Siargao Island is in the province of Surigao del Norte. The island is greatly influenced by the winds and currents coming uninterrupted from the Pacific Ocean, intensified by the Mindanao current running westward through the Siargao Strait. Hence, it is hailed as the surfing mecca of the Philippines. Ideal period to visit is between August and November.
Getting There
- Manila – Siargao direct flights: Skyjet and Cebu Pacific Air
- Cebu – Siargao direct flight: Cebu Pacific Air
Be warned though that Cebu Pacific is notorious for its flight delays and cancellations. This is based on my previous experiences with them.
Upon arrival at Sayak Airport in Del Carmen, there are vans for hire at PHP 300 per person for shared ride. It is that fast and convenient. Depending on your destination, it would take about 45 minutes, say going to General Luna. When leaving Siargao, you may arrange with your hotel for pick up at PHP 500 per person for shared ride as well.
Getting Around (PHP)
- Habal-habal (motor bike) – 20/person
- Standard motor bike self drive – 200/day
- Scooter self drive – 250/day
- BiNGGO self drive – 1,200/day
- BiNGGO with driver – 1,500/10 hours
- Car self drive – 2,500/day
What is a BiNGGO? For Filipinos, it is an upgraded tricycle. In other Asian countries, it is called tuk tuk. Or simply a motor bike which can accommodate 3-4 guests. The name is unique to Siargao as it is called E-tricycle in some parts of the Philippines. Honestly, I don’t know why it’s named BiNGGO. Leave a comment if you happen to know.
I simply love the raw beauty of the island with a laid back environment. Here is our 3-day itinerary. If you have less than three days to spend in this place, feel free to choose parts of this itinerary and mix it up as it suits you best.
Day 1
Morning – Magpupungko Beach and Rock Pools
To see Magpupungko Rock Pools was on top of my list. And it did not disappoint as it was truly awesome.
Before planning a trip to this unique nature site, make sure to go on a low tide to appreciate the rock pools. Swimming during high tide is also strictly prohibited as the tidal current is strong. Check the daily tides of Pilar where the beach is located.
From General Luna, which is the heart of Siargao, it is a 45-60 minute drive by BiNGGO. We arrived past 10 in the morning and the timing was perfect. We left as soon as the water started to fill up.
What you need to know
- Parking fee (PHP): 4-wheel – 50, tricycle – 30, motorbike – 20
- Entrance fee PHP 50
- Food and beverages are not allowed. There are stores at the beach, but expect pricey items like; bottled water 500 mL – PHP 25 and Piattos chips large – PHP 35.
- There is no bathroom.
- Carry a small, waterproof bag as there is no safe spot to put your personal belongings other than on top of the rocks.
- Be sure to wear booties or aqua shoes as the rocks are sharp. This way you need not remove them too when you dip in the pool.
Afternoon – Sugba Lagoon
Since we were already nearer to Sugba Lagoon, as compared to leaving from General Luna which may take 1 hour and 30 minutes, we decided to tick it off from our list ahead of schedule. Originally, I allotted a separate day for this itinerary. Anyway, from Pilar it took 30 minutes to reach Del Carmen Marine Protection Office. There is a nearby wet market where visitors buy seafoods to grill and bring them to Sugba Lagoon. Unfortunately, the market was empty that time. So we headed straight to the tourism office.
Tip: You may bring your own food and drinks.
Tour packages:
Tour A – Sugba Lagoon. Boat costs Php 1,600 that is good for 6 persons.
Tour B – Sugba Lagoon & Kawhagan Sand Bar. Boat costs Php 2,000 that is good for 6 persons.
Tour C – Sugba Lagoon, Kawhagan Sand Bar & Mangrove View Deck. Boat costs Php 2,600 that is good for 6 persons.
Note: In excess of 6 people is PHP 200 per head, but maximum of 9 guests including the tour guide. There is also a user’s fee of PHP 50 for local tourists while PHP 100 for foreign visitors.
By this time, I had to empty my bladder. Too bad that the public toilet was kind of gross. There is a restaurant next to the office which offers use of their bathroom for PHP 50.
We enjoyed the boat ride as we passed by the mangroves. These mangroves comprise the largest mangrove forest reserve in Mindanao and second in the Philippines.
We reached Sugba Lagoon in 30 minutes. There were a lot of people when we got there. Thankfully, there was an empty table seemingly waiting for us.
Sugba Lagoon serves freshly caught fish, crab, and lobster for PHP 100/g either steamed or grilled plus a cooking fee of PHP 100.
Rice costs PHP 200/plate which serves 2-3 people.
We finished our late and sumptuous lunch just in time when tourists were starting to leave. At around 3, the place was almost empty. Yeheay!
Activities (PHP):
- Paddle boarding – 200
- Bamboo rafting – 200
- Kayaking – 300
- Or, you can just enjoy the scenery and swim for free
Cloud 9
As a surfing destination in the Philippines, Siargao has a lot of surfing spots for beginner, intermediate and expert surfers. Cloud 9 is the most popular and therefore most touristy. It is located in General Luna which is like the commercial district of Siargao.
Since the beach is for expert surfers, we just enjoyed people watching.
Day 2
Island Hopping and Tayangban Cave
If you are not a surfer, you will enjoy island hopping. It is very relaxing as you enjoy the sun, sand, and sea. We arranged this trip with our BiNGGO driver as it is cheaper than through the resort. For a small boat it cost PHP 1,500.
Naked Island
Enjoy the white sands of Naked Island. By the name, there is not a single tree in sight except for a few bushes and a bench. There is no way you can hide from the sun. You may bring a beach umbrella if you are not willing to be exposed too long. During high tide the island becomes smaller as some parts sink under the water. This reminded me of White Island in Camiguin.
Daku Island
Daku means big. It is the largest among the 3 popular island destinations, hence the name. Cottages and restaurants can be found in this island. So yes, this is where you can have your meal. Visitors would typically spend more time here.
Some fees that may apply on your visit (PHP):
1. Entrance fee – 100/boat
2. Cottage (brown) – 300
Cottage (colored) – 250
Table – 150
3. Food
• Chippy, Mr Chips small – 40
• Bottled water 1 L – 35
• Big bowl of rice (serves 4-5) – 110
• Grilled tuna tail – 100
• Grilled squid large – 150
• Buttered shrimp – 235
Guyam Island
Guyam island is a teardrop-shaped island. Few tables are available free of charge. With less crowd, you may continue to laze around. Or if you prefer to swim, make sure you are on the non rocky side of the island.
We reached back the main island at around 4. Thankfully, kuya driver was willing to bring us to Tayangban Cave. He was a bit hesitant because he was not sure until what time tourists could visit. When we got there, we were told that they accept guests as long as it is not yet dark. Ummm. It made sense.
Tayangban Cave
There is a registration fee of PHP 70 per person inclusive of mandatory guide per group. As we went down, my husband realised he could not do it.
So I was left with the guide. As we were chatting (curious and weary because it was dark, I can’t swim, and I was warned of bats that may fly around), I found out that the highlight is to reach the open cave pool. But, I have to swim and float for 15 minutes to reach it. Manong Guide did his best to convince me and promised me he will help me get through, but I ended up backing out. Yeah, it’s too bad.
Day 3
Relaxation, Food Tripping, Spa
After two intense days packed with sight-seeing and adventure, it was time to wind down and spend the day soaking up more sun by the beach.
Where To Eat
There is a diverse dining options in Siargao. Restaurant hopping will definitely be part of your trip. Value for money is comparable with the quality of food. For all my posts (previous, present and future), I only mention those that I recommend. Here are those that passed our taste buds;
Kermit. Reservation should be made before heading here as it gets packed real fast. It is a cool and hip place with tasty Italian food. They have a separate area for their in-house guests. A must try here is the pizza.
Warung. If you like Indonesian food, you must try it. Near Cloud 9, the restaurant has very nice ambiance. I especially loved the chicken satay. Although generally, their food taste great.
Cafe Loka. Imagine eating here with the view of Cloud 9. There was not much in the menu though and the food was average. But it is a good spot for sunset watching.
Bleu Restaurant (Karagatan). It is also walking distance from Cloud 9. Pick a table facing the pool for a more enjoyable dining experience. Specialising in seafood, we tried their king crab and it was good. (Tip: Halal certification is in the process.)
To optimise the laid back vibe in the island, we went for a soothing massage at the Bleu Spa. Situated in an open terrace of Siargao Bleu Resort with ocean view, sunset therapy is highly recommended. What a lovely place to revitalise. Do not forget to make a reservation.
Where To Stay
Siargao offers a wide selection of accommodation for all budgets. Some travelers recommend Kermit’s Surf Resort (budget) and Buddha’s Surf Resort (mid-range).
For this trip, we stayed in Bayud Boutique Resort in the quiet area of Malinao. It was sort of back to basic experience in this resort as there is no network signal and Wi-Fi connection. Ready to disconnect yourself for that R & R of your dream. The resort is a great choice if you want tranquility. We also enjoyed the beauty of the resort.
So, are you now ready to visit Siargao? Let me know on the comments section.
Thanks for reading!
With love,
Sugar
