7 Fun Things to Do When You Visit Siargao Island

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Siargao Island is famously known for its great waves that draw in surfers in the Philippines and from all over the world. This tropical paradise in the province of Surigao del Norte is also home to captivating sunrise and sunset, cave pools, lagoons, white-sand beaches, and friendly locals.

Since becoming one of the top tourist destinations in the Philippines, Siargao now has direct flights from Cebu, Clark, and Manila. For those who are itching to visit this beautiful island, surely you want to know what are the best things to do in Siargao. Well, here’s a list of enjoyable activities when you visit Siargao Island.


Learn How to Surf

You’re visiting the “Surfing Capital of the Philippines.” So, the number one thing on your to-do list while in Siargao is to surf… or, for beginners, to learn how to surf.

Siargao has spots for both pro surfers who are looking for big waves and newbies who want baby swells. Guian, Stimpy’s, and Jacking Horse are great spots for beginners. For the pros, Cloud 9 is the place of the neat barrels. 

Enjoy Sugba Lagoon

Sugba Lagoon is a well-loved tourist attraction in Siargao. You can find here a picturesque lagoon surrounded by lush mountains.

Jump from a diving board into the serene, blue-green water. It’s also great to relax in a floating hut and take in the beauty and cool breeze of the area. 

Visit Sohoton Cove

It’s surely an unforgettable experience if you see the beauty of Sohoton Cove. Here you’ll discover beautiful lagoons, fascinating rock formations, and fantastic caverns.

You can also swim and dive with the stingless jellyfish in the clear-blue pools inside the caves. 

Island Hopping (Naked, Daku, and Guyam Island)

Three islands in Siargao will surely pique your interest. These are Nake Island, Daku Island, and Guyam Island.

From General Luna, your first stop is Naked Island, which is a splendid white sandbar surrounded by turquoise ocean water and coral reefs. Then, next is Daku Island, where you can swim in the wonderful sea and take pictures of the line of palm trees.

The last stop is Guyam Island, where you can enjoy the majesty of the rocky reef and white sand beach.


Go on an Adventure in Tayangban Cave

Entering Tayangban Cave is quite an adventurous experience as you float inside it guided only by your flashlight.

You’ll discover bats flying inside the cave system, and then you’ll reach a pool where you can find a spot where sunlight (at last!) is coming through. You can also jump off the cliff into the pool for some fun! 

Relax at Alegria Beach

If you visit Alegria Beach, you’ll think of its soft, white sand for clouds and its blue waters for skies. It’s like a spot that you only know in fairy tales, but the thing is that it's for real! You can also find palm trees adding beauty to the already impressive scenery.

Alegria Beach is an hour and a half ride from General Luna, but this quite long travel is worth the experience. When you reach the area make sure to recharge the mobile credits of your phone through top-up in the Philippines to stay connected with your loved ones.

Chill at Magpupungko Rock Pools

Another popular tourist attraction in Siargao is the Magpupungko Rock Pools. Here you can absorb Nature’s gifts, such as grand natural rock formations, scenic sand beach, and amazing tidal pools. There are also caves and coves, and you can jump off a cliff into the turquoise waters. 

Takeaway

So, there you go, the top activities to enjoy in Siargao! If you need a relaxing and memorable vacation, you should visit this tropical paradise in Surigao del Norte, Philippines.

Magpupungko Rock Pools, Alegria Beach, Tayangban Cave, Naked Island, Daku Island, Guyam Island, Sugba Lagoon, Sohoton Cove, and Cloud 9 are the best spots to visit in Siargao.

Children take part, speak up to save planet and future

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Children are taking action and speaking up on climate emergency as extreme weather events continue to pose threats on their right to survive, access education, and well-being according to a survey conducted by Save the Children Philippines.

The child rights organization marks the World Sustainability Day highlighting calls for a unified action and strengthening of public awareness to address the harsh impact of climate emergency. Save the Children has launched the #RedAlertonClimate to inform the public about the climate emergency during the pandemic and provide a platform for children to speak up to change the future.

According to the survey of 41 children and youth from Metro Manila, Eastern Visayas and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) conducted from October 8-17, 2020, children said their well-being is also affected by frequent flooding, droughts and heat waves which prevent them to do things that they used to do, including going to school.

“I can’t play outside. Flooding and air pollution make me sick,” said one of the child respondents.

“Children are speaking up. We have to listen and consider their perspectives in the actions and decisions that we do in preventing climate and environment catastrophe,” said Atty. Alberto Muyot, Chief Executive Officer of Save the Children Philippines.

The child rights organization said the COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating the situation of children and their families who were affected by the series of extreme weather events including Typhoon Quinta (international name: Molave) which flattened farmlands, destroyed houses and public infrastructures in the Bicol region and nearby provinces in Luzon.

Save the Children Philippines advocated the passage of Republic Act 10821 or the Children's Emergency Relief and Protection Act that directs national and local government agencies to implement and sustain comprehensive emergency program to protect children, pregnant and lactating mothers from disasters and emergencies.

“The most vulnerable children are paying the price of climate crisis as they suffer from irreversible, life-long, health and social impacts of missing school, and malnutrition, we have to listen and work to fulfill their right to live in a safer and sustainable world,” said Muyot.

Local artists come together to #ChangeTheEnding for the planet in a series of art workshops

 

Wazzup Pilipinas!

This November, art aficionados are in for a new learning opportunity as the World Wide Fund of Nature (WWF) Philippines launches Art Workshop—a six-part learning series centered on different art forms to be led by WWF-PH’s partner artists.

The workshop series is the second leg of WWF-PH’s Earth Exhibit initiative, which aims to spread awareness on environmental conservation. By bringing together Filipino artists and art aficionados, the initiative also aims to raise funds for the provision of 100 environmental education modules to Filipino students.

Kicking off the workshops on November 7 are Kenjay Reyes and Aubrey Rose Bea-Decoledt, who will share tips and tricks on drawing, which will be followed by a painting session from Anina Rubio and Nina Hidalgo on November 14. Sabine Buhain and Tristan Yuvienco will hold a tutorial on Digital Arts on November 21, and capping off the series is a multi-medium session on November 28 led by Micole Tam, Leeroy New, Nico Ng, and Mansy Abesamis.

Aubrey Rose Bea-Decoledt, founder of Art Smart Manila and a participating artist for the workshop series, shared her view on how art plays a role in environmental protection.

“Art has been equated with aesthetics, beauty, and order. Naturally, we are drawn to  God's creation as the standard of beauty, and this has inspired many to conserve nature or even improve it to make it more beautiful by adding man's creative touch, through landscaping, architecture, engineering, which all promote art. Through the visual art, particularly paintings, and artworks that promote and communicate nature conservation and wildlife, we are able to cast a vision in people's minds, whether young or old, which inspires them the act and take care of nature.”

Internationally-acclaimed designer Leeroy New, who will also share his expertise with the workshop attendees, stated his insights on the relevance of art in conserving the environment.

“Art can contribute in telling stories that lead to the changing of mindsets about humanity’s relationship to their environment. Art production itself can focus on practicing more sustainable strategies, and we can be more conscious about issues like waste production. Creative practice can and should evolve to actively propose solutions to environmental issues.”

On the other hand, clay artist Mansy Abesamis, shared how she hopes to #ChangeTheEnding for the planet through art.

“I’m going to be more proactive in using my art to make others realize how we are all interconnected—humans and other species; and I think pottery is a good avenue for this. When you see your hands molding earth, clay, into different shapes, you are reminded that for better or worse, the future is in your hands and that you direct its course. It’s very empowering. It wakes you up to the truth that our choices now will determine our future.”

Stay tuned and follow WWF-Philippines’ official social media pages for the complete event lineup and schedules. Together through art, let us help #ChangeTheEnding for the environment and our partner communities.