super easy for us to work as well.
Siargao Bleu Resort & Spa - The top rated place to stay on Trip Advisor, and a beautiful beach resort with a stunning pool. You can really live the life of luxury here.
Amihan Bungalows - Like the idea of living in your own tropical island bungalow? Then this is the place for you! You'll love this bungalow tucked away in the beautiful nature.
As we mentioned about the nightlife, Siargao is a popular tourist destination that is constantly attracting investment and development. That means this list could be obsolete in 6 months to 1 years time! We will try and keep it as up to date as we can...but ultimately we have ensured to keep our personal favourites along with places that have been around on the island for a very long time. Here are our favourite places to eat in Siargao around General Luna.
Shaka Cafe - The best smoothy bowls the Siargao offers, and excellent breakfasts, lunches and coffee. It's most people's favourite.
Kermit Restaurant - This is a really great pizza place, with the cheapest drinks you are likely to find in the Philippines. A single rum & coke is 60 PHP (£0.80), a double rum & coke is 50 PHP (£0.65) and a triple rum & coke is 40 PHP (£0.50). You didn't read that wrong. We haven't had too many triples that we got the numbers all mixed up. It genuinely gets cheaper the more rum you have because the coke is more expensive than the rum, so the more coke you have in your drink, the more expensive it becomes. What a place!
Mama's Grill - Somewhere that has become a staple on the island. Great BBQ and grilled food...you can't go wrong.
Cosmic Siargao - Neither Danielle or myself are vegan, but this is really tasty vegan food. It's not even tasty vegan food, it's just straight up delicious food.
Las Barricas Siargao - Spanish-style food from a family run business. It's really good food.
Goodies Cafe - Delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner with amazingly friendly staff and it's all petty healthy.
La Carinderia - Really amazing Italian for if you have those pasta cravings (we all get them!)
CEV: Ceviche & Kinilaw Shack - Delicious ceviche, and if you have never tried this dish then here is the perfect place!
That concludes our full blog post and ultimate Siargao travel guide. This will help you plan the perfect itinerary, ensure you have the best time visiting the island, and leave no stone unturned. We know you are going to fall in love with this beautiful part of the world, just make sure to enjoy every moment you are here.
Have we given you the travel bug? Book your flights, accommodation, travel e-sim and travel insurance all here.
This blog may contain affiliate links. If you book or buy something through these links, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you).
Travel