Siargao Packing List: What to Bring & What to Skip

Siargao is hot, humid, salty, and occasionally soaked. It also runs on cash, loses power now and then, and sells almost nothing specialised once you're there. Pack for that island, not the one in the brochure.

This list covers what earns its place in the bag, what you can skip, and the couple of things people always regret leaving behind.

Reef-safe sunscreen. Regular sunscreen damages the reef you'll be swimming over, and the island's shops charge a premium for the good stuff. Bring more than you think.

Cash strategy. ATMs run dry and many places don't take cards. Bring pesos, and a backup card kept separate from your wallet. More in our cash and cards help article.

Power bank. Brownouts happen. A charged power bank turns an outage into a non-event. Add a universal adapter; the Philippines runs 220V with mostly flat-pin sockets.

Dry bag. Boat days, rain, sweat. One 10-litre dry bag protects your phone through all three, and every island-hopping boat will make you glad you have it.

Two swimsuits, so one is always dry. Light shirts and shorts that survive humidity. One warm layer for windy boat rides and cold cafés, and a light rain jacket, because showers arrive without warning even in the dry season.

Footwear is flip-flops plus one pair of shoes you can get wet: water shoes or old trainers for reef walks, waterfalls, and the cave pools. Leave the nice shoes at home. Nobody dresses up here, and the mud wins.

A rash guard saves your back during surf lessons and doubles as sun protection on boats. If you have a favourite mask and snorkel, bring them; rentals exist but quality varies.

Serious surfers argue about bringing boards. The honest answer: airlines charge, and rentals on the island are good and everywhere. Unless you're picky about your quiver, rent when you land. See our beginner surf guide.

Insect repellent, anti-itch cream, and a basic first-aid kit with antiseptic for reef scrapes and road rash. Any prescription medicine you rely on, in more quantity than the trip needs, because pharmacies here stock the basics and not much else.

Motion-sickness tablets if boats get to you. The crossing to Sohoton is long, and you'll want them that day.

A hair dryer, heels, more than one 'nice' outfit, a drone without a permit plan, and a big camera bag you'll never open past day two. The island uniform is swimwear, a shirt, and sandals.

Skip the towel too if your stay provides them, and most do. Check before you sacrifice the luggage space.

Bag's packed. The rest is logistics: how to get here, where to stay, a motorbike for getting around, and the full list of things to do once you land.