Surigao del Norte

7th Siargao International Gamefishing Tournament

Posted on October 13, 2014

Besides surfing, Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte is also known for world-class game fishing.  The island of Siargao in northeastern Mindanao has long been synonymous for surfing. Along with those big waves, the Pacific Ocean also brings in big fish. Every summer, the town of Pilar – known for the Magpupungko rock formation and tidal pools – organizes an international game fishing tournament to celebrate the bounty of the ocean. Organized by One Corporate Events in collaboration with theRead More→

Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte: Bayud Beach Resort

Posted on October 12, 2014

During the 7th Siargao International Gamefishing Tournament from April 24 to 28, 2014 organized by One Corporate Grand Tours, I stayed at Bayud Beach Resort, a private enclave located along a deserted stretch of coastline at the town of General Luna. Located far away from the town center within a quiet seaside village, the resort’s location obviously has its pros and cons. While its remoteness makes it a bit inconvenient to visit town or catch public transportation, it lends toRead More→

Learn Scuba Diving at Punta Bilar Dive Center in Surigao City! [SP]

Posted on July 11, 2013

Learning to scuba dive at the house reef of Punta Bilar Dive Center in Surigao City Over the past summer, my interest in the marine world has exponentially grown, having gone snorkeling in Coron, Boracay and Apo Island. So imagine my excitement when Punta Bilar Dive Center in Surigao City offered a Scuba Diving International (SDI) Open Water Scuba Diver course to support my underwater exploration of one of the world’s most important marine biodiversity hotspots! The Philippines is locatedRead More→

Siargao Surprises: Magpupungko Tidal Flats, Pacifico Beach & Taktak Falls

Posted on January 3, 2012

Taktak Falls in Santa Monica While most travelers gravitate to the southeastern coasts of General Luna and Cloud Nine for surfing and island-hopping, northern Siargao’s rough roads lead to surprising finds: uncrowded surf breaks, turquoise tidal pools and lush waterfalls. Magpupungko Rock Chasing the December monsoon, we hired a habal-habal (motorbike) at Dapa town for a day to tour the less-visited attractions on the island. Siargao’s version of the habal-habal is fashioned with a wooden canopy, not only to shield ridersRead More→

Siargao Hotspots: Cloud Nine & General Luna

Posted on January 3, 2012

Flung out eastwards to the Pacific Ocean from peninsular Surigao del Norte, the rugged islands of Siargao turn huge swells into the best surf breaks in the archipelago.The epicenter of this surfing Mecca is Cloud Nine, a laid-back village with rocky coastline where thick, tubular waves form. First discovered by traveling surfers in the late 1980s, this surf spot was named and popularized by American photographer John S. Callahan, who first published a feature on the island in March 1993.SinceRead More→

Bucas Grande Islands: Secrets of Sohoton National Park

Posted on January 2, 2012

Boats enter the cove through a low-hanging cave. Sohoton is Visayan for “to go under”  To exit Magkukuob Cave, one has to jump off a cliff! South of the surfing Mecca of Siargao, at the Bucas Grande Islands, is a national park that’s slowly making a name in the tourist circuit for its unique seascapes. Not to be confused with the natural bridge and cave system in Samar of the same name, Sohoton National Park of Surigao del Norte consists of severalRead More→