Planning a Siargao trip but not sure how to structure your days? We've created four sample itineraries to help you make the most of your island adventure. Whether you have a quick 3-day weekend, a full week to explore, or specific needs like family-friendly activities or adrenaline-pumping adventures, these day-by-day plans will guide you. All itineraries are designed around Del Carmen as your base - the most strategic location for exploring both the untouched north coast and the famous attractions of General Luna.
Jump to Your Itinerary
- Quick Escape (2-3 Days) - Perfect for weekend trips
- Balanced Stay (5-7 Days) - The full Siargao experience
- Family-Friendly (Any Duration) - Safe activities for kids
- Adventure Seeker (5-7 Days) - Action-packed itinerary
Itinerary 1: Quick Escape (2-3 Days)
Best For: Weekend travelers, short layovers, first-timers with limited time
Day 1: Arrival & Settle In
- Morning/Afternoon: Arrive at Siargao Airport (IAO)
- Transfer: 5-minute ride to Mariden Resort (free pickup for direct bookings, or ₱200 tricycle)
- Check in and freshen up
Late Afternoon Options:
- Option A: Relax by the pool and recover from travel
- Option B: Quick visit to Mangrove Boardwalk (10 min away, free entry)
Evening: Dinner at a local carinderia near the resort (₱100-150)
Day 1 Estimated Cost: ₱300-500 (excluding accommodation)
Day 2: Sugba Lagoon Adventure
- 7:00 AM: Light breakfast at resort
- 8:00 AM: Depart for Sugba Lagoon tour (30-45 min boat ride)
- 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM: Swimming, diving platform, paddleboard/kayak
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at the lagoon (included in some tours, or ₱200-300)
- 3:00 PM: Return to Del Carmen
- 4:00 PM: Rest at resort, pool time
- 6:00 PM: Sunset drinks
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at resort or nearby restaurant
Day 2 Estimated Cost: ₱1,800-2,500 (tour ₱1,500-2,000 + food)
Day 3: North Exploration & Departure
Option A (Morning Flight):
- 6:00 AM - Breakfast
- 7:00 AM - Airport transfer (5 min)
- Depart Siargao
Option B (Afternoon/Evening Flight):
- 7:00 AM - Early breakfast
- 8:00 AM - Maasin Coconut Plantation & River (30 min away) OR Magpupungko Rock Pools (if low tide timing works)
- 12:00 PM - Return, lunch, pack up
- 2:00 PM - Airport transfer
Day 3 Estimated Cost: ₱500-1,000 (depending on activities)
3-Day Trip Budget Summary
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range |
|---|---|---|
| Activities & Food | ₱2,600-4,000 | ₱4,000-6,000 |
| Accommodation (2 nights) | ₱3,000-4,000 | ₱4,000-6,000 |
| Total Trip | ₱5,600-8,000 ($100-145 USD) |
₱8,000-12,000 ($145-220 USD) |
Itinerary 2: Balanced Stay (5-7 Days)
Best For: Typical tourists wanting the "full Siargao experience"
Day 1: Arrival & Del Carmen Base
- Arrive at Siargao Airport, transfer to Mariden Resort (5 min)
- Afternoon: Pool & rest, recover from travel
- Evening: Explore Del Carmen town, local dinner
Day 2: Sugba Lagoon Day Trip
- Full day Sugba Lagoon tour
- Swimming, kayaking, cliff jumping from the diving platform
- Return late afternoon
Day 3: East Coast Adventure
- Morning: Magpupungko Rock Pools (check tide schedule!)
- Lunch: Pilar town
- Afternoon: Pacifico Beach (surf or swim)
- Return to Del Carmen
Day 4: General Luna Day Trip
- Rent motorbike (₱400-500/day) or hire habal-habal
- Morning: Explore GL, breakfast at tourist cafe
- Midday: Cloud 9 boardwalk, watch surfers
- Afternoon: Surf lesson (optional, ₱500-800/hr)
- Evening: GL nightlife OR return to Del Carmen
Day 5: Island Hopping (Tri-Island Tour)
- Book through GL tour operators
- Visit Naked Island, Daku Island, Guyam Island
- Full day tour (₱1,500-2,000/person)
- Return to Del Carmen evening
Day 6: Nature & Relaxation
- Morning: Taktak Falls hike
- Afternoon: Maasin Coconut Plantation & River (photos!)
- Evening: Pool, pack, final dinner
Day 7: Departure
- Morning activity if time permits (e.g., Mangrove Boardwalk)
- Airport transfer (5 min from Del Carmen)
7-Day Trip Budget Summary
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range |
|---|---|---|
| Activities, Food & Transport | ₱8,000-12,000 | ₱15,000-20,000 |
| Accommodation (6 nights) | ₱9,000-12,000 | ₱12,000-18,000 |
| Total Trip | ₱17,000-24,000 ($300-435 USD) |
₱27,000-38,000 ($490-690 USD) |
Itinerary 3: Family-Friendly (Any Duration)
Best For: Families with children, cautious travelers
Family-Friendly Principles
- ☑️ Calm, shallow water activities
- ☑️ Short travel distances
- ☑️ Flexible timing (nap time!)
- ☑️ Kid-friendly food options
- ☑️ Avoid rough surf/deep water
Recommended Activities for Families
Best for Families:
- ✅ Mariden Resort Pool - Safe, supervised, no currents
- ✅ Mangrove Boardwalk - Easy walk, educational, shaded
- ✅ Alegria Beach - Calm, shallow, local families swim here
- ✅ Maasin River - Calm water, rope swing, shallow areas
- ✅ Sugba Lagoon - Calm lagoon, life jackets provided
With Caution:
- ⚠️ Magpupungko - Only during very low tide, watch kids closely
- ⚠️ Taktak Falls - Trail can be slippery, falls are shallow
Avoid with Young Kids:
- ❌ Cloud 9/Surfing - Strong currents
- ❌ Tri-Island Tour - Long boat ride, sun exposure
- ❌ Secret Beach - Rocky access
Sample 5-Day Family Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival + Pool Day - Settle in, let kids adjust, pool time, early dinner
- Day 2: Mangrove & Beach - Morning at Mangrove Boardwalk (1-2 hours), afternoon at Alegria Beach (calm, shallow)
- Day 3: Sugba Lagoon - Family-friendly tour, bring snacks and sun protection. Kids love the diving platform!
- Day 4: Flex Day - Pool morning, Maasin River afternoon (rope swing!)
- Day 5: Departure - Easy morning, breakfast, airport (5 min transfer)
Family Budget Considerations
- Mariden Family Room: ₱3,500-4,500/night (fits 4)
- Kid-friendly food widely available
- Most attractions have reduced rates for children
- Bring: Reef shoes, rash guards, snacks, sunscreen
Itinerary 4: Adventure Seeker (5-7 Days)
Best For: Active travelers, surfers, thrill-seekers
Adventure Activities Checklist
- ☐ Surfing at Cloud 9
- ☐ Surfing at Pacifico Beach (Big Wish break)
- ☐ Cliff jumping at Sugba Lagoon
- ☐ Cliff jumping at Magpupungko
- ☐ Rope swing at Maasin River
- ☐ Waterfall trek at Taktak Falls
- ☐ Motorbike island loop
- ☐ Island hopping (Tri-Island Tour)
- ☐ Sohoton Cave exploration
- ☐ Stand-up paddleboarding
Sample 7-Day Adventure Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival + Sunset Surf
- Arrive, rent motorbike (₱400-500/day)
- Afternoon: Quick ride to GL, sunset surf session
- Return to Del Carmen
Day 2: Full Surf Day
- 6:00 AM: Dawn patrol at Cloud 9
- Breakfast in GL
- Midday rest
- 3:00 PM: Afternoon session
- GL dinner & nightlife
Day 3: East Coast Exploration
- Magpupungko Rock Pools (cliff jumping!)
- Pacifico Beach (surf the Big Wish break)
- Sunset ride back
Day 4: Sugba Lagoon + Caves
- Sugba Lagoon tour with cliff jumping
- Add Sohoton Cove if time (cave exploration)
Day 5: Waterfall & River
- Morning: Taktak Falls trek
- Afternoon: Maasin River (rope swing, photos)
- Evening: Rest & recovery
Day 6: Island Hopping
- Tri-Island Tour
- Beach games, snorkeling
- GL evening
Day 7: Final Adventure + Departure
- Sunrise surf or motorbike ride
- Pack up, airport
Adventure Budget Summary
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Motorbike rental (6 days) | ₱2,400-3,000 |
| Surf board rental (per session) | ₱300-500 |
| Sugba Lagoon tour | ₱1,500-2,000 |
| Tri-Island tour | ₱1,500-2,000 |
| Food & misc (7 days) | ₱7,000-10,000 |
| Accommodation (6 nights) | ₱9,000-15,000 |
| Total Trip | ₱25,000-40,000 ($450-725 USD) |
📍 Your Strategic Siargao Base
All our itineraries recommend starting in Del Carmen - and Mariden Resort is the perfect home base:
- 5 minutes from airport — Start your trip stress-free
- 5 minutes from Sugba Lagoon port — Be first on the water
- Closer to north coast attractions — Magpupungko, Pacifico, Taktak Falls
- 30-40% cheaper than General Luna — Stretch your budget further
- Pool, WiFi, family rooms — All the comforts you need
Frequently Asked Questions
We recommend 5-7 days for the full Siargao experience. This allows time for Sugba Lagoon, island hopping, Magpupungko Rock Pools, surfing, and relaxation. If you're short on time, 3 days is enough for highlights like Sugba Lagoon and one major activity.
Start with 2-3 days in Del Carmen (near the airport) to visit Sugba Lagoon, Mangrove Boardwalk, and Magpupungko. Then spend 2-3 days in General Luna for surfing, island hopping, and nightlife. Return to Del Carmen for easy airport access on departure day.
Yes! Del Carmen is particularly family-friendly with calm attractions like Sugba Lagoon, Mangrove Boardwalk, Alegria Beach, and Maasin River. Avoid Cloud 9 surfing (strong currents) and rocky beaches. Stay at resorts with pools for safe swimming.
Budget travelers can spend ₱700-1,200/day ($12-22 USD). Mid-range travelers should expect ₱2,000-3,500/day ($36-63 USD). A comfortable 7-day trip costs ₱22,000-35,000 total ($400-630 USD) including accommodation, food, activities, and transport. See our Budget Guide for detailed breakdowns.
Del Carmen is ideal for families, nature lovers, and those wanting peace and lower prices (30-40% cheaper). General Luna suits surfers and party-goers. Many visitors split their stay between both areas to experience everything Siargao offers. Read our Del Carmen vs General Luna guide for a detailed comparison.
Related Guides
Plan Your Trip:
- Siargao Budget Guide - Complete cost breakdowns
- Best Time to Visit - Weather and seasonal planning
- Del Carmen vs General Luna - Choosing your base
- Siargao Airport Guide - Arrivals and transfers
- Transportation Guide - Getting around the island
Top Attractions:
- Sugba Lagoon - Premium boat tour
- Magpupungko Rock Pools - Tidal pools
- Tri-Island Tour - Island hopping
- Sohoton Cove - Cave exploration