You probably picture Siargao Island while picturing a tropical paradise. The scenery of every beach lover’s dreams can be found on the teardrop-shaped island. Numerous coconut trees, white sand beaches, clean water, a constant stream of laid-back tourists and residents, and of course, ideal waves for surfers of all skill levels.
We’ve compiled the best things to do if you’re looking for motivation for your island vacation. Check out our best activities in the most popular Siargao tourist destinations, and get ready to fall in love with this idyllic tropical setting.
Visit the renowned Cloud 9 to surf.
The reason Siargao Island is referred to as the Philippines’ Surfing Capital is because of Cloud 9. Surfers from all over the world head straight for Cloud 9’s warm seas the instant they arrive on the island since it is largely regarded as the best surf break in the nation.
You may anticipate a steady stream of barefoot wave riders entering and exiting the ocean with their boards in their arms. But if you’re new to living on a boat, don’t worry. There are many amiable and knowledgeable surf instructors nearby who can teach you the ropes. There is even a location closer to the shore where they will train the novices.
Even if you don’t intend to surf, it’s still worth going to the location to observe the activity, take pictures on the boardwalk, and take in the atmosphere. Typhoon Odette devastated the island’s famed Cloud 9 Boardwalk, however it was recently renovated and reopened to the public. But as of this writing, its full restoration is still unfinished.
We advise arriving between 5 and 6 o’clock when tourists and residents converge on the area for golden hour. Any resort in General Luna is a short motorbike or trike trip from Cloud 9. With some of the best dining, shopping, and nightlife locations on the island, this area is one of the most exciting places to visit in Siargao.
Visit the Sugba Lagoon for a day.
Sugba Lagoon, a secret lagoon set amid lush cliffs, is another lovely natural site in Siargao. Visitors can hang out and have lunch in the middle of nature in a floating hut that locals have set up overlooking the lagoon.
The highlight is undoubtedly jumping off the diving board, but you can rent kayaks and stand-up paddleboards if you’d rather do something a little more sedate.
Come early to take advantage of the lagoon’s peace before other (louder) groups show there. Sugba Lagoon is one of the most well-known tourist destinations on Siargao, despite being a drive and a boat ride from General Luna. So, don’t anticipate staying there alone for too long. You may just sit back, unwind, and take in the show until the more skilled cliff jumpers begin launching themselves off the diving board.
Journey to the surrounding islands of Naked, Guyam, and Daku.
The Philippines is home to more islands than you can possibly imagine. However, we guarantee that just three are worth a full day of sailing expeditions.
Guyam, Daku, and Naked are three islands close to Siargao that should not be missed on any traveler’s itinerary even if they are not technically a part of the Siargao mainland. Depending on the state of the ocean, each is between 30 and an hour’s distance from the main island.
A tiny white dot in the Pacific Ocean, Guyam Island is a circular island with creamy white sand, a group of coconut trees in the center, and a sizable reef surrounding it. Guyam is charming enough to relax and enjoy some sunbathing for an hour or two, yet it’s small enough to cross in just a few dozen steps!
At the Magpupungko Rock Pools, you can swim and leap off cliffs.
One of the island’s most well-known natural features, the Magpupungko Rock Pools, may be found in the town of Pilar. The dazzlingly brilliant blue waters are ideal for swimming, cliff jumping, and photography. They are surrounded by unusual rock formations.
But time is crucial in this case. Make sure to visit during low tide because the rock pool is completely submerged during high tide.
Scuba dive while swimming with tropical fish.
The majority of visitors come to the island to surf, but you’ll discover that this idyllic tropical location is just as captivating below the water’s surface as it is above! Scuba diving and snorkeling are two activities that allow visitors to Siargao to fully enjoy the island’s natural beauty.
Excellent conditions for underwater excursions are created by high levels of visibility, mild waters, and a variety of marine life. In addition, Siargao’s dive sites are frequently empty because the majority of visitors prefer to surf.
The most well-known diving location in Siargao is Blue Cathedral, which is close to Cloud 9. It is known for its underwater tunnels, colorful coral, and magnificent variety of tropical fish. Remember that because to its location in the open Pacific Ocean, it is best suited for seasoned divers who are accustomed to navigating strong currents. Some of the better diving spots on the island may be found at Seeco Reef, Shark Point, and Pilar Twin Rocks.
Hike at Corregidor Island’s peak.
Think again if you believe that beaches and lagoons are the only tourist attractions in Siargao. With its sand beaches, numerous coconut trees, and leisurely trails winding through verdant hills, Corregidor Island is a great place to get some exercise.
The Corregidor geography has some elevation, unlike the island of Siargao, and visitors can trek to the peak for expansive views of the Pacific Ocean. Corregidor Island, which is right close to Siargao Island, is reachable from General Luna by boat after a 45-minute journey.
Unwind at Alegria Beach.
Visit Alegria Beach in the north for one of Siargao’s most tranquil locales. This pristine beach is approximately an hour’s drive from General Luna, yet it offers a welcome respite from the busy activity in well-known tourist destinations. You can simply relax on the soft, white sand here, preferably holding a coconut.
The classic white beach is a great place to go swimming. It’s one of the few beaches in Siargao where visitors may enjoy a leisurely dip without having to avoid waves, surfers, or vast shoreline hazards. As you wade deeper, be careful of sharp rocks and reefs.
Participate in a beach cleanup event.
Siargao beaches are simple to fall in love with, but are you willing to contribute to their upkeep? Volunteer to help with coast cleanup if you’re willing to put in some time! On a regular basis, the island holds beach clean-ups, inviting visitors and locals to help clear the coasts of rubbish and debris.
For more information about forthcoming beach clean-ups in Siargao, visit the websites or social media profiles of the SEA Movement and other regional initiatives. You can also simply show up.
Take a motorbike for a tour and explore on your own.
We can go on and on about our favorite Siargao tourist attractions, but half of the fun of an island journey is going on your own personal quest. Despite being a well-known tourist attraction, the island nonetheless holds a wealth of unexplored beauties.
The best way to navigate around Siargao is on a motorcycle, and you can rent one almost everywhere in General Luna. Hit up the usual sites, but don’t be afraid to venture off the beaten track in search of obscure beach stretches and quiet neighborhood restaurants. And wherever you end up, you’re guaranteed a beautiful view with a tropical backdrop this lovely.
Feast on local dining spots.
You’ll never go hungry on the island, we guarantee it. We’ll even go so far as to suggest that a food crawl is one of our top Siargao activities! Other distant islands might only have a few dining options, but Siargao has a ton of them, especially in General Luna.
Healthy eaters with coffee could visit Shaka Cafés, which offers a wide selection of smoothie bowls that are guilt-free and will make you feel energized and thoroughly satisfied. For inexpensive barbecue, head to Mama’s Grill, and for outstanding pizza, pasta, and seafood dishes, head to Kermit.
Take a trip to Coconut Mountain View.
The distinctive Siargao scenery includes coconut trees just as much as the Pacific. A particularly picturesque location to capture the unending sea of coconut trees is Coconut Mountain View Point. It’s one of the more understated attractions in Siargao, consisting only of a road that overlooks millions of coconut trees, yet the view is spectacular, especially at sunrise or sunset.
Locate the location where you want to see the sunset in Siargao.
The most beautiful part of the day is the golden hour, and Siargao’s tropical paradise makes it even more magnificent. The island, which is located on the eastern part of the Philippines, isn’t your traditional sunset destination, but at the end of the day, the sea will still be painted in shades of gold and orange.
Some of the well-known Siargao tourist attractions, like Pacifico Beach, Cloud 9, and Naked Island, are excellent locations to observe the sun set. Locals visit General Luna Pier and Santa Monica Pier to take in the final rays of sunlight, but it’s equally breathtaking to capture them while inside the Coconut Palm Forest.
Read also: TRAVEL ATTRACTIONS AT ZAMBOANGA CITY
Conclusion
Explore Siargao for yourself to experience the place’s local atmosphere and all that Siargao has to offer. Currently, one of the most popular local destinations in the Philippines is Siargao. To fully commit to this vacation, you should also purchase travel insurance to create a safety net in the event of unforeseen circumstances.