Living as a Digital Nomad in the Philippines’ Surf Capital

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I put off writing this article for a long time. I’m not sure why, but part of me felt I wouldn’t be able to do justice to a place that inspired me so deeply.

I spent two months (mid September-mid November 2024) living and working remotely on the Philippines’ surf mecca — Siargao. Needless to say, I came home with questions swimming in my head about whether I was living in the right place.

What made Siargao so amazing? Was it the generous people, the abundance of reef breaks, or the quiet roads lined with endless palm trees? Read on to find out.

Guide to Surfing in Siargao

Best Time of Year to Surf in Siargao

The first thing to note is that Siargao’s waves are very seasonal, and they come from storms in the Pacific. For peak surf conditions, the ocean starts to come alive around mid-September, and builds into the rainy season in December. There are smaller, more mellow waves other times of the year, well suited for longboarders. 

Best Surf Spots in Siargao

Siargao has so many surf spots, you would have to spend a lot of time on the island (and get lucky with the swells) to get to them all. I’ll mention a few of the most popular surf spots below. 

Surf Spots Near General Luna

Cloud 9 – An A-frame swell magnet that can produce world-class waves. Best for Intermediate and advanced surfers. Cloud 9 has recently banned beginner lessons, to keep up surf etiquette and ensure safety. If you’re learning to surf in Siargao, try Jacking Horse, a nearby spot that’s great for beginners.  

Tuason – As one of the rare spots that is an easy paddle from the beach, Tuason gets busy. It is also exposed to the swell, and can be a steep, barrelling wave when it’s big. However, in the right conditions, Tuason can be accessible to all levels.

Pisangan (Cemetary) – A fun spot in a variety of conditions, the waves here cover a large area, which helps spread out the crowds, which can be large given this surf spot is situated a short boat ride away from the middle of General Luna. You can usually find peaks at Pisangan that will cater to all levels. Take the boat a little further and you’ll reach Backdoor, which is usually bigger and less crowded.  

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Backdoor surf spot from the boat

Rock Island – a right hander that is fast at the takeoff and then mellows out. It can produce long rides, depending on where you catch the wave from. You’ll find surfers of all levels here—beginners usually sit on the shoulder, while advanced surfers take off at the top of the main point or near the rock.

Surf Spots in the North of Siargao

The north of the island offers a quiet escape from the bustling General Luna area, with surfing and relaxing the main attractions. The most popular surf spot in the north is Pacifico, a fast left hander. Due to the speed and relatively shallow reef, this spot is better suited for Intermediates and above.

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Pacifico

Surfing on the South Coast of Siargao

Since swells come from the east, southern Siargao only gets waves when the swell is big enough to wrap around the island.

Surf Camps and Lessons in Siargao

Differentiating it from many other popular surf tourism destinations is the lack of surf camps. Kind of nice, because you don’t have large groups dominating the surf breaks. If you are new to the area and unsure where to surf, this might make things harder. But not to worry – it is easy to find surf guides in Siargao. Head on over to any of the beaches, for example Jacking Horse beach, start talking to people, and you will find someone to show you the ropes in no time. 

Tips for Digital Nomads Working Remotely in Siargao

To be honest, I’d rate Siargao’s remote work setup a 6/10—it’s just on the edge of being workable for a professional role. Here’s why:

Co-working Spaces in Siargao 

The good news is there are 2 formal co-working spaces on the island, Alter Space and Coco Space. However, over the 2 months I spent there only Alter Space was open. Coco Space was closed due to weather, which created capacity issues. I started early in the morning, but I saw several people turned away in the afternoons when the desks at Alter Space were taken 

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Alter Space co-working space

Internet in Siargao 

The best internet on the island is at the co-working spaces, but even there it can lag and drop out. The biggest advantage is that these spaces have multiple internet connections, so you can switch if one goes down.

As someone who does a lot of video calls, I need faster internet than most. For me, the internet in the co-working space was just enough to be able to do my job and still maintain a semi-professional image. Elsewhere, I didn’t find the internet reliable enough for productive work. But this really depends on what kind of work you do—whether you need to make video calls, work on fixed hours, or otherwise need a high bandwidth. There are many people who live and work in Siargao and are able to do it from their accommodation or a cafe. 

Power Outages in Siargao

Siargao is hit with frequent power outages, both scheduled and unscheduled. Going a day without power is not unusual. This is another reason to work from a co-working space, because they have backup generators, which will kick in when the power goes out. However, even backup generators won’t help if the power outage goes on for too long. Shortly after I left the island, Siargao had a 2 week long power outage in early December, which no doubt put a few people in a tough spot with their work commitments. If you’re interested, check out this instagram reel of a Filipino girl explaining the difference between a blackout and a brownout in Siargao.

Remote Work Gear for Siargao

If you’re heading to Siargao to work online, I’d suggest bringing double of all your remote work tech. It’s a small island, and you’d need luck to find certain computer accessories. I had a scare one Sunday evening when my power adapter that I needed for my laptop broke, and I wasn’t sure whether I would be able to find one on the island in time for work the next morning. Thankfully, I found a replacement at a local tech shop, and I was saved from having to leave early! 

Despite all of these little challenges, sometimes you just need to go into a trip with a bit of faith (and as much preparation as possible), and all will work out. This was the case for me. I’d absolutely work remotely from Siargao again- I’d just make sure to have a solid backup plan. 

Getting Around Siargao

Siargao is the perfect place to cruise around on a scooter, which is how I would recommend exploring the island. The streets aren’t too busy, and the island is small enough that you could ride from top to bottom in a couple of hours or less. 

If you plan to rent a scooter, be aware that they do require you to have a riders licence (best to also get an International Drivers Permit). There are regular check points in Siargao where they’ll look for: helmets,  valid driver’s licences, and scooter registration. When you rent, ensure the bike comes with valid registration paperwork. In my two months there I went through multiple helmet checks, and was asked for my licence once.  

If you don’t want to rent a bike, you can also hire tuk tuks to get you around the main parts of town.

Best Accommodation in Siargao for Long-Term Stays

Siargao has a range of accommodation – most of which you will find on Airbnb. As a digital nomad, you can take advantage of weekly/monthly discounts that many places offer. 

Check out my Siargao Travel Budget Guide for what I spent on accommodation. 

Most people stick to the General Luna area, which is the main tourist hub. If you are looking for a place in the heart of the town with the most kind and hospitable hosts, I can highly recommend Malibu Siargao. This was my first home in Siargao, and after a week I felt like I had a family on the island.  

Given the small size of the island and most places being quite close, I’d also recommend considering options even if they aren’t right in the centre of General Luna. I stayed in Malinao for most of my time and absolutely loved it. Only 5 minutes ride down the road, it was stunning and serene- perfect for someone who wants peace without being too far from the action. 

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Sunrise in Malinao

Some long-term visitors also spend time up north to escape the crowds and explore more surf spots. But as a digital nomad, be aware that there are no co-working spaces in the north, and you might struggle to find reliable internet. It might be better to save that part of your trip for when you have a few days off.

Where to Eat in General Luna

Here are some of my favourite spots to eat on the island:

  • Bayani – Filipino meals elevated and packed with flavour
  • CEV – Kinilaw with the most amazing mix of tastes and textures
  • COCO FRIO – For a sweet treat, their coconut coffee is a must try
  • Food Lab Snack Shack – The freshest tasting food on the island; I ate here multiple nights a week
  • Siago – Best high-end meal
  • Derecho/Kurvada – local food served buffet style with a pay for what you take model. Great for a quick meal
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Bayani spread

If you are going up north, check out Kolekbibo cafe for great vibes, stunning views, and delicious food.

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CEV | Kolekbibo

People & Culture in Siargao

Two things made Siargao one of my favourite surf travel destinations. One is the natural beauty that still remains, and the other is DEFINITELY the people. The locals, as well as the Filipino tourists that visit the island, are so genuinely warm, friendly, and inclusive. It’s a culture I couldn’t get enough of! 

People in Siargao are also extremely helpful. I once got a flat tire on my way to dinner. I called the owner of the bike, and he came straight to where I was, got the tire changed (even though the shop was technically closed!), and gave me back the keys back before I’d even finished eating. 

It is also very easy to communicate in Siargao. Most people speak great English – a result of consuming American social media and working remotely for American, Canadian, or Australian companies. That said, learning a few local phrases always shows respect and adds to the experience. 

Safety in Siargao

I found Siargao to be a very safe place. I never felt threatened or worried in my time there. 

When surfing, I’d leave my bag on the boat or with a beachside restaurant. Where that wasn’t possible, I left as little as I could on my bike. I did hear of flip-flops being stolen from bikes parked at Tuason, but personally, I never had anything taken.

Other Activities in Siargao

When you’ve had your fill of surfing (if that’s even possible), you definitely won’t run out of things to do in Siargao. There are actually tons of other activities to try — surf skating in Malinao or at the Bravo bowl, food trucks and drinks at Sunset Bridge, caves to explore, paddleboarding, boating on the Maasin River, swimming holes and waterfalls, and nearby islands to visit.

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Maasin River

In Conclusion: Is Siargao Good for Digital Nomad Surfers?

Absolutely – Siargao is a wonderful place to surf and work remotely. Just go in with as much preparation as you can in terms of gear, a plan for what you will do if there is a long time without power, and recognise and embrace that it is a very small island. If you are ready to dive into the island way of life, you won’t be disappointed. 

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