What to do in Siargao, Philippines: island itinerary. If you haven’t heard of Siargao yet, add it to your list! This remote Philippine island is one of the most relaxed, fun and social places I have visited in a while. And it still feels relatively untouched by mass commercial tourism. Siargao has more of a laid back surfer vibe, and visitors hang out with the locals a lot more than in some of the busier destinations, giving it a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. In fact, some people end up staying here for months, and a few never leave! Read on for my guide on what to do in Siargao, Philippines.
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Surfing in Siargao
The number one reason that many people visit Siargao is to go surfing. And there’s something for everyone here, from beginners to advanced. There are plenty of surf shops to hire boards from. The water is warm enough that you don’t need a wetsuit. Plus it’s easy (and cheap) to book lessons. Most surf spots are in the Cloud 9 area, and many are reached by boat rather than from the beach. Enjoying a drink on the boat afterwards while watching the sunset is a magical experience. Getting up early for a sunrise surf is also popular here. There is also good surfing from the beautiful white sand Pacifico beach on the east coast.
If you stay at a hostel (for example I stayed at Hiraya Surf Hostel) they will be able to help you organise lessons. You can also meet other people staying there to go surfing with.
Coconut Viewpoint
Coconut Viewpoint is a gorgeous spot for watching the sunset. As you drive up north-west from General Luna (the main town where most hostels are), the road suddenly opens out and you can see for miles over the lush green coconut trees. There’s plenty of space to park safely. The easiest way to explore Siargao is to hire a scooter.
Maasin River: Jumping and Boat Trips
Just a bit further north from Coconut Viewpoint, you’ll reach the Maasin River. If you walk along the river bank you’ll pass some canoe-type boats that can take you on a river cruise. Then after that there’s a platform where you can jump off a board into the river. It’s deep enough to jump but not to dive – just copy what the locals do. I definitely recommend going in the late afternoon just before sunset. Swimming in the river as the sun sets and the moon rises is absolutely magical. There used to be a bent palm tree with a rope swing here that was quite famous, but that fell down in the typhoon last year.
Island Hopping from Siargao
There are a number of island hopping routes and tours available – both through formal tour operators and through word-of-mouth. If you get a group together you can just rent a boat + driver for the day. There are also plenty of group tours that are easy to join. Most of the hostels run island hopping tours once a week. Most of the island hopping tours visit 3 main islands: Naked, Guyam and Daku. The photos below were taken on Mam-on and Corregidor islands.
Magpupungko Rock Pools
Follow the picturesque coastline 45 minutes north from General Luna, and you’ll find the Magpupungko Rock Pools. These are tidal pools that you can swim in, on the east coast of Siargao island. Make sure that you check the tides before heading up there, as the rock pools are only accessible at low tide.
Sugba Lagoon
Sugba Lagoon is a beautiful day trip. Located on a separate small island, you can reach there by boat through the mangroves. The water is an amazing bright green-blue colour. The easiest way to get to Sugba Lagoon is to book onto a group tour. If you want to go by yourself, drive your scooter up to Del Carmen and hire a boat from there. There is a tourist office there that regulates all the prices to Sugba Lagoon, so there is no need to haggle.
Explore General Luna: Shopping, Food and Nightlife
General Luna is full of boutique shops selling jewellery, crafts and surf and skate brands. There are also plenty of good cafes and restaurants to chill out at after a busy day exploring. I particularly like the chocolate brownies at Isla Cusina (ask them to heat them up for you) – cheap and delicious! The nightlife is also surprisingly good for such a small place 🙂
Drive Around the Island
Just driving around the island on a scooter is a fun activity in itself! The landscape is stunning and people are so friendly. Pass through remote towns and villages and discover secret beaches.
I’ve included a map below of the main places mentioned in this post – but it’s not exhaustive. There are so many more spots to explore and more cafes and restaurants than I can count.
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