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What Makes Siargao Adventurous, Without The Surf Board?

January 4, 2011 2 Comments

photos and words by Guest Blogger Jocelyn E. Morano on January 4th, 2011

A surfer’s dream destination, famous as the world’s great frontiers for surf exploration, visiting Siargao is a whole new experience for so many local and foreign tourists.

Some 5 years ago, only a few resorts mostly owned by foreigners who married locals and dwellings can be seen.

Now, resorts are sprouting everywhere to accommodate the increasing tourists, alongside with this comes with the also steadily increasing of inhabitants around the area.

What were truly worth coming back to Siargao are the beautiful white sand beaches with tempting crystal clear waters and Siargao Island prides itself with friendly people.

Siargao offers solace and tranquility perfect for those who want to escape the hassle and busy life from the metropolis.

Siargao Related: see launching the 1st Cloud 9 Night Surfing

general luna, siargao

Going to Siargao may take several hours but setting foot to the so called gem of Mindanao, everything is worthwhile.

From Manila it will take 1 and a half hour flight to reach Butuan City and three hours bus ride to Surigao City.

From Surigao City, one can choose between taking the two-hour fast craft ride to Dapa (Siargao’s main port) or by 4 hour ferry travel (RORO) from the port of Lipata to Dapa.

Once in Dapa, you’ll have a 45-minute tricycle ride to reach Siargao, General Luna for only 30 pesos per person during off season.

Surfing competition usually held in September, having a vacation during off season would be very enjoyable because there’s still plenty to do like island hopping, diving, kayaking, biking and sun bathing.

general luna, siargao

general luna, siargao

Siargao Related: see different spectacular surfing sites

It is best to experience the “three-island boat tour,” for those who prefer swimming and leisure walk by the beach.

Our first stop is the farthest island called “Naked Island” because it is a dome of sand in the middle of the lagoon, it has no vegetation, no coconut trees, no inhabitants, and one can walk around the island with so many washed up shells of different shapes and types. The local name of this sandbar is Pansukian.

general luna, siargao

general luna, siargao

Next stop would be a 15 minute boat ride towards “Daku Island”, in Visayan dialect it means ‘big’, it is ideal for picnic with fresh buko juice on the side for only 15 pesos from the locals. In December, the island is not recommended for swimming because of its big waves and deep waters. It still has a powdery-white sand and teeming with coconut trees that provides good shades.

general luna, siargao

general luna, siargao

Perfect for swimming, sunbathing and snorkeling is the beautiful “Guyam Islet” a typical uninhabited tropical island with white sandy beach and coconut trees around it. Locals also called the isle: “chill and grill”. The Guyam Island is just across the General Luna beach, that offers a vantage view of Siargao and it can be reached by pumpboat in less than 10 minutes.

guyam island, siargao

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

general luna, siargao

Luckily, one will truly enjoy a sumptuous dinner of fresh fish from local fishermen at a very cheap price. One has to wait for them near the shore adjacent to the local market.

I was told, aside from surfing, deep-sea fishing is gaining popularity amongst tourists where one can get a chance to join local fisherman for a day fishing adventure and catch bill fish, barilis (yellow fin tuna), tanguigue (Spanish mackerel) and morang (dolphin fish).

The fresh catch brought by fishermen which is in abundance all year round are the bolis (skipjack) and blue marlin.

Travel time will take you long to reach Siargao, but with its natural beauty and enticing white sand beaches, it’s worth the experience.

Indeed, Siargao, General Luna in Surigao del Norte now publicized as an alternative tourist destination to the world famous Boracay Island.

Filed Under: Siargao, Surigao del Norte, What Makes Siargao Adventurous Tagged With: caraga, daku island, general luna, guyam island, naked island, pansukian, siargao, surigao del norte

Siargao Escape – falling in love the sands of general luna

August 30, 2008 16 Comments

The series continue when going to Siargao Island as I jumped from one place to another. This time focus myself in the town of General Luna, Siargao Island, province of Surigao del Norte. It was such a lovely place for hideaway takers far from the bustle and hustle of the city.

general luna, siargao island

General Luna not only endowed with beautiful surfing sites, islands and islets, rock formations, snorkeling, diving but the beach itself. It was just an opposite character of Mabua Peeble Beach where stones ruled and became endemic. While here it is not. Just a pure powdery white sands and became a hotspot for anyone who loves the sands and the seas. The coastlines were white, an inborn gift of rising paradise in Caraga.

general luna, siargao island

general luna, siargao island

When I’m in Butuan City, if someone talks about General Luna, the thing that bolsters my mind was the pristine white sands that are stretching for miles in the coastlines, and of course this is how Siargao Island became famous (but Siargao has many beautiful spots to offer aside from the sands). General Luna is one of Siargao gifted son.

The Coastlines, Islands And The Sands

general luna, siargao island

general luna, siargao island

general luna, siargao island

general luna, siargao island

Everywhere in the shorelines of General Luna was a luscious white line that symbolize of being a white achiever in the sands that makes me fall in love with white. I can see in my naked eyes while in the beach, in front of it, was the sweet Guyam Island that is drawing near with white line. In the near distance of Guyam Island was much bigger Dako Island in which half of it was a neat white line in the right side. Closer again was the white Bikini Island, all white and nothing else, it was called in other name as naked island because it’s a pure white sands getting naked and unleashed from nowhere – almost no green thing you can see and no dark spots at all. Closer again was another hot spot, the silent Corregidor Island. The farthest was a group of islands called La Januza, and spent your time there in a far away place that have never been touched and kissed by wild vacationers. When I see the pictures of La Januza in Balanghai Hotel in Butuan City, I could not believe of what I saw. The tantalizing world of curve white beach formation, and the romantic sunset in one of the islands, will put your soul in a calm and serene place. The pictures itself speak a worry-free and stress-free human world.

Walking in a distance, I usually drained my naked feet in this pure white sand beach making them smooth rubbing and tickling, and even, dancing and jumping for a moment. Even you take it for miles, you will never feel the strain because of smoothness of powdery white sands that completely startled your feet, and the joy of making it. You will be surprise of the revelation taking some steps, it seems you are just floating in a window of heaven where you are surrounded with white things, everything is clear and clean. Your eyes became watchful but for the love of nature that surrounds you. Of course, the refreshing cool winds follow you with sweet embrace, and gaze the never ending horizon in the sea.

general luna, siargao island

general luna, siargao island

The Surfing Greats

General Luna was a home of the best international surfing site called Cloud 9. But there was another water breaks that gaining fast ground for neophyte surfers which is Dako. In the new era of surfers, you can choose of which way to go, and mark your name as the best surfer in the world. You will never forget in your life you have been part of General Luna’s priceless possession – world class surfing sites.

In times like this, you should take all the opportunities and exploits everything that may come on your way. Show how your body energize and activates your sense of being, unleash the wildest part of you, like a soul in an ageing body and feel young again (but I’m not that old, huh!). This is the way I blend with nature in my days with General Luna. When I’m come back to my birthplace, Butuan City, it is surely a missed thing to do of my entire life.

general luna, siargao island

special thanks to freida of butuanon dot org for the pix


You can reach Siargao by MV RORO for 4 hours or by super cat for 2 hours from Surigao City, and from Butuan City to Surigao City for 2 hours by bus.

Filed Under: General Luna of Siargao, Siargao Tagged With: caraga, caraga region, cloud 9, general luna, guyam island, siargao, surigao del norte

Guyam – white island can be reached by feet and hands

December 28, 2006 3 Comments

guyam white islandPristine white island facing the town of General Luna of Siargao. Guyam island is so stimulating that it can be reached with your feet and hands during low tide. You can enjoy the ride by kayaking with friends or swimming or just walking before reaching the coral white island.

If you want to shout as loud as you can…go! and you’ll feel the excitement of this paradise..like no one else have shown it before… the experience that unfolded before your eyes.

Sometimes when I saw the island, it reminds me of other beautiful, cute, white coral islands within Caraga when I traveled to Surigao del Sur like the Hagonoy Island of Bislig City and General Islands of Cantilan, to name a few, but this one so unique for being closer to the mainland that really captivates your eyes curiosity. Those crystal blue water was tantalizing, and would love to swim before those colorful fishes on the ground. So much fun!

Guyam Island is one of the island that is found in Siargao, Philippines. In front of this island is the boom sugar white sand beaches of the town of General Luna across for miles. While on the other side was Dako Island, where you can see a bigger island with a stretch of fine white line of sands. Closer from this island is the surfing site known as Cloud 9 where internationally known competition was held in September.guyam white island


guyam white island


You can reach Siargao by MV RORO for 4 hours or by super cat for 2 hours from Surigao City, and from Butuan City to Surigao City for 2 hours by bus.

Filed Under: Guyam - white island can be reached by feet and hands, Siargao Tagged With: caraga, caraga region, coral white island, general luna, guyam, guyam island, islet, siargao, surigao del norte

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