Gone are the days when Siargao lurked under the radar of beachgoers. It has become a rising star in Philippine tourism. It adds to the reasons why you shouldn’t skip Mindanao for beach trips!
Siargao is mostly known as THE surfing destination in the Philippines, with surfers flocking to the shores of the main island to catch its swells. But there’s more to this island paradise than riding the waves. Siargao is bigger than you think! It comprises nine municipalities of Surigao Del Norte, namely, Burgos, Dapa, Del Carmen, General Luna, Pilar, San Benito, San Isidro, Santa Monica, and Socorro.
Beyond beaches and waves, its coconut-lined roads and rivers, caves, lagoons, and food will have you booking the next flight to this teardrop-shaped island in Surigao del Norte! Here are some of the best things to do and must-visit spots in Siargao.
WHAT'S IN THIS GUIDE?
Tri-Island Tour
Beyond its world-famous surfing spots, Siargao boasts three islands that showcase the beauty of its seascape — no surfing skills required! The cherry on top? You can cover all three in half a day! They are all under the jurisdiction of General Luna. The Tri-Island Tour is a great introduction to the natural wonders of Siargao.
You can easily book this tour online. If you’re reserving your slot through Klook, you can redeem your discount voucher here!
We found this package with free drone group shot and use of mermaid tail for photo ops:
✅ BOOK OVERLOADED TRI-ISLAND TOUR + DRONE HERE!
Naked Island
The main draw of Naked Island is in its name. Bare and beautiful with no vegetation or structures, the island brings visitors to its shore by virtue of its simplicity. A stunning sandbar in the middle of the ocean, it’s the perfect place to take photos against white sand and turquoise waters.
Just note that there’s quite literally nothing else to do here except swim, lounge, and take pictures! If you’re looking for a bit more activity, that’s what the next island caters to!
Guyam Island
If you’re not sure what island you’re on, the large letters spelling “GUYAM” might be a nice indicator.
Guyam Island is Naked Island’s more extroverted sibling. This island is usually the first stop in island hopping tours, which sets a lively start to your adventure.
Its terrain is a bit more complex than Naked Island’s, which plays into its advantage. It is small and circular with two distinct sides: one side is rocky with strong currents, while the sandy side is more serene. Since this stop does have significantly more foliage than Naked Island, you’ll find cottages all over the area for guests to use. Just be mindful that the use of some cottages may come with a fee.
The management has also built structures where you can pose for some photos. If you’re lucky, you might just catch some performances as well! The island has a smoothie bar, too. But if you’re looking for more than a nice cold drink, you’ll love the next stop!
Daku Island
Daku Island serves as the usual lunch stop for the Tri-Island tour. It’s the largest of the three islands and is a whole barangay in itself. It is primarily a fishing village with cottages lined up along the coast. There are also private properties along the beach.
If you rented a private boat, lunch is not covered. But fresh fish and other seafood are available, and you can have the locals cook for you. However, if you opted for a group tour, this is where you’ll be able to take part in the famous Siargao boodle fight, which is usually a perk of Siargao Tri-Island group tours.
Siargao Land Tour
Siargao’s main island has so much to offer to tourists! One thing you should know about Siargao Land Tours is that it’s often customizable. Different tour operators will have different itineraries and inclusions, so it’s best to confirm details with your tour operator before paying.
If you’d like to book your tours ahead of time, here’s one from Klook. The itinerary includes Sugba Lagoon, Magpupungko Rock Pools, Maasin River, Coconut Plantation View Point, Coconut Road Plantation, and Secret Beach. Lunch is not covered, so make sure to bring your own or have enough cash with you.
✅ BOOK SIARGAO LAND TOUR HERE!
But if you are a licensed rider, you could even just rent a motorcycle and do your own tour!
We’ll cover the tourist spots to include in your land tour from South to North of Siargao. Let’s start with…
Cloud 9
Since Siargao’s roots as a tourist spot are anchored in its reputation among local and foreign surfers alike, General Luna was one of the first municipalities to receive a boost in tourism. It’s the home of Cloud 9, a well-known surfing spot in Siargao, where the annual Siargao Cup, a domestic and international surfing competition sponsored by the provincial government of Surigao del Norte, is held.
Let’s be real, I’m not going to be a contender in the competition anytime soon, but I did enjoy catching some waves at Cloud 9! I’ve surfed once in La Union before, but Cloud 9 was memorable for me since this was where I learned how to actually stand on the board!
Location: Siargao Island, General Luna, Surigao del Norte
Entrance Fee: P100/day
Surfing
Visiting Siargao without riding the waves is like eating a good ol’ Pinoy dish without rice — it’s not complete. But don’t worry if you’ve never surfed before. You don’t need to be a pro to try it out here. Siargao is actually one of the best places to learn, so go ahead and ride your first wave!
Right at the entrance of Cloud 9, you’ll find a bajillion operators offering surf lessons, so if you aren’t able to book ahead of time, it’s totally fine.
For my surfing lessons, I had a great time learning from Elaine Abonal, Head Coach & Owner of Surfista Siargao. I love being in the water, but riding the waves was a challenge for me before surfing with Surfista.
I love that they do a lecture and orientation on the shore before we even start getting into the water. Within the hour, I found myself riding the swells when I applied everything they’ve taught me. I’m not particularly sporty, but with Elaine and Jerry’s help, I was able to catch some waves!
If you’re also interested in learning how to surf, here are the prices for their different packages:
Surfista Siargao Day Package
Rate: P2,200/pax
Inclusions:
- Surfing 101 lecture with Certified ISA Instructor about your board and pop up technique
- Rashguard, board, leash rental
- 1 hour surf lesson in the water (option to add more hours), which includes your Private ISA (International Surf Association) Certified Surfista Guide + Private Local instructor
- Surfista Surfing 101 Brochure
Notes:
- All levels, skills, nationalities & gender are welcome
- Minimum number of participants: 1
- Maximum number of participants per day: 6
Surfista Siargao Weekend Package (3 Days)
Rate: P8,000/pax
Inclusions:
- SURF LESSONS or GUIDING for 3 days – 1 hour surf lesson PER DAY (option to add more hours), which includes your Private ISA (International Surf Association) Certified Surfista Guide + Private Local instructor
- SURFING EQUIPMENT RENTAL – Rashguard, Surfboard and Legrope
- SURF PHOTOS with Surf Photo Analysis for the 2nd lesson
- 1 hour detailed SURFING 101/WATER SAFETY THEORY lesson with ISA instructor
- Certificate of Attendance by Surfista Travels
- Surfista Surfing 101 Brochure
Notes:
- All levels, skills, nationalities & gender are welcome
- Minimum number of participants: 1
- Maximum number of participants per day: 6
Surfista Siargao Kids
Rate: P2,600/pax
Inclusions:
- Surfing 101 lecture & games with Surfista head coach
- 1 hour surf lesson (option to add more hours), which includes full supervision by Private ISA (International Surf Association) Certified Surfista Guide + Private Local instructor
- Local “pusher” guide
- Local “catcher”
- All equipment (surfboard, leash)
- Certificate of Participation for your Child
Notes:
- Surfista Kids from 5-15 years old
- All levels, skills, nationalities & gender are welcome
- Minimum number of participants: 1
- Maximum number of participants per day: 6
If you’re not particularly interested in surfing, you can watch locals and visitors surfing on the Cloud 9 Surfing Tower. It’s also one of the best places to catch the Siargao sunset.
Catangnan–Cabitoonan Bridge
You probably know this bridge more for its informal moniker — AFAM Bridge — than its actual name. The Catangnan–Cabitoonan Bridge connects Catangnan and Cabitoonan, two barangays of General Luna. The bridge was inaugurated in November of 2021, and since then, it has become a local hotspot for socialization and food trips.
At around 4PM, as locals and tourists alike await the sunset, the bridge starts to fill up with carts and people, giving the bridge a lively vibe that begins to taper down as dusk becomes night.
I wasn’t able to catch it at its peak, but the picture above is what the bridge looks like in the middle of the day, before hordes of people come together to enjoy the sunset, eat good food, and meet like-minded people.
Maasin River
Maasin River in Dapa is a 30-minute drive from General Luna. You’ve probably seen photos of the bent coconut tree sticking out over the river. When the tree was still standing, there was a rope attached to the tree where you could swing back and forth from and, maybe, let go and plunge into the river. The water is about six feet deep.
But while this attraction rose to fame due to the bent coconut tree, there’s so much more that you can do here! Aside from doing the Maasin River Cruise, you can also take a mangrove tour or go firefly watching.
Location: Siargao Circumferential Road, Dapa, Surigao del Norte
Entrance Fee: P30/head
Boat for River Cruising: P600 (Good for 1-3 pax)
Bamboo Raft: P20/head
Mangrove Tour: P1,500 (Good for 1-6 pax)
Fireflies Watching: P1,000 (Good for 1-3 pax)
Coconut Mountain View
Also located in Dapa, there’s not much to do here except to make a short stop on the side of the road to appreciate the lush coco paradise that seems endless as it sprawls across the island! It’s a great place to take photos that scream Siargao, since the island is known for its coconut plantations.
Secret Beach
Just 25 minutes away from General Luna, Secret Beach in neighboring Dapa town may not be the best beach to take a dip in, as the water is a bit too shallow, but its charm lies in the grassy area under the shade of coconut trees where visitors can lay their blankets and relax.
Additionally, you can also rent a canoe or paddleboard here for a fee to explore the mangroves. We weren’t able to catch the rental rates, so let us know in the comments if you have more info. But one good thing about Secret Beach is that there isn’t an entrance fee for the beach itself.
Magpupungko Rock Pools
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.
The rock pools only appear at certain times, particularly when the tide is low. Situated in Pilar, it is a 45-minute drive from General Luna. Explore the Magpupungko Beach if you want to feel some sand beneath your feet or do cliff-jumping but be extra careful because the rocks are sharp; it would be better to wear protective footwear or aqua shoes.
If you’re planning a D-I-Y visit to Magpupungko Rock Pools, it’s best to check tide schedules, which change daily.
Location: Pilar, Surigao del Norte
Entrance Fee: P60/head
Sugba Lagoon
Sugba Lagoon is another popular attraction on the island. It is located on the northwestern portion of the island. The jumping-off point is the town of Del Carmen, which is about a two-hour drive from General Luna.
There are many ways you can explore the lagoon — by renting canoes, bamboo rafts, and paddleboards or by snorkeling. There’s a two-level docking area or rest area where you can also rent tables for a fee. One of the highlights here is jumping off the diving platform into the clear turquoise (sometimes emerald) waters.
Just a note in case you really want to include this in your itinerary: This attraction does require considerable travel time. Some tour operators may exclude this from their packages, opting instead to offer it as a half-day or whole-day attraction on its own. Either that, or your tour may start extremely early to cover this and other attractions across the island.
Location: Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte
Travel Time: From General Luna to Del Carmen Port, 2 hours; From Del Carmen Port to Sugba Lagoon, 2 hours
Entrance Fee: P50/head
Boat Fee: P2,150 (Good for 1 to 6 pax)
Trogon’s Perch
Found along the coast of San Isidro, Trogon’s Perch flaunts panoramic vistas of the island’s lush landscapes and coastline. The resort is an oceanfront property that offers delicious eats, rooms with a view, an infinity pool, and a fitness center. Aside from the view of the perch, you can also spot nearby Pacifico Beach.
We’ll tell you all about their restaurant in a separate article.
Location: San Isidro, Surigao Del Norte
Day Tour Rate: P500 (Consumable for Food & Drinks)
Pool Fee: P500/pax
Pacifico Beach
Located on the northeastern coast of Siargao, Pacifico Beach in San Isidro is less crowded and offers consistent waves, making it suitable for both beginner and intermediate surfers. Not surprisingly, you will also find surfers offering their teaching services here.
Location: Siargao Circumferential Road, San Isidro, Surigao del Norte
Entrance Fee: P20/head
Surf Board Rental + Instructor: P600/head
Tigasao Linaw Cave Lagoon
Siargao is famed for its beaches and surfing spots, but the island also features fresh water caves and lagoons. Sugba Lagoon is a good example of that, but this little lagoon tucked away in the northern part of Siargao was one of the highlights of my recent Siargao trip.
Since February is quite a rainy month on the island, I was looking for alternative spots to visit that my other teammates had not yet visited. Fortunately, my tour guide, Kuya Ivan, included the Tigasao Linaw Cave Lagoon in our itinerary.
For an entrance fee of P25, you can swim in the cold fresh water pools and even take some gorgeous photos in the caves! Despite the rainfall, the water was crystal clear. Since this attraction is quite new, Kuya Ivan and I were literally the only guests on the day that I visited. In a rising tourist spot like Siargao, I deemed this a rarity, and I took advantage of it. We spent almost two hours alone at this spot!
Aside from booking tours online, you can also opt to book with local tour guides directly. Since I had such a hectic schedule and could only start touring after lunch, I opted to book my Main Island Tour with Kuya Ivan instead for flexibility.
Location: Barangay Tigasao, San Isidro, Surigao del Norte
Fees: Entrance Fee, P25; Zipline, P15; Baruto/Kayak, P50/hour; Surfboard, P50/hour; Salbabida, P20
Cottage Rental: P100 – P150
Million Dollar View
The Million Dollar View is a viewpoint along the Siargao Circumferential Road that passes through the municipality of Burgos. It’s popular for its overlooking view of the Burgos coastline from the side of the road.
The specific viewpoint we visited is 30 meters away from the entry point of the next viewpoint on this list.
Location: Siargao Circumferential Road, Burgos, Surigao del Norte
Google Maps Link: https://g.co/kgs/wkTrM5E
Secret Mountain View
The Secret Mountain View gives you a birds-eye view of the Burgos coastline, even throwing in a glimpse of the Siargao Circumferential Road.
Do take note that this involves a 15-minute walk to and from the viewpoint. The walkway isn’t fully cemented, so be prepared for a quick but rough journey. Since I went on a rainy day, the cement was quite slippery, so it was actually better for me to walk along the rocks instead.
As I mentioned, the entrance to the path leading to the Secret Mountain View is a quick walk from the Million Dollar View; hence, you can use the same Google Maps pin for both spots.
Location: Siargao Circumferential Road, Burgos, Surigao del Norte
Entrance Fee: P50/head
Pasikon Beach
Tucked away in a secluded cove in northern Siargao, Pasikon Beach is a white sand beach flanked by coconut trees. This sand pocket is perfect if you want some privacy, as there aren’t as many tourists here. What I loved about this stop was watching the waves crash against the shore.
Location: San Isidro, Surigao del Norte
Entrance Fee: P80/head
Taktak Falls
Taktak Falls is the only waterfall in Siargao. What I love about this attraction is that there is no hiking involved to get here! You can drive your vehicle all the way up to the falls and just park at the nearby parking area.
Location: Barangay Rizal, Santa Monica, Surigao del Norte
Entrance Fees: Adult, P50; Child/PWD/Senior, P20; Sta. Monica Resident, P20; Brgy. Rizal Resident, P10
Parking Fees: Bus, P100; Jeepney/Van, P50; Tricycle, P30; Motorcycle, P20
Alegria Beach
Alegria Beach is found near the northern tip of Siargao. Despite the heavy rains during my visit, this beach was calm, which made it perfect for swimming for all ages.
While the community tax required to enter this beach is cheap, you pay the price by travel time, particularly if you’re coming from southern parts of Siargao. From General Luna, it’s around an hour and 30-minute drive to get to Alegria Beach.
Kuya Ivan, my guide for this visit, told me that while it is a bit out of the way, it’s a popular spot among the locals. And it’s not hard to see why!
Location: Santa Monica, Surigao del Norte
Community Tax: P10/head
Cottage Rental: P500
Sohoton Cove Tour
Although the Sohoton Cove Tour involves a large investment of time, it was still the highlight of my Siargao trip! This tour is perfect for thrill-seekers. It’s definitely a bit more “active” compared to some of the other activities or attractions on this list, so it is quite tiring, but I can truly say I was never bored throughout this whole tour.
But as I have said, taking this tour means dedicating a whole day, so keep this in mind when deciding how many days you will allot for your Siargao escapade. The jump-off point for this tour is Dagatan Bay Resort.
How to Get to Sohoton Cove
So, okay. This was how I got there:
- From General Luna, it will take 45 minutes via a multicab to reach the Port of Dapa.
- From the Port of Dapa, you will take a boat and travel around one hour and 30 minutes to the Pamosaingan Port of Bucas Grande Island in the town of Socorro.
- From the Pamosaingan Port, it will take another 15 minutes to get to Dagatan Bay Resort, which is the jump-off point for all of the activities for the day.
That’s two and a half hours of travel time one-way! Make sure to consider this if you’d like to include this in your itinerary. I highly suggest allotting a whole day for this and ending the day with a delicious dinner at General Luna when you get back from the island.
But you can simply book a tour for a hassle-free trip. If you want to reserve online, you can also find packages on Klook. As with most tours, the rates get cheaper the more people you book for. The offer below has rates for one person up to a group of 20.
✅ BOOK SOHOTON COVE TOUR HERE!
Here are three major attractions that you can expect from a Sohoton Cove Tour.
Hagukan Cave
The name of this cave comes from a local word “hagok”, which means “to snore”. This cave is also known as the Hagukan Luminous Cave, famed for its luminous green waters. But in order to get in or out of the cave, you have to hold your breath for eight seconds, as the high tides block the entrance of the cave.
It was quite exhilarating, to be honest, and witnessing the green waters inside the cave (and of course getting pictures) was truly worth it!
Jellyfish Sanctuary
Normally I wouldn’t risk swimming in jellyfish-infested waters, but that’s actually the whole point of this attraction. You’re meant to put on your snorkel and swim with the brown and moon jellyfish in this particular area of Sohoton.
There weren’t any brown jellyfish when I visited, but there were few moon jellyfish swimming around. This was 100% nerve-wracking for me, but the guides were always there to remind us that these are stingless jellyfish. Once you get accustomed to seeing the jellyfish milling around, you’d start enjoying spotting them in the water.
REMINDER! If you find yourself coming into contact with any of the jellyfish, just make sure not to touch your eyes (and other sensitive areas of your body) after, as it could cause some irritation even if they don’t sting like other jellyfish.
Magkukuob Cave
This is probably my fave stop in this whole tour!
The Magkukuob Cave gets its name from the local term “kuob”, which means “to duck.” What’s interesting about this cave is that the only way you can get out is to jump! It’s a spelunking-type activity, which requires you to swim a few feet within the cave and then eventually climb up and out of the cave. Upon getting to the exit, there’s a platform where you have to jump.
If you aren’t up for the slight climb up the sides of the cave or the jump from the platform, you can skip this one and enjoy watching other tourists make the leap from your boat.
After all of these activities, which will take around two to three hours, your boatmen will take you back to Dagatan Bay Resort for a late lunch.
San Benito
One hour from General Luna, you’ll find this unassuming municipality of Siargao that has so much to offer. Considering the growing tourism of Siargao, finding unspoiled and uncrowded tourist spots on the island is a feat.
In San Benito, you’ll find beaches like Kangkangon White Beach. You can even go island hopping and visit Pagsabayan Islet and Litalit Island. For a freshwater escape, you can also visit Poneas Hilltop Hidden Lake, which boasts seemingly bottomless water that reflects the skies like a mirror.
Not many packaged Siargao tours include San Benito, and we didn’t have enough time to cover the municipality on our own, so we don’t have any photos yet. But this is definitely included in our list of things to visit when we go back to Siargao.
Let us know in the comments if you have any suggestions on other places to cover on the island next time!
Where to Stay in Siargao
General Luna is the tourist center of Siargao, making it the choice base for vacationers. It has the highest concentration of accommodations, dining options, and tour operators. If you are still looking for a place to stay for your Siargao getaway, here are some of the top-rated hotels you can consider in General Luna.
Top Hotels on Agoda
- TROPICAL TEMPLE SIARGAO RESORT
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - HANG LOOSE HOSTEL SIARGAO
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - PUYO SUITES HOMESTAY
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - MAD MONKEY HOSTEL SIARGAO
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - HAPPINESS HOSTEL SIARGAO
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here!
Top Hotels on Hotels.com
- SIARGAO ISLAND VILLAS
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - RETREAT SIARGAO RESORT
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - THE HILLSIDE RESORT SIARGAO
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - APSARAS TRIBE SIARGAO
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - ROMANTIC BEACH VILLAS SIARGAO
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here!
You can also check out our posts where we list down detailed hotel and resort recommendations:
Find more Siargao Hotels!
Updates Log
2025.07.28 – First uploaded
Additional Writing by: Astrid Alvarez
Photos by: Hannah Manalo, Vins Carlos, and Glenn Ituriaga
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