Before you go
Siargao with elderly parents: what to know
- 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.
- Time Magpupungko by the tide and go early; the walk is over uneven wet rock with little shade.
- Boat transfers involve stepping on and off a banca. Ask for a hand, wear water shoes and choose operators who supply life jackets.
- Heat and humidity are high in most months. Plan one outdoor activity a day, rest in the afternoon and drink water regularly.
- 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.
Easiest first
Places in Siargao sorted by walking effort
Easy on the legs (9)
- Cloud 9 (Places to visit · 45 minutes to 1.5 hours) — The boardwalk is flat and short, but it is exposed to sun with little shade at midday. Wet planks can be slippery and there are steps at the viewing platforms, so wear shoes with grip. Cafes and bars close by offer seats.
- Dapa port and boulevard (Places to visit · 30 minutes to an hour) — Level, paved waterfront with sea views, but limited shade and noisy at ferry times. Tricycles, vans and motorbike taxis wait at the pier, so a transfer is straightforward.
- Food Lab (Food and restaurants · 45 minutes to 1 hour) — A small, cosy place with limited seating (about 16) and no air conditioning, so it can be warm. Ask about step-free access.
- Guyam Island (Places to visit · 30 to 60 minutes as part of a tour) — The island is flat and takes about 15 minutes to walk around, but getting off the boat often means stepping into shallow water or onto sand from a bobbing banca. Ask the boatman for a hand and wear water shoes.
- Kolekbibo (Food and restaurants · 1 hour) — Beachfront outdoor seating. Expect sand and some steps; ask when you arrive. It is a trip from General Luna, so check the road and transfer time.
- Pansukian (Naked Island) (Places to visit · 30 to 45 minutes as part of a tour) — Flat sand and shallow water make it easy to walk about, but there is almost no shade and the glare is strong. The boat landing can be slippery, so ask for a hand and wear water shoes.
- Siargao Island Sports Complex (Sports · 1 to 2 hours if attending an event) — A purpose-built indoor venue with seating, which is easier than most of the island's attractions. Check access and parking for specific events.
- Vedya (Food and restaurants · 45 minutes to 1 hour) — A casual, hostel-adjacent cafe. Seating and steps vary, so ask when you arrive. Open-air spaces can be hot at midday.
- Ver De Siargao (Food and restaurants · 1 to 1.5 hours) — Mostly an outdoor, garden-style setting at a resort, so ask about steps and seating when you book. Open-air dining can be hot and humid at midday.
Some walking — plan a break (4)
- Casolian (Corregidor) Island (Places to visit · 45 to 90 minutes as part of a tour) — The hike is described as short and easy but is on open grassy slopes with no shade, and the landing may involve stepping from the boat into shallow water. Anyone with knee or balance issues can stay on the beach and enjoy the view from there.
- General Luna town (Places to visit · Base for the whole trip) — Tourism Road has traffic, motorbikes and patchy pavements, and distances between cafes add up in the heat. Staying within a short ride of the places you plan to eat at keeps it manageable, and tricycles or a hired car with a driver help.
- Magpupungko Rock Pools (Places to visit · 2 to 3 hours including the ride) — The approach is a walk on uneven rock and sand, with wet surfaces and little shade. A hat, water shoes and a steady arm help. Facilities are simple, and there is no easy way to shorten the walk, so older travellers may prefer to view from the shore.
- Surf lessons around General Luna (Sports · 2 to 3 hours including walking and changing) — Lessons are physically demanding: paddling, standing on a moving board and walking on reef shallows. Many older visitors prefer to watch from the beach or the boardwalk rather than take part. A medical check before a first lesson is sensible.
Lots of walking or steps — choose carefully (1)
- Sohoton Cove, Bucas Grande (Places to visit · Full day (about 2 to 3 hours of boat travel each way)) — A long boat ride, stepping on and off boats, cave entry on slippery rock and cliff-jumping options make this tiring for many older travellers. Anyone with balance or heart problems should skip it or choose a calmer trip.
Base yourself well
Where to stay in Siargao with parents
Catangnan and the southern coastBest for: Travellers who want beach resorts and a quieter setting within reach of General Luna
Pilar and the east coastBest for: Quiet stays and visitors focused on Magpupungko
Small decisions
Practical tips for Siargao
- Tides and boats. Magpupungko and many boat trips depend on tide and sea state. Ask your host for the tide table for Pilar and confirm the weather the evening before.
- Heat and sun. Sun is strong, especially on sandbars with no shade. Bring a hat, sunscreen, a cover-up and water.
- Reef safety. Reef cuts can become infected. Wear reef shoes, and clean and cover any wound immediately.
- Getting around. Use tricycles for short trips and vans or hired cars for longer ones. Agree fares before you ride and avoid motorbike taxis if you are unsteady.
- Money. Carry enough pesos in cash. Smaller places may not take cards, and ATMs can run out or be out of service.
- Dress and respect. Beachwear stays at the beach; cover shoulders and knees for churches and town offices. Ask before photographing people.
- Medical access and insurance. I could not verify a well-equipped hospital on the island. Buy travel insurance that covers medical evacuation and trip interruption, and carry your medicines.
- Typhoon season. The island is in the typhoon belt and Typhoon Rai hit in December 2021. Check forecasts, keep flexible tickets and have a plan for delays.
Plan the rest of your Siargao trip
Want help?
Have Siargao planned around your parents
We build the route at their pace, book the stays, and can add a companion on the ground.