When you say Siargao, everyone will say Surfing Capital of the Philippines and famous for the waves called “Cloud 9”. Siargao is not just about surfing, the island has a lot of attractions to offer. From Island hopping, Lagoons, Waterfalls, Fine White sands, Cockfighthing and other unspoiled sites around the island.
It’s my third attempt to visit Siargao and finally I was able to do so together with my newest bestfriend Duy. Below are the details of our trip.
HOW TO GET TO SIARGAO
BY AIR: You can book a flight from Manila/Cebu to Siargao (Sayak Airport) via Cebu Pacific since they have regular flights. It can be relatively expensive specially during the peak season, tournaments or holy week.
FROM CEBU CITY/SURIGAO CITY
- CEBU: Book a ferry in advance at Cokaliong Shipping Lines. They are selling it from SM City Cebu, Travelers Lounge. (1) Tourist Php1,025; (2) Regular Php825. It’s an overnight ferry 7PM-5AM departs daily from Cebu Pier. If you’re returning the same route from Siargao>Surigao>Cebu. I suggest you book a return ticket from Surigao to Cebu to avoid the hassle.
- SURIGAO: During our trip, there are only two ferry schedule from Surigao to Dapa, Siargao which is 6AM & 11:30AM. (1) Tourist Php300; (2) Regular Php270. It’s a 2 and half hr trip. There’s no reservation of ticket so the only thing you can do is to be the first one to get off the ferry from Cebu to buy ticket OR if you know someone from Surigao you can ask them to buy for you in advance otherwise you’ll be in next schedule which would take a lot of your time waiting.
- From Dapa Port, take a tricycle Php250 or habal-habal Php200 for two people that would take you to General Luna. If you’re on a tight budget you can walk from Dapa Port to the nearest tricycle terminal in the market and use the public tricycle to General Luna for Php50.
In our case, we took the Cebu>Surigao>Siargao route. Unable to be on the first ferry from Surigao so we took the 11:30AM and arrived in Siargao by 2PM. We just rented a motorbike close to our accommodation for Php400/day since it’s the most convenient mode of transportation to go around the island. Drove to Cloud 9 area in the late afternoon to see the waves, though there’s just few that time and a lot of people are still surfing.
Some of our photos on the first half day in Siargao. 
Cloud 9 and Island Beach.
WHERE TO STAY
So, like what I mentioned from my previous entries, I normally choose the cheapest option. In our case, we choose Kawili Resort. It’s a dormitory air conditioned Php500 pax/per night. But they can also be as cheap as Php350 if you prefer fan rooms. They have a pretty chill place from reception to the attic and the beach at the back is just calm and amazing. There are a lot of cheap accommodation around General Luna, just ask around and check what fits your budget.
Kawili Resort
Kawili Resort Air-conditioned Dormitory Room
Beach at the back of Kawili Resort
We did planned of watching sunrise and surfing next morning but we are too lazy to wake up early. Duy already tried it in Indonesia and me in Baler but the surfboard is not that friendly to me and Duy is probably just good at drinking sea water in this kind of activity. Well, that’s our excuse! Haha!😆😂
Basically, you can go around the island for a day. From General Luna, we drove to Magpupungko Tidal Flats and Lagoons (Entrance Php50) in Pilar, Wide Stretch of White Sand in Algeria, Taktak Falls (Entrance Php25) in Santa Monica and even watch a Cockfighting event in one of their towns. Well, it’s both our first time being inside the cockfighting arena as I normally see the roosters fighting in the streets. Haha! And i’ll tell you what, it’s so painful to watch. 😦
Magpupungko Tidal Flats and Lagoons in Pilar
Alegria Beach in Alegria (that’s Pacific Ocean behind our back)
Taktak Falls in Santa Monica
Cockfighting in Siargao
Result of the whole day driving in the Island. I forgot to have sunblock, so you know what happened next. 🦀 Yeah I know, we receive sun everyday in the Philippines but I still do get sunburned. 😭😆
Since our time is limited in the next day and because the last trip of ferry from Siargao to Surigao is at 12NN, we’re unable to do the following:
I managed to get details for you guys for these activities.
- Island hopping in (Naked Island, Guyam Island and Daku Island). They normally offer Php1,000/person for this tour.
- Sugba Lagoon. As per checking, it can be organized by your accommodation but if you want it cheaper, you can go to Del Carmen Marine Protection Office (about an hr from General Luna) and share a boat with other travelers. Normal cost is Php1,500 which is good for 6 people. It would take less than an hour from Del Carmen to Sugba Lagoon depending on the waves condition. Then they have entrance fee of Php100/person. You can also rent a board in the lagoon for Php200/hour or Php500/day.
I will definitely go back to Siargao in the future to try these activities that we missed.
Well, based on experience, you should have at least 2 whole day in Siargao to do everything. Or even more if you’re into surfing. And that’s it, thanks for reading. Just Say Hi! if you have further questions. Enjoy!
Photo credits to my friend @lee_royo for taking some of my pictures.
Mt. Lanaya (I did went to Tumalog Falls and Dao Falls, can’t find my pictures though)
Whaleshark Encounter. Photo Credits to my friend @mikeglogger
Canyoneering Activity
Kawasan Falls. Photo Credits to myself and my friend @aleksei_indiana_petrakov
Osmeña Peak during the day and sunset.
Some of my pictures in Moalboal White Beach (Basdaku).
Travel Norm 