Philippines
Siargao
March to May (calm seas); August to November (best surf)
$30-80 USD
Surigaonon, Filipino, and English
UTC+8
About
Discover Siargao
Siargao is a tear-drop shaped island in the northeastern corner of Mindanao in the southern Philippines, part of the province of Surigao del Norte. It gained international recognition as one of Asia's premier surf destinations, centered on the famous Cloud 9 reef break in General Luna, which hosts the annual Siargao Surfing Cup, one of the most prestigious surfing competitions in Asia.
The island's main tourism hub is General Luna, a town on the eastern coast that has grown rapidly from a quiet fishing village into a collection of surf camps, boutique guesthouses, beachfront bars, and restaurants serving everything from traditional Filipino seafood to wood-fired pizza. The atmosphere is casual and youthful, attracting surfers, digital nomads, and independent travelers.
Cloud 9 is the most famous wave — a hollow, right-handed reef break that produces barrels suitable for intermediate to advanced surfers. The iconic wooden boardwalk stretching over the reef is one of the most photographed spots on the island. Dozens of other breaks dot the coastline, catering to beginners and those looking for mellow, learner-friendly waves.
Beyond surfing, Siargao offers a wealth of natural attractions. Sugba Lagoon on the northwestern side of the island is accessible by boat and features an extraordinary expanse of turquoise water hemmed in by mangroves, with diving platforms and kayak rentals. Magpupungko rock pools, a series of natural tidal formations on the eastern coast near Pilar, are accessible during low tide and are among the most striking natural features in the Philippines.
Island hopping is one of the most popular activities, with day tours covering the three nearby islets of Naked Island, Daku Island, and Guyam Island — each offering white sand, clear shallows, and picnic facilities. Sohoton Cove National Park, located off the northwestern tip of Siargao and accessible by a longer boat journey, features jellyfish-free lagoons inside a dramatic cave system.
The island also has a growing food scene, with locally caught tuna and crab featuring prominently on menus across General Luna. Night markets and small festivals bring the community together, and the pace of life remains relaxed compared to larger Philippine resort destinations.
Siargao is served by Sayak Airport in Del Carmen, connected to Manila, Cebu, and Davao. The best months to surf are August to November when northeast swells produce the biggest, most consistent waves. For calmer water activities and island hopping, March to May offers excellent visibility and settled conditions.
Where to Stay
Best Hotels in Siargao
Luxury Hotels
Sandy Feet Siargao
Sandy Feet is a highly rated luxury villa resort on the Malinao Tourism Road, offering spacious private villas with contemporary design and direct access to a quiet stretch of coastline. The property provides personalized service in a secluded setting, making it one of the island's most exclusive accommodations.
Siargao Island Villas
Siargao Island Villas is a four-star villa complex in Catangnan, General Luna, featuring well-appointed private villas with pools set among a tropical garden, close to the Cloud 9 surf break. The property is suited to groups, families, and couples wanting a private retreat without sacrificing proximity to the main amenities.
Siargao Bleu Resort And Spa
Siargao Bleu Resort and Spa is a four-and-a-half-star resort on Tourism Road in General Luna, offering rooms and suites in a resort compound with a pool, spa, and restaurant. The property combines convenience to the island's main restaurants and surf shops with a more polished resort experience.
Maya Siargao Villa and Golf
Maya Siargao Villa and Golf is a four-star resort in Cloud 9, General Luna, offering villa-style accommodation with access to a golf course in a tropical setting. The property is one of the few on the island with golf facilities and has a pool, restaurant, and easy reach of the Cloud 9 surf break.
Reef Beach Resort
Reef Beach Resort is a four-star beachfront property on Tourism Road in Catangnan, positioned close to Cloud 9, with comfortable rooms and direct beach access. The resort has a pool, a surf camp, and a restaurant, making it a popular base for surfers who want quality accommodation without the premium luxury price.
Romantic Beach Villas Siargao Island
Romantic Beach Villas is a well-rated three-star property on Tourism Road in General Luna, offering private villa-style rooms in a beachside compound. The resort is aimed at couples and small groups seeking comfortable, well-priced accommodation close to Cloud 9.
Boutique Hotels
Isla Cabana Resort
Isla Cabana Resort is a well-regarded four-star beachfront property in Poblacion, General Luna, with a distinctive native-style design incorporating local materials and open-air communal spaces. The resort is steps from the beach and has a reputation for helpful service and a welcoming surf culture atmosphere.
Bravo Beach Resort
Bravo Beach Resort is a boutique beachfront property on Tourism Road in General Luna, offering stylish rooms and direct beach access in a compact, intimate setting. The resort is praised for its design aesthetic and is a popular choice among style-conscious travelers visiting Siargao.
Apsaras Tribe Siargao
Apsaras Tribe is a bohemian-styled boutique resort on Tourism Road in General Luna, featuring decorative rooms with eclectic design, a pool, and a relaxed communal atmosphere. The property appeals to travelers looking for character-filled accommodation beyond the standard surf camp aesthetic.
Sailfish Bay Surf & Big Game Fishing Lodge
Sailfish Bay is a specialist fishing and surf lodge in Pacifico, San Isidro, on the northern coast of Siargao, catering to anglers and surfers who want access to the less-crowded northern breaks and open-water fishing grounds. The lodge provides a raw, adventure-oriented experience suited to those seeking a break from the General Luna scene.
Mid-Range Hotels
Siargao Inn Beach Resort
Siargao Inn Beach Resort is a straightforward three-star inn in Pangpang, Sta. Ines, near General Luna, offering clean and comfortable rooms with a beachside location at budget-friendly prices. A good base for travelers who want to stay near the main surf area without overspending on accommodation.
Budget Options
Vivo Inn
Vivo Inn is a budget-friendly two-star inn on Tourism Road, Poblacion, General Luna, offering clean air-conditioned rooms in a central location ideal for walking to the beach and local restaurants. It is one of the more reliable budget options in the main tourist area.
Patrick On The Beach Resort
Patrick On The Beach is a casual two-star resort directly fronting the beach in General Luna, offering fan and air-conditioned rooms at affordable rates. The property has a beachside bar and is a classic Siargao budget option favored by long-stay travelers.
Bakhaw Bed and Breakfast
Bakhaw Bed and Breakfast is a charming small property near Siargao Airport in Sayak, Del Carmen, suitable for early-morning or late-night arrivals. The guesthouse has a quiet, local atmosphere and provides a simple but comfortable base for those exploring the less-touristy northern part of the island.
Whitesands Beach Resort
Whitesands Beach Resort is a small two-star property in Burgos on the northern tip of Siargao, offering basic beachfront accommodation away from the main tourist crowds. The resort is ideal for independent travelers who want to explore the quieter northern coast while keeping costs down.
Experiences
Things to Do in Siargao
Cloud 9 Surfing
A surfing session or lesson at Cloud 9, Siargao's most famous reef break, featuring a hollow right-hand barrel that has hosted professional surfing competitions since the 1990s. Board rentals and lessons for all levels are available from surf schools along the boardwalk approach to the break.
Sugba Lagoon Day Trip
A boat excursion to Sugba Lagoon in Del Carmen, Siargao's most spectacular natural attraction, featuring a vast expanse of emerald-green water framed by dense mangrove forest. Activities at the lagoon include kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, swimming, and jumping from a wooden platform.
Three Islands Hopping Tour
A popular boat tour visiting the three iconic islets of Naked Island, Daku Island, and Guyam Island, each offering white sand, clear shallow water, and distinct character. The tour is typically a half-day or full-day trip departing from General Luna.
Magpupungko Rock Pools
A visit to the Magpupungko tidal rock pools near Pilar on Siargao's eastern coast, accessible only during low tide when the receding water reveals a series of dramatic natural pools carved into the reef. The site involves a short boat ride or motorcycle journey from General Luna.
Sohoton Cove National Park Tour
A full-day guided boat tour to Sohoton Cove, located at the northwestern tip of Siargao in Bucas Grande Island, featuring a cave lagoon where jellyfish have lost their sting, dramatic limestone karst formations, and some of the most remote and pristine scenery in the Philippines.
Siargao Mangrove River Tour
A motorized canoe tour through the Del Carmen mangrove forest, the largest continuous mangrove reserve in the Philippines, passing through narrow channels flanked by towering roots and observing the local birdlife and marine ecosystem.
Beginner Surf Lesson
A structured group or private surf lesson for beginners in the gentle beach breaks around General Luna, taught by certified instructors from local surf schools. Lessons include theory, board control, and paddling technique before entering the water on longboards in calm, shallow conditions.
Siargao Motorbike Island Tour
A self-guided or guided day tour by motorbike circumnavigating the main tourism road of Siargao, stopping at key coastal lookouts, the Cloud 9 boardwalk, Magpupungko, local fishing villages, and coconut farms. Motorbike rentals are widely available in General Luna.
Freediving Course
An introductory or advanced freediving course run by certified instructors at sites around Siargao, including shallow reef dive sites with good visibility. Courses typically span two days and include theory, breathing techniques, and supervised open water dives to increasing depths.
Siargao Scuba Diving
Guided fun dives and PADI certification courses at dive sites around Siargao and the nearby Bucas Grande islands, exploring reefs, walls, and sandy slopes with diverse fish populations, sea turtles, and occasional manta ray sightings.
Pacifico Surf Trip
A day trip or overnight excursion to Pacifico on the northern coast of Siargao, a less-visited area with powerful reef breaks suited to experienced surfers. The journey takes about 45 minutes by motorbike from General Luna and rewards with uncrowded waves and a quiet village atmosphere.
Siargao Fishing Trip
A half-day or full-day deep-sea fishing charter departing from General Luna targeting yellowfin tuna, wahoo, and mahi-mahi in the offshore waters surrounding Siargao. Charters include equipment, bait, and a guide, with the catch often prepared by the boat captain or a local restaurant.
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