Siargao Philippines Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know For Visiting Siargao Island in 2025

Siargao was the very first island I visited in the Philippines — and somehow, also the one I ended up loving the most. It’s one of the more touristy islands if you only stick to General Luna. But once you branch out, it feels totally different. Also, I’ll say it right now: Siargao has some of the best food I had in the entire country. No exaggeration.

That said, it wasn’t love at first sight for me. I usually go for smaller beach towns like Sayulita in Mexico or Hiriketiya in Sri Lanka — walkable, low-key, not too overrun, but still with a few good coffee spots. Siargao felt like a bit much at first. Not Bali-level much, but still busier and more built-up than I expected.

But I stuck around — and two months later, I was still there. I had only planned on staying three weeks, but that’s just how it goes sometimes. The more time I spent here, the more I got it. And now it’s hands-down one of my favorite places in Southeast Asia.

This Siargao travel guide is basically a full rundown of everything I learned — from planning tips to things to do, where to eat, and what not to waste your time on. All based on my personal experience, with a few opinions and honest takes along the way. Hopefully, it helps you have an even better trip.

Why I Love Siargao Philippines – My Own Experience

I’m writing this after leaving the island of Siargao, and now that I’ve seen more of the Philippines, I think I like it even more than I did while I was actually there. Once you put it into perspective against other islands, you realize how good Siargao really is. For me, it’s easily the best island in the Philippines.

That said, I didn’t fall for it right away. I started out in General Luna, staying in one of the busier areas. I remember taking my scooter down Tourism Road and thinking, is this it? Just one long strip of restaurants, shops, and bars, all a bit chaotic and not very charming. It felt like everything was crammed into one loud, dusty stretch. And I know I’m not the only one who’s felt that way on arrival.

It wasn’t until I got out of General Luna a bit more that things changed. I moved to Santa Fe, a quieter town just 10 minutes up the road, and started exploring the island properly. I had my own scooter the whole time, which made it easy to visit beaches, rivers, and hidden spots all over the island. That’s when it really started to feel like the tropical escape I was hoping for — lush, peaceful, and genuinely beautiful.

I still enjoyed the restaurants and cafés back in General Luna, but I preferred living a little outside the chaos and driving in when I wanted to eat out or meet friends. Over time, I found all my favorite places, got some solid local tips from people living on the island, and ended up feeling like part of the community.

But I had time — almost two months to figure it all out. That’s exactly why I’m writing this guide: to share what I learned so you don’t have to go through the same trial-and-error. If you’re only here for a week or two, you might not have time to do that on your own. Hopefully, this guide makes things easier and helps you get the best out of your trip from the start.

If you want a few more personal thoughts on Siargao, I’ve also written about it in my article Is Siargao Worth Visiting? — where I go deeper into some of the pros and cons from my time there.

Where Is Siargao Island and How Do You Get There?

Siargao sits on the far eastern edge of the Philippines, facing the open Pacific. Unlike a lot of other islands that are surrounded by land on all sides, Siargao is fully exposed — which is exactly why the surf here is so good. Nothing blocks the waves and that makes Siargao to the surfing capital of the Philippines.

Getting to Siargao is pretty straightforward, but it’s not always cheap. The easiest and most common way is to fly in. There are frequent direct flights from Manila (about 90 minutes) and Cebu (around an hour), but prices can be high. One-way flights usually start at around $120 USD and can easily go up to $250 USD, especially last minute. If you know your dates, book ahead — the earlier the better.

There’s also a slower, cheaper (but much longer) route. You can take a ferry from Cebu to Surigao City, which takes about 10 hours, then catch a second ferry from Surigao to Siargao — that one takes around an hour. Altogether, you’re looking at 12+ hours of travel and around $50 USD total. It’s doable if you’re on a tighter budget or want to avoid flights, but definitely a full-day mission.

The Best Time to Visit Siargao Philippines

Everyone seems to have a slightly different take on this, but here’s my quick breakdown.

If you’re coming to surf big waves, September and October are your months — the swell gets massive and there are surf competitions happening all over the island. That said, if you’re a beginner or even intermediate, it’s probably too intense during this time. The good news is that Siargao has pretty consistent surf all year, so you won’t miss out.

The dry season runs from May to October, and it’s also when the island is busiest. April and May, especially around Holy Week (a major local holiday), get absolutely packed.

I visited in March and really liked it. Sure, it rained a bit, but it wasn’t too crowded yet. And since I was working remotely, I honestly didn’t mind the occasional rainy day — it made being on my laptop inside feel way less FOMO-y.

Where to Stay in Siargao Island Philippines

I won’t get into every hotel I love here (you can check out my ultimate guide on Where to Stay in Siargao for that), but I do want to give you a quick breakdown of the main areas and a few personal favorites.

General Luna is where most people stay, it’s the main tourist town, home to Cloud 9, and packed with the island’s best restaurants, cafes, bars, and hotels. It’s busy, but if you want to be close to everything, this is the spot.

Santa Fe is just ten minutes outside of General Luna by scooter. It’s way more relaxed, a bit more local, and quieter overall. I stayed here long-term and loved it. It’s still super close to everything, but you get way more peace and space.

Pacifico is about an hour’s drive north of General Luna and feels like a different island. It’s a lot more remote, has a stunning beach, and a handful of really nice hotels and restaurants. I didn’t stay up here long, but it’s great for a weekend or if you want to fully disconnect.

Alegria Beach is even quieter. There’s not much around, just a few resorts and guesthouses, but the beach is gorgeous. I came here for a quiet weekend getaway and it was perfect.

As for places I actually stayed and loved:

Las Palmas Villas in Siargao was my favorite boutique hotel in General Luna. It has a beautiful pool, stylish rooms, and one of the best hotel restaurants on the island.

For something more budget-friendly, Wayans Homestay Siargao is a solid pick in GL. The owners are super friendly, the rooms have everything you need, and there’s even a shared kitchen.

And just outside of town, Casitas Santa Fe was my favorite apartment stay on the island. It gave me major Mexico flashbacks, in the best way.

The Best Things to Do in Siargao Philippines (Touristy and Non-Touristy)

I actually wrote a full guide to all the best things to do in Siargao, but here’s a breakdown of my personal highlights, a mix of the classic tourist stuff and the more chill, local experiences I loved most.

Surfing, of course, is huge here. Siargao is the surf capital of the Philippines, and while I wouldn’t call myself a surfer, I still loved watching the pros out at Cloud 9 from the boardwalk. If you do want to give it a try (and you should!), there are plenty of spots for beginners. I had a great experience with a lesson at Ocean 9,  really friendly instructors and beginner-friendly waves.

That said, my favorite thing to do in Siargao wasn’t surfing, it was exploring. I’d hop on my scooter and take mini road trips around the island. I usually had a destination in mind, like Pacifico Beach or Pasikon Beach (which I personally think is the best beach on the island), but the real fun was in the stops along the way.

I’d pass by the Coconut Viewpoint (amazing views over hundreds of palm trees), stop for a dip at the Magpupungko Rock Pools (make sure you check the tide schedule for this one), and ride along the winding roads near Maasin River, where you can do the iconic rope swing or just chill by the water.

Once I got up to Pacifico, I’d grab coffee or brunch at Common Ground — one of my favorite little cafes on the island, then hang out on the beach, swim, read, maybe crack open a beer as the sun started to set. Honestly, that was my ideal day in Siargao. Chill, spontaneous, and full of small adventures.

If you’ve got the time, I also recommend doing a few boat trips — like the classic island hopping tour to Daku Island, Naked Island, and Guyam Islands — and visiting Sugba Lagoon for kayaking or paddleboarding (or do it at Secret Beach).

My Favorite Restaurants and Cafes in Siargao

I’ve got full blog posts dedicated to the best cafes in Siargao and another one about the best restaurants in Siargao, so if you want the full foodie rundown, definitely check those out. But for now, here are some of my absolute favorite spots.

For coffee, these are the places I kept going back to:

• White Beard Coffee – Super laid-back, great vibe, and they really know how to make a proper flat white and huge breakfast portions.
  
• Saint Thomas Coffee – Probably the coolest coffee shop in Siargao, and the pastries were surprisingly good too.
  
• Marmalade – One of the coziest cafes with a coffee and super cool owners. A bit hidden but totally worth the stop.
  

When it comes to restaurants, CEV was the standout for me. I had their ceviche and kinilaw, which were some of the freshest and most flavorful I’ve had in the Philippines. The fish rolls (basically spring rolls stuffed with ground fish) were so amazing, I’m still talking about them.
If seafood isn’t your thing, don’t worry, Kermit is another favorite of mine. Their pizza and pasta hit the spot every single time and it’s a fun place to hang out in the evenings.

Where to Find the Best Villas and Best Resort in Siargao Philippines

For booking accommodation in Siargao, and Asia in general, I usually recommend Booking.com or Agoda. Both have tons of options, but Agoda tends to have more listings across Southeast Asia, while I stick to Booking.com because I’ve used it for years and love the Genius discounts.

If you’re looking for something stylish and personal, I’ve written a full blog post on the best villas in Siargao — great if you’re traveling as a couple, with friends, or even with family. I also wrote a separate review of Las Palmas, which I personally think is the best boutique hotel in Siargao. Beautiful pool, amazing food, and super comfy rooms, it had everything I wanted.

One thing I didn’t have much luck with in the Philippines was Airbnb. It just didn’t seem to have many good options in Siargao, unlike places like Bali where it’s overflowing with amazing villas. So unless something has changed recently, I’d say stick to Booking.com or Agoda here.

How to Get Around Philippines Siargao (Scooters, Bikes, and More)

Getting around Siargao is actually pretty easy. Personally, I think renting a scooter is the best way to go. It gives you complete freedom to explore the island on your own terms. You can stay outside the busy parts but still head into town whenever you feel like it. Scooter rentals are cheap, too — around 350 pesos per day.

Once you’re outside of General Luna, the roads are quiet and open, which makes this a great place to learn how to ride if you’ve never tried before. It’s low-stress and way less hectic than other parts of Southeast Asia.

If you’re not comfortable on a scooter, that’s totally fine. There are plenty of tuk-tuks, taxis, and even tour buses that can get you around. And if you’re staying in General Luna itself, you could actually walk to quite a few places.

One thing I get asked a lot is how to get from the airport to General Luna. It’s super easy. Right outside the arrivals area, there’s a row of silver minivans waiting. They’re air-conditioned, comfortable, and all run on a fixed rate of 300 pesos per person. No need to haggle or negotiate — they’ll drop you straight at your hotel.

Tips for Surfing in Siargao (Even for Beginners)

Now I’m not a pro surfer, so I won’t give you actual surf tips, but I can tell you where to go.

Cloud 9 is the most famous surf break on the island. It’s known worldwide and a lot of surf competitions are held here. But unless you’re an experienced surfer, this probably isn’t the spot for you. The waves are massive and the lineup is packed.

If you’re just starting out, head about 12 minutes north of General Luna to a spot called Ocean 9. It’s a beachfront bar with a pool, cold drinks, and chill vibes — a good place to hang out even if you’re not surfing. At high tide, the beach is perfect. At low tide, the water pulls back and you’ll have to walk out over rocks and coral to reach the surf, but it’s still manageable.

Ocean 9 is ideal for beginners. There are always instructors around who will take you out and teach you how to catch your first waves. Whether it’s your first time or you’ve surfed a little before, this is the place I’d recommend.

Siargao Nightlife: What to Expect After Dark

Siargao definitely has a nightlife scene. You’ll find beach parties, DJ sets, and late-night bars, especially around Tourism Road. That said, a lot of spots do start winding down around 11 or midnight, so if you want to keep the night going, you kind of have to know where to go.

One place I’ve ended up at more than once is Happiness. It’s a hostel and beachside restaurant that turns into one of the more lively late-night spots. Good energy, solid crowd, and open later than most.

That said, maybe it’s my age showing a bit, but I’ve found myself gravitating more toward live music, cold beers, and proper cocktails these days. That’s more my kind of night.

The Last Chance is hands down one of my favorite cocktail bars in Siargao. The place honestly looks like it was plucked out of New York — dim lighting, great music, and even better drinks. It’s run by a couple of guys from Houston, and they bring that Southern hospitality vibe to the island. Super welcoming, super chill.

Another spot I love is Manu. It has more of an island feel, cozy, laid-back, and perfect if you just want to relax with a good drink. The cocktails are excellent here too.

And if I’m in the mood for live music, I usually head to Sibol Siargao. It’s right on the main road, so people naturally gather when they hear the music. It gets packed quickly, but if you manage to grab a table, the vibe is always fun. I’ve had a few unexpectedly great nights there just sipping beers and soaking up the music.

Helpful Tips for Visiting Siargao in the Philippines (Tides, Power Cuts, ATMs, Wi-Fi)

• Tides matter a lot – Plan your beach days and rock pool visits around the tide chart. Low tide can mean no surfing, but perfect for Magpupungko.
  
• Power cuts are super common – Most places have generators, but not all. Charge your stuff when you can, especially before heading out for the day.
  
• ATMs are limited – Bring enough cash. There are only a few working ATMs (most in General Luna), and they often run out or go offline.
  
• Wi-Fi can be sketchy – Don’t expect strong or stable internet everywhere. A local SIM with data is your best friend — go for Globe or Smart.
  
• Book popular spots early – Whether it’s island tours, surf lessons, or a weekend stay in Alegria, things fill up fast in peak season.
  
• Scooter is the best way to get around – It gives you the most freedom, especially if you want to explore quieter beaches like Pacifico or Pasikon.

My Final Thoughts on My Visiting Siargao Travel Guide

Siargao really is one of those places that just sticks with you. If I had the time, I’d go back in a heartbeat — and honestly, I probably will. Between the stunning nature, the amazing food, the laid-back vibe, and the mix of locals and foreigners who now call it home, it just has something special.

I hope this little guide helps you plan your own trip to Siargao. It’s easily my favorite island in the Philippines, and I’ve done just about everything I mentioned here myself — so if you’re after real, firsthand tips, you’ve got them.

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