Surigao is the capital city of the most northerly province of Mindanao, Surigao Del Norte, and has a population of 132,151 people according to the 2007 census. The province of Surigao Del Norte takes in not only the mainland area at the northeast tip of Mindanao, but also some 37 municipalities, in addition to Surigao City, situated amongst 48 other islands and islets including the main islands of Dinagat and Siargao and the 3 smaller islands that make up the Bucas Grande island chain.

What is now the City of Surigao was formerly known as "Bilan-Bilan," meaning a good port for ships. Keeping true to history, the nearby town Lipata, at the northern tip of Surigao, is now one of the main ferry ports on the Strong Republic Nautical Highway, linking Mindanao to Leyte. This general area was part of the old district of Caraga, which later on became the politico-military district of Surigao with Tandag (presently the capital of Surigao del Sur) as its capital.

The infamous Surigao Strait is the narrow waterway between the southern tip of Leyte and the northeastern tip of Mindanao that starts at the passage between Surigao and the southern tip of Leyte and extends northward between the southeastern side of Leyte and the western side of Dinagat Island. It was through the Surigao Strait that the fleet of Ferdinand Magellan sailed into the Philippines, after landing first on the island of Homonhon on the eastern shore of Samar to re-supply, then proceeding on to Cebu in 1521, during his epic voyage that circumnavigated the globe.

It was also in this same narrow passage that the Battle of Surigao Strait was fought during World War II, from October 24-25, 1944, between the U.S., Filipino and Japanese fleets. The area immediately at the tip of Surigao was where the combined U.S. and Filipino forces' PT boats made first contact with Japanese Admiral Nishimura's battle group, the "Southern Force" at 2:00am local time, on Oct 24, 1944. These same PT boats, later at about 5:00am, encountered the Southern Force's trailing battle group commanded by Japanese Vice Admiral Shima and were successful in crippling the light cruiser Abukuma. Later that same day, when both of these task groups eventually retreated with their few remaining ships afloat, they again came under attack by the PT boats and suffered additional damage, effectively putting salt onto and already gaping wound.

The Battle of Surigao Strait is historically significant since it was the last battleship-vs.-battleship action in the history of naval warfare but even more significant considering it was a key victory in the overall battle of Leyte Gulf. The Battle of Surigao Strait repelled and destroyed much of the "Southern Force", whose mission it had been to attack and cripple the landing forces and beachheads on the shores of Tacloban and Palo, Leyte, that had been established by Gen Douglas McArthur, 4 days earlier on Oct. 20. Needless to say, their mission was a complete failure.

Notable to Surigao's geography is Lake Mainit, the 4^th largest freshwater lake in the Philippines, having a surface area of 173.40 km² (67.73 mi²), and the deepest lake in the country with a maximum depth reaching 223 meters (742 ft.). The name of the lake, pronounced "ma-in-it", is literally translated as "hot", a word shared commonly amongst the Tagalog, Cebuano and Visayan dialects. Lake Mainit is host to many different species of fishes including Casili, Mudfish, Gourami, and the Bolinao, a fish species found nowhere else in the world. Lake Mainit borders the southern boundary of the province of Surigao Del Norte and is clearly visible from our tour route, for about 30 minutes, as we travel from Butuan to Surigao and pass by its western side.

For any tourist, Surigao boasts many natural wonders worthy of experiencing. The mystifying caves, secluded lagoons, rock formations and exotic ambiance of the islets surrounding Siargao are equally repeated on the islets surrounding Surigao and the island of Dinagat. I found a great Surigao Tourism Map produced by the Surigao Dept. of Tourism that identifies the location of many attractions. I have edited the map to show the route we would take to visit all 4 of the the most popular ones I have identified below. Whatever you choose as your activities for the half day we are in Surigao, you are sure to be kept well in awe and with camera in hand.

	On the small islet of Hikdop, a 45 minute boat ride from Surigao, is a cave where the interior stone formation depicts the illusionary image of a grand King’s Court complete with inner chambers complemented by picturesque stalactites and stalagmites. The highlight of the journey down the cave is the knee-deep pond situated in one of its innermost caverns resembling a throne.
	Also worthy of seeing is a landmark known as the Zaragosa rock formations, located adjacent to Sibale Island, about 10 minutes by boat from Hikdop islet. It is a rock islet comprised of many unique, natural rock formations enhanced by the different variations and contrasts of their colors and shades. Opposite the islet is a complementing vase-like rock formation which was a historical burial ground utilized the early inhabitants of the surrounding islands. It has unique dagger-edge structures about 20 ft. high occupying an area approximately one hectare (2.25 acres) in size, almost surrounded by waist-deep crystal clear sea waters. In the olden days, bodies of cholera and smallpox victims of the adjoining barangays were dumped on this area to rot. Also adjacent is a big solitary rock island known as Tamulayag, where trees grow although it has no soil. At a distance, it looks like gigantic floating flower base. Adjacent to this are two fine white beaches which are excellent sites for swimming and beach combing. There is also a very nicely manicured tourist park in the Zaragosa barangay.
	About 30 minutes to the south of the other sites is most definitely a freak of nature, the whistling whirlpool at Bituagan. The current that creates the whirlpool is so strong that the area is considered a danger zone to seafarers. The whirlpool is a scenic beauty to behold with its chaotic spinning water and even emits an eerie whistling sound at times.
	Traveling westward from Bituagan, in the direction of Surigao, are the curiously interesting Day-asan Floating Villages, popularly known as “The Venice of Surigao.” The unique sight is created by the village’s houses erected on wooden stilts and bedded rocks and the villagers commuting by paddleboats through waterways. View satellite mosaic of Day-asan.