Surigao Del Norte offers a variety of breathtaking tourist destinations taking pride in its long stretch of white sand beaches, hidden coves and lagoons, lakes and waterfalls and rock formations that has remained unspoiled. Over the years, the province gained the reputation as the country’s surfing capital and one of the top surfing destination all over the world.
General Luna is one of the provinces’ proudest towns. Do you want to know why?
1. Surfing Capital of the Philippines
International and National Surfing Competitions are the events held yearly during the months of September and October. Surfing aficionados coming from around the world converge at General Luna, Siargao Island, Surigao Del Norte, to try their luck against the strong waves coming from the Pacific Sea.
2. Cloud 9 is one of the fastest, swiftest, trickiest, strongest and most dangerous surfing spots in the world.
3. Guyam Islet is surrounded by powdery white sand with a little cluster of coconut trees providing shelter from the elements. The islet can be reached by pumpboat in less than 10 minutes from the Poblacion.
4. Kayaking and Sailing are some of the past time of guests who probe the inlets and hidden coves.
5. Rock Island is an excellent right hand break. The swell wraps around the base of a small rock island about 1.5 kilometers off shores, located at Sta. Fe, Malimono and Suyangan barangays.
6. Daku is a wonderful island barangay adjacent to Guyam Island which is about 5 minutes pumpboat ride from the Poblacion. It is an ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing.
7. Located at Brgy. Malimoa just twenty minutes by banca south of General Luna, Pansukian Reef needs a swell of two meters or more to work and is not as intense as most waves in the area. When it is big, it has a great inside barrel section. However, one has to keep watch of strong currents.
8. La Januza Island is an island in General Luna which is a perfect getaway for traveler.
9. Located at Brgy. Suyuangan, Antokon or Magontoc Island produces a perfect-left wrap of about 180 degrees; large swells are needed before it breaks cleanly. There is also right hand break on the opposite side of Antokon Island.
10. Blue Cathedral is a newly discovered cathedral-like structure underneath the ocean. It is surrounded with flower-like plants that resemble a garden. This new discovery may yet be another tourist destination among foreign scuba diver.
Trivia: Many legends have been attached to the reason why this town had been known as Cabuntog in ancient times. Foremost is legend of huge bell in the local church that when it rings it can be heard as far as the mainland of Mindanao. Its sound allegedly summons the Muslim raiders to its shores. To protect itself against this depreciation, it was decided to get rid of the bell. They did so by dumping the same at Campujong River. Dumping is “Buntog” in the local dialect hence, the name.
How to get there
By air: From Manila, there are daily flights to Cebu. There are also daily flights direct from Manila to Surigao via PAL EXPRESS. Cebu Pacific likewise flies from Cebu to Surigao daily except on Mondays and Fridays. One can also take direct flights from Cebu to Sayak Airport in Del Carmen, Siargao Island via Cebu Pacific every Monday and Friday. There are also daily flights from Manila and Cebu to nearby Butuan City via PAL and Cebu Pacific. Butuan City is 2.5 hours by bus ride to Surigao City.
By sea: Direct voyage from Manila to Surigao are extended by WG & A and Sulpicio Lines every Tuesday and from Surigao to Manila every Thursday. Voyages from Cebu are available daily except Monday via Cokaliong Shipping Lines and Cebu Ferries. Upon reaching Surigao City, there are fast craft transfers going to Dapa in Siargao Island. Commercial and cargo inter-island vessels travel daily to various municipalities of the island via a 2-3 hours trip from Surigao City. Motorized pumpboats and non-motorized bancas also ply the water routes.
By Land: There are regular bus trips via the “RORO” ferry boat from Manila to Mindanao using Surigao City as the gateway passing through Bicol, Samar, Leyte and Tacloban. Buses, jeepney vehicles and air-conditioned shuttle vans ply the routes to the different municipalities in Siargao Island and the mainland regularly. The most popular and convenient mode of transportation within the municipalities going to far flung areas is the “Habal-habal” or the single motorcycle ride.
Hotels in General Luna, Siargao Island, Surigao Del Norte:
• Buntog Lodge & Cottages
• Cheri Nicole Beach Resort
• Drop Inn Beach Resort
• Jade Star Beach Resort
• Villa Ernesto Beach Resort