Hello Friends! As our Southeast Asia tour continues, I am excited to share this quick guide to Siargao, Philippines. This remote island has been on my bucket list for a while. I learned about this island from a few of my co-workers from the Philippines. They know I enjoy surfing, so they planted the seed about this distant southeastern island a few years back. I have been daydreaming about it ever since. I’m always up for a trek, but I wanted to do it right, so I waited until I had proper time to spend in this part of the world.
Siargao is the surf capital of the Philippines for good reason. It gets hit with all sorts of swell due to its unobstructed location. The closest civilization when looking east is the Hawaiian islands, 5,000 miles away, so yeah, it’s out there! Siargao, particularly the Cloud 9 break, is famous for its waves and consistent barrels when the conditions are right. Many national and international surf competitions are held here. I had the opportunity to visit for 3 weeks. I want to share my favorite areas and discoveries, as I couldn’t find some of this information while researching for my trip. So, let’s get into your quick guide to Siargao!
Quick Guide to Siargao
Arriving
Most travelers fly to Siargao from Manila or Cebu, with a direct flight to Sayak Airport (IAO) in Del Carmen, Siargao. The flight from Manila takes about 2 hours, and Cebu 1. Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and AirAsia operate these routes. Ground transportation options are plentiful when you land from tuk-tuks, private cars, or you can rent a scooter at the airport! You will likely stay in the General Luna area, 45 minutes from the airport.
Alternatively, some travelers fly to Surigao City on the neighboring island of Mindanao. They then take a ferry (about 2-3 hours) to Dapa Port on Siargao, a common option when flights are full. Just be mindful when booking as flying into Siargao and Surigao are entirely different islands and airports with almost identical names. Mentioning as my friend made this mixup 🙆🏽♀️
Where to Stay
After experiencing the entire island, there are three main areas I would consider staying in. This logic is based on available accommodation, food options and surfing. I spent my first week in General Luna to get the lay of the land. I then moved to Cloud 9 to immerse myself in the surf culture. Lastly, I stayed in Pacifico, an hour northwest of GL. More details below!
• General Luna – this is the most developed town on the island due to its proximity to Cloud 9. You will find excellent restaurants, bars, resorts, homestays, hostels, convenience stores and everything in between. There is even a tiny tourism office where you can extend your visa in minutes. You used to have to leave the island to do this, so this is a big win!
• Cloud 9 – nestled on the northern side of GL, this area is the heart of Siargao’s surf scene. The vibe here is laid-back, with various surf accommodations, surf schools and beachfront bars. The Cloud 9 and Quiksilver breaks were fun to surf, although for me they were too crowded. I was there right before peak season, so I can only imagine what September – December is like.
• Pacifico – the quest for a less crowded wave led me to Pacifico. From the moment I arrived, I knew I had to stay. It’s a quieter town with fantastic waves. The vibe and atmosphere are exactly what I look for on surf trips. I was beyond stoked to discover this town!
Surf
The peak surf season in Siargao is Sept – Nov/Dec, although you can find surf year round on the island. Do your research based on the swell and type of waves you want to surf. Some breaks to research are Cloud 9, Quiksilver, Cemetery, Bujo, Stimpy’s and Rock Island. The Surfline app is a reliable way to stay in the loop about real-time conditions and forecasts. I also love the Surfaltas blog for concise articles all about surf around the world.
Bamboo in Pacifico was the perfect wave for me. It is a long right with power when the conditions are aligned. I rented a board across the street for the week and was off to the races. The locals could not have been kinder ~ what a bonus! Check out the Pacifico break just south of Bamboo if you want a long, powerful left in this area.
Food & Activities
There is no shortage of fantastic food and activities beyond surfing in Siargao. Traveling to other parts of the Philippines gave me an even greater appreciation for the food and vibes in Siargao. This island has it going in! An unfulfilling meal or adventure is hard to come by, but the choices below were extra special.
Eats in General Luna
• Cev – any guide to Siargao must mention Cev! Cure your ceviche, seafood and well prepared vegetable cravings here. Their ceviche rivals anything I ate in Peru, the entire menu is out of this world. The atmosphere is perfect, along with the staff, who treats you like family. Try to make a res as this is one of the most popular restaurants on the island!
• Happiness – head to Happiness for a diverse menu with a Mediterranean flare. Their mango + moringa smoothie was unforgettable. I love this place not just for the food but also for its focus on community. Enjoy meditation, yoga, ice baths, weekly parties, BBQs, pool hangs and much more. If you are a solo traveler, this is the place to make friends.
• Ver De – one of the more upscale options in the area with an entirely plant-based menu (score!). The aesthetic is beautiful and folded into nature. The menu is colorful, diverse and cures a comfort food craving. I loved the Bang Bang Tofu, Pad Thai Salad and Rasta Pasta. I visited 3 times 🤷🏽♀️
Eats in Pacifico
• Common Ground – your go to post-surf breakfast or lunch spot! Everything is made with love from scratch. Enjoy delectable smoothies, smoothie bowls and breakfast toast in the garden cafe. For a rustic and comfortable stay, snag one of their kubo guest bungalows. I stayed here and was enthralled with the immersion into nature. I’ve never so religiously lounged in a hammock! For my yogis, they host 8a yoga every day ~ all are welcome.
• Sausalito – this classy restaurant is located inside Trogon’s Perch boutique hotel. Come here for sunsets that look out over the Bamboo surf break. Time will slip away as you enjoy their veggie and seafood-forward menu. I ended up here 4 times because you just can’t beat the atmosphere and sweeping views!
• Lokal Lab – located in Burgos, a neighboring town, this laidback joint does food the right way. Most of their ingredients are homegrown. They also provide produce to many restaurants on the island. Their community mission emphasizes empowering locals by creating jobs, fostering entrepreneurship and promoting sustainable practices. Eat here (and at their GL location) to feel energized and to support their incredible efforts!
Activities
• Sunsets at Cloud 9 – any guide to Siargao must mention the epic sunsets! The most popular place to take them in is Sunset Bridge. Head to this social event in the evenings for shopping, street food, people watching & of course ~ the sunset!
If you are craving a smaller crowd, head to Octopus Bar across from Kanaway Snack Shack. I’m not sure about the schedule, but they have a local band on many nights, which was always a fabulous way to say goodbye to the sun. I love that you can enjoy your drink at the wooden tables or while wading in the warm water.
• Beto Cold Springs – a local tipped me off to this hidden oasis. Here, you can swim in the cool water, dive off the bamboo platforms and cannonball from the swinging ropes into the spring. Surrounding the water are restaurants, snack shacks and even karaoke. You can rent a kayak or hire one of the locals to take you through the mangroves. I was so happy I did this as the groves are supremely peaceful without a soul in sight. This is a fun daytime activity where you can witness how the locals spend their downtime. I was one of the only foreigners there.
• Magpupungko Rock Pools – one of my favorite places on the island! During low tide, the beach reveals tons of natural pools you would never know were there otherwise. The water is warm and there is tons of aquatic life to witness under the water. The scene is gorgeous. The rising tide was the only thing that pried me out of the pools. Bring your goggles or rent a snorkel mask on-site. Time your visit with low tide and prepare to fall in love.
Best Island Memories
This guide to Siargao is packed with my best island memories! As a traveler, there are always those ‘far away lands’ you dream of. The logical brain asks, when will I get there? But the heart assures, hang tight child, we will go when the time is right! I kept the vision alive, and then in late summer, I knew ~ IT WAS TIME 🙌🏽 The stars aligned and those flights were booked. Whether Siargao is already on your list or it just made the cut, keep the dream alive.
Since this island is modest, you can experience it all by motorbike. After one loop, you’ll have it mapped out. It is small & mighty, with tons of magic at your fingertips. So check the tides, choose the breaks you want to explore, and find your way to Siargao!
Happy surfing,
Bekah
PS ~ If you are considering Lombok, Indonesia too during your Asian surf adventures, check out that beach and surf guide here 🤘🏽
