Siargao: Surf, Coconuts & Palm-Fringed Roads
The teardrop-shaped island that stole every backpacker's heart. World-class surf, empty beaches, and the kind of vibe that makes you cancel your flight home.
Last updated: September 2026
What Makes Siargao Different
Siargao isn't about ticking off sights. It's about renting a motorbike and getting lost on palm-lined roads. Stopping at a random carinderia because the smell of grilled fish is too good to ignore. Watching the sunset at Cloud 9 with a $1 San Miguel.
The island has one main road — a 60km loop that circles the southern half. You can ride the whole thing in a day, but you won't want to. Every few kilometers there's a coconut stand, a hidden beach, or a dirt path leading to something unexpected.
General Luna is the main backpacker hub. It's where the hostels, bars, and Cloud 9 surf break are. But the real magic is north — in Pacifico, where the surf is rougher, the tourists are fewer, and the vibe is pure chill.
Things You Actually Want to Do
Cloud 9
General Luna · 5 min from town
The reason Siargao is on the map. A thick, barreling right-hand reef break that's world-famous for a reason. If you can surf, this is the dream. If you can't, the boardwalk/viewing deck is free to watch the pros do their thing at sunset.
Beginner? Take a lesson at Jacking Horse (next break over, gentler waves) for $10-15/hour including board.
Surf lesson: $10-15 | Sunset beer at the deck: $1
Tri-Island Hopping
Depart from General Luna pier · 9am-3pm
The classic Siargao day trip: Naked Island (a 200m sandbar with zero vegetation — bring sunscreen, there is literally no shade), Daku Island (lunch stop with fresh grilled seafood), and Guyam Island (tiny tropical dot, perfect for photos).
Tour A costs $15-18 including lunch. Bring your own snorkel gear or rent for $3.
Tour: $15-18 | Snorkel rental: $3
Magpupungko Rock Pools
Pilar · 45 min motorbike north of General Luna
Natural tidal pools carved into limestone — like infinity pools made by the ocean. Only accessible at low tide. Check tide times the night before. Entry is $1. The cliff-jumping spot next to it (8m drop) is free if you have the guts.
Entry: $1 | Motorbike ride: scenic and free
Sugba Lagoon
Del Carmen · 45 min from General Luna
A turquoise lagoon surrounded by mangroves. Rent a paddleboard ($5) and explore the channels. There's a diving board. Water is calm — no currents, no waves. Great for non-surfers.
Entry + boat: $10 | Paddleboard: $5
How to Get There
Fly into Sayak Airport (IAO)
Direct flights from Manila ($30-60) and Cebu ($25-50) on Cebu Pacific, AirAsia, or PAL. The airport is in Del Carmen, 45 min north of General Luna. Shared vans to GL cost $5.
Ferry from Surigao City
Budget option: fly to Surigao City (SUG, $20-40 from Manila), then 1.5h ferry to Siargao ($5). You land at Dapa port, 20 min from General Luna by tricycle ($3).
Getting Around
Rent a motorbike. $5-8/day. No license needed — just leave your passport at the rental shop. Roads are paved, traffic is light. The only danger is getting distracted by the scenery and driving into a palm tree.
Where to Stay
All prices for dorm beds. Private rooms with AC from $15-25.
Budget: Mad Monkey Hostel ($6, party vibe, pool), Happy Gecko ($5, quiet, AC dorms), Ilakai Hostel ($7, newer, great WiFi).
Mid-range: Vedya ($10, boutique hostel, best rooftop), Casavia ($15 private, near Cloud 9).
Pacifico (north): Buddha's Surf Resort ($5 dorm), Pacifico Beach Hostel ($7). Fewer options but worth 2-3 nights.
Find Siargao hostels on Booking.com Book Siargao tours on KlookWhat to Eat in Siargao
Siargao's food scene goes way beyond the standard tourist menu. The island has a legit food culture — from cheap eats to surprisingly good cafés.
Kinilaw — Filipino ceviche. Fresh raw fish "cooked" in vinegar and calamansi, mixed with ginger, onions, and chili. Every island has it, but Siargao's version with fresh tuna and coconut milk is the best. $2-4.
Pan de Coco — Sweet coconut bread baked fresh every morning. Buy it from roadside bakeries or kids selling it from baskets on their bikes. Perfect motorbike snack. $0.20 each.
Poke Bowls — Siargao has a surprising number of smoothie-bowl-and-poke-bowl cafés catering to surfers. Shaka Cafe and Kermit do solid tuna poke for $4-6. Not traditional Filipino — but after a week of adobo, you'll appreciate it.
Surf-side Seafood — After a morning session at Cloud 9, the carinderias near the surf break grill whatever was caught that morning. Grilled squid with garlic rice = $2-3. Eat with your feet in the sand.
Sample Itineraries: 3, 5 or 7 Days
Here's how to actually structure your time on the island, depending on how long you have:
| Day | 3-day (quick) | 5-day (sweet spot) | 7-day (island life) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive, rent bike, Cloud 9 sunset | Arrive, rent bike, Cloud 9 sunset | Arrive, settle in, easy day |
| Day 2 | Tri-island hopping ($15-18) | Surf lesson at Jacking Horse ($10-15) | Tri-island hopping ($15-18) |
| Day 3 | Magpupungko at low tide + fly out | Tri-island hopping ($15-18) | Surf lesson + Cloud 9 boardwalk |
| Day 4 | — | Motorbike loop north to Pacifico, Sugba Lagoon ($10) | Magpupungko at low tide ($1) |
| Day 5 | — | Chill: food crawl, beach, fly out | Sugba Lagoon paddleboard ($15) |
| Day 6-7 | — | — | Pacifico nights, empty beaches, fly out |