My Great Surigao del Norte Summer: How to get there

This year, my friends and I decided to spend our huling hirit sa tag-init at Surigao del Norte.

Here is a simple guide on how to get there (this is the route that my group and I took). Our group is coming from Davao City.

credits to http://www.philtravelcenter.com/philippines/maps/surigao-norte-map.php

Going to Surigao:
Starting point will be at Davao City Overland Terminal (Ecoland bus terminal). Once inside the terminal, look for a bus bound to Surigao.

My Tips:
1. Search the whole terminal and look at every bus liner to get the best bus that you prefer. Do not listen to the porter. In our case, we followed the porter and he led us to an old non-aircon bus that's bound to Pasay. He told us there were no other bus trip going to Surigao. After we paid for our tickets, we saw there were other bus trips to Surigao. (We felt like we were scammed).

2. If there is no more direct trip to Surigao, take the Pasay route because it will stop over at Surigao city bus terminal. I think the Tacloban route also has a stop over at Surigao (just to be very sure, just ask the driver or the konduktor).

You can also opt to take the Davao - Butuan - Surigao route. However, I'm not familiar with the schedule of the bus trips from Butuan to Surigao.

3. It is more convenient to travel at night because travel time from Davao to Surigao is approximately 9-10 hours. Travelling at night is better because you can sleep throughout the whole trip and when you arrive at Surigao the following day, you can immediately start your vacation itinerary.


Arrival at Surigao:
We arrive at 5:30 AM and eat breakfast at the terminal. After breakfast we headed to where the vans are parked (left side of the terminal) and catch a ride to Hayanggabon port.

My Tip: make sure to do all your bathroom necessities because the trip is approximately 1.5 - 2 hours. There is no place to stop over for bathroom break.


Arrival at Hayanggabon Port:
We arrive at the port at around 8 am and there are boatmen who approached us. Don't worry because the boatmen there are really friendly and accommodating. Our boatman (kuya Jonathan) even helped us catch a van ride going straight to the resort where we would stay at Mabua Pebble Beach after our tour.

The minimum boat rental costs Php3,500 for a small boat good for 8 passengers.

My Tip: you can buy cooked food at the nearby carenderia outside the port for your lunch. Or you can also eat lunch at Tiktikan Resort (Php350 for one kilo of seafood inclusive of cooking).


Sohoton Tour begins.
Tip: take lots of pics and ENJOY!!!



Going to Mabua Pebble Beach
If coming from Hayanggabon port (like in our case), there are vans outside the port just across the street going back to Surigao city bus terminal. Fare is Php120.

From the Surigao terminal, ride a motorcycle cab going to Mabua Pebble Beach. Fare is Php150 for the entire ride. Travel time is approximately 45 mins to 1 hour.

My Tip: ask the van driver if he is willing to drop you off directly to Mabua Pebble Beach. In our case the driver asked for additional Php50 on top of the Php120 fare. Since we are exhausted from the tour, we agreed.


Enjoy your Surigao del Norte Vacation and don't forget to take lots of pics!!!


Click links for the rest of my Surigao del Norte experience.

Sohoton (Bucas Grande) Tour
Mabua Pebble Beach