CARAGA Northeastern Mindanao –Siargao (Day 1): Tra-Abel Enroute

Siargao Island is known to many as the surfing capital of the Philippines with a worldwide reputation for its “Cloud 9” waves perfect for surfing competitions.  So why the hell did I go there? To Surf-plang (surfing na may kasamang semplang)? Ahhmm, at first, YES, I want to try it but when I saw how big the waves were, I got scared! (There was a low pressure area (LPA) when I went there, so maybe next time. LOL)

How to get there

Montenegro Fast Craft!

Fast crafts and ferry boats are the most frequent and most affordable means to get there. Here are the trip schedules:

Vessel/Carrier	Departure Time	Fare/Fare Range	Remarks
RORO Montenegro
From Surigao to Dapa Port	6:00AM & 12:00 Noon	250	Air-conditioned & Fastcraft
From Dapa Port to Surigao	6:00AM & 12:00 Noon	250	Comfortable and free seating
Fortune Angel
From Surigao to Dapa Port	5:45AM & 11:45 AM	200 Econo A, 220 Econo B & 250 Aircon	Never tried this before
From Dapa Port to Surigao	5:45AM & 11:45 AM	200 Econo A, 220 Econo B & 250 Aircon
MV LQP
From Surigao to Dapa Port	5:30 AM	200-300	Never tried this before
From Dapa Port to Surigao	10:00 AM	200-300
Dapa Express
From Surigao to Dapa Port	5:30 AM	200-300	Never tried this before
From Dapa Port to Surigao	10:00 AM	200-300
If you are boarding through the Eva Macapagal Terminal there is an additional Php10.00 terminal fee.

Source: http://www.surigaoislands.com/fastcraft.html

I originally planned to board the 5:30AM scheduled trip but was not able to catch it on time. So I went for the 12:00 noon trip with RORO Montenegro and was happy with my choice. The tickets are available at Eva M. Macapagal Passenger Terminal, where the ticket booths of different vessels are located. (See picture below)

Book your tickets now!

The trip to Dapa Port, Siargao Island took us 2.5 to 3 hours.  A table from Siargao Island Tourism Office is situated at the exit of Dapa Port ready to assist tourist. Since it was my first time at Siargao, I have no idea where to get a trike that will take me to my reserved accommodation at Ocean 101 Beach Resort. It was really a big help that the Ate from the Tourism Office accompanied me to the Terminal and bargained in my behalf. Because of her, I was also able to avoid the horde of touts outside the port offering transport services to General Luna and Cloud 9.

The trike from Dapa Port to General Luna cost me Php 30.00 and from there I hired a habal-habal / single motorcycle to my reserved accommodation at Ocean 101 that cost me Php 20.00. If you are in a group, you can ask the trike driver to drop you directly to your accommodation at an agreed price. (Note that the agreed price should not be higher than 100 per person, reasonable price from Dapa Port would be around 60 to 70 pesos)

Click this link for the review on Ocean 101 Beach Resort.

Upon checking in at Ocean 101, we went back to General Luna Boulevard to catch the sunset and buy food for our planned Island Hopping Tour the next day. General Luna boast of a bewitching 27 kilometer stretch of sugar fine white beaches, stunningly sapphire seas and natural coral barriers which keeps the inlet water placid - a perfect destination for surfers and sun-worshippers (source: amazing siargao website).

General Luna Boardwalk (?)

There are also plenty of restaurants along General Luna Boulevard where you can find tourist and locals sharing stories about their surfing escapades. We ate on an eatery near the elementary school (I forgot the name), the food was fresh and very affordable. My dinner consisting of grilled pusit, quarter chicken BBQ and 2 rice cost me Php110.00 pesos only.

General Luna Boulevard

The strong winds from the Pacific Ocean was relaxing and therapeutic. It was as if all your problems and worries in life are taken away by the wind. The fine sand along General Luna beach felt nice specially when you walk on it barefooted. The crystal clear water was vibrant at the same time warm, perfect to soak your tired feet from the tiring trip.

General Luna Beach (Life's a beach!)

After staying a bit, we  went back to Ocean 101 to arrange our Island Hopping tour the next day.