Siargao Island (pronounced shar-gow) was becoming increasingly popular when I visited. The island is most famous for surfing, Cloud 9 and endless coconut palms. All three really appeal to me, so spending six nights here was an easy decision.I planned this lovely, hippy-style island at the beginning of my trip through the Philippines in January. Why? December to February are usually the wettest months in Siargao, and I did not want to risk ending my holiday with several days of rain. It did rain during my stay, including while I was exploring by motorbike, but it never ruined the experience.
The vibe around General Luna and Cloud 9 was one of my favorite parts of the Philippines, and not only because of the surfing. Add two incredible accommodations, plenty of good restaurants and an appealing mix of Filipino island life and Western influences. Below you will find my favorite Siargao things to do, including surfing, exploring by motorbike, where to stay and some very good places to eat.
Is Siargao worth visiting?
Siargao is worth visiting if you enjoy surfing, tropical landscapes and relaxed island life. Start the day in the water, explore by motorbike and finish with good food, a cocktail or a massage. The international surf crowd has added cafés, restaurants, yoga studios and stylish small accommodations, but the island still feels very different once you leave General Luna. Do not expect one long white beach where you can swim everywhere. Reefs, rocks, tides and strong currents affect many parts of the coastline.
Siargao is more about the complete experience than spending every day on the same beach. Allow five to seven days for a first visit. Six nights gave me enough time to surf, explore the island and enjoy two very different accommodations. Stay longer when surfing is the main reason for your trip, as the best conditions and surf spots can change each day.
How to get to Siargao Island
Siargao flights from Manila and Cebu
Siargao Airport has domestic connections with Manila, Cebu and other airports in the Philippines. Check the available Siargao flights for your travel dates, as routes and schedules can change. Flying is the quickest way to reach the island, especially when Siargao is part of a longer Philippines itinerary. My flight from Manila to Siargao with Cebu Pacific took around two and a half hours. The ticket cost approximately PHP 4,000 at the time. After Siargao, I continued toward Bohol by taking the short flight to Cebu first.
Book a flexible domestic flight when possible and avoid a tight international connection after Siargao. Tropical weather can cause delays or cancellations.
From Siargao Airport to General Luna
Take one of the shared tourist vans waiting outside Siargao Airport. They drop travelers at accommodations around General Luna, Cloud 9 and nearby areas. The journey normally takes around 30 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic and the number of hotel stops. The shared van also gives you a first look at the island. I paid PHP 300 each way during my visit, but current prices will probably be higher. Ask your accommodation for the latest rate and let them arrange the return transfer when leaving Siargao.
Getting around Siargao
Use tricycles for short trips around General Luna and Cloud 9. During my first days, I walked quite a lot and paid around PHP 50 to PHP 100 for a tricycle ride. This worked well for restaurants, surf spots and short journeys in the evening. Rent a motorbike when you want to explore more of Siargao Island. Mine cost PHP 400 per day, including a helmet. The main roads were fairly easy to follow, and an offline map helped whenever I was unsure. Distances can be longer than they look, especially when riding north toward Pacifico. Rain, potholes and darkness can make the return journey tiring. A guided land tour or private driver is a good alternative when you prefer not to ride yourself.
Only rent a motorbike when you already feel confident riding one. Check the brakes, lights, tires and helmet before leaving.
Siargao things to do
1. Go surfing in Siargao
Siargao surfing was the main reason I wanted to visit the island. Cloud 9 is its most famous wave and attracts experienced surfers from around the world. The powerful wave breaks over a reef and was far too ambitious for me, but watching from the boardwalk was impressive.
Beginners and intermediate surfers have several other options around the island. Jacking Horse is often used for lessons, while Quiksilver is more suitable for surfers with experience. Secret Spot near Dapa can also be an option when it is too windy around the better-known breaks, although it was not exactly secret when I arrived.
Pacifico in the north has another impressive surf break, but the conditions were much too advanced for me. The best place to surf changes with the wind, swell and tide. A local instructor can choose a break that matches both your level and the conditions that day.
Let a local surf instructor choose the break for you. A spot that worked for beginners yesterday may feel completely different the next morning.
Siargao surf lessons with Mao Mao Surf
Book a surf lesson or guided session rather than trying to arrange everything alone. Mao Mao Surf arranged a morning surf trip to Santa Fe during my stay, a spot I would never have found by myself. The trip cost PHP 1,300 at the time and included a surf guide, motorbike transport, board rental and a professional surf photographer. Everything was arranged, and the instructors selected a break that suited our level and the conditions that morning. Mao Mao now offers a more complete surf camp experience, making it an interesting choice when you want to combine Siargao surf lessons with accommodation.
2. Visit Cloud 9
Visit Cloud 9 even when you do not surf. The long boardwalk takes you over the reef and gives you a good view of Siargao’s most famous wave. It is one of the best places on the island to see experienced surfers in action. Late afternoon is a lovely time to go. Watch the surfers head out for their final session while other visitors gather along the boardwalk. Combine the visit with breakfast, coffee or lunch at one of the cafés in the surrounding area.
3. Explore Siargao Island by motorbike
Take the road north from General Luna for one of the best days on Siargao. The route passes small villages, coconut forests, rivers and surf beaches. Leave early enough so you can stop along the way without having to race back before dark. Coconut Mountain View is one of the first popular stops. From the roadside, you look across an enormous valley filled with palm trees. As someone who loves palm trees, I could not get enough of this view.
Continue through the coconut valley toward Maasin River. Its bent palm tree and rope swing made this one of the island’s most photographed places. The photographs looked more magical than the experience itself, but it was still a pleasant place to drink a coconut and stretch my legs. Stop when you are passing, but do not build the entire day around recreating one perfect Instagram photograph. The road, coconut landscape and small villages were more memorable to me than the actual swing.
4. Visit Magpupungko and Pacifico
Check the tide before driving to Magpupungko Beach. Its natural rock pools appear around low tide, and access can depend on local conditions. Unfortunately, the area was closed when I arrived after several hours on the motorbike. Continue north toward Pacifico when you have enough time. I stopped for lunch at Pacifico Beach Resort and watched the surfers directly in front of the property. It was a good place to eat, rest and recover from the long ride.
Pacifico felt much quieter than General Luna. The waves and currents can be strong, so take care before swimming. You can continue farther toward Burgos and Alegria, but allow enough time for the return journey. Pacifico was far enough for me, especially when it started raining on the way back. A long motorbike ride feels very different once tropical rain joins the party.
Check the low-tide time and whether Magpupungko is open before leaving General Luna. It is a long ride when the rock pools are not accessible.
5. Go island hopping
Book the classic three-island tour when you want white beaches and a full day on the water. The route normally visits Guyam Island, Daku Island and Naked Island. Tours usually leave from General Luna and can be arranged through accommodations or local travel agencies. I skipped this trip because Siargao was mainly about surfing for me. Several other boat trips were already planned later in the Philippines. The tour can still be a good choice when Siargao is your main island destination or when you want a break from motorbike riding and surfing. Check whether lunch, environmental fees, snorkeling equipment and transfers are included before booking. Sugba Lagoon is another popular boat excursion, but I did not visit it myself and therefore cannot give you a first-hand review.
6. Rent a SUP or kayak
Use a SUP board or kayak for a slower morning on the water. Soultribe Beach Retreat offered both during my stay, and I paddled toward Janoyoy Island close to the coast. It was peaceful and easy to do independently. The tide makes a big difference. At low tide, the water becomes very shallow and the fin of a SUP board can get stuck. Ask your accommodation about the best time to leave and return.
Take a SUP board or kayak around high tide. Higher water makes paddling much easier and prevents the fin from getting stuck.
7. Relax at the beach and watch the sunset
Spend a few hours at the beaches near Cloud 9, Bravo, Secret Spot or Soultribe. Not every beach is suitable for swimming at every tide, so check the conditions before entering the water. Siargao’s coastline is beautiful, but it is not always the calm tropical swimming experience you may expect. For sunset, walk along the Cloud 9 boardwalk and watch the final surfers of the day. It was one of my favorite simple things to do in Siargao. Finish an active day with a massage in General Luna; I paid around PHP 500 for one hour during my visit.
Where to stay in Siargao
Stay in General Luna when you want easy access to restaurants, tours and nightlife. Choose the Cloud 9 area when surfing is your main priority. Both areas make it easier to get around without needing a motorbike for every small journey. Book accommodation around Malinao when you prefer a quieter, retreat-style experience. Keep in mind that you will need transport when you want to eat or go out in central General Luna. Splitting my six nights between Mao Mao Surf and Soultribe Beach Retreat worked very well and showed me two different sides of the island.
Stay in General Luna or near Cloud 9 for restaurants, surfing and easier transport. Choose Malinao for more peace, but arrange transport for evenings in town.
Mao Mao Surf Siargao
Choose Mao Mao Surf when you want a social atmosphere and a location close to Cloud 9. During my visit, it was hidden along a small road behind the main surf area. I stayed in one of the turquoise jungle huts, with a beautifully styled bedroom and an open bamboo shower. The common area felt friendly and relaxed. Breakfast bowls and a delicious sweet Brazilian omelet were served in the main building. The owners helped guests arrange activities and even organized a tattoo evening during my stay.
Mao Mao has changed and expanded since my visit and has become very popular on Instagram. Check the latest photographs, room types and surf packages, and book early when you want to stay here.
Follow Mao Mao Surf on Instagram for a current impression of the accommodation, surf sessions and life on Siargao.
Check current prices and availability for Mao Mao Surf.
Soultribe Beach Retreat
Choose Soultribe Beach Retreat when you prefer a quieter location near the beach. It is in the Malinao area, farther from central General Luna. I stayed in a glamping tent and loved the peaceful but still social atmosphere. Soultribe had a pool, yoga classes, a restaurant and comfortable shared areas. The yoga class on the upper deck came with a welcome breeze, while the communal barbecue dinner made it easy to meet other guests. Chicken, fish, salads, cocktails and dessert made it much more than a basic buffet evening.
The food was another highlight. Chia pudding, pumpkin soup and hummus were welcome after several days of surfing and riding around the island. Guests could also use the SUP boards and kayaks during my stay. The accommodation options have since changed, so check the current room types before booking.
Check current prices and availability for Soultribe Beach Retreat.
Where to eat in Siargao
General Luna had one of the best restaurant scenes I found during my trip through the Philippines. Choose between healthy breakfasts, Filipino food, fresh seafood, Italian dishes and good cocktails. The Western influence is clear, but local ingredients and Filipino flavors still appear throughout the menus. Restaurants on the island can change quickly, so check whether a place is still open before making a special journey.
Shaka Siargao
Start the day at Shaka for fruit bowls, smoothies, pancakes and coffee. It was one of my favorite places in Siargao, and possibly in the entire Philippines. The combination of a fruit bowl and coffee was exactly the kind of breakfast I wanted on a hippy surf island.
Bravo Beach Resort
Stop at Bravo for lunch, dinner or drinks near the beach. The relaxed setting made it an easy place to spend some time between General Luna and the surf area. Bravo was also a useful landmark: simply tell a tricycle driver to drop you there.
CEV: Ceviche & Kinilaw
Try CEV when you enjoy fresh fish and citrus flavors. The menu focuses on ceviche and kinilaw, the Filipino version of raw fish marinated with vinegar and citrus. This was one of the restaurants I visited twice, which probably says enough. The combinations of fish, vegetables and fresh flavors were excellent. The restaurant became livelier later in the evening and served very good cocktails too.
L’Osteria
Book L’Osteria when you want Italian food and a good glass of wine. The seafood spaghetti was my choice. The interior felt a little cool and less cozy than some other island restaurants, but the food made up for it.
Zicatela
Head to Zicatela for Mexican food, ceviche and happy-hour mojitos. The restaurant was inside a cool three-story building with a rooftop. Take a seat upstairs around sunset before ordering fish tacos for dinner.
Halika
Cool down with homemade ice cream at Halika. I paid PHP 150 for two scoops during my visit. It works as dessert, but also as a perfectly acceptable afternoon activity on its own.
Is Siargao good for solo travelers?
Siargao is easy to enjoy alone. Join a surf lesson, yoga class, shared airport transfer or communal dinner to meet other travelers naturally. General Luna also has plenty of relaxed restaurants where eating alone feels completely normal. Choose social accommodation such as Mao Mao when meeting people is important. A quieter beach retreat can be lovely too, but think about transport before going out after dark. Staying in two different areas gave me both the social surf atmosphere and a few quieter days near the beach.
Would I return to Siargao?
Yes. Siargao was one of the places in the Philippines where I could easily have stayed longer. The surfing, hippy atmosphere, restaurants and endless coconut palms made it very easy to enjoy. Next time, I would also stay a few nights near Pacifico and give Magpupungko another chance. Siargao has become more popular since my visit, but its combination of Filipino island life, international influences and surf culture still makes it a very appealing place.
Ready to continue your Philippines trip? My next stop was Bohol, or explore my complete Philippines itinerary for more islands, routes and practical travel tips.
