Things to see and do Siargao Island

It lies near the village of Pilar (to the east of the island) and gives the feeling of being one of those adventurers who know living in harmony with nature.

An unmissable destination for surfing enthusiasts, this is where the 10,500-metre-deep Pacific Fault passes through to form magnificent, powerful waves, especially at high tide and between August and October. Non-surfers can admire the surfers from afar, sipping a juice at one of the beach huts. For beginners, head next door to Jacking Horse, where the waves are more suitable and there are plenty of instructors on the beach. Be careful, it's crowded! And always a great atmosphere.

From General Luna, it's a 40-minute scooter ride to Del Carmen. Just before town, fishermen can take you on a banca to discover one of the country's largest mangroves, a fascinating universe of millions of trees and isolated islands. While this complex system of over 4,000 hectares is best appreciated from the air (drone owners beware), there's something magical about strolling through these peaceful waters, especially at sunset. If you're lucky, you might even spot crocodiles in the wild.

This is one of the must-visit natural sites on a trip to Siargao, a thirty-minute boat ride from Del Carmen. In terms of beauty, the Sugba lagoon is rivalled only by the Coron and El Nido lagoons, but without the crowds! After navigating through the mysterious mangroves, you come upon this lagoon, surrounded by hills covered in verdant vegetation, with turquoise and celestial waters that are absolutely incredible. Here you can rent kayaks or paddles, swim and jump. There's a boathouse for lunch.

A 40-minute scooter ride from General Luna, the road to get there is superb in itself: palm plantations, rice paddies as far as the eye can see and tropical forests. After a few steps on the left-hand side of the beach, you'll come across some astonishing rock formations forming a natural pool with turquoise waters. Note that the pool is only visible at low tide. Remember to bring slippers for swimming or even jumping. A few straw huts on site for lunch. Great spot!

A stay in Siargao would not be complete without a day of island hopping. What's on the agenda? A day's sailing to discover three islets, each more beautiful than the last, off the coast of Siargao, to feast your eyes on! The first island, Naked Island, is a 90-metre-long bank of white sand (hence the name) with transparent waters; the second, Guyam Island, is the perfect representation of the tiny desert island, almost perfectly circular - you can walk around it in 3 minutes. At its center is a cluster of palm trees. It's possible to buy a coconut (50 PHP) for refreshment; the third, Daku Island, is much larger than its two neighbors, and includes a small fishing village. It's a heavenly place, with its immaculate sandy beach and emblematic palm trees as far as the eye can see. Your dream day: palm trees, snorkeling, coconuts and white sand!

Most hotels in Siargao offer this excursion: a typical day starts at 9am and lasts until 4pm. It costs around PHP 1,400 per person. The price generally includes transfer to/from the hotel, boat, environmental fees, lunch, snorkeling equipment and an English-speaking guide. For greater flexibility, it is possible to go directly to a fisherman who will take you by banca to one or other of these islands (approx. 1,500 PHP). In this case, lunch is not included, so be sure to check the condition of the banca before boarding.