Experience the best of Siargao

Siargao lies in the Philippine Sea, off the north-eastern tip of Mindanao. It is a teardrop-shaped island covered in coconut palms, with white beaches, mangrove forest and limestone lagoons. General Luna, the surf town on the south-east coast, faces Cloud 9, a powerful reef break that has hosted international surfing competitions and made the island famous with surfers, and Dapa is the main ferry port.

Sugba Lagoon is a turquoise lagoon reached by boat through mangrove channels, and the Magpupungko Rock Pools, tidal pools on a rocky platform at Pilar, fill and empty with the sea. Island-hopping trips go to Naked Island, Daku Island and Guyam Island, small sandbars and palm-fringed islets off General Luna. Further out, Bucas Grande has the caves and lagoons of Sohoton Cove.

Kinilaw, raw fish cured in vinegar and calamansi, grilled tuna and dishes cooked in coconut milk are the staples of the island, with fresh coconut water drunk straight from the shell. Most days are warm and breezy, and the big swells arrive between August and November.