Introduction

Siargao is our favorite island ever, it is where we celebrated our first anniversary, got engaged, and even brought baby Tokyo before she was born. We’ve even lived here during the pandemic for around 9 months, and yet we still keep coming back for more!

Throwback to our First Anniversary! Watch the recap.

The beauty of Siargao is that there is no right or wrong way to enjoy it. You can choose to surf and party the days away or take a more quiet route of exploring the beaches and numerous natural wonders that it has to offer.

Why 5 Days?

First of all, you might be wondering, why 5 days? Well, we’re glad you asked! If it’s your first time going to Siargao, 5 to 7 days is the perfect duration for your trip. This allows you to see all the classic spots but still give you time to lounge about and relax. Anything less than 5 days might feel too rushed. You want to have a chance to breathe and fully absorb the beauty around you. You’ve made the effort to come to this piece of paradise, you might as well make the most out of it!

The sparkling energy of Siargao draws in local and foreign tourists alike. It’s been dubbed the surf capital of the Philippines, but there are still so many things to do even if you aren’t a surfing fan. To start off your Siargao journey, here is our suggested 5 day itinerary for first time visitors. We’ve also included some of our recommended accommodations and food spots to help you better plan your trip.

Want to visit the Philippines?

Planning a trip can be overwhelming, so let Dream Philippines Private Tours take this away! Dream Philippines offers private classic, exclusive, and premium boutique tour packages that will let you see the full beauty of the Philippines. Let DreamPH take the wheel and remove all the hassle of booking hotels, flights, and all your vacation activities!

See Our Packages here

Disclaimer

The information presented in this article may be subject to change at the venue or service provider’s discretion. You may check their respective websites or social media accounts for any updates on the price, location, and other details. Additionally, this article may contain affiliate links from which we get a portion of profit, at no added cost to you. These links are safe to click.

With that, we hope you enjoy reading!

Where to Stay

When going to Siargao, it is important to know what you want to get out of it. If you want to experience its many food options and energetic nightlife, you might want to consider booking somewhere within General Luna. General Luna is the central hub of Siargao where many local and foreign tourists come together to soak up the beach. But, if you want a more quiet and private spot, you may want to consider accommodations a bit farther from here.

Are you a digital nomad that needs Wi-Fi? There are many accommodations and spots that may be perfect for you! Whether you’re on a budget or not, Siargao has accommodations that can fit all your specs. Here are some of our accommodation suggestions for different budgets.

Budget

Mad Monkey Hostel

This hostel offers a variety of rooms to choose from depending on if you are willing to bunk it in a dorm setting or would prefer a private room. They also offer different activities for you to sign up for like surfing and island hopping. Mad Monkey is a popular spot for local and foreign travelers on a budget. It also hosts events giving people more chances to socialize with one another.

Book here: Link to booking page.

Happiness Hostel

This hostel is close to the party scene, so fair warning if you are sensitive to noise. They also offer a variety of rooms from mixed dormitories to private double rooms. Happiness hosts live music events and occasional grill nights to get your hearts and tummies full.

Book here: Link to booking page.

Mid-Range

Happiness Beach Resort

Right across the street from Happiness Hostel, you have its more upscaled sister: Happiness Beach Resort. At Happiness Beach Resort, they offer villas for you to stay at. This resort may be a better choice for families or bigger groups with a bigger budget. Similar to its hostel counterpart, Happiness Beach Resort offers activities for you to sign up for like yoga and breathing classes.

Watch and be inspired

Bulan Villas

Located by the bustling Tourism Road in General Luna, Bulan Villas offers a quiet respite while still being in the central hub of Siargao. This boutique resort is family friendly with family and deluxe rooms available across their villas

Book here: Link to booking page.

Luxury

Kalinaw Resort

Kalinaw Resort is a 5 minute motorcycle ride away from General Luna. We loved spending time here to relax and get some vitamin D! Book your own spacious villa that is perfect for a romantic getaway or a family bonding trip. Wake up and see the ocean at your doorstep with their ocean view villas.

Book here: Link to booking page.

Watch this and explore with us!

Nay Palad Hideaway

“Nay Palad” means “mother’s palm” and their goal is to make you feel like a child at home being taken care of. They truly live up to their name because when we were lucky enough to experience staying here, we had the ultimate pampering experience. Nay Palad is Siargao’s most expensive hotel with an all-inclusive service. Spoil yourself with their spa, special baths, private pool and beach access, and even a private cinema. Go through the island in style with their jeepney tour around General Luna and private island hopping. This is the very definition of luxury.

Book here: Link to booking page.

Watch here Our Honeymoon in Nay Palad Siargao

Watch here Siargao’s most expensive hotel

You can also try looking around at some Airbnbs within the area. We absolutely enjoyed our stay at an Airbnb in the Cabitoonan area which is a 9 minute drive from General Luna and 5 minutes away from the famous Siargao surf spot: Cloud 9.

You have to see this!

Where to Eat

More than just knowing where to stay, an important (and delicious) part of traveling is knowing where to eat! Here are just some of our recommendations for where you can grab a quality meal. Sprinkle some of these in during your stay and let us know if you find any other great spots!

Mama’s Grill

Watch this and be inspired

When we celebrated our first anniversary, we made sure to hit Mama’s Grill during our trip. Mama’s Grill serves some of the best grilled seafood and meat on the island. Grilled food goes perfectly well with the island vibe!

Shaka Cafe

Shaka Cafe offers gorgeous, ig worthy, smoothie bowls. These are perfect to fuel up with before or after a surf session. Their menu is filled with healthy options like salads and wraps. They also serve coffee for an extra energy boost.

Mad Monkey Kitchen

If you are considering Mad Monkeys as your place to stay, let their kitchen be added to your pros list. They offer a variety of international and local dishes. From breakfast and comfort food, to salads, to burgers. They also offer alcoholic beverages if you want to pre-game here for the night.

Kalinaw Resort Restaurant

We love spending time and this resort and we love eating here! Kalinaw is another spot whose restaurant adds more bonus points to choosing them as your accommodation. Their dishes are a fusion of local and international cuisine. They also offer expertly crafted cocktails to put a cap on the perfect day.

Goodies

Goodies opens at 7am, a perfect early breakfast spot before doing any surfing or traveling adventures. More than just a restaurant and cafe, Goodies also offers eco-friendly products.

Now that you have an idea of where you can stay and eat, let’s take a peak at what you can do while you’re there! It’s time for what you came for: the 5 day itinerary!

DAY 1: Settling In

Your first day at Siargao, you may want to take it relatively light and easy. You arrive at the Siargao airport at Del Carmen and you’ll most likely have to take a car ride, the length of which will depend on where you will be staying. Make sure to arrange your transfer from Del Carmen to General Luna with your accommodation provider.

Cloud 9

After checking in you may want to freshen up and rest a bit after your journey. Depending on what time you arrive, you might be able to lounge around the beach or try going down to Cloud 9. If you aren’t too tired from the journey then maybe you can try having a surf session. The Cloud 9 surf break gives waves for beginners to try catching and waves for veterans to show off their skill on. Fair warning that surfing can really tire you out especially if it’s your first time. If you’re tired from the journey you can chill out on the Cloud 9 boardwalk and watch the surfers and the sunset from the 3 story watchtower. Cloud 9 is sometimes the spot for surfing competitions, so you might be able to witness one if you’re lucky.

Nightlife

After taking in the sweet seawind, it’s time for dinner and drinks. One of the many things that Siargao is known for is its vibrant nightlife. Most bars in the area are alive with people, but there is usually one specific place that hosts the party. Every night this venue changes, but the location usually makes its way through word of mouth. You’ll end up hearing about it or you can ask the reception at your accommodation where it might be that night. A small disclaimer that things tend to close earlier in Siargao, as compared to in the city, so be prepared for that. Gotta get some rest before an early morning surf sesh!

While the parties are spirited, they are also easy to avoid. If you aren’t into the party scene then you can enjoy a nice long dinner. Wind down early and get some rest for the next day ahead!

DAY 2: Island Hopping (Tri-island Tour)

Rise and shine and make your way to the port of General Luna. Now that you’ve gotten a taste of the island life, it’s time to explore and see what else is around. The tri-island tour is the quintessential island hopping tour in Siargao for first time visitors. Explore the 3 closest islands to General Luna: Daku, Naked Island, and Guyam.

Daku Island

Watch this and explore with us

Daku is one of the most beautiful islands there is with calm clear waters and soft white sand. There are also huts along the beach that you can rent to relax at. It’s the biggest island on the tour and the site of your boodle fight kamayan lunch. See the creatively presented, delicious and fresh, seafood and fruits that you’ll be having. Each bite will leave you wanting more.

One of the most beautiful islands

Naked island

Naked Island’s name is pretty self explanatory. Essentially a sandbar, naked island is a small patch of sand clear of anything on its surface. This is perfect for sunbathing, but since there is nothing to obstruct the sun, don’t forget to protect yourself from the UV rays with (reef friendly) sunblock, hats, and/or sunglasses.

Guyam Island

Guyam is a small island spotted with palm trees all around. It’s another beautiful beach with inviting water you can’t help but jump into. Since it’s such a small island, you could also explore the whole of it while you’re there.

DAY 3: Land Tours

Day 3, the day of the land tours. Even just the journey towards these different locations is beautiful. Before getting to the Magpupungko Rock Pools, you’ll pass by the infinite coconut view. Make sure to take a quick pit stop here and admire the view of the coconut palm forest with trees as far as the eye can see. Some of the locals might offer to take photos for you and give your videos an added flare with the “human drone” experience, recreating the drone effect without the use of expensive equipment. You can also buy bamboo straw bundles here to use instead of plastic straws.

Magpupungko Rock Pools

Don’t take too much time at the infinite coconut view because you need to get to Magpupungko while it’s low tide to see it in all its glory. Once you get to Magpupungko, you are greeted with the open ocean and different aquamarine rock pools that were carved there by the water overtime. Some of the pools are deep enough for you to jump into from atop of one of the boulders. Even if you don’t swim there, you may still appreciate the breathtaking beauty of the rock pools from the edges.

Sugba Lagoon

Your next stop for the day is just as wonderful. Sugba Lagoon offers a variety of activities like snorkeling, standup paddle boarding, kayaking and diving. This diving spot is probably one of the most famous spots in Siargao. Try to make it early to avoid having to wait in line at the diving board. There are also non-lethal and non-stinging jellyfish here that can make the swim feel otherworldly.

Watch here and explore

DAY 4: Choose Your Own Adventure

Now that your trip is starting to wind down you might start to get a feel of the island and yourself, so our suggested itinerary for day 4 is choose your own adventure time.

Corregidor Island

If you’re still in the mood for a bit more island adventure and activities then why don’t you try visiting Corregidor Island. Corregidor Island is not a common spot to visit but it definitely has its own charm. This is actually the special island where we got engaged!

Watch this and be inspired

Corregidor Island is one of the few spots that has an elevation gain which means you can go hiking here. After seeing a lot of the blue water and beaches, take in the greeneries and palm trees around Corregidor. One thing you might need to take note of is that with the rise of more resorts on this island, the open beach space may be limited, requiring different entry fees depending on where you want to take a dip.

Surf and Chill

If you’re in the mood for a less structured day, then that’s okay too! Why not try for a surfing session today? If you were able to go for one on Day 1, and enjoyed it, then now is the perfect time to hit the waves again!

If you aren’t a big fan of surfing but still want to try out a water activity, then you can try learning how to wakeboard! Siargao Wakepark is open for beginners and veterans alike. They even have their own accommodations in case you want to wake up and wakeboard while in Siargao.

After doing either one of these activities, or even just switching them out for a simple swim and lie down in the sand, you can walk around General Luna and explore. Go for a little wander with no destination or agenda in mind and see what you find. You’ll never know what little spot you might discover or who you might meet. You can also do your pasalubong and souvenir buying at this time. There are tons of shops along Tourism Road for you to choose from.

DAY 5: See Ya Later, Siargao

Unfortunately, your trip has come to an end, but hopefully you are filled with good vibes, happy memories, and are sporting a golden brown tan!

Depending on what time your flight is, you might still be able to sneak in one last little surf sesh or dip in the sea. Make sure to organize your transfer from General Luna to the airport with your accommodation provider beforehand so that there is nothing left for you to think about on your last day except any last minute pasalubong shopping you might need to do!

If you feel like extending your trip or want to sub out two of these days with something else, you may want to consider visiting Northern Siargao. Two days will allow you to see a whole other side of Siargao and fall in love with a paradise within paradise.

Secret spots in Northern Siargao

Quick Tips

Start Early

It is easy to get distracted on the way to different destinations because the journey is always just as beautiful. Wake up early and get a head start on your activities for the day. This also means that you can take your time in each spot and fully absorb the beauty of everything around you. Starting early also lets you do more things in a day, so you can split your day into scheduled activities and another more flexible half for unplanned adventures and exploring.

On Hand

Always always take cash with you. Some places accept online transfers like Gcash but it is always better safe than sorry. Keep your cash with you for purchases at smaller shops and for any environmental/entrance fees that you might come across during your trip.

To fully enjoy the beauty above and under the water, don’t forget to pack your sunscreen! Island life means a lot of sun, it is important to always protect yourself. It might be a good idea to keep a cap and pair of sunglasses on you always too. Also make sure to check that the sunscreen you do pack is reef friendly. You wouldn’t want to harm the aquatic life while swimming and surfing now, would you?

Rent Transpo

Motorcycles are a big part of island life in Siargao. While you may need to ride a boat or bangka to get to some areas, you will mostly be riding tricycles or motorcycles throughout your stay. There are many places offering motorcycle and even car rentals. If you have a valid license, you may want to consider this. Having your own transportation could open up many more adventure opportunities for you during your stay. This will also allow you to have more control over your schedule.

Want a simple way to stay covered while traveling?

Make sure to be safe when you drive. Roads are very dark at night, so you would have to be extra careful. Carelessness can be costly. If you love to travel, you might also want to update or apply for travel insurance. Life can be pretty unpredictable sometimes, so why not give yourself some peace of mind and take one more travel worry away!

Travel worry-free! Click here to get covered!

Best Time to Go

The best time to visit Siargao depends on what you want to do there. March to May offers the best sunny days for any island hopping activities or lazy beach days. This is the perfect time if you aren’t that interested in surfing but prefer other beach activities. On the other hand, July to November offers the peak of the surfing season for anyone looking to come surf the Siargao waves.

CLAYGO - clean as you go

Always make sure to clean up after yourself wherever you go. Let us keep these beautiful places beautiful and free from any trash and pollution. Preserving these places makes sure that other people and future generations can continue to enjoy them.

Please also remember to be kind and respectful to the local community. These people were generous enough to let us visit their home, let us show them the respect they deserve.

Ending Notes

Watching the perfect sunset on Siargao, Philippines

This 5 day itinerary is completely flexible but it serves a great foundation especially if it is your first time going to Siargao. Once you make your first trip over, you might just find yourself coming back for more!

Make sure to tag us if you visit the different spots mentioned in this blog post or include the hashtags #MarveTravelGuides, #MarveToldMeToDoIt, or #TravelWithMarve. Siargao is a beautiful place that we keep coming back to and we hope you do too! Safe travels!

Want to visit the Philippines?

Short on time? We've got just the thing, too - Dream Philippines Tours has all your travel needs from transportation to lodging. Have you ever heard of the saying 'dreams don't work unless you do'? Well, Dream Philippines works so you don't have to! Check out their website and packages here.

Screenshot 2024-07-01 at 10.04.27 PM.png

Screenshot 2024-07-02 at 10.25.45 AM.png

See Our Packages here

Looking for the best travel hacks?

We've put together a list of our top travel essentials, packed with tips to help you travel smarter, cheaper, and more conveniently. Click the the button below.

MarVe Travel Recommendations

How to Make the Most out of a 5 Day Trip to Siargao

Table of Contents

Introduction

Want to visit the Philippines?

Where to Stay

Where to Eat

Quick Tips

Want a simple way to stay covered while traveling?

Ending Notes

Want to visit the Philippines?

How to Make the Most out of a 5 Day Trip to Siargao

Table of Contents

Introduction

Want to visit the Philippines?

Where to Stay

Where to Eat

Quick Tips

Want a simple way to stay covered while traveling?

Ending Notes

Want to visit the Philippines?

5 Unique Siargao Tours You Should Checkout

Top 6 hikes in Siargao