Is Siargao Worth Visiting? My Honest Review in 2025

Last Updated on April 24, 2025 by Oliver

Siargao Island in the Philippines is definitely on the rise. And yes, I know — someone’s uncle probably surfed here 20 years ago and swears it was “way better back then.” I get it. It’s not a hidden gem anymore, but it’s still growing fast.

It started with the surfers. Then came the backpackers. Then the holidaymakers. And now? It’s coworking spaces, cold plunges, breathwork circles, and all the digital nomad vibes. Siargao is slowly turning into a little Bali.

Not judging — just observing.

I spent almost two months in Siargao. I’m not a local, obviously, but I think I’ve got a solid feel for what the island is really like, what’s amazing, what’s not so great, and — more importantly — who it’s actually for.

My intention with this review is simple: to give you a real, honest sense of whether is Siargao worth visiting in 2025. No sugar-coating. But also, no dramatic “it’s ruined” takes either. Every place has pros and cons — Siargao included.

Is Siargao Worth Visiting? My Honest 2025 Take (Quick Answer)

I know some of you don’t want to scroll through an entire blog post to figure out if Siargao is worth it, so here’s the quick answer: Yes. 100% yes.

It’s absolutely worth visiting. In fact, I’d say it’s one of the most beautiful and fun spots in the entire Philippines, so please — make the effort to fly over.

That said, whether you love it depends on how you travel, what you’re looking for, and how long you plan to stay. If you’re backpacking through Southeast Asia, you’ll love the energy, the activities, and the nightlife. If you’re on a more chilled-out Philippines vacation, come for the upscale food, dreamy beaches, and fun day trips.

You should also check out my full guide on Where to Stay in Siargao for more info!

What I Expected vs. What I Actually Got in Siargao

Alright so this bit is just my own experience — what I thought Siargao would be like, and what it actually ended up being.

When I first got to Siargao, I didn’t love it. I know that’s not what everyone says, but I just didn’t. And honestly, that was more on me than on Siargao. My expectations were off.

In my head, I imagined working as a digital nomad, going for a morning swim before opening my laptop, beach walks in the afternoon, just living that super slow island life. That did not happen.

The beaches around General Luna (where most people stay) just aren’t that kind of beach. The tides are rough, and most of the day the water’s gone, leaving you with rocks, reef, and coral instead of blue water and white sand.

So yeah, I was a bit annoyed at first. But once I let go of the idea that I’d be at the beach every morning, things shifted. I started loving Siargao for what it actually is. I loved scooter days exploring the island — Maasin River, Magpupungko Rock Pools, Pacifico. I loved hopping between pools instead of beaches. I loved all the restaurants and cafes — seriously, the food here is so so good for the price.

And I got into the remote work rhythm at Coco Space (the Coworking Space in Siargao), which made everything easier.

So yeah, Siargao is definitely worth visiting for a quick 4–5 days if you’re backpacking around Asia. But it’s also great for long stays — especially if you want to base yourself somewhere for a bit in the Philippines. Just maybe don’t expect a daily beach dream, and you’ll probably love it.

The Vibe: What Siargao Really Feels Like

I know I’ve said it like ten times already, but yes — Siargao does feel like a mini Bali. Just… Bali ten years ago, in the best possible way.

You’ve got cute cafés, great restaurants, beach resorts, coworking spots, and yes — even an ice bath studio if that’s your thing. It’s built up enough to have everything a digital nomad, long-term traveler, or expat might want. But it hasn’t gone full Bali yet.

Siargao still feels small. Especially General Luna — which is basically one long road ( Tourism Road) and a few turns off it. No crazy traffic, no massive crowds, no big malls. You go out for dinner and you bump into the same people you saw at coworking earlier. It feels cozy. It feels like a little community.

It’s in that sweet spot right now: developed enough to live well and stay long-term, but not overwhelmed or overrun. You can be here for weeks or months, even years, and still feel like it’s got that local island vibe.

How long that will last? No idea. But in 2025, Siargao is still cool, still vibey, and still feels like somewhere you can actually be — not just pass through.

Check out my blog post on the Best Cafes in Siargao for a little more info!

What I loved About Siargao

• The community here is amazing – Whether you’re staying for a week or two months, you’ll start bumping into the same faces, and suddenly it feels like everyone knows everyone. It’s got that small-town, cozy vibe.
• The food scene is way better than you’d expect – Truly one of the biggest highlights for me. You’ve got so many great cafés and restaurants serving actually good food — not just “good for island standards” but actually good.Just a heads up though: not every spot with five stars on Google deserves it — don’t trust the reviews blindly.
• The nightlife is fun without being insane – There’s always something going on, but it never feels overwhelming or too much. Bar hopping in GL, dance nights, and chill cocktails.
• Coworking + remote work setup is great – If you’re working online, Siargao is surprisingly great. Places like Coco Space make it easy to stay productive, and it doesn’t hurt that your lunch break includes smoothie bowls and flat whites.
• Surfing, island hopping, rock pools – Whether you’re here for the surf (which is amazing, by the way), or want to jump on a boat to Naked Island, Daku Island and Guyam Island, float in the Magpupungko Rock Pools, head to the famous Sugba Lagoon, or explore the lush north — there’s so much to do and explore in Siargao.
• Scooter life = freedom – Riding around the island, passing rice paddies, palm trees, and tiny villages… it’s one of those simple joys that never gets old. Siargao just feels so lush and green everywhere you go.
• The north stole my heart – Places like Pacifico, Alegria, and especially Santa Fe — those beaches are unreal. Way quieter, way prettier, and a totally different vibe from General Luna.

What I Did Not Like About Siargao

• General Luna beaches? Kinda overrated – I came in thinking I’d be doing daily beach dips before work, but the tides here are wild. Like, rock-and-coral-everywhere kind of wild. The pretty blue and clear waters -hite-sand vibe just isn’t a daily thing in GL. If you want better beaches, head north — Pacifico or Alegria.
• Accommodation is tricky – Everything decent is booked out all the time, and prices are creeping up fast. You’re either paying way too much for a basic room or hoping something opens up last minute. Not great for longer stays.
• GL long-term isn’t it (for me) – It gets hectic, a bit too busy, and not the kind of laid-back vibe I wanted. Santa Fe was way better — quieter, more relaxed, and felt way more like “island life.”
• Power cuts. All the time – It’s part of the island, sure, but frustrating when you’re trying to work. or when your AC turns off in the middle of the night.
• The stray dogs – This one really got to me. It’s heartbreaking to see so many sick and starving puppies everywhere. There is an initiative called Be Pawsitive trying to help, but it’s still tough to see day after day.

Who Siargao is For and Who Siargao Isn’t For

Honestly, Siargao can work for just about anyone — if you know what kind of trip you’re after.

It’s perfect for:

1. Backpackers looking for budget-friendly hostels, cheap eats, and a fun social scene.
2. Digital nomads who want coworking spaces, good Wi-Fi (most of the time), and plenty of smoothie bowls.
3. Surfers — obviously. Siargao has some of the best waves in the country, especially around Cloud 9.
4. Holidaymakers who want a mix of adventure and chill. Here you get Island hopping, great food, and beach days.
5. Solo travelers — it’s super easy to meet people and feel part of the community.

You’ll find everything from $10-a-night fan rooms to luxury villas with pools, so no matter your budget, you’ll be fine. Want quiet white sand beaches? Head north. Want nightlife, surf, and social energy? General Luna is your spot.

That said, Siargao isn’t for everyone.
If you’re after a polished, all-inclusive family resort holiday with five-star hotels, kids’ clubs, and shopping malls — places like Boracay or Cebu will probably suit you better. Siargao is still rough around the edges in terms of infrastructure, and power cuts are a thing.

But if you’re okay with a bit of island chaos and you’re here for the vibe, Siargao will be perfect for you.

Siargao in 2025: Overrated or Still a Hidden Gem?

This one’s a bit tricky. Honestly, I’d say… neither?

Siargao definitely isn’t a hidden gem anymore — at least not if you’ve done any kind of backpacking, island hopping, or digital nomad-ing around Southeast Asia. If you’re usually more of a resort-in-Spain or Bali-holiday type traveler, then yeah, maybe Siargao still flies under your radar. But for most people who’ve been around a bit, it’s 100% on the map.

That said, it’s also not overrated. Not yet, anyway.

It’s growing fast, though. If things keep going the way they are — more construction, more tourists, more buzz — it could very well lose that community vibe and laid-back charm that makes it so great. So if you’re asking when the best time to visit Siargao was? Probably two years ago.
But the second best time? Right now.

Come before it turns into another Bali 2.0.

Would I Come Back to Siargao? My Final Thoughts

Quick answer: yes, I’d come back.

For what I did and how I stayed (about two months), it actually worked out really well. Now that I know the deal — like if I want proper beach days, I need to head up north — I’d just do it a bit differently next time.

I’d stay in General Luna during the week, work remotely, hang out by the pool, eat all the good food… and then do more day trips or weekend escapes to Pacifico and other quieter spots. That balance makes Siargao 100% worth coming back to.

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