BY just simply housing the best ocean waves in the country, Siargao holds the title ‘Surfing Capital of the Philippines.’
And while that is a fact, there’s more as to why travelers around the world kept coming back to the pristine island in Surigao del Norte.
Named by Condé Nast Traveler as the ‘Best Island in Asia’ in 2021, here are five reasons to go footloose in Siargao:
The all-year surf conditions
The waves never die in Siargao as anyone can catch the swell at any given time of the year, however the locals suggest it’s best to ride them from August to ‘Ber’ months.
It also holds surfing competitions, both at an international and local level during September to October.
Home to the best surfing instructors and surfing spots
For starters, learning to ride the board won’t be a problem as instructors are literally everywhere.
May it be in Cloud 9, Jacking Horse, Pacifico, Quicksilver, Dako, and more, these kind and approachable teachers are available to do a lesson.

The Island-hopping and land tours
Boring days in the island are pretty impossible as it carries several smaller go-to islands, rivers, and rock formations to keep you entertained.
Daku, Naked, Guyam, and Sugba Lagoon are the top choices for island-hopping. Meanwhile, Maasin River, Cloud 9, Coconut road, and the Magpupungko Tidal Pool are the main attractions that’s reachable by land.
The rich culture and night life
At night time, the fun continues as there is a designated bar that hosts the event for a specific day of the week.
Bars of different vibes, from party to chill, are found along the main road of General Luna.
The community needs tourism
Most of all, the locale considers tourism as its lifeline.
After a typhoon devastation back in December 2021, side by side with the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is still slowly picking itself to get back to its old beauty.
“Masaya kami pag may mga turista kasi may pangkabuhayan na ulit, masasabi na talaga na ‘bumalik na ‘yung Siargao’,” Jay, a 30-year-old tricycle driver told SPIN Life.

Even the establishments around the area, where most of the locals work, are crossed-fingers into regaining Siargao’s original form.
Edwin Alcala of Siargao Bleu Resort shared: “Ngayon medyo nakakabalik na kami sa normal, sana magtuloy-tuloy. Ngayon bumabalik na turismo, mga guests coming from other countries, mga foreigner na gustong maexperience ang surfing, kaya masaya, hindi lang sa turismo, pati sa pagbalik namin sa trabaho namin. Unlike nung bagyo at pandemya, wala kaming income.”
Inviting tourists to visit, he added: “This coming summer (dry season), best time to experience Siargao.”
On its own terms, domestic boutique airline Sunlight Air continued to help rebuild the island by extending help in form of goods, and offering seamless travel to Siargao.
The airline has its own hangar which enables the tourists to fly without the hassle of marveling the airport, and a smaller plane which can carry only up to 70 people per flight.
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