Siargao — Surfing Capital of the Philippines

Siargao is a teardrop-shaped island in the northeast of Mindanao — and the undisputed surfing capital of the Philippines. Here, the famous Cloud 9 wave breaks, attracting surfers from around the world since the 1990s: a perfect, hollow barrel breaking over a shallow reef, regularly voted among the top 10 waves on the planet. Since 2019, Siargao has been a venue for a World Surf League event.

But Siargao is not just for pro surfers. There are numerous beginner breaks: Jacking Horse and Stimpy near Cloud 9 are gentler and more forgiving. In General Luna, the tourist center, surf schools line up (lessons from 500 PHP/~8 € including board). The island's vibe is laid-back, creative, and young: yoga studios, vegan cafés, open-air cinemas, and rooftop bars on the beach.

Beyond surfing, Siargao offers:

• Magpupungko Rock Pools: Natural rock pools that appear at low tide — with crystal-clear water and shallow entry. Accessible only at low tide, check the tide table beforehand!
• Sugba Lagoon: Emerald lagoon amidst mangrove forests. Kayak and paddleboard rentals available on site.
• Island Hopping to Naked Island, Daku Island & Guyam Island: Three different islands — one bare and white (Naked), one with palm trees and BBQ (Daku), one tiny and photogenic (Guyam). Day trip from 1,200 PHP.
• Sohoton Cove (Bucas Grande): Enchanted lagoons with non-stinging jellyfish you can swim through. Day trip from Siargao (3,000–4,000 PHP).

Siargao has its own airport (Sayak Airport) with direct flights from Manila (Cebu Pacific, from 1,500 PHP) and Cebu. The best surf season is August to November, when the Pacific swell hits the east coast. In the dry season (March–May), the waves are smaller, but the weather is perfect for non-surfers.