Siargao
If you’re planning a visit to this beach paradise, be sure to check out some itinerary ideas for your weekend getaway below!
Siargao is an island that is completely covered in coconut palm trees and surrounded by crystal clear turquoise waters, making it a ‘hard to beat’ tropical destination.
Dubbed as the “Surfing Capital of The Philippines”. Located in Mindanao, this beautiful island is also a home to exciting activities and sights that will cater to non-surfers/non-swimmers. I may or may not know how to swim but I love the beach so much.
WHEN TO VISIT
The dry season in Siargao is between March and October, so this is the best time to visit in terms of weather. If surfing is one of your main reasons for visiting, then the best time to surf in Siargao is between July and December with September and October being particularly good months.
HOW TO GO THERE
By Air
Siargao has its own small yet serviceable airport, named Sayak Airport. Traveling by air is the most efficient way to get to the island.
- Manila to Siargao: Cebu Pacific and Skyjet
- Cebu to Siargao: Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines
- Clark to Siargao: Philippine Airlines
- Davao to Siargao: Philippine Airlines
- Surigao City to Siargao: Cebu Pacific
From Manila, it usually takes two hours to get to Siargao (one hour if you fly from Cebu).
By Ferry
You can also get to Siargao via Roll-on, Roll-off (RoRo) ferries. These ferries leave to and from Surigao City. The main seaport in the island is located in the municipality of Dapa. Boat and ferry rates vary, between PHP 200-300.
HOW TO GET AROUND
- By Habal-habal. The habal-habal motorcycle, a common sight in rural Philippines, takes center stage in Siargao as the primary mode of transportation. These motorcycles bear a quirky design: riding a habal-habal is like riding a car frame on two wheels. Getting around on these icons of rural ingenuity is cheap and fast. If you only want to get around General Luna proper, it only costs PHP 20 per ride.
- By Tricycle. Tricycle are usually on park with the habal-habals.
- By Rented Motorcycle. You can also rent motorbikes for PHP 500 for 24 hours.
- By Bike. Bikes cost PHP 150 for 24 hours.
- By Car Rental. We’ve seen some posters advertising cars for rent. PHP 2500 per day.
WHERE TO STAY
Whatever your own budget is, there is a hotel, hostel, or resort to fit your needs.Here are some of the best places to stay in Siargao, as curated by Traveloka:
- Patrick’s on the Beach Resort.Check Rates & Availability.
- Reef Beach Resort.Check Rates & Availability.
- Ocean 101 Beach Resort.Check Rates & Availability.
- Siargao island villasCheck Rates & Availability.
Search for more Siargao Resorts
WHERE TO EAT
You may visit some of the most recommended restaurants in the island.
- Bravo Restaurant
- Buddha’s Surf Resort Restaurant
- La Carenderia
- Isla Cabana Restaurant
- Cantina Luna
THINGS TO DO
Coconut Mountain View
On the main road from South to North, you will pass an incredible view overlooking an endless sea of palm trees. There is no sign, but it’s hard to miss a jaw-dropping view like that.
How to get there?
If you’re driving from General Luna to the North, you will definitely pass by this attraction. It can be noticed easily as it is just on the side of the road.
Maasin River
Maasin River is where you can find the bent palm tree of Siargao. The river is about 2 meters deep and it provides a beautiful natural pool for tourists and locals alike.
How to get there?
From the sea of coconuts, continue driving up until the orange bridge. This is where the Maasin River is located.
Entrance fee: 20PHP
Guide Fee: NONE; Guide Tip is recommended
Tayangban Cave
Discover the unique twin cenotes, bat caves and emerald rock pools on a canyoneering adventure at Tayangban Cave.
How to get there :
Tayangban Cave Pool is a 30-minute moped drive from General Luna, which is the main tourist area.
Entrance fee: 70PHP
Guide Fee: Guide Tip is recommended
Magpupungko Rock Pools
Magpupungko Siargao is a natural rock pool, best visited on low tide, that can be found on the east coast of Siargao island.
How to get there?
Magpupungko Rock Formations is 45 minutes away via motorbike. You can waze it or use google maps for directions.
Entrance fee : 50 Php
Parking fee : 20 Php
Sugba Lagoon
Sugba Lagoon is located at the other side of the island, in the northwestern coast. This wonderland is a hidden, remote island that is home to sundry mangroves and lush flora with an area of more than 4200 hectares.
Activities:
- Stand Up Paddle Board (Php200 per hour)
- Bamboo Raft (Php100 per hour)
- Kayak is also available Php200 per hour)
- Jump from the diving platform is for free
Table: Php50
How to get there?
You need to travel to Del Carmen port first. From General Luna, the trip takes about a couple of hours via motorbike, habal habal or car.
Boat: Php1,600 good for 6 persons. The boat ride is 30 minutes ride going to Lagoon.
Entrance Fee:
- Php50 for Local Tourist
- Php100 for Foreign Tourist
Cloud 9 Boardwalk
This three-story wooden structure, and the promenade that leads to it, greets visitors when they enter the vicinity. It offers an exemplar view of the Cloud 9 beach, the waves, and the Pacific Ocean.
How to get there?
It is just a few kilometers away from any accommodation in General Luna. You may drive your motorbike, or take a habal habal for 20 PHP.
Entrance fee: 50 Php
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Here is a sample Siargao itinerary for a 3-day, 2-night stay in Siargao. Feel free to adjust depending on your length of stay and budgetary preferences.
DAY 1
08:30 am — Arrival at Sayak airport
09:00 am — Hotel Check in
10:00 am — Start the Tour ( rent motorbike )
11:00 am — Coconut Mountain View
11:30 am — Maasin River
12:00 pm — Lunch
12:30 am — Tayangban cave
01:00 pm — Magpupungko Rock pool
03:00 pm — Return to hotel & Rest
07:00 pm — Dinner
DAY 2
07:00 am — Breakfast
08:00 am — Leave for Del Carmen Port
09:00 am — Boat to Sugba Lagoon
10:00 am — Sugba Lagoon
01:00 pm — Lunch at Kawhagan Island
02:00 pm — Magpupungko Rock Pool
04:00 pm — Cloud 9
05:00 pm — Back to Hotel
07:00 pm — Dinner
Day 3
06:00 am — Check out in Hotel
07:00 am — ETD Sayak Airport
09:00 am — ETA Manila
Just make the necessary adjustments to fit your plans, flight schedule, and activity preferences.
ESTIMATED EXPENSES
If you’re curious how much would you be spending if you follow the itinerary above, the breakdown below can shed a little light.
Day 1
- Airport Van: 600PHP
- Motorbike Rental: 450 PHP
- Motorbike Gas: 100 PHP
- Maasin River fee: 40 PHP
- Tayangban cave fee: 140 PHP
Total: 1330 Php
Day 2
- Motorbike Rental: 450 PHP
- Motorbike Gas: 100 PHP
- Sugba Lagoon Boat Rental: 1600 PHP / 6 PAX = 267 PHP
- Sugba Lagoon Fee: 100 PHP
- Paddle Board: 300 PHP
- Magpupungko fee: 100 PHP
- Cloud 9 fee: 100 PHP
Total: 1684 PHP
Day 3
Tricycle to airport: 600 PHP
Total: 600 PHP
TOTAL EXPENSES:
= 3614 PHP for 2 pax
1807 PHP / pax
10,000 - Accommodation for 2 nights
4,656 - Airfare
3000 - Food
You can further lower your expenses by grabbing a cheaper airfare and a cheaper accommodation.
Thank you for reading !
Sharing is Caring !
Please feel free to suggest new things to do, places to see and food to try by posting a comment below. Thank You!
