It seems like the Siargao curse has finally caught up with me after more than a year of visiting it, and I found myself on this small island in Southeastern Philippines again, this time exploring the lesser-known beaches and hidden gems of North Siargao.
This spontaneous trip was a bit of a surprise since I believed that I hadn’t caught this so-called curse. Yet with the past months dry and empty of any beach trip, it made me thirsty for a laid-back, tropical atmosphere—something only Siargao’s surfing town could offer, even in the middle of the country’s monsoon season.
Blending work and vacation and finally embarking on my long-time desire to travel solo and work remotely from an island, I made this craving a perfect excuse to fulfill two long-time dreams and seek peace and refuge amidst a personally turbulent period.
Check out my guide to visiting Siargao for the first time and how I remotely worked on the island!
Table of Contents
- How to Fly to Siargao from Clark
- Best Time to Visit Siargao
- North Siargao Tours for Solo Travelers
- North Siargao Tourist Spots
- North Siargao Travel Tips
How to Fly to Siargao from Clark
After Ninoy Aquino International Airport‘s (NAIA) decongestion move last March 2025, most flights utilizing turboprop planes were moved from Manila airport to the nearby Clark International Airport in the province of Pampanga. This included flights going to the small islands like Coron, Boracay, and Siargao.
As of writing, only Philippine Airlines operating under PAL Express is the only one left servicing the direct Manila-Siargao route in NAIA.
As a budget traveler, I skipped the hefty direct flight to Siargao offered by Philippine Airlines and booked with Sunlight Air for my second visit. Interestingly, despite booking only two weeks before the scheduled departure, I was able to score round-trip flight tickets to Siargao coming from Clark Airport for only ₱8,109.19.
Apparently, the catch in this option is the need to travel out of the city to reach Angeles, Pampanga, which is, nonetheless, easy and seamless with the available direct point-to-point (P2P) premium buses from NAIA Terminal 3. Just head to column A13 in the Arrival Area and you’ll easily spot the air-conditioned buses offered by Genesis Transport, which will head to Clark International Airport. Point-to-point buses are also available in Trinoma for those coming from the northern part of Metro Manila.
For NAIA Terminal 3 to Clark Airport, the bus fare costs ₱450, while the Trinoma ones cost ₱310.
Book your Manila to Siargao transport here!
Best Time to Visit Siargao
Due to its easternmost location on the map, the best time to visit Siargao is, ironically, during the monsoon season in the rest of the Philippines, which typically occurs from August to November.
Contrary to the other regions of the country, these months have generally sunny weather with a few periods of rain in some parts of the day. This is also the best time to go, as aside from receiving good weather and the best waves of the year, Siargao’s annual fiesta celebration in September and International Surf Cup are held during this period. Hence, expect the island to be livelier than usual when visiting one of these months.
In this recent trip to the island, I was able to catch the central town of General Luna preparing for the fiesta a week before its start. Nonetheless, I wasn’t able to join in the actual celebration as I flew out of the island right before the festival started. But this anticipated event is characterized by the unique Filipino culture of homes serving a handful of sumptuous meals during the entire duration of the fiesta that locals–and even tourists–go house-to-house to celebrate and eat with Siargaonons.
As a rule of thumb, try to avoid going to the island during its rainy season, which runs from December to February, when it is reported to be raining daily in Siargao.
North Siargao Tours for Solo Travelers
Having visited the island’s famous and must-see destinations in my first trip, such as Sugba Lagoon, Maasin River, and the islands of Daku, Naked, and Guyam, it made sense for me to go beyond the basics and explore the island further north, where some of Siargao’s best-kept land attractions are located.
Nonetheless, because of the fact that I cannot drive a scooter, I was traveling alone, and join-in tours going to this part of the island are non-existent, I was faced with the obstacle of finding a way to achieve this goal. Fortunately, after a few days of spending time on the island and talking to locals and other solo travelers, I was able to make this trip possible.
By tuk-tuk
One option to explore North Siargao is by hiring a tuk-tuk and a driver who is also trained to conduct tours for ₱2500 per day. If you’re traveling alone, you can further reduce this to ₱2000. However, take note that this service is only inclusive of the tuk-tuk rental and the driver/tour guide’s rate. Other expenses such as entrance fees, tips, and your guide’s meal are excluded from this final price.
Contrary to my expectations, looking for a tuk-tuk driver conducting North Siargao tours became quite a bit tricky as I realized that not all drivers are offering this service and mostly provide the popular Land and Tri-Island Hopping tours instead.
Nonetheless, after a chance encounter while going to Cloud 9, I stumbled upon Kuya Sam, who was also coincidentally doing North Siargao tours. You can contact him through his mobile number at 09544651508, and check out the other tours that he offers:
By scooter
Yes, I know I just mentioned that I cannot drive a scooter, but it’s also possible to explore North Siargao by hiring a driver/tour guide and just being a back-ride passenger.
Apparently, services like this exist on the island and are also one of the best ways to explore Siargao the local way, allowing for more control over your time in each destination. The only catch in this option, though, is that you don’t have any roof to shield you from the sun and rain; hence, expect to be either sunburnt or drenched or both at the end of the day.
I was able to learn about this service through another solo traveler who gave me the contact, and after sending Jet an inquiry about my planned North Siargao tour, the reservation was seamless, and I was set to go the following day.
The tour rate starts at ₱1,199, with a down payment of ₱300 required upon availing via GCash or bank transfer. The remaining balance will be settled upon return from the trip. Another ₱300 is added too for farther North Siargao destinations, including Alegria Beach, Hagukan Cove, and Taktak Falls.
Similar to a tuk-tuk, this service is only inclusive of the vehicle and the driver/tour guide’s rate. Other expenses, such as entrance fees, tips, and meals, are excluded from the price.
For this trip, and since guests can also modify the itinerary according to their preference, we rounded up the following destinations as part of the plan.
- Pacifico Beach
- Pasikon Beach
- Little Hawaii
- Secret Mountain View
- Alegria Beach
Somyot Cove was also originally part of the itinerary, but since I found its entrance fee of ₱400 expensive, added by the environmental fee of ₱20, I decided to skip it.
The famous Taktak Falls was also part of the plan, but since we were running out of time for the day and I didn’t find the tourist spot worth the trip, I also decided to cancel the visit to it. Nonetheless, for travelers keen to see, an entrance fee of ₱50 is required.
Aside from North Siargao Tour, Jet also offers package rates for exploring South Siargao, North and South Land Tours, Tri-Island Hopping, Sohoton Cove, and Sugba Lagoon tours.
North Siargao Tourist Spots
From the famous Pacifico and Alegria Beach to roadside hidden spots that you might miss in one wrong look, here are some of the best places to visit when touring North Siargao.
Quick Stop: Coconut Road
Before anything else, and since I wasn’t able to go to it during my first trip, we made a quick stop at the iconic Coconut Road as we made our way to our first destination to have a photo op and officially seal my Siargao visit.
An iconic Siargao tourist spot located in the municipality of Pilar, this free-access public attraction is found in the middle of the road, boasting a picturesque tropical scenery with a line of towering coconut trees that border the national highway.
According to my guide, the spot that he had taken me to was an alternative since the original Coconut Road featured in Google Search and Pinterest was destroyed after the island’s devastation by Super Typhoon Odette (internationally known as Typhoon Rai) in December 2022. Nevertheless, despite this fact and with the handful of coconut trees found in Siargao, this replacement still provided the same ambience as to its iconic photos on the internet.
Pasikon Beach
After more or less an hour of travel from General Luna, I found myself getting off the scooter and paying the ₱80 entrance fee to Pasikon Beach, which was the first stop in my North Siargao itinerary.
A destination that I wasn’t fully aware of its beauty, I was certainly charmed and enchanted by the beach’s quiet tropical scenery, which boasts a white-sand shore bordered by rock formations and a shallow natural pool filled with clear turquoise waters and a small number of marine life. At the farther end is the sight of waves crashing, completing the ambient surroundings of the place.
Out of all of the places that I visited in North Siargao, Pasikon Beach is my favorite because, despite its alluring natural beauty, it’s amusing and surprising to think that it is still outside of the radar of most tourists in Siargao. Its serenity and absence of any crowd make it feel like you’re visiting a real hidden gem on the island, which makes one hope that it retains its peaceful atmosphere in the coming years if ever it gains traction and popularity.
Little Hawaii
A roadside attraction that you would miss if you’re not familiar with it, Little Hawaii in the municipality of Burgos is another social media favorite among tourists.
Located at an elevated, curving point on the national highway, this tourist spot is known for its picturesque overlook of the nearby bay, reminiscent of the scenery of its inspiration in Hawaii.
Nonetheless, according to my guide, this location is actually not the original Little Hawaii referred to before, which is located instead a couple of meters away from its more popular version. On Google Maps, you can see this as Burgos Coastline Viewpoint, which, as its name implies, boasts a coastal view of the nearby bay.
There’s not much activity to do in both areas aside from photo ops and sightseeing, but personally, and despite this fact, it’s still a good place to drop by quickly if you want to seal your North Siargao trip.
Since it is also located in a public area, there are no admission fees to the place. Nonetheless, ensure to be careful and mindful of passing vehicles when taking pictures at the center of the road to avoid accidents.
Secret Mountain Viewpoint
Another destination that also feels like a hidden gem, Secret Mountain Viewpoint is located just beside the national highway where Little Hawaii is found.
Sitting at the top of the hill overlooking the nearby bay, a 10-minute hike is required to reach the viewing deck, where an entrance fee of ₱50 will be charged to visiting tourists. From here, one can take in the scenic 180-degree view of the nearby coast and the highway that sits beside it.
Compared to Little Hawaii, I personally prefer the views here in Secret Mountain Viewpoint, as it gives you a wider POV of the surrounding lush scenery. During my visit, I was also the only tourist in the area, so I got the chance to have the place to myself and enjoy its quiet and relaxing atmosphere. Nonetheless, for elder visitors and people with disability, the place may not be the ideal spot to be as the trail going to the top is rocky and requires some physical endurance.
Alegria Beach
One of the most popular attractions in North Siargao, Alegria Beach is located at the northernmost part of Siargao Island in the municipality of Santa Monica.
Known for its peaceful white-sand shore, off-the-grid tropical ambience, and clear blue waters, the beach has become a favorite of both locals and tourists to chill, relax, and swim in the area. There are also a handful of cottages that border the shore available for rent.
During my visit, this is also the place where my guide and I grabbed our lunch for the day and tried Platil’s Beach Resort Food House‘s Chicken Inasal (₱200).
Probably because of its popularity and the built hype around it, I expected a bit more from my experience at Alegria Beach.
Ticking the peaceful ambience and less-crowded scenery boxes, I was also looking for a view similar to that of the pristine beaches found in Palawan, such as turquoise waters, which I didn’t get to see in the place’s seaweed-filled shore. I was also not lured into swimming in its waters, which were warm at the time of my visit. However, if beach-bumming is your idea of fun, Alegria Beach will fit the bill.
Upon approaching the beach, one will have to pay a ₱10 fee by the road leading to it and another ₱20 when arriving at the beach proper.
Pacifico Beach
Capping off my North Siargao tour is another popular destination in the region, known as a better alternative surfing spot to the more popular Cloud 9.
Located in the municipality of Burgos, Pacifico Beach offers bigger waves, preferred by most surfers in the island, and boasts a rock-free shore favored by beginners learning how to surf. Its fine white sand beach also makes for a good spot to lounge, swim, and even watch people who are catching waves in its waters.
Since I was on my period during the time of my visit, I wasn’t able to surf and experience the beach’s waves. But for those interested, there are a handful of surfing instructors and board rental stores available in the area. Most of the time, too, tour guides also have a contact person on the beach whom they will also introduce to you for your surfing needs.
The best time to go to Pacifico Beach is in the afternoon when it is high tide and the waves are better. Expect to pay a ₱20 environmental fee and another ₱20 for the entrance to the beach.
North Siargao Travel Tips
- Mobile signal is very weak in this part of the island, so expect to fully disconnect from social media and be more present and connected with nature during your trip.
- Ensure to bring an ample amount of cash when visiting the region for seamless access and transactions to the different tourist spots and various dining establishments.
- When looking for a local-favorite dining spot to try in North Siargao, Lebron James and Dwayne Wade Restaurant near Pacifico Beach is a popular choice serving carinderia meals.
- If doing a day trip, ensure to travel back to General Luna or back to your accommodation before sunset, as most of the roads on the island don’t have lamp posts to illuminate your way in the dark.
- If traveling by scooter, ensure to pack a poncho or raincoat with you to protect yourself from the island’s passing rains.
- If you want to fully experience the region’s off-the-grid tropical ambience, various accommodations are also available in popular areas like Pacifico and Alegria Beach, where visitors can stay.
Marking my first and real solo travel experience, I’m still quite amused to look back at my visit to North Siargao because, despite not having a concrete plan of how to do it initially and the knowledge of driving a scooter, I was still able to fulfill my desire to explore the region via my preferred mode of transport, which I think is the best way to fully experience the island life.
Furthermore, this made me fully realize that solo traveling doesn’t necessarily always mean doing things alone, as socializing with locals and other solo travelers is a good way, not just to make acquaintances, but also to gain knowledge and information you aren’t aware of yet.
Will I be doing more solo travels in the future after this? Definitely, and even I, myself, am stoked to see where my feet will take me next.
Ready to explore North Siargao? How do you plan to explore it? Let me know in the comments below, and I might help you answer some of your questions regarding this part of Siargao.
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