Traveler Information in Siargao

• By air: the island’s airport is Sayak (IAO) in Del Carmen, about 45 minutes from General Luna. There are flights from Cebu and Clark. From Manila, check with the airlines whether there’s a direct flight or a connection via Cebu.
• By ferry: an overnight ferry runs from Cebu to Surigao, and from Surigao a fast boat takes about 1.5 hours to Dapa on Siargao.
• From the airport to General Luna: shared vans wait outside the terminal.

Prices in Philippine pesos, with approximate US dollars in brackets. Updated September 2026.

It’s warm year-round (28–33°C during the day), and the sea stays at 27–29°C. The relatively dry months are May–September, and the wettest are November–February. The big-wave season starts in September and runs into November–December, with October considered the most reliable month for surfing. Peak tourist season is March–May.

Tropical storms are possible in most months between June and February, and sources disagree on the peak. In December 2021, Typhoon Rai (Odette) hit the island. Check the forecast before you fly.

Rain and temperature: PAGASA (the Philippine weather service) 1991–2020 averages for the Surigao station.

• Currency: Philippine peso (PHP).
• ATMs: there are few on the island, and they’re sometimes empty or out of order. Withdrawing with a foreign card usually costs about ₱250, so check the fee on screen. Bring enough cash.
• Cards: accepted mainly at hotels and larger restaurants. Most small businesses are cash-only, and small bills (20, 50, 100 pesos) help day to day.

• At the Chabad House you pay in cash. Shabbat registration can be paid by card on the website.

Get a local Globe or Smart SIM. You’ll need your passport to register it. For example, a ₱100 Globe package gives 8GB for a week. Coverage in General Luna is decent; in remote areas it can be weak.

• Electricity: 220V, plug types A, B and C. Bring an adapter. Power outages happen, so a charged power bank is worth having.
• Tap water: not for drinking. Buy bottled or filtered water.

Israeli citizens can enter the Philippines visa-free for up to 59 days (most other nationalities get 30 days). Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your planned stay, and you need to complete the free online eTravel registration within the 72 hours before landing. For extensions, the Bureau of Immigration has an office in General Luna (Purok 1, Poblacion).

• National emergency number: 911.
• Recommended clinics in General Luna: Raya Clinic and Metrodocs, good for injuries and basic medical issues.
• Hospital: Siargao Island Medical Center in Dapa, about 30–40 minutes away, with an emergency room.
• Water safety: most surf spots break over sharp reef. Wear water shoes, and don’t paddle into waves beyond your level.

All emergency numbers, embassy details and what to do if you lose your passport are on the emergency page. Parents? We’ve put together information for you too.

Need help, or just a homely atmosphere? Chabad House Siargao is here for you. Phone and WhatsApp: +63 961 184 5396.

Our Address: בית חב״ד שירגאו פיליפינים | Chabad Siargao Jewish center
Chabad House is located in Santa Fe, General Luna
We're right across from the neighborhood school.

By tricycle: tell the driver "Chabad Siargao", everyone knows it. From General Luna the daytime fare is no more than 200 pesos.

In an emergency? Here are the key numbers and steps. You can always contact Chabad House too: +63 961 184 5396.

We do not have a 24-hour phone line. In an emergency we try to accompany you and to talk with the local police, who know us and help where they can. The more relevant information you bring us, the more we can help.

Local numbers change from time to time. If there's no answer, call 911.

• Siargao Island Medical Center (formerly Siargao District Hospital): the island's hospital, in Dapa, about 30–40 minutes from General Luna. It has an emergency room.
• Metrodocs: a clinic in General Luna, good for injuries and basic medical issues.
• Raya Clinic: a clinic in General Luna.

• Address: 10th Floor, Avecshares Center, 1132 University Parkway, North Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
• Phone: +63 2 8883 9500
• Emergency line (emergencies only): +63 962 587 7661
• Email: info@manila.mfa.gov.il
• Visiting hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00–12:00. Closed on Jewish and local holidays.
• Website: embassies.gov.il/philippines

1. File a police report (call 911 or go to the General Luna station) and get it in writing.
2. Contact your embassy (for Israelis, the embassy in Manila; use the emergency line if it's urgent) and ask what you need for a replacement document.
3. Once you have a new passport, the Philippine Bureau of Immigration transfers your entry stamp from the lost passport to the new one.
4. We're here to help at every step. Reach out to Chabad House.

The Bureau of Immigration has an office in General Luna, at Purok 1, Poblacion. It also handles extensions of stay.

• Most surf spots, like Cloud 9, break over sharp reef and suit experienced surfers. Beginners should surf only with an instructor and at suitable spots.
• At Magpupungko Rock Pools and on rocky beaches, wear water shoes: there are sharp rocks and sea urchins.
• Pacifico Beach has a strong sideways current. Swim with care.
• On a scooter, wear a helmet and ride carefully, especially at night and in the rain.