Siargao: Top things to do

Siargao is the darling of the Philippines. Unknown until a few decades ago, its popularity grew quickly when surfers from all over the world came drawn by its famous waves. There’s much more to do in Siargao than surfing, and that has made it even better known among both Filipino and international travelers visiting the Philippines.

Siargao’s landscapes win you over even before you land or disembark. Whether you come from Manila or Cebu by plane or from Surigao by boat, you’ll be greeted by the intense green of its palm trees and mangroves, which will likely make you fall in love instantly, just like they did for us.

There’s much more to Siargao than surfing, with plenty to see and things to do in Siargao, but what really stays with you is a whole range of sensations you’ll only understand when you travel its roads and towns. Endless palm groves, golden-sand beaches, mangroves, lagoons, waterfalls, rock pools, deserted islands and, above all, very welcoming people await you.

We confess: we’re Siargao addicts and we’ve been lucky enough to visit many times. To bring you the most up-to-date information (and, we won’t lie, to indulge ourselves), on our latest trip we spent more than four weeks exploring its roads.

How many days do you need in Siargao? Suggested route

If you’re thinking of visiting Siargao, the first thing we have to tell you is this: don’t hesitate! And second, give it enough time. If you don’t, you’ll regret it because—fair warning—you’ll fall hopelessly in love with it. In our opinion, you should spend at least 5 full days (a bare minimum of 4) enjoying Siargao, and here are plenty of good reasons to go even if you have no plans to step on a surfboard.

A good way to split up your days in Siargao would be:

1. Island hopping to Daku + Guyam + Naked (if possible including Mam’on Island or Corregidor)
2. Ride around the north of the island by motorbike + Magpupungko + Cloud 9 Boardwalk and/or Catangnan bridge at sunset
3. Sugba Lagoon + Kawhagan Island + Sunset in Del Carmen or visit Secret Beach/Doot Beach
4. Sohoton or Corregidor (+Mam’on and La Januza) or the beaches of Malinao, Santa Fe… Lots of alternatives!
5. Surf (try it—Siargao is one of the best places to surf in the Philippines), enjoy the beaches of General Luna/Malinao/Santa Fe and their vibe

If you want to experience both sides of the island, you could also spend 1 or 2 nights in the Alegria/Burgos/Pacifico area, much less developed than General Luna and Cloud 9. From there, you can also explore the whole north, including Magpupungko and the the Sugba Lagoon trip. You could also do the San Benito tour, which is far less known. We talk about all of this throughout this guide, but also in Island hopping in Siargao and Where to stay in Siargao: best hotels.

What’s more, Siargao is a great island to consider if you’re thinking of visiting the Philippines during the months of July, August, September and October because, as we tell you in our article on the best time to travel to the Philippines, visiting the Philippines in July, visiting the Philippines in August, visiting the Philippines in September and visiting the Philippines in October, this is when the dry season hits the island. You’re more likely to enjoy clear skies and pleasant weather to do all these things we suggest you do in Siargao.

Keep reading and discover just how many things to do in Siargao you have ahead of you.

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Best things to do in Siargao

We’re going to try to sum up the best things to do in Siargao, but honestly, the island is packed with options. Here we’ll summarize the main ones and also throw in a few extra ideas further down.

1. Rent a motorbike and explore

Without a doubt, one of the best things to do in Siargao is to rent a motorbike and set out to explore. Although the island has many charms, its biggest charm is simply taking it all in at a slow pace, soaking up its beautiful roads lined with the most gorgeous palm trees in the world. Whether you drive to the very northern tip in Alegria or discover the opposite side towards Del Carmen, driving around Siargao is a pleasure—and very easy. There’s hardly any traffic and the roads are in good condition.

We suggest circling the entire island, which will take a full day, or—better yet—splitting the route over several days. The first could take you from General Luna to Taktak Falls, stopping at the now-famous palm viewpoint (location here), the Maasin River (unfortunately, the famous leaning palm fell at the end of February 2023 and now looks worse for wear and held up “any old way,” but you can still take a boat ride), Magpupungko, Pacifico, Pilar, Burgos and Alegria. Alegria is the best beach on Siargao Island and it isn’t affected by the tides like the south is.

You can rent a motorbike in Siargao from 350 pesos per day. If you’re staying for several days, you can surely lower the price a bit. Leave us a comment and we’ll share reliable contacts, and you can also book easily via this link.

If you don’t have a license to ride a motorbike or you don’t like riding them, don’t worry. On the island you can also rent a tuk-tuk and cars, or you can do a cool route with a tricycle driver (we can share a contact too if you leave us a comment) or join a tour like this one by the KLOOK agency, which even includes a visit to Sugba Lagoon. You can read more about this in How to get around Siargao.

Possible suggested motorbike route around Siargao (or car or tricycle)

We recommend at least exploring the island’s northern area by motorbike, but if you have more than five days on the island you could build out more routes on your own or even sleep in other areas to explore further. One possible 1-day Siargao route starting from General Luna (where most accommodation is concentrated) would be:

• Coconut Trees View Deck: an impressive palm-view lookout. You only need to pull over carefully and enjoy the views. Sometimes there’s a guy who does a “human drone” for 50 pesos—fun to watch him in action.
• Coconut view v1: this is the road from the previous photo.
• Maasin Bridge River Swing: the area is already super touristy and has been built up a lot for our taste, but this is where the famous palm from all those photos is (now bent over). Pleasant river cruises are offered for 500–550 pesos per boat (depending on the number of people) to the so-called “Secret Lagoon.”
• Tayangban Cave Pool: we’ll talk about it below, but it adds a bit of adventure to the route.
• Paghungawan Marsh: there’s a viewpoint over a mangrove/lagoon area where there are supposedly crocodiles. We’ve never seen any, but it’s a good stop to give yourself a break.
• Magpupungko Rock Pools and Flats: the famous rock pools—you’ll find more info below.
• Tigasao: if you left early, you can head to this stretch of coast; it’s rocky, but at high tide some natural pools form.
• Stairs of Heaven: the perks of exploring—we found this spot we’re not going to detail, but it’s every bit as good as the two above and it’s free. If you go, leave us a comment ; )
• Pacifico: a town with more and more prominence thanks to surfing. Pop over to snoop around the beach; swimming isn’t that comfortable because of all the rocks, but it’s picturesque. There are several good places to eat, like Karsada, Lebron & Dwayne Tapsihan or Barrel Spot Surfhouse.
• Pasikon Beach: they charge 80 pesos to enter, but the beach is pretty and at high tide you can swim (with caution due to rocks). There’s a lady selling drinks and snacks. We don’t think it’s a must, but it’s a nice stop.
• Bay Bay: along this stretch you can find a few virgin beaches visible from the road.
• The Marvelous Somyot Cave: a cave opened in February 2023 for the more adventurous. You’ll find more info below.
• Burgos Coastline viewpoint: a nice lookout to stop for a moment and take in the views.
• Burgos: another coastal little town with cool initiatives like A.T.E. Sewing Siargao (women crafting with fabrics), LOKAL Siargao (a restaurant belonging to the NGO Lokal.Lab, which helped a lot during the typhoon and continues to do so) or Women’s Kitchen (a restaurant run by local women with good prices). Outside town is KOLEKBIBO, with impressive sea views and excellent vegan food and smoothie bowls.
• Alegria Beach: possibly the best beach on the island.
• Tangbo Beach: another pretty beach, good for sunset and even less known than the previous one.
• Taktak Falls: not the best waterfalls you’ll see on your trip. We only recommend them if you have plenty of time, as it’ll still take about 90 minutes (we’d say a bit more) to get back to General Luna. Otherwise, we’d turn around here.

If you set out early and didn’t stop much, you can keep following the island’s western coast back to General Luna to see different landscapes. There are plenty of cool mangroves here and, if you’re not afraid to drive at night, sunsets are often very pretty. Another idea is to head back toward the Cloud 9 area and/or watch the sunset on Catangnan bridge, which gets really lively.

By the way, although below we’ve created a Siargao map with all the spots we’ll talk about throughout the guide, to give you an even more specific view of this route you have this other one specific to the north.

2. Go surfing or learn in Siargao

Siargao is “the island” to go surfing in the Philippines. It’s the best-known, and prestigious surf competitions are held here every year. The most famous wave is Cloud 9, but there are many more places to surf like Quicksilver, Stimpy’s, Rock Island, Daku Reef, Cemetery, Pacifico or Secret Spot.

If you’re a beginner, don’t worry. One of the best things to do in Siargao is to learn how to surf. There are many surf schools and instructors on the island. Most charge 500 pesos per hour, including board rental. Of course, you can also rent a surfboard in Siargao if you didn’t bring your own. Prices are usually around 200 pesos an hour, but you can lower the rate if you’re renting for several days or weeks.

If you want a surfing contact, we can share some recommendations if you leave us a comment below.

Some beginner surf spots in Siargao are: Jacking Horse, Tuason Point, Daku Island or Secret Spot. Personally, we really like Santa Fe Beach, where there’s a beach club called Ocean 9 that has instructors, boards and lockers. Entry costs 100 pesos and includes a bottle of water and access to the pool.

The best time to surf in Siargao is from September to November, when conditions are best around Cloud 9, Pacifico, Burgos Bay and Tuason Point. From December to March, the best opportunities are at Stimpy’s and Pilar. From April to August the waves are usually smaller than usual, but even so it’s possible to surf because conditions vary by spot—and as you can see, there are plenty.

On the other hand, if you’re up for it, a wakepark has also opened in the heart of the island, surrounded by spectacular palm trees. If you’ve never tried it, you can book your class here.

3. Take a dip in the natural pools of Magpupungko

One of the most popular things to do in Siargao is to visit the Magpupungko rock pools. They can be visited during low tide, so be sure to check a tide table to go at the right time. You won’t be able to get close if the water level is too high, as it can be a bit dangerous.

Plus, the beach next to the pools is also very pretty and you can even swim at low tide.

At Magpupungko, you’ll find a few snack stalls, a restaurant and, of course, coconut (bukos) sellers to refuel. Keep in mind that it’s one of the island’s most touristy sites, so it gets super crowded during low tide, which is when it looks best.

Entrance to the pools costs 60 pesos and you’ll also have to pay an additional 20 pesos to park your motorbike. Don’t pay attention to anyone trying to stop you along the road; keep going to the end and park right at the entrance. That’s the official parking area.

Heads up: Magpupungko is usually closed for a period each year so the area can “rest.” This typically happens between mid-January and mid-February.

Our recommendation is to include Magpupungko on your route around the north of the island (which we laid out in point 1), but if you don’t have much time in Siargao, the best option is to do this tour, which combines the island’s so-called “land tour” with Sugba Lagoon. That way you won’t miss the essentials.

4. Go island hopping: Naked, Daku and Guyam (Tri-island)

As in many other corners of the Philippines, one of the best things to do in Siargao is to discover the surrounding islands, and although they can’t be compared to the island hopping in El Nido or Coron, we think they’re worth it.

From the port of General Luna you can take a whole bangka (local boat) for 2,600 pesos in total (up to 6 people) to the beautiful islands of Daku, Naked and Guyam. For food, the best thing is to bring supplies from the market next to the pier; you can ask them in Daku to cook what you bought for a small fee. Keep in mind that an entrance fee per person is usually charged for the islands as well.

If organizing it sounds like a hassle, you can also join this organized tour, which includes a traditional boodle-fight lunch. Click the link and you’ll immediately see what we mean.

You can find all the information about this tour and its prices in our guide to Island Hopping in Siargao.

The route usually starts at Naked Island—yes, really. It’s a huge sandbar where you won’t see a single tree and therefore no shade. Take the opportunity to go for a dip; its waters are usually very calm.

Next comes the longest stop, Daku Island. This beautiful island has some shaded areas, a few huts to eat in and, above all, a huge beach to enjoy.

The third and final stop is a picture-postcard island: Guyam Island—tiny, full of palm trees, a few rocks and white sand where you can lie down and relax.

From the port of General Luna you can take a bangka (local boat) for 6,000 pesos that takes you to the beautiful islands of Daku, Naked and Guyam, but also to the little-known Mam’on. If you’re an adventurer and want to get away from other tourists, this is your island hopping to do in Siargao.

*Heads up: during Filipino holiday periods, it’s very common for these islands to fill up with people. The popularity of Siargao is growing fast, and we don’t want you to go with overly high expectations. We’ve had the chance to enjoy them in many ways, but we’re aware that little by little they’re changing (as much as it pains us).

Book your tour to Naked, Guyam and Daku here

There’s also a premium version with a larger boat

5. Visit the mangroves of Del Carmen, Sugba Lagoon and spectacular Kawhagan Island

One of the best day trips in Siargao begins in the small town of Del Carmen. Your trip starts with a huge mangrove expanse, which you’ll cross in your small bangka until you reach Sugba Lagoon, the island’s most famous lagoon. Its turquoise waters protected by huge limestone walls will win you over and may even remind you a little of Coron and El Nido. Here you can jump off the diving board, try stand-up paddleboarding, rent a kayak or grab something to eat.

Heads up: Sugba closes every year for maintenance and rehabilitation between January 10 and February 10.

Think that’s enough? You’ll be amazed when you see the last stop: Kawhagan Island. This island has a huge white sandbar surrounded by the Philippines’ turquoise sea that will make you fall in love. You can spend several hours swimming, playing volleyball and simply enjoying the shade of its palm trees. You can also add pretty Pamomoan Beach, a delightful beach that doesn’t usually see many visitors.

Although you can do this route with an agency, it’s much cheaper if you do it on your own. This excursion from Del Carmen pier costs 2,150 pesos per boat (up to 6 people) if you only go to Sugba Lagoon (plus 100 pesos per person in entrance fees) and 3,050 pesos if you add Kawhagan Island and Pamomoan Beach (plus 100 pesos per person in entrance fees).

⭐Discover everything about this excursion in our article on Island Hopping in Siargao.

6. Feast to your heart’s content

It might sound like a bonus, but trust us, it isn’t. One of the things to do in Siargao is to explore its restaurants because the island has become a true foodie paradise, so why not enjoy it properly? Over the last few years, countless restaurants have popped up that take great care with both local and international cuisine. You’ll also find cool cafés with smoothie bowls and specialty coffee to start your mornings right. Obviously, you’ll spend more pesos in these kinds of places than in the carinderias where locals eat, but in many cases the splurge is worth it.

In the section devoted to the best restaurants to eat in Siargao we go into the topic at length (more than 5,000 words and counting…), but from here we can’t help recommending that you treat yourself to some coconut bread. You’ll find this delight baked in a very rustic oven, where the coals are coconut shells themselves, mainly in the town of General Luna around 15:00. Hurry— they sell out fast!

Also, to make them easier to find, at the end of this article you’ll find a map with lots of options for both eating and drinking on the island. That said, if you want to treat yourself, we suggest booking at Roots, a fusion restaurant that really showcases Filipino ingredients.

7. Pay a visit to little-known Corregidor Island

You’ve probably heard of some of the places we mentioned earlier, but what about Corregidor? It’s likely you haven’t, as it’s one of the newest additions to the excursions around Siargao.

The most striking thing about it is its green slopes dotted with slender palm trees. You can wander them at your own pace and enjoy views of Siargao, Naked and Daku. To round off the trip, don’t miss a swim at Corregidor’s beautiful beach— it’s perfect for swimming and snorkeling!

Some agencies arrange it for about 1,500 pesos per person, but if there are several of you, it’s very easy to do it on your own by heading to Dapa Boulevard and finding a boat to take you. For 2,500–3,500 pesos you should be able to get there without any trouble.

Entrance to the island is 20 pesos per person and you pay 100 pesos for the boat mooring. Some readers told us they were forced to pay 300 pesos for a guide to tour the island, but the truth is we didn’t have to pay any guide for this.

More info here about island hopping in Siargao

8. Discover Sohoton Cove National Park

The longest day trip from Siargao is the one that takes you to Sohoton Cove in Bucas Grande (Socorro). It’s a collection of gorgeous lagoons and caves surrounded by limestone rocks, forming a landscape similar to what you’ll see in El Nido or in Del Carmen.

The trip also includes stops such as Lake Tiktikan (Blue Lagoon), Crystal Cave, Hagukan Cave, Magkuku-ob and Bolitas Cave. In Tojoman Lagoon you’ll find the famous non-venomous jellyfish (Mastigias papua), but keep in mind that at some times of year they won’t be there. Normally they’re around from March to June, although the population has dropped quite a bit and now you can find some of another type that are a little less spectacular.

If you want to include Sohoton in your list of things to do in Siargao, you can do this excursion in three ways, and one will suit you more than another depending on how many people you are. We explain this in detail in How to get to Sohoton from Siargao, but if you want to avoid hassles you can also book this Sohoton + Bucas Grande tour here.

One of the usual stops on Sohoton Cove tours is the Club Tara Island Resort. It’s a very photogenic resort with over-water cabins. If you feel like spending the night in the Socorro area, this is a moderately priced spot, but keep in mind that the maintenance could be better.

Check Club Tara Island Resort availability and prices via this link.

9. Venture into the depths at Tayangban Cave Pool

Tired of salt water? Don’t miss this cave with stalactites and stalagmites where you’ll end up in a natural pool. Entrance costs 160 pesos and you’ll need a guide to access it (200 pesos to be split among your group). You can combine it with the Magpupungko excursion and the whole northern area, as it’s halfway and it doesn’t take more than 20–30 minutes to do. Water shoes are advisable and, of course, a swimsuit.

10. Take a dip at Taktak Falls, Siargao’s waterfalls

We already mentioned that a great motorbike route in Siargao from General Luna is the one that takes you along the island’s east coast to Taktak Falls. Although the area has been urbanized quite a bit to make it more comfortable for swimming and we can’t say they’re the best waterfalls in the Philippines, the falls are pretty and it’s a good place to mingle with Siargao’s people.

Entrance is 50 pesos per person. Check Google Maps before you go, as they’re sometimes closed because there isn’t enough water.

11. Enjoy the island nights

Many travelers prefer to keep making the most of their days in the Philippines until late at night and find that there isn’t much going on. However, this hasn’t been the case in Siargao for many years now because it has become one of the best islands in the archipelago if you want to go out partying. Between General Luna and Cloud 9 there are loads of bars that take turns each night to offer all kinds of events, from live music to long hours of reggaeton— whatever you want!

Some of the best-known bars in the south of the island are: BARREL: Beachfront Sports Bar, El Lobo Siargao and Mama Coco, but you can find everything about how nights on the island play out in Bars in Siargao.

12. Visit the Cloud 9 boardwalk

Cloud 9 is an icon of the Philippines, and one of the things you absolutely must do in Siargao is watch experienced surfers take on the wave. The best way to do so is from the boardwalk. This is where surfers rest, but also where judges and the press position themselves during surf competitions. Although access used to be free, since 2022 you have to pay 100 pesos to enter.

The boardwalk is also a great place to watch the sunset from this side of the island. You may not see the sun drop below the horizon because of its location, but you will see the colors change.

The typhoon that hit the island in December 2021 took away the original wooden structure and bridge. A new concrete one and a two-story construction have now been inaugurated which, in our opinion, are a little less photogenic.

13. Watch the sunset at the Sunset Bridge

It may sound a little odd, but a place to visit in Siargao is the Catangnan–Cabitonaan Bridge, popularly known as the Sunset Bridge. This construction, which connects the areas of Catangnan and Santa Fe, attracts dozens of people every evening around sunset, especially on weekends, as word has spread and it gets an amazing vibe. At this time of day, a small market pops up at the Catangnan end selling snacks and drinks as people gather along the bridge to hang out.

Depending on the time of year, you can usually see the sun setting over the mangroves to the west. So any spot along the bridge will do just fine.

It’s true it can be a bit dangerous because traffic never stops and scooters, skaters or simple “sunset watchers” also use the shoulder, so we recommend being careful. If you’re up for it, you can also jump from the bridge into the water, but (forgive us for sounding like parents) make sure it’s deep enough.

Depending on the time of year, you can also see Siargao sunsets around the Jacking Horse–Cloud 9 area. From Ocean 9, depending on where you stand, it’s also pretty, as it is at Secret Beach.

14. Give back to Siargao

If you’ve fallen in love with the island as much as we have, one of the best things you can do in Siargao is give something back, don’t you think? There are several associations and NGOs on the island that support local communities and organize beach and environmental clean-ups. For example, SEA Movement organizes several trash clean-ups per week, Nature Kids runs workshops with children and looks for volunteers, and Siargao Masaya helps with children’s schooling and provides educational materials.

Lokal Lab, for its part, has a couple of very interesting workshops that help them continue several sustainability projects around the island: one on weaving and another where you visit their gardens. They also have two restaurants (one in General Luna and another in Burgos) that employ women and use their own produce. In GL they also tend to organize lots of events, including game afternoons/evenings. Finally, Kolekbibo is Michelle’s project, which helps feed the most vulnerable people in the north of the island and runs another small vegetarian restaurant in the north. If you feel like it, you can also lend a hand as a volunteer by getting in touch in advance.

15. Enjoy the beaches of Malinao and Santa Fe (and other beaches on the island)

Most of the Siargao beaches in the south aren’t convenient for swimming, especially at low tide, when you have to walk and walk to get a dip. This doesn’t mean the island’s beaches aren’t the best (those in Alegria, for example, are gorgeous), but if we have to pick some in the southern area, it would be those in Malinao. In particular, we recommend the stretch between Ferra Resort and Sandy Feet, especially at high tide. Hardly crowded, with beautiful coconut palms and a stunning, wild landscape.

Another beach we’ve recently fallen for is the one in Santa Fe, relatively close to General Luna. A usual spot for beginner surfers to catch waves, you can also enjoy a peaceful golden-sand beach here. Turn off at this point and then head toward the coast.

More things to do in Siargao

If you look at a map, Siargao isn’t as small an island as you might expect. In 3 days you can see the basics, but it doesn’t end there, so even if you stay more than a week, it’ll be hard to get bored. Besides the great vibe, the beaches, the island hopping and the surf spots, check out these other places to see in Siargao we’ve gathered:

• Somyot Cave: a new addition to Siargao’s tourist activities and an ideal complement to your route around the north of the island. These caves (opened in early 2023) have tons of stalactites and stalagmites. The route is intermediate-to-hard (you need to scramble a bit) and good footwear is required (slippery areas). The guide costs 400 pesos per group and the route takes about 20–30 minutes. In our opinion, it’s worth it if you’re spending a few days in the north of the island.
• Bugak Cold Spring: small natural pools surrounded by lush vegetation. It’s still a little-developed area, so if you go on a weekday you might have them to yourself. Entrance is 20 pesos. We’ve marked them on the map, but if you can’t find them, ask any local— they’ll kindly tell you where they are. Water shoes are recommended, and visit at high tide. We’ve left a photo below.
• Beto Cold Spring: relatively close to the previous one, this is another natural pool, but much larger. It’s a nice spot to get away from the usual route. They also charge 20 pesos per person and it’s best to go when the sun is high and the tide is also high.
• Siargao Wakepark: do you know what wakeboarding is? It’s like snowboarding, but on water, holding onto a rope that takes you around a circuit. Now imagine doing this surrounded by incredible vegetation. That’s why we didn’t want to leave it out of this list of things to do in Siargao. They charge 1,200 pesos for a one-hour session. There’s also a zip line and the option to do it on a hydrofoil (2,200 pesos per hour). You can book your class online so you don’t have to worry about carrying cash.
• Fireflies: yes, recently tours have started through the mangroves around Malinao/Doot Beach/Secret Beach from just 250 pesos per person. If you’re lucky, you may even see bioluminescence on new-moon nights. Tours start around 18:30 and, if you want, we can give you a contact to arrange it.
• Siargao Skate Park: if you like quirky places and feeling a bit like an explorer (like us), you’ll love this palm-lined skate park in Salvacion. Plus, you can take the chance to visit Duoy Beach, which is great and which you’ll likely have almost to yourself.
• Sports: there are more and more expats living in Siargao, so you won’t be short of options to practice sports. In fact, there’s a very cool crossfit box you can reserve here. Of course, there are also plenty of places to do yoga in Siargao such as this one.
• Diving in Siargao: because of its location and the occasional typhoon, there aren’t many standout dive sites on the island for it to be considered one of the best places to dive in the Philippines. Even so, if you want to scratch that itch, there’s a cool dive called Blue Cathedral. You’ll visit caverns and caves reaching a depth of 35 meters. Since it isn’t a famous spot for this activity, there’s only one dive center on the island: Palaka Siargao.
• Shopping: along Tourism Road, the road that goes from GL to Cloud 9, many souvenir shops have sprung up, as well as local crafts and surfer gear, so it’s a good place to buy keepsakes. If you’re looking for something more upscale, there are places like The Concept Store, which supports Filipino women-led brands and where Jen and Dani sell jewelry from their Golden Monstera brand. You can say hi from us ; ) If you’re after cool surf tees, those from the Gwapitos (a very iconic surfers’ club on the island), sold at Kermit, are really nice. By the way, along this road there are also lots of tattoo places if you want to take a souvenir of the Philippines on your skin. We advise being very careful with the sun and seawater.
• San Benito: we haven’t wanted to go into much more detail because in the Siargao island-hopping guide we talk about it in depth, but in this area you have an all-but-unknown island hopping.
• Coworking: if you have to work remotely in Siargao, there are a couple of coworking spaces in the south of the island— Alter Space and Coco Space— which are your best bet to avoid power cuts.
• Pungkay View: we’re not big fans of viewpoints with colorful letter signs and other frills, but the views from here are pretty. Entrance is 50 pesos. There’s another similar place called Canijugan Peak, but they charge 250 pesos, which are consumable in the restaurant.
• Massages in Siargao: we recommend Vultun or Pinay Massage and Spa. We’ve marked them on the Siargao map below.
• Dinagat: it’s a bit of a cheat, but since it isn’t such a well-known area and it’s close by, we think it’s worth considering going to Dinagat if you decide to visit Siargao, especially now that there are direct boats between the two islands. If you want to know what we’re talking about, take a look at our guide to island hopping in Dinagat, but we’ll tell you now that, for us, its scenery is on a par with Coron or El Nido and we think it’s better than the tours in Siargao itself. Bear in mind, though, that you’ll need at least 3 days to explore this area and you’ll have to spend the night— in other words, it isn’t a simple there-and-back from Siargao.

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Siargao map

Traveling to Siargao soon? On this map you’ll find all the things to do in Siargao, plus bars and restaurants in the area to help you get your bearings and plan better. We’ve also marked reliable ATMs, laundries, gyms… In short, everything that might interest you for your trip.

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Useful information about Siargao

As you can see, you’ve already got loads of information about Siargao, but we’ve created much more that will interest you so you won’t feel lost while planning your trip or once you’re there.

How to get to Siargao

To help you enjoy everything we’ve talked about above, don’t miss this article on how to get to Siargao. Still, as a quick preview, you should know that the island has an airport with flights from Manila, Clark and Cebu, and a port with boats from/to Surigao. From Del Carmen there are also boats from/to Dinagat.

Where to sleep in Siargao

It’s getting harder and harder to find good-value accommodation on the island due to its popularity. Here are some of our personal picks for where to stay in Siargao:

• Sinag Hostel: a new hostel around the Cloud 9 area— spotless and great if you’re traveling solo!
• Ferra Resort Siargao: located in the Malinao area, these little houses sit on a DIVINE stretch of beach. Although you’ll need a motorbike or other transport, we promise it’s worth it.
• Muni Muni Villas: a newly opened property with incredible décor in a very quiet part of the island. The pool is wonderful.

If these are full— which in Siargao is normal because places book out— in our article about the Best hotels to stay in Siargao you’ll find more hostels on the island and recommendations on the best areas to stay. For more specific options, we’ve prepared two more articles: Best hostels in Siargao and Best resorts in Siargao.

Bear in mind that power cuts are very frequent in Siargao, so if you need to work remotely or simply want to ensure the air-conditioning will always work, it’s important to book a place that has a generator. Many hotels on the island are installing Starlink, which will be great if you need fast, reliable internet.

 

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Best restaurants in Siargao

Being such a foodie paradise, don’t miss the best bites by reading this article about the Best restaurants to eat in Siargao. We also include some great options for breakfast and drinks.

How to get around Siargao

It isn’t a small island and there’s a lot to do, so check out how to get around Siargao and make the most of your visit. You can rent a motorbike or a car, get around by tricycle/tuk-tuk, or even take the bus or multicab for very specific routes.

Tips for visiting Siargao

Here are some personal recommendations after our visits to Siargao:

• There are ATMs in General Luna, and there are also banks in Dapa, but don’t put all your eggs in one basket because sometimes they don’t work or run out of cash, so bring money with you. If you have Revolut, we recommend using this one. Check our articles on Best cards for traveling to the Philippines and Money in the Philippines so you don’t lose much to bank fees.
• An even more interesting option for getting cash is to use Remitly, an app that lets you withdraw from so-called pawnshops (you’ll find several along General Luna’s main street) at the best exchange rate and within minutes. The first time you use it, there are no fees, and if you use our link, you’ll also get $10 free on a $100 withdrawal. You can read more in our article on Remitly in the Philippines.
• Travel protected with travel insurance like ours, which, unfortunately, we’ve had to use many times— even in Siargao. Accidents in Siargao are indeed frequent (and even fatal) and, although more and more people live there, there isn’t a fully equipped hospital anywhere on the island. If you take a spill while driving (or doing something else, but crashes are more frequent when driving), you’ll need a quick transfer and for your insurer to act quickly. We think this is one of the best travel insurance options and, as our reader, you get a 5% discount. If you need medical attention for any reason, in General Luna you have Metrodocs, which does work with international policies.
• Closely related to the above: in Siargao the roads are mostly in good condition, but don’t get overconfident and drive carefully. Don’t forget to wear a helmet and drive with closed-toe shoes, for safety and to avoid a fine (which are increasingly frequent on the island). Read our article on driving and renting a motorbike in the Philippines and don’t risk it. There are other ways to get around Siargao.
• Internet on the island is getting better and better and, in fact, there are already places with Starlink (satellite), which is blazing fast. Even so, remember to buy a SIM card— you’ll find more info in Internet in the Philippines.
• General Luna (GL) is an increasingly touristy area and development is already spreading toward Malinao, as well as Catangnan and Santa Fe. If you want a few peaceful days, we recommend you split your stay between General Luna and the Pilar, Pacifico, Burgos or Alegria area, where a few businesses are popping up but it still hasn’t reached the same level as GL.
• Travel responsibly and try to reduce plastic consumption. Filipinos drink filtered water rather than tap water. Accommodations usually have tanks to refill your bottle, and there are also refill stations. You’ll use less plastic, and it’ll be cheaper too.

 

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Any questions about your visit to Siargao? Don’t be shy— ask us in the comments and we’ll clear them up as soon as we can.