Cloud 9 Surfing in Siargao

Now that I've left my most favorite island, Siargao, I'm regretting the fact that I've only surfed in Cloud Nine twice. Looking back, I did more Siargao wild partying than what the island is really known for --- the great surfing breaks. Hahaha! I guess this just means that I have to come back again and stay longer if possible (perhaps 1-3 months? Praying that my hubby will allow me. Hehehe.)

Taktak Falls in Santa Monica, Siargao

After our awesome trip to Magpupungko Beach, Tidal Flats and Lagoon, we then headed to Taktak Falls in Santa Monica, between San Benito and Burgos. The sky was starting to get dark. Just as we were praying for the continuation of the good weather, huge raindrops started to fall and before we knew it, the entire heaven poured down upon us hitting us like daggers. 

Magpupungko Beach, Tidal Flats and Lagoon in Siargao

WOW! It's been a while since I last updated my blog and all my other blogs for that matter. I guess it means that I'm really enjoying my time in the outdoors and have very little energy left to do anything else. Hehehe. Nevertheless, I'm still excited to share with you some of the things I've been up to.

Surfing in Cloud 9, Siargao

I promised myself that I will one day brave the waves of Cloud 9 in Siargao. But it was only on my 6th day that I was finally able to do it. I guess my previous trauma from before hasn't been completely erased and my heart was skipping a beat the whole time I was in the water. But I gotta do it. I rented the biggest board Ocean 101 has and I hired an instructor who basically just pushed my board and brought me to where the waves were.

Siargao Nightlife @ Tattoo Jungle

When I went to Siargao last year, the only nightlife I experienced was the videoke along the Boulevard at General Luna. Little did I know that there are disco places here where locals and tourists alike go to for some awesome night of drinking and dancing. On my first night alone, I was asked by some of the locals to go party with them. But since I wasn't really in the mood and I was so sleepy then (since I just came from Cebu and haven't had much sleep at all), I declined. They kept encouraging me anyway. 

 

On my 3rd night (the same day when a 5.7 magnitude earthquake had struck Dinagat in Surigao del Sur, which we all felt here in Siargao), the internet at Ocean 101 was pretty crappy (usually it's fast). I figured, it may have something to do with the recent earthquake (I also couldn't contact my cousin who lives in Surigao del Norte). So after an early evening of chatting with a new friend (Arren, an American), and a late evening of chatting with one of the staff at Ocean 101 (Noynoy), I went back to my room to rest. But I was tossing and turning. I couldn't sleep. The thought of partying kept entering my mind so I got up, got dressed, went out to find Noynoy and off we went looking for a habal-habal (motorcycle) we can rent. 

Dinagat 5.7 Magnitude Earthquake

It was 3:58 pm when I felt the earth moving here in Siargao. It was an earthquake! Ack! Is my worst fear happening? It lasted only for a few seconds but it felt strong. I immediately checked Phivolcs but it was only after 40 minutes that the site got updated. As it turned out, a magnitide of 5.7 earthquake hit Dinagat in Surigao del Sur according the site.

Date - Time Latitude Longitude  Depth   Magnitude Location (Phil Time) (ºN) (ºE) (km) 

16 Mar 2012 - 03:58 PM   09.94  125.58  016   5.7 002 km S 20° W of Dinagat (Dinagat) 

I started scouring the web for news and signs of tsunami warning but there are none as of this writing (It's 4:50pm pn my watch)

A few more minutes later and I found this on the news online:

Ocean 101 - Siargao Cheap Accommodation

Hello from Siargao! I am currently checked in at Ocean 101 and so far I am loving my stay here that I wish I had booked at least a month's stay like I did in Boracay last year, rather than just 2 weeks. How I also wish my husband is with me. Oh well. Might as well make the most of this trip.

Read more:

SIARGAO CHEAP ACCOMMODATION – OCEAN 101 CLOUD 9 BEACH RESORT

Magkukuob Cave and Cliff Jumping

After our short trip to the luminescent Hagukan Cave, we went to a smaller and darker one called Magkukuob Cave. Our boat docked near a cliff wall to show us that later after we go spelunking inside the cave, we'd be jumping off that cliff too like what the boy we saw was doing.

Hagukan Cave in Sohoton Cove, Siargao

Get awed by the luminescence of the Hagukan Cave.

After we swam with the millions of stingless jellyfish at the Jellyfish Lagoon, we explored the first of two magnificent caves that Sohoton Cove has to offer, the Hagukan Cave. It came from the root word "Haguk" which means "snore". This is because the cave emits a snoring sound as the waves splash and enter the opening of this dark yet luminescent cavern, hence, the word hagukan.

Stingless Jellyfish @ Sohoton Cove, Bucas Grande, Siargao

You've already seen the virgin beauty of the Hidden Island Resort; I've already shown you what it was like to enter the enchanted Sohoton Cove; Now, I will show you through videos we took, what it was like to see thousands, even millions of stingless jellyfish and be able to swim with them! Are you ready?

Cave & Horseshoe @ Sohoton Cove in Siargao

When we went to Hidden Island Resort, we were actually on our way to Sohoton Cove. It's a place in Socorro, Bucas Grande Island that is filled with mystery and we were about to find out why...

So from Siargao, Sohoton Cove is about 1 1/2 hours away... 2 hours if there were moderate waves. But as luck would have it, it was like sailing on a perfect summer morning even if it was July. This is how great the weather is in Siargao. It's like summer almost all the time.

Hidden Island Resort in Bucas Grande Siargao

I have a cousin who lives in Surigao del Norte (well, most of my maternal relatives are) and when he found out that Peter and I were going to Siargao, he kept insisting that we go to Hidden Island Resort. When I did some research, I found it to have reasonable rates but unfortunately, I didn't wanna be hidden away from the rest of General Luna. Moreover, we were already booked in Patrick's. Maybe next time. Still, my cousin insisted that we at least drop by the place. He said our Siargao vacation won't be complete without it.

I took note of what he said but at the same time, I didn't hold my breath for it. If it happens, it will. If not, then it's not meant to be.

The Other Side of General Luna in Siargao - Boulevard, Boardwalk and KTV

Aside from the hotels and resorts that line up the shore of General Luna (where Patrick's on the Beach is also located), I'd like to share with you the other side of this quaint little town off the coast of Surigao del Norte; I mean the more local and less touristy side.

Cloud Nine in Siargao

Siargao is known as the surfing capital of the Philippines, as well as the surfing paradise of Asia because of the famous waves and beach breaks of Cloud Nine. Now that the surfing season is coming (September to March), more and more people from all over the world are visiting either to surf or watch surfers brave the thick, hollow tubes of Cloud Nine (or Cloud 9).

La Januza Island in Siargao

La Januza island in Siargao (also called La Janosa) is one of the two islands included in the tour package we got from Patrick's on the Beach during our second day. The first one was Mamon island which I already shared with you in my previous post.

La Januza island is also one hour away from the municipality of General Luna via a motorized boat. It is a barangay with about 500+ residents as tallied back in 2007. Although it's not as pretty as Mamon island, its beauty is characterized by its unique black rock formation.

Mamon Island in Siargao

Mamon Island is part of a two-island package tour which we got from Patrick's on the Beach for Php3,700 during our second day in Siargao. It is already inclusive of food, drinks, use of kayak, surfboard and snorkeling gear. The other island is La Januza island (also called La Janosa) which is just a few kilometers from Mamon island.

Guyam Island in Siargao

Look at the photo below. See those two islands from afar? This photo is taken right in front of Patrick's on the Beach located in General Luna, Siargao. The two islands there are Dako island on the right (the bigger one) and Guyam island on the left (the smaller one).

From Patrick's on the Beach, you can actually rent a kayak for Php500.00 and kayak your way over there especially if it's not as wavy. In fact, when the tide gets really low, you can walk all the way to Guyam Island.

Dako Island in Siargao

After our refreshing stay on Naked Island, our boatmen brought us to the biggest island in Siargao, hence the name DAKO island. "Dako" or "Daku" is a Visayan term which means big or huge.

Dako island is not just huge. It is also lush with a vast coconut plantation and other shrubbery covering most of the island. See our video below:

Naked Island in Siargao

Naked island is one of the best white sand islands we have ever visited. As its name implies, Naked island is a small round piece of white island that is basically naked, meaning, it doesn't have any trees except for a small patch of greenery on top.

Awesome Things to See and Do in Siargao

If this is your first time to go to Siargao and you're looking for a perfect guide, well, you've come to the right place. I consider Siargao my second home and below is a list of awesome things you can do on this beautiful island off the coast of Surigao del Norte. Are you ready? Here we go...


Check-in at Patrick's on the Beach

Patrick's on the Beach located in General Luna, Siargao, Surigao del Norte. It has been recommended by my best friend's ex-boyfriend, and though he was a jerk, I believed in his judgment. Teehee.

That's me enjoying the beach in front of Patrick on the Beach. Behind me is their famous and romantic Beach Tree House.

Check-in at the more Affordable Ocean 101


For my two-week vacation here in Ocean 101, I opted for their most affordable room with its own bathroom. They call this kind of room a surfer's favorite. It's a fan room that is usually priced at Php750.00 per night but for people who are staying for at least a week, they give discounts up to 20%! So I got my room for Php600.00 per night. Awesome!

Do an Island Hopping Adventure

My last blog post was about our arrival in Siargao where Patrick's on the Beach gladly accommodated us at 50% off their regular price. Peter and I were so happy that we availed two of their exciting tour packages. The first one was the 3 ISLANDS TOUR (for Php2,500). Basically, we spent one whole day touring the three major white islands in Siargao namely: (Please click the highlighted names for more information)

Visit Naked Island