Siargao in the Philippines is a water-lover and general adventurer’s dream. A surfer’s paradise with a playful soul to it, it’s also a place that evolves a lot as one travels through it.
I spent about a week there, and while I could easily do a month, most of us can’t devote that much time to one place. With that in mind, what I did can be consolidated into just five days if you do an activity every day.
This itinerary begins in General Luna, which is where most people who visit Siargao end up staying. That said, I absolutely loved Pacifico up north, and included a night or two there at the end. It’s much smaller, much more laid back, and a lot quieter.
With this itinerary, you’ll see the best and most beautiful spots on Siargao:
Day One: Sugba Lagoon
Sugba Lagoon is, no joke, what made me want to return to the Philippines. When I saw photos of it my jaw dropped and I was reminded of Raja Ampat in Indonesia.
While more crowded than Raja Ampat, which isn’t surprising considering this is just one lagoon and Raja Ampat is a large area with thousands of islands, it was a gorgeous way to spend a day and yes, the water really is that color:
Be sure to jump off the diving board at the lagoon and paddle around in the aquamarine water.
I went on the tour with Kermit which included transport to and from General Luna, a stopover on an island nearby, which was almost as awesome as the lagoon itself. It also included a fresh seafood, fruit, chicken, and veggie lunch served on a banana leaf, drinks, and standup paddle boards. Total cost was 2000 pesos and it’s best booked at least a day in advance. I also recommend staying at Kermit while in General Luna. The food and the vibe are on point!
(By the way I paid out of pocket for the experience and nobody asked me to write a positive review. I just liked those guys!)
Day Two: Island Hopping
Most island hopping excursions will take you to Naked, Daku, and Guyam Islands. You’ll see signs posted all over General Luna advertising the island hopping trips and all of them will take you to the same place. The difference will be the comfort, the lunch included, and the boat you take. I would recommend Kermit for this one too!
Naked Island is actually a sand bar with dazzlingly white sand and gorgeous turquoise water all around. This means you won’t have shade, so make sure that you bring ample sunscreen!
The other two islands do have some trees, and Daku Island has a little fishing village as well. All three have powdery white sand and gorgeous clear water. If you’re a surfer, you can also hire a boat to take you just out to Daku Reef for some nice and uncrowded surfing.
Day Three: Breakfast at Shaka and Sohoton Cove
While not actually on Siargao island itself, Sohoton Cove is one of the most loved things to do while visiting Siargao, though it does take several hours to get there, including a couple just in a boat. However it looks just as stunning, if not more-so, than Sugba Lagoon and includes a cave excursion as well.
I was dying to do this but sadly the trip didn’t have enough signups on the day that I wanted to go. I take this to mean that it’s not as crowded as some of the other options, so make this one a priority to sign up for early in your trip, either with Kermit or Bravo (also a good place to stay and eat!), or if you have enough people (8 or so) you can get your own boat over. There are plenty of signs in town for boat rentals.
Day Four: Learn to Surf
Siargao is the surf capital of the Philippines and there’s a wave on the island for every level. The best part is plenty of the surf areas are uncrowded, especially if you’re willing to hire a boat to take you out past the reefs or to one of the islands mentioned above.
If you want to take a lesson, the guys at Kermit are great. You can also wander around General Luna and pop into the surf shops and go for one that you jive with. If you don’t want to take a lesson and just want to rent a board, check out Fat Lips in General Luna or head north to Pacifico if you want even less crowded surf spots.
I’m not an expert surfer by any means but I do think it’s tons of fun. Based on conversations I had with others and some firsthand research, here are some of the best spots:
G1: Where most beginner’s classes take place. It can be a bit crowded but it’s a nice long wave perfect for learning on.
Cloud 9: One of the most popular surf spots though it’s a reef break and best for advanced surfers.
Daku Reef: I heard great things about this one, including that the crowds are much smaller or nonexistent. This requires a boat ride and you can easily ask a local to take you out from the beach in General Luna.
Pansukian Reef: Near Naked Island, this is another one that isn’t too crowded and well suited to intermediate surfers.
Pacifico: Known for bigger waves. This break looked super powerful to me while I was there and is probably only for more advanced surfers.
Day Five: Magpupungko Rock Pools/Adventure to the North
One of the best things to do in Siargao is to just rent a motorbike and go for a drive. If you’re island hopping the other days, that really only leaves day five to explore on your own. Wake up early and make the most of it!
Be forewarned, most scooter and motorbike rentals in Siargao don’t come with a helmet. I was pretty resistant at first and finally accepted that’s just how it is if you want a pair of wheels when in Siargao. Rentals cost anywhere from 400 to 500 pesos per day, usually. You can refill the petrol on the side of the road whenever you see the red bottles lined up. It usually costs 50 pesos per bottle and two will fill up the tank.
First, check the tide forecast and head to Magpupungko Rock Pools during low tide. Entrance is only 50 pesos and it’s easy to reach, so I’m of the opinion that a tour is not necessary.
Initially, it’ll look crowded, but explore beyond the main pool and you’ll find little sections that aren’t as packed. The beach is also a lovely place to chill and eat lunch or buy a coconut (or three if you’re like me).
NOTE: There’s a lot of theft at the pools. I highly recommend putting your things in a dry bag and taking them with you to enjoy the pools fully. Never leave anything of value in the motorbike seat.
As you head north, you’ll pass by mangroves as well as Pacifico Beach, followed by Alegria Beach, finishing with the sunset at Santa Monica Pier. From there it’s only a 20km ride back to Pacifico Beach, where I recommend staying for the night (Jafe’s is awesome and quirky).
Things to Know
- Book ahead: In high season, expect things like accommodation, tours, and motorbikes to be booked out, and try to book ahead!
- Cash: I wish I’d known before I landed in Siargao that there aren’t any ATMs on the island that will take foreign cards. I got past this by downloading the World Remit app and sending myself money, then picking it up at the M Lhuillier in General Luna. It was pretty quick and easy and only cost $3.99 but it would have been even easier had I just brought ample cash with me from Cebu.
- Pacifico: I liked General Luna and Cloud 9, but I LOVED Pacifico. If you’re willing to wake up earlier to get south for some of the tours, consider staying there if you like a more laid back atmosphere like I do.
- Refill your bottle: I was so delighted to find that almost every restaurant and guesthouse in Siargo has a water tank and it’s free to refill your bottle! I don’t really like drinking out of the same plastic bottle over and over so if you have a refillable one, bring it with! There’s also the SEA Movement who actively go and clean the beaches and would certainly love to have you along. Due to these two things Siargao had some of the cleanest beaches I’ve seen in Southeast Asia.
Those are some of the best things to do when on Siargao, especially if you only have a few days.
Personally, I found leaving painful and plan to go back and explore more of Siargao Island, one of the most beautiful islands in the Philippines.
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GG says
Hey Kristin:
It is great how you are able to keep up with the 3 posts a week and keep it so interesting and new. I think this is a great alternative to the surfing resort option in Fiji. I did not realize how many places offer a diving board into beautiful lagoons! If clearly deep enough, I would be in the frequent jumper program. I wish I had the diving skills I had when younger, I think I would belly flop these days and that would hurt! Enjoyed the video (speaking of someone flopping!), very scenic. You explained really well the value of your own private space and “me” time and the importance of a good breakfast (that looked delicious). As always, your honesty about the whole experience is valuable and sometimes humorous, which is nice. Also, the beaches as you showed in the video and above photos are indeed so clean and it so wonderful not only for the environment but by also making lots of people (including me) more inclined to tour there. And involving the community in the clean up and investing in their home is even better. Kudos to SEA Movement, we have things like that where I live, but need more of it. I encourage readers to look at that link and support any similar efforts in their local community.
Quick question that I have been meaning to ask for a while, but forgot. In these areas in SE Asia, how bad is the jellyfish/man of war problem? I have seen the amazing marine wildlife in the coral/coral reefs, but curious about any precautions there. In many areas that I have been to, they post something if there is a problem. When going to the beach I usually pack a little container of rubbing alcohol (mosquito bites) and vinegar-like substance for jellyfish. Never have gotten stung though (like taking an umbrella for the rain), but seen so many others suffer through it. Thanks in advance!
Kristin says
I usually get stung a lot in Southeast Asia but I really seem to be a magnet for jellyfish in the way that I’m a magnet for mosquitoes. Or maybe it’s because I’m a fish and I just want to be in the water? It happens a lot more when I’m diving and they’re not dangerous. They sting for a moment and then it’s over, thankfully.
Stephen says
Hey this is phenomenal and so helpful! I run the Siargao island Instagram and Facebook groups and would love for you to post this to share with our followers. I think they would really get some value from this
Kristin says
You’re welcome to share the link!
Kate says
Kristin,
I am thinking of spending 6 days there in January prior to meeting my friend to spend time in El Nino, Coron, and Cebu. What is the best way to get there from Manila? Is the airport code IAO for Surigao City the correct place to fly in? Thanks for the help!
Kristin says
Yes the airport code is IAO! Surigao is a different place, though. IAO is for Siargao.
Sirang Lente says
I was searching for itinerary and travel reminder in Siargao Island and I just came across your blog. Helpful tips and nice photos.
Fatima says
Thanks for this. My roomie and I are planning to go on holiday this August. Still in the midst of choosing between Maldives and Bora, but then I saw your blog. Have an idea now 😅🤣 hoping that August is one of the best months to visit Siargao 😅
Kristin says
Best time is now weather-wise but you can’t go wrong with visiting in the off season too.
Tobias Romero says
Hi,
It was really great reading your blog, I am planning hopefully to be there in Siargao by next May. Thank you very much for your indications about it.
Tobias
Amely says
Hi,
My boyfriend and I will be on the island for three days in August. To go island hopping and to the Sugba lagoon, how much will it cost ? Should we take tours for all of these activities or can we decide what to do when we get there ?
Also, do you have any hotels or bed and breakfasts you recommend ?
Thank you in advance for your response !
Kristin says
hi Amely, I suggested a few in the post, it’s not that expensive there, you should be able to do all the things for under $100 each.
Mary A Salzman says
Kristin, Can i purchase the tours when i get there? I understand that i have to reserve accomodation ahead of time .
Kristin says
Yes! That’s what I did.
Tess Santiago says
May I know how to get to Sugba Lagoon, etc for 3 days and how much will it cost?
Kristin says
Hi Tess the info is all in the post!
Mathilde Delorme says
Hi Kristin! Your article was super interesting! May I ask at which period you went there?
I would like to go spend a week there for New Year’s eve (late December/early January) but I have read that it gets very rainy at that time and am wondering if the rain wouldn’t spoil our stay. Thanks in advance 🙂
Kristin says
I was there in February, but December is actually the dry season, and also high season, so book way ahead of time!
GG says
Hi Mathilde. I saw this and wanted to comment on this. Most of the Philippines (central and north) have a dry season from November to May (Nov and May shoulder). So Kristin is absolutely correct for 90% of the Philippines. However the southern-most area like Siargao and Mindanao (south of 10 degrees N) actually are wetter from October to March (Dec-Jan wettest on average). They have a different monsoon pattern down there. You will find some places that get a mix of both that don’t have much of either like Cebu city (10N seems the magical latitude), just wet a bit or dry all the time :). So, yes it is on average wetter in Siargao in Dec/Jan, but of course climate is about averages so it isn’t guaranteed. Just be prepared for some rain which isn’t always bad (great waterfalls!). If you trek further north in the country it will more likely be dry! 🙂 I like sites like weather-and-climate and en.climate-data.org for such information, but I don’t promote one over the other, you can find many sources online if needed. Unfortunately when the rainy season for 90% of the country is dry when the place you are going is wet that the cost to fly there will likely reflect the 90%! 😐
A trick for SE Asia is north wet June-Oct, south wet Nov-May, less clear/distinct in between (like west Malaysia/Southern Thailand, thin band of Philippines just north of Siargao including Cebu). The magic latitude goes from 10N toward the Philippines but then you draw a diagonal from the Philippines to Malaysia/Thailand at about 5-6N latitude. Those in the transition area might have a little more of one or the other cycles as you go from SW to NE monsoon as you trek north, but good luck pinpointing it!
If you are interested on why, it is because further north their rain is dominated by the Northeast Monsoon dry-wet cycle originating from China while in the southern parts it is more from the Southwest Monsoon dry-wet cycle from the Indian Ocean or Australia
GG says
Sorry. I meant to say “Unfortunately when 90% of the country is dry when the place you re going to is the 10% that is wet, that you might pay high season prices during Siargao’s wet season”. Also I guess by the time you get to Siargao’s longitude eastside of Philippines, the magic line is more like 11N (Siargao is 9.8N, duh 🙂 ). Have a good trip!
Monika Stephen says
Dear Kristin,
I visited Siargao in August 2016 and stayed in Pacifco. The closest ATM to Pacifico is in Del Carmen and it accepted Australian cards.
Is this not the case anymore because I would like to visit Siargao again?
Thank you
Ps I also believe ATM’s in General Luna accepted overseas cards.
Kristin says
When I was there they didn’t accept overseas cards but maybe things changed.