The Merging Colours of SIARGAO

The Captivating Boardwalk of Cloud 9

Fear nothing, discover as much as you can in every place you've been to.

Feast your eyes in the merging colors of Siargao.

WHERE IS SIARGAO LOCATED?

Siargao is an island nestled in the pristine and preserved backdrop of the Surigao del Norte paradise which has a coastline marked by a succession of reefs, small points and white, sandy beaches.

The most comfortable way to reach the island is through Siargao Airport, which is located in Barangay Sayak, Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte, Philippines.

The strong waves in Siargao Island has made the province the Surfing Capital of the Philippines but despite all of this brouhaha, Siargao has a lot more to offer. Siargao provides a unique taste of adventure and nature tripping. In a way, it is like a palette where different colors merge.

Siargao Island Map

TRIVIA

• Isla de las Palmas (Palm Island) - the name given by the Spanish navigators in the 16th century for Siargao
• To avoid confusion, Siargao Island is a province of Surigao del Norte
• Siargao has excellent surfing conditions, particularly during the southwest "habagat" monsoon from August to November, when the prevailing wind is offshore
• International Surfing Cup and Surfing Festivals usually happen in September

HOW TO GET THERE

From Cebu

By Plane

Direct to Siargao

Fly direct to Siargao, one can take Cebu Pacific Air which offers two to three flights per day from Cebu to Sayak Airport in Siargao. The flight usually takes around 45 minutes to an hour. Going to Siargao by plane is quite expensive, but if you are a budget traveler and great at scouting airfare promos, you can avail a round trip ticket for only 1,500 pesos. 

Aerial View

Via Surigao City

Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines offer a direct flight from Cebu to Surigao three times a day which usually takes around 45 minutes in duration. From Surigao City, the most comfortable and safer way to reach Siargao is via Dapa Port taking Montenegro Shipping Lines. The vessel departs from Surigao City main port at around 12 noon, then the reverse trip from Dapa, Siargao back to Surigao City the following day is at 6 o'clock in the morning. It is about 3 hours and a half ride that would cost approximately 250 - 300 pesos per person.

Via Butuan

Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines has 6 flights per day, in a duration of 50 minutes from Cebu to Butuan City. One can take a bus to Surigao City. Upon arrival in Surigao, one can then take a ferry to Dapa, Siargao.

By Ferry

Cokaliong Shipping Lines serves a trip from Cebu City to Surigao City from Mondays to Saturdays which may cost 825 pesos for economy class and a 1,025 pesos for a tourist class that would usually take about 10 hours. 

From Manila

Direct to Siargao

Skyjet offers daily flights that would usually take an hour and 4o minutes from Manila to Sayak Airport in Siargao.

Via Cebu

One can take an alternative route of any airline of choice that would take you to Cebu then direct to Siargao. 

Via Surigao 

Philippine Airlines serves a flight which takes 2 hours and 40 minutes in duration, which also stops in Cebu then finally to Surigao City, then take a ferry to Dapa, Siargao.

Via Butuan City

Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines has 5 flights per day, in a duration of 1 hour and 30 minutes form Manila to Butuan City. One can then take a bus to Surigao City and from there, take a ferry to Dapa in Siargao.

THINGS TO DO IN SIARGAO 

As mentioned earlier, Siargao is not only for surfing enthusiasts, beach bums and avid travelers also place Siargao in the top list of their travel destinations. Let me tell you the reasons why... 

First, Island Hopping.

The Panoramic View of the General Luna Port

You can charter a boat from General Luna Port of Siargao to reach the three well known destinations of Siargao Island Hopping which would usually cost around 1,000.00 - 3,000.00 pesos, depending on your power to bargain boatmen at a reasonable price. 😀

The Boat that Brings you to the Three Art Pieces of Siargao: Daku, Guyam and Naked Island

First Stop

The white sand and the clear, blue, turquoise water of Naked Island will surely invite you to strip off your clothes and enjoy the island. Oops! There's no naked people in this island, though. 😁😁😁😁😁

On The Way to the Naked Island

The Resonating Sound of the Waves Kissing the Shoreline

Witnessing the Scenic View of the Naked Island

Second Stop 

The small boat will dock in the island of Daku where you can stay under the shade of the numerous coconut trees in the island. Daku Island is the largest among the three island destination. Relax while staring across the horizon.

Daku Island

The Massive yet Sturdy Coconut Trees Surrounding the Island

Celebrate banquet with fellow travelers in the island of Daku and create new bonds of friendship. Learn new things from them.

The Daku Island Banquet

The island boasts of its powdery soft white sand that beckons you to just lay back and dig your toes in their silky sand. Write your secret in the sand and trust the waves to deliver it to the deepest ocean.

Daku Island with the Surrounding Cottages in the Background

Third Stop

The small boat will then dock in Guyam Island which has a partly rocky shoreline, creating small rock pools. 

The View of the Guyam Island

The Fish Eye View of the Guyam Island

One of the Rockpools in Guyam Island

The Rock Pools: Under the Heat of the Sun

Second, Try Surfing. 

Visit the Boardwalk at the famous surfing area in General Luna, The Cloud 9.

The Boardwalk in Cloud 9

Even Dogs Love to Surf the Waves of Siargao 😉

Surfing is Like Walking in the Clouds 

Ride on the Mighty Waves of Siargao

Third, Explore the Simplicity of the Town.

Learn the culture and mingle with the locals, taste their delicacies and listen to their stories.

The Grazing Ponies Around Siargao Island

The Church in General Luna

Fourth, Wander Through Magpupungko Tidal Rock Pool.

Take a quick dip at the tidal rock pool of Magpupungko. One can also try cliff jumping from the largest rock formation on the middle of the rock pool. 

The Pristine Waters of the the Rock Pool

Awe inspiring

WHERE TO STAY

Jing's Homestay is a pleasant and comfortable place to dwell. One can buy food in the market and cook it in their small kitchen. They can also prepare delectable Filipino and Western Dishes for you at a reasonable price. Jing's place comes along with a free breakfast of bread and eggs. 

Jing's Homestay comes with a Hearty Breakfast

Siargao was an experience full of colors. The different colors merged and created a beautiful masterpiece in my mind which translated into one of the best memories I had as a traveler. I hope to travel with you, my readers, on my next trip. 

Thank you for reading. See you on my next post. I will take you on another adventure.

Guess where? Post it on the comments section.

The Mystifying SAMBAWAN Island

 The Picturesque View of the Sambawan Island

The essence of existence is to have a first hand experience with nature and savoring it.

WHERE IS SAMBAWAN ISLAND LOCATED?

The mystifying island, Sambawan, is located on the northwestern part of Biliran Island and is an adjunct to the smallest town of Biliran, which is the Maripipi Island. 

For a volcanic island which is classified as potentially active, Maripipi island has had no recorded eruptions in the past.

TRIVIA 

• Isla de Panamao - the old name of Biliran during the early Spanish Era 
• Biliran came from the Cebuano word, "Bilir," which means a corner or edge of a boat or anything protruding 
• In the 17th century, Biliran was a site of the first large-scale shipyard

HOW TO GET THERE

From Cebu

By Plane

Via Ormoc

Cebu Pacific offers one flight daily, direct from Cebu to Ormoc City in Leyte. 

Upon arrival in Ormoc Airport, one can go to the Ormoc City Bus Terminal to take a van or v-hire going to Naval, Biliran. The fare ranges from 130 - 150 pesos, which usually takes about two hours.

Via Tacloban

Philipine Airlines and Cebu Pacific offers three or more flights per day, direct from Cebu to Tacloban City in Leyte. 

Upon arrival in Tacloban Airport, one can go to the Tacloban City Bus Terminal to take a bus or directly ride a passenger van or v-hire going to Naval, Biliran. The fare ranges from 100 - 130 pesos, about two and a half hour.

By Boat

Via Naval

Roble Shipping Lines has direct trips to Naval from Cebu City Port every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8:30pm and back to Cebu at 8:30Pm every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. 

Via Ormoc

Upon arrival at the Ormoc Port, one can immediately see the bus/passenger van terminal upon exiting the said port. From there, one can take a van or v-hire going to Naval, Biliran. 

From Manila

Air Asia, Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines has four or more direct flights daily from Manila to Tacloban City.

From Naval

Alight from the Naval Bus or Passenger Van Terminal and look for a place to stay since going to Maripipi Island would entail a morning trip at 10:00am and 11:00am everyday, except Sundays. 

From the Naval Port, one can take the Brian Claire Express, Ma. Lourdes or the Viga Express Boat, which would take about one hour and 30 minutes for 60 pesos.

Boats from Naval to Maripipi Island

On the way to Maripipi Island, one would be able to pass by few of the emerald jewels or small islets and if you're lucky enough, you would be able to witness schools of fish swimming by.

The Emerald Jewels of Biliran

Once you arrive in Maripipi Island Port, a number of passenger motorcycles or locally known as "habal-habal," would queue up. One can choose to ride these precarious means of transport to take you to Barangay Ol-og. If you took the Brian Claire Express boat, they usually offer free trips to Barangay Ol-og, utilizing a huge army truck.

As you alight in Barangay Ol-og, one would be taken to this rocky shoreline and you can already breathe the sea breeze coming from the mystifying island of Sambawan. One can already see the tiny island from the shoreline where you can ask a boatman to take you there for 500 pesos, good for four persons. It would take 20-30 minutes from Barangay Ol-og, Maripipi Island to Sambawan Island, just brace yourselves for the waves.

An alternative route is to charter a boat direct from Kawayan, Biliran to Sambawan Island which could cost you around 3,000 to 4,000 pesos.

The Miniscule Bangka taking us from Barangay Ol-og to Sambawan Island

The boat from Maripipi back to Naval, Biliran leaves early at around 4:30am, should you wish to take the Brian Claire Express, they will pick you up from Barangay Ol-og and be sure to get the contact number of Kuya Brian (the owner of the boat) so that they can accommodate you: +63916-406-1666 or +63936-699-2136. He can also recommend a cheaper bangka that can take you to Sambawan Island and vice versa. 

Maayong Pag-abot!

The Island Will Never Fail to Embrace You

The Places to Go:

Explore the large rocks around this wonderful island proximate to the white sandy beach.

Never miss the opportunity to climb the highest point of the island. On one's way up, one would notice that the handles of the staircase are actually made of recycled soft drink bottles.

The peak of the hill features a watchtower made of nipa that gives one a picturesque view of the whole island. To say that the view is "breathtaking and awe-inspiring" would be an understatement.

The Left and the Right Wing of the Island

Embrace the Sambawan Island meadows and breathe in the invigorating ocean breeze. Indulge yourself with #hugotlines and take #instagrammable photographs from the eclectic range of picturesque views of the island.

A perfect place for solo travelers, for couples who want to spend some quality time with each other, for friends who desire to escape from the noise of the city and for families to create lasting memories. 

Where to Stay:

In Naval, Biliran, you can stay in Qutcerr Bed and Bath, located in Vicentillo Street, fully equipped with air-conditioning system, free wifi, flat screen cable television. They offer this room at an affordable rate of 750 pesos per night. The owner of this home-stay is very accommodating. 

One can explore the city of Naval before departing to Maripipi Island. One can visit and explore the local church of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary and dine at El Pomar Bistro and try their delectable smoothies at a reasonable price. 

The Different Lodging Cottages in the Island

Before I end this post, allow me to show you a 360° view of this mystifying island. Should you have any queries, I would be very delighted to answer in order to assist you in your next trip to the mystifying place, Sambawan Island.

See you on my next post. I will take you on another adventure.

Guess where? Post it on the comments section.