Boasting of the best waves in the Philippines, Siargao is often dubbed as the “Surfing Capital of the Philippines.” Once a hidden gem for surfing enthusiasts, this unspoiled tropical paradise has now attracted tourists from all over the world.

Siargao isn’t just for surfers! Its breath-taking beaches lined with swaying palm trees and turquoise waters are more than enough to keep you in awe for days. The teardrop-shaped island’s natural beauty can fill your days with fun activities — from beachcombing through secluded beaches, swimming with “non-stinging” jellyfish, exploring hidden lagoons to paddle boarding, cave hopping and so much more. So, whether you’re looking for a relaxing beach trip or a more adventurous getaway, here are my top picks of places to visit and activities to try in Siargao.

Here’s a list of beautiful places to visit in Siargao including top things to do & the best Siargao tourist spots.

To make your trip planning easy, I’ve added links to the locations on Google Maps. Feel free to click/tap on the links posted. Then, use the “save” feature on the Google Maps app. Seeing all your saved locations on the map will help you get started on planning your Siargao itinerary and know the best areas to stay, near places you want to go.

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View all travel tips on: Siargao.

1. Surfing at Cloud 9

Location: General Luna, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, Philippines. Save on Google Maps.

A trip to Siargao wouldn’t be complete without surfing. Try it out and ride the waves at Cloud 9’s legendary surf break or simply enjoy watching the pros battle the waves. If you want to go on surfing lessons, you can easily find certified surfing instructors to teach you some tricks. Apart from the waves at Cloud 9, which are better suited for advanced surfers, there are spots nearby with more gentle surf breaks that even first-timers can enjoy, perfect for beginners to try out.

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2. Cloud 9 Boardwalk

Location: General Luna, Siargao Island. Save on Google Maps.

Cloud 9 is about an hour away from the airport. You can find it near the town/poblacion of General Luna. Even if you are not a surf enthusiast, the magnificent barreling waves at Cloud 9 are breathtaking to see especially during sunrise or sunset. The best viewpoint is the Cloud 9 Boardwalk, a wooden walkway that leads to a three-story observation deck. It’s perfect for watching surfers and enjoying the ocean breeze.

Cloud 9 is famous for the Cloud 9 Surfing Cup, which usually happens between late September to early October. The event attracts competitors and tourists from all over the world. If you like big crowds and parties, this is the best time to visit. If not, don’t worry because Cloud 9 is enjoyable at any time of the year.

3. Siargao Three Island Tour (Tri-Island Hopping)

Location: Near Poblacion, General Luna. Save on Google Maps.

One of the top ways of spending your day in Siargao is by going Island hopping to three of the nearby islands – Naked Island, Guyam Island, and Daku Island. These islands are just a short boat ride from each other, but each one has its own charm.
Naked Island, true to its name, is a bare sandbar of powdery white sand enclosed by crystal clear waters. Daku Island is the largest of the three and is a great stop for a seafood banquet under that swaying palm trees. You can also enjoy snorkeling and swimming in the surrounding waters. The smallest is Guyam Island. Its intimate atmosphere is just about perfect for a relaxing picnic, for lazing around the beach and for enjoying the sunset.

Siargao Island Hopping – Daku Island, Guyam Island, & Naked Island Day Tour

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4. Sohoton Cove & Bucas Grande Island

Location: Sohoton Bay, Bucas Grande Island, Socorro, Surigao del Norte. Save on Google Maps.

Sohoton Cove National Park in Bucas Grande Island is among my favorite spots in the entire Philippines, so don’t miss it if you’re in Siargao. Sohoton Cove can be visited together with the tri-island hopping tours or on a separate day, so you can explore more of Bucas Grande too. Located a lot farther than the other islands, it’s the perfect getaway from the main areas of Siargao.

Sohoton Coves unique landscape features secluded beaches and hidden lagoons surrounded by lush mountainous forests. You can dive into its numerous mesmerizing lagoons and go cave hopping. Explore the luminescent waters of Hagukan Cave. Swim into the Magkukuob Cave & find your way to a 5-meter high diving board overlooking the lagoon. Spend the night in Sohoton Cove National Park & enjoy the mesmerizing sunset. The easiest way to get to Bucas Grande Island is by booking a island hopping package tour. Boats usually depart from General Luna.

Sohoton Cove & Siargao Island Hopping Day Trip

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5. Non-Stinging Jellyfish Sanctuary (Tojoman Lagoon)

Location: Near Sohoton Cove, Sohoton Bay, Bucas Grande Island. Save on Google Maps.

Another enthralling experience at the Bucas Grande Island is swimming with no-sting jellyfish at the Tojoman Lagoon. To get to the Jellyfish Sanctuary, you would have to transfer to a smaller boat and paddle into the lagoon because motorized boats aren’t allowed in the area. The turquoise waters are crystal clear and you can easily see the reefs and sea creatures below. The no-sting jellyfish start to flourish from March to May, but if you want to experience their full bloom, then you should schedule your visit around July to August.

6. Club Tara Resort

Location: Near Sohoton Cove, Bucas Grande Island. Save on Google Maps.

Club Tara Resort is a world-class hotel in the Bucas Grande Island that’s isolated from big crowds. Highly Instagram-able, the resort’s water cottages give off a Maldives’ vibe and have become a tourist attraction. It’s a great place for honeymooners and vacationers that want a more intimate experience with the island. The resort has a lagoon where you can go kayaking and paddleboarding. You can enjoy taking photos here too even if you are just passing through.

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7. Tiktikan Lake (Tiktikan Lagoon)

Location: Near Sohoton Cove, Bucas Grande Island. Save on Google Maps.

Tiktikan Lagoon is another hidden gem in Bucas Grande Island, especially with its magnificent blue waters. The lagoon is often compared to Coron’s Kayangan Lake and to El Nido’s blue lagoons. It’s the perfect spot for cooling off in the still waters, for lounging in the boardwalk or for setting up drone-worthy shots.

8. Crystal & Buletas Cave

Location: Near Sohoton Cove, Bucas Grande Island. Save on Google Maps.

The Crystal and Buletas Caves are two caves that meet at the same opening, and you will enjoy spelunking in them. Crystal Cave is an extensive open-ended cave filled with shimmering columns, stalactites, and stalagmites that appear to be speckled with crystals. You can easily trek through its big chambers or squeeze through small tunnels, or even try both to get to the other side. Buletas Cave is a close-ended cave that’s named after its appearance. It’s filled with small, rounded pellet-like stones or “buletas” in Filipino. It’s also home to the “balisasayaw” – a rare bird whose nest is a famous ingredient in Chines soups.

9. Magpupungko Tidal Pools

Location: Pilar, Siargao Island. Save on Google Maps.

Visiting the Magpupungko Tidal Pools is a fun experience and you can easily incorporate it in your itinerary. You can rent a van or a motorbike to get there, or you can book a land tour that includes it together with other fascinating hot spots.

The Magpupunko Tidal Pools are rock pools that are only visible during low tides. I recommend that you check the tide schedules ahead of your trip and try to get there about an hour before the peak of the low tide. If you time it just right, you will absolutely enjoy swimming through the caves and ledges of scenic pools. You can even go cliff jumping into them. Don’t forget to bring a dry bag to keep your stuff in.

Siargao Land Tour – Sugba Lagoon, Magpupungko, Maasin River

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10. Palm Tree Swing (Maasin River)

Location: Brgy. Maasin, Dapa, Siargao Island. Save on Google Maps.

The Palm Tree Swing at the Maasin River was once a secret spot among locals and kids who love swinging from the tree and perfecting their backflips, but, nowadays, it has become very popular among tourists. You can easily get there from General Luna by motorbike or through a land tour. From the red bridge at Maasin River, this famed angled palm tree is quite easy to spot. If being Tarzan for a day is not your thing, there are bamboo rafts that you can lounge on and take scenic photos. You can also hire a small boat and paddle up and down the river. If you have some time, you can even hire a guide to take you to a secret lagoon. The Maasin River opens at 6 in the morning, and if you want the place to yourself, you should go there early.

11. Coconut Trees View Deck (Coconut Mountain View) & Palm Tree Road

Location: Near Brgy. Maasin Proper, Dapa, Siargao Island. Save on Google Maps.

On the way to the Maasin River, the Coconut Trees View Deck is an excellent stopover, especially if you happen to pass by them around sunrise or sunset as the colors breakthrough an endless view of coconuts. Don’t take too much time at the view deck though, because just up ahead is the Palm Tree Road, and you might want to spend the golden hour there. This perfectly straight stretch of the highway is lined with thousands of coconuts on both sides. There’s minimal traffic here at these hours – making it a great spot for taking stunning photos. But be careful, because there are vehicles zooming through.

12. General Luna Poblacion

Location: General Luna, Siargao Island. Save on Google Maps.

The town of General Luna is the perfect jump-off point to all the beauty and attractions that Siargao has to offer. From there you can easily book land tours and island hopping tours. There are plenty of hotels and resorts here as well. The town proper is also bursting with restaurants that offer meals catering to all budgets and from a variety of cuisines. The town exudes a laid back lifestyle and is an excellent place to go for a more local atmosphere compared to Cloud 9.

13. Sugba Lagoon

Location: Caob Island, Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte. Save on Google Maps.

A bit farther from other attractions, but unquestionably worth the travel time, is Sugba Lagoon. About an hour away from General Luna is the town of Del Carmen, and from there, Sugba Lagoon is about 20 minutes away by boat. It’s a scenic view as you’ll be zigzagging through the Del Carmen mangroves. Alternatively, you can also get there directly by boat from General Luna, which takes about an hour and a half.

What makes Sugba Lagoon a well-liked attraction is that despite its popularity among tourists, you won’t feel that it’s overcrowded. The lagoon is so massive and you will enjoy swimming and diving into it. There’s even a diving board on the floating hut. You can also enjoy lounging on wooden rafts and relaxing in cafes or go try stand-up paddleboards in the tranquil waters.

Half a day at Sugba Lagoon is ample time to enjoy it, and if you want to make the most of your travel time, you should book it through a tour that also includes the Kawhagan and Pamomoan Islands and spend the rest of the day on these islands. If you love unspoiled beaches, then you will want to include them in your itinerary.

14. Corregidor Beach (Casolian Island)

Location: Dapa, Surigao del Norte. Save on Google Maps.

Casolian Island is more popularly referred to as Corregidor Beach or Corregidor Islands by locals. It’s a tropical island paradise that’s surrounded by pristine waters and colorful reefs. What’s different here is that you can take a 30-minute trek up a hill to enjoy the stunning view around the island. The top of the hill is mostly covered in tall grass and looming palm trees. There are a lot of little paths you can follow. You’ll enjoy wandering around and taking amazing photos thanks to its unique landscape.

Corregidor Beach is about 45 minutes away by boat from General Luna/Cloud 9 and there is no public transport available to get there. If you want to go, the easy way to booking a package boat tour. It’s usually included as a day tour bundled together with tri-Island hopping adventure or Sohoton Cove.

Siargao Island Hopping – Corregidor, Naked, Daku, and Guyam Islands Day Tour

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15. Siargao Wakepark

Location: Purok 7, General Luna, Siargao Island. Save on Google Maps.

If you’re up for another thrill aside from surfing, then a visit to Siargao Wakepark is a must. Wakeboarding is exhilarating even if you’re just learning the ropes. Equipped with friendly and professional instructors, Siargao Wakepark is perfect for riders of all levels. Each session lasts for an hour and a half and you can book it as a group or individually. The park is an eco-friendly manmade lake surrounded by verdant palm trees. They also serve food and beer that you can enjoy while watching the riders and the scenery at their lakeside huts.

Siargao Wakepark Entrance Ticket

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Where to go beyond Siargao

Surigao City

Location: Surigao del Norte. Save on Google Maps.

Surigao City Travel Essentials

Where to stay

Enchanted River

Location: Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. Save on Google Maps.

Tinuy-an Falls

Location: Bislig, Surigao del Sur. Save on Google Maps.

Camiguin

Location: Northern Mindanao region

Camiguin Travel Essentials

Where to stay

What places have you added to your bucketlist? Have you been to beautiful places in Siargao that should be on this list? Feel free to share your thoughts!

Places to visit in Siargao

Siargao tourist spots, things to do in Siargao, where to go in Siargao & more.

Note: Destinations featured above are not listed by rank.

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Where to Stay in Siargao

Click below & search recommended Siargao hotels/hostels/home rentals within your budget. Remember to set your min/max price, travel dates, and sort by review ratings. I often book online with these trusted booking sites below for rock-bottom prices & convenient bookings.

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Book sooner rather than later if you already have your dates set. Cheaper-priced rooms and hotels with high reviews tend to get fully booked faster, especially during busy days like weekends, holidays & peak tourist seasons.

Siargao Essentials & Top Discounts

Siargao Island Hopping (Daily) – Daku Island, Guyam Island, and Naked Island Day Tour

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Sohoton Cove & Siargao Island Hopping Day Trip

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Siargao Land Tour (Daily) – Sugba Lagoon, Magpupungko, Maasin River

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