How To Get To Siargao Island: Easiest & Cheapest Ways
Wondering how to get to Siargao? Wooo! You want to visit our favourite island of Siargao… we’re only a little jealous! Siargao is the home of coconut tree lined roads, cracking surf and some of the best backpacker vibes we found, perfect for digital nomads as well as families!
One of the things we learnt while spending two months around the Philippines is that island hopping between the 7000+ islands adds up quickly, especially if you’re on a budget, therefore we’ve found you the cheapest way to get to Siargao that we wish we knew when we visited.
Most people tend to arrive in the main hubs of Cebu or Manila and this is where you can catch a flight (or ferry) to Siargao island. Flights are the easiest and most convenient way to get to Siargao, but the ferry is definitely more budget friendly. When planning your trip make sure to double check your spelling… Surgiao & Siargao are completely different places, one a mainland city and the other the best island on The Philippines!
We are also going to share how to get to Siargao Island from a variety of places such as Surigao, Bohol, Siquijor, Boracay, Manila and Cebu because everyone deserves to experience this slice of paradise!
Contents
Philippines Regions Overview
Home to three main regions, Luzon in the north, the Visayas in the center & Mindanao in the south, the Philippines can be difficult to navigate and often requires multiple flights and ferries. But that's all part of the adventure! The crystal clear waters and pristine beaches make it all worth it.
Where Is Siargao In The Philippines
Siargao is a small island surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, home to some of the best game fishing in the Philippines. Being so far to the east coast, it can be notoriously hard to get to without taking a flight and when travelling we struggled to find out how to get to Siargao on a budget. Whether you’re looking to relax on Siargao’s best beaches or find all the best surf spots, we couldn't recommend adding the island to your Philippines Itinerary enough.
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How To Get To Siargao: The Different Routes
Manila is the bustling capital city of the Philippines, home to nearly 14% of the population and the most likely starting point for many tourist’s journeys. In order to get from Manila to Siargao, the best option is via internal flight due to the long distance. If no direct flights are available, you can get a stopover flight to Cebu City. Alternatively, it is possible to save some money and choose ferries, however the distances are so big it will take multiple days and therefore we don’t recommend it.
How To Get From Surigao to Siargao
The most convenient way to get from Surigao to Siargao is via ferry, you want to go from Surigao to Dapa which is Siargao’s Port.
The route from Surigao City to Dapa Port takes roughly 1.5 to 2.5 hours and is commonly taken by tourists who are looking for connecting ferries from their overnight Cebu ferry. The current operator running is Evaristo & Sons at 6:00, 10:00 & 15:00 and we recommend booking in advance on 12Go especially in the high season (November - April).
The journey from Cebu to Siargao is fairly simple with two main choices: one flight or multiple ferries. The most convenient and more expensive option is to fly from Cebu City to Sayak Airport on Siargao Island which is more suitable to families and holidayers with a shorter time in the Philippines.
Backpackers on a budget however might want to explore the more adventurous overnight ferry to Surigao City, then get the connecting ferry to Dapa Port, Siargao.
Siquijor to Siargao
In order to get from Siquijor to Siargao, you’ll first have to get to Cebu City via ferry. Currently, the OceanJet operator runs every day at 8:20am with the ferry taking roughly 5 hours from Siquijor Pier. The ferry also stops off at Tagbilaran Port on Bohol before heading to Cebu City Port.
From Cebu City, you have a choice of flight or more ferries, simply follow the steps above or in our Guide To Get To Siargao From Cebu.
Bohol to Siargao
Similarly to Siquijor, in order to get from Bohol to Siargao you will first need to get to Cebu City. OceanJet ferries run daily from Tagbilaran Port in the south of Bohol to Cebu City daily, taking only 2 hours. Ferries from Bohol are much more frequent, running hourly from 6:00 to 17:40.
From Cebu City, you have a choice of flight or more ferries, simply follow the steps above or in our Cebu To Siargao Guide.
Palawan to Siargao & Boracay to Siargao
The only way to get from Palawan & Boracay to Siargao is via a flight. There are no direct flights; you have to get a connecting flight via Manila or stopover in Cebu. Like with most of the islands, you first need to get to one of the hubs in order to then get to Siargao. If you’ve made your way to Cebu, you can choose another flight or two ferries depending on time and budget; find out more in our Cebu to Siargao Guide.
It's technically possible to get a string of ferries from Puerto Princesa however it will take 3 days and won't save you much money as you’ll need to combine 4-5 ferries therefore we don't recommend it.
Siargao Airport to General Luna
To get to Cloud 9 and General Luna from the Sayak airport, your best bet for a solo traveller is in a shared van for ₽375, this will drop you off on the main road where most accommodation is located.
Alternatively, for small groups a tricycle is the cheapest option costing roughly ₽600 which works out cheaper when split between 2 or 3.
For families, we recommend a private taxi which should be the fastest and most comfortable option however expect to pay around ₽2k.
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Cheapest Way To Get To Siargao
The cheapest way to get to Siargao Island is by taking the ferry, although the flights offer convenience, they come at a higher cost. From most of the tourist islands in the Visayas region, you will need to get to Cebu City first, then follow the steps to get from Cebu to Siargao: an overnight ferry to Surigao City, then a connecting ferry to Dapa Port, Siargao or a flight.
Once you’ve finally made it to Siargao, your final leg of the journey will be getting to the hotel or hostel. We’ve also written a blog for recommendations on the best places to stay on Siargao Island which you might find helpful.
Dapa To General Luna
In order to get to General Luna, a trike should cost roughly ₱300 for the 30 minute drive, however be expected for the locals to overprice it. If there are more than 2 or 3 of you travelling then a shared van would be the best bet, however the vans stay around the airport rather than the port, so this is also better being organised in advance. The final option is a private taxi which will undoubtedly cost the most however will be the most convenient option for families.
How To Get Around Siargao
There aren't any public transport options on the island of Siargao, it is truly an off the beaten track paradise. There are a few options to get around:
By far the best way to get around the island is by rental scooter, whether you’re staying in the main tourist hub of General Luna or the northern surfer town of Pacifico Beach, nowhere is too far. A rental scooter provides you the freedom to see all of the best Siargao attractions at your own pace.
Trikes
For shorter trips with 1-4 people, trikes are a great option. Make sure to agree on a price before getting in and it's best to have the exact cash handy.
Don't miss this amazing Island Hopping Tour in Siargao, exploring Daku, Naked and Guyam Islands' pristine sandy beaches.
Shared Vans
If you don't fancy driving the hectic roads in Asia, we don't blame you! Many tourists opt for a land tour in a shared passenger van. These are a great way to see all of the sights with like minded travellers.
Private Taxis
For families and larger groups, it makes sense to get private taxis & a private tour of the island. You will be able to visit the top tourist spots at less busy times and end the tour when you want.
Best Siargao Tours
Top Recommended Activities
Don't miss this amazing Island Hopping Tour in Siargao, exploring Daku, Naked and Guyam Islands' pristine sandy beaches.
Siargao isn't called the Surfing Capital of the Philippines for no reason! Book your Surf Lessons Here
This day trip to Sohoton Cove with Stingless Jellyfish is one to remember!
Siargao has lots of accommodation whether you’re looking for a surf school, a luxury resort or a budget hostel you’ll be able to find somewhere.
We recommend staying in the main hub of General Luna as this is where most of the restaurants are located, as well as easy access to most of Siargao's best tourist attractions. If you want to get away from the crowds you could head up north and stay in Pacifico, which is the northern hub of the island best known for being home to some of Siargao's best surf spots.
We use Booking.com, Agoda and HostelWorld for all of our stays in The Philippines!
Below we share some recommend places to stay in General Luna, Siargao:
Where We Stayed In General Luna
We chose the budget option of Dream Catcher Nipas when staying in General Luna mainly due to the kitchen which allowed us to cook our own breakfasts and lunches. These are very basic triangular huts which have mattresses on the floor so don't expect anything fancy, but the location is perfect for General Luna and the grounds are lovely.
Tips For Travelling Siargao
If you’re visiting Siargao here’s our top travel tips:
Stay in the General Luna and Cloud 9 area to be amongst the beautiful chaos and be in walkable distance from the best bars & restaurants.
There’s lots to do for non-surfers on the island, don't forget to try out the Siargao Wake Park!
When getting around the Philippines in a tuk-tuk, tricycle or taxi, agree on a price upfront and try to have the right change handy.
Use an E-sim like Airalo to stay connected and remove the hassle of a physical SIM, don’t rely on Wi-Fi as the island has frequent blackouts.
Go on the 3 island tour to see the true beauty Siargao has to offer, it’s not all about surfing after all…
For the surfers, hire a scooter with a surf rack and visit Siargao’s best surf spots
Travel Tools To Help You Plan
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Thank you for reading and enjoy your Philippine adventure. Reach out to us over on Instagram @KateandMikesTravels. We always love to hear from people who read our blogs!
For our Filipino friends: Maraming salamat sa pag babasa, hangang sa susunod nating pag kikita, mamimiss namin kayo, mabuhay ang pilipinas! Salamat
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