Best things to Do in Siargao: Your Ultimate Travel Guide
In the fall of 2023, my boyfriend and I spent about a month living on Siargao, a breathtaking island in the Philippines.
I’ve traveled to many incredible places, and I don’t use the term tropical paradise lightly — but Siargao truly earns it. Picture long, empty beaches lined with palm trees, crystal-clear waters with coral-covered coastlines, and charming little cafes right on the beach.
It’s safe to say I’m a huge fan of this island and despite its small size, there’s so much to do and explore. Here are my personal recommendations for 10 must-try activities based on my time on Siargao.
Also, if you’re too lazy to read (no judgment!), you can watch my YouTube video about these recommendations instead:
Water Activities
1. Surfing in General Luna
General Luna is likely where you’ll be based during your stay, and it’s a fantastic place to try surfing. The area is known for its beginner-friendly waves (or how I recently learned perfect waves for long board lovers!), with smaller swells that are perfect for learning. Renting a surfboard is easy, with plenty of rental shops along the beach. It costs around 200 PHP (a bit over €3) per hour, and surf lessons are approximately 500 PHP (around €8.50) per hour.
For more experienced surfers, Cloud 9 is the go-to spot. This iconic location is known for its wooden deck that extends into the ocean, offering great views and access to bigger waves. Some of our more advanced surf-friends also took boats to nearby islands for even more challenging surfing spots with larger waves.
2. Freediving
I was honestly super suprised when I found out that freediving is a popular activity in Siargao. The island offers several freediving schools around General Luna, where you can take structured courses like Wave 1 and Wave 2 or just join practice sessions. I love having my own goggles, snorkel, and fins while traveling, which gives me the freedom to dive in whenever the water looks inviting. But as I got quite a badly infected wound from a fire coral while diving right at the beginning (be careful guys!) I had to avoid the water for a while and didn’t join any session, but it honestly looked great!
3. Snorkeling at Secret Beach
Snorkeling in Siargao is another enjoyable way to experience the ocean. While the island doesn’t have extreme snorkeling spots, the reefs surrounding it are still lovely to explore. Secret Beach, about 30 minutes from General Luna, is one of my favorite spots. It’s peaceful and scenic, and you can even surf there. Another great location is in Santa Fe, around 20 minutes up the coast, where you might even be able to spot some turtles!
4. Scuba Diving
I’m a passionate scuba diver, and Siargao didn’t disappoint. I had a great experience with Palaka Siargao Dive Center, the island’s only dive center. Most of the dive sites are perfect for beginners and go up to 18 meters, but there are also options for advanced divers who want to explore deeper spots. While you won’t encounter large marine animals often, I did spot a blue-spotted stingray, which was a highlight.
Land Activities
5. Yoga at Prana Studios
If water activities aren’t your thing, maybe you want to attend yoga instead. I tried sessions at Prana Studios, which offers classes in a lovely outdoor setting. It is a bit hard to find (at least that was the case for us) but as soon as you found it, it is truely an atmospheric and peaceful space, ideal for taking a break and grounding yourself and recharging energy.
6. Watch the sunset at "Sunset Bridge"
General Luna isn’t ideal for beach sunsets since the sun sets on the other side of the island, but Sunset Bridge is a great alternative. On weekends, the bridge comes alive with food stands and a vibrant crowd. You can grab food and drinks, find a spot to sit, and enjoy the sunset while soaking in the lively atmosphere of locals and tourists.
7. Island Hopping
Well, technically maybe not a “land” activity, but island hopping is one of the most popular activities in Siargao, and for good reason. And if you don’t want to touch the water you don’t have to! The nearby islands — Guyam Island, Daku Island, and Naked Island — are all unique. You can easily rent a boat with a captain and tour guide, which costs around 2,700 PHP for the day (about €35, so if you are two people around 17€ each). And if you have a boat for yourself you can also just stop and snorkle at some spots, which I personally loved! Naked Island is – how the name suggests – just a sandbar in the ocean without any trees or houses, whereas Daku Island and Guyam Island give you the opportunity to grab a drink and relax on swings and hammocks right on the beach.
8. Exploring the North of Siargao
For a quieter experience, head north from General Luna. The northern part of Siargao is more rural, with pristine beaches on the east coast and mangrove forests on the west coast. These areas are less crowded and offer a peaceful escape. Just be careful, the internet connection up there is… well not really existing. So make sure to download the Google Maps Map of Siargao before you head off!
9. Palm Tree Viewpoint
This is one of the most stunning viewpoints on the island. You’ll find yourself overlooking an endless expanse of palm trees, with a few huts nearby selling fresh coconuts. It’s a amazing spot to take in the beauty of Siargao. The only downside is that the loudspeakers from the little huts can ruin the atmosphere a bit. Still, it’s a must-visit and can easily be combined with a trip to the north!
10. Rock Pools
And last but not least the rock pools! They are about 25 minutes north of General Luna and it’s best to visit them at low tide. These natural pools are perfect for a refreshing swim and a bit of quiet relaxation. But make sure to check the tide schedule before heading out to make the most of this unique spot!
These are the things we were able to check out in the time we spent on Siargao. If you have any other recommendations of cool activities in Siargao make sure to leave them in the comments!
If you are looking for great restaurants and bars for your holiday, make sure to check out this article:
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If you are like us and are thinking about spending more time on Siargao as a digital nomad, don’t miss this article I wrote about everything you need to know as a digital nomad coming to Siargao:
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As always, we appreciate any suggestions and feedback!
Love,
Amelie
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December 21, 2024