Surf Trip Guide to Siargao, Philippines

BEGINNER SURF TRIP GUIDE

OVERVIEW

Siargao (shar-gow) is the surfing mecca of the Philippines and has been attracting surfers for decades thanks to its all-year round good waves, laid-back atmosphere and stunning landscapes. There are several surfing breaks dotted along the island’s east coast to suit all levels, including the popular Cloud 9 where the Surfing Cup of the same name happens annually.

We loved our time on the island, it’s a beautiful place to explore, surf and unwind! Hopefully our surf guide to Siargao will give you the information you need to plan the perfect trip to this surfing hotspot.

QUICK FACTS

Coastline – 27km

Population – 94.273 (2015)

Airport Code – IAO

Time Zone – GMT +8

Currency – Philippine Pesos

CONTENTS

Overview
Surfing Siargao Pros & Cons
Weather
Money
Getting To Siargao
Getting Around Siargao
Surfing In Siargao
Where to Eat
Where to Sleep

SURFING SIARGAO PROS & CONS

Pros

World class surf
Plenty of surf for all levels
Some uncrowded spots to surf
Superb wave quality
Tropical warmth all year around

Cons

Can get crowded at some surf spots
Can have some long flat spells

WEATHER

Although the dry season in Siargao is between March and October, i’s between August and November that the surfing conditions, swell and wind, are at their best. The dry season on the island isn’t pronounced even during summer months and, while temperatures can drop in monsoon season, it wouldn’t fall below the 20Cs.

MONEY

ATMs

As of writing, there are only three ATMs on the whole island, one in General Luna and two in Dapa, however, it’s still advised to take plenty of cash with you before you fly to Siargao as these are often offline or out of money.

In case of an emergency, there are places where you can eat or sleep that accept card payments like Buddha’s or Kermit. Sometimes there will be a surcharge to be added to your payment by some businesses for the transaction.

TIPPING

The tipping culture isn’t very strong in the Philippines so you won’t be expected to leave one most of the time.

Occasionally you’ll feel a little pressured into tipping, like when receiving a tip card at the end of a service, such as a massage, or being helped with your luggage at a coach station.

The majority of restaurants and cafes have tip boxes on their counters but only very few restaurants add a service charge to their bill. Staff won’t be offended if you don’t leave a tip behind.

COSTS

Here are some rough costs that we found on our trip to Siargao, hopefully they may help you plan your own trip.

FLIGHTS TO SIARGAO

Philippine Airlines (PAL), Cebu Pacific and Skyjet fly daily from Manila, Clark, Davao and Cebu airports to Siargao and flight duration varies depending on your port of departure with the shortest flight being from Cebu – 45 minutes – and the longest from Manila – 2 hours.

Cebu – Siargao (Return)
Notes: Cebu Pacific have flights to Siargao 3 to 4 times a day whilst PAL (Philippine Airlines) run twice a day.
Cheap deal – £50
Average – £85

Manila – Siargao (Return)
Notes: Skyjet flies once a day and Cebu Pacific twice a day.
Cheap deal – £98
Average – £135

Clark – Siargao (Return)
Notes: PAL (Philippine Airlines) flies once a day to Siargao.
Cheap deal – £95
Average – £150

Davao – Siargao
Notes: PAL (Philippine Airlines) flies once a day from Davao to Siargao.
Cheap deal – £95
Average – £150

ACCOMMODATION
Dorm bed: ~£5.50-7.50 (₱300-500)
Private room: ~£20+ (₱1400)
Top end: ~£45+ (₱3000)

SCOOTER HIRE
~ £7.50 (₱500) per day inclusive of surf board racks

FOOD
Eating Out – ~ £4.50 -7.50 (₱300-500)
Beer – ~ £0.60 – £1 (₱40-70)
Coffee – ~ £1.20 (₱80)

SURF LESSONS
~ £7.50 (₱500) per hour

SURF BOARD RENTAL
~ £3.75 (₱250) per hour

GETTING TO SIARGAO

BY BOAT

Surigao – Dapa (Siargao)
Notes: Boats leave Surigao City for Dapa at approx. 6am, 11.30am and 12 noon and time to get to Dapa can vary from anything between 2+ hours to 4 hours, depending on which ferry you take. Ferry schedules may change without notice, check before you travel. The ferry costs £3.75 ( (₱250). Details are correct at time of writing 2019.

FLYING TO SIARGAO

In more recent times Siargao has opened up to more travellers as budget flights started flying directly to the island.

As we already mentioned in the Money section, Philippine Airlines (PAL), Cebu Pacific and Skyjet fly daily from Manila, Clark, Davao and Cebu airports to Siargao and flight duration varies depending on your port of departure with the shortest flight being from Cebu – 45 minutes – and the longest from Manila – 2 hours.

SIARGAO AIRPORT

Siargao Airport (IAO), also known as Sayak Airport, the name of the barangay (area or district) the airport is in, is serviced by three airlines: Cebu Pacific, Philippines Airlines and Skyjet.

It’s a very small airport divided into arrivals and departures which means checking in or out can be done fairly quickly but it also means that there are no shops or cafes.

It’s recommended that you arrange the transport in advance but, if you don’t, you’re sure to be approached by one of the van drivers or, alternatively, you can rent a scooter providing your luggage isn’t too big.

GETTING AROUND SIARGAO

The small teardrop shaped island of Siargao can be easily circumnavigated in a day and the drive is picturesque, with its paved roads fringed by endless lush coconut palms.

Tricycles and rental scooters are the preferred choice amongst tourists but there are several other ways to get around the island.

Tricycles, which are the Filipino version of an Indian rickshaw or the habal-habal, which is a modified motorcycle taxi, are widely available anywhere in the island.

In addition to scooter rentals, there’s another option that can be great for small groups, Binggo rides. Binggo is a mini-multicab similar to a tricycle which can be a good alternative to hiring scooters.

Cars are less commonly used but nonetheless an alternative to get around the island.

TRICYCLE

£0.30-0.45 (₱20-30) per person

NOTES: This is the standard price for a short ride within the General Luna (GL) area however, if you’re travelling longer distances or on non-paved roads, expect prices to soar up to £15 (₱1200).

HABAL-HABAL

£0.30-0.45 (₱20-30)

VAN

£4.50 (₱300) pp each way – airport to General Luna

SCOOTER

£7.50 (₱500) per day inclusive of board racks

CAR

£37.50 (₱2500) per day

BINGGO

Self Drive:
£18 (₱1200) per day – 1-3 days
£15 (₱1200) per day – 4-6 days
£10.50 (₱800) per day – 7+ days

With a Driver (can be your guide too):
£23.50 (₱1700) up to 10 hours

GENERAL LUNA

General Luna is the main town at the heart of Siargao island where most of the main shops are and many hotels are located. Some people choose to stay in town but many will opt for other options further towards Cloud 9 along “Tourism Road”.

There are plenty of different accommodation options towards Cloud 9 including hostels, hotels, retreats and surf camps. You’ll also find restaurants, surf shops and other amenities along this road. Whatever your choice it’s worth having a wander around General Luna and checking out some of the shops and cafes too.

SURFING IN SIARGAO

Siargao is the surfing hotspot of the Philippines with 27 km of coastline, a decent all year round swell. The islands been a draw card with surfers for decades. With Cloud 9, a surf break ranked in the top ten waves in the world, it’s easy to see why surfers flock to Siargao. The teardrop shaped island has a coastline covered with reefs and sandy beaches providing plenty of stellar surfing spots due to its proximity to the deep depths of the Philippine Trench (the result of a collision of tectonic plates). Take a look at our article on the best surf spots in Siargao for more detail.

BEGINNER SURF SPOTS

Absolute beginner surfers should always take lessons first, surf spots can often be unpredictable or have hidden dangers. If in doubt, get a surf instructor. On Siargao there are a large range of surf schools and instructors that can take you to the right surf spot perfect for your level.

Little Pony

Level – Super Beginner

Little Pony is a spot at Jacking Horse, it’s closer to the beach and mainly used by absolute beginners getting their first taste of riding small waves. It’s a gentle first introduction to surfing!

Jacking Horse

Inner – Beginner
Outer – Intermediate

Jacking Horse is just a short walk down the beach from Cloud 9 and is a pretty perfect spot to get a few lessons. You can get lessons from instructors on the beach and will cost around £7.50 (₱500) per hour whilst hiring a board is £3.75 (₱250) per hour… we’d definitely recommend getting lessons due to the strong current that runs across the break, otherwise (like I found out!) you may spend all your time in the water paddling just to get back to the line-up. Most people have an instructor even if it’s just to tow them across the break back to catch another wave. There’s a rocky bottom at Jacking Horse too making it difficult to get out back on the wave without being towed.

The waves at Jacking Horse in the summer (June, July, August) are usually too small to surf on and surf schools and instructors will take you to alternative spots.

Guiwan

Level – Beginner/Intermediate

I didn’t get to ride this wave but as a beginner (but not total beginner) I’d be heading here on my next visit to Siargao as the slow wave looked appealing for someone looking to start catching more waves. Guiwan can be a tricky spot to find with just a tiny wooden sign nailed to a palm tree on the side of the road. Once you’ve found it you have to trek for 5 minutes through the muddy forest full of coconut palms in order to reach the beach. It’s worth the trek though just take in the beauty of the forest itself. If the surf conditions aren’t great or it’s low tide it may be too dangerous for beginners due to the rocks, take an instructor.

Bamboo Beach

Level – Beginner with Instructor (Caution)

So called “Bamboo Beach” is situated at Bamboo Beach resort. Whether or not the beach is actually called Bamboo Beach is anyone’s guess (the sign says so) but our guide took us to this spot at the resort. There’s surf boards to rent and instructors at the resort who know the surf well. It’s fairly critical as a beginner that your hire an instructor who can tow you out onto the waves and make sure you avoid a nasty accident with the reef that can be dangerously exposed at low tide.

Daku

Level – Beginner/Intermediate

Daku is a stunningly beautiful surf spot just off Daku Island, so you can only get there by boat. It’s pretty simple though, you can hire one by the market and around the boardwalk in General Luna, the trip will take just 15 minutes and cost you around £3 (₱200) each. Boat drivers will actually wait while you surf so you’ve got a ride back to the island. Daku is the kind of surf spot where beginners accompanied by an instructor works well. Usually the best advice is, if in doubt, get yourself an instructor. Instructors will know the surf spots well enough to know where the currents are and make sure you’re safe and not putting yourself in a dangerous situation.

EXPERT SURF SPOT

Only extremely experienced and knowledgable surfers attempt expert/pro waves.

Cloud 9

Level – Expert/Pro

Although it’s not for beginners, we couldn’t write about Siargao’s surfing without mentioning its most famous surf spot, Cloud 9! It’s the kind of wave that most surfers dream about with superb barrelling right hand waves that are both heavy and powerful yet relatively short. Due to Cloud 9’s fame and the fact it’s pretty easy to get to, it can attract a bit of a crowd.

Throughout the summer (June, July and the start of August) Cloud 9 is one of the only surf spots that can be surfed on the whole island. Although if you’re a expert surfer you wouldn’t want to visit during these months as the waves more suited for less experienced surfers along with their instructors.

Cloud 9 breaks over a very shallow reef and at low tide it can be extremely dangerous, you could get hurt or smash your board, so it’s only recommended to surf at mid to high tide.

WHERE TO EAT

CAFE HONEST

Cafe Honest is a vegan cafe that exclusively uses their own grown or locally sourced ingredients in the preparation of their Asian dishes.

It’s a very cosy space overlooking the main road with some tables outside and on their rooftop where from you can also watch the cooks in action.

We sat at the rooftop for a bit of people watching and, since the cafe is in their soft launch phase and orders can take a little longer to be served, we also had time to catch up with our messages while we waited. It came in really handy that this might be the only place in Siargao (or even in the Philippines) where you don’t even need to ask for the wifi password. Result!

Since we arrived in the country, we’ve been having very light lunches so I ordered the Japchae – stir-fried sweet potato noodles with shiitake – and tarragon ice tea to wash it down. It was just what I needed!

Paul had a mango smoothie – it was delish – and the soya chicken which he enjoyed but found it to be a bit on the salty and garlicky side.

It was like eating at a local’s home with the expected Filipino hospitality and a menu full of ‘vegan goodness choices’, to use their own words.

SHAKA

You haven’t been to Siargao, if you haven’t been to Shaka Cafe.

Why? ‘Cause their smoothie bowls, shakes and juices aren’t only a treat to one’s taste buds but are totally Instagram-worthy. We’d already been to their Moalboal shop but had to stop by again at Cloud 9 for a Bom Dia açai smoothie bowl. While we thought service was a tad friendlier in Moalboal, you can’t really beat sipping on a tasty smoothie while overlooking the ocean and the world famous Cloud 9 pier.

BUDDHA’S SURF RESORT

Buddha’s has the heaviest tables and chairs, the loveliest dogs, the coolest staff portraits and the best attention to detail. Their Asian fusion dishes are delicious, sustainable and organic with lots of veggie options on the menu. And, they take cards! (+ 4% surcharge)

KERMIT

If you’ve ever read about Siargao, you definitely have come across this name before. Kermit is a hybrid of high-end hostel, surf school, bar and restaurant all in one. The restaurant is best known for their authentic wood fire pizza made with produce imported from Italy and from local markets and organic farms. Needless to say that you should try their pizzas but I’d also recommend the vegetarian curry with garlic rice which was delish and reasonably priced compared to the rest of the menu. If you’re not an in house guest, make sure to book a table in advance as the place gets packed every night, especially during their happy hour between 4-7pm (or closing time on Fridays), for obvious reasons.

KALI MA CAFE

Kali Ma is a plant-based cafe and restaurant tucked away on the green grounds of Lotus Shores yoga retreat.

All dishes on their menu are made from scratch using only fresh ingredients either from their own vegetable garden or sourced from local organic farms.

We’ve been there a couple of times and while I was extremely impressed with their baked cauliflower kofta balls, totally falling in love with their chutney, I was slightly underwhelmed by their pricey breakfast fruit salad bowl, even though it was tasty nonetheless.

You might have a bit of trouble finding Kali Ma Cafe but your persistence to have a special sensorial experience savouring delicate tasting whole food dishes will definitely pay off.

WHERE TO UNWIND

YOGA

LOTUS SHORES

I will tell you why Lotus Shores is one of my favourite places in Siargao.

We attempted to find it a few times and third time lucky, it was like stepping into a portal to a parallel universe far away from the bustling and hustling of General Luna despite being right in the middle of it.

It’s a peaceful yoga, surf and farm retreat haven where you can drop by for a class, like I did, or book yourself in one of their immersion programs while staying in their beautiful accommodation, which is what I’d do if I’m back one day.

Lotus Shores is also home to the island’s only Yoga Dojo (up on a tree house!) where our teacher, Halena, led our small group through an intuitive and delicate yoga class-cum-vinyasa slow dance.

Since the 30C heat made me feel as if I attended a Bikram class, it was an obvious choice to head to the Kali Ma Cafe afterwards for a well deserved juice to cool down while soaking up on silence, sunshine and nature.

Price: single class £8.80 (₱600), inclusive of mat and towels

Daily classes once or twice a day, check their website for the schedule