The Best Things to See and Do in Siargao for Two Days

(SPOT.ph) Siargao is a tiny teardrop-shaped island off the northeastern shore of Surigao del Norte in Northern Mindanao. Its name comes from "siargaw," which refers to a specific type of mangrove found on the island.

Back in the day, the Spanish called it "Isla de Palmas" because of the abundance of palm trees here. Those were two of the few significant accounts history has on Siargao, and for the rest of the following years, Siargao’s developments were unwritten and forgotten.

Siargao's name rose to worldwide fame when, in the 1980s, two foreign surfers who wanted to escape the tourist crowds of Bali visited the island's well-known Cloud 9 surfing spot. By the '90s, a certain surfer-photographer—John Callahan—featured famed surfers riding Siargao's waves in an American magazine. The island’s rapid rise in popularity can be chiefly attributed to its perfect waves, and Siargao was subsequently hailed as the world’s most beautiful island by several travel magazines and international awards.

You might wonder if Siargao’s immediate ascent to stardom has its merits. The sand here is not as white and fine as Boracay’s, and it does not have the most luxurious resorts in the area. Contrary to common belief, the simplicity and imperfections of the island give it its unique magic. The tourist destination’s relatively small area has advantages, as you can explore the whole island in a day. This also means that the community here is tight-knit, and the people are pleasingly warm and vibrant. When you see the place in person, it is still relatively undeveloped. But this is precisely why its raw and unspoiled nature has an undeniable and unexplainable charm.

 Not only does it have beaches, but it also has hidden lagoons, turquoise rock pools, and lush forests that you can explore. Siargao may not be love at first sight, but it grows on you. Are you ready to fall in love with the island?

Also read: 10 Things You Can Do in Siargao Other Than Surfing

Here's a list of places to see in Siargao if you only have a full weekend:

Day 1: Land Tour

The exciting thing about this charmer is that aside from its coastal waters, Siargao also has plenty of inland tourist landmarks that you can enjoy, such as lagoons, pools, rivers, caves, and even viewpoints. Although these places are a drive from the tourist center, we promise you it’s worth it.

Coconut Mountain Viewpoint

Siargao is covered in coconut palm trees, and you will see this lined lushness on your way to every famous attraction on the island. But what better way to appreciate this abundance than to view this from the right vantage point? Thirty minutes to the north of General Luna, you will find the Coconut Mountain Viewpoint. Prepare to marvel at the endless sea of palm trees. The best time to go here is during sunrise or sunset, when light rays shoot through the palms and above the mountains.

Maasin River

Seventeen kilometers from the center is a river with the social-media viral palm tree swing. This is a palm that has grown sideways beautifully. As soon as you get to the bright red Maasin Bridge, you will spot the well-known palm tree poking out of Maasin River. Then, there’s a rope attached to the tree where you can swing back and forth to enjoy the view of nature and eventually plunge into the river. Do not fret; the water beneath the jump-off spot is one to two meters deep. If you don’t like jumping, you can rent some wooden boats instead and paddle around the Maasin River to appreciate the allure of the place.

Magpupungko Rock Pools

Forty-five minutes from General Luna is another go-to spot you shouldn’t miss on your trip. If you’re looking for a non-surfing spot, visit the Magpupungko Rock Pools. These tide-dependent pools are exposed during low tide and are fully submerged during high tide. Visit at the right time, and you will see its crystal blue waters, perfect for picture-taking because of its unique pool and rock formations.

If you’re in for an extreme experience, try exploring the caves or diving off the cliffs surrounding the pools. The depth of the water beneath the jumping point is three meters. Be careful, though, as rocks in this area are jagged and sharp, so it is better to be in protective footwear or aqua shoes. To maximize the adventure, check the tide forecast before going to the pools.

Sugba Lagoon

Tucked in the northwest town of Del Carmen is Sugba Lagoon, a destination at the center of a mangrove forest surrounded by mountains. There will be a 20-minute boat ride with the sides of the path lined with mangroves until you are greeted by a sign reading, “Welcome to Sugba Lagoon” at the entrance of a 4,000-hectare crystal blue swimming spot. You will dock by the floating house in the middle of the lagoon, where you will register and leave your bags before swimming.

The most iconic spot in Sugba Lagoon is the wooden diving board, where you can throw yourself off into its deep waters. For the not-so-adventurous, you can still go around the lagoon with a wooden raft, a stand-up paddleboard, or a kayak.

Secret Beach

Secret Beach, alternatively known as Guiwa Beach, is a tucked-away paradise waiting to be uncovered. Only 15 minutes from General Luna, the place maintains its tranquility mainly because it is not as accessible as other tourist attractions, and you will be led by a dirt path through the coconut forest. This area has white sand and is perfect for beginner surfers with its knee- and shoulder-high swells. Secret Beach is a surfing location all year round because it faces south and is protected from the wind.

For the non-surfers, this can be a laid-back getaway from the crowds of General Luna. You can also climb palm trees and harvest fresh coconuts for consumption.

Cloud 9 Boardwalk

Cloud 9 is Siargao’s best surf break and the top place to catch the sunsets. Conveniently located in General Luna in the southeastern corner of the island, it is known for its barreling right-hand waves and thick hollow tubes among the advanced surfers. The waves are great here all year round, but for optimal surfing conditions, it's best to visit the surfing haven from September to December. In late September or early October, there is also an annual Surfing Cup held here where international and local surfers compete for the prize.

If you’re not a surfer, you will still enjoy the scenery and photo opportunity because of its picturesque long boardwalk. There is also a wide selection of establishments serving food and drinks and selling souvenirs. Although the boardwalk and viewing deck were completely wiped out by Typhoon Odette in 2021, it was rebuilt and is already back to its original glory in mid-2022.

Day 2: Island-Hopping Tour

The Philippines is an archipelago, so it's likely that every beach destination you go to has an island-hopping activity. For Siargao, your triple island tour is all about exploring Naked Island, Guyam Island, and Daku Island.

Naked Island

The first of three pristine islets around Siargao is Naked Island. True to its name, Naked Island has nothing on it but its 200-meter-long strip of sandbar and no trees to give you shade. But its white sand is enough to make the place truly marvelous. Go snorkeling in its crystal-clear waters or lounge round the sandbar to get a glowing tan.

Daku Island

Only 20 minutes away from Naked Island by boat, Daku Island is the most prominent island where you can chill, sunbathe by the waters, and have a boodle fight lunch on a banana leaf. Primarily a fishing village, the shore has beach huts and towering coconut trees where you can enjoy your fresh seafood banquet while looking at the breathtaking view of its turquoise-blue seawater. Some of the activities you can enjoy here are snorkeling and diving to enjoy its diverse species of fish and vibrant coral reefs and climbing palm trees.

Guyam Island

Guyam Island is the tiniest one among the three, and you can walk around its entire area in less than ten minutes. This tropical haven has a grove of palm trees, with one side covered with white sand and the other side with astonishing rock formations. Even if it’s small in size, its charm goes a long way. You will find yourself admiring and experiencing its shallow, rocky reefs or resting in its hammocks.

Best season for surfing in Siargao:

The Siargao Surf Season starts in August and ends in November. The southwest monsoon season brings offshore winds and increased surf. In terms of surf spots, this island has a lot to offer, and the different spots cater to surfers with varying surfing proficiencies.

For beginners, best to try out Secret Beach, inner Jacking Horse, and inner Quicksilver. For intermediate surfers, check out Secret Beach, Daku Island, Salvacion, Stimpy’s, Rock Island, outer Jacking Horse, and outer Quicksilver. For experts, head to Cloud 9, Burgos, Pacifico, Stimpy’s, and Tuason Point.

Where to eat and drink:

Much has changed in the food scene in Siargao since pre-pandemic days. The recommended restaurants have mostly stood the test of time because of their delicious food and the love tourists have given to them. For a taste of Italian cuisine, don’t miss Kermit Restaurant, L’Osteria, and Bulan, and try their pizzas and pasta. For Spanish, check out Bravo Restaurant and Las Barricas. For a mix of ceviche and the traditional kinilaw, try out CEV. Head to Mama's Grill if you’re craving fresh, grilled Filipino food. If you’re looking for some breakfast, you have Shaka Cafe by the Cloud 9 Beach for their popular smoothie bowls or Spotted Pig Cafe for coffee and pastries. If you’re already missing some good burgers while on the island, Big Belly Burgers got you.

To experience Siargao’s equally spontaneous nightlife, don’t forget to include bar hopping in your activities. We suggest going to Rum Bar and Harana Surf Resort for partying. If you want to socialize and dance the night away, head to Siargao Beach Club or Sibol. If you’re into '80s music, Mama Coco is your go-to.

Where to stay:

Tons of Siargao resorts and boutique hotels have popped up in the last few years with the tourism boom. We also suggest staying in a resort where you can relax and unwind because Siargao is an island where you can completely plug off from the outside world. Consider the Nay Palad Hideaway, Siargao Bleu Resort and Spa, Bayud Boutique Resort, and Kalinaw Resort for luxury stays. For mid-tier and boutique resorts, we suggest booking with Siago Beach Resort, Las Palmas Casitas and Villas, Bravo Beach Resort and Spa, Kermit Surf Resort, and Harana Surf Resort.

How to get around:

Since the famed attractions are spread out across the island, you will really need a vehicle to go around. Siargao is an excellent place to try out a scooter or motorbike. The rental cost is about P500 pesos per day. If you’re with family, we recommend that you rent a car, which can be booked online or through your hotel. Prices are about P2,500 per car per day.

How to get to Siargao:

Since the place is relatively underdeveloped compared to other beach destinations in the country, there are only a few direct flights from either Manila or Cebu. You will be landing at the Siargao Sayak Airport in Del Carmen, which is 45 minutes away from the tourist area, General Luna. Since transportation is not very convenient yet in Siargao, we recommend you take a shared shuttle van costing around P300 per person.

Also read:
The Best Things to See and Do in Bohol for Two Days
The Best Things to See and Do on Danjugan Island in One Day