Key hubs
Siargao airport and railway station
- Airport
- Sayak Airport (IAO) in Del Carmen, the island's only airport. Wikipedia lists Cebgo to Cebu, Clark and Davao; PAL Express to Cebu; Sunlight Air to Cebu and Clark. Wikivoyage puts it about 45 minutes from the Cloud 9 area
- Railway station
- None. There are no passenger trains on Siargao or Mindanao's Surigao coast; use flights, ferries and road
- Getting around
- Tricycles, vans and hired motorbikes; boats for the outer islands. Agree fares before you ride
How to reach Siargao by air
Sayak Airport (IAO) in Del Carmen is the island's only airport. Wikipedia lists Cebgo to Cebu, Clark and Davao, PAL Express to Cebu and Sunlight Air to Cebu and Clark; Wikivoyage also lists Manila flights. I could not verify direct flights from India, so plan on connecting via Manila or Cebu. Wikivoyage puts the airport about 45 minutes from the Cloud 9 area; allow for traffic.
How to reach Siargao by train
There is no railway on Siargao, so there is no station. The nearest mainland gateway is Surigao City, reached by flight or road in Mindanao, then by ferry to Dapa.
How to reach Siargao by road
Roads link the main towns, including General Luna, Dapa, Pilar and Del Carmen. Wikipedia places General Luna about 16 km east of Dapa and 74 km from Surigao City by the municipality listing. Ferries from Surigao City to Dapa take roughly 2 to 4 hours depending on the vessel, per Wikivoyage, which dates its details to 2016; check current schedules.
Getting around Siargao
Tricycles, vans and motorbike taxis wait at Dapa pier and the airport. Motorbikes are the usual way to get around but not ideal for older travellers. Outer islands such as Guyam and Naked Island are reached by outrigger banca. Agree fares and timings before you set off.
For parents and senior travellers
Easy transfers to and in Siargao
- Choose a base in General Luna so that food and tour desks are a short ride away, and arrange airport and port transfers in advance.
- Boat transfers involve stepping on and off a banca. Ask for a hand, wear water shoes and choose operators who supply life jackets.
- Medical facilities on the island are limited as far as I could verify. Carry your regular medicines and a prescription, and buy travel insurance that covers medical evacuation.
- Avoid motorbike taxis if you are unsteady; a hired car with a driver or a tricycle is safer on uneven roads.
- Ask the airline or railway for wheelchair or porter assistance when you book, not on the day.
- Pre-book the pickup from the airport or station, so nobody has to negotiate with drivers after a long journey.
- Choose arrivals in daylight where you can, and keep the first afternoon free to rest.