📸 Where to go in Siargao Island
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Siargao Island has a way of drawing people in — and keeping them there. It is not just a destination for surfers anymore. Celebrities like Anne Curtis and Nadine Lustre have both been spotted enjoying everything the island has to offer, from its well-known surf breaks to hidden beaches and laid-back restaurants. If you are planning a trip and wondering where to go, following in their footsteps is a solid starting point.
Anne Curtis has visited Siargao on multiple occasions, calling it the Surfing Capital of the Philippines. She has specifically praised General Luna, a town where most of the island's resorts are located, saying the locals there are especially welcoming. General Luna is the main area of the island, offering solid accommodation options, a range of restaurants, and direct access to the famous Cloud 9 surf break.
During one of her holiday visits, Anne Curtis headed straight to the waves, picking up surfing again after a long break. She also stayed at Isla Cabana Siargao, which is one of the well-regarded resorts in the area. If you want to experience the island the way Anne did, base yourself in General Luna and spend at least a morning at the Cloud 9 boardwalk.
Siargao is the surfing capital of the Philippines, and Cloud 9 — a powerful, hollow right-hand reef break that draws professional surfers from all over the world — is the wave that put it on the map. Even if you do not surf, you can sit under the palm trees with a cold coconut and watch the surfers from the beach. Cloud 9 is suited to intermediate and advanced surfers, but beginners can head to Jacking Horse or Quicksilver nearby, where the waves are smaller and the bottom is safer.
Nadine Lustre is one of the celebrities who has been hit by what locals call the "Siargao curse" — falling so deeply in love with the island that it eventually became her home. Nadine and her partner Christophe Bariou, who run a resort, a winery, and other businesses on the island, have shared their recommendations for visitors.
Nadine's advice to tourists is to not limit yourself to the standard tourist spots. She and Christophe both suggest getting lost and asking locals for directions to the less-visited corners of the island. She also notes that plenty of visitors come to Siargao looking for peace and quiet, not just parties, and the island caters to both.
Nadine Lustre has officially opened a vegan restaurant on Siargao Island together with Christophe Bariou. Called Verde Siargao, it is a fully plant-based restaurant offering items like Naked Pizza, Bang Bang Tofu, burgers, pastas, salads, and poke bowls. The restaurant sits along a side road off Tourism Road and, while easy to find, has a tucked-away feel despite being close to the main commercial street. It is one of those spots that regulars keep coming back to — Nadine herself has said she eats there almost daily.
Magpupungko Rock Pools are flat rock formations that fill with clear tidal pools at low tide, functioning like natural infinity pools overlooking the Pacific. They are located about 45 minutes east of General Luna. It is important to check the tide schedule before heading there, as the site only opens to the public during low tide. This spot was also recommended by Christophe Bariou as one of the must-see natural attractions on the island.
The classic three-island hopping tour takes you to Naked Island, a bare sandbar in the ocean; Daku Island, which has palm trees, a local village, and where you can have a BBQ lunch; and Guyam Island, a small, photogenic islet ringed with palms. Most boats leave around 9 in the morning and return by mid-afternoon. This is one of the most popular day trips on the island and is consistently recommended both by visitors and local insiders.
Sugba Lagoon is a must-visit spot in Siargao, known for its highly transparent water and activities like stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking. Located on the Del Carmen side of the island, it takes about 1.5 hours by boat from General Luna. Going early in the morning is recommended, as it tends to get busier by midday.
Christophe Bariou describes Sohoton Cove in Bucas Grande as comparable to El Nido but with far fewer people, where you can practically have the place to yourself. Sohoton Cove is a protected natural reserve featuring limestone cliffs, hidden sea caves, emerald lagoons, and most famously, a lagoon filled with stingless jellyfish that you can swim through safely. The boat journey from Siargao takes roughly 1.5 to 2 hours each way. The best time to see the jellyfish in full numbers is from March to May, sometimes extending into early June.
Fans of Nadine Lustre have identified Doot Beach in Dapa, Siargao as one of her favorite spots — a quiet beach with no entrance fee where you can have a picnic, rent crystal kayaks, and watch fireflies at night. It is the kind of low-key place that the island still has plenty of, if you are willing to ask locals and explore beyond the well-trodden routes.
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