Things to do in Siargao: complete guide to the island

The best time to visit Siargao is from March to October, when the weather is dry and sunny: ideal for exploring the beaches, swimming, surfing or island hopping.

• 🏝 March to October: Dry season with calm seas, ideal for tours and diving.
• 🌊 September to November: Peak surf season. Cloud 9 goes off with perfect waves.
• 🌧 November to February: Rainy season. There can be typhoons and whole days of heavy rain.

👉 We went in February, and it rained on 6 of our 7 days. It was mostly on-and-off tropical rain, but there were a couple of days when we couldn't do anything 🥲.

The easiest and fastest way is by plane, with daily flights from Manila or Cebu on Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific.

• ✈️ Philippine Airlines: more expensive but more reliable.
• ✈️ Cebu Pacific: cheaper, though it tends to have quite a few cancellations and schedule changes.

How to get from Siargao Airport to General Luna:
From Siargao Airport, the easiest way to reach General Luna, the most touristy part of the island, is by shared van. When you walk out of the airport you'll find a man directing all the vans and sorting them by area. It costs around 300 PHP per person.

Other options:

• ⛴ From Surigao City: a 2–3 hour ferry to Dapa Port (Siargao).
• ⛴ From Cebu: an overnight ferry to Surigao City, then another ferry to Siargao.
• ⛴ From Camiguin: possible, but it takes extra planning.
  👉 You can check ferry schedules and prices here

1. Surf at Cloud 9, Siargao's most famous spot

Cloud 9 is the wave that put Siargao on the map. The spot is perfect for both experienced surfers and beginners. The beach has plenty of surf schools and little stands that rent boards. If you don't want to surf, the pier is perfect for watching the waves, taking photos and soaking up the surfer vibe.

2. Island hopping to Naked, Daku and Guyam (Tri-Island)

One of the best island-hopping trips in Siargao is Tri-Island: Naked, Daku and Guyam. They can't compare with the tours in El Nido or Coron, but these islands have a charm of their own and are well worth it. Local agencies sell this tour for about 1,500 PHP, but if you want to save a little, you can go to the port in General Luna and take a bangka (local boat) for 2,000 PHP in total for a group of up to 6 people. Keep in mind that there's usually an entrance fee per person on each island.

• Naked Island: a sandbar with no trees, perfect for splashing around and taking epic photos.
• Daku Island: the biggest, with little huts where you can have lunch. You can bring food from the General Luna market and they'll cook it for you there.
• Guyam Island: tiny, full of palm trees, very photogenic and very quiet.

👉 Tip: ask the captain to reverse the order of the stops to avoid the big tour groups.

🛥 Tri-Island tour at a good price → Book here

3. Tour to Sugba Lagoon, Kawhagan and Pamomoan

One of the most impressive places you can visit in Siargao is Sugba Lagoon, a lagoon of turquoise-blue water surrounded by towering limestone walls.

We were dying to go, but we happened to get rainy days and the tours were canceled 😭. We still researched EVERYTHING so we could share the most complete information with you.

The easiest way is to book a Sugba Lagoon tour, either online or in General Luna. The tours usually take a full day and include Sugba Lagoon, Kawhagan Island and Pamomoan Island.

The trip to Sugba Lagoon starts with a bangka (local boat) ride from the Del Carmen pier, through some mangroves. It takes about an hour, and the scenery is really beautiful. At the lagoon there's a floating platform where you can leave your things safely. You can also rent kayaks, paddleboards and bamboo rafts.

After Sugba Lagoon, the tour continues to Kawhagan Island, which has a white sandbar that's fully exposed at low tide.

The last stop on the tour is Pamomoan Island, a lesser-known, less-visited gem of Siargao with a white-sand beach and blue water.

If you'd rather organize the trip yourself, you can rent a bangka at the Del Carmen pier. It costs 2,150 PHP per boat (up to 6 people) for Sugba Lagoon only, plus a 100 PHP entrance fee per person. If you want to add Kawhagan Island and Pamomoan Island, the total comes to 3,050 PHP per boat. It's cheaper than going on a tour, and you can go at your own pace and follow your own preferences.

⛔️ Sugba Lagoon closes every year from January 10 to February 10 for rehabilitation. Check Google Maps before you go.

🛥 Private tour from General Luna (with Kawhagan and Pamomoan) → Book here

4. Magpupungko Rock Pool

It's about 45 minutes by motorbike from General Luna. These natural pools form at low tide, so it's really important to time your visit right. You can look up the tide times online ahead of time. Keep in mind that Magpupungko is very touristy and tends to get quite crowded at low tide.

We recommend bringing water shoes, because the rocks are sharp and can be dangerous to walk on barefoot.

So the same thing doesn't happen to you (they were closed when we went), keep in mind that the pools close once a year. We recommend checking the recent reviews on Google Maps, since people usually leave a comment there when they're closed.

5. Coconut Viewpoint

This must be the most iconic spot in Siargao, with an incredible view over thousands of palm trees. It's almost half an hour by motorbike from General Luna. Here's the location on Google Maps.

6. Corregidor Island

A little-known gem that surprised us, and we loved it. The island is about 40 minutes by boat from Siargao and has completely different scenery: green hillsides, panoramic views, endless palm trees and unspoiled beaches.

You can go on a tour or on your own from the port of Dapa. If you go on your own, expect to pay between 2,500 and 3,000 PHP for the boat. The entrance fee is 20 PHP, and you have to hire a guide to hike around the island (350 PHP per group).

🌴 The walk over the hills is the best part. The views of Siargao and the Naked and Daku islands from up there are really beautiful.
🍽 There's a small restaurant with simple but tasty food (good prices!).

🛥 Corregidor Island tour → Book here

7. Sohoton Cove National Park

This tour takes you off Siargao to the neighboring island of Bucas Grande.

The park is famous for its blue lagoons, karst formations, hidden caves and its well-known jellyfish sanctuary (they don't sting!). One of the most fun things to do is swim in Hagukan Cave, where the walls glow from the filtered light.

• The bangka ride from General Luna takes 2 hours, but it's scenic and really nice.
• Park entrance fee: 200 PHP per person.
• Tours run around 2,000–2,500 PHP per person. If you go on your own from Dapa, you can share the boat (about 7,000 PHP for 9 people).

🛥 Here's a private tour we highly recommend → Book here

9. Maasin Secret River

This spot became famous for a swing that hung from a palm tree over the river. It broke recently, but the place still makes a perfect quick stop if you're on a motorbike. Entry is free, but you can leave a small tip for the locals who look after the area. You can also take a ride along the river in a little boat.

10. Pacifico Beach

If you're looking for a quiet beach with waves to surf, Pacifico Beach is your place. It's in the northeast of Siargao, and although the motorbike ride from General Luna can take about an hour, the road is so nice that it's worth it.

Pacifico is known for its waves and a laid-back atmosphere, less touristy than General Luna. There are a few small resorts and restaurants tucked away.

11. Alegria Beach

Another beach in the north worth a visit is Alegria Beach. It's more unspoiled, and its crystal-clear water and white sand make it perfect for relaxing away from the crowds. It's not a surfing beach, but it's ideal for swimming and snorkeling.

12. Explore Siargao by motorbike

One of our favorite ways to explore the island. The roads are well maintained and have very little traffic. Going by motorbike lets you stop wherever you want, find hidden beaches or get lost among the palm groves.

💸 Rentals cost between 350 and 400 PHP a day.

📍 An itinerary we recommend:

• Watch the sunrise at Coconut Viewpoint
• Make a quick stop at Maasin River
• Enjoy the Magpupungko Rock Pools
• Have lunch at Pacifico Beach
• Watch the sunset at Alegria Beach

Take the whole day, don't rush and enjoy the ride.

13. Island hopping: Mam’om Island + La Janusa + Anahawan

This island-hopping trip is less well known than Tri-Island but just as incredible. Only 50 minutes by bangka from General Luna, Mam’om is an idyllic beach with white sand and crystal-clear water. You can combine it with the island of La Janusa, ideal for snorkeling thanks to its reef full of marine life. Tours to these islands cost between 6,000 and 10,000 PHP, depending on the size of the group.

General Luna and Cloud 9 (the main area)

• Tropical Temple Siargao Resort: A modern place with a relaxed atmosphere, close to restaurants and bars.
• Kalipay Resort Siargao: Perfect for anyone looking for a balance between luxury and peace and quiet.
• Happiness Hostel Siargao: A hostel with a cozy design and an excellent location.
• Helmina's Villas: A perfect villa-style option at a good price.

Pacifico Beach (a quiet, less crowded area)

• Yapak Beach Villas: A new beachfront place to stay, perfect for resting and enjoying nature.
• La Finca Hostel: A rustic, budget-friendly hostel with very good ratings, in the north of the island.

The food in Siargao is varied and delicious, with both local and international options.

Here are some recommendations for enjoying the island's food:

1. Local restaurants and Filipino food

• Mama's Grill (gluten-free options)
• Cosmic Siargao - A Vegan Restaurant (gluten-free options)

2. International food

• La Carinderia (Italian)
• Kalipay Resort Siargao
• Cev Cev (Peruvian)
• Noods Wok Bar (Asian, gluten-free options)

3. Cafés

• Shaka Café (gluten-free options)
• Spotted Pig Cafe (lots of gluten-free options)
• Goodies

Tips:

• Fresh fruit is very affordable at the local markets; don't miss the mango, the pineapple or the fresh coconuts.
• Some places only take cash, so bring some with you.

To make the most of Siargao, ideally stay 4 to 6 days. That gives you time to see the main sights without rushing: go island hopping, surf at Cloud 9, visit the Magpupungko natural pools, see Sugba Lagoon and even slip off to a neighboring island like Corregidor or Bucas Grande.

If you have more days, the island invites you to slow down, relax and discover less touristy corners like Alegria Beach or Pacifico. You can even take the time to go back to your favorite places.

💻 Do you work remotely? Siargao is ideal for digital nomads: there's a good internet connection, comfortable cafés to work from and a chill atmosphere that makes you feel at home.