Siargao
The Philippines' surf capital is famous for Cloud 9, a barrelling reef break with its own wooden viewing pier, but Siargao's real charm is everything around it: palm forests bisected by empty roads, island-hopping to Guyam and Daku, and the loose, friendly sprawl of General Luna.
- Best forSurfers · Adventure seekers · Groups of friends
- In August28°C · 21 rainy days · sea 31°C
- Ideal stay5–7 nights
- Approx. flying time~14h 30m from Los Angeles
- CurrencyPHPPhilippine peso
- LanguageFilipino and English
- Local time20:077h ahead of the UK
- PlugsType A / B / CBring an adapter
- Drive on theRightOpposite to the UK
- Dialling code+63
Why go
A teardrop-shaped island in the far south-east of the Philippines, Siargao is low, wet and covered in coconut palm, with a reef offshore that produces the country's best-known surf. General Luna, the main village, has grown into a loose sprawl of guesthouses and cafes along sandy lanes. Beyond it lie mangrove channels, tidal rock pools, sheltered lagoons and roads running straight through palm forest for kilometres at a time.
Allow at least four or five nights, given how long it takes to get there: flights connect via Cebu or Manila to the island's small airport. Surf season runs roughly from August to November, with the biggest swell in autumn, while calmer months suit island-hopping and beginners. Typhoons are a genuine risk in that same window, and the island was badly hit in 2021, so insurance matters.
- Ideal stay
- 5–7 nights
- The vibe
- Salty, laid-back, palm-shaded
From our guides
Beginners learn on the mellower breaks nearby with local instructors. Come September to November for swell without the Christmas-season crowds.
Featured in Ten laid-back tropical surf towns for slow mornings
Things to do
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Cloud 9
A hollow reef break with a wooden boardwalk and viewing tower built out over the water. Experienced surfers only, but a fine place to watch.
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Island-hopping
Boat trips to Guyam, Daku and Naked islands make a standard day out, usually with lunch cooked on the sand.
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Sugba Lagoon
A sheltered green inlet near Del Carmen, reached through mangroves, with a diving platform and paddleboards for hire.
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Magpupungko rock pools
Tidal pools on the east coast that appear at low tide, deep enough to jump into. Timing depends entirely on the tide tables.
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Beginner breaks
Sand and gentler reef waves near General Luna suit first-timers, with local instructors and board hire widely available.
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The palm road
The road between General Luna and Pilar runs through unbroken coconut forest, best on a motorbike in early morning light.
Getting there
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Fly to
Del Carmen (IAO)
Nearest airport to Siargao, about 6km away as the crow flies.
-
Then
To General Luna
About an hour by van from Sayak airport (IAO) near Del Carmen across to General Luna, and most guesthouses arrange a shared transfer to meet the flight.
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On the ground
Getting around
Almost everyone rents a scooter. Cloud 9 is a few minutes north of General Luna and island-hopping boats to Guyam and Daku leave from the town pier.
Public transport: Minimal: shared vans meet flights, but otherwise it is scooters, tricycles and boats.
Flights
Los Angeles Siargao, Philippines
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Roughly 14h 30m in the air from Los Angeles (LAX), estimated from the distance — check for a direct route. Pick a month to see every available flight with live prices.
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When to go
Daytime highs run from about 27°C in January to 28°C in September. Driest in August and September; wettest in December, with rain on about 30 days. The sea is warmest in June at around 31°C, coolest at 28°C.
The year at a glance — pick a month for detail
August28° · rain 21 days · sea 31°Warm and often wet.
Monthly figures averaged from daily records for 2020–2024 at this location (ERA5 reanalysis). Live conditions from MET Norway, CC BY 4.0.
Where to stay
Bamboo and hardwood bungalows, hostels and a growing tier of design-minded small resorts. No international chains and little that is genuinely luxurious.
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Best base overall
General Luna
Known locally as GL, the island's hub for surf schools, restaurants and boat trips, spread loosely along the coast road. Sandy lanes, motorbike traffic and the widest choice of rooms.
Find stays in General Luna -
Closest to the sights
Cloud 9
The stretch north of GL around the wooden viewing pier, so you can check the break from bed. Best for surfers; swimmers will find the reef shallow and unfriendly at low tide.
Find stays in Cloud 9 -
Quietest
Malinao and Catangnan
The palm-backed lanes inland and north of Cloud 9, where smaller guesthouses sit among rice fields. You need a scooter, and there is little to do after dinner.
Find stays in Malinao and Catangnan -
Best value
Dapa
The port town where the Surigao ferries dock, with plain, cheap rooms and none of the surf-town premium. Half an hour from the beaches, which is a long way here.
Find stays in Dapa
Worth knowing before you book: Power and water can be intermittent, and the Christmas to New Year weeks sell out early, with rates several times the low-season price.
Search everything else in General Luna by budget. These are indicative budget bands in GBP per night for two people, not live quotes or guarantees of hotel type. Check your dates, guests, taxes and final price on Booking.com.
Good to know
- Getting there
- Flights go via Cebu or Manila to the island's airport and seats are limited. A ferry also runs from Surigao on the mainland.
- Cash
- Machines on the island are few and often empty. Bring pesos with you and expect many places to be cash only.
- Reef safety
- Most breaks are over sharp coral. Reef boots and a rash vest are sensible, and beginners should stick to sand-bottomed spots.
- Timing
- September to November brings swell without the Christmas crowds, but it overlaps with typhoon season, so watch the forecasts.
- Roads
- Motorbike hire is the norm and roads are quiet, though surfaces vary and helmets are often an afterthought. Travel insurance rarely covers it.
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Quick answers
When is the best time to visit Siargao?
Daytime highs run from about 27°C in January to 28°C in September. Driest in August and September; wettest in December, with rain on about 30 days. The sea is warmest in June at around 31°C, coolest at 28°C.
How long should I spend in Siargao?
Our suggestion: 5–7 nights.
How do I get to Siargao?
About an hour by van from Sayak airport (IAO) near Del Carmen across to General Luna, and most guesthouses arrange a shared transfer to meet the flight.
Do I need a car in Siargao?
No. Minimal: shared vans meet flights, but otherwise it is scooters, tricycles and boats.
What currency and language are used in Siargao?
Currency: Philippine peso (PHP). Language: Filipino and English. Plugs: type A and B and C.
Who is Siargao best for?
Best for surfers, adventure seekers and groups of friends. In a phrase: salty, laid-back, palm-shaded.