Much of the attention to Siargao stems from its reputation as the surfing center of the Philippines. Still, besides its famous surfing, this place has so much else that really captured my interest. You would hardly find a trip as amazing as mine in Siargao, filled with beauty, rich culture and exciting things to do.
The saltiness of the breeze hit me right away and all of the locals were really nice. I could feel that the island was laid back and immediately the stress was washed away. So I checked into a pretty cool looking beachfront resort where I fell asleep to the sound of waves crashing on the shore every night.
The beaches were definitely one of my high lights. Surf breaks on Cloud 9 made a must to visit. I’m not a surfer, but I loved watching the skill surfers riding the waves. Seeing the sun set over the horizon and the blanket of gold that was upon the water was a memory I will hold forever. I also went to the much less crowded beaches of Malinao Beach and Daku Island. Perfect swimming conditions with powdery white sand and crystal – clear waters. I drank on fresh coconut juice and under the sun lounged for hours and watched in awe the beauty that enveloped me.
And island hopping is of course a must do when in Siargao. I signed on for a tour that went to some of the most picture perfect islands around. There’s an unspoiled sandbar called Naked Island where there’s white sand, turquoise water — and nothing else. A slice of heaven it felt. Next we went to Guyam Island and picniced on the beach, eating local delights amongst the beauty of nature. Sugba Lagoon was by far the highlight of island hopping, but anything further than Palawan or Aklan will most likely be too far for you to get to. Invitation by those emerald waters of the lagoon and it’s no use to resist the temptation. I also got to try paddleboarding for the first time which was both exhilarating a challenge. Surrounded by lush greenery the lagoon was a tranquil place to relax.
Except that Siargao’s natural beauty is quite rich, but its tropical culture is quite in depth. The locals didn’t disappoint in being warm and friendly people; i had the chance to engage with them. I once took a cooking class in which I made adobo and sinigang, Asian Filipino dishes. For sharing a meal with the locals I could get to understand their way of living and food deserves a special place in their culture. I went to the local markets, with their cacophonies of colour and aromas that make you drool. There was fresh seafood, tropical fruits and handmade crafts. I bought a few mementos to take home of this wonderful trip.
Siargao, Philippines was a beautiful combination of adventure, relaxation and culture. I can barely put into words just how profound the effect was the island had on my soul; it blasted open the scales and revealed both these amazing landscapes and the north’s seemingly warm hearted people. Back on my flight home I was enormously grateful for the memories made and friendships born. Siargao is much more than just a place, it’s a feeling which reminds us all of the incredible beauty that underpins nature and human connection. This is paradise and I can’t wait until I come back to it and see more of its secrets.