Things to Do in Siargao

The wave that put Siargao on the world map, rated among the best surf breaks anywhere and home to an annual international surf competition. Even non-surfers come for the long wooden boardwalk that runs over the reef to a three-story viewing tower, perfect for watching surfers carve the barrel at sunrise or sunset. Beginners can book lessons at gentler breaks nearby. The surrounding Tourism Road is lined with cafés and surf shops.

Siargao's classic half-day tour from General Luna. Start at Naked Island, a bare sandbar of white sand with no trees in sight, then Daku Island for a fresh seafood lunch under coconut palms, and finish at tiny Guyam Island, which you can walk around in five minutes. Calm, clear water makes it great for swimming and snorkeling. Bring shade for Naked Island because it gets scorching.

Natural tidal pools carved into a flat reef on Siargao's east coast, revealed only at low tide. The water is crystal clear and deep enough in spots for short cliff jumps of a couple of meters, and the beach next to it is a nice place to wait for the tide. At high tide the pools disappear under the waves and access is restricted, so check the tide chart before riding out.

A jade-green lagoon ringed by limestone cliffs and mangroves on Siargao's west side, reached by a scenic boat ride through mangrove channels from Del Carmen. Jump off the diving board on the floating cottage, rent a paddleboard or kayak, and float around in calm, clear water. Many trips add a sandbar like Kawhagan Island for lunch. A quieter, greener counterpoint to the surf-town buzz.

Siargao's most photographed drive: a winding road through an endless forest of coconut palms. Stop at the elevated Sea of Palms viewpoint, especially at sunrise when mist hangs over the trees, then ride the palm-lined road for the classic drone and scooter shots. It's free, iconic, and best done on a rented scooter as part of a self-guided land tour.

A calm green river near the red Maasin Bridge, made famous by a leaning coconut palm with a rope swing. That iconic tree has since fallen, but locals set up jumping platforms and you can still swing, swim and rent a small boat or kayak to paddle upstream between palms and mangroves. It's a quick, easy stop on a Siargao land tour, usually paired with the coconut road viewpoints.