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Enjoy The Best Siargao Surf Spots

This list of things to do in Siargao has to begin with the surf, it is after all the surfing capital of the Philippines. Siargao hosts the ‘Cloud 9 Surfing Cup’ sometime SeptemberOctober, an official WSL Pro event. It also boasts waves almost all yearround, similar to surfing hotspots like Oahu, Hawaii. The Cloud 9 boardwalk and viewing area has become one of the most popular Siargao tourist spots.

The beauty of surfing in Siargao is that there is a surf break for all levels. Personally, I suck at surfing so I hit up the beginner waves at Jacking Horse. I did enjoy watching the seasoned surfers tearing up the bigger waves out at Cloud 9. Its waves can barrel the whole way and is not only one of the best waves in the Philippines but is ranked in the top ten waves of the world.

If the waves aren’t rolling in nicely at the beach breaks you can pay US$4-5 to ride a boat out to an island break less than an hour from Siargao and surf the afternoon away in the middle of the ocean.

WAVE HELLO: Siargao’s popular surf breaks

CLOUD 9: This is the most famous surf break in Siargao and has some nice barrels. We spent many mornings watching the experts carve it up from the three-story hut that sits out over the water. This wave has single handedly made Siargao the surfing capital of the Philippines.

JACKING HORSE: The most accessible beginner wave on the island. A great spot for learning how to catch a wave but often crowded with surf lessons and it has a strong tide. Lots of paddling if you aren’t a gun. Some of the local longboarders tear it up here.

STIMPYS: A consistent left-hander, which is a great place for shortboarders to have a little fun.

PACIFICO: Although it’s a long drive (up to an hour) from General Luna, at Pacifico, you will find some of the biggest surf in Siargao.

ROCK ISLAND: Take the boat out for a fast-moving right-hander. Best for experienced surfers.

GUYAM (Secret Beach): Head on past the trespassing signs and enjoy small rolling waves, great for beginners. It’s about 30 minutes from General Luna.

Cloud 9 Pier

One of my favorite things to do in Siargao was to wake up for sunrise and chill out on the end of the Cloud 9 pier. Sometimes surfers were tearing it up and watching that was awesome. Other times, I watched the sun slowly rise in the distance. Hardly anyone wakes up to head out there except for a few others, quietly enjoying the start of the day at Cloud 9. It could be something to consider when you are thinking about where to stay in Siargao. Somewhere near Cloud 9 pier means you will have your sunrise spot sorted. If you head out here for sunset, you will find yourself sharing the hut at the end of the pier with quite the crowd. It doesn’t get the perfect sunrise or sunset due to its location but it’s one of your best bets if you are in General Luna.

TAYABANGAN CAVE POOLS was one of the highlights of my many adventures throughout Siargao Island. It was one of the best caving experiences I have had in Asia. For 15 minutes, you swim and float in darkness, only aided by torches. Bats fly around you until you finally emerge to the open cave pool where you can cliff jump from seven meters.

Immediately after descending through the opening, we were chest-deep in water. We swam through the dark caves, guided by a solitary torch. From time to time bats swooped down on us and eerie noises shot out from the distance. The water was mostly chest height so you could walk through in most sections if you prefer, rather than swimming.

The cave opened up after fifteen minutes with a huge archway that helped to breach the darkness and welcome us back to the sunlight. It was then just a short swim to the open pool, which is the end of the tour. Many people finish here but there is a cliff jump spot into the 18-feet deep water. That was a big bonus for us and made it one of our favorite places to visit in Siargao.

Warm sunset glow at Cloud 9 Pier

Coconut Palm Forest At The Top Of The Road

This is a spot you will likely drive to without even planning on it. On the way to destinations like Pacifico, Tayangban Cave Pool or Mapgpupungko Rock Pool you will pass through an area we called ‘top of the road’. I’m not sure if this is a local/official name or something we came up with but by the end of our month on Siargao Island, we all knew it by this name.

It’s halfway to Magpupungko Rock Pool and you will know when you have arrived. You will veer around a sharp corner after about 30 minutes of driving from General Luna, and all of a sudden, you will be looking out over thousands of coconut palms. I think we pulled the mopeds over to the side of the road almost every time we came here to check it out.

One morning we even came for sunrise. Even though it is not a spot to see the sun come over the horizon, the colors were so beautiful as the light slowly broke out over the palms. The Siargao region is just covered in palms; it has to be the most palm trees per square meter in the Philippines.

Taking the plunge at Magpupungko Rock Pool, and bottom, Santa Monica Pier

MAGPUPUNGKO ROCK POOLS is easily my favorite tourist spot in Siargao. Just a 45-minute moped drive from the main tourist area of General Luna, the rock pools are exposed at low tide and are an awesome spot for hours of exploring and cliff jumping.

This is an epic little area, with coves, caves, and cliff jumping spots aplenty. There are multiple spots to get your backflip on if you are into a bit of a jump. I advise wearing water shoes or just regular shoes like me as the rocks are very jagged and sharp to climb. Make sure you check the tides in advance (they change daily), so that you don’t arrive during high tide. When you get the tides right, this is a truly magical spot and one of my favorite places to visit on Siargao Island.

Santa Monica Pier

In the very north of the island is one of the least touristy things to do in Siargao. In the town of Santa Monica is a huge pier. Siargao isn’t the best island for sunsets as the main Siargao tourist spots don’t really face west to the sun. However, this is one spot where you can watch the sun drop down over the horizon on the ocean.

The drive back to General Luna in the dark isn’t too fun but we stopped halfway in the dark, turned off our moped lights. It was then that we were blown away by the epic blanket of stars. It was the best starscape I have seen in my entire life. Fireflies buzzed around us and we couldn’t have been more grateful to be on Siargao in those moments.

Tak Tak Waterfall

Heading up to TakTak waterfall in Santa Monica is a full-day adventure to the north part of the island. From General Luna, the waterfall is a 1.5-hour drive but is well worth the effort. We had the waterfall all to ourselves. Cliff jumping, tree jumping, and exploration to the top of the falls were the highlights of the adventure. It’s one of the less touristy things to do in Siargao but definitely worthy of making it into my Siargao travel guide. It’s the only waterfall you will find in Siargao but a pretty damn cool one.

SUGBA LAGOON is one of the most popular things to do in Siargao. It’s a short day trip from General Luna to a spectacular lagoon surrounded by epic mountains. The day trip costs around Php1500 per person or more if you book it in the tourist area of General Luna.

Sugba Lagoon is about an hour boat ride from Del Carmen or an hour and a half boat ride from General Luna. It is a 4000-hectare sanctuary, which you will enjoy on the drive in as well as while you hang out in the main lagoon. Activities at Sugba Lagoon include renting a big wood raft, SUP boards, diving board, swimming and relaxing in the café.

SIARGAO NIGHTLIFE — HIT ONE OF THE NIGHTLY PARTIES

We didn’t party too hard on the island but we ventured out for some Siargao nightlife four or five times in the month. One of the most popular things to do in Siargao is to surf during the day and party at night then repeat that every day for the entire trip.

SIARGAO ISLAND HOPPING GUYAM, DAKU AND NAKED ISLAND

There are so many awesome things to do in Siargao Island but one of the most popular activities is to get off the island and go island hopping from Siargao. There are three beautiful islands only a short long-tail boat trip away from General Luna, which is the tourist part of Siargao. Guyam Island, Daku Island, and Naked Island are the three stops along the tour, which includes pick-up, drop-off, and a seafood lunch. The whole Mindanao region is covered with beautiful islands.

Three beautiful island-stops

GUYAM ISLAND is a tiny island covered in palms. You can walk from one side to the other in about 50 steps. It’s a beautiful little Oasis.

DAKU ISLAND is the biggest island of the tour and a great place for a swim and lunch. Small huts line the beach, perfect for chilling in the shade and enjoying a seafood banquet.

NAKED ISLAND is a small sandbar, about 60 feet long, with nothing on it, just a glorious stretch of sand, and a few blades of grass. And yet it’s still a popular stop for taking a dip in the water and enjoying the sun.

For Jackson Groves’ complete bucket list, visit www.journeyera. com. Follow him on Instagram @ jackson.Groves