My
first visit in Siargao was a grand experience to remember. Given that I am just
a six hour bus ride away from Surigao City, I never had a chance to visit the famous
island until a collaborative plan with a friend Mervin or Pinoy Adventurista was placed into reality. I was anxious to go there but good thing we met some local residence and
active surfers Janice and Kyong that gave us an idea on things we could expect from the
island.
Day 1: From Abode to Surigao City
Coming
from San Miguel, Surigao del Sur, I jumped into an eight hour bus ride bound for Surigao City. We arrived almost noon and it was an unfortunate day that we
missed t the last boat bound for Dapa, Siargao. Janice tried to negotiate with other
private boat operators for a special trip but with no luck, we just postponed our trip
first thing in the morning and made an advance purchase of tickets at BritPhils
for the ferry that leaves at 5:00am
Stranded
in Surigao City
For the mean time, we scouted the small city of Surigao also known as the gateway to
the islands of Visayas due to its proximity coming from Northern Mindanao. We
look into various pasalubong shops, restaurants and stop over for a coffee
break at Island Restaurant adjacent to city’s grandstand.

For
first timer to experience foot reflex, the pain is really excruciating and unbearable. But after
the 30 minute session, the pain will be replaced with a full relief as if you
were rejuvenated from a very stressful day. There is no fix amount for the service, you just have to donate any amount you feel that fits the service provided by the reflexologist.
At
night, we had a gut fulfilling dinner in one of the best barbeque houses in the
City- Same Place Grill House together with Surigao based fellow
blogger Nathalie of My Wandering Soles.
Coincidently, it was also Mervin's Birthday so we went to Alcatraz Bar to celebrate together with a few friends of Nathalie where we met also another fellow blogger Jeffrey Rilles. After a couple of beers , we decided to retire in one of
the affordable “okay” hotel near the port-Aden Hotel for only Php680.00 good for two
occupants.
Day 2: Surigao City to Siargao Island
We woke up at 4:00am and went to BritPhil Ferry
scheduled first trip bound for Siargao. The fare was Php 250.00.
Together with new found friends Janice and Kyong, we arrived in Dapa port at 8:00am. We took a habal habal for Php 300.00 to transport us to Gen. Luna and checked in at Ocean Pacific Inn for Php 500.00 a night. The inn was only 50 meters away from the boardwalk leading to the surfing area.
Together with new found friends Janice and Kyong, we arrived in Dapa port at 8:00am. We took a habal habal for Php 300.00 to transport us to Gen. Luna and checked in at Ocean Pacific Inn for Php 500.00 a night. The inn was only 50 meters away from the boardwalk leading to the surfing area.
The surfing sites in Siargao are at the front of boardwalk
approximately 100 meters from the shore. The waves are of different characters
with names like Jack Horse, Quick Silver and the famous Cloud 9.
The 15
foot-giant wave of Siargao in Brgy Gen. Luna appears at the start of the ‘ber’
months but you can still enjoy surfing all year round.
Surfing is Love
As a newbie in surfing, I requested for an instructor to teach me the means and ways of surfing. It was a trial and error at first but I got lucky on my second attempt. I felt the rush of adrenalin as I kept my balance standing on top of the surf board over the raging waves.
As a newbie in surfing, I requested for an instructor to teach me the means and ways of surfing. It was a trial and error at first but I got lucky on my second attempt. I felt the rush of adrenalin as I kept my balance standing on top of the surf board over the raging waves.
At
dinner, we enjoyed our delicious prepared crabs. It was so tasty that even a
smallest fiber of it did not escape my taste bud. Tired and delighted with our
food we slept early while s summer rain poured down so heavily. Chilling.
Day 3: Unfortunate Events at the End of the Trip
We
left the Inn the next morning and tried to catch the first ferry bound for Surigao City.
Along the way, one of the wheels of the habal habal we were riding on have gone flat, then followed by heavy rain .What a series of unfortunate event that was. We hurried walking towards the direction of the port. Luckily a pickup
truck passed by and we requested the driver (a foreigner) if we could hitch
going to the port. He never hesitated saying YES. We made it to the port, soaking wet together with dozens of
passengers that have not anticipated the heavy rain . It may
look like a series of unfortunate events but the true essence of adventures was
there. The ferry left at 5:00am and arrived in Surigao City at 7:00am.
Personal Itinerary
Time Schedule
|
Activity/Destinations
|
Travel Cost
|
Day 1(Saturday)
|
||
600
|
Breakfast
|
PHP 88.00
|
800
|
BXU to Surigao City
|
200.00
|
1100
|
Terminal to Pier
|
11.00
|
1200nn
|
Lunch @ lola’s canteen
|
80.00
|
100p
|
Check in @ Aden Pension/Inn
|
680/2=340
|
200
|
Coffee @Island Resto
|
200/2=100
|
600
|
Dinner @Same Place Grill
|
200.00
|
700
|
Gimik @ Alcatraz bar
|
500/2=250.00
|
Day 2 (Sunday)
|
||
500a
|
Surigao to Siargao Island
( BritPhil)
|
250.00
|
800
|
Dapa to Luna (Habal
habal)
|
300/2=150.00
|
1000
|
Check in @ Ocean Pacific Inn (Accommodation and Lunch
|
965/2=483.00
|
1200nn
|
Rest
|
|
400p
|
Surfing lesson with instructor and board rental
|
500.00
|
700
|
Dinner
|
300.00
|
Day 3 (Monday)
|
||
400a
|
Gen.Luna to Dapa Port Habal Habal
|
200.00
|
500
|
Dapa to Surigao City (Dapa Express)
|
250.00
|
Total
|
PHP 3,402.00
|
hahaha nakakarelate naman ako sa post na to Dennis:) I've also experienced that reflex in Luneta Park of Surigao jejeje masakit pero sarap! huhuhu my fave crabs- sarap db?
ReplyDeleteA traveler's spirit will never tire away, especially if it's meant to face a ton of thrilling adventures! :) Haaay... 30% of me wants to try surfing me. But I don't think I'll ever pursue it! :) So kudos to you for doing it well on your 2nd attempt! :)
ReplyDeleteAyyyy! Ang saya niyan ah. Surfing is love lalo na at sa Siargao pa <3
ReplyDeleteAt ang swerte mo naman, isang bus ride ka lang diyan andun ka na :)
Why does it take 8 hours to travel from Surigao del Sur to Surigao City? Is it really far?
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to go to Siargao and try surfing there but I've had hesitations knowing that the waves in Siargao are really big. I might not be able to manage. But you inspired me. I'm fine with the P500 instructor's fee and board rental.
But my gosh, I was surprised at the P300 habal-habal fare. Is there any other way to get there aside from habal-habal? I had a motorcycle accident which makes me really nervous to ride HH. And I think P300 is too much... Any alternative?
Love that foot massage there! Very relaxing after a hard day of surfing. :)
ReplyDeleteAt least, you were able to try surfing. It's one of the activities I have yet to try. It's good that you were also able to hitch a ride to the ferry.
ReplyDeleteSuch a lively place for adventurists, surfers, action seekers and food lovers too...
ReplyDeletegiven the opportunity I would like to try surfing. it seems like a very fun sport/hobby though little pricey. hehe.. You sure had an adventure there.
ReplyDeleteI read a lot of nice things about Siargao, surfers' haven! Your blog provides me another image of Mindanao which is very much different from the war-torn Mindanao that I see on the news.
ReplyDeleteMy most favorite pic of all - CRABBBBSSS!
ReplyDeleteyou can wait for the multicab at the public market but it will take hours. they have to wait for passengers until it is full ... and of course it is inconvinient... the 300 is shared with your companions... the travel will last for 30 minutes which is quite a distance going to GL.
ReplyDeleteit is quite a ride too ... a little bit far from my place ... have to endure 8 hour bus ride coming from my place going to Surigao city... plus 2 hour boat ride to Dapa , siargao island...but worth it :D
ReplyDeleteAfter our trip at Surigao del Sur (Enchanted River, Tinuy-an Falls and Britania Islands) this long holiday I am planning to go to Siargao next year. Hope I will be able to do it. Bookmarked this post for future reference =)
ReplyDeleteThis is the experience I wanted for a long time. A surfer's paradise indeed.
ReplyDeletewhat a cool, relaxing and yummy experience you had... kakainggit... hehehe. hope i can also visit surigao someday to try their beaches and surfing in their waves. Yahweh bless.
ReplyDeletemy friend aussies shud visit this!! wow! xx
ReplyDeleteGod I miss surfing!
ReplyDeleteand what more if I could experience it in Siargao,
Surprisingly you were able to encapsulate this post into a short one..
I would have flip out If I were to cover many days in one post.
I've only met a few PTB on the road, I guess lucky you were with Pinoy Adventurista..
I still remember him posting a photo having that massage, BDay nya pa pala. :)
Would like to see more of your post! Love Mindanao!
yes it was an adventurous trip :D
ReplyDeleteNice adventure you have in Siargao and the CRABS are mouth-watering! I'm officially craving for those red delectable dish.
ReplyDeleteLooks great! Reading this post has got me even more excited about my upcoming trip to Siargao. I hope I have the same luck as you when it comes to the surfing lessons.
ReplyDeleteI wanna have an incredible adventure and experience like this. I heard great stories about Siargao.
ReplyDeleteWow! You only spent P3K+ on your vacation at Siargao? My hometown is near this place pero hindi pa talaga ako nakakavisit. Hehe
ReplyDeleteSurfing must be in your blood as you were able to get the hang of it immediately.
ReplyDeleteI think Siargao Island is fast becoming one of the top destinations in PH.. Lots of nice places in the area, foods and just look at those waves!
ReplyDeleteomg yummy crabs!! anf foot reflexology is the best! though indeed that i find it when filipinos do maasage it doesnt make me feel so relax as i do in thailand and bali hihi xx
ReplyDeleteI have read about Siargao and saw photos of the place already I'm itching to go there as soon as I'm done with my other trips.
ReplyDeleteMy Friends are planning to go to Siargao this summer. I will definitely pass this link to them.:)
ReplyDeleteAside from surfing, what else can you see or do in Siargao?
That trip ain't that bad, given your series of unfortunate events. Siguro the weather was playing with you for doing well on the surf board as a newbie! Hehehe..
ReplyDeleteHi there,
ReplyDeleteI nominated you for a Liebster Blog Award:
http://hainrihisdiscoveries.blogspot.com/2013/02/nominated-for-liebster-blog-award-d.html
:D
a 6 hour drive from Surigao City to the island is quite a long ride, yet with how wonderful the experience was plus the series of unfortunate events makes it unforgettable eh? :)
ReplyDeleteAway from the beach, are there Nature's Park where one can go.. Medyo di ko feel ang surfing.
ReplyDeleteThe place is haven of perfect creation, love what I am seeing!
ReplyDeletenice wave, every surfer would love to be in that sea. The crab is mouthwatering.
ReplyDelete