Things to do in Siargao Island go far beyond surfing — this stunning Philippine island offers incredible experiences for families, couples, and adventure seekers alike. From hidden rock pools and emerald lagoons to world-class dive sites and deep sea fishing, Siargao is one of Southeast Asia's most rewarding destinations.
1 Surfing at Cloud 9
No list of things to do in Siargao Island is complete without Cloud 9. This legendary right-hand reef break has hosted the Siargao International Surfing Cup since 1996 and routinely appears on lists of the world's best waves. When the swell is up — typically July through October — it delivers powerful, hollow barrels over a shallow reef that draw professional surfers from around the globe.
But Siargao's surf scene is not just for experts. The island has a spread of breaks for every level:
- Beginners: Jacking Horse and Quicksilver — sandy-bottomed, forgiving waves with plenty of surf schools nearby
- Intermediate: Stimpy's and Tuason Point — fun, punchy waves with more shape and power
- Advanced: Cloud 9 and Cemetery — powerful, technical, not for the faint-hearted
Staying at Kawayan Villa Siargao puts you steps from the Cloud 9 boardwalk. Our concierge team works with local surf coaches who offer lessons and guided surf tours tailored to your level.
2 Island Hopping
The classic Siargao island-hopping tour is one of the most enjoyable half-days you can spend on the island. A pump boat departs from the General Luna wharf and visits three distinct islands, each with its own character and appeal.
- Naked Island — a long, crescent-shaped sandbar with no shade, no buildings, just blinding white sand and turquoise water. Best visited in the morning before the sun gets too intense.
- Dako Island — the largest of the three, with a proper fishing village, tall palm trees, and basic food stalls serving fresh coconuts and grilled fish. Worth walking the length of the beach.
- Guyam Island — tiny, circular, and impossibly photogenic. A grove of leaning palms fringes a perfect white beach. The snorkelling around the reef is excellent.
Standard island-hopping tours take 4–6 hours and cost around ₱1,500–₱2,500 per person. For a more exclusive experience, Kawayan Villa Siargao can arrange a private boat charter so you visit the islands at your own pace, without the crowds.
3 Magpupungko Rock Pools
Magpupungko (also spelled Magpopongko) is one of Siargao's most spectacular natural attractions — and it's entirely free. Located on the far eastern coast of the island, about 45 minutes from Cloud 9, these natural rock pools are revealed only at low tide when the Pacific Ocean retreats to expose a series of interconnected basins carved through ancient volcanic rock.
The pools vary in depth and temperature. Some are shallow enough to wade across; others are deep enough to jump into from the surrounding rocks. The water is astonishingly clear — you can see the bottom from 4 metres up.
Important: Magpupungko only works at low tide. Arrive at mid-tide or high tide and you'll find the pools submerged and the site inaccessible. Kawayan Villa Siargao's team always checks tide tables and plans excursions to arrive 1–2 hours before low tide. We recommend visiting in the morning when the light is best and crowds are smaller.
4 Sugba Lagoon
Sugba Lagoon sits in the municipality of Del Carmen, on the western side of Siargao Island. Getting there requires a tricycle ride to Del Carmen (about 1 hour from Cloud 9) followed by a 45-minute speedboat journey through a winding network of mangrove channels. The destination is absolutely worth the effort.
The lagoon is vast — roughly 900 hectares — and enclosed on all sides by dense mangrove forest and dramatic karst limestone formations draped in jungle. The water is a deep, vivid emerald green. Activities include:
- Swimming — the lagoon is calm and warm, ideal for a long float
- Stand-up paddleboarding — boards available for hire at the lagoon entrance
- Jumping platforms — wooden platforms at varying heights for those who want a thrill
- Snorkelling — bring your own mask or hire one; visibility is excellent
Pack a picnic and plan for a full afternoon. There are basic food stalls at the lagoon, but bringing your own food from General Luna is a better option. Kawayan Villa Siargao can prepare a packed lunch to take with you.
5 Scuba Diving & Freediving
Siargao's underwater world is one of the Philippines' best-kept secrets. Because the island attracts surfers rather than divers, the dive sites are largely uncrowded and the reefs are in remarkable condition. Several sites are within 20–30 minutes by boat from General Luna.
- Blue Cathedral — the standout site: a dramatic underwater chimney that plunges from 14 metres to 30+ metres, filled with sea fans, schooling fish, and occasionally reef sharks
- Manta Bowl — a cleaning station where manta rays congregate during certain months (January–May is prime)
- Coral Garden — a shallower site (8–18m) perfect for beginners, with excellent hard coral coverage and abundant reef fish
Freediving has also grown significantly in Siargao, with several instructors now based in General Luna. For beginners, a 2-day freediving course will teach you to reach 15–20 metres on a single breath. Kawayan Villa Siargao works with certified dive operators and can arrange guided dives for all levels, from try-dives to technical dives.
6 Deep Sea Fishing
The waters around Siargao Island are extraordinarily productive. The deep Philippine Sea drops off quickly beyond the reef line, bringing pelagic species — mahi-mahi (dorado), wahoo, yellowfin tuna, and blue marlin — within easy reach of day-charter boats.
A typical deep sea fishing charter departs at first light (5:00–6:00am), targets the area 10–30km offshore, and returns to General Luna by early afternoon. Trolling is the most common technique, though jigging for yellowfin is increasingly popular.
Kawayan Villa Siargao's concierge can arrange fishing charters for groups of 2–6. If you're lucky (and most guests are), the catch can be prepared at the villa that evening — grilled dorado with fresh salsa is a Kawayan speciality.
7 Sohoton Cove
Sohoton Cove, on the island of Bucas Grande, in the province of Surigao del Norte (accessible by day trip from Siargao), is one of the Philippines' most extraordinary natural environments. A series of limestone caves, hidden lagoons, and impossibly blue waters make it feel like something from another world.
The highlight is the jellyfish sanctuary — a lagoon filled with millions of stingless jellyfish that you can swim through completely safely. It's an unforgettable experience, and one of the few places in the world where you can do this. The cove also has bioluminescent plankton that lights up the water after dark on boat excursions.
Day trips from Siargao take approximately 2 hours each way by speedboat. Kawayan Villa Siargao arranges full-day Sohoton Cove excursions with a private boat, picnic lunch, and a guide.
8 Yoga & Wellness
Siargao has developed a thriving wellness community over the past decade. Yoga studios, sound healing sessions, holistic therapists, and wellness retreats have taken root throughout General Luna and Cloud 9, making it genuinely easy to balance physical activity with restoration.
Kawayan Villa Siargao can arrange in-villa yoga sessions — either at sunrise on the garden terrace or in the open-plan living room. Visiting teachers offer Vinyasa, Hatha, Yin, and Ashtanga classes throughout the week. Massage therapists are available to visit the villa on request.
- Morning yoga: Sunrise sessions on the terrace, overlooking the garden — from ₱1,500/session
- Massage therapy: Traditional Filipino hilot, Swedish, and deep tissue — in-villa appointments available
- Sound healing: Crystal bowl sessions available through our wellness partners in General Luna
9 Where to Stay in Siargao
Most of Siargao's accommodation is concentrated in three areas: General Luna (the main town), Cloud 9 (the surf village), and the area around Tourism Road connecting them. For the best experience, staying in Cloud 9 itself puts you closest to the action — and closest to the legendary boardwalk.
Kawayan Villa Siargao is Siargao's only private luxury villa in Cloud 9. Set within a 2,450m² tropical garden with a private mirror pool and bamboo groves, the villa accommodates up to 8 guests across two 50m² bedrooms and offers a genuine home-away-from-home experience that no hotel or resort can match.
- Private pool and tropical garden — no shared spaces
- Daily breakfast prepared fresh in the villa
- Full villa concierge service for all activities
- Air-conditioned throughout, high-speed WiFi
- Steps from the Cloud 9 boardwalk
Check availability and rates for Kawayan Villa Siargao →
10 Getting to Siargao
Siargao is served by Sayak Airport (IATA: IAO), located in the north of the island about 45 minutes from General Luna by road. The airport handles direct flights from Clark (CRK) and Davao (DVO), operated by Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines, with connections via Cebu. For visa and entry requirements, visit the Philippine Department of Tourism.
- From Manila: Direct flights daily, approximately 1.5 hours
- From Cebu: Multiple daily flights, approximately 1 hour
- From the airport: Private van transfer to Cloud 9 takes approximately 45 minutes
Kawayan Villa Siargao arranges private airport transfers for all guests. Our team will meet you at the arrivals gate and take you directly to the villa. No negotiating with tricycle drivers, no waiting for shared vans — just a smooth, comfortable arrival.
Once on the island, habal-habal (motorbike taxis) are the most common local transport. Renting your own motorbike is an excellent option for independent exploration — rates are around ₱400–₱600 per day. Kawayan Villa Siargao can also arrange a dedicated driver for full-day excursions.
Stay at Kawayan Villa Siargao
Private pool, tropical garden, daily breakfast and a concierge team to arrange every activity on this list. Steps from the Cloud 9 boardwalk.