Once a secret island for in-the-know surfing enthusiasts, Siargao is now recognised as the “surfing capital of the Philippines”, with idyllic blue lagoons, secluded beaches and an Insta-worthy tropical landscape to match
One of the Philippines’ best-kept secrets, Siargao is a hidden paradise entirely covered in palm trees and surrounded by turquoise waters, and sees more locals than foreign visitors (for now). Often referred to as “the surfing capital of the Philippines”, the tear-drop shaped island boasts world-class surf breaks for surf enthusiasts of all levels.
Not a surfer? The island offers much more than its waves—whether it’s a relaxing beach getaway or an adrenaline-filled holiday that you’re after, there’s a whole range of activities—from swimming with stingless jellyfish in a blue lagoon to paddle boarding through ancient mangroves—that makes this tropical heaven a delight to explore both on land and sea, not to mention it's an eco-friendly destination that promotes sustainable tourism. We recently visited the unspoilt Philippines island to bring you an insider guide to the best places to stay, eat and visit:
How to get there
Getting to Siargao from Hong Kong will require a flight to Manila or Cebu, followed by a connecting flight to Siargao’s Sayak Airport. The good news is, the flights are fairly short for a secluded island like Siargao: around two hours to Manila and three hours to Cebu for the first leg, and then a short hop that takes one or two hours before arriving at the palm tree-lined island.
From the airport, the drive to General Lunar—the main town that is usually used as the reference point where most resorts, cafes, restaurants, bars and shops are located—takes roughly 30 minutes.