Philippines

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Siargao

Surf breaks, lagoons and island hopping

Visa & entry checker Plan a trip to Siargao Plan a trip around Philippines

Best time to visit: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Currency: PHP
Time zone: UTC+8
Country: Philippines

Photo: User:Mark Aban, CC BY-SA 4.0

Siargao is a teardrop-shaped island off northeastern Mindanao, known as the surfing capital of the Philippines for the Cloud 9 break. Visitors also come for island hopping, lagoons, rock pools, waterfalls and a relaxed beach-village atmosphere around General Luna.

Largest cities

Quezon City
Manila
Davao City
Cebu City
Zamboanga City

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: Philippines
Capital: Manila
Island population: 200,000
Population of Philippines: 112.7M
Country area: 343,448 km²
Official language: English
Currency: Philippine Peso (PHP) · 1 USD ≈ 62.92 PHP
Time zone: UTC+8
Calling code: +63
Drives on the: Right
Elevation: 32 m
Plugs: A / B / C · 220V
Emergency numbers: 911
Best time to visit: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Temperatures through the year

Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.

Temperatures through the year

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	28°	28°	29°	29°	30°	30°	30°	30°	30°	30°	29°	28°
Low	25°	25°	25°	25°	26°	26°	26°	26°	26°	25°	25°	25°

Best time to visitOther months

Approximate daily cost

Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.

ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$31
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$86
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$255

Plan a trip to Siargao

Top things to do

Free
Cloud 9 boardwalk
Walk the long pier out over the reef to watch surfers ride the famous right-hand break, ideally around sunset when the light is softer.
- Half day
- General Luna and Cloud 9
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
≈ $15
Beginner surf lesson
Take a lesson with board rental on one of the gentler breaks near General Luna, and go in the morning before the wind picks up.
- Half day
- General Luna and Cloud 9
- Good for kids
≈ $25
Guyam, Naked and Daku island hopping
Take a boat to the palm-covered islet of Guyam, the shadeless sandbar of Naked Island and Daku Island, and bring a hat and plenty of water.
- Half day
- General Luna and Cloud 9
- Good for kids
Free
General Luna beach bars and seafood
Spend the evening at beachfront bars and restaurants serving fresh tuna, prawns and lobster, and take a tricycle back to Cloud 9.
- Half day
- General Luna and Cloud 9
- Good in the evening
≈ $2
Magpupungko Rock Pools
Swim in natural tidal pools among rock formations on the Pilar coast, and check the tide table because the pools only appear at low tide.
- Half day
- Pilar
- Good for kids
≈ $1
Taktak Falls
Cool off in the freshwater pool of this small waterfall in Santa Monica, and combine the trip with a scenic scooter ride up the island.
- Half day
- Santa Monica
- Good for kids
≈ $35
Sugba Lagoon day trip
Ride a boat through mangrove-lined channels to a blue-green lagoon for snorkelling, kayaking, paddleboarding or bamboo rafting, and leave early to avoid the crowds.
- Full day
- Del Carmen
- Good for kids
≈ $60
Sohoton Cove and Jellyfish Sanctuary
Take a day trip to Bucas Grande to paddle into Sohoton Cove and swim with nearly stingless jellyfish; sunblock is not allowed in the lagoon, so cover up with clothing instead.
- Full day
- Bucas Grande Islands
- Good for kids

Before you go

Entry and visas

Many nationalities, including UK and most EU, US, Indian and Latin American visitors, can enter the Philippines visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, but rules vary by passport and some nationalities need an e-visa or a visa from a Philippine embassy. All travellers must register on the e-travel system within 72 hours before arrival and show the QR code; registration is free and some airlines will not let you board without it. Most visitors are also expected to have proof of return or onward travel, and passports must be valid for at least 6 months beyond arrival. Check your own nationality's rules on the official Philippine e-visa site or with the Bureau of Immigration before booking.

Official website

From the airport

Sayak Airport (IAO) in Del Carmen has direct domestic flights from Manila, Cebu, Clark and Davao. Vans to General Luna and Cloud 9 take about 45 minutes, and fares are negotiable; ferries from Surigao City reach Dapa port in 2 to 4 hours.

Getting around

Most visitors rent a scooter or use tricycles, vans and habal-habal motorbike taxis, and outlying islands and lagoons are reached by boat tours.

Local tips

Wear reef booties when surfing or swimming over coral, and clean and cover any reef cuts straight away to avoid infection.
Bring enough Philippine pesos in cash, agree transport fares before setting off, and keep valuables secured because petty theft happens.
Swimwear is fine on the beach, but cover up in villages, shops and churches.
March to September is driest for island hopping, while August to November brings the best surf; book flights well ahead because fares climb near the date.

Areas worth knowing

Pilar
Del Carmen
Bucas Grande Islands
General Luna and Cloud 9
Santa Monica

Official travel advice

The UK Foreign Office last updated its advice for this country on July 15, 2026. The advice includes warnings against travel to some areas. Read it before booking.

Read the advice on GOV.UK