Siargao Island Philippines
In an ever shrinking world those that seek adventure whether diving, hang gliding, base jumping or surfing, become very hard pressed to satisfy a need to push frontiers & take their chosen sport to it’s limits. Where is the thrill and achievement in driving upto your chosen surf beach, unpacking your board, strolling 20 mtrs across the sand & then riding the first wave that comes along…? Just like the 10,000 surfers before you !
This then is the alure & attraction of surfing the Cloud 9 break at Siargao Island in the Philippines. A world renowned surf break hidden away on one of the 7,107 islands that make up the Philippines. Where gigantic Pacific swells roll in over powder white sand beaches, fringed with coconut palms. Are you starting to get the picture…?
This surfing paradise is located approx 800 kilometers southeast of Manila and has adventure written all over it, but there is a price to be paid before you can earn you bragging rights in the bar back home. You see to get to Siargao from Manila or Cebu can be a bit of a chore, from Manila you would more than likely fly into either Surigao City or Butuan City (if the weather is bad). If you end up at Butuan you then need a 2.5hr bus journey to Surigao, with humidity often in the 80’s, this can soon begin to test the metal of the less adventurous surfer. On the other hand if time is not a problem, then you may fly into Cebu & take the over night ferry to Surigao, this at least can offer the chance of a little much needed shut eye.
On arrival Surigao Airport or the coach terminal, you will then take a 15-minute jeepney ride to the pier to take a two-hour ferry ride to Dapa (Siargao’s main port town). If you miss the the 5:30 am ferry schedule, then you’ll have no choice but to wait for the 2pm one. If you do have to hang around for any length of time, then call in at the Tavern Hotel where you can sit outside, enjoy a nice cool beer & maybe a little breakfast whilst gazing longingly at the sea which is only 25mtrs away.
Once in Siargao, you’ll have another 45-minute jeepney ride to reach the town of General Luna, where the famous Cloud 9 is. If you thought Siargao was only for surfers, then think again. During the off season there’s still plenty to do like Island Hopping, Diving, Kayaking, Game Fishing and more.
Siargao Island: A Surfing Paradise
The unspoiled island of Siargao is a dream come true for adventurers and nature lovers. It is the surfing capital of the Philippines. Siargao is now one of the world’s great frontiers for surf exploration. Its most popular break is “Cloud Nine” although there are now many other surf spots scattered around the island, especially along the east coast facing the Pacific. Surfing is best from July to November when strong waves are in constant motion. The powerful wave-off “Cloud 9″ has been hailed as one of the world’s five toughest breaks and has been frequently compared to the famous surf of Hawaii and Australia.
Siargao’s “Cloud Nine”, a powerful hollow right hander, featured in “Surf Magazine” as one of the ten best waves in the world. East of Siargao Islands lies the Philippine Deep that rises from over 34,000 ft to a belt of reefs. This Oceanic trench is the reason for the excellent surf in Siargao; because it is so deep and the continental shelf narrow, the waves break with juice straight out of deep water and focus the wave energy straight at the beach. This area is set to become Asia’s next hot surfing destination and is truly one of the worlds’ last great frontiers for surf exploration.
