Welcome to our SIARGAO DIY BUDGET TRAVEL GUIDE. In this blog post, you’ll find key travel information on how to get to Siargao from Manila via Butuan Airport with sample DIY Itinerary and expenses, tips on where to stay and eat, top attractions to visit and recommended tours. Happy Reading!
Siargao Travel Guide from Manila via Butuan Aiport
SIARGAO is a beautiful tropical island located in the province of Surigao del Norte, northeastern Mindanao. It’s well-known as the “Surfing Capital of the Philippines“, but it also offers great scenery, unspoiled white beaches with crystal clear waters, enchanting lagoons and amazing rock formation for non-surfers.
Booking a direct flight to Siargao from Manila is a bit expensive. The price is about Php 3700 – Php 5000 for just one-way (off-peak season).
Thanks to the bloggers and DIY members who shared their budget travel guide to Siargao. I just then realized that it’s not really expensive to visit this island since there are other cheaper ways to go there. As my way of giving back, I’m also sharing now my travel guide on how to go to Siargao on a budget.
Find out how we managed to go to Siargao for only Php 1630 from Manila via Butuan Airport (The Cheapest Way)
Travel Period: June 16 – 20, 2017
BUDGET TRAVEL GUIDE TO SIARGAO ISLAND
OPTION 1: From Butuan (Bancasi Airport) to Siargao Island
- From Manila, fly to Butuan (Bancasi Airport) (Php 1100 one-way airfare)
- Outside the airport, there’s a van going to Surigao Bus & Jeepney Terminal (Php 200 per head). Travel time is about 2.5hr to 3hrs.
- Then ride a multi-cab or jeepney going to Surigao City Port and Ferry Terminal (Php 10 per head). Travel time is about 10-15mins
- From Surigao Port, take a fastcraft ferry (Fortune Angel) going to Dapa Ferry Terminal in Siargao (Php 220 per head). There’s an evironmental fee of Php 10 per head. Travel time is about 2hrs.
- From Dapa Ferry Terminal, you can ride a tricycle going to your hotel. We chose to go to Cloud 9 in Siargao since it’s close to the Boardwalk Surfing Area and it’s also one of the most recommended places to stay in Siargao (Renting a tricycle is Php 300 – good for 3 persons). We stayed at Kesa Cloud 9 Resort (Php 1500 per night / good for 3 persons). Travel time is about 30-40mins.
⏰ Travel Time from Butuan Aiport to Siargao Island: approx 7hrs to 8hrs
Total Expenses: Php 1100 (flight ticket – Manila to Butuan) + Php 530 (transportation from Butuan to Siargao) = Php 1630 per head
The Famous Boardwalk in Cloud 9, Siargao
Our Sample DIY Itinerary: From Butuan to Siargao
- 6:45am – Arrived at Butuan City (Bancasi Airport)
- 7:00am – Rode a van going to Surigao Bus & Jeepney Terminal
- 9:50am – Arrived at Surigao Bus & Jeepney Terminal
- 10:15am – Rode a multi-cab going to Surigao City Port & Ferry Terminal
- 10:30am – Took our Lunch. There are carinderias in front of Surigao City Port
- 11:30am – Rode a FastCraft going to Dapa Ferry Terminal in Siargao
- 1:30pm – Arrived at Dapa Ferry Terminal
- 2:00pm – Rode a tricycle going to Cloud 9 Siargao Resort
- 2:30pm – Arrived at Kesa Cloud 9 Resort
FastCraft Schedule: Surigao Port to Dapa Port (Fortune Angel)
- Surigao to Dapa Ferry Terminal – 11:30am – 1:30pm
- Dapa Ferry Terminal to Surigao – 5:30am – 7:30am
Travel Guide Map from Butuan Airport to Surigao City
OPTION 2: From Cebu International Airport to Siargao Island
- From Manila, fly to Cebu Mactan Airport. Travel time is 1hr.
- From Cebu Mactan Airport, fly to Sayak Airport at Del Carmen, Siargao. Travel time is also 1hr.
- From Siargao Airport, ride a tricycle going to Cloud 9 Siargao. Travel time is about 45mins to 1hr.
- My travel friends, Bonnie and Rhai, tried this option since they came from Cebu City
OPTION 3: From Manila to Sayak Aiport (Siargao Island)
- From Manila, fly directly to Sayak Airport via Skyjet Airlines (Travel time is 1.5hr) or via Cebu Pacific Airlines (Travel time is 2hrs)
OPTION 4: From Clark, Pampanga to Sayak Aiport (Siargao Island)
- From Manila, go to Clark Airport. Fly directly to Sayak Airport via Philippine Airlines (Travel time is 2hrs)
Total Expenses for Siargao Island Hopping Tour + Sohoton Cove Tour (Bucas Grande) – Php 800 per head
- We only paid Php 4000 (good for 5 persons for our 1 Day Tour). That’s only Php 800 per head (7am to 5pm)
- Siargao Island Hopping Tour (Naked Island, Daku Island and Guyam Island)
- Sohoto Cove Tour (Sohoton Cove National Park, The Horse Shoe Rock, Hagukan Cave, Mangkukuob Cave and Jelly Fish Sanctuary) – with additional Php400 per head for the entrance fee
Journey Insider Budget Tip: There are carinderias in General Luna Market. It’s recommended to buy food and bottled water for your lunch before you start the island hopping tour.
TOP ATTRACTIONS TO SEE IN SIARGAO ISLAND
1. Naked Island
With Find White Sand & Crystal Clear Waters
2. Daku Island (Big Island)
Where You Can Eat Your Lunch
3. Guyam Island (Small Island)
Best Spot for Sunset Watching
4. Sohoton Cove / Bucas Grande Islands in Socorro, Surigao del Norte
It’s a must-see attraction when you’re in Siargao Island. Travel time is about 2hrs (one-way via boat)
5. Magpopongku Rock Pools & Flats and Sugba Lagoon
We weren’t able to visit these places due to having a limited time. We still needed to go back to Surigao City for our next destination (Britania and Hinatuan). At least, I have more reasons to go back to Siargao. Maybe soon!
UPDATES: I just went back to Siargao last Dec 2018 and was finally able to visit Magpopongku Rock Pools and Sugba Lagoon. Check out my updated Siargao Travel Guide with Sample Itinerary here
WHERE TO STAY IN SIARGAO ISLAND
1. Kesa Cloud 9 Resort
- Situated in General Luna (30mins from Siargao Airport)
- We stayed here for 2 days (just in front of The Boardwalk)
- Php 1500 per night (good for 3 persons)
- With restaurant
2. Point 303 Resort
- Situated in General Luna (30mins from Siargao Airport)
- 5mins walk from The Boardwalk
- With restaurant (This is where we ate our dinner) – Highly recommended
3. Ocean 101 Beach Resort
- Situated in General Luna (30mins from Siargao Airport)
- 8-10mins walk from The Boardwalk
- With restaurant (This is where we ate our dinner) – Highly recommended
4. Villa Solaria Resort,Siargao
- Cloud 9, Tuazon Point, General Luna, General Luna, Siargao Islands agoda
- Dormitory Type with Free Wifi in all rooms
- The movie “SIARGAO” was partly shoot here.
5. Kermit Surf Resort and Restaurant Siargao
Location: Purok 5, General Luna, Siargao Island Philippines PH, General Luna, 8417
6. Paglaom Hostel
Location: General Luna, Surigao del Norte
7. Dream Catcher Nipas – We booked via Airbnb
You can search for more Budget Travel Hotels in Agoda and get big discounts when you book online!
SIARGAO BUDGET TRAVEL GUIDE: RECOMMENDED ITINERARY FOR 4D3N
To fully enjoy Siargao and visit its top attractions, it’s recommended to spend 4D3N on this island.
- Day 1: Arrive in Siargao in the morning. Then rent a motorbike (Php 300 – 350 per day) for a roadtrip around Siargao Island. Then go to The Boardwalk, Cloud 9 for sunset watching.
- Day 2: Siargao Island Hopping Tour + Sohoton Cove Tour + Bucas Grande Islands (whole day)
- Day 3: Sugba Lagoon and Magpopongko Rock Pools (whole day)
- Day 4: Watch sunrise or try Surfing at The Boardwalk. Go back to Manila in the afternoon.
View our Updated Siargao Travel Guide from Clark, Pampanga
DIY Budget Travel Guide to Mindanao: Detailed Itinerary + Travel Expenses:
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Last Updated: Oct 2018
Cess is the blogger behind JourneyInsider.com. Currently, she works as a full-time SEO Manager. She enjoys being at the beach with the white sand, blue sky, and ocean breeze or having an island-hopping adventure when she’s not working hard!