The practical island guide

Everything you actually need to know, kept short. For where to eat, surf and explore, use thedirectory.

🛬 Getting there

Fly: Sayak Airport (IAO) in Del Carmen, with connections via Cebu, Manila, Clark and Davao. It's ~45 min by van or scooter to General Luna.
Ferry: Boats connect Dapa port with Surigao City on the mainland — cheaper, slower, weather-dependent.
Book flights early in peak season (surf season, roughly August–November, and holidays).

Most people rent a scooter (roughly ₱350–500/day). Bring a valid license — an International Driving Permit if you're foreign — and always wear the helmet.
No ride-hailing apps. Habal-habal (motorbike taxis) and tricycles cover short hops; agree the price first.
Vans shuttle between the airport, Dapa and General Luna.

Cash is king. Many places are cash-only, and card terminals fail when the signal drops. GCash is widely accepted too.
ATMs exist in General Luna and Dapa but run dry on weekends and holidays — withdraw big when you can, or bring pesos from the mainland.
Expect a small surcharge at some card-accepting places.

Signal is decent in GL, patchy elsewhere. Get a local SIM/eSIM (Globe or Smart) and manage expectations.
Brownouts happen. Cafés with generators are gold — check our wifi that works list.
This site is built to keep working on a bad connection — pages you've opened stay readable offline.

Surf season: roughly August–November brings the famous swells (and the crowds).
Rainier months: roughly December–February. The island is greener, quieter and still great — see rainy day plans.
Tides matter: Magpupungko, Secret Beach and several surf breaks only work at certain tides. Check a tide app before you ride an hour north.

Spend local: carinderias, local guides, island-owned shops. Look for the 🤝 locally owned badge across this site.
Haggling over ₱20 with a fisherman-turned-boatman isn't a win. Pay fair, tip when it's earned.
Take your trash back from island hopping trips; reef-safe sunscreen only; no touching wildlife (especially the jellyfish at Bucas Grande — that's their sanctuary, not yours).
Learn three words: salamat (thanks), maayong buntag (good morning), lami (delicious). Doors open.

The island hospital is in Dapa; clinics and pharmacies are in General Luna — details in Services.
Emergency number in the Philippines: 911.
Drink bottled or properly filtered water.