What to do and see in Surigao City, Philippines: The Best Places and Tips

December 26, 2017 Trinity Boughner

Surigao City, (Tagalog pronunciation: [surɪ'gaʊ]), officially the City of Surigao, (Filipino: Lungsod ng Surigao; Surigaonon: Siyudad nan Surigao; Cebuano: Dakbayan sa Surigao; Spanish: Ciudad de Surigao), is a 3rd class city and capital of the province of Surigao del Norte, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 154,137 people.
Restaurants in Surigao City

1. Mabua Pebble Beach

Surigao del Norte, Surigao City, Mindanao, Philippines
Excellent
37%
Good
48%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 61 reviews

Mabua Pebble Beach

Reviewed By Dan Michael F

Just attended a wedding in the northern parts of Surigao, we had a chance to stroll for a moment as we had a vehicle. Aside from the commercialized beach popular in the internet, we visited this place and found ourselves fine and relax. A beautiful clean and clear ocean and this natural pebble beach. The wind is good and fresh. People here are kind and smiles gallantly. Cool waters and a scene of nature it is. Some parts are free to relax in, some parts are private and public resorts that may need a cash to enter upon. Just simply nice and good place to hang in Surigao del norte.

2. Silop Multi-Caves

9.7 Km from Suriagao, Surigao City, Mindanao, Philippines +63 948 672 3826
Excellent
70%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 13 reviews

Silop Multi-Caves

Reviewed By nathzniel - Cebu City, Philippines

Was able to explored one of the cabe system. I think we explored cave system no. 8. For a cavers like me, so easy. We'll better get back 2 this to explored other remaininh systems.

3. Day-Asan Floating Villages

Surigao City, Mindanao, Philippines
Excellent
43%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
0%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 17 reviews

Day-Asan Floating Villages

Reviewed By soozlavaram - Columbia, South Carolina

This isn't really about the village so much as about the boat tour through the village, the mangroves and the snorkeling. We read a review and were most interested in the snorkeling so we took a tricycle from Surigao out to the village to find Julito Catarman. We asked the tricycle to stay to take us back and he was happy to do so.
Julito is the man mentioned in an earlier review. He'll take you for a ride through the village and out through the mangroves to the most amazing coral beds you've ever seen. You hold onto a rope that's tied onto the side of his boat and he pulls you over the coral bed for about 45 minutes. We were kind of late in the afternoon but I'm sure if you wanted to swim a bit on your own he'd hang around so you could explore on your own to take some photos. I wish we had more time. We took video and that's where the attached pictures are from.
Afterwards he took us to a picturesque island for a few photos. Then we stopped at the lobster house to see the lobsters. One quick stop at his personal home and back to where we started. It was a highlight of our trip to the Philippines. I don't remember the exact prices to everything but it was incredibly cheap and we ended up paying him twice what he asked for and left him our fins on top of that. We bought bottled water before we left at one of the stands nearby the boat launch. Also incredibly cheap. This is a trip we would do again and again.

4. Lake Mainit

Surigao City, Mindanao, Philippines
Excellent
33%
Good
56%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
11%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 9 reviews

Lake Mainit

Reviewed By ebbtide123 - Washington DC, District of Columbia

It is the deepest lake in the Philippines until Mt Pinatubo erupted and created a deep crater lake. Lots of fish pens visible near towns for its popular "Pidjanga" fish. It is best seen along the mountainous part of the national highway. Since there is still occasional rebel activity here, it is not advisable to take a stop for viewing especially at dusk or very early morning. There are no off-road parking for viewing hence driving slower is the best option as someone else in the car takes the photos.

5. Battle of Surigao Strait Museum

Luneta Park, Surigao City, Mindanao 8400, Philippines +63 920 909 0999
Excellent
50%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
25%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4 reviews

Battle of Surigao Strait Museum

This is the portal for the Battle of Surigao Strait Museum, a historical museum established in Surigao City. It will officially opened on the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Surigao Strait Museum on Oct 25, 2014. It is the only museum in the world that has a complete display of a "fired" WW2 Japanese aerial torpedo which did not hit its target and instead dived into the sand, only to be found 70 years after.

Reviewed By Victorianlad - Melbourne, Australia

Many thanks to Dexter, Anne and another Filipina from the City Tourism Office for explaining the history of the Battle of Surigao Strait, October 1944 when seven Japanese warships, six of which were sunk, found themselves defeated by 81 Alled vessels including the Australian HMAS Shropshire.
Dexter's detailed knowledge was delivered in perfect English.
The museum is small, but free, and is very well curated with a huge map of Mindanao's north and Visayan Islands such as Leyte showing the route the Japanese ships fatefully took.
There are numerous photos plus plaques including one from Australia.
The museum is in the heart of the CBD off to the side of Luneta Park.

6. Sagisi Island

Surigao City, Mindanao, Philippines
Excellent
33%
Good
67%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3 reviews

Sagisi Island

Reviewed By r and k n - Oshawa, Canada

this island is not touristy,its clear water and white beach,you can see what's down below.My family enjoy the beach which we had to ourselves.We rented a boat for a day for 3,500 and that's for 21 people but we brought our own food.It was excellent,just remember you are quite far away Mainland.

7. Songkoy Cold Spring

Panikian, Surigao City, Mindanao, Philippines
Excellent
50%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
50%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 2 reviews

Songkoy Cold Spring

Reviewed By Ms_Jet - Manila

this is located in the municipality of Tubod, province of surigao del norte, approximately 45min travel from surigao city. From the national highway of the town, it takes about 20-25min ride before reaching the cold spring, being maintained by the local government. Cottages, food stalls and small grocery stores are nearby. It is really cold when you dip in the water. This place still needs a lot of improving to do, to be able to meet the tourist standard.

8. Basul Island

Surigao City, Mindanao, Philippines
Excellent
0%
Good
100%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 1 reviews

Basul Island

Reviewed By John L - Surigao del Norte Province, Philippines

The only way to the island is to arrange a boat hire from Surigao. As you will be crossing Surigao Straits it can be a little rough but the boat owners are experienced fishermen, they know the sea. Too rough? They won't take you.
The cost of a boat to use all day is about 1000 PHP plus the fuel, about 300 PHP. YOu bring all your food and drink, there is nothing on the island apart from the serenity, the peace, the quiet. If nature might bore you, don't go. However, you can do a bit of exploring. Oh, don't forget to feed your boat man/men.
There are two cottages on the island and there is a charge of 500 PHP for one. Overpriced and who knows whether it's eve legal to collect money for that.
When we arrived, the only living animal there was a female dog - obviously the island owner which I named Robyn Crusoe. She looks well fed and those sad grey eyes are expert at begging food from you. YOu cannot resist, hence her chubby figure. :)
Swimming is a delight, clean, clear water.
We did a photoshoot there, swam, ate, explored.
The return boat ride in calm waters is another great experience and you get to see some houses being built in very beautiful locations. Ahh, to have money!

9. Rock and Mineral Museum

Surigaonon Heritage Center, Surigao City, Mindanao, Philippines
Excellent
16%
Good
52%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
0%
Terrible
16%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 6 reviews

Rock and Mineral Museum

Reviewed By Ms_Jet - Manila

from the heart of the city, it is about a kilometer to find this museum. Maintained by the Bureau of Mines and Geology, it showcase all the rocks and minerals found in the whole region of CARAGA. It has quite a few of its array of mineral rocks, but fine enough to see what are the existing and potential mineral elements found in the area. One suggestion: they should lighten up more the museum as some areas are so dark that it gives a creepy feeling....

10. Alingkakajaw Island

North Surigao City, Surigao City, Mindanao, Philippines
Alingkakajaw Island

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