Morion’s Travel| Siargao: The Surfing Capital of the Philippines

I arrived in Surigao City Airport on March 12, 2012. Good to know that our Regional office/staff house- where I am going stay every weekend, is just meters away from the airport. I was welcomed with new working environment and beautiful people- “walang pagkakaiba sa iniwan ko sa Cebu!”

Got the key to my room, arranged the things inside the backpack and 3 other heavy bags (full of books and magazines hehehe) and went to the neighboring Gaisano Capital Mall (bought toiletries and personal stuffs) - ready to start working and exploring Mindanao the following day!

Included in my first 3 days itinerary is to visit the newly-established 3 unit offices and monitor its’ initial operation in the Island of Siargao.

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TRAVEL GOING TO SIARGAO ISLANDS

5 minutes after leaving Surigao Port

From Surigao Port we boarded in Montenegro RORO ship going to Dapa Port of Siargao Islands.

    “Mas mabilis pag pumpboat sinakyan nyo. Two to two and half hour lang kung pumpboat o kaya   Angels (the only fastcraft traveling from and to Siargao Island).” The passenger beside me said.

    “Yun nga lang pag Angel ramdam mo ang lakas ng alon at hindi basta alon malaking alon!Mas okey kung  pumpboat, sa gilid lang daan nyan kaya iwas sa malakas at malalaking alon”, he added.

I've just realized, nga pala -"Siargao is the country’s Surfing capital" aydi talagang malalaki ang alon! :)

8 minutes after leaving Surigao Port

one of the controversial Mining Sites in an Island covered by Surigao del Norte

2 hours after leaving Port of Surigao and 2 hours away from Dapa Port

white sand Beach 

White sand Beach, amazing waves, blue water

 We arrived at Dapa with warm welcome and sumptuous dinner (Inihaw na tuna at kinilaw) courtesy of Siargao Area staffs.

Dapa Port, Siargao Islands

TRIVIA

Siargao Island is part of Surigao Del Norte Province. It is composed of 7 municipalities namely Burgos, Dapa, Del Carmen, General Luna, San Benito, Pilar, San Isidro, and Santa Monica. Siargao is a tropical Island surrounded by coral reefs while the land is abundant with coconut trees. The Island is facing the Pacific Ocean and situated on the edge of Philippine trench giving it the reputation of being one of the world’s best surfing site. Surfing waves in Siargao is “Cloud 9”- thick and hollow.

BARANGAY PACIFICO

Funtastic Pacifico!

"Tropical View" Pacifico, San Benito, Siargao Islands

STILL at Pacifico, San Benito, Siargao Islands

Huge Waves and Rock Formations

Amazing rock formations shaped by strong waves from the Pacific

Fronting the Pacific Ocean

TAKTAK FALLS of STA. MONICA|

Taktak Falls of Santa Monica

Road under construction

HOW TO GET THERE

Airphil Express and Cebu pacific flies directly from Manila to Surigao City daily.

From Surigao City| Passenger Boats- LQP and Dapa Express leaves Surigao Boulevard as early as 6:00 am(fare 250 pesos) ; Angel’s Fastcraft at 11:30pm (fare:250pesos plus 10pesos terminal fee) in Surigao Main Port; and Montenegro RORO vessel at 12:00 noon (fare: 250 pesos plus terminal fee)  in Surigao Main Port.

****ALL ARE BOUND TO DAPA PORT OF SIARGAO ISLAND.

There is also one passenger boat from Surigao Port going to the town of Del Carmen (other entry point to Siargao Island) -  leaves Surigao Boulevard  @ 12:00 noon.

Cebu Pacific directly flies from Cebu to Siargao and if your from Manila take Manila-Cebu-Siargao connecting flight. Visit CebuPac's website  www.cebupacificair.com for further details.

Habal-habal or motorcycle for hire is the common mode of transportation in the Island. There are also tricycles and jeepneys (with 2 scheduled trips) but will only leave in the terminal if seats are full. The entire mainland of Siargao Island can be traveled in less than 6 hours using motorcycle. Be ready for muddy,dusty, and rocky travel as the roads are still under construction pero sabi ko nga SULIT! 

What a "cloud nine" experience, Siargao is indeed beautiful!