Siargao (shar-gaw) is in the province of Surigao del Norte. Three years ago, I went there for the first time with my friends. I met them when I was still active in Couchsurfing, a hospitality site. They were a free-spirit like me and a volunteer during the earthquake in Bohol and specially during the typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). We stayed there for 6 days and almost everyday we went out to surf. It's one of my favorite islands here in the Philippines, a very laid back island. If you wanna experience an island life, you should definitely go there. Non-surfers can enjoy the island as well.
Calm before the big waves… me trying the short board like a pro 😊
Here’s how to go to Siargao from Cebu:
There are 2 options, via boat or take a flight. First time I went there, I took a flight with Cebu Pacific. It’s cheaper if you book in advance and its more convenient coz it’s only an hour flight. You can check to their website directly.
Via Flight:
There are 3 flights everyday.
Note: Check their website for updated schedule and promos
Via Boat:
Last October, I went to Siargao again for the second time with 
Note: Check Cokaliong Shipping Lines site for updated price
We arrived around 4 am at Surigao port. We took the first trip going to Siargao at 5:30 am. The fare was 200 pesos for 2 hours travel time. As soon as we arrived at the port, we took a tricycle going to cloud 9. We paid 200 pesos in total for 5 persons. From the port to Cloud 9, the travel time is around 30 minutes.
On the boat
and Angel paid attention to my selfie while Jonas showed Erez our guest from Israel how to play Head Soccer.
The first time I went there, we stayed at Kermit Surf & Dive EcoCamp. We only paid 350 per person including breakfast. Not much tourist yet during that time. I wanted to stay there again when me &
Sunrise facing the Pacific Ocean
Budget Accommodation:
- Paglaom Hostel
- The Smiling Pig
- Villa Solaria
- Check Agoda or booking.com for more options
Things To DO:
- Island Hopping - Naked island, Guyam island and Daku island
The rate is 1,500 per person including a lunch buffet. The price varies depending on where you book it.
Naked Island
We literally got naked
When you're young and free! We didn't mind other tourists on the island, as long as we're having fun and not hurting anyone...
Daku Island
Guyam Island
Sunset
- Surfing
Eat... Surf...Sleep... Repeat - its what the surfers do. If you're a beginner, you can rent a surfboard including an instructor for 500 pesos for 2 hours surfing lesson. Then if you think you're good enough already to surf on your own, you can rent just the surfboard for 500 pesos whole day. You can see many rental signs around General Luna and cloud 9.
The famous Cloud 9 Boardwalk
Surfing Lesson
sooo happy I was able to stand up :)
- Magpupungko Beach - known for its rock formations and tidal pool. The pools appear only during low tide. You can jump from the big rock into the pool. We drove for an hour going there. On the way, you can see a lot of coconut trees. As soon as you arrived, they collect 50 pesos per person entrance fee and 10 pesos per motorbike for parking.
A sea of coconuts
Magpupungko Beach
Should I jump?
Walk to the Pacific Ocean
and his brother Jonas jumping :)Motorbiking Explore the island yourself, no need to book a guided tour. They're not so strict about helmets, just make sure you know how to drive and drive safely. If you don't know how to drive yet, it's also a good place to practice. There's no traffic there.
Tayangban Cave A side trip going to Magpupungko. You can do your stop over on the way or after. There's 20 pesos entrance fee and give a tip to the tour guide. I wasn't able to take picture coz my phone was low battery. At the end of the cave, you can jump from a rock about 7-8 feet high.
Bucas Grande Tour We didn't do this yet, a reason for me to come back there again. You can see the jellyfish (sting less) sanctuary in this tour and another cave called Hagukan.
Sugba Lagoon
That's all for now. Budget per day depends on what you want to do. It's very cheap there if you just wanna chill and take it easy.
