We had three days in Siargao (including a travel day) which I think was just enough time to get a taste of the island. It was one of the first stops of our month-long trip to the Philippines so we didn’t want to go too hard, too fast. We spent the first day exploring the island – including a couple of its beaches, caves and rockpools. On our second day, we organised an island-hopping adventure.
January 15
We were back on Philippine Airlines flight PR2382 for our 1530 flight to Sayak Airport in Siargao.
The flight was 4698PHP for the two of us, or about $129.
We landed at 1630, paid our 20PHP (55c) port fee and went outside to find our car.
We had decided to rent a car for Siargao so we had more flexibility and time to explore. It cost $341 which I think was a bit rich, but divided by the four of us, and spread over the three days, I thought it was worthwhile. It also meant we didn’t have to pay for return airport transfers.
In the end we went with Coastal Reef Adventure.
It was 1730 before we arrived at the hotel and so after a quick freshen up in our family room – we decided to head out to dinner.
At Siargao we decided to stay at Romantic Beach Villas in General Luna which cost us $476 for the three days, including breakfast.
The loft-style room wasn’t massive, but it was fine for the four of us, especially considering we were only there to sleep.
The hotel is right on the beach and had a nice pool, and the gardens were pretty nice.
The Wifi was mediocre in the room, but it just meant we had to spend more time out enjoying the common areas.
We decided to go to La Mesa for dinner for a low key dinner with some nice Filipino fare.
We grabbed a quick ice cream dessert at Ice&Roll, Baby, before heading back to the hotel.
It’d been a long day so about 8pm we went back to the room to relax.
Monday 16th
Today was all about exploring Siargao.
We got up early to catch the sunrise at the pool, before checking out the hotel breakfast.
Around 8:30 we set off on our adventure – first stop – the coconut viewing deck. It took us about 45 minutes to get there, made worse by the fact that there had been flooding and some of the main roads had been flooded.
There’s not a great deal to see but it’s worth a stop to stretch your legs and take in the vast swaths of coconut trees.
Just a few minutes down the road we came to the Maasin Bridge River.
I thought this was just going to be a photo stop, but when we arrived we discovered you could rent little boats and go up the river to the secret pool.
It cost us 1180PHP or about $33 dollars for the three of us – which basically included entry (?) plus a guide and canoe trip up the river to the secret pool.
We all had a really good time and I’d definitely recommend it.
After we were done fooling around in the pool, we headed back to the bridge and spent a couple of hours playing on the makeshift diving boards.
Around 1130 we hopped back in the car and headed north to the Magpopongko Rock Pools and Flats.
The weather was pretty bad and the tide was still high (make sure you check the tides.) so we decided to go back and check out Tayangban Cave Pool while we waited for the tide to go down a little more.
The cave is on private land and you have to pay 100PHP or about $2.75 for entry and the mandatory guide. And you need it.
We descended deep, down a wet path before having to enter the chest-deep water and swim into a submerged cave.
It’s fun, but not for the fainthearted.
It eventually opens up and there are a couple of outdoor pools to explore.
The experience took us about 45 minutes and so around 2:30 we were back on the road, headed back to Magpopongko Rock Pools.
When we arrived we decided to have lunch in one of the beach shacks, before heading over to explore the rock pools.
The water was still high, but we were able to hop in and enjoy the pool.
We stayed for a couple of hours before heading back to General Luna to check out the Cloud Nine boardwalk.
Entry was 400PHP or about $11 for the four of us. And it’s a total scam. The pier was badly damaged in Cyclone Odette and so you’re basically paying to walk along a bridge.
It was sunset by the time we got there, and so we got some snaps and then headed back to the hotel to get ready for dinner.
We decided on Kanin Baboy Siargao dinner for dinner and we weren’t disappointed. All the different types of pork.
We went back to Ice&Roll baby for a quick dessert before heading back to the hotel for an early night in preparation ahead of our day trip the following day.
Tuesday 17th
We had a lazy morning, enjoying breakfast at the hotel, before grabbing a TukTuk down to the port to get a boat.
The Tuktuk cost 300PHP or about $3.30 for the short trip into town.
We opted for a private boat which set us back 2500PHP or about $68 for three islands. We also had to pay 100PHP each as a port fee.
First stop was Naked Island – basically a big, sandy island in the middle of nowhere.
We had a swim and a bit of a wander around the island before hopping back on the boat for our second destination: Daku Island.
We had to pay another entry/environmental fee (160PHP or $4.40) and then we were free to roam the island.
Daku is much bigger. There’s a little village there and a couple of little restaurants – or at least kitchens that can cook lunch for you.
We paid 2155PHP or about $60 for lunch – which was a total rip off for a bit of fish and chicken, so I’d BYO or make sure you organise a tour with lunch included.
It was still a bit rainy and miserable but we decided it was time to get back on the boat and head over to our final destination: Guyam Island.
Guyam is tiny – it only takes a minute or so to walk across the Island.
There’s not a great deal to do, but after a busy day we were happy to chill for a while.
Entry to the island/the environmental fee was 160PHP $4.40. When we got there we had a walk and a bit of an explore, before swimming and playing on a set of submerged swings.
The island was fairly busy, but we still managed to enjoy our time there.
Around 1500 we decided to call it a day. We had a 30 minute trip back to General Luna and a short, Tuktuk trip (120PHP or $3.30) back to the hotel.
We went to Cafe Luna for dinner before calling it a night.
Wednesday 18th
We were up at the crack of dawn for our 8am flight to Coron.
We left the hotel around 0500, giving us plenty of time to fill up the car and return it, and get to the airport.
The flight wasn’t cheap – 4551PHP or about $125 for Siargao-Cebu-Coron.
At 720 we boarded PR2375 en route for Cebu City.