Some places have been on my travel bucket list for a very long time, and Siargao was one of them. I had seen countless photos and videos of this famous island and wanted to find out if its coconut-lined roads, beautiful beaches, surfing spots, and laid-back island life were as awesome as people said.
Thanks to Sunlight Air and its partners, I was finally able to travel to (and truly enjoy) the island of Siargao. We spent three days exploring different parts of the island, trying local experiences, discovering new places, and, of course, enjoying good food along the way. And I must say, this is one of those moments that made me truly thankful for the connections I’ve made through blogging over the years.
I admit it was a packed trip, but it gave me a taste of what makes Siargao such a popular destination. Here’s a look at how my first ever (and hopefully not the last) Siargao adventure went.
Arriving in Siargao
Our Siargao adventure started with our flight to the island. I admit, I didn’t like the idea of traveling to Siargao. For context, I’m saying this because of my experience in Bucas Grande. You see, I traveled to Socorro in Bucas Grande a few years ago to cover the journey of the Pilgrim Image of Señor Santo Niño de Cebu. And I tell you, it wasn’t the nicest experience. Don’t get me wrong, I love Socorro. But the journey to the island was just brutal. From Surigao City, the dizzying van ride to the port of Hayanggabon was just the appetizer. We had to get on a boat for a 2-hour journey to the island. And by journey, we’re talking about huge waves, a steaming hot boat (they had to pull down the tarps to keep water from entering the boat), and the nauseating smell of fuel. Now, you can do the math to know exactly what happened next. I puked 3 times during this ride alone. Hehe. I later asked why the sea was this rough, and I got a simple answer: we’re close to Siargao.
So, imagine my horror when I heard about traveling to the Province of Surigao del Norte again.
By the way, you can read about my Bucas Grande experience HERE and HERE.
Thankfully, Sunlight Air was in the picture this time. From the airport in Mactan, our flight to Sayak Airport in Siargao only took about 40 minutes. You heard that right. It was THAT fast! And from the airport, we were already in our hotel 30 minutes later! I left Cebu in the early morning. And before 12, I was already having lunch in Siargao.
Checking In at Reside Siargao
Reside Siargao in Barangay Catangnan, General Luna, was our home base in Siargao for the next three days. Having a place to return to after a full day of activities was important, especially since our itinerary was packed with so many activities. Also, I’m not picky when I travel, but a comfortable bed, a clean bathroom, and plenty of power outlets are must-haves for me. Reside Siargao was secure, clean, and pretty nice. It was close to all the action, and it had a decent restaurant, too! So, it was perfect!
I Made My Own Ceviche
In the afternoon, we had our first activity in Siargao. Our first stop was Lokal Lab, where we got to experience a different side of the island. Lokal Lab introduced us to the local culture and let us experience the ‘laid-back life.’
To start, we visited the local market and got a closer look at some of the ingredients available in the area. Once we had everything we needed, we headed back to Lokal Lab to start making our own ceviche. I don’t normally eat kinilaw, but for this experience, I didn’t say no.
This was definitely a good way to start our Siargao trip.
Island Hopping Around Siargao
The next day, we got up early for our island hopping tour. One of the things I was looking forward to most was exploring Siargao by boat. I know that the island has plenty of beautiful coastal spots, and island hopping would give us the chance to see some of them up close.
Corregidor Island
Our first stop was Corregidor Island.
I thought that we went to the island to swim, but instead, we were soon following a mountain trail. We were going on a trek! The trek was short, but because it was a SUPER sunny day, I realized halfway that it wasn’t going to be as easy as I hoped. Our guide warned all of us that there would be no trees along the trail, but we didn’t listen. Hehe.
The trek, however, gave us a different perspective of the place, with its natural landscape and coastal views. Was it worth it? It sure was.
After exploring Corregidor Island, we headed back to Mpire Resort for lunch. It was a much-needed break after the trek (we were starving) and a chance to recharge before continuing our island-hopping adventure.
Swimming at the Sanctuary
Next, we headed to the Sanctuary in Kasulian for a quick swim.
After walking the trail earlier in the day, getting into the water was a welcome change of pace.
Naked Island
We also visited Naked Island, one of the spots I wanted to see during our Siargao trip.
Unlike a typical beach destination, Naked Island is known for its exposed stretch of sand with no vegetation at all. There isn’t much to distract you from the open surroundings, which is part of what makes the place interesting.
It’s a simple stop, but one that offers a different experience from the more developed beaches around the island.
Mangrove Forest
Our very last activity for the day was a boat tour through a mangrove forest.
This was a different kind of experience from the open sea and island stops. Instead of wide coastal views, we were surrounded by mangroves as we made our way through the waterways.
I’m happy that this was added to the itinerary because this showed visitors another side of Siargao’s natural environment.
Road Trip Around Siargao
The following day, we explored more of Siargao by land.
For me, road trips are among the best ways to experience a destination. And also the most tricky (as someone with motion sickness). You get to see more of the place beyond the usual tourist spots, and the journey between stops can be just as memorable as the destinations themselves.
Million Dollar View
Our first stop was the Million Dollar View, a spot known for its scenic coastal surroundings.
It was a good place to pause, take in the view, and appreciate the kind of scenery that makes exploring Siargao by road worthwhile. Of course, the spot looks great on Instagram, too!
Pasicon Beach
We also dropped by Pasicon Beach, a spot I had never seen on social media before.
I’m glad they added this to the list because the beach was just breath-taking. Also, the tide pools and the rock formations were out of this world!
Pacifico
We continued to Pacifico, ar popular destination on the island, particularly among surfers.
Pacifico has a different feel from the busier areas around General Luna. It’s a place associated with surfing, beaches, and a more laid-back atmosphere.
Even if you’re not an experienced surfer, visiting a place like this gives you a better idea of why Siargao attracts people who want to spend time near the ocean.
Lunch at Tropical Academy
After exploring several spots, we stopped at Tropical Academy for lunch.
Food always makes a trip better, especially when you’ve spent the morning going from one destination to another. It was a chance to sit down, recharge, and enjoy a good meal before continuing our itinerary.
This was also one of the things I liked about the trip. It wasn’t just about checking off attractions. We also got to experience different food spots along the way, giving us more reasons to enjoy our time on the island.
Coco View
We also visited the very famous Coco View. I follow many travel vloggers and this spot was never absent from their Siargao posts.
I’m glad that I was finally able to see this gorgeous place in person!
Dinner at Kermit’s
After a full day of exploring, we ended the day with dinner at Kermit’s.
The restaurant is one of the names that often comes up when people talk about food in Siargao, so getting to experience it during our visit was a welcome addition to the trip.
After spending the day on the road, a good dinner was exactly what we needed.
Cloud 9
Aside from the activities in our main itinerary, we also made time to visit some of Siargao’s popular spots.
No first trip to Siargao would feel quite complete without a visit to Cloud 9.
Known for its surfing scene, Cloud 9 is one of the places that helped put Siargao on the map. Even if you’re visiting mainly to explore rather than surf, it’s worth seeing the area and experiencing the atmosphere for yourself.
Was it Worth the Wait?
My first trip to Siargao was a mix of everything I enjoy about traveling: discovering new places, trying different food, enjoying beautiful scenery, and sharing experiences with fellow travelers.
In just three days, we went from making our own ceviche at Lokal Lab to trekking on Corregidor Island, swimming in Kasulian, visiting Naked Island, exploring mangroves, and taking a road trip to Million Dollar View, Pasicon Beach, and Pacifico. We also got to try different food spots and visit some of the island’s best-known attractions.
It was a packed itinerary, but it gave me a glimpse of how much Siargao has to offer beyond its reputation as a surfing destination. There are beaches to explore, scenic roads to travel, nature experiences to enjoy, and plenty of places to discover along the way.
A big thank you to Sunlight Air and its partners for making this first Siargao trip possible and for giving us the opportunity to experience the island in a new way.
I finally got to see Siargao beyond the photos and videos, and now I understand why so many people keep coming back.
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LEY