THE PHILIPPINES’ SURFING CAPITAL SIARGAO REOPENS
3 min read
The Philippines’ surfing capital Siargao reopens today November 23, 2020. Located in the northern east coast of Mindanao, Siargao is known for its world-class white sand beaches, natural rock formations, cave pools and wild water surf sites. Siargao is also nominated as the Asia’s leading island destination for 2020 in the upcoming World Travel Awards on November 27, 2020.
The Department of Toursm (DOT) is in full support of the island’s reopening. According to the DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, “This is encouraging news for everyone who loves the sea, especially the surfers. As Siargao reopens to travelers, subject to minimum health and safety standards, the people of the island will regain their livelihood and share their paradise to our kababayans once more with the same level of hospitality they have always been known for”.
“This is encouraging news for everyone who loves the sea, especially the surfers. As Siargao reopens to travelers, subject to minimum health and safety standards, the people of the island will regain their livelihood and share their paradise to our kababayans once more with the same level of hospitality they have always been known for”
Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM (DOT) SECRETARY
As the Philippines’ surfing capital Siargao reopens, the Local Government Unit of Siargao has set minimum health and safety standards to curb COVID-19. This is in compliance with Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) directives. Hence, all hotels and resorts are required to:
- Get accreditation and a certificate of Authority to Operate (CAO) from the DOT
- Business Permit
- E-Health System Registration
- E-Health Pass or QR Code Reader
- New normal Protocols approved by the Municipal Health Office.
List of requirements to enter Siargao
| Requirements | Tourists arriving via Surigao/Sayak Airport | Tourists from the Province of Surigao Del Norte |
| E-Health Pass | Yes | Yes |
| Valid D | Yes | Yes |
| Negative RT-PCR Test Result taken within 48 hours from point of origin* | Yes | No |
| Five-day confirmed booking from an accommodation establishment with CAO or Provisional CAO | Yes | Yes |
| Round-trip ticket/travel details | Yes | No |
| Certificate from Barangay Captain that traveler is not a close contact | No | Yes |
Note that curfew is enforced from 11:00PM to 4:00AM.
My quick visit to Siargao in 2018
When I visited the island two years ago, I intended it to be a solo travel adventure. Coincidentally, my best buddy Jeff, who I have known more than half of my life, flew all the way from Paris to Siargao for a quick visit. He told me to meet me in Siargao. The last time I met him was more than a decade ago. So, without any travel itineraries and pre-booked tours, we rented our own bikes and explored the island for three and a half days.
Aside from surfing, you can do a lot of other activities when you visit Siargao. Below are the places of interests we went to:
- Cloud 9 in General Luna
- Taktak Falls in Santa Monica
- Magpupungko Rock Pools in Pilar
- Naked Island
- Daco Island
Watch my vlog when my best buddy and I visited Siargao in 2018:
Because it was a short visit, I was not able to explore other spots on Siargao like Guyam Island, Corregidor Island, Sugba Lagoon and a lot more. I surmise that to maximize Siargao, I should stay at least five days. I plan to return soon.
