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How many days in Siargao? 5 days of surf, lagoons and island hopping
By Tony Panopoulos · travel-agency planner in Greece · Updated
Siargao is a teardrop-shaped island off the north-east tip of Mindanao in the Philippines, best known for Cloud 9, a reef break that made it the country's surfing capital. Most visitors stay in General Luna, a small town of guesthouses, surf schools and cafés along one main road. Give it five days: one to settle in and try surfing, one island hopping, one riding the north of the island, one in Sugba Lagoon and one on a boat to Sohoton Cove. Plan around the tides: the rock pools, lagoons and reef breaks all change completely between high and low water. The island was badly hit by Typhoon Odette in December 2021 and has largely rebuilt.
Short answer
Three days covers Cloud 9 and a surf lesson, the classic three-island hop and the rock pools of Magpupungko. Five days adds Sugba Lagoon, the north of the island and a long day to Sohoton Cove.
The 5-day plan, day by day
Day 1: General Luna and Cloud 9
Morning. Ride to the Cloud 9 boardwalk, about 10 minutes north of General Luna by scooter, at sunrise. The wooden walkway runs out over the reef to a viewing tower where you can watch surfers on the right-hand barrel; entry is free or a small fee. Cloud 9 is a powerful wave for experienced surfers only.
Afternoon. Book a beginner surf lesson at a gentler break such as Jacking Horse, next to Cloud 9, or at spots reached by boat from General Luna. Lessons with board and instructor cost roughly ₱1,000-1,500 for about 1.5-2 hours, plus a boat fee for offshore spots. Learn when the tide is right; schools will tell you the time.
Evening. Walk Tourism Road in General Luna for dinner: grilled fish, Filipino dishes and wood-fired pizza. A main costs about ₱300-600, and a San Miguel beer about ₱80-150. Bars stay lively most nights in the busy months.
Rent a scooter for about ₱350-500 a day for your whole stay; ask for a helmet and photograph the bike before you leave.
Day 2: Island hopping: Naked, Daku and Guyam
Morning. Join a shared island-hopping trip from the General Luna pier, usually leaving around 8:00-9:00, for about ₱1,500-2,000 per person including lunch, or charter a boat for a group. The first stop is Naked Island, a bare sandbar with no trees, best at low tide.
Afternoon. Continue to Daku Island, the largest of the three, with a village, palms and a long beach where lunch is grilled for you, and finally to Guyam Island, a tiny round island with palms that you can walk around in 10 minutes. Each island charges a small environmental or entrance fee, usually ₱50-100.
Evening. Back in General Luna, watch the sunset from the coast near the pier or at a beach bar south of town, then eat at a local carinderia, where rice with a choice of dishes costs about ₱120-200.
There is almost no shade on Naked Island; bring reef-safe sun cream, a hat and water, and a dry bag for your phone.
Day 3: Coconut road, Maasin river and Magpupungko
Morning. Ride north from General Luna about 15-20 minutes to the coconut tree viewpoint, where the road curves through a sea of palms. Continue to the Maasin river for a swim and the bent coconut tree used as a jumping point (small fee); boats and paddleboards can be rented.
Afternoon. Ride about 1 hour north to Magpupungko in Pilar (about ₱50-100), where tidal rock pools appear on a flat reef only at low tide; at high tide they disappear under the waves. Swim in the clear pools, and jump from the rocks only where locals show you it is deep.
Evening. If you have energy, continue north to Pacifico beach near San Isidro, a quieter surf spot, before heading back to General Luna for dinner. Ride before dark: roads are unlit, and dogs and goats cross without warning.
Check the tide table the day before and time your arrival at Magpupungko for the lowest tide of the day.
Day 4: Sugba Lagoon via Del Carmen
Morning. Ride or take a van about 1 hour west to Del Carmen, the port town near the airport, and take a boat through the mangrove forest to Sugba Lagoon, about 40 minutes. Join a tour from General Luna (about ₱1,800-2,500 per person with transfers and lunch) or arrange the boat at the Del Carmen pier.
Afternoon. Swim in the turquoise lagoon, rent a paddleboard or kayak, and jump from the diving board on the floating cottage. Some boats stop at small beaches and snorkelling spots on the way back; the lagoon itself charges an entrance fee.
Evening. Return to General Luna and have a quiet dinner by the beach. Try kinilaw, raw fish cured in coconut vinegar with ginger and chilli, which Siargao's restaurants make with very fresh catch.
The mangroves of Del Carmen are among the largest protected stands in the region; ask a local boatman for a slower paddle tour to see them properly.
Day 5: Day trip to Sohoton Cove
Morning. Leave General Luna around 5:30-6:00 by van and boat for Sohoton Cove in the Bucas Grande islands, part of a protected area south-west of Siargao. The boat ride takes about 1.5-2 hours. Tours cost roughly ₱2,500-3,500 per person with lunch and fees.
Afternoon. Enter the cove through a low cave passage that is passable only at certain tides, and paddle among limestone islands, small caves and, in some seasons, a lagoon of stingless jellyfish. Swim and jump from wooden platforms where permitted.
Evening. Return in the late afternoon and celebrate your last night on Tourism Road or at a beach bar south of General Luna. Order fresh lechon if a stall has it, or grilled tuna belly.
Sohoton trips are long and weather-dependent; avoid them on your last day if you have an early flight, and check that your operator carries life jackets for everyone.
Only have 3 days?
With 3 days, do Day 1, the island-hopping day and the Magpupungko loop. You lose Sugba Lagoon and Sohoton Cove.
Got extra days?
Extra days are best spent surfing: a week of lessons makes most beginners confident on small waves. You can also add Taktak Falls in Santa Monica or a quiet night in the north near Burgos and Pacifico, away from General Luna.
Where to stay in Siargao
| Budget | Area | Why | Typical double/night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | General Luna hostels | Surf hostels on and off Tourism Road, close to surf schools and food. | ₱700-1,500 |
| Mid-range | General Luna / Tourism Road | Bungalows a short ride from Cloud 9, the pier and restaurants. | ₱2,500-5,000 |
| Mid-range | Catangnan / near Cloud 9 | Walk to the boardwalk and the surf; quieter evenings. | ₱3,000-6,000 |
| Comfort | Beach resorts around General Luna | Pools and beachfront villas south and north of town. | ₱8,000-18,000 |
Getting around
Flights reach Sayak Airport in Del Carmen from Manila (about 2 hours), Cebu (about 1 hour) and sometimes Clark; vans to General Luna take about 45-60 minutes for about ₱300-400 per person. Ferries also run from Surigao City on Mindanao to Dapa port (about 1.5-3 hours depending on the boat). On the island, rent a scooter or use habal-habal motorbike taxis and tricycles; a short ride in General Luna costs about ₱50-100. Roads are paved but narrow, and there are few street lights.
What to eat in Siargao
General Luna's food scene is one of the best on any small Philippine island. Order kinilaw, grilled fish and squid, adobo, sinigang (sour tamarind soup) and lechon (roast pig) at local places, and fresh fruit shakes everywhere. Cafés along Tourism Road serve smoothie bowls, sourdough and good coffee for surfers. A carinderia lunch costs ₱120-200; a restaurant dinner ₱500-1,000 per person. Drink bottled or filtered water.
Best time to visit
March to May for calm seas, sun and good island hopping, with highs around 30-32°C. The best surf at Cloud 9 is usually from about August/September to November, when international competitions such as the Siargao surfing cup are held. December to February is the wettest and windiest period. Typhoons are possible from about June to December, though Siargao is hit less often than islands further north; buy travel insurance.
What a day costs
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing a double) | ₱900 | ₱2,500 | ₱7,000 |
| Food & drink | ₱700 | ₱1,500 | ₱3,000 |
| Sights & tickets | ₱800 | ₱1,800 | ₱3,500 |
| Local transport | ₱400 | ₱800 | ₱2,000 |
| Total per person, per day | about ₱2,800 | about ₱6,600 | about ₱15,500 |
Approximate 2026 prices in Philippine pesos (about ₱57 to the US dollar); 'sights' means tours, lessons and environmental fees, which are collected in cash at each site.
Before you go
Common questions
Is Siargao good for beginner surfers?
Yes, despite Cloud 9's reputation as a heavy wave. Several breaks around General Luna, such as Jacking Horse and some offshore reefs reached by boat, have smaller, softer waves for lessons. Surf schools pick the spot by tide and swell. Go with an instructor at first, since most breaks are over shallow reef; reef booties and a rash guard help.
Do I need cash in Siargao?
Yes. Many guesthouses and restaurants accept cards or GCash, but tours, boat fees, scooters, tricycles and small eateries often take cash only. There are ATMs in General Luna and Dapa, but they can run out of money or have queues in high season, so bring enough pesos from Manila or Cebu and keep small notes.
Can I drive a scooter without a licence?
Rental shops rarely ask, but legally you need a valid licence, and travel insurance often does not cover accidents without one. Roads are narrow, with animals, potholes and no lighting at night. If you are not an experienced rider, use habal-habal drivers or tricycles, or join tours that include transfers.
What should I bring to Siargao?
Reef-safe sun cream, a hat, a rash guard, reef booties, a dry bag and a light rain jacket. Insect repellent helps in the evenings and in the mangroves. Bring a reusable water bottle, as many cafés refill it, and enough cash. A headlamp is useful for the walk home on unlit roads.
How this guide was made
Compiled by TonyPlan from official tourism, transport and attraction sources and on-the-ground travel knowledge. Prices are approximate for 2026 and change with season; anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.
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