Siargao, Philippines Escape

First of all, I just want to say "WOW", this place has to be one of my new favourites! I CANNOT WAIT TO BRING YOU HERE. We have found a pretty amazing place where we will have the surf at our doorstep and we are working with a retreat that supports and contributes to the local community.

I made the decision to visit Siargao for 4 days as I was in Singapore for the month of October. I was able to score flights for $300 return, so thought I'd better do some research and take the opportunity before we bring 2 retreats here in 2025.

I have fallen in love with this place and cannot wait to spend more time here.

It has this untouched vibe, but it is still full of life.

The wave selections, the food, the beaches, the sites and honestly the local people. Filipinopeople are just the best! They are so beautiful, polite, welcoming, so much fun and they also have sass. Meaning I like how you can tell they won't take shit from people. Something I will explain further down in the blog. But most importantly as a solo female traveler, I always felt safe in Siargao.

As I sit at the airport waiting to board the plane, I thought I'd share with you some things you should know before coming on the retreat with us to the Philippines.

GETTING TO SIARGAO

Your International flight will either be to Manila, Cebu or Clark airport.

From there you will need to catch a connecting flight to Siargao, Sayak Airport (IAO)

Once you arrive it is a 45minute drive to our retreat.

CURRENCY

Okay this is a must know!

You need to ensure you have Peso cash with you before coming to Siargao.

• You need to pay 30 Philippine Peso when entering

($1 AUD) and it must be cash.

The other reason you need to ensure you have Peso cash is that being a small island, they don't always accept cards and there aren't heaps of ATMs and sometimes the ATMs can run out of money (which happened on my trip).

Also I didn't see any currency converters or banks on my trip. The exchange rate I got before arriving was way better then ATM rates there.

How much money should you bring?

Well it depends on what you would like to do outside of the retreat.

AUD Rates guidance below:

Food is around $10 per main meal, drinks are similar.

Tuk Tuks into town are $2-5

Half day / full day tours range from $100 including entry fees

Massages $20 for an hour ( I also tipped $10 after)

Extra Surfs around $60

Drone $100-300

Scooter Rental $10 a day

Entry fees to beaches and some islands $2

Another thing to note - When you do get your money exchanged make sure you request for it in 100, 500 peso rather then the 1000 peso bill. I found some of the smaller operators (tuk tuks, boats) didn't have change, so I sometimes ended up paying more.

Things that are a must pack

• Reef Shoes. Not for surfing, but for walking from the resort into the boat. I learnt the hardway LOL

• Zinc

• Sunscreen

• Waterbottle

• Surfboard Wax

• Hat

• Adaptor to suit Philippines

  
  

I packed super light for 4 days, 8kg to be exact and it turned out to be perfect amount.

The place is super chill and super hot.

The Clothing item that are a must to pack on our retreat, everything else is up to you <3

• Swimwear

• Activewear

How to get around outside of your retreat activities

• TukTuk Drivers

• Hire a scooter. Please check your insurances and always wear a helmet.

I have never rode a scooter overseas until I went to the Philippines, it is not crazy like Bali and I never felt unsafe. I also cruised around and felt this was my favourite way to check out Siargao.

Where is our Retreat

Located in Siargao, we are a 10 minute walk to the main bridge that enters general Luna or a 10minute ride into General Luna. 10 minute drive to cloud 9.

Surf Breaks

So many to choose from. What I loved was that infront of our retreat we can see 3 of them and there are like 6 more infront of us close by the boat.

The waves we are surfing are all reef breaks. Please remember that we will be doing onland training and coaches will be taking beginners to the mellow shoulder of the waves.

So don't panic if you are new to surfing

Want to get more surfs in?

Surf lessons go for 2 hours but if you are craving more, I have some great contacts I can share with you once we are there.

And I also recommend if you are up for it, trying out cloud 9 if it's working. This place is known for its famous surf break. It reminded me of hawaii and there is wave breaks for beginners - advanced surfers

Should I bring my own surfboard?

The retreat does have hard boards for us to use.

However, if you have a particular board you want to surf with, you could.

Just be sure to look into the cost of travel with airlines $$.

Make sure you also pack straps for the vans if your board is over 7ft.

If you are particular on your style of board/ sizing, maybe check with me first and I will check with Retreat :)

Things to do outside of the retreat

Organise when you are there, it's easy as resort helps

Island hopping

Check out the night markets on the bridge

Check out Cloud 9

(We have a few tours organised to show Siargao too)

Surf Skate Lessons

Massages & Spa treatments

If you have more time up your sleeve

I highly recommend staying longer, come before or stay after.

There is so much to see in the Philippines.

• Palawan Island Hopping (Port Barton, El Nido, Coron)

• Waterfalls in Moalbohl, Cebu

• Diving with Whale Sharks in Malapascua

• 5 hr Adventure package - Nancy Allen Canyoneering, Cebu

Other things you might like to know

• Majority of Filipinos are Catholics

• Karaoke is a thing here

• There aren't to many street dogs compared to places like Lombok and get looked after by locals if they aren't pets

• Sun comes up at 5am and goes down by 6pm

• You will have spots where you need to pay entry fees. I seen someone super rude trying to say beaches are free and trying to refuse paying $2. I know none of our sisters are like this, but just a reminder that we are visitors at this place. Outside of the retreat is so cheap and they are trying to make a living too.

• Want to learn some of the local language. I always use Duolingo

Honestly I am so excited to bring you here Sisters!

If you have anything you would like to add or questions reach out or comment below.

Love Angie xx

P.S

Retreat 30th Aug 2025 (2 spots left)

Retreat 6th Sep 2025 (Sold out)