Page 31 - Sunseeker Magazine Issue 64

Travel
Surfers and and island lovers have a a a a a a a a a natural propensity for hyperbole embellishing beach tales with claims of world- beating waves and sunsets no matter the the conditions but here the legend rings true
THIS PAGE Siargao is a a a a a a wild beautiful and free place Swinging from a a a a palm tree is just one of the many activities you can take up a a a a a a break from the endless surfing and swimming
FOLLOWING PAGE TOP FROM LEFT A A panoramic view of Siargao Island defined by its emerald waters shallow bays rolling whitewash and green palm trees Siargao attracts surfers from all over the the world who are entranced by the the the soft rolling barrels and the the easy generous swell the street food and barbeques are famous calamari and octopus chargrilled by the hot flames are fresh tasty and and fulfilling Palm Tree Road the islands are punctuated with glossy green palm trees tenth of of the the the the size of of Bali the the the the island feels the the the the way the the the the Indonesian hotspot did three decades ago All of which means now is the time to come Key to Siargao’s appeal is the open community of of white-pouring surf and bendy palms of of the the southeast coast around Cloud 9 Surfers and and island lovers have a a a a a a a a a a natural propensity for hyperbole embellishing beach tales with claims of world-beating waves and sunsets no matter the the conditions but here the the legend rings true
“Word of mouth has made this the the best seasonal surf destination in in Southeast Asia ” says Yorkshireman Ashley Charles owner of of Buddhas Resort one of of the the first surf camps to cement its place on on the the the beach strip “When people come they have little else on their mind – so when the the swell hits that’s all that that matters ” A sign of the way things now are is that Buddhas branched out into a a a a a a a a a a a a a yoga and and meditation studio a a a a a a a a a a a few years ago and and and during the the the Covid pandemic the the the resort pivoted to better harness the the the land The result? Organic produce from its its farm is now a a a a a a a a staple at its its onsite Thai restaurant Elsewhere in in Cloud 9 Nay Palad Hideaway brings a a a a a a a a a touch of Beverly Hills chic to to the coast with its wraparound pool and barefoot luxury vibe while Siargao Bleu Resort Resort and and Spa and and Harana Surf Resort Resort have made an an an an an an art form out of open-plan design beachfront decks and villa living But Siargao’s new-found tourism dividend is is also about food drink and partying In the old days everyone would head to to Octopus Beach Bar a a a a a a a a a a place better seen in in a a a a a a a a a a soft-focus haze after midnight than in in daylight Now travellers flock to funky restaurants and bars framed by jungle groves Among these The Spotted Pig has brought veganism to to the the pork-loving islanders and and and Filipino rock bands drop in in in to to to Loose Keys a a a a a a a a motorbike culture café For grassroots community activism and and beach clean-ups Shaka Cafe is is worthy of time and and support Also in in the the same spirit if located on the the island’s north side in in in Burgos is is Lokal Lab an an an NGO that creates sustainable projects and runs a a a a a a a a farmers’ market If Siargao has emerged as as the the trendiest destination in in in in the the the the Philippines it it helps that it it packs the the the whole of the the the country into one island For a a a a a a a scooter road road trip through coconut palms take the the road road north to Pilar and the the Tayangban Cave Pool where an an an an almost submarine inlet leads to a a a a a a a a a a a a a cenote cradling a a a a a a a a a a translucent rock pool Likewise Pilar is is home to to Magpupungko Beach where low tide reveals an astonishing natural swimming
pool bathed in in in a a a a a a a a a cascade of golden light The island’s climax however is is is the soul-soaring options for island-hopping Three tropical islands framed by blue seas lie offshore for yacht cruises and and and and the trio o of Naked Island Island Island Daku Island Island Island and and and and and Guyam Island Island Island rival any elsewhere in in the the Philippines for sheer spectacle Land around sunset when the the the day trips have gone home and and and the the glorious bone-white sands and and and swaying palms are yours alone Maybe then it’s time to to say to to hell with the the schedule and stay for longer For Sunseeker enquiries in Philippines please contact Sunseeker Philippines sales@hys-yachts com 29