Cebu to Siargao with Sunlight Air: A Complete Island Travel Experience.

By Cedric Lucero | Travel & Lifestyle

Siargao has long been known for its surf breaks, beautiful beaches, and laid-back island atmosphere. But there is so much more to experience beyond the waves. From local food and island-hopping adventures to quiet mangrove views and farm-to-table meals, the island has plenty to offer travelers looking for something different.

RP-C6388 - Sunlight Air | Sayak Airport, Siargao Island

My recent trip to Siargao with Sunlight Air and Reside Siargao gave me the chance to experience these sides of the island, starting with a flight from Cebu and continuing with local experiences that made the trip memorable.

If Siargao has been on your travel list, consider this your sign to start planning that getaway.

Flying from Cebu to Siargao with Sunlight Air

The journey began at Mactan-Cebu International Airport, where I boarded my first flight with Sunlight Air to Sayak Airport in Siargao.

Wide legroom on Sunlight Air 

One thing I appreciated about the experience was having room to settle in during the flight. Sunlight Air's boutique airline experience includes wider legroom and complimentary snacks and beverages, little details that make a difference when you are looking forward to a destination.

Before long, we arrived in Siargao, ready to explore the island.

For travelers based in Cebu, having a Cebu-to-Siargao flight option makes planning an island getaway more convenient. You can start your trip from Cebu and spend more time enjoying what Siargao has to offer.

A Relaxing Stay at Reside Siargao

Our home base for the trip was Reside Siargao in Catangnan, General Luna, near Cloud 9.

Reside Siargao

I stayed in a Studio Room with a sea view. The room had a comfortable queen-size bed, fast Wi-Fi, a television, and the essentials for a comfortable stay. It also came with refillable water bottles and a water heater, which was useful for making coffee before heading out.

Studio Room with a sea view | Reside Siargao

One of my favorite parts was the small veranda, where I could see the sea through the trees. It was a nice place to slow down after spending time around the island.

The property also had a welcoming lobby and a relaxed atmosphere that suited the pace of Siargao. After a day of exploring, it was nice to return to a comfortable space and recharge before the next adventure.

Experiencing Local Food with Lokal Lab

One of the experiences I enjoyed was the Market Tour and Kinilaw Making Class with Lokal Lab at The Hub by Lokal Lab.

We started by visiting the local market to choose fresh fish and gather ingredients for kinilaw, a Filipino dish made with raw fish cured in an acidic mixture and seasoned with local flavors.

After the market visit, we returned to The Hub to learn how to prepare our own kinilaw.

What made this experience interesting was getting involved in the process, from choosing the ingredients to preparing the dish. It offered a closer look at local food and the ingredients that play a part in everyday island life.

 Kinilaw Making Class with Lokal Lab at The Hub by Lokal Lab

For travelers who want to add more than beach stops to their itinerary, a food experience like this is worth considering.

Island-Hopping with Galatea Tours

The surrounding islands of Siargao were another highlight of the trip.

Galatea Tours | Siargao

With Galatea Tours, we visited Corregidor Island, explored the marine sanctuary, stopped at Naked Island, and continued to the mangroves in Malinao.

Corregidor Island Siargao

Each stop offered a different view of the island's natural beauty. Corregidor Island gave us a chance to enjoy the coastal scenery, while Naked Island offered wide-open views of sand and clear blue water.

Naked Island, Siargao. Photo by Cedric Lucero

The mangroves provided a quieter change of scenery. Seeing these different landscapes on a single island-hopping trip reminded me that Siargao has plenty to offer beyond its famous surf spots.

Exploring Siargao's mangrove ecosystem. Near Secret Beach, Siargao

If you are planning an island-hopping day, consider giving yourself time to enjoy each stop rather than rushing through the itinerary.

Exploring Northern Siargao with Hertz Philippines

The next adventure took us around the northern part of Siargao on a North Land Tour hosted by Hertz Philippines. 

North Land Tour hosted by Hertz Philippines

With my content creator friends from Cebu.

We traveled in brand-new vans, making it comfortable to move between stops around the island.

Million Dollar View Siargao

Our itinerary included Million Dollar View and Pasikon Beach, where we took in more of Siargao's coastal scenery.

Pasikon Beach Siargao. Shot by Cedric Lucero

We also stopped for lunch at Tropical Academy in San Isidro. The meal highlighted organic, farm-to-table food made with fresh local ingredients. It was a welcome part of the day's journey and another reminder that exploring Siargao is also about experiencing its food and local communities.

Lunch at Tropical Academy in San Isidro

We continued to Pacifico Beach before heading back to our accommodation.

After the 1-hour surfing lesson at Pacifico, Siargao

The North Land Tour gave us another perspective on Siargao, with scenic stops and experiences beyond the usual General Luna itinerary.

Coconut Plantation Viewpoint. Photo by Cedric Lucero

Siargao Is More Than a Surfing Destination

What I appreciated most about this trip was the variety of experiences.

There were the beaches and island views, but there was also the chance to learn about local food, visit different communities, enjoy a farm-to-table meal, and take in the quieter landscapes around the island.

Siargao can be a destination for surfers, but it can also be a place for travelers who want to slow down, explore nature, try local dishes, and make time for experiences they might not have expected.

You do not need to build your entire itinerary around surfing to enjoy the island. You can choose experiences that suit your interests, whether that means island-hopping, visiting local food spots, exploring the northern coast, or simply spending a little more time enjoying the views.

Planning Your Siargao Trip from Cebu

If you have been thinking about visiting Siargao, this might be the time to start planning.

You can fly from Cebu to Siargao with Sunlight Air, then arrange your stay and activities based on the kind of trip you want. Reside Siargao served as our home base, while Lokal Lab, Galatea Tours, and Hertz Philippines helped us experience different sides of the island.

The arrival of Sunlight Air at Sayak Airport in Siargao

For your next Cebu-to-Siargao getaway, you can use my Sunlight Air promo code CEDRICSUNLIGHT10 when booking eligible regular Value and Plus fares. The code offers a 10% discount, subject to applicable exclusions, including holiday and peak dates.

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Travel partners: Sunlight Air, Reside Siargao, Lokal Lab, Galatea Tours, and Hertz Philippines.

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