Surigao del Sur to Surigao del Norte Travel Itinerary: A Wanderlust Guide for the Bold and Tenacious
My return to Surigao had been a blast! Aside from having the ultimate E.U.T. (Eat.Unwind.Travel) moment, I had the chance to travel solo again. I've have constantly reminded myself to do more travels in Mindanao. Now, my journey in some parts CARAGA Region (Surigao del Sur and Surigao del Norte) have come to fruition and it was AMAZING!
I have no words how to describe the 7 days of traveling all by myself in Surigao. If there is one word though its Euphoria. A sense of being aware of myself and the surrounding, responsive to any stimuli around me that it made me more susceptible to any "breaking-the-comfort-zone" adventure.
Siargao Island, 2018's Asia's Best Island and probably this years Best Island in the World (2019)
General Luna's Cloud 9 The Broadwalk
Surfing in Siargao, Jacking Horse, Cloud 9 and Malinao!
General Luna's White Beach in Malinao
Pilar's Maasin River Adventure
Coconut Plantation of Pilar
Magpupungko Rock Pools of San Isidro
Burgos' Baybay Coves
For Del Carmen's Sugba Lagoon, Siargao's Best, Island Hopping Experience; Naked, Daku, Guyam and Bucas Grande Islands, Please read my First Blog: #SiargaOrNever
Naked Island Siargao
My Travel Road Map
Manila - Butuan - Surigao del Sur - Siargao - Manila
ITINERARY
DAY 1 Hinatuan-Bislig Wet and Wild Adventure of Surigao del Sur
Day 1 Notes & Tips:
Day 2 Notes & Tips:
Day 3 Notes & Tips:
Returning to Surigao was definitely the highlight of my 2018 dubbed as "#DanFinallyFoundSurigao Escapade". It was here that I've been the craziest in my life that I wanted to relive the experience again on my birthday (2018). There were plenty of moments that were new to me. New thrill, new adventure, mishaps, and wrong decisions in every turn. But to sum it all, Thank God I'm Alive!
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I have no words how to describe the 7 days of traveling all by myself in Surigao. If there is one word though its Euphoria. A sense of being aware of myself and the surrounding, responsive to any stimuli around me that it made me more susceptible to any "breaking-the-comfort-zone" adventure.
Places to Visit: Surigao del Sur
Hinatuan's Crown Jewel: Enchanted River
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| Hinatuan Enchanted River Surigao del Sur |
City of Bislig's "Babalik-balikan" Tinuy-an Falls
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| Bislig's Little Niagra Falls, Tinuy-an Falls |
San Agustin's best kept secret: Britania Group of Islands
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| Britania's Group of Islands view from above San Agustin, Surigao del Sur |
Places to Visit: Surigao del Norte
Siargao Island, 2018's Asia's Best Island and probably this years Best Island in the World (2019)
General Luna's Cloud 9 The Broadwalk
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| General Luna's Cloud 9 The Broadwalk |
Surfing in Siargao, Jacking Horse, Cloud 9 and Malinao!
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| Malinao Skimboarding |
General Luna's White Beach in Malinao
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| Malinao Beach in General Luna, Siargao Island |
Pilar's Maasin River Adventure
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| Maasin River Spring Pool |
Coconut Plantation of Pilar
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| Pilar Coconut Plantation Viewdeck |
San Isidro's Perfect tubes
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| San Isidro's Perfect Tube! |
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| Stoked! This guy is competing in a local competition in Pacifico |
Magpupungko Rock Pools of San Isidro
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| The Ever Elusive Low Tide Rock Pools of Magpupungko |
Pacifico Lighthouse
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| San Isidro Pacifico Lighthouse |
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| Hidden Rock Pools in Burgos. High tide |
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| Roaring Coves in Burgos |
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| One of Burgos Numerous Coves |
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| Chill Vibes |
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| Baybay's Virgin Beach, Burgos |
For Del Carmen's Sugba Lagoon, Siargao's Best, Island Hopping Experience; Naked, Daku, Guyam and Bucas Grande Islands, Please read my First Blog: #SiargaOrNever
Naked Island Siargao
My Travel Road Map
Manila - Butuan - Surigao del Sur - Siargao - Manila
ITINERARY
DAY 1 Hinatuan-Bislig Wet and Wild Adventure of Surigao del Sur
| Time | Notes |
|---|---|
| 3:15 AM | Flight going to Butuan |
| 5:30 AM | Arrived at Bancasi Airport in Butuan City |
| 5:45 AM | In transit going to Hinatuan via Mangagoy. Vans are outside Bancasi Airport. 350 pesos per head. 3 - 5 hours travel time |
| 9:30 AM | Hinatuan Terminal Contact your preferred Accommodation to fetch you or you can use your maps to navigate around |
| 10:00 AM | Check in. I checked in at Marky's Hostel. |
| 10:30 AM | First stop of the Habal tour is Tinuy-an Falls, Bislig |
| 11:45 AM | Arrived at Tinuy-an Falls |
| 12:00 NN | Lunch, picture, roam around |
| 2:00 PM | Going to Enchanted River |
| 2:30 PM | Arrived at Enchanted River Hinatuan |
| 4:00 PM | You can Island hop in Enchanted Rock Island, Sibadan and Balesin |
| 5:30 PM | Going back to Marky's Hostel |
| 6:20 PM | Wash up and free time to roam around Hinatuan |
- Get the first flight going to Butuan in order to maximize this Itinerary.
- Contact your Habal Habal operator beforehand arriving in Hinatuan
- My contact is Kuya Jessie : 0910 644 3428 / 0926 838 7905
- Accommodation is Marky's Hostel : 0905 387 9319
- You customize your habal tour. You can opt to do Enchanted River with Island hopping then Tinuy An
- 500 pesos for the Island Hopping in Enchanted, 50 pesos entrance fee
- 1200 - 1500 Habal habal tour
- 50 pesos entrance fee for Tinuy-an
DAY 2 Britania Surigao del Sur, hidden gem of Surigao
| Time | Notes |
|---|---|
| 4:00 AM | Departure from Hinatuan going to Britania (PHP 180-200) |
| 6:30 AM | Arrived at Britania intersection (Van/Bus Going to Tandag |
| 6:40 AM | Hail trike going to Joanne's Beach Front Resort For Island hopping |
| 7:00 AM | Breakfast, chill at the kubo, and rent boat for the island hopping. 1200 - 1500 boat rental. Since I'm alone, kuya offered 1200 for the rental |
| 8:00 AM | Start of Island Hopping Hagonoy Island Naked Island Boslon Island Hiyur-hiyuran Island |
| 12:00 NN | Lunch at Boslon Island |
| 1:00 PM | Back at Joanne's Beach Resort Rest and Wash up |
| 2:00 PM | Ride Bus/Van going to Butuan City |
| 6:00 PM | Arrived at Butuan City Dinner |
| 8:30 PM | Head over to Butuan Integrated Bus Terminal Ride Van/Bus going to Surigao City |
| 11:00 PM | If you take the van, it will only take 2 hours Bus will likely take it 3 - 4 hours Arriving at the terminal, you can opt to go to the port and wait for the first boat voyage around 4 AM Be there before that time as you need to purchase tickets |
- Be early and catch the first trip going to Tandag (Van or Bus). 100 pesos per head Fare
- 1200 - 1500 boat rental fee
- Contact Kuya Jovy of Joanne's Beach Resort beforehand to fetch you at the intersection
- Kuya Jovy/Dodong contact number: 0949 8169104
- Joanne's Beach Resort number: 0910 644 3428
- Just in case you wanted to modify the Day 2 itinerary, you can leave at the latest 6:30 PM in Britannia going back to Butuan City and drop off at Ampayon or in the Integrated Bus terminal.
- 180-200 bus fare from Britania to Ampayon via Butuan
- 226 bus fare from Ampayon to Surigao City
- 20 per head trike going to Surigao port
- 150 per head non aircon ferry fare
- 250 per head air-con ferry fare going to Dapa port (Siargao)
DAY 3 Siargao dubbed as the Best Island in Asia 2018
| Time | Notes |
|---|---|
| 3:00 AM | Arrival at Surigao Port |
| 4:15 AM | Ferry ride going to Dapa Port in Siargao Island You can choose to ride the RORO (cheaper but slower) or ride Fast craft (faster but pricey) 4:15 AM for RORO Montenegro 5:00 AM for Fast Craft JP Lines |
| 6:50 AM | Arrived at Dapa Port Hail tricycle going to your Accommodation. 150 - 250 fare. |
| 8:00 AM | Breakfast at your preferred kainan, but I always eat at the Karinderia near the church. Cheap and you'll feel full! |
| 9:00 AM | Chill / Rent Motor and do the Land tour (DIY Style) Kuya Mark Motor Rentals - 0945 3864 082 - 300 pesos per day rental |
| 10:00 AM | Maasin River in Barangay Maasin famous for the Coconut Dive spot |
| 11:00 AM | Head over to Magpupungko Rock Pools |
| 12:00 NN | Lunch and sight seeing or swimming at Magpupungko |
| 1:30 PM | Head to Pacifico chill and watch some surfers shred some waves |
| 2:40 PM | Just a little north of pacifico, expore the infinite coves and some other rock pools only locals get to enjoy. There are plenty of virgin coves in Baybay Beach in Burgos |
| 4:00 PM | Go back to Pacifico and make your way to the Light house for the sunset viewing. One of the best spots on the island to see the sunset |
| 6:00 PM | Head back to General Luna or to your accommodation. First night, I stayed at Viento del Mar (perfect as night life on Fridays are set in this hotel). I stayed at the dormitory costing me 700-800 per night. |
Day 3 Notes & Tips:
- I suggest riding the fast craft (JP Lines) so you can get to Siargao and start your tour in haste.
- Book your accommodation ahead before going to Siargao. Most of the accommodations there would be fully booked or hard to go to.
- I suggest Patrick's on the Beach, Kermit and Point 303 Resort.
- Contact the motor for rent while going to your accommodation so they could drop off the bikes. No ID needed as they will ask your accommodation for verification.
- You can contact Kuya Bebot for any Tours you may need on the Island
- Kuya Bebot, Siargao’s Best - 0930 974 9974 / 0906 459 5679
On your Day 4 and 5, you can do the island hopping (Naked Island, Daku Island, Guyam Island, Sohoton) and the Sugba Lagoon - Magpupungko Tour again then surfing at Cloud 9 either early in the morning or before sunset.
You can read more of my 2017 Siargao adventure here : A journey to my sanity: How Siargao Island turned me Crazy.
My return flight to Manila is via Siargao Airport (Cebu Pacific). Take note of the weight of your luggages as they are very strict with the limits. You might incur additional cost like me a whopping 1000 pesos for 15 KG additional baggage.
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