siargao — Caraga rising paradise

Caraga ‘Oh my God’ Photo – Naked Island, General Luna, Siargao

September 21, 2011 Leave a Comment

Living in an exquisite place that is far away from modern world like living in a place where Adam and Eve exist. We called such place paradise that was never been touched and exploited. Adventurers who have gone witness the beauty of Naked Island of General Luna, Siargao, province of Surigao del Norte a priceless one growing into stardom. This cannot be denying a home grown gift of Mother Nature to Caraga Region becoming a hot property.

The beach of Naked Island of General Luna was luscious white when someone witness the powdery white sands surrounded the clear blue water from the ocean. How will a drifter imagined drifting in an island that was white and less colors combined, added treasures were group of migrating birds from the sky landed the soft sand Naked Island of General Luna.

The paradise seems to offer human kindness when landed your feet in a cotton-like character forms a sweet tingling when walking. This is just one quality of naked coral island that is too small to abuse and explore but interesting. Your priceless destination dictates the human nature that opportunity is rare as you discovered the beauty of nature.

The Naked Island of General Luna shows that she is not alone in the middle of the sea. The neighboring group of tempting islands like the lush green land with white coastlines in a distance calling it Dako Island. Sensing another paradise closer was a cute neat white line with coconut trees called Guyam Island. In the distance was another adventure calling for Corregidor Island. Standing the Naked Island of General Luna seems you have everything before the curious naked eye.

In front witness the mainland attraction in the town of General Luna is a long stretch of white sand beach going to the surfing capital of the Philippines called Cloud 9.

This is how Mother Nature takes place Caraga as favorite haven to all creatures in the world. Living from the edge of the world away from modern civilization untouched and untamed by human conduct.

naked island, general luna, siargao — Credit: Department of Tourism Caraga

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Surfing Siargao – the scenic goes even at summer for different breaks

February 15, 2009 1 Comment

Surfing Siargao will never cease even at summer. That’s how the beauty of Siargao. If you can’t surf the Cloud 9 then goes for another surfing breaks. Discover the whole breaks in Siargao…until it breaks you.

Be prepared when you go for the action. If you are beginner choose the area that is suit for you, or else go to Tuason Left.

Nevertheless, if you are skilled have some more fun and adventures jump to Barangay Pacifico.

For unisex adventures and good for beginners when small go to Jacking Horse.

Stimpies is a good for left hander, perfect tropical surf.

Rock Island is best for right hander with so much fun.

My friend told me that Dako waves also started gaining ground for neophytes. Yes, possibilities are endless. You can even find out there are other secret breaks that awaits you. Just make a magnificent tour around Siargao and became a breaks discoverer if not a surfer.

When I went to Siargao, of course the famed Cloud 9, I felt so lucky seeing giant waves forming for the first time before my eyes. A lot of Australian surfers getting in with their surfboards and wetsuits make them a pro. The Caraganon are also making big in this field of sports when drawn into competition. Yes, because it is an inborn gift for Caraganon having surfing sites in Caraga.

I have seen surfers with their wetsuits, and it makes my thumbs up. Unfortunately, we don’t have a complete store for surfing equipments unlike the demand for park city ski rentals for snow player, or the professionally sound deer valley ski rentals for winter spree. It is the best treat for online reservations when dealing with the best equipments. I hope we can do the best surfing online for Caraga in regards to surfboards, wetsuits, and other surfing accessories then after that you can jump the surfing water in Siargao.

I dreamed of myself becoming a surfer. When you go to this kind of sports activities, your body drained not just for physical but the excitement when flying above the level of water. The clear blue water splashes you in the midst when you can not make it. And there is nothing else except when you made it you’ll become a star…and healthy…and slimmer.

And when you retire in the late afternoon or even at 6:00 pm, you retire clean and physically sound as well, and have a nice sleep. A true value when you go into surfing.

There are a lot of important things when you go into surfing, and one important thing is that you go with natures. Natures are your best friend this time. Not just the beauty of horizons, the islands, mountains, white sand beaches in Siargao but you played with nature by expressing yourself through surfing. Nevertheless, you can compete yourself happily with natures as well.

I remember the best surfing online for beaver creek ski rentals for snow player, can we have it here for Caraga for water breaks. Gee, I’m dreaming this time for another surfing activity.

Anyway, I am proud I was born in Caraga – a region of never ending adventures. Wish all your luck here!

Photos and infos courtesy from cloud9surf.com

Scenes from Magpupongko – the future 7 wonders of the world

September 17, 2008 19 Comments

You should not be an alien to your own native land. But when I went to Magpupongko I became alienated. This is the place I have never been before. But now it became part of my life. Maybe, this is one way of championing the best of Caraga.

Of course, you will never forget the amazing Agusan del Norte, and the island adventures Surigao City. And now, the wonder of Magpupongko.

When I set my eyes to this place, I was so amaze with the natural beauty that scattered anywhere along the way.

Magpupongko was located at the town of Pilar – recently, the fishing capital of the Philippines, Siargao Island, province of Surigao del Norte. Magpupongko from the native word “pongko” which means to “sit down.” That’s the reason the place got its name because of the presence of giant rock sitting in a another rock, like this one

Or else, when I gave my shot far from it, I thought my friend is running away from the falling stone, or just give way to the falling rain. That’s it.

This is one of the beauties of Magpupongko. But it does not end here. You have to take for miles to witness different rock formations, emerges of different pools, the waves coming from the deepest ocean, the sands, and the islands. These will be your hotspots of the day.

What you see is what you believe – Magpupongko is a haven of pools – amaze me so much with its clear jade water after rushing in from the sea during high tide. When low tide comes in, different pools emerge along the coastline where you can choose which pools you want to suit your taste, and submerge!

It will set you for a long walk seeing different pools in the seaside, you will never get tired even for a hundred miles.

For family gathering, or for everybody, and counting.

For romantic lovers in a little cove for privacy – have the best pick of your own.

During high tide, pools have been nowhere, but still you can do the gymnastic dive. Be sure you are in the pools, or else, in the rock.

The magnificent giant waves from the deepest of the ocean are part of it. Witness how it formed before your eyes. Surfers are not allowed here. Warning, it’s deep, and smashing you in the bed rock along that line. Go ahead to General Luna’s Cloud 9.

Walking through the miles it will captivates you how rocks and fine white sands meeting in one place with lots of pools, and then in front of it the smashing of giant waves from the deep of the ocean.

If you are here, then let me know how you feel when natures became your friends here. Well, let me say in one word – Paradise!

special thanks to freida of butuanon dot org for some of the pix

You can reach Magpupongko from Dapa for 1 hour after reachingSiargao 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.