The allure of Siargao is that there’s something for everybody. Typically, advanced surfers head up north to Pacifico for world-class waves, while beginners train at Jacking Horse and Little Pony. If it’s your first time on the island, try out the land tours through the coconut palm viewpoint, or venture out to the Magpupungko Rock Pools or Sugba Lagoon.

A must for even regular visitors is the tri-island hopping tour through Naked, Daku, and Guyam Islands for P1,000 a day. Or maybe head out a bit farther for some hiking in Corregidor and the white sand beaches of Mam-on. As for food and drink, you’ll never run out of options along General Luna—from Cev’s famous kinilaw to the out-of-this-world degustation at Roots, and so much more.

You can eat, surf, have a wellness trip, and at night, head to a party. But what if you’ve had your fill of sand, ocean water, and acai bowls? Siargao’s island scene is packed with things to do when you want to take a break from the beach.

So if you’re looking to experience the island from a fresh angle, here’s a guide to Siargao’s alternative side, from creative to active, and restorative activities.

Creative and craft workshops

Silversmithing, Siargao-style

For the creatives, you can craft your very own wearable island memory in the beginners’ silversmithing workshops at Siargao Craft Studio. A teacher walks you step-by-step through measuring, soldering, hammering, and polishing custom solid silver mixed with white gold into rings or necklaces.

Spin some clay

Siargao Craft Studio also offers pottery to slow down and get tactile, both with air-drying clay and wheel-throwing. These ceramic classes let you shape your own rustic cups, bowls, or decorative keepsakes. The workshops are held in the restaurant Wild, so you can grab a delicious tipple and nibble after your classes.

Cook, weave, and give back

Keep an eye out for Lokal Lab’s experience tours. Siargao’s grassroots NGO aims to create sustainable futures for the island, immersed in the local community. Aside from regenerative farming initiatives, working with weaving communities, and more, the social enterprise hosts feel-good workshops, like weaving, kinilaw-making, and vegetarian cooking classes at Tropical Academy, and more.

Get your heart rate up

Pickleball in paradise

Siargao is not exempt from the pickleball craze, and you’ll find a range of courts on the island, as well as a close-knit community. Smash Sports features three covered courts along Malipaya, on the way to Malinao, while G Court offers outdoor hard courts for open play events.

Meanwhile, Siargao Pickleball Park is located in General Luna beside Primefit Gym and C9 Skatepark.

Padel with the community

If you prefer padel over pickleball, Padel & Palms has the cutest pink courts that often host social games, lessons, kids’ programs, and the occasional tournament. Connected to it is a charming bamboo cafe, its famed rock climbing gym, and a dance studio where you can take ballet or even pole.

Take the scenic rock climbing route

When you want a solid full-body workout out of the direct sun, check out these two bouldering walls. At Siargao Climbing in Padel & Palms, you can scale a traditional dry wall above the country’s first pool climbing wall—then fall straight into the water to cool off. How cool is that?

Meanwhile, Tropeak Climbing is also a popular spot with an expansive bouldering gym and on-site wood sauna and ice bath.

Wake up and wakeboard

Tucked into a quiet, palm-fringed lake in Consuelo, Siargao Wakepark features a two-tower cable system. Beginners can get personalized coaching, while seasoned riders can hit the kickers and rails.

Paintball under the palms

For high-energy group activities, suit up for paintball and strategize a tactical jungle battle at Coconut Combat. Good for cloudy days or friendly competition, they also serve food and drinks, and occasionally hold neon night raves.

Surf the concrete

Instead of ocean swells, carve up land waves and session the famous concrete bowl at Bravo Beach Resort in General Luna. Or, cruise over to the community skate park in Salvacion.

See Also

The spiritual core of community

The road less beachy

Get lost in the mangroves

Escape the crowded tourist spots with an eco-friendly wooden boat trip through the tranquil mangrove channels surrounding Maragati House in Del Carmen. You’ll glide through clear, mirror-like waterways teeming with coastal birds and marine life. You can also arrange sunset drinks or private dinners in the beautiful old home.

Spelunk in a cave

Channel your inner adventurer at Tayangban Cave Pool. Guided tours lead you wading through a dark, freshwater subterranean cave system filled with bats and stalactites before emerging into an open cenote for a high jump. Not for the faint of heart.

Find the fireflies

After dark, take a night boat tour through the Del Carmen mangroves with operators like Maricel Tour Services. As you paddle, float under a pitch-black sky while thousands of fireflies illuminate the mangrove trees in an experience that feels downright magical.

Slow down for real

Yoga in the many shalas

While there is a wide range of activities on the island now, much of it started with yoga. There are almost too many studios to list.

But good spaces to get breathwork and movement in are Bodhi Yoga Center—overlooking the rice fields just along General Luna— alongside the open-air shalas of Prana Yoga and Buddha Wellness. And while Happiness Siargao is known as a nightlife hub, they also offer yoga sessions.

Suffer for wellness in cold plunges and saunas

Cold plunges and saunas have taken the island by storm lately. Tap into athletic recovery and mental clarity by trying ice baths at everyone’s go-to, Mujo. Or you can do ice bath and sauna contrast therapy sessions at Tawhay Fitness. One contrast therapy space you can’t miss is the newly opened Valhalla, which has a gorgeous multi-level sauna overlooking vast green fields.

You’ve earned a massage

What better place to get a massage than at the beach? There are no shortages of spas on the island. Isla Natura gives quality, affordable massages, while Siargao Island Villas offer a range of massages at their Sarong Spa. Vultun Spa is also one of the most highly rated on the island for its hilot.