I ended up spending nearly two months in Siargao—even though I was only supposed to stay for three weeks. Classic. But honestly, once you’re here, it’s pretty hard to leave. Between the surf, the food, the people, and the laid-back energy, it just pulls you in.

Over that time, I ticked off most of the things people come to Siargao for—the must-dos, the hidden gems, and a few “I probably didn’t need to do that” moments too. I wouldn’t say I did everything (who actually does?), but I’ve done enough to put together a solid list of what’s worth your time, especially if it’s your first trip.

Siargao’s definitely not a secret anymore. People love to call it the “next Bali,” and while I have mixed feelings about that comparison, I get it. It’s growing fast, and yes, it’s touristy—but it’s still got that special something. That’s exactly why I wanted to write this guide. Because I’m like you—I want to do the cool stuff that everyone talks about and mix in a few low-key, off-the-beaten-path adventures that make the trip feel a bit more personal.

So here it is: all the best things to do in Siargao, touristy and non-touristy, based on my own time on the island.

The Best Things to Do in Siargao – My Experience

As I mentioned earlier, I’ve spent a solid chunk of time in Siargao and tried pretty much everything the island has to offer. There are plenty of things I absolutely recommend—and a few where I’ll throw in a little disclaimer, just to set the right expectations before you go.

One of the biggest highlights for me was the food. No contest. Siargao has by far the best food scene in the Philippines. From Aussie-style brunch cafes to beautifully designed restaurants that feel super upscale (but are still affordable), eating out here was honestly one of my favorite activities.

I also really loved the surf culture, even though I’m not a surfer myself. The vibe is just cool and easygoing. And if you’re comfortable riding a scooter, please do that instead of booking an island tour. Exploring the island on your own is a hundred times better—you’ll get the freedom, the views, and the little roadside moments you won’t find on a group tour.

Now, real talk—there were a few things I didn’t love.

The tri-island hopping tour, for example. It’s fun, sure, but if you’ve been to El Nido, Coron, or Balabac, you’ll probably find it a little underwhelming. If this is your only island-hopping stop in the Philippines, then go for it. But if you’ve done the others… you’ll see what I mean.

Same goes for the beaches around General Luna. I hate to say it, but they’re just not great. Honestly, I think Siargao might have some of the worst beaches in the country (don’t come for me). But thankfully, the food, surf, and overall vibe more than make up for it.

One last thing—I wasn’t the biggest fan of the Maasin River boat tour. It felt a bit like a tourist trap. But I did enjoy swimming in the river and jumping off the platform, so it’s not a total skip. Just… manage your expectations.

11 Touristy Things to Do in Siargao (That Are Still Worth It)

Alright, let’s start with the more popular stuff—aka the touristy things. Yes, they’re everywhere on Instagram. And yes, they’re busy for a reason. I’m not saying you have to do all of these, but if it’s your first time in Siargao and you’ve got the time, most of these are definitely worth checking out. Once we get through this list, I’ll get into the more local, off-the-radar stuff.

1. Take a surf lesson (yes, even if you’ve never surfed before)

This one’s obvious—Siargao is the surf capital of the Philippines. I only found out later that there’s some surfing near El Nido too, but if you want real waves and a proper surf culture, this is the place.

Cloud 9 is the most famous surf break, and if you’re already confident on a board, go for it—it’s supposed to be incredible. But if you’re a beginner, I’d actually recommend heading over to Santa Fe, just a short ride from General Luna. Ocean 9 is a small beach bar there with a pool, good vibes, and amazing beginner surf lessons. Plus, even if you’re not surfing, it’s a great spot to hang out and watch other people surf.

2. Walk the iconic Cloud 9 boardwalk

If surfing’s not really your thing, watching it from the boardwalk is the next best option. The Cloud 9 boardwalk is one of Siargao’s most iconic spots—chances are you’ve already seen it in photos before even landing on the island.

I went a few times, but my favorite was early in the morning. I’d grab a smoothie bowls and flat white at Shaka just down the road (still one of my go-to breakfast spots in Siargao), and then walk over to the boardwalk to take it all in while everything was still quiet. It’s a peaceful way to start the day—and if you’re into photos, the light in the morning is perfect.

There’s a ₱100 entrance fee, but I think it’s worth it for the views!

3. Cool Off at Maasin River

One of the best things to do in Siargao with kids!

I had mixed feelings about Maasin River. We rode up there one morning from General Luna—it’s about a 40-minute scooter ride—and made the a stop at the coconut plantation viewpoint on the way, which really is as photogenic as they say.

Once we got to the river, I loved swimming and jumping off the bamboo platform. That part was honestly so much fun. But the boat tour was just not for me. We paid ₱600 and were paddled upriver to this small natural pool at the end, where we had to queue up just to get in while souvenir sellers waited on the banks. It felt staged and crowded—not the peaceful jungle experience I expected. And yeah… turns out the river is literally right next to the main road, which kind of killed the vibe. Still worth going, but if I did it again, I’d skip the boat and just hang out and swim.

4. Do the Tri-Island Hopping Tour ( Daku Island, Naked Island & Guyam Island )

This is one of the best things to do in Siargao for non surfers!

This one is a classic for a reason. I had a great time island hopping—it’s a beautiful day out with white sand beaches, clear water, fresh seafood, and good vibes. I definitely recommend it if Siargao is your main beach destination in the Philippines.

But here’s the thing: I also did island hopping in Palawan, and the tours there—especially in El Nido and Balabac—were next level. So if you’re planning to visit Palawan later on your trip, I’d say save your money and do it there instead. But if not, this is still a super fun way to spend the day in Siargao.

Alternatively you could also visit the Sugba Lagoon, however I did not do it.

5. Café-hop your way through General Luna

Now this is more my thing. I got borderline obsessed with the food scene in Siargao—especially the coffee. I honestly stand by this: Siargao has the best food scene in the Philippines, and the cafés are a huge part of why.

I café-hopped almost every day and tried pretty much every single one in General Luna (yes, really). I even wrote a full café guide because I had that many opinions. But if you want just a few top picks, I’d say start with White Beard Coffee, Marmalade, and Saint Thomas Coffee. All three do a proper flat white, which is surprisingly rare to find, and their breakfast menus are equally good. If you love a good slow morning with coffee and a view, you’re going to be very happy here.

6. Swim at the Magpupungko Rock Pools (Check the Tides!)

The Magpupungko Rock Pools were like my personal little nemesis for a while—it took me three tries to finally make it there at the right time. The first two times, I just didn’t plan properly (classic me) and showed up when the tide was too high, so you couldn’t see the pools at all. Totally my own fault.

The third time, I finally checked the tide chart ahead of time (which I highly recommend doing), and we made it just as the tide was going out. And wow—it really is beautiful. Yes, it’s a bit touristy and can get crowded, but once you’re in those natural pools surrounded by the rock formations, it’s easy to see why it’s such a popular spot. Worth the effort for sure—just time it right or you’ll end up like me, doing three separate scooter trips to get there.

7. Catch the Sunset at Sunset Bridge + Check Out the Night Market

When we were staying in Santa Fe, just outside General Luna, we used to ride into town in the evenings—and we always timed it so we’d catch sunset at Sunset Bridge. It’s the big bridge right before you enter General Luna from the north, and around sunset, the whole area comes alive.

There’s a little night market that pops up with local vendors, street food, cocktails, and a bunch of fun things to browse. Super laid-back and one of those places where you end up staying longer than you planned. Right next to the bridge there’s also a small café called Sunset (fitting name), which became one of my favorite coffee shops in Siargao.

8. Take a scooter trip to Pacifico Beach

One of my absolute favorite things to do in Siargao, like I mentioned earlier, is just riding around on a scooter. The island is ridiculously lush, the roads wind through jungle and palm forests, and I honestly never got tired of it. One of the best places to drive to (and spend the day or even a weekend) is Pacifico Beach.

I’ve done the trip a few times now, and it never disappoints. The beach itself is gorgeous, white sand, a bit more rugged than General Luna, with waves good enough for surfing and a much more peaceful vibe. There are also a couple of cute cafes and local restaurants in the area that make it worth hanging around for a while. Most times I’d turn it into a full day trip, stopping at Maasin River or the Magpupungko Rock Pools on the way up. The ride alone is worth it.

9. Eat Your Way Through Siargao’s Best Restaurants

So earlier I talked about how obsessed I am with the cafés in Siargao, but the restaurant scene is also amazing. In my opinion, Siargao has the best food scene in the Philippines, not necessarily for traditional local food (I’ve had better lechon and adobo in other parts of the country), but for international and upscale restaurants at actually affordable prices. Some of my absolute favorites are Cev and Kermit—both are seriously good and super consistent. If you’re in the mood for local Filipino dishes in a slightly more elevated setting, Kurvada Siargao is such a great spot too.

10. Check Out the Nightlife in General Luna

Wondering what to do in Siargao at night?

Nightlife in Siargao is surprisingly good. It’s not wild like in Thailand or anything, but General Luna has a great mix of lively beach bars, live music spots, and proper cocktail places. I’ve never been one for all-night parties, so I usually stick to mellow drinks and live music—maybe that’s my age showing, who knows. The Last Chance is probably my favorite cocktail bar on the island, and Sibol is great too—they’ve usually got live music and always serve up cold beers. It’s nothing crazy, but it’s perfect for a chill night out after dinner.

11. Try Paddleboarding at Secret Beach (Doot Beach)

Secret Beach was actually one of the first places I checked out when I got to Siargao. It’s just a short scooter ride from General Luna and also included in some of the island hopping tours, so I’d recommend going either earlier or later in the day to avoid the crowds. I’ll be honest—I was a bit underwhelmed when I first got there. It’s not very secret and not really your typical white-sand “beachy” beach. It’s more of a grassy area with some dirt patches, but the vibe is good with palm trees everywhere and chilled-out locals and travelers. We rented paddleboards there and ended up having such a fun time cruising through the calm waters.

A few tips: make sure you walk all the way to the far end of the beach—it might feel like you’re entering private property, but it’s not. Just keep walking. Also, check out Kanaloa—they’ve got drinks, beanbags, and an actual bit of sandy beachfront, which makes it a much better hangout spot than just laying around on the grass.

6 Non-Touristy Things to Do in Siargao Island (My Favorite Activities)

 Alright, let’s get to the second part of my guide which is all about the non-touristy stuff. That doesn’t mean you’ll be the only tourist around, but at least these places aren’t as popular as Maasin River or the island hopping tour. And I honestly enjoy that feeling of being a bit off the beaten path, doing things not everyone else is doing.

1. Rope swing at Beto Cold Spring

I loved Beto Cold Spring. It’s not part of any of the island tours you can book, so it’s way less busy than somewhere like Maasin River. My favorite spot to go for a swim at low tide is actually this cold spring. It’s only a 20-minute scooter ride from General Luna and the entrance fee was just 30 pesos when I visited.

As the name suggests, it’s a cold spring with crystal-clear water, a rope swing, and a small jumping platform. Super refreshing on a hot sunny day. One tip I’d give is to avoid going on a Sunday. The place gets packed with local kids, and while it was honestly fun watching them launch themselves off the rope swing, if you’re looking for a quieter experience, come early on a weekday morning instead.

2. Try wakeboarding at Siargao Wakepark

Super close to Beto Cold Spring is Siargao Wakepark, which is such a cool spot and doesn’t get nearly as much hype as it should. It’s a cable wakeboarding park, meaning you get pulled across the water by an overhead cable system instead of a boat. The setup is actually really decent, with enough space to get a good ride in whether you’re a total beginner or know what you’re doing.

Just make sure to book a slot in advance because it can fill up, especially in the afternoons. But even if you don’t end up wakeboarding, it’s a fun spot to chill. There’s a big grassy area where you can hang out and a bar that sells cold beers. I loved just sitting there, watching people wipe out or totally nail it—it’s entertaining either way.

3. Visit Pasikon Beach, in my opinion the best beach in Siargao (and still a secret)

My number one beach in Siargao, without a doubt, is Pasikon Beach. It’s kind of a hidden gem, and I’m honestly surprised it’s not more popular. Way better than Pacifico or Alegria if you ask me. Just pop “Pasikon Beach” into Google Maps and thank me later.

There’s a small entrance fee of 80 pesos, and I was genuinely obsessed with how pretty it was—white sand, crystal-clear water, and barely any people. There was a local lady selling cold beers, and the best part for me was that there were no other tourists around, just a few locals. That’s what makes it one of the best non-touristy beaches in Siargao in my book.

4. Take a day trip to Alegria Beach, quiet, peaceful, and stunning

Alegria Beach is actually pretty well known, since a lot of people call it the best beach in Siargao (I disagree, Pasikon is way better). But Alegria is still really beautiful. The only reason it’s less popular is because it’s far from General Luna—almost a 90-minute scooter ride, which is kind of a lot just to hang out at a beach for the day. That’s why we went up to Alegria for the whole weekend. We rented a little beachfront bungalow for cheap and just hung out at the beach. It was super chill, and I’d definitely do it again.

5. Have a beer and a swim at Ocean 9, also a great beginner surf spot

One of my go-to beach spots around General Luna was Ocean 9, which is technically in Santa Fe and only about a two-minute scooter ride from where we lived in Siargao for most of our time there. It’s not the most amazing beach, but it’s convenient and relaxed. Ocean 9 is a beach bar with a pool—it’s not fancy at all, but it’s affordable and right on the sand. We spent a lot of afternoons there. Especially at low tide, when swimming in the ocean wasn’t great, we’d just hop in the pool. If you want to use the pool, there’s a 100 peso entrance fee, but you can also just walk onto the beach for free.

6. Take a yoga class at one of Siargao’s jungle studios

Yoga in Siargao is actually kind of a thing, and we ended up doing quite a bit of it. When I say we, I mostly mean Carae, but still. There are a few amazing jungle yoga studios on the island. We wrote a whole guide on the best yoga studios in Siargao, but the one that stood out the most was Bodhi Yoga. I know a lot of surfers also get into yoga, and even if you’re just on vacation, doing a morning yoga class is a great way to start the day—or so I’m told. (Apparently, according to Carae. I’d still rather just start with a coffee.)

Quick Siargao Travel Guide (Everything You Need to Know)

Where to Stay in Siargao: Most travelers base themselves in General Luna—that’s where the surf, cafes, bars, and most accommodations are. For quieter vibes, check out Pacifico or Alegria up north.

How to Get to Siargao: Fly into Siargao Airport (IAO) from Manila or Cebu. From the airport, it’s a 45-minute van or tricycle ride to General Luna.

Best Time to Visit Siargao: March to October is dry season and perfect for exploring. August to November is prime surf season if you’re chasing waves.

How to Get Around: Rent a scooter—it’s cheap, easy, and the best way to see the island.

Cash & ATMs: Bring cash! A lot of places are cash-only. There are a few ATMs in General Luna but they can run out or be down.

Final Thoughts on What to Do in Siargao Travel Guide

If you’ve read any of my other Siargao guides, then you already know—I absolutely love this island. It’s the kind of place that’s just too easy to get stuck in. It’s beautiful, the people (both local and not) are amazing, the food is incredible, and there’s just so much to do.

Even this guide probably isn’t a full list. I’m sure some of you are reading this thinking, how did they forget to mention this or that? That’s the thing about Siargao—it’s packed with great spots. It’s fun if you’re here for four or five days, but honestly, it’s just as good if you stay for two or three months.

I hope this little guide to the best and more unique things to do in Siargao helps you figure out what adventures to add to your own trip. Have the best time.

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