Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Magpupungko Beach
P50, but this isn't always enforced; Fri night beach parties P20 • Minivans from GL should cost P1500-2500 (1hr); it's a long and bumpy
ride by motorcycle (P700 for two passengers)
Travelling 35km north of GL, mostly via dirt road, brings you to
PILAR
, a village of
traditional wooden stilt houses on the edge of the mangroves. It's best known for
Magpupungko Beach
, 2km further north, the site of regular Friday night beach
parties. The sandy beach is one of the island's best, but the highlight is the giant
natural swimming pool (basically a huge rockpool) that forms to the far left of
the beach at low tide. The water is beautifully clear and inviting - assuming the
weather cooperates.
Sohoton Cove
Bucas Grande • P100, plus P1000 boat fee/group • Bangkas from Siargao charge around P10,000 for an all-day trip (up to ten passengers),
or you can join a group trip for around P2500/person
The enticing island of
Bucas Grande
lies between Siargao and Mindanao proper, with
mushroom-shaped limestone rocks sprouting from its shimmering waters.
Sohoton
Cove
, an entrancing inland lagoon on the east side of the island, is the top excursion
from Siargao - you'll need the best part of a day to do it justice. The best time to visit is
between March and July, when the weather and waves are calmest.
Once at the cove you'll have to sign in and get a short briefing about the site; you
then transfer into another boat that will take you through the cave entrance into the
lagoon, a cavernous space hemmed in by soaring vine-smothered cliffs and home to
giant non-stinging jellyfish. It's a phenomenal sight and worth the expense, assuming
the weather is good. here are several other caves here that your
banquero
should be
able to guide you to with no extra charge: if you can hold your breath for long
enough (unless it's low tide when there is a small gap), you can swim through a short
tunnel into
Hagukan Cave
where there are bats, strange fish, stalactites, rock oysters
and wild orchids.
ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION
8
SIARGAO ISLAND
By plane
Cebu Pacific has one daily flight from Cebu to
Siargao (1hr). The tiny airport is in the barangay of Sayak
on the west coast; minivans will run to GL and Cloud 9 for
P300-400/person or P1500-1800/vehicle - check with
your accommodation in advance about pick-ups. Habal-
habals (motorbikes) charge P500.
By bus
Surigao is connected to Butuan (see p.415) by
regular buses (2hr), where there are onward connections
to Cagayan de Oro and Davao.
By boat
The only other way to reach Siargao is by ferry
from Surigao (where you must also pay a P20 terminal fee
to board the boats). From here you have a choice of slower
ferries (3hr-3hr 30min) or faster outriggers (2hr 30min);
the latter can be bumpy in rough weather. Montenegro car
ferries (
W
montenegrolines.com.ph) depart daily from the
Eva M. Macapagal Passenger Terminal on the harbourfront
in Surigao. MV Lines'
Fortune Angel
ferry also has one
service daily in either direction. Of the bangkas, MV Lines
daily
LOP
service is the biggest and safest. All boats leave
Surigao for Dapa on Siargao in the morning so it's best
to arrive in town early or accept you'll spend a night in
the city.
Services
There is an ATM in Dapa (although it doesn't
accept all foreign cards), and several places accept credit
cards;
Patrick's
(see opposite) will advance cash. There's
internet access in Dapa, GL and Cloud 9 (P30/hr); wi-fi is
also increasingly common.
GETTING AROUND
By habal-habal
Your choices for getting around the
island are fairly limited. Most locals use the habal-habal
drivers, good for up to two people and light luggage. Rates
are fixed: Dapa to Cloud 9 is P200, while Dapa to GL is P150.
Rides between GL and Cloud 9 should be P15. Drivers will
take you to Magpupungko for P700 return or the Tak-Tak
Falls near Burgos for P1000 return.
Motorbike rental
If you intend to do a lot of roaming
around, ask your accommodation about renting a motor-
cycle (P500/day).
Tricycles and minivans
Tricycles will charge at least
P30/person (P150/vehicle) between Dapa and GL, but
sometimes ask for a lot more (it depends on how much
commission they are expecting from your hotel). Minivans
charge P300/person or P1500-1800 to the airport - other
trips will be charged according to time and distance.
