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Emerald water and diving platform at Sugba Lagoon, ringed by jungle cliffs

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Southeast Asia · Philippines

Siargao places to visit, best time & trip cost

Better waves, a fraction of the resort crowds.

Photo: Lucky Ambago Purok Otso · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source

Siargao in short: Go here instead of Boracay. Best months: Feb–Apr. One person spends about ₹2,200–₹4,500 a day on the ground, so 5 days cost about ₹11,000–₹22,500 before travel. Nearest railway station: —.
Budget per day₹2,200 – ₹9,000per person on the ground
Best timeFeb–AprWorks most of the year
Trip length5 daysWorth a week off
Nearest station—for trains
Nearest airportIAOairport code
Good forSolo, Couples, Groups

Boracay means white-sand crowds and a beach that's basically wall-to-wall resorts. Siargao is the other Philippine island: a laid-back surf town wrapped around a world-class reef break, ringed by turquoise lagoons and sandbar islands you reach by hired boat, not a tour bus. Indian passport holders currently get short-stay visa-free entry to the Philippines — check the current visa rules for Indian passport holders before you book, since entry rules like this change. It's a longer trip than Boracay to reach, and that's exactly why it's quieter.

Why Siargao, instead of Boracay: Better waves, a fraction of the resort crowds.

Compare Siargao with another place →

When to go

November-December is peak typhoon season (a supertyphoon devastated the island in 2021) — check current storm forecasts before booking; February-May is driest with the calmest seas.

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Live weather

Siargao right now and the next 7 days

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Step 2 of 11Next: Map
Your 5-day trip plan · PDF

Siargao, planned for you

A satellite map for every day with each stop pinned in order, photos of the places, timings, what each part costs, where to sleep and eat, and a checklist. One PDF that works offline: print it, or send it to everyone going.

  1. Day 1 Arrive in Siargao · Surf Cloud 9's reef break, or learn on the gentler Jacking Horse break
    • Travelflight+ferry: Manila to Cebu to Surigao City to fast ferry to Siargao₹5,500
    • 11:00Surf Cloud 9's reef break, or learn on the gentler Jacking Horse break₹1,500
    • 17:15Sunset at Pacifico or Alegria beachFree
  2. Day 2 Day trip to Sugba Lagoon
  3. Day 3 Island-hopping to Naked Island, Daku Island and Guyam Island
  4. Day 4 Sohoton Cove and Bucas Grande day trip
  5. Day 5 Magpupungko rock pools

₹49 once, 7 pages. Secure payment by Razorpay, instant download. Already bought? Get your download

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Siargao on the map

Tap anything in the list: the map zooms straight to it. Tap your starting city to see the way there.

The area

Places to see

Day trips

Map by Google. Places are found by name, so check the exact spot in Google Maps before you go.

Step 3 of 11Next: Cost

What your trip costs

Change anything and the numbers update. Every price is what the bus, room or ticket itself costs. We take no commission and sell no packages, so this is what you pay booking each piece yourself.

Ballpark ranges, not live quotes. Prices last updated 6 October 2026. Prices move with season and demand, so check live fares before you book. Spot a wrong price? Tell us and we fix it.

2 days
Estimated total₹36,900
Couple · 5 days · Mid-range · ground costs only
Per person₹18,450

On the ground: stay, food, local travel and tickets. Pick a route above to add the journey.

Step 4 of 11Next: Day plan

Siargao in 5 days: a day-by-day plan

Our suggested plan, in a sensible order with times. Move things between days, remove them or add more. It saves on this device, and you can share it.

Day 1 · arrive
  1. 11:00Surf Cloud 9's reef break, or learn on the gentler Jacking Horse break2-3h session · ₹1,500 each · Board rental plus a local instructor for beginners — the reef is world-class but sharp and current-prone
  2. 13:30Lunch break
  3. 17:15Sunset at Pacifico or Alegria beach2h · free · Quieter, undeveloped beaches away from the General Luna crowd
Day 2
  1. 08:00Day trip to Sugba LagoonFull day · ₹2,200 each · Entrance, environmental and boat fees included — jump off the platform into turquoise water ringed by limestone cliffs
  2. Lunch on the way
Day 3
  1. 08:00Island-hopping to Naked Island, Daku Island and Guyam Island6h · ₹1,800 each · Shared boat tour hits all three sandbars/islands with lunch on Daku
  2. Lunch on the way
Day 4
  1. 08:00Sohoton Cove and Bucas Grande day tripFull day · ₹3,500 each · Further out (2h by boat) but has a jellyfish sanctuary lagoon and cave pools
  2. Lunch on the way
Day 5 · head home
  1. 08:00Magpupungko rock poolsHalf day · ₹500 each · Natural tidal pools on the east coast — check tide charts, they only appear at low tide
  2. 13:00Lunch break

Step 5 of 11Next: Getting there

How to get to Siargao

One-way prices per person. The cheapest sensible option is marked. Each button opens live times and fares for the date you picked above.

flight

₹22,000
Bengaluru/Mumbai/Delhi to Manila · 6-9h

Book 2-3 months out on Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines or a Gulf-carrier connection

flight Last leg

₹4,500
Manila to Sayak Airport (IAO), Siargao · 1h40m

Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines fly this daily — book it together with the international leg

flight+ferry Cheapest

₹5,500
Manila to Cebu to Surigao City to fast ferry to Siargao · ~10h total

Cheaper backup route when direct Siargao flights are full or pricey around Christmas and Holy Week

ferry Last leg

₹900
Surigao City to Dapa port, Siargao · 2.5h

The classic overland-and-sea route budget travellers use, landing at Dapa then a tricycle to General Luna

Getting around once you're there

scooter rental

₹450
per day

The standard way to get around the island — automatic scooters run ₱350-500/day, cheaper by the week

SoloCouplesGroups

habal-habal (motorbike taxi)

₹100
per km

Quick way to hop short distances without renting your own bike — agree on the fare before hopping on

Solo

tricycle

₹150
per km

Easiest option for groups or with luggage from the airport or ferry port

CouplesFamiliesGroups

van/car with driver

₹5,000
per day

Worth it for families or groups covering the whole island on a rainy day

FamiliesGroups

walking

Free

General Luna's main strip along the boardwalk is walkable end to end

SoloCouples
Step 6 of 11Next: Stay

Where to stay in Siargao

Price per night for the room. The buttons open live availability for your dates.

shoestring

₹700/night
Hostel dorm · General Luna

Surf-hostel dorms a short walk from Cloud 9, usually with board storage

Solo

budget

₹1,800/night
Guesthouse · General Luna / Catangnan

Simple fan or A/C rooms near the boardwalk

SoloCouples

mid

₹4,500/night
Beachfront resort · General Luna

Private cottages, some with pools, near Jacking Horse or Cloud 9

CouplesFamilies

comfort

₹9,000/night
Boutique resort/villa · Pacifico or Catangnan (quieter north)

Away from the party strip — better for families or groups wanting quiet

CouplesFamiliesGroups
Step 7 of 11Next: Food

What to eat, and what it costs

Carinderia meal (rice + adobo or fish)

₹200

Local eateries along the main road — cash only

Filipino breakfast (silog sets) or fresh grilled seafood

₹400

Order the day's catch grilled at a beachfront stall

Wood-fired pizza or burger at a surf cafe

₹700

General Luna has a strong expat cafe scene along the boardwalk

Sit-down dinner with cocktails

₹1,200

Beachfront restaurants near Cloud 9 for a splurge night

Vegetarian? Filipino food leans heavily on pork, chicken and seafood, and even 'vegetable' dishes are often cooked in meat stock or fish sauce. Vegetarians should stick to the international surf cafes in General Luna (pasta, pizza, smoothie bowls) and ask specifically for no fish sauce (patis).
Step 8 of 11Next: Things to do

Places to visit and things to do in Siargao

Tap “Add to my plan” and it goes into your day-by-day plan above.

Surf Cloud 9's reef break, or learn on the gentler Jacking Horse break

₹1,500
2-3h session

Board rental plus a local instructor for beginners — the reef is world-class but sharp and current-prone

SoloCouplesGroups

Day trip to Sugba Lagoon

₹2,200
Full day

Entrance, environmental and boat fees included — jump off the platform into turquoise water ringed by limestone cliffs

SoloCouplesFamiliesGroups

Island-hopping to Naked Island, Daku Island and Guyam Island

₹1,800
6h

Shared boat tour hits all three sandbars/islands with lunch on Daku

SoloCouplesFamiliesGroups

Sohoton Cove and Bucas Grande day trip

₹3,500
Full day

Further out (2h by boat) but has a jellyfish sanctuary lagoon and cave pools

CouplesGroups

Magpupungko rock pools

₹500
Half day

Natural tidal pools on the east coast — check tide charts, they only appear at low tide

SoloCouplesFamilies

Sunset at Pacifico or Alegria beach

Free
2h

Quieter, undeveloped beaches away from the General Luna crowd

SoloCouples

Day trips and next stops

Bucas Grande & Sohoton Cove

₹3,500
~40km · Day trip

boat from Del Carmen or Socorro

Surigao City

₹900
~2.5h · Onward

ferry to Dapa/Surigao then van

Dinagat Islands

₹1,200
~3h · Onward (multi-day)

ferry via Surigao

~6-8h via Cagayan de Oro · Onward (multi-day)

flight + ferry combo

Step 9 of 11Next: Tips

Know before you go

CashBring pesos or withdraw on arrival — most eateries, tricycles and small guesthouses are cash-only.
Cards & UPIOnly the bigger resorts and a few restaurants in General Luna take cards, usually with a 3-5% surcharge.
Phone signalGrab a Globe or Smart SIM at Manila airport before flying in — signal on Siargao is patchy outside General Luna.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Only a few ATMs on the island and they run out of cash, especially on weekends and around Holy Week — carry backup pesos.
  • Typhoon season (roughly June-December) can ground flights and cancel boat trips with little notice — check current conditions before booking non-refundable stays.
  • Cloud 9's reef break is shallow and sharp at low tide — beginners should stick to Jacking Horse or go out with an instructor.

Ways to spend less

  • Rent a scooter by the week instead of by the day — operators knock off 15-20% and you can chase empty breaks up the coast.
  • Skip packaged Sugba Lagoon + island-hopping combo tours and hire a boat directly at the jetty for the same route at a fraction of the price.
  • Stay in Catangnan or Pacifico instead of General Luna proper — five minutes further out, half the noise, same surf.

Say it in Filipino

A few words go a long way, especially when you ask a price.

HelloKumustakoo-moos-TAH
Thank youSalamat posah-LAH-mat poh
How much?Magkano?mag-KAH-noh?
Too expensiveAng mahalahng mah-HAL
Where is the toilet?Nasaan ang CR?nah-sah-AN ahng see-AR?
WaterTubigTOO-big
YesOoOH-oh
NoHindihin-DEE

English is widely spoken. CR means comfort room, the local word for toilet.

The pronunciation is a simple guide, not a native recording. Spot a mistake? Tell us.

Before-you-go checklist

Step 10 of 11Next: Photos

Siargao in pictures

Tap a photo to see it full size.

Step 11 of 11Next: FAQ

Questions people ask

When is the best time to visit Siargao?

On our month-by-month scores, the best months are Feb–Apr. November-December is peak typhoon season (a supertyphoon devastated the island in 2021) — check current storm forecasts before booking; February-May is driest with the calmest seas.

How do I reach Siargao?

flight: Bengaluru/Mumbai/Delhi to Manila, 6-9h, about ₹22,000 one way. flight+ferry: Manila to Cebu to Surigao City to fast ferry to Siargao, ~10h total, about ₹5,500 one way.

How much does a 5-day trip to Siargao cost?

On the ground (stay, food, local travel and tickets), one person spends about ₹11,000 on a shoestring, ₹22,500 mid-range or ₹45,000 in comfort over 5 days. Add the journey: the cheapest sensible option is flight+ferry (Manila to Cebu to Surigao City to fast ferry to Siargao) at about ₹5,500 each way.

How many days do you need in Siargao?

5 days is right for most people. That covers Surf Cloud 9's reef break, or learn on the gentler Jacking Horse break, Sunset at Pacifico or Alegria beach, Day trip to Sugba Lagoon, Island-hopping to Naked Island, Daku Island and Guyam Island without rushing.

Is Siargao good for families or solo travellers?

Out of 5 on our scores: solo 5, couples 4, families 2, groups 5. It is harder with young children or older parents. It is easy to do on your own.

Is vegetarian food easy to find in Siargao?

Filipino food leans heavily on pork, chicken and seafood, and even 'vegetable' dishes are often cooked in meat stock or fish sauce. Vegetarians should stick to the international surf cafes in General Luna (pasta, pizza, smoothie bowls) and ask specifically for no fish sauce (patis).

Will my phone and cards work in Siargao?

Phone signal: Grab a Globe or Smart SIM at Manila airport before flying in — signal on Siargao is patchy outside General Luna. Cards and UPI: Only the bigger resorts and a few restaurants in General Luna take cards, usually with a 3-5% surcharge. Cash: Bring pesos or withdraw on arrival — most eateries, tricycles and small guesthouses are cash-only.

Guides for Siargao

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Make the plan yours

Set your dates and group at the top, shape the days, then book each piece directly.

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Costs are indicative ballparks for doing it yourself and change with season and demand. Always check live fares, rates and opening rules before you book. Trip Under is not a travel agency: we don't sell packages or bookings, we take no commission, and we link to maps and official sites, never to booking sites. Every guide is free; our only paid products are optional downloadable trip plans and itineraries. Photographs come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences; see credits.

By Gokul · Updated 6 October 2026 · Photo: Lucky Ambago Purok Otso · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Michael Angelo Luna · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: JupitReyes · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: kbraner · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source · Photo: CharMel Creations · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source

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