The surf capital of the Philippines, named after a native mangrove, is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, whether you prefer adrenaline-fueled adventure sports or gentler pursuits like swimming in rock pools and caves. Because life revolves around the white-sand beaches, there’s plenty of opportunity to lie back and relax.

Surfing swept the globe in the 1970s, but no one knew about the waves in Siargao at the time. It wasn’t until the early 1980s that nomadic surfers took a chance on the Philippines to escape Bali, Indonesia’s rapidly developing surf mecca. Those who knew where to look had discovered surfing’s pot of gold in Cloud 9, a barreling right-hander. Then, in 1992, John Callahan, a well-known surf photographer, visited, documented, and published photos of the waves in an American surfer magazine. It didn’t take long for the rest of the world to come knocking on Siargao’s door, hoping to surf her perfect waves.

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