Siargao is a tropical, palm tree paradise nestled in the beautiful country of the Philippines. Siargao has emerged as a must visit destination on your Philippines itinerary for adventure seekers, beach lovers, and nature enthusiasts alike. It is known as the surfing capital of the Philippines thanks to its world-class surf break that attracts surfers from across the globe. This stunning island has much more to offer beyond its famous waves though. Siargao offers enchanting mangrove forests, swimming in turquoise blue lagoons, delectable local cuisine, and warm hospitality from the locals! No matter what type of traveler you are, Siargao is beckoning you with its hidden gems for an unforgettable experience.
- The Best Things to Do in Siargao, Philippines
- The Best Food in Siargao, Philippines
- Where is Siargao, Philippines?
- How to Get to Siargao
- Where to Stay in Siargao
- Best Time to Visit Siargao
Siargao, Philippines is one of the most beautiful islands in the Philippines, and it is becoming more and more popular with tourists. There is definitely a good reason for this. In this Siargao travel guide, we are going to dive into some of the best things to do on this magical Philippine Island!
The Best Things to Do in Siargao, Philippines
Siargao was the last stop on our Philippines trip, and in complete honesty, we did more relaxing in Siargao than exploring because we had just spent almost a month island hopping, swimming, snorkeling, diving and exploring every day. We were ready for a relaxing break and Siargao was the perfect place to unwind and take it easy.
Rent a Motorbike & Explore the Island
The best area to stay in Siargao is General Luna, but it is totally worth it to rent a motorbike and make a day trip to other parts of the island. Just don’t get caught in the rain like we did!
This is the little road trip that we did:
During our motorbike trip, we saw how much the island is still affected by the aftermath of Typhoon Odette, which hit in December 2021. The General Luna tourist area has been built back up and recovered pretty well, but much of the island is still in shambles.
Coconut Trees View Deck
When you are flying in to Siargao, you are sure to notice that the island is covered in palm trees! It is really quite beautiful to see from above. Once you are on the ground, the best way to see the thousands of coconut trees is to visit the Coconut Tree View Deck. The overlook is actually just a pull over on the road, but it offers beautiful, lush green views!
Maasin Bridge River Swing
We read a lot of great things about the Maasin River Swing, but to be honest, we were quite disappointed upon arriving. The river is not nearly as blue as it appears in pictures, and the rope swing is no longer there. Rather, there is a platform you can jump off into the water. It is not something I would go out of my way to go to, but it was along the route that we were taking, so of course you can always check it out and forge your own opinion.
Magpopongko Rock Pools
We unfortunately arrived at the Magpopongko Rock Pools at high tide and there were no rock pools. The beach was still incredibly beautiful, but we wished we could have relaxed in the natural pools! Be sure to check the tide schedule before you go, so you make sure to line up your visit with the low tide.
Eat at Lokal
One of the highlights of our day trip was stopping at Lokal for lunch. The food is local, garden grown and the coconut coffee and ice cream was delicious! It was seriously the best restaurant we had in the Philippines, and it is tucked away in a little remote village.
While we were eating at Lokal, it started dumping down rain without signs of stopping. We ended up putting our ‘brave faces’ on and drove back over an hour while we got poured on during our ride back.
Go to the Beach
Siargao doesn’t have the most beautiful beaches in the Philippines, and most of them are rather small, especially at high tide, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a beach day… or two. Our favorite beach spots were the Cloud 9 Surf Spot and the beach outside of Siago Beach Resort.
Cloud 9 Surf Spot
The Cloud 9 Surf Spot has definitely put Siargao on the map with its world-class waves, which bring surfers from all over the world. Unfortunately, Typhoon Odette had destroyed the boardwalk and viewing tower, but you can still walk half way out.
If you are not a pro surfer, don’t worry you can still go out surfing in Siargao. Just make sure you find an instructor that you can go out with. The instructors know where the surf is safe. Someone actually died while surfing when we were in Siargao because they had gone out by themselves, and that is quite scary. Just make sure to go out with a local, and you will be fine.
Sunset Bridge
It was recommended to us by Jake’s surf instructor that we watch the sunset on this bridge, because it is the best spot on the island to see the sun go down. Tons of locals gather on the bridge during sunset to hangout, swim, walk, and even eat. There was a great vibe on the bridge, and we did manage to catch a beautiful sunset.
It so happened that a full moon was out as the sun was going down, and we caught this incredible shot of the moon surrounded by the pink clouds!
Siago Beach Resort
If you are looking for a relaxing afternoon, head to the Siago Beach Resort. Their food and drinks are amazing, and you will have access to their pool and the beach! Just make sure you plan ahead and make reservations because you can get turned away if you do not have a reservation.
Island Hopping Tours
Ok, so, we did not do an island hopping tour here. As I mentioned above, we were a bit worn out from a month in the Philippines on the go. However, the island hopping looks absolutely beautiful and it should definitely make your list of things to do!
Of course, I can’t give our personal opinions or experiences from the tour, but a standard trip will visit Naked Island, Daku Island, and Guyam Island.
The Best Food in Siargao, Philippines
We did a lot of eating while we were in Siargao, and these were some of our top favorite places:
Where is Siargao, Philippines?
Siargao is a small island in the eastern range of the Philippines. It is further east, in line of both, Cebu and Bohol Islands and 300 km North of Davao City.
How to Get to Siargao
You can get to Siargao by boat, but because it is so far away from other popular tourist destinations, the best way is to fly into the Sayak Airport in Siargao, and from there you can pay a taxi or a shuttle van to take you to your accommodation.
Where to Stay in Siargao
Most tourists stay in General Luna off of Tourism Road, and near the Cloud 9 Surfing area. This is where you will find most of the accommodations and restaurants.
We stayed at Villa Pura Vida Siargao and it was perfect! Our host, Stu, helped us book our scooter, surfing lessons, and van transport to the airport at the end of our trip. He also gave us endless restaurant and activity recommendations. The villa is new, comfortable, and beautifully decorated.
Best Time to Visit Siargao
The best time to visit Siargao, Philippines depends on your reasons for visiting the island. If you are visiting Siargao for its amazing surfing, then you will want to go between July and November, which is surfing season. If you are looking to relax on beaches or visit the surrounding islands, the best time to go will be the summer months from March to May.
That is the beautiful island of Siargao! If I haven’t convinced you to book a trip yet, then you should return to the top of the page and read again. This palm tree, tropical paradise is full of activities for every type of traveler, whether you are looking to surf, relax, island hop, or immerse yourself in the friendly culture of the Philippines!
-M & J
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