How to Get to Siargao: My Experience & the Easiest Way to Travel There in 2025

Last Updated on May 10, 2025 by Oliver

I just got back from Siargao, and honestly, I didn’t think a guide like this was even needed… until I kept getting the same question over and over: “How do you actually get to Siargao?” So here we are — a quick and straightforward guide on how to get to Siargao in 2025, plus how I did it myself.

There are a few ways to get there, depending on where you’re starting from, but realistically, it all comes down to two options: by plane or by ferry. I flew in (which is what I recommend), but I’ll walk you through all the main routes and the pros and cons of each.

Siargao might feel remote, but getting there is actually pretty simple — so I’ll keep this short, sweet, and to the point.

How to Get to Siargao Philippines – My Experience

When I visited Siargao, it was actually my very first stop in the Philippines. I flew into Manila International Airport, went through immigration, grabbed my luggage, and then had to transfer to the domestic terminal — which, luckily, is super easy. Just follow the signs outside the international terminal, and they’ll point you to the shuttle bus that takes you straight to the domestic terminal.

Now, Manila’s domestic terminal is not the greatest. We ended up waiting around three hours for our flight to Siargao, which had a stopover in Cebu. It was a very long travel day, but we decided to push through instead of staying overnight in Manila — we hadn’t heard great things, and we were just too excited to get to the island.

The flight from Manila to Siargao (via Cebu) cost us about $120 USD one way with Cebu Pacific. Yep, kinda pricey for a domestic flight, but it was the fastest option. The Manila–Cebu leg took about 1.5 hours, and then after a short layover, we hopped on a small propeller plane for the one-hour flight to Siargao. Honestly, the plane was so tiny it felt like a bit of an adventure — definitely a fun one to take a photo of.

We landed in Siargao around 7am, and the airport is tiny. You’ll grab your bags and head outside, where people will try to sell you taxi or tuk-tuk rides — just keep walking. There’s a line of air-conditioned minivans waiting, and they all charge a fixed rate of 300 pesos to General Luna. No haggling, no hassle, and they drop you right at your hotel. Honestly, it was such a smooth and stress-free arrival.

Taking a Flight to Siargao

Flying to Siargao is pretty straightforward, but it’s only really possible from two places: Manila or Cebu. If you’re coming from another island — like Palawan, Bohol, or Siquijor — you’ll almost always need to route through Cebu first or make your way there by boat and bus combo.

The two main airlines for domestic travel in the Philippines are Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific. From Manila, you can get a direct flight to Siargao that takes about 2 hours. Or, you can opt for a flight with a stopover in Cebu — usually a bit cheaper than the direct one, but it adds a few extra hours to your travel day.

I usually search flights on Skyscanner, Kayak, or Expedia, but once I find a flight I like, I always double-check the airline’s own website to see if it’s cheaper there. Sometimes third-party sites tack on sneaky fees.

If you’re asking me, flying from Cebu or Manila is definitely the easiest and most comfortable way to get to Siargao!

Tips for Flying to Siargao

There’s not that much to say about flying domestically in the Philippines, but here are a few important tips — especially for my fellow backpackers:

• Carry-on weight is strict. Like, really strict. Most airlines allow 7kg max for carry-ons, and Cebu Pacific in particular is absolutely not playing around. They’ll make you weigh your bag before security, even if you checked in online, and if you’re even a little over? Boom — extra $40 fee and your bag gets checked. Yep, personal experience talking.
• Propeller plane = tiny overhead bins. The planes to Siargao are small, and the overhead compartments are even smaller. If your bag is bulky or not the right shape, it might not fit — we had to do the awkward unpack-and-shove routine right before take off, holding up other passengers (sorry, everyone!).
• No frills, but that’s fine. Don’t expect screens, phone chargers, or plush seats. The flights are basic, but honestly, they’re short. You might get a small snack or a bottle of water — it’s not luxury, but it does the job.

Check out these websites to find flights to Siargao:

• Skyscanner.com
• Expedia.com
• Kayak.com
• Philippine Airlines
• Cebu Pacific

Taking the Ferry to Siargao

Alright, let’s talk ferries. Taking the ferry to Siargao is definitely the less common route — and for good reason. It’s not the most comfortable way to travel, and I’ll say this upfront: I wouldn’t recommend it unless you’re intentionally avoiding flying or looking for a bit more of a local adventure. If that’s your vibe, go for it — just know what you’re signing up for.

The most common (and honestly, only reasonable) ferry route is: Cebu → Surigao City → Siargao. There’s no direct ferry from Bohol, Siquijor, or any of the other smaller islands — you’ll always have to get yourself to Cebu first.

Once you’re in Cebu, you have two ferry options to get to Surigao City:

• Slow ferry from Pier 3
  This one takes around 10 hours and usually runs overnight. It costs about ₱1,200 and has reclining seats and air-conditioning , very basic comfort, but it works if you’re on a budget.
• OceanJet fast ferry
  This is the one I’d go for if I had to do the ferry thing. It takes only 5.5 hours, costs around ₱2,300, and is way more comfortable than the slow ferry.

From Surigao City, it’s just a short 90-minute ferry ride to Dapa Port in Siargao. Dapa is a small harbor town that’s about a 15-minute tuk-tuk ride to General Luna — super easy and straightforward. That last stretch from Surigao to Siargao costs about ₱600.

So yes, the total cost for the ferry route is around ₱2,000–₱3,000 (about $35–$50 USD), which is way cheaper than flying (flights typically start at around $120 USD one-way). But just remember — cheaper comes at the cost of time and comfort.

More Travel Tips on How to Get to Siargao Island

I always start my flight searches on Skyscanner.com — it’s great for comparing routes and prices. That said, I usually end up booking through Expedia or Kayak instead because their customer service is actually decent (and that matters when flights get delayed or cancelled, which, yes, happens often in the Philippines).

For ferries, you can book tickets on 12go.asia — it’s a legit platform and super easy to use. Klook is another solid option. You can buy tickets at the terminal, but honestly, I don’t recommend it. It’s usually the same price, but the lines can be brutal, and I’ve seen people miss their ferries just waiting at the counter. Save yourself the stress and book online.

How to get to Siargao from Cebu?
The easiest way is to fly — it only takes about an hour. If you’d rather take the ferry, you’ll need to go from Cebu to Surigao City, then hop on another ferry to Siargao.

How to get to Siargao from Manila?
Fly. Seriously, don’t even think about doing this one by ferry — it’ll take forever. Cebu Pacific or Philippine Airlines are your best bets.

How to get to Siargao from Bohol?
First, take the ferry from Bohol to Cebu. Once you’re in Cebu, either catch a direct flight to Siargao or take the ferry route via Surigao City. Easy enough, just a bit longer.

Where to Stay in Siargao?

Before you book a hotel, hostel, guesthouse, or resort, I’d recommend taking a quick look at Google Maps to get a feel for Siargao. Since it’s an island, choosing the right area is key — you don’t want to accidentally end up somewhere remote unless that’s what you’re going for.

General Luna is the main tourist hub — it’s where you’ll find the best restaurants, cafes, activities, Cloud 9 boardwalk, and all the nightlife. If you want to be close to the action (and honestly, you should — the food scene here is so good), this is where you want to stay.

If you’re after a quieter, more off-the-grid island escape with fewer people and more peace, check out Pacifico or Burgos. These are small beach towns on the northeast coast of the island — laid-back, local, and super chill.

Here are my favorite places to stay in Siargao:

• Las Palmas Villas and Casitas Siargao
• Casitas Santa Fe
• Vedya Boutique Hostel
• Wayans Siargao Homestay
• Araw Homestay

What are the Best Things to do in Siargao?

Honestly, I don’t even know where to start — there’s so much cool stuff to do in Siargao.

Start by exploring General Luna and treating yourself to all the incredible food. The restaurant and café scene here is amazing, and the nightlife isn’t bad either if you’re up for a party. Of course, you’ve got the famous Tri-Island Hopping tour — a must-do that takes you to Guyam, Daku, and Naked Island.

If you’re into surfing (or just want to watch the pros), check out Cloud 9, one of Siargao’s most iconic surf spots. For beginners, Ocean 9 is also a good surf spot to try catching your first wave.

Outside of General Luna, rent a scooter and go explore the island. Visit the Maasin River with its Instagram-famous palm tree swing, take a dip in the Beto Cold Springs, or time your visit to the Magpupungko Rock Pools for low tide. If you’ve got a few extra days, I highly recommend riding north to Pacifico, Burgos, and Alegria — quieter beach towns with seriously underrated beaches.

If you want the full breakdown, I’ve written a complete Siargao travel guide on what to do in Siargao — check it out for all my top picks.

FAQs About How to Go to Siargao Island Philippines

Is Siargao worth visiting?

Absolutely! I love Siargao — it’s one of my favorite islands in the Philippines (maybe even the favorite). The food is amazing, the surf is great, the people are cool, there is so many beautiful palm trees and there’s so much to do. So yes, 100% worth visiting.

What is the fastest way to get to Siargao?

Flying. That’s it. Just book a flight online — Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines both offer direct flights to Siargao from Cebu (about 1 hour) and Manila (just over 2 hours). It’s by far the easiest and fastest option.

Does Siargao have good food?

Siargao has the best food in the Philippines. The restaurants in Siargao are incredible — Cev is probably my favorite, and the cafés are next-level too. I’d put White Beard Café and Marmalade in my personal top spots.

When is the best time to visit Siargao?

I personally think March can be a great time if you get lucky with the weather, but April and May are considered the best time to visit Siargao since it’s the start of the dry season. Just try to avoid visiting around Easter — it’s a major public holiday in the Philippines and the island gets super crowded.

Final Thoughts on Siargao How to get there

I’ve shared my own experience along with the most popular ways of how to get to Siargao, but honestly — I think flying is the best option for most people. It’s convenient, easy, and way less stressful.

If you’re on a tight budget and want to save some cash, then sure, the ferry is an option. Just be ready for a longer and more complicated journey.

Either way, it’s so worth it. However you decide to get to Siargao Island, you’re going to have an amazing time.

Check out all my Siargao Guides

Hotels in Siargao: Where to Stay in Siargao Island Philippines

Cafes in Siargao: The 13 Best Cafes in Siargao

Food in Siargao: The 12 Best Siargao Restaurants

Coworking in Siargao: My 6 Favorite Coworking Spaces & Cafes to Work from

Digital Nomad Siargao: My Digital Nomad Siargao Guide

My Review: Is Siargao Worth Visiting?

Maasin River: My Experience and Tips for Visiting Maasin River

When to Visit Siargao: The Best Time to Visit Siargao

How to Get to Siargao: The Easiest Way to Get to Siargao

Siargao Itinerary: My Perfect 4 Day Siargao Itinerary

Yoga Siargao: My 5 Favorite Yoga Studios in Siargao

Siargao Accommodation: The Best Hotel in Siargao: Las Palmas

North Siargao: Explore the North of Siargao Island

Nightlife in Siargao: The Best Cocktail Bars in Siargao

Beaches Siargao: The Best Beaches in Siargao + 1 Hidden Gem

Siargao or Siquijor: Siargao or Siquijor My Comparison

Siargao or Siquijor: Siargao or Siquijor My Comparison

Best Beach in Siargao: My Guide to Pasikon Beach

Villas in Siargao: The 8 Best Villas in Siargao

What to Do in Siargao: The Best Things to Do in Siargao Island

Siargao Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Siargao Island

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