Melo Villareal
How to get to Siargao Island in the Philippines
Siargao is a tear-drop shaped island located in the province of Surigao del Norte in Mindanao.
Siargao Island has the largest mangrove forest reserves in Mindanao and is composed of 9 municipalities such as Burgos, Dapa, Del Carmen, General Luna, San Benito, Pilar, San Isidro, Santa Monica, and Socorro.
Don’t be confused, Surigao and Siargao are two different places. Surigao City is the Capital City of Surigao del Norte Province while Siargao is a tropical island that is also part of Surigao del Norte Province.
Siargao is the Philippines “surfing mecca” and now recognized as one of the top 10 surfing spots in the world according to CNN Travel. In the past, the fastest way to reach Siargao is via Manila to Surigao and then by boat to Siargao Island.
Now, the fastest way to reach Siargao Island is via Cebu Pacific with direct flights to Sayak Domestic Airport in Siargao Island from Mactan Cebu Airport.
Mactan Cebu International Airport has direct flights from Hong Kong, Singapore, or South Korea if you prefer to skip Manila.
From Cebu to Siargao Island
Cebu Pacific (the fastest and most affordable way) has daily flights to Siargao departing Cebu at 11:45am and returning from Siargao Island (Sayak Airport) at 12:45pm.
If you have a same day flight to Manila, you can choose to check-in your luggage directly to Manila and get your boarding pass to Manila from Siargao Airport.
If you are bringing surfboards you need to check the box for Sports Equipment and pay for it per sector/flight.
From Sayak Domestic Airport in Siargao
Van transfer from Sayak Domestic Airport on Siargao to Cloud Nine in General Luna takes about 45 minutes.
Resorts and hotels are also providing van transfers and charge 300 – 400 per person depending on the number of passengers.
Motorbike or Habal-Habal takes about 45 mins and should cost around 400PHP.
From Manila to Surigao City
You can fly to Surigao (this option takes a lot longer) from Manila via PAL Express. Pal Express has daily flights from Manila to Surigao. Flights currently depart at 10:20am from Manila and 12:00pm from Surigao City.
If you choose to take the Surigao route, you will need to get a boat from Surigao to Dapa in Siargao Island.
Once you reached Dapa port in Siargao, Cloud Nine in General Luna can be reached by either public jeepney, motorbike (habal-habal, or private van.
By Boat from Cebu to Surigao Vice Versa
There is also the overnight boat option from Cebu to Surigao City with Cokaliong Shipping Lines (check this link for updated rates and boat schedules).
| DESTINATIONS | DEPARTURE | VESSEL | ARRIVAL | ||
| DAY | TIME | DAY | TIME | ||
| CEBU-SURIGAO | Mon | 7:00 PM | M/V FILIPINAS DAPITAN | Tue | 6:00 AM |
| Wed/Fri (via Maasin) | 7:00 PM | M/V FILIPINAS DAPITAN | Thu/Sat | 8:00 AM | |
| Tue/Thu/Sat | 7:00 PM | M/V FILIPINAS MAASIN | Wed/Fri/Sun | 6:00 AM | |
| SURIGAO-CEBU | Tue/Sat | 7:00 PM | M/V FILIPINAS DAPITAN | Wed/Sun | 6:00 AM |
| Wed/Fri/Sun | 7:00 PM | M/V FILIPINAS MAASIN | Thu/Sat/Mon | 6:00 AM | |
| Thu (via Maasin) | 7:00 PM | M/V FILIPINAS DAPITAN | Fri | 8:00 AM | |
By Boat from Surigao to Siargao
Siargao is a 2-3 hour ferry ride away from Surigao City. The ferries from Surigao City to Dapa Port on Siargao Island leave at approx. 6am, 11.30am and 12 noon.
Travel time varies between 2+ hours to almost 4 hours, depending on the ferry.
Surigao City Tourism Assistance Center
Luneta Park, Surigao City
Tel. No.: 086-826-8064
From Dapa (Siargao Port)
- Van transfer from Dapa pier on Siargao to General Luna Cloud Nine takes about 30 minutes.
- The motorbike takes about 35 mins and should cost around 140PHP.
- Van transfer from Dapa pier on Siargao to Cloud Nine takes about 30 minutes.
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