Siargao · Area guides
Siargao Travel Guides
Siargao is the surfing capital of the Philippines, but the island gives you far more than waves. Within a couple of hours' ride you'll find reef breaks and gentle beginner beaches, turquoise lagoons, the country's largest mangrove forest, palm-lined rivers, and a string of small towns that each move at their own pace. In 2021, Condé Nast Traveler readers voted it the best island in Asia.
These guides are organised by area, so you can plan around where you'll actually spend your time. Most visitors base themselves in General Luna, the island's main hub for food, rentals, and nightlife, with Cloud 9 and its boardwalk a few minutes north in Catangnan. From there, almost everything else is a day trip.
Head out and the island opens up. Swim the clear water of Sugba Lagoon off Del Carmen, time a visit to the Magpupungko Rock Pools in Pilar around low tide, swing into the emerald Maasin River, or take the classic island-hopping loop to Naked, Daku, and Guyam. Further north, the quiet surf towns of Pacifico and Burgos, the calm beaches of Santa Fe and Alegria, and the island's only waterfall at Tak Tak reward anyone willing to ride a little further.
Each guide is written to help you decide: who a place suits, how to get there and around, where to stay and eat, and the best time to visit — with real prices, fees, and tide notes instead of vague enthusiasm. We're honest about which spots are worth a special trip and which are better as a quick stop on the way to somewhere else.
Start with the area you're staying in, then branch out. When you're ready to book, browse places to stay, motorbike and car rentals, and tours and activities — or dig into the Siargao restaurant guide and surf guide to round out your trip.
Browse area guides
Each with stays, food, transport and the best time to visit
19 areas
SouthTayangban Cave Pool Guide – Fees, the Swim & How to Get There
SouthTayangban Cave Pool is a guided swim through a dark cave to a jungle lagoon, 35 minutes from General Luna. Fees, what it's like, and tips.
SouthMagpupungko Rock Pools Guide – Tide Times, Fees & Tips
SouthMagpupungko Rock Pools in Pilar only appear at low tide. Exact timing, entrance fees, cliff jumping, and how to plan the trip from General Luna.
SouthSecret Beach (Guiwan) Travel Guide – Siargao Beginner Surf
SouthSecret Beach, or Guiwan, is Siargao’s favourite beginner surf spot — gentle, uncrowded waves on a quiet beach between General Luna and Dapa.
SouthSugba Lagoon Travel Guide – Siargao's Clear-Water Day Trip
SouthSugba Lagoon, off Del Carmen, is one of Siargao’s best day trips — clear green water, a jump platform, and kayaking through the mangroves.
SouthCloud 9 Travel Guide – Siargao's Famous Surf Break & Boardwalk
SouthCloud 9 is Siargao’s famous reef break — the boardwalk and tower, surf seasons and skill levels, lessons, and where to stay and eat nearby.
NorthTak Tak Falls Travel Guide – Siargao's Famous Waterfall, Santa Monica
NorthTak Tak Falls in Santa Monica is Siargao’s most famous waterfall — a 15-metre cascade and swimming pool, a scenic ride north of General Luna.
SouthMaasin River Travel Guide – Palm Tree Rope Swing & Coconut Road
SouthMaasin River is home to Siargao’s famous palm tree rope swing and coconut palm road — an easy, photogenic day-trip stop near Pilar.
SouthDapa Travel Guide – Siargao's Port, Ferries & Arrival Town
SouthDapa is Siargao’s main port and arrival town — ferries from Surigao, the island’s biggest market and ATMs, and the gateway to General Luna.
Socorro Travel Guide – Sohoton Cove & Jellyfish Sanctuary
Socorro, on Bucas Grande Island, is home to Sohoton Cove — hidden lagoons, low-tide caves, and a stingless jellyfish sanctuary southeast of Siargao.
SouthDel Carmen Travel Guide – Sugba Lagoon & Mangrove Forest
SouthDel Carmen is Siargao's gateway to Sugba Lagoon and the country's largest mangrove forest, and the closest town to Sayak Airport.
NorthAlegria Travel Guide – Quiet White-Sand Beach & North Siargao
NorthAlegria is one of Siargao's quietest beaches: calm, swimmable white sand on the north coast, and the easiest place on the island to actually get in the sea.
NorthBurgos Travel Guide – Uncrowded Surf & Quiet Northern Siargao
NorthBurgos is Siargao’s quietest surf town — powerful, uncrowded breaks and a local fishing-village pace at the island’s northern end.
NorthPacifico Travel Guide – Uncrowded Surf & Northern Siargao
NorthPacifico is Siargao's relaxed northern surf village: uncrowded reef waves, a slow local pace and almost no crowds, an hour and a quarter from General Luna.
SouthPilar Travel Guide – Magpupungko Rock Pools & Tayangban Cave
SouthPilar is Siargao's day-trip country: the Magpupungko Rock Pools and Tayangban Cave Pool, an hour north of General Luna and best timed around low tide.
Siargao Island Hopping Guide – Daku, Guyam & Naked Island
Siargao’s classic day trip — island hopping to Naked, Daku, and Guyam off General Luna, plus the quieter outer islands. Boat costs, fees, and tips.
SouthSanta Fe Travel Guide – Calm Swimmable Beaches & Sunsets
SouthSanta Fe is General Luna's calm coastal edge: a quiet, swimmable white-sand beach, beginner surf at Ocean 9 and open sunsets, minutes north of the GL centre.
SouthCatangnan Travel Guide – Cloud 9 Surf, Boardwalk & Beach Cafés
SouthCatangnan is the home of Cloud 9, Siargao's famous reef break, the boardwalk, surf resorts, and the island's best early-morning café scene.
SouthMalinao Travel Guide – Quiet Beaches & Boutique Beachfront Stays
SouthMalinao is General Luna's quieter side: a swimmable beach, boutique beachfront stays and a calm café cluster, minutes from Cloud 9 and the GL restaurants.
SouthGeneral Luna Travel Guide – Surf, Restaurants, Stays & Island Tours
SouthGeneral Luna is Siargao's main hub and the best base for Cloud 9 surf, island-hopping tours, and the island's widest choice of restaurants and stays.
Every area on one map
Click a pin to open that area's guide