Siargao Island is composed of 48 islands and islets-politically divided into nine municipalities: Burgos, Dapa, Del Carmen, Gen. luna, Pilar, San Benito, San Isidro, Santa Monica, and Socorro.
Siargao Island contains the largest mangrove forest reserves in Mindanao, at Del Carmen. Long stretches of wetlands indicate a potential for commercial seaweed propagation. Siargao Island is greatly influenced by the winds and currents coming uninterrupted from the Pacific Ocean, intensified by the Mindanao current running westward through the Siargao Strait.
Offshore, a classic tropical island lies protected within its surrounding coral reef with dozens of coconut palms dressed in the center circle of the island. Off to the right, well within the massive coastal reef, lies a shining white sand bar, (Pansukian, or Naked island) some 200 meters long. The tide of Siargao is diurnal with tidal curves typically present, especially on the east coast of the island.
The Island's Pacific-facing reefs are situated on the edge of the Philippine Trench, and the extremely deep offshore waters assure the ocean swells have undiluted power when they encounter the many coral and rock reefs. Siargao has excellent surfing conditions, particularly during the southwest 'habagat' monsoon from August to November, when the prevailing wind is offshore.
The best known surfing wave on Siargao with a worldwide reputation for thick, hollow tubes is 'Cloud 9'. This right-breaking reef wave is the site of the annual Siargao Cup, a domestic and international surfing competition sponsored by the provincial government of Surigao del Norte.
The tide of Siargao is diurnal with tidal curves typically present especially on the east coast of the island.
Siargao Island is a 'Surfer's Dream', the surfing capital of the Philippines. The island boasts of the best surfing conditions in the country. The place offers you waves that can curl up to 12 feet high. Aside from the waves, the place also has beaches that still remains unspoiled by urban lifestyle. Surfers from all over the world puts Siargao on their surfing destinations throughout the year.
For international guests, Cebu City has an International Airport and you can fly directly there from Hong Kong, Singapore, or South Korea (Incheon & Pusan Airports) without having to go to Manila. You can fly with most airlines from most places to Manila.
From Cebu to Siargao Island
Cebu Pacific flies Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday departing Cebu at 10:40am and returning from Siargao Island (Sayak Airport) at 11:50am. There are connecting Cebu Pacific flights from Manila.
If you are bringing surfboards you need to check the box for Sport Equipment and pay an extra PHP1000 each way.
Air Phil Express flies daily from Manila to Surigao City. Flights currently depart at 11:30am from Manila and 13:30pm from Surigao City. It's a tight connection to make the last ferry that departs Surigao pier at 12 noon to Siargao island so if you miss the boat, you will either have to stay overnight in Surigao or find a private pump boat to take you to the island.
There is also the overnight boat option from Cebu to Surigao City with Cokaliong Shipping Lines and Superferry. The ferry departs Cebu at 7pm daily except for Sundays and Mondays.
Van transfer from Sayak airport on Siargao to Cloud Nine takes about 45 minutes. Van transfer from Dapa pier on Siargao to Cloud Nine takes about 30 minutes.
Weather: The island, and the entire province, falls under climate type II characterized by no pronounced dry season but with a very pronounced maximum rainfall period from November to January. Temperature ranges from a low of 21.1 degree celsius in October to a high of 35.2 degree celsius in June.
"Back in 2011 my wife & I visited St. Maarten/Martin as part of a Royal Caribbean Cruise. We were blown away by the beauty of the island. Here's an excerpt of a blog post about our day on the island:
The beach was absolutely beautiful, with the white sand and the teal tinged water, not to mention the great view of the mountains off to the right of where we were resting. The weather couldn't have been better either, with a few clouds to break up the hot sun. We went from laying on the beach chairs to soaking in the Caribbean Sea back to the beach chairs and beers. I could get used to this! The best part was that the beach wasn't overly busy, so it was nice & quiet and you could swim around in the water without bumping into people.
What a great day on St. Maarten. We had such a great time during those few hours while our cruise ship was docked, that we went back to St. Maarten for a full week later on in the year. "
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