Travel Guide: How to Get to Siargao Island, Philippines

Summer ain’t over yet and we still have few more days to enjoy and go out for a quick summer getaway. Check out Siargao Island, the surfing capital of the Philippines, located at Surigao del Norte. It is a tear-drop shaped island in the Philippine Sea that is composed of 48 islands and islets. The island is divided into nine municipalities: Dapa, Burgos, General Luna, Del Carmen, Pilar, San Benito, Santa Monica, San Isidro, and Socorro.

Things to Do in Siargao:

The island is known as the “Surfing Capital of the Philippines” but no need to be a surfer to enjoy the incredible scenery and natural attractions. If you’re a beach bum and nature lover (like me hehe), you’ll be captivated by the beauty of Siargao.

Here are a few things you can do on the island:

• Surfing!
• Island hopping to visit Naked Island, Dako Island, and Guyam Island.
• Exploring the villages by renting a bike/motorcycle.
• Swimming at Magpupungko Tide Pools.
• Watching sunrise and surfers at Cloud 9’s surfing tower.
• Diving and Caving.
• and more!!!

Here’s how you get to Siargao Island:

Just to be clear, Surigao and Siargao are two very different places. Surigao is a city on the mainland, and Siargao is the tropical island (approximately a 2-3 hour ferry ride away from Surigao).

Note: If you arrive in the Philippines from abroad, there are actually two major entry ports namely Cebu and Manila and from these ports, you can travel to Siargao.

Fly Directly to Siargao

For those who prefer a hassle free and have enough budget, you might want to take this route. Currently, all direct flights are via Cebu. This option is ideal for those who are from Cebu or Manila. The fastest and only direct connection to Siargao is with Cebu Pacific Airlines. From Cebu, the flight time to Siargao is about 50 minutes. But if you fly from Manila, make sure you have enough time to make Cebu to Siargao flight. When you depart with Cebu Pacific from Manila you check your luggage all the way thru to Siargao.

Fly to Surigao City then take a Ferry to Siargao

Another less hassle route is to fly to Surigao City. There are daily direct flights to the City, check out Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air. Just a little heads up, make sure that the flight you take arrives at Surigao City at least 30-45 minutes before noon as the last ferry to Siargao departs at noon.

Surigao to Siargao Island Boat/Ferry Schedule

(from Surigaoislands.com)

ANGEL 1
Surigao – Dapa: 05:30am
Dapa – Surigao: 10:30am

By Land from Davao & Cagayan de Oro

This is the route that we took since we are from Davao City. If you are not into long road trips, you can choose the options above. Yes, you can still fly to Surigao from Davao City. But, you have to travel from Davao/Cagayan to Cebu/Manila to Surigao City/Siargao.

Using a private car or van, it will take you approximately 8 hours just to get to Surigao City.

For commuters, there are 24-hour bus services to Surigao City, by Bachelor Express, traveling from Davao City. Upon arriving in Davao or Butuan, get to the bus terminal to check out the daily schedule.

For those who are using a private car, you can either bring the car with you to Siargao which will cost you around Php 4,500 or you can leave your car on the port (don’t worry it’s safe) for only Php 100 per night.

Once you’re in Surigao City, take a ferry to Siargao island. Check the schedule above.

Ferry from Cebu to Siargao Island (via Surigao City)

From Cebu by sea via Surigao:

• Cokaliong Shipping Lines offers a daily service from Cebu to Surigao except for Sundays. This overnight ferry departs from Cebu at 7 PM and arrives at Surigao City in the morning at 3:30AM-8:30 AM.  Fare Rate ranges from Php 825 to Php 3,550.
• Cebu Ferries Corporation also has a Ferry Service between Cebu and Surigao City.

 

When you arrive at Surigao City, take the next Ferry to Dapa/Siargao Island. Just be patient, it will only take 2-3 hours ride.( Check the schedule above)

Fly to Butuan – BUS to Surigao City – FERRY to Siargao

I don’t recommend this route because it’s the most hassle and the longest travel time.  By plane, you can fly from Manila to Butuan City. Once you’re in Butuan, take a taxi to the Bus & Van Terminal to Surigao Bus Terminal. It will take approximately 2-3 hours ride to reach Surigao. Unfortunately, most of the flight schedules will not give you enough time to reach Surigao City on time to catch the last ferry so you will have to stay in Surigao City for a night.

Maradjao na pag-abot sa Siargao!