The surf school program is fun, structured, professional and safe. You can dive off the nearby cliffs, or explore the caves surrounding the crystal pools. Thanks to its majestic landscape of rolling hills dotted with palm trees (likened to Batanes), white sandy shores, and glistening surrounding turquoise waters, it's a perfect tour to enjoy a secluded beach bumming experience, achieve tan-colored skin, and bond with friends while devouring a sumptuous picnic meal under the sun. Avery romantic place for couples. Joining an island-hopping escapadein Siargao should be on top of your list. A nice place for anyone wanting peace and quiet. PRIVACY POLICY Photos byTreehouse de Valentine/Shangri-La Boracay Resort & Spa IMPORTANT:The properties featured in this article may have COVID-19 travel restrictions and requirements. The north end of Siargao Island is quieter than the busy tourist areas around General Luna, but there is plenty to see here as well. These are some of the reasons why you must add Siargao tours toyour bucket list. But if youre on a tight budget you can always bring your own food. Aside from surfing, one of the most photographed and iconic Siargao experience is the curved coconut rope swing in Maasin River. Alegria Beach's tranquil vibe, fine white sand, salty sea breeze, and crystal clear water is sure to refresh any weary traveler. -Read, read, and read more about environmental issues and solutions, -Taking care of your health is taking care of the environment, Fun fact about the environment or a species that you think people should know. It is also the perfect place to escape the blazing sun as it is in a forested area. can you refer a number for van rental and boat rental? Aptly translated from its Philippine-Spanish name as "largemouth", the island of Bucas Grande situates on the other part of Siargao in the municipality of Socorro. An hour away from the surfing haven of General Luna, it situates at the end of a snaking road fringed with Intagrammable palm trees. A short, 10-minute drive past Santa Monica Pier, youll find Taktak Falls, the only waterfall on Siargao Island. Photos by The Forest Camp Resort/Nay Palad Hideaway IMPORTANT:Theresorts featured in this article may have COVID-19 travel restrictions and requirements. It is also a wonderful place to take photographs of the ocean. Isla Cabana Resort 4. #SeatizenSunday: Marja Abad, Siargao Environmental Awareness Movement Photos by Vitalis Villas/Balesin Island Club IMPORTANT:The properties featured in this article may have COVID-19 travel restrictions and requirements. The long trip won't be in vain though, rest assured that it will be worth it. A tour here will also take you deep into the coconut trees for some additional ogling at beautiful nature and of course, more instagrammable photographs. It gets too crowded at times. I dont want to destroy my playground. Smart supports Siargao Island's bid to protect the environment. Although it is not yet as famous as other dive spots in the Philippines, there are still places in Siargao where you can dive. 2,547.82. Many of the retailers on Siargao Island place a high importance on sustainability, and so you will easily find reusable products like straws and water bottles that help to keep litter on the island low. 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The journey through Tayangban Cave Pool takes about 15 minutes, after which you will emerge to a beautiful, emerald green cenote with some fantastic spots for cliff jumping. Here are your options: From Del Carmen port, register at the local port authority and charter a boat or wait for other passengers to fill up the boat. 6 talking about this. SEAM is growing so fast and its just harder for me to manage. Siargao Kite Surfing January precipitation in Utah was well above normal at 196%, making it one of the best winters in the past 20 years! Siargao island has many other activites and attractions to offer. Recommendation: Siargao should continue to promote sustainable tourism practices, such as encouraging visitors to use eco-friendly products and services, and to reduce their carbon footprint. Guyam Island is a small island distinctly appearing with a patch of small forest on the middle. more. No doubt, it's a paradise blessed with beauty from Mother Nature wherever you go. It has a calm and casual atmosphere and doesnt usually see many tourists, so it feels much more secluded than other beaches on the island. I worked in Singapore for 5 years as ground stewardess at a premium airline lounge and taught yoga on the side. If youre craving for some fresh seafood and mouth-watering barbecue, look no further than the crowd favorite, Mama's Grill. Named because it is as bare as an unclothed body, Naked Islandthe tour's first stopis a picture of oasis characterized by a powdery and blinding white sandbar surrounded by blue waters. I have been backpacking, rock climbing, bouldering, and surfing around the Philippines with that principle since I was in college. SIARGAO ITINERARY: 13 Best Things to Do & Places to Visit The lengthy shore of Pacifico dishes a peaceful vibe with swells that can grow to surfer-friendly breaks. 3,283.86. (If youre on a group tour, this is already included in the package.). Siargao Environmental Awareness (SEA) Movement is our local community's efforts in taking care of our seas. On weekdays, Im usually in the office 9:30am-4pm for my day job at Kudo. DENR orders 49 Siargao businesses to address environmental - RAPPLER In addition to Alegria Beach, the northern tip of the island is home to two more must-see attractions that make a great day trip: Santa Monica Pier and Taktak Falls. Highlighted by a cave mouth leading to a dark chamber inhabited by bats, one must wade deep, canyoneering style, into an inner pool for 15 minutes before seeing daylight again and emerging into an open basin enclosed by rock formations and tree vines. It is actually one of the most well-known surfing spots in the entire Philippines, as the right-breaking reef creates a barrelling wave known for its thick, hollow tubes. Besides helping the local economy by purchasing things and availing of services, you can also help to preserve the natural resources of the destination for the future generation. Bats are flying around, which may or may not be responsible for the weird echoes you hear! The Siargao Environmental Awareness Movement (SEA Movement, or SEAM), a group of volunteers "trying to keep Siargao clean and green," is working double time to ensure that Siargao doesn't follow the fate of our other island destinations. This humble eatery has a very casual street vibe, so don't expect a posh set-up. Shaka Cafe is most famous for its signature smoothie bowls that are as vibrant as Siargao Island itself. For the best inland adventure on Siargao Island, head to the Tayangban Cave Pool near the small village of Pilar. Youve probably seen photos of the bent coconut tree sticking out over the river. Find volunteer opportunities on: JustServe.org. Sugba Lagoon is a gem tucked away in the quiet town of Del Carmen in Siargao. It is one of the top activities around Siargao Island for adrenaline seekers, but visitors of all kinds are sure to have an enjoyable experience here. This surfing paradise is in the southeast corner of Siargao, in the town of General Luna. Another well-known tourist destination on the island of Siargao is the Magpupungko Rock Pools, which affords revelers the chance to take a dip in the crystal clear waters when you get there at the right time. Siargao Island is very friendly to bicycle and motorcycle riders, and the freedom of exploring the island on two wheels just can be beat. Siargao Island is usually accessed through Sayak Airport, which is about a 10-minute drive from the municipality of Del Carmen and a 40-minute drive from the main tourist town of General Luna. What advice would you give your 18-year-old self? Siargao is blanketed in thick coconut forests. If youre up for a swim, you can swim around the entire island with little effort! About 1 hour from gen. Luna. It is one of the most extreme of the Siargao tourist spots, and it is also not as well known among tourists. This tide-dependent pool has been one of the go-to non-surfing spots and is often combined with caves and beaches on a day tripin Siargao. For about $7-8 per day you can rent a moped or motorbike and gas/petrol is only a few dollars to fill up your bike. Subscribe on Youtube! You can also mingle and share stories with the friendly locals as they are very accommodating in suggesting other activities worth trying while in Siargao. Her natural ability to explain surf basics, theories, and technicals make it easier for someone like me who loves to surf and only gets 3 to 4 surf breaks a year. Coconut is practically a ubiquitous sight in this island. But it was hard to get a land and build something, so I just started beach clean-ups with kids, then my friends saw it, so they [started doing] their [own] bit in other ways. You will know you have reached the tree once you hit the red bridge at Maasin Village, which you can see the bent tree and the rope swing from. The water in the pools is bright blue and incredibly clear, making it a popular spot to take a swim and go snorkeling. Siargao Island : Challenging ecotourism in the Philippines Photos by Vitalis Villas/Balesin Island Club IMPORTANT:The properties featured in this article may have COVID-19 travel restrictions and requirements. The streaming waters of Taktak Falls provide a wonderful prelude to experiencing the bounteous nature of Siargao. Siargao is famous, locally and internationally, for the cloud 9 waves; however, for those who don't surf or are done surfing, there are other things to do. Feel free to bring your food, or better yet, buy fresh seafood in the main island of Siargao and have locals cook them for you at Daku Island. Instead, guides will bring you to the lagoon on a small dinghy where you can watch the jellyfish merrily swimming around your boat. You can call ahead for a reservation, especially if you're with a big group. My typical day is waking up before 5AM to surf. Be responsible tourists when visiting Siargao and responsible local residents by joining beach clean-ups, refusing single-use plastic, not littering, and opting for a plant-based diet. If you're a hiking enthusiast, you might want to check out Corregidor Island, also known as Casolian Island. Truly, Shaka is the perfect place to get your smoothie bowls to fix throughout the day. check it out early in the morning. Some of the businesses are taking the initiative to do their part in preserving the environment like using metal straws instead of plastic ones. Whether you are a total beginner, already have some experience or simply looking to push your surfing to the next level, Greenhouse offers all that and more. The drive up takes you through the islands interior before following the coast the rest of the way. 2017 and 2005 were slightly better than 2023. There are nearby spots for surfing in Siargaohere that are excellent for beginners to intermediate levels. the breeze is quite nice. A lot of nice huts to stay cool from the sun. The most popular tour for visitors to Siargao Island is the three-island tour to nearby Naked Island, Daku Island, and Guyam Island all in one day. If you are a newbie surfer, this is also the best place to learn as seasoned surfers double as instructors. Once you reach the red Maasin Bridge, you know you're near. Places to Visit in Siargao Island - Tripadvisor You can also dip in the cold waters of the pool, swim around, and snap some photos as souvenirs. Just a 13-minute drive east from General Luna, Doot Beach is an easy and very worthwhile trip from town. The tour is also accompanied by a satisfying lunch banquet. Island Activites Aside from just surfing. If you're not into dive-board jumping, you can laze around Sugba Lagoon, rent one of the wooden rafts, or test your balance stand-up paddleboard out in the water. Top Outdoor Activities in Siargao Island, Philippines Outdoor Activities in Siargao Island Enter dates Filters Outdoor Activities Traveler favorites All things to do Category types Attractions Tours Day Trips Outdoor Activities Concerts & Shows Food & Drink Shopping Transportation Outdoor Activities Surfing, Windsurfing & Kitesurfing Boat Tours There are many ways you can get around the island of Siargao van, tricycle, habal-habal, motorcycle, and bicycle. However, that is no longer permitted today, and visitors are not allowed to swim in that lagoon. Heading to the northern portion of the island, you will arrive at a very conspicuous red bridge. There are also Siargao tour packages with airfare from Manila available on an online travel agency like Guide to the Philippines. There are a lot of independent retailers on the island selling a variety of clothing, jewelry, swimwear, surf gear, and even skincare products. Because of Mama's Grill's popularity, the place is usually always full. Thirty minutes away from General Luna is the magnificent views overlooking the unbelievably beautiful scene of an endless sea of palm trees. Don't be fooled by its size though, Guyam Island may be small, but you'll soon find yourself charmed by its azure waters, powdery sand, and reefs. But you can always take lots of photos. A surfing competition sponsored by the government of Surigao del Norte is held here every year. When you're in Siargao, you certainly shouldn't miss this quintessential island experience. Getting there is quite expensive, but all those islets, lagoons, beaches, caves, and karst cliffs make up for it. Surrounded by limestone hills, Sugba boasts a 87 hectar area and maintains one of the largest mangrove forests in the Philippines. Relocation not the only solution for Siargao coastal residents, gov't I really hope that one day, SEAM will be self-sustaining and be able to pay a good wage to its staff who can work full-time for the organization. Cloud 9 Siargao originally gained popularity due to the surf but it has become a mainstream tourist attraction for people who aren't surfers. However, you are only going slow through the town so it is okay. #SeatizenSunday: Marja Abad, Siargao Environmental Awareness Movement, Siargao has been making waves through headlines and increasing tourist arrivals. Most of the islands top dining spots are located in and around General Luna. Top Things to Do in Siargao Island - Tripadvisor It is highly recommended that you spend some time exploring the palm forest and even try to climb some of the trees! Smart supports Siargao Island's bid to protect the environment With the popularity comes several threats to its natural environment, evident in the increasing volume of litter. The most iconic "landmark" of Sugba lagoon is the wooden diving board rigged from coco lumber. The location is a 45-minute drive from General Luna. We are excited to team up with nonprofit, faith, and government organizations nationwide to share volunteer needs and opportunities to serve. It's a great detour if you're up for a leisurely hike through grassy trails, rolling hills, and lush coconut groves to the white sand beaches and pebble beaches of Corregidor. If you want to make sure you have the swing all to yourself to take some epic pictures as you swing into the river, try to come as early in the morning as possible. For the touristy towns of General Luna, Del Carmen, and Soccoro, measures are being taken to lessen the impact of rising tourism-related activities on the island. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has identified 49 establishments, which allegedly violated environmental laws, in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte. Watch the stunning waves touch the shore in all its glory. To fuel my wanderlust, I moved to Davao after UP Diliman days and worked as a river rafting guide and photographer. Picture a tiny tropical island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean as a grove of luscious palm trees circled by beautiful white sand and a lovely array of rock formations. Choose your partner very carefully and surround yourself with good and quality people. You can pass by this spot on your way to the Northern part of Siargao, where Alegria Beach is. It is also best to come at mid to high tide, as low tide exposes most of the reef. One of the highlights here is jumping off the diving platform into the clear turquoise (sometimes emerald) waters. Theres a rope attached to the tree where you can swing back and forth from and, maybe, let go and plunge into the river. Siargao Island is a relatively small island, which makes it easy to check out the different stretches of sand along its coast. The negatives are actually also good.