Eat
CEV/Loose Keys
Until 9pm this is CEV, which specialises in highly original ceviche and kinilaw bowls – basically marinated raw fish bits mixed with rice, seasonal…
Getty Images/Hemera
Initially drawn to Siargao (shar-gow) by good year-round waves and a tranquillity and beauty lost in other Philippine islands, a small group of passionate Aussie, American, European and now Filipino surfers are still living the good life. Even with a marked surge in development over the last several years, more hotels and flights and better roads, the island's laid-back resorts are still the norm. Besides surfers looking for the next challenge on their international wanderjahr, low-key do-it-yourself types do well here and prolong their stay by weeks. There are rock pools, mangrove swamps, twisty rivers, offshore islands with strange rock formations and wildlife, waterfalls and forests, with hammock sitting the usual coda to any day.
The port is in the main township of Dapa. On arrival you’ll probably make for one of the resorts located along the road between General Luna (known locally as GL) and ‘Cloud Nine’.
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Siargao.
Eat
Until 9pm this is CEV, which specialises in highly original ceviche and kinilaw bowls – basically marinated raw fish bits mixed with rice, seasonal…
Eat
American–Filipina–owned roadside spot in sleepy San Isidro dishing out a variety of pizzas, including Hawaiian, vegie and seafood (squid, mussels and…
Eat
Named after the famed Oaxaca surf break, Zicatela whips up Siargao's best tacos and burritos, complemented by modern Mexican mains (try the Yucatan slow…
Eat
Attached to the resort of the same name, Buddha's occupies a lovely two-storey structure where a Thai chef delights gastronomes with authentic Siamese…
Eat
Kawayan's restaurant does food inspired by French, Basque, Moroccan and Filipino cuisines (Moroccan tagine is the speciality), served in a sumptuously…
Eat
Warung's Indonesian chef serves up good-value specialities like nasi rames (dish with small portions of rice, meat and vegies), laksa (spicy noodle soup)…
Eat
To maintain the healthy vibe after hours out in the surf, try one of the delicious power bowls and smoothies at this postage-stamp-sized spot. The super…
Eat
Associated with neighbouring Sagana Beach Resort, this place sits under palm trees on a rare (for Cloud Nine) patch of sand, offering sandwiches, brownies…
Eat
Every evening the surfing herd converges to feed on skewered pork chops, chicken and beef at this modest BBQ shack about 1.5km north of GL. And then, just…
Guidebooks
Uncover the heart of travel and be inspired to see new sights with one of Lonely Planet’s in-depth, award-winning guidebooks.