Ladies and Gentlemen, my first ever for 2016. Remember on my previous post, I've mentioned I already had plans for 2016 and Siargao is my first destination. My office mates and I finally had the time to visit our colleague currently assigned in Surigao Airport. 

Our original plan is to go to Enchanted River and Tinuy-an Falls in Surigao Del Sur which is too far if we'll fly to Surigao del Norte. Yes, we could fly to Butuan which is nearer but our colleague who is the main reason we'll go there can't come with us since she still have work on the day of our flight. So, we changed plans and decided to go to Siargao instead which is cheaper. 

We had 3 days leave from work which I'm telling you is never enough because of the time of the flight and ferry going to and from Siargao. This place is too beautiful that we are so sad we weren't able to see the more beautiful part of the island. 3 days away from work is never enough.

Our first day was the day of our flight to Surigao via PR2095 MNLSUG that departs at 1020H and the time of arrival in Surigao is around 1200NN while the last trip of the ferry from Surigao to Siargao is 12NN. 

Apparently, we can never reach the boat so our trip to Siargao was scheduled the next day. We then had our lunch in the bus terminal near the airport. It's the terminal going to Butuan and Manila. Our first day was spent resting, catching up and dinner in Pierview Blvd.

On our second day, we woke up early to catch the first trip to Siargao at 05:30AM. We can't buy ticket ahead of time so its a first come first served basis so better come early. The trip is about 2.5  to 3 hours. We reached Dapa Port in Siargao at 8:30 AM, had picture taking and waited for the tricycle driver we contacted to take us to Jing's Place where we'll stay. We reached Jing's Place at around 9:30AM.

Jing's place is a cheap home stay in Siargao which was recommended by our friend who've been to Siargao just days before our trip. Its a small but clean home stay with few rooms and surf boards everywhere that adds the island vibe to the place. We booked an overnight stay and boat for the island hopping. Jing's Place gave a room for the 6 of us for only PHP 1,400.00 and our boat for the island hopping for PHP 1,500.00 which is cheap if you'll divide it to the 6 of us.

Our island hopping was scheduled at 10:30AM. We thought the boat is just for us, but then we were informed that 5 other foreigners will join us. We still paid the whole PHP1,500.00. They said the boat is big and can accommodate up to 20 passengers. We were only 11 in the boat and we already felt jam packed. Anyways, other fees you have to pay are the entrance fees, cottage and snorkeling rentals or surfing lessons/ surf board rentals. Since we don't know how to swim and surf, we informed we'll just rent snorkeling gears for PHP100.00 which we weren't able to use anyway because they left it at Jing's Place.

jump off point for the island hopping

The island hopping is consists of three islands, Guyam Island, Naked Island and Dako Island.

Crystal Clear blue waters of Siargao

Guyam Island

It was gloomy when we arrived here. Entrance fee is PHP10.00 each and you can request for a fresh buko for PHP 30.00.

Naked Island

Naked Island from the word itself, you'll have an idea that there's nothing in here. No trees, no cottage, just pure white sand and clear water.

Dako Island

The term "dako" is a visayan word for "big" because Dako Island is the biggest of the three islands and my favorite. The clean, white sand, the coconut trees, cottages and clear blue waters. Day dreaming of this island now!

After Dako Island, the bangkeros called us to head back to the mainland not knowing that the foreigners still have to surf. We opted to stay in Dako Island but they don't allow us. We stopped in the middle of the sea, waiting until they finished surfing. We don't know how to surf and so we rented snorkeling gears which they left and then they stuck us in the middle of the sea waiting for the other guests to finish?

At the end of the day, we were all dead tired but still have to wake up very early the next day for the first trip back to Surigao. Our third day is also our flight back to Manila. You see, we only had 1 day to tour the place and it was never enough. Not to mention some unfortunate circumstances we had on our one and only day of touring the island. Nevertheless, we still had fun and feeling blessed to see yet another place us Filipinos should be proud of, Siargao Island.

xx, Joyce