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Siargao Island

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Siargao is on of the 2 main islands located within the province of Surigao Del Norte which is composed of the northeastern tip of Mindanao in addition to 48 other islands and islets. Siargao Island and the neighboring smaller islets, including Bucas Grande Island are politically divided into nine municipalities: Burgos, Dapa, Del Carmen, General Luna, Pilar, San Benito, San Isidro, Santa Monica, and Socorro (Municipalities and island map). The ferry trip from the port at Surigao to the port at Dapa on Siargao Island is definitely the most scenic on our tour and passes close to many of the small islands and islets that make up the Surigao and Siargao island chains so be sure to have your video camera in hand (Map of ferry route).

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Siargao Island offers many attractions including white sand beaches, amazing caves, lagoons, islets, natural tropical beauty and exotic surroundings with a safe and friendly environment. It is famous for its 27-mile-long beach with fine white sand at the town of General Luna, the most popular beach for surfing. Also of world-wide fame is a certain spot on this beach called "Cloud 9" that boasts the most perfect, right breaking, tube wave for surfers that exists anywhere in the world. Being literally right against the Philippine deep, the deepest part of the Philippine trench, this wave has the full and unbridled force of the Pacific ocean.

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Apart from the main island, there are 16 other small islands and 31 even smaller islets nestled around Siargao and within easy rich of a sea kayak or outrigger boat. Some of these have attractive beaches as well, while others are rocky. Sibale Island has 2 white sand beaches near fascinating rock and coral formations. Danawan Island’s beaches feature many colorful seashells and bits of coral.

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There are several miles of reef around Siargao’s coast, which act as a barrier that keep the waters calm even when it is stormy. At high tide, huge waves break over the reef, making for excellent surfing, while at low tide the reef is exposed and is fun to explore.

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The waters around the islands are filled with colorful tropical marine life. The scenery on the islands is also wonderful. There are fascinating rock formations to be found most everywhere, especially around Butas Grande Island. There are waterfalls, including the falls at Santa Monica and the 70-foot-high Buyho Falls at Barangay San Jose on Bayagnan Island. The latter island is also home to one of the most intriguing whirlpools of Siargao, the mysterious whistling whirlpool of Bitaugan, which is 10 m from the shore and makes a strange whistling sound. There are delightful coves as well: Pilar, on Siargao Island, features a cove with limestone and granite formations and a number of tidal pools.

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Throughout the islands can also be found a number of awesome caves like Siargao Island’s luminescent Silop Cave and labyrinthine Mapawa Caves, as well as the the Buenavista Cave on Hikdop Island with a vast tunnel featuring a pool. There are lagoons as well, like the Sohoton Lagoon on Butas Grande Island, which features a number of fascinating caves with a variety of unusual flora, fauna and marine life.

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In Sohoton Cove on Butas Grande Island, you can swim, touch and even have your picture taken with millions of non-stinging jellyfish while eagles fly overhead to greet you. You can see brown, purple, lavender, blue and transparent jellyfish from the boats. If you are brave enough, you can jump in to the mostly chest-deep waters and feel their gelatinous bodies bumping into you. You can also scoop one for a photo op without being scolded by the tour guide. Sohoton comes from the Visayan word “sohot,” meaning to sneak in. At high tide you literally have to duck your head and weave among the  stalactites at the cave entrance into the lagoon. Entering into the lagoon itself is like being transported back in time. At the back and top of imposing cliffs are freshwater lakes the size of football stadiums, which until the present remain pristine. Butas Grande island also features some of the most expansive and pristine mangroves in the Philippines that are literally packed with wildlife.

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Siargao is also known for its world class sports fishing. Being only 4 kilometers from the shelf of the Philippine deep and surrounded by coral reefs, all of the conditions are present to attract heavy populations of marlin, sailfish, tuna, wahoo, dorado and many other highly prized sports fishes. Being only 4 kilometers away from he trench means almost any boat will take you to the fish. Due to the easy access and high population of sports fishes in the immediate area, Siargao is host to a sports fishing tournament every year in October and sports fishing charters can be arranged year round.

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Siargao Island’s climate is tropical warm almost throughout the year. From September to November, the average temperature reaches as high as 30-35°C (85-95) with nightly temperatures around 27°C/80°F. Between these months you can experience the gigantic waves that bring International surfers running. November till late January is generally cooler, 21-27°C (70-80°F) with almost daily rains. The rest of the year sees night and day temperatures in the range of 24-30°C (75-85°F).

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You could easily spend 2 weeks exploring everything Siargao Island has to offer and still not want to leave, but you would spend most all of your time hiking on foot, straddling a surfboard, paddling a kayak or wearing your snorkel, mask and flippers and very little time riding a motorcycle. Whatever your pleasure is, however, we are happy to hook you up and make sure you get the most out of the day and a half we are here.

 

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