Siargao’s “Curse” Hooked Travelers For Years. Here is What People Say

 

Siargao is famous for surfing and island hopping but it hides tales that your tour guide probably will not share. Talk to locals and elders and you hear stories that bring the island to life. These myths and spirit tales give your trip meaning. They invite you to look beyond the shorelines and explore the unseen side of Siargao.

Locals call it the Siargao curse when travelers feel a strange pull they cannot explain. Many say they plan a short trip but end up staying longer or returning sooner than planned. They say the island will not let you go. The feeling is not spooky. It is deep. It is the island drawing you back. You hear it whispered in cafes and at the market. It becomes part of your trip.

Spirits of the Balete Tree

Balete trees are treated with care across the Philippines. On Siargao the stories still live. Elders say spirits dwell in those big roots and shadows. They might be diwata or engkanto. These spirits may be kind or curious or mischievous. You do not cut balete or make noise near them at night. You say tabi tabi po to show respect. The trees feel alive and held by something beyond us.

Magpupungko Rock Pool and Its Name

Talk to any local about the rock pools at Magpupungko and you will learn the name came from a Visayan word. Pungko means squat. When the tide falls, the water reveals a rocky pool and there is a big rock sitting on another rock like it is squatting. It feels like the island paused to watch the tide. The pools appear for only a short time. Locals know when the tides show them. They say the place is gentle and quiet when the pools shine in the sun.

The Jellyfish of Sohoton

Take a boat to Bucas Grande and you may swim with jellyfish that do not sting. The lagoon at Sohoton holds thousands of them in the right season. Tourists ask if it is safe. Guides say yes during jellyfish season. The creatures float around and do not hurt you. It is magical, soft, and strange. You float among them and forget the sea has rules. Just listen to your guide and follow the rules.

Island Hopping Adventures

Island hopping reveals more than beaches. The classic route sails to Guyam, Daku, and Naked Island. Guyam is small and ringed by palms. Its water stays calm. Locals relax there, while you swim quietly. Daku is bigger. Fisher families live there. Local cooks serve grilled seafood and fresh coconut. You eat on the sand under your palms. Naked Island is a long sandbar with no shade. The sun is fierce and the white sand blinds you. You learn to bring sunscreen, water, and a hat. The island makes you small and hot. It also makes you laugh at how simple a place can be perfect.

How to Make the Most of the Trip

To make the most of each day you start early when the air is soft and the waters are empty. Know when low tide comes. Magpupungko pools show at low tide. Boat rides feel smooth. The waters are calm. The tour may take half a day or more. Private boats move faster but cost more. Group tours take longer but cost less.

Respect for Nature

The island cares for its nature. Del Carmen harbors the largest mangrove forest in the Philippines. It is a protected haven. Guides ask you not to feed wildlife or throw trash. They keep noise down. They show respect for the roots and birds and fish. The land and sea feel sacred. You learn that caring starts with quiet voices and clean hands.

Getting Around the Island

Transportation on Siargao is creative. Not all travelers drive. Some walk. Some rent a motorbike when they can. Others ride tricycles or habal-habals for 30 to 100 pesos depending on time and distance. At night fares may be higher. A visitor shared online that renting a tuktuk with a driver for a few days made land touring easy without stress. Locals treat you kindly and help with fair prices.

Saving on Island Tours

Island hopping can still be simple and affordable. On Reddit a small group shared that they went directly to the tourism office, rented their own boat, and bought food from the market nearby. They had the boat, food, guide, and fees for far less than agencies charged. They had a private tour for around 770 pesos per person plus food costs. Locals grilled pork over fire and served rice and drinks on Daku Island. They ended the day with laughter and savings.

Legends Beyond Siargao

Beyond myths and logistics the island is full of history. Siargao’s name comes from siargaw, a type of mangrove tree that shaped the land and shaped the name. The sea has always been the island’s life. Old Balangay boats show that ancestors traveled far across water carrying goods and stories. Trade came by waves. So did myths. Sea creatures, merfolk, engkanto come from a deep place in storytelling. Kataw are merfolk with fish fins and human feet. They walk between worlds, water and land, and sometimes fool fishermen. Siyokoy are more fearsome. They have scales and webbed limbs. They drag swimmers under. Engkanto can be beautiful or eerie spirit people. They hide in trees, shadows, or caves and may bring fortune or fever depending on their moods. These tales do not always come from Siargao but from the Philippines. Locals still share versions of them when asked.

Bringing Stories Home

Legends and tips come alive when you listen. Ask your guide about the Siargao curse on the way to island hopping. Ask about balete trees on the road. Ask when Magpupungko will show its pools. Ask when jellyfish float safe in the lagoon. Ask when tides turn and how to stay dry. These questions show care. They open stories. They pull the island to you.

Every visitor brings something home. Photos and sand in your bag. Stories in your head. The legends let you carry more than pictures. They let you carry memories. You speak of the island differently when you share a story about spirits or a strange pull. You become part of Siargao’s own story.

Siargao will stay in your body. You will feel the sea cooler. You will breathe slower. You will chase tides forever after. The island’s myths anchor themselves in your heart. You see the waves and whisper your own story back to them.