Siargao Island, Philippines: travel guide
Teardrop island off Mindanao known for surf breaks, lagoons and palms
A trendy surfer's paradise with world-class waves, lagoons, and a vibrant backpacker and digital nomad community.
About Siargao Island
Siargao is a teardrop-shaped island off the north-east coast of Mindanao, and the surfing capital of the Philippines. The famous Cloud 9 break on the east coast draws surfers from around the world, but the island is much more than a single wave.
Coconut palms cover much of the interior, and the coast is dotted with rock pools, white-sand islets and turquoise lagoons. Day trips go to Naked, Daku and Guyam islands, to Sugba Lagoon and to the mangrove channels around Del Carmen. General Luna is the main town, with surf shops, cafes and guesthouses.
Siargao suits surfers, beach lovers and independent travellers. Surf is strongest from about September to November, while calmer weather is more common from March to May.
- Country
- Philippines
- Currency
- PHP
- Time zone
- Asia/Manila
- Nearest airport
- IAO
- Typical trip
- 4-5 days
Last updated
Top places to visit in Siargao Island
General Luna Beach Siargao
beach · 4.4 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
The main beach at General Luna is the social and recreational hub of Siargao — a long sandy shore with beach bars, restaurants, and the starting point for island-hopping tours. More accessible and calmer than the reef breaks nearby.
Siargao Island Hopping 3 Islands
beach · 4.7 rating · about 5 h · check the fee at the gate
The standard Siargao island-hopping tour visiting Naked Island, Daku Island, and Guyam Island — three entirely different island types in a single half-day banca boat trip. The most popular activity on the island.
Cloud 9 Famous Surf Break
beach · 4.8 rating · about 5 h · check the fee at the gate
Cloud 9 is one of the world most famous surf breaks — a hollow right-hander that barrels over a shallow reef producing some of the most photogenic waves in the Philippines. The annual Siargao Cup surfing competition is held here.
Naked Guyam Daku Full Island Hop
beach · 4.7 rating · about 8 h · check the fee at the gate
The complete Siargao island-hopping day covering all three main islands plus a snorkelling stop at Naked Island reef — the fullest version of the classic Siargao boat tour.
Naked Island White Sandbar Siargao
beach · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · entry ₱100 (≈ ₹150)
A pure white sandbar in the middle of the ocean north of Siargao with no trees, no shade, and no facilities — just a perfect arc of white sand surrounded by turquoise water. Absolutely beautiful and totally raw.
Magpupungko Rock Pools Tidal
beach · 4.7 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
Natural rock pools cut into the reef at Magpupungko, filled with crystal-clear water at medium tide. The pools are calm, safe for swimming, and surrounded by dramatic limestone formations. Best visited 2 hours either side of low tide.
Cloud 9 Boardwalk Surf Photography
viewpoint · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · entry ₱100 (≈ ₹150)
The famous Cloud 9 boardwalk extending over the reef gives close-up views of the world-famous wave breaking directly below. The best photography position for the Cloud 9 surf break.
Siargao Kermit Wood-Fired Pizza
cafe · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The Kermit Resort restaurant is famous across Siargao for its wood-fired pizzas made with locally sourced ingredients — the best pizza outside Manila and a Siargao institution for the surf community.
Sugba Lagoon Siargao Kayak Tour
lake · 4.7 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
A stunning turquoise lagoon in the northwest of Siargao Island accessible only by boat (1 hr from General Luna). The lagoon has a diving board platform, a rope swing, and crystal-clear water perfect for kayaking and swimming.
Daku Island Siargao Coconut Groves
beach · 4.6 rating · about 3 h · entry ₱100 (≈ ₹150)
The largest island in the Siargao Island-hopping circuit with white sand beaches and natural coconut grove shade. The most relaxed lunch and swimming stop on the standard island hop.
Siargao Surf Lessons General Luna
adventure · 4.6 rating · about 5 h · check the fee at the gate
Several professional surf schools operate from General Luna offering beginner through intermediate lessons, using the gentler beach breaks close to the main town while more experienced surfers head to Cloud 9.
Siargao Motorbike Self Drive
transport · 4.6 rating · about 8 h · check the fee at the gate
Renting a motorbike in General Luna to self-explore Siargao is the best way to discover hidden beaches, local villages, and the interior of the island at your own pace. The roads are in good condition for most of the island circuit.
Things to do
- Siargao Naked Island Daku Island Guyam Day Trip Boat · 8 h · from PHP 1,500 per person
- Siargao Scooter Island Exploration Day Siargao Sightseeing · 8 h · from PHP 490 per person
- Siargao Magpupungko Rock Pools Tide Heritage Walk Nature · 4 h
- Siargao Cloud 9 Surfing World Surfing Heritage Water Sports · 4 h · from PHP 1,200 per person
- Siargao Sugba Lagoon Kayaking Blue Waters Water Sports · 8 h · from PHP 1,500 per person
- Siargao Tayangban Cave Pool Swimming Underground Adventure · 5 h · from PHP 920 per person
- Siargao Yoga Sunrise Beach Morning Practice Cloud 9 Nature · 1.5 h · from PHP 490 per person
- Siargao Sohoton Cove Stingless Jellyfish Heritage Nature · 12 h · from PHP 2,800 per person
Where to stay in Siargao Island
- Beach Town about PHP 3,000 per night
Surf destination with beach resorts
Hotels
- Siargao Luxury Surfcamp Premium Villas 5-star · PHP 25,000 to PHP 60,000 per night
- Siargao Romantic Overwater Bungalow 5-star · PHP 20,000 to PHP 45,000 per night
- Siargao Sky Villas Hilltop Residence 5-star · PHP 20,000 to PHP 50,000 per night
- Nay Palad Hideaway Siargao 5-star · PHP 35,000 to PHP 120,000 per night
- Dedon Island Siargao 5-star · PHP 45,000 to PHP 130,000 per night
- Latitude Resort Siargao Premium 5-star · PHP 12,000 to PHP 28,000 per night
Where to eat
- Kermit Siargao Surf Resort Restaurant Filipino, Pizza, Beach · about PHP 700 per person
- Cloud 9 Beach Break Cafe Filipino, Cafe, Beach · about PHP 300 per person
- Siargao Buko Juice Paradise Drinks, Filipino, Street Food · about PHP 80 per person
- Bravo Siargao General Luna Filipino, Bar, Beach · about PHP 700 per person
- Sa Siargao Filipino Restaurant Filipino, Seafood, Island · about PHP 700 per person
- Siargao Morning Coffee Spot Coffee, Cafe, Breakfast · about PHP 300 per person
- Cloud 9 Surf Camp Restaurant Filipino, Breakfast, Beach · about PHP 400 per person
- Siargao Night Market Grills Filipino, Street Food, Grill · about PHP 300 per person
Getting to Siargao Island
Airport: Siargao (IAO)
How visitors arrive in Siargao Island
- Flight into Sayak airport By air from Cebu, Manila, Davao · common
Sayak Airport in Del Carmen is the island's main and only airport, with flights from Cebu, Manila and Davao. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Ferry from Surigao City By ferry from Surigao City · common
Passenger and ro-ro ferries cross from Surigao City on the mainland to Dapa port. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Ferry from Manila By ferry from Manila · possible
A 2GO boat connects Manila and Siargao, per the guide's latest update. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the airport to the centre
- Van from Sayak Airport
Vans usually meet arriving flights and take passengers to their accommodation, for example in the Cloud 9 area. Fares are not fixed, so agree the price first. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the port to the centre
- Ferry from Surigao to Dapa
Ferries cross from Surigao City to Dapa pier; tricycles, vans and habal-habal motorbike taxis take you on to Cloud 9. The source notes schedules change and its details are dated. Source: barkota.com
Getting around
- Motorbike Rental
Siargao is commonly explored by motorbike or by boat, and habal-habal motorbike taxis and tricycles meet arrivals at the pier.
- Scooter Rental
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Money exchange short-change
Major tourist zones
Cashier counts notes quickly, palms one, then re-counts and accuses you of being short.
How to avoid it: Use credit card. Count change yourself before stepping away.
Best time to visit Siargao Island
- Jan 28°C
- Feb 27°C
- Mar 28°C
- Apr 28°C
- May 29°C
- Jun 29°C
- Jul 29°C
- Aug 29°C
- Sep 29°C
- Oct 29°C
- Nov 28°C
- Dec 28°C
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Frequently asked questions about Siargao Island
- How many days do you need in Siargao Island?
- A typical trip to Siargao Island is 4-5 days.
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Siargao Island?
- The highest-rated places in our Siargao Island guide are Cloud 9 Famous Surf Break, Siargao Island Hopping 3 Islands, Naked Guyam Daku Full Island Hop, Magpupungko Rock Pools Tidal, Cloud 9 Boardwalk Surf Photography.
- Where should I stay in Siargao Island?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Siargao Island: Beach Town.
- How do I get around Siargao Island?
- Ways to get around Siargao Island covered in our guide: Motorbike rental, Scooter rental, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Siargao Island?
- Scams reported to us for Siargao Island include Money exchange short-change. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Siargao Island?
- Average daytime highs in Siargao Island run from 27°C in Feb to 29°C in May.
- Which airport is nearest to Siargao Island?
- The nearest airport to Siargao Island has the code IAO.