Updated August 26, 2018
Wondering what are the things to do in Siargao?
The spot to be in Siargao is in General Luna or what the locals call as GL (Jay El). It is a small laid back town that is truly a surfer's paradise. Just imagine great waves, white sand beaches, towering coconut trees, and clear blue skies with white wispy cirrus clouds during the day and a sky sprinkled with glitters at night. Go deeper into the village and you can even chase fireflies while the cicadas sing.
It's totally safe here in the island, leave your bag alone and no one is going to touch it, but definitely not cheap. In fact, when we were there in September, there seems to be more foreign tourists than local tourists. However, I will also discuss in this entry where the cheap spots are.
The claim to fame of Siargao is surfing so if you're heading to this island, I feel surfing should be on your bucket list. GL is around 45 minutes walk to Cloud 9 where the surf and surfers are. An hour of surfing lesson is worth 500Php. The 300Php is the board rental while 200Php goes to your tutor. If you want more, and trust me you will after you ride your first wave, you can work out a deal with your tutor. You can also pay 300Php to pay for a GoPro and a local to take videos of you surfing.
Do not be afraid to ride the waves. There is no age or weight requirement for this sport. If you do not know how to swim, it's fine to surf as well since the water for beginner's is just up to my chest at its deepest (I'm 5'2). You just need to be open to taking on a new challenge. I personally feel it is easier to surf than to skim board! And btw, if you are wondering if it is ok to wear contact lenses while surfing, the answer is yes! Just bring extras and a solution just in case you need it.
Now if surfing is not your thing, I got you covered as well.
When to go?
The best times to come here, for me, is in September during the town fiesta. This is when the Siargao National Surfing Cup is usually held. However, the stingless jellyfish season in Bucas Grande is in the summer.
Where to go and what to see?
- Cloud 9. If you want to learn how to surf, you better come to this spot. As of 2018, there is already a 50Php to access the Boulevard and there is a limit of 100pax per hour. However, you can come here after sunset and explore it for free.
- Magpupungko Rock Formation. Time your visit here with the low tide which is at around 6am in the morning when it is less crowded. The earlier you are the better to experience the rock pools and observe how the ocean slowly fills it up.
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| 2018 morning |
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| 2018 |
Do this trip in the morning then headout to Sugba Lagoon in the afternoon.
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| 2017 afternoon |
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| 2017 afternoon |
- Sugba Lagoon. Sugba Lagoon is in Del Carmen, a town that is approximately an hour away from GL by motorcycle. Expect to pay 1500Php for renting 1 tricycle. Entrance fee is 50Php and boat rental is 1600php which is good for 8 pax max. If you are traveling alone, it is better if you join other group and chip in. If you want to stretch it out and visit Kawhagan to see the sunset, you can pay an extra 400php. The ride to Sugba lagoon will take you more than 30minutes, weaving through a mangrove forest. You can do Magpupungko in the morning and Sugba Lagoon in the afternoon.
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| Rates for rental 2018 |
- Three Island Tour: Dako, Naked, Guyam. We booked our tour with Kermit at 1000Php per person. This is already inclusive of lunch. The downside was the boat was fully loaded. The guys in our group had to sit on the tip of the boat without shade. The upside is you get to meet new friends which you will bump with over and over again in the next couple of days since it is such a small island. If you want to do this trip on a budget, albeit the much safer option, you can hire a boat for as low as 1500Php then you will just have to bring your own food. They will even help you make kinilaw (cerviche) for free!
- Dako means big so it is the biggest island. Tourists would usually dock their boats here and eat lunch. Kermit provided a generous spread. Lunch included seashells, grilled fish, fruits, kinilaw, and barbecue.
- Naked because the island is bare with only a few trees growing in the middle. No shade at all. Getting marooned here is the worst fate!
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| Photo Credit: Simon Umacob |
- Guyam has a unique terrain. On one side is soft powdery white sand that's perfect for swimming while on one side is full of rock formations to explore. If you're looking for an instagrammable place, this is definitely it!
- Sohoton National Park. If you're booking from Kermit it's 3000Php per person. They only accept 400 people per day. The best time to swim with the jellyfishes here is in the summer. The tour includes a visit to Hagukan Cave and Magkukuob Cave. (If you're into caving then check out the caves in Samar with Trexplore and be blown away by the experience.) The local guide keeps on telling me to wear a sadok,a traditional Filipino pointed hat, so I can look like I'm in Vietnam. I got annoyed and told him off, "Mano, if I want to look like I'm in Vietnam I wouldn't have come here. I would have booked a ticket and sailed in a junk boat in Ha Long Bay! Instead of saying that, why don't we aim for people vacationing in Halong Bay wishing they are in the Philippines?"
- Bucas Grande. Tour will include Tiktikan Lake, Lagoon Lake, Dedon Island, Crystal Cave and Bolitas Cave.
Where to eat:
- Geo's Grill. Experience the best tasting bulalo or beef marrow stew in the island here for 150php per serving!
- Kermit Resort Restaurant. When my friends and I were planning for Siargao, Kermit Resort Restaurant would always pop up and has good reviews. Therefore, this was the first place we visited. We sought out their famous pizza and it did not disappoint. A basic pizza starts out at 260Php and an additional 30 to 50Php for the added toppings. Check out their menu here.
But what my friends and I really love about the place was the flora. The fronds, the herbs, the palms, the coconuts make me want to start a farm AGAIN! The vibe! But it is always fully booked! So if you want to stay here, make sure to book in advance.
- Mama's Grill. Hands down the best barbecue in town. Offering the freshest catch from the ocean, this place has good food for a great price! No wonder a mix of locals and foreigners constantly spill out into the open air and eat barbecue with bare hands every night.
- J&M Carinderia for the cheapest eats true Filipino home cooked meals!
What to do?
- Get a traditional Filipino massage with banana leaves at 450Php.
- Watch a movie at the Island Movie Theater
- Party at Rhum Bar or Octopus. Try out their panini for 180Php and ask for extra tartar sauce!
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| Rhum Bar 2018 |
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| Rhum Bar 2018 |
- Attend a mass at the Sto. Tomas De Villanueva Parish Church. If you're an Ingress player, this area is ripe with portals!
- Taste the traditionally baked pan de coco in a coconut fired oven at 5php each! Drop by at around 3pm to get it hot!
- Check out the Primitivo Art Village
- Bike around
If you want the experience at a cheaper price, especially the tours, ask around and there are many options. There are places that offer that tours and even the local motorcycle drivers can arrange trips for you.
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