Philippine Vacation: Surf’s Up and More in Siargao

A beautiful vacation spot in the Philippines is Siargao Island, which is a tear-drop shaped island in the Philippine Sea situated southeast of Manila in the province of Surigao del Norte and is well known as “The Surfing Capital of the Philippines” recognized not only in the country, but also the world. The whole place is a surfing paradise and is often termed as Cloud 9, not just because of the feeling that you get, but also because of its wave barrels. Accommodation is no problem since the island hosts a lot of hotels, bars and restaurants such as the Siargao Island Resort, Wave Cave (a surfer hangout), the Bamboo Garden and many more that are known for its good service and great food. It is in my opinion one of the must-sees on a Philippine Vacation.

Siargao is a pretty small island, but it has a lot to offer. Lately it has been teeming with a lot of tourists and vacationists. The whole island spells S-U-R-F. The beaches have huge waves thanks to the 500 meter-drop seabed. There are a lot of surfing competitions happening annually, either local or international events. You can also buy your gears and surf (and wake) boards there since there are a lot of stores and shops for surfing gears and apparel. But then, of course, there are more than waves here.

There are also other activities to do and other places to go to. The Suhoton Cove (and similarly, Caob Lagoon) is ideal for beach-goers and divers, as you get to swim with the stingless jellyfish. You can also take a dip in the Magpungko Tide pools. Experience the thrill as you jump from a rock into the pool. But, these are only accessible during the low tide.

During the high tide and other seasons, there are also others spots you can visit. Taktak waterfalls give you a break from all the saltwater that is a trademark of any a Philippine Vacation and is also teeming with sea-bound birds, and it gives a good whiff of that mountain air. Take a walk in the countryside, or even go horseback riding to see the lush greenery and interact with the friendly locals. Guyam Islet and other locations near Pilar and Tuason are also available (and are recommended) for diving because of its beautiful reefs and marine life easily seen through its great visibility. Dive or snorkel with fishes and experience a day with Mother Earth.

Are you the caving type? Consuelo has a huge cave filled with stalagmites and stalactite formations, and it is home to several bats. Crystal Cave is great, along with the Tiktikan Lake. Island hopping is also a must try. Go for Guyam, Daku and Naked Islands, different sights, different experiences. There are also outdoor sports like beach volleyball. Going for the gastronomic experience? Take a trip to General Luna and gorge in its different restaurants. There’s Siargao Inn’s with the freshest seafood dishes that change day to day depending on what is available. Similarly, in Sagana, the menu changes daily, but a must try is the tuna tataki. Pizza lover? Have a taste of thin-crust pizza specialties in Kalinaw Resto. There are also several versions and several variations of the must-taste island favorites, banana pancakes and chicken-mango curry. After a happy, hearty meal, dance your way through the night and release the inner party animal with the roaring nightlife in bars like Nine Bar.

What else can I say? The whole island never fails to disappoint. It has the mesh of adventure, food and relaxation, a sure-fire way to spend your Philippine Vacation. You get to meet a different array of people, too. Top if off with a view of the sunset, a perfect way to end a perfect get-away.  Surf’s up!