Philippines, Siargao

#UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island

Our 4th anniversary as a couple was an extended weekend in Siargao – adjudged as Asia’s Number 1 Island by Conde Nast Travelers Readers’ Choice Awards in 2018. This title was previously held by Palawan and Boracay, who are 3rd and 2nd respectively in the latest awards.

#UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island (Landing View)

Read more about our Boracay, El Nido and Coron adventures.

Riad Masaya – cozy accommodation in Siargao

The first thing I looked at was the hotel. We wanted something cozy, a little far out from noisy crowds, has good space, awesome reviews.

#UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island (Riad Masaya’s common area)

 

#UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island (Common area with books to read, movies to watch, games to play)

They have arranged a bottle of wine at my request, a bouquet of chocolates and a personalized greeting at their own initiative, all arranged in the room. So when I handed Mary the key, she saw the surprise first. What’s most appreciated and a bit surprising for me was that, when I asked to pay for the entire surprise thing, they didn’t even charge me a dime.

#UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island (Riad Masaya’s welcome for us)

 

#UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island

 

#UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island

The hotel / resort is Moroccan-inspired that only has 6 rooms. It’s a short walk to the popularly-known CFC or Catangnan Fried Chicken, where we first had our decent meal after touching down.

#UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island (Catangnan Fried Chicken)

The owners and managers are always pleasant to speak with, accommodating of our request, and there’s a sari-sari store attached to it where we occasionally got chips and bread from, and a ginanggang (grilled banana with margarine and sugar) vendor in front.

#UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island (Ginanggang, a province specialty)

The Land Tour (river, falls, beach, natural pool, coconut lane, cave)

The inland tour took an entire day, and at first we thought we could take a habal just like everyone else. I wanted to learn to ride a scootie prior to our trip but she said we’re not doing that. During the trip, Mary had fever and so to fully enjoy the land travel, I switched to a tuktuk last minute. Probably the best decision I made. Imagine an entire day riding behind a motorcycle driver, when it rained in some parts of the trip.

#UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island

 

#UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island (Bamboo rafting at Maasin River, even if it’s drizzling)

 

#UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island (Jericho’s Lane, named after Jericho Rosales)

 

#UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island (Magpupungko Rock Formation and Natural Pool)

 

#UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island (Magpupungko Natural Pool)

 

#UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island (DIY couple shot)

 

#UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island (DIY couple shot)

 

#UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island

 

#UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island (the farther and more secluded Pacifico)

 

#UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island (this caving was a little difficult for me because there was no light inside, only the guide had a head lamp and I couldn’t swim. So I take a misstep, I would probably drown)

 

 

Kuya LK’s number is (63) 909-010-6886 in case you want to book a trip on his habal or tuktuk.

#UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island (Kuya LK)

 

#UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island (Kuya LK’s tuktuk)

Sohoton was a bit far and we didn’t have enough time, so we vowed to come back to the island and visit it. Sugba Lagoon was also closed for cleaning, which was a bit fine too because we wanted to relax and not cram all tours in our short trip. There’s always a next time, we said. We wanted to take it slow, have long conversations that’s really essential to our (or any) relationship, and a lot of rest.

Tri-island hopping and Siargao’s environmental stand

Siargao’s island hopping tour without Sohoton cannot be compared to that of Coron. Siargao has smaller, quiet islets. That’s why you’d hear some people say it’s not as good as Coron. Well, it depends why you’re going.

If you want a fully immersive island hopping, then don’t go to Siargao for it, my goodness. What it offers though, is unbridled island life, surf vibes and an admirable responsibility to the environment.

#UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island (skating – otherwise known as dry surfing)
#UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island (Guyam Island)

 

#UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island (Island hopping in Siargao)

 

#UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island (Lovey Dovey!)

 

#UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island (go-throwing the gopro in Daku Island)

 

#UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island (Lunch at Daku Island)

 

#UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island (Sold at Daku Island)

 

#UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island (bamboo straw for your fresh coconut drink)

 

#UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island (our boatman and our fresh fish and vegetables for the day – notice there’s no plastic bag – the red one’s an ecobag)

Food on the island

Food might also be overly expensive since the island caters to foreign visitors. But that’s only true if you don’t know how to eat in street eateries (carenderia) because man, they serve the freshest fish exactly how you would want to have it when you’re in the province. I honestly enjoyed eating at the carenderia in the mornings rather than cafes. Hotels for dinner are perfect, especially the one we had in Bravo – which gets filled really quickly once they open their restaurant for dinner at 6pm (you can’t order dinner earlier than that).

#UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island (the small stall here serves one of the best chicken burrito I have ever tried)

 

#UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island (La Carenderia – not the cheap Carenderia I have been mentioning)

 

#UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island (Fresh fish!)

 

#UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island (tuna in coconut milk)

 

#UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island (when it gets hot, get your cold treats here, right in front of Cloud 9’s entrance)

 

#UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island (Bravo Restaurant)

 

#UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island (Bravo’s chicken and fries)

 

#UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island (Bravo’s tuna)

World-renowned Cloud 9 Surf Break

The star of it all is of course, Cloud 9. Siargao made itself known in the international arena of travelers because of the waves of Cloud 9. Other local celebrities call it their home away from home. A movie has been made on the island, about the island, and titled after the island. Cloud 9 brought tourism to Siargao. And when you tread the boardwalk, as you glance around the beginner surfers nearby, and farther out the professional surfers trying to catch as many barrels as they could, you would understand the island’s vibe.

#UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island (Cloud 9 Boardwalk)

 

#UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island (Sunset Sesh)

 

#UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island (Cloud 9 Beginner Surfers)

Flights to Siargao:

Philippines Airlines flies to Siargao from Clark, Davao and Cebu

Cebu Pacific flies to Siargao from Manila and Clark

Of course, we’d be back! Who doesn’t want to chill here, right?

Expenses:

Riad Masaya – 2,400 per night for 2 pax (7,200 for 2 pax for  3 nights)

Inland tour – 1,300 for 2 pax for habal (but we changed to tuktuk at 1,800 for 2 pax)

Food – estimate of 5,000 for 2 pax (it’s an anniversary trip!)

Shirt for our cat sitter and couple sando for us – 650 pesos

Flight – Manila to Siargao was free because we used our GetGo points

Siargao to Clark via Cebu – 6,653 pesos for 2 pax (not on sale, bought 1 month prior to trip)

Tricycle to and from hostel – 200 (estimate) for 2 pax

P2P Bus from Clark to Robinsons Galleria – 300 each (600 for 2 pax)

TOTAL: 22,103 for 2 pax, 4D3N

But don’t be discouraged. You can wait for a seat sale to Siargao, least I saw was 2,000 RT per pax. Eat at carenderias like I said and 300 would be good for a day per pax. Rent a motorbike instead of hiring a tuktuk and taking the tricycle daily – should save you up big time.

Suggested Itinerary:

Day 1 – arrive at the hotel, try a sunset surf session in Cloud 9.

Day 2 – Tri-island plus Sohoton. Night life after if you like. (if you have more time, spend a night in Sohoton)

Day 3 – Inland tour plus Sugba Lagoon. Chill night.

Day 4 – sunrise photos at Cloud 9, breakfast, pack up.

Island Reminders:

  1. Do not use single-use plastic – plastic straws, plastic bags have no place on the island. I hope bottled water and drinks too! Throw your rubbish in the properly-labeled trash bins, don’t waste food and do no patronize vendors that violate the local law (everyone’s responsibility, really) on plastic.
  2. Respect dogs and other domesticated animals – you will see a lot of dogs on the island. Please do not hurt or provoke them. Befriend, pat a little if you’re comfortable. Feed only if the owner approves as they may have a special diet. I saw a caged mama civet at the waiting area of Tayangban cave and I was told they’re selling it. I reported it to the local DENR
    #UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island (Siargao doggos)

     

    #UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island (A civet caged for eating the local’s plants and fruits)

     

  3. Bring basic medicine on island hopping tours – we chanced upon an American family whose daughter must have eaten something. She rolled on the sand and laid there for an hour, as her skin turned blue. It was a jelly fish sting, and she reacted to it, could hardly breathe. It happened on Daku Island and aside from the language barrier, there wasn’t an anti histamine available. It’s a good thing she got better. I chatted with her parents and learned they’ve been married 40 years and take trips with their daughter and her husband to China, Thailand and Philippines.
  4. Don’t forget your island essentials – underwater camera, sun block, rash guard, sunnies and your basic first aid knowledge.
  5. Swim and surf only when it’s safe – pretty self explanatory
#UhawForSIARGAO – Our Thirst To Be On Asia’s Number 1 Island (beach reminders)

 

Hope this is enough to make you want to visit or revisit the island. If not, nothing else will 🙂 Just go!

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