SIARGAO ISLAND

SIARGAO ISLAND 

Location: Surigao del Norte

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The famous Cloud 9, Surfing at Siargao Island, Philippines. 

Photo by Henry Libo-on of Touristang Pobre Travel Blogsite. 

Note: This viewing deck was damaged by the Typhoon last December 2021. I hope the local government of Siargao will replace this structure in the near future. Ciao'

“Total Devastation”: Fabled Home Of Cloud 9 Destroyed By Typhoon (surfline.com)

 

My comment:

Your feelings of sadness to see the huge devastation of the island, is different when, one upon a time, you visited Siargao, di ba? That is what I felt. Sadness. But I'm sure, the locals' fighting spirit will "make it through the rain", so to speak. Barry Manilow wants to say that life is like a storm, but he can make it through the rain (storm), that's it.

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Copyright Photo by Henry Libo-on

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Map of Siargao Island 

Source: siargaoisland.com & bing.com.

INTRODUCTION 

Siargao Island is known as the Surfing Capital of the Philippines.  The International Surfing Competition is held on the last week of September until the first week of October.

Witnessing the International Surfing Competition has been the reason why I included Siargao in my "someday list" for a long time. 

Two things stopped me from going to Siargao.  First, is the thought that it would be difficult to go to the island and second, the thought that "it is expensive" to go there.

So, one day, I had the courage to check on the cost of a round-trip ticket from Cebu to Siargao.   The information that I got surprised me.  Cebu Pacific offered a cheap airfare at that time, so I immediately purchased a round-trip ticket.  

Surfers from Chile and Spain.

Siargao Island's 'Cloud Nine' Attracts Surfers from Around the World With 15 Foot Waves

According to Surfline Dot Com:

The powerful wave off “Cloud 9” has been hailed as one of the world’s five toughest breaks and has been frequently compared to the famous surf of Hawaii and Australia. “Cloud Nine,” however, is for the well-experienced surfer only. It is said that the ferociousness of “Cloud Nine” is a result of the deep oceanic trench to the east that rises more than 34,000 feet to a belt of reefs, focusing the powerful hollow right-hand wave barrel energy straight to the beach. The reefs and points are ideal for picking up any swell that comes along turning into clean, fast waves.

While “Cloud Nine” is the best-known surfing break on Siargao Island, now with a world reputation among the top surfing sites in the world, there are literally scores of breaks down this coast.

This site and other action places for surfers along the 27 miles of beach serve as a counterpoint to a laid-back, relaxing island that also boasts inland forest, waterfalls and rock pools, as well as activities such as kayaking, diving, fishing, and caving. But for avid surfers, the waves are clearly the main attraction. Traditionally, surfing is paramount from July to November when strong waves are in constant motion.  (Source - surfline.com)

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The last week of September to the first week of October is also the time when surfing competitions in the past were held at Cloud 9.  Just check with the Facebook Page of SISA, Siargao Island Surfing Association for more updates.

WHERE TO STAY?

Since I decided to stay on the island for a day, I planned my activity to visit as many places as possible.  My base is GL or the town of General Luna.  Upon arrival at the airport, I got in the van that will take us, passengers, to General Luna for only P300.00 per person. I hope there is no dramatic change of fare this 2023. 

For more information about where to stay in Siargao, here is the link of "The Best Places To Book Your Stay On Siargao Island, Philippines" by Trip Advisor Dot Com. 

Click this - THE 10 BEST Siargao Island Hotel Deals (May 2023) - Tripadvisor

Ronaldo's Inn and Resto Bar was my home away from home. 

Tourism Road or the main road. 

After checking in, I went out of the inn and stood at the Tourism Road, watching the cycles and the tourists pass by.  A driver stopped where I stood and asked me if he can drive me around GL and the neighboring towns.  We agreed on the price of this tour, so, off we went for a tour of GL and its neighboring townships.

THINGS TO DO WHILE ON SIARGAO ISLAND

According to the Brochure distributed by BiNGGO, the following are their suggestions for you to do while on the island.

• Cloud 9 in General Luna Town
• Magpupungko (Rock Pools) in Pilar 
• Sugba Lagoon in Del Carmen
• Shopping, Island Style at Felice, Langyaw, Primitivo, Fat Lips, etc.
• Afternoon snack of fresh bread from coconut husk fired ovens and pies from a food cart near the GL Church
• Massage at Siargao Bleu Spa
• Yoga at either Lotus Shores, Buddha, Kermit, or Greenhouse
• Visit TAG Grocery/Convenience Store for any basic needs
• Visit Italian Food Specialists to buy wine, cheese or cold cuts.
• Golf at Villa Maya

SURFING

Cloud 9 in the town of General Luna is where most of the surfing activities happen. But there are other areas where surfing is great depending on the day of the year. 

This Surf Map, hereunder, shows you where surfing activities happen. You can click the link to know more about surfing instruction, how much does it cost, day/time of surf, and more. - Siargao Surfing - Everything you need to know | 2023 Guide (gettingstamped.com)

Source: Getting Stamped by Hannah Lukaszewicz at www.gettingstamped.com

March 16, 2023. Thanks. 

NIGHTLIFE

Nightlife could be an exciting moment to finish your day.  BiNGGO suggested the following spots:

• Bravo
• Hot Spot
• Harana
• Jungle Bar
• Rumbar
• Viento del Mar
• and I added a new one - 
• Timo-Timo Bar & Restaurant offers Chicken+Pork BBQ. It is located facing the sea at Dapa

Patrick's Beach Resort and hotel. 

Guyam Island is smaller than Dacu Island....lol...

 On this beach resort, I was tempted to take a dip but decided to take a picture instead. When traveling alone, like this one, I am careful not to swim alone, "kay kon may nagtalang nga bagis (shark) sa higad baybay, ma ano ko ya?" haha....o' di ba? Careful lang si Tiyoy, lol. 

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The Tricycle driver named Mar, was knowledgeable about hotels, resorts, beaches, and other landmarks that made  Siargao Island famous around the world.  That afternoon we did a tour of the whole town and the nearby facilities that tourists frequently visit. 

Can you read the name of this resort?  It is Dedon Island Resort. It is one of the best resort-hotels on Siargao Island that offers world-class facilities to international and local tourists. 

A man named Rambo owns this place, according to my guide.  The gate was closed that day, so I was not able to check on this place.  

HOW TO GET THERE?

Siargao is accessible by airplane and ships from Cebu.  It is also accessible by boat from Surigao City.

From Cebu City. If you make Cebu as your jump-off point, then fly Cebu Pacific Air.  It takes about an hour to reach Siargao.  If you are seated by the window, you will have a good view of the many islands and islets that dot the vast sea. The aircraft will land at Sayak Airport.

Upon arrival at the airport, there are Vans for hire that wait for visitors to the island and will take them to their places of destination - General Luna or other areas on the island.

From Surigao City Port. At this port, Fastcraft and RoRo service the town of Dapa and Carmen. Please see the map hereunder: 

Map by Surigao Islands Dot Com 

(https://surigaoislands.com) 

 

Fastcrafts waiting for passengers to the different islands like Siargao Island, all in the region of Surigao. 

Source: Photo by https://surigaoislands.dom 

Tips - You can click this link to give you more information about Boats, Schedules, Fare of Passengers as well as cars, motorcycles, truck, and others from Surigao City to other islands around Surigao Region, specifically, SIARGAO ISLAND. Click here - ⛴ Surigao City to Siargao Island Boat Schedule (Updated 2023) (surigaoislands.com)

Lets, go back to Siargao Airport. It is located at Barangay (village) Sayak in the township of Del Carmen. It was built in 1964 during the term of President Diosdado Macapagal.  

Visitors disembark the plane after an hour flight from Cebu City. 

We landed on Siargao Airport before noon. It was a smooth flight from Cebu that morning. The window seat enabled me to photograph the islets surrounding Siargao Island. 

Flying to Siargao Island from Cebu City.

 Sayak or Siargao Airport is a child-friendly airport. 

From the airport, you can ask the driver for some information about the island.  You can also arrange with him the date and time of your departure so that he can pick you up at your hotel.  Remember, it is expensive to hire a "habal-habal" or single motorcycle.  The van is the best option because it is less expensive at P300.00 per person.

Isla Cabana Tropical Island Resort. 

Photo by Henry Libo-on. 

WHERE TO EAT? 

First of all, all the resorts and hotels in Siargao have their own bar and restaurant, so you are always accessible to food and drinks. Some of these hotels/resort have live performers, karaoke, and other forms of entertainment such as Billiards, and others. 

I will give you an example, along the Tourism Road in General Luna town, there are bars and restaurants and Drive By, not drive-thru, but drive by food stores. You drive along the road, stop at the food store, and you can bing hot, yes, hot "pan de bao" or "pancho" bread, a round bread with coconut filling inside. See, you have hot bread, and nearby that store are vendors selling soda, fruit shake, cold/hot coffee, and more. Easy peasy, right? 

There are also small restaurants along this road and that road near the port. 

My story:

As a solo backpacker, I am not choosy about where to eat, provided the place is clean, good location, have friendly staff, honest, and most of all, good ambassadors of their locality in this instance - the beautiful island of Siargao, o' di ba, ang saya?

TIMO-TIMO 

The newest addition to the list of bars and restaurants on Siargao Island. Timo-Timo offers great food and drinks. For a snippet of their menu and other services, please click this link - Timo-Timo Siargao - Chicken and Pork BBQ restaurant in Dapa, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte (business.site)

Timo - Timo Bar & Restaurant is strategically located along the coast of Dapa. 

Experience dining in an open-air atmosphere. They say "al fresco" style. 

Are you celebrating your birthday, anniversary, or monthsary on Siargao Island? 

Call Timo-Timo at cellphone number 0999-596-0362. 

Where to eat? Continues - 

• Timo Timo - Chicken + Pork Barbecue.  It is located in front of "I Heart Dapa" sign along the coast. Bayud - Filipino
• Bravo - Spanish
• Buddha - International
• Emerald - Euro-Asian
• Harana - Modern Filipino
• Lotus Shores - Healthy
• Lunares - Coffee and Bakery
• Malinao View - Steak and Burgers
• Mama's Grill - Local Barbecue
• Shaka - Healthy
• Siargao Bleu - Crabs
• Siargao Inn - International
• Villa Maya - Israeli
• Kermit- freshly baked pizza
• Warung - Indonesia
• Kalinaw - International, created by two Paris transplants
• Kawayan - International, created by French owners/fine dining.

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TRANSPORTATION

*BiNGGO was created to partner with Siargao's resorts to provide safe, fun, affordable eco-friendly, comfortable alternative transportation for tourists. 

Their RATES are P1,500.00 (with driver) maximum 10 hours including gasoline.  

SELF-DRIVE: 

• Per day (24 hours) - P1,200.00/day
• Per Week (7 days) - P7,000.00/week
• Per Month (30 days) - P24,000.00/month

Contact Person:   Camillo - 0977-6423-765

                             or visit @www.binggoride.com

My tips - The aforementioned information may change at the time of your trip to Siargao Island. TP suggests that you verify the rates of car rental upon arrival at the airport or visit the website of the car rental service provider. 

(Thanks BiNGGO for this information, TP)

Other than those previously mentioned, you can also do the following:

• Island hopping at Guyam Island, Daco Island, Bucas Grande Islands, Naked Island, La Janoza group of islands, etc. 
• Sohoton Cove adventure 
• Surfing
• Snorkeling
• Swimming
• Sunbathing
• Watersports of your choice
• Kayaking
• Paddle Boarding
• Diving
• Motorbike around the island
• Bar Hopping
• Souvenir hunting
• Drone Photography (coordinate with your hotel)
• Landscape and Seascape Painting
• Training, seminars, workshops, family reunion, and others
• Weddings, birthday celebration, anniversary, and others
• Jet Ski, and 
• Many other activities you can think of.

Bread, anyone? Siargao has a popular kind of Coco Bread which is called Pancho in our hometown. 

My Comment: 

Since my travel to Siargao is limited to only 24 hours, it is not surprising that I spent around P3,900.00 only excluding my airplane ticket. My Cebu Pacific R/T ticket costs me P2,600.00 only. If I have to add it all, the total cost would be P6,500.00 which, to me, is still affordable.

My expenses included the hotel, food, transportation, and souvenir items.  A big chunk of the budget went to transportation because I paid P600.00 from the airport and back.  P400.00 went to island tour.  I am frustrated at how some drivers attempted to charge tourists with a skyrocketing price for a cycle/habal-habal ride.  This is one thing that frustrates me.  Some drivers are like vultures that are ready to attack a newbie in island travel.  But I haggle and I am thankful that I met Mar and Joel who quoted just the right price, hmmmm.

Just like me who travels on a tight budget, this restaurant along the road can be the best option. It is also one way of having a glimpse at the way the locals prepare their food or the way island cooking is done.   

 But I chose Babie Restaurant.  It is located near the port and is frequented by international tourists because, according to Mar the driver, the food is good and most importantly, the price is affordable.

Our lunch costs P130.00 plus drinks.  This is Mar Estano my "habal-habal" driver and tour guide.  You can call or text him if you want him to guide you around town.  His cell phone number is - 0909-4517-670.  Mar is a "kaprobinsya" from Sipaway Island, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental. 

If you need to rent a Van, you can call or text Joel Formilles, the van driver who drove me from the airport to Ronaldo's Inn.  His cell phone number is - 0907-7083-373.  Joel hails from Sipaway Island, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.

Welcome2   101 Beach Resort.

Bottled water is expensive wherever you are on the island.  Here at Ronaldo's Inn, I can refill my bottle for only P2.00, (right).  If you want to have coffee or chocolate, just insert a P5.00 coin on this improvised vending machine on the left and bingo, you can have a hot chocolate or coffee.

By the way, at the time I made this trip to the island, there is no ATM at General Luna, I hope, that this year, 2023, mayroon na.  I was told that there is an East West Bank at the township of Dapa.  At GL, I saw Palawan Pawnshop which implies that people at home can send you money just in case you run out of cash.  At Ronaldo's Inn, credit cards are accepted.

There are several beach resort-hotels that offer accommodation that fits one's pocketbook.  If you will be going to Siargao without a pre-arrange hotel accommodation, you can try your luck from these hotels-inns I posted here.  Prices range from below P1,000.00 per night to over several thousand pesos per night. 

This resto-bar is at "low tide", hmmm.....wait until 6:00 p.m. and the scenario would be different.  This place will come alive after sunset. 

In fact, a catering has been scheduled for a group of international tourists at 6:00 p.m.  I was asked to come and have dinner here...dinner by the sea....

The port is the jump-off point for island hopping.  You can see Guyam Island on the left and Dacu Island on the right.  

Source:  BiNGGO Brochure.

Finally, my one day tour of Siargao Island has come to an end.  I would also like to call it a brief visit to "survey" its facilities, tourist attractions, etcetera and so on and so forth. Of course, one day is not enough to enjoy the beauty and the unique island life. 

There are so many places that I have not been to and as I leave my hotel to go to the airport, I have this feeling of "separation anxiety".  That I do not want to leave because I have not enough adventure with Siargao.  But, I have to go because I have no more "datung" to spend....haha...   I know that there is a next time and when that time comes, I will surely stay longer and complete my Siargao Island adventure.  Till then.

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By the way, all photos published here are not photoshopped.  What you see is what you get.  TP is advocating for non-photoshopped pictures of places he visited because he had seen pictures of a few travel destinations which looked nice in the pictures but when he arrived in those few destinations, he was shocked to see a different looking place, so different from what he saw in those published pictures.

For example, while searching for a place to spend a weekend, he read a story about a beach where the water was blue.  It looked inviting in that picture.  When he finally arrived at that place and went to check the beach, TP was shocked to see the beach and the sea that looked like a pale version of coffee with less cream.  It was shocking.  So, he began advocating for the non-alteration of pictures through the use of photoshop.  What you see is what you get.

Tips for Scuba Divers, please click this link to PADI - Palaka Siargao Dive Center | Siargao Island | PADI Dive Center

The Blue Cathedral Dive Site

Source: YouTube and cjcpixels.

Thanks.

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My Tip - 

Surfing at Siargao, 2023, Guide by Getting Stamped Website here - Siargao Surfing - Everything you need to know | 2023 Guide (gettingstamped.com)

There are several tour groups on the island that offers tour packages. Please ask your hotel for more information. 

For example, you can get information from this website - Siargao Island Getaway.  

here -Siargao, Philippines Island Tour & Travel Package (siargaoislandtour.com)

1. Island Hopping

2. Sugba Lagoon

3. Magpupungko Rock Pool 

4. Sohoton Adventure, 

5. Poneas Lake, 

6. Corregidor Island, 

7. Kauhagan, 

8. Pamomoan Island,  

...........and many more. 

Siargao 2017. Source Youtube by RayReyes79. 

Thanks. 

 

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Sound of Silence performed by Dana Winner.

Source: YouTube and SVansay.

Thanks. 

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Updated on March 12, 2019.
Updated on April 30, 2019.

Reviewed on November 9, 2021.

Reviewed on May 18, 2023.