Siargao is one of my most favorite islands in the Philippines! There are so many things to do here, so many places to visit, so many natural wonders to explore and even at night, there are so many parties to go to (yep, I really couldn’t believe that Siargaonons are such party animals). All of these things I will share with you one by one as I blog about all of my visits to the famous surfing capital of the Philippines.

Siargao According to Wikipedia

Siargao is a tear-drop shaped island in the Philippine Sea situated 800 kilometers southeast of Manila in the province of Surigao del Norte. It has a land area of approximately 437 square kilometres (169 sq mi). The east coast is relatively straight with one deep inlet, Port Pilar. The coastline is marked by a succession of reefs, small points and white, sandy beaches. The neighboring islands and islets have similar landforms.

The island is composed of municipalities of Burgos, Dapa, Del Carmen, General Luna, San Benito, Pilar, San Isidro, Santa Monica and Socorro.

And all these municipalities, I’ve already visited! Weeee!

But first things first — where to find cheap accommodation in Siargao? 

 

OCEAN 101 cloud 9 beach resort

When I first visited Siargao in 2011, I stayed at Patrick’s on the Beach for a few nights and it was a bit pricey (I will share this with you when I get a chance, for reference). So I told myself that the next time I visit, I will stay for at least 2 weeks to surf and to enjoy the whole island! So I really needed to find cheap accommodations. My cousin who lives in Surigao del Norte recommended Ocean 101 so as early as January of the year of my visit, I already started my research and inquiry. And true enough, the best beach resort with the most affordable rates I could find was indeed Ocean 101.

As its name suggests, it is by the ocean and you can even surf right there in front of their beach. Awesome!

For my two-week vacation at Ocean 101, I opted for their most affordable room with its own bathroom. They call this kind of room a surfer’s favorite.

Inside my fan room, I got a queen-sized bed, a wooden cabinet for my clothes, a wooden table for my computer and stuff, plus two bedside tables. I’m loving it! It’s so spacious! It doesn’t have any TV (who needs one when you got a great island to explore?!) and the ceiling fan is big! Loooved it!

It’s a fan room that is usually priced at Php750.00 per night but for people who are staying for at least a week, they give discounts up to 20%! So I got my room for Php600.00 per night. Awesome!

My room is at the garden side, with its own veranda that has a lanai set (bamboo table and chairs), and a place where I could hang my wet clothes. Perfect!

I immediately made my veranda homey by hanging my snorkeling gear (life vest, flippers, snorkels, aqua shoes), some of my wet clothes from my Badian Day Trip the previous day, my sarong and my hat.

Across my bed is my huge bathroom! Wow, everything in here is huge considering that it’s a budget accommodation. My bathroom has three compartments. On the left side is the toilet, in the middle is the sink and wall mirror, and on the right side is the hot and cold shower area. Terrific! My room is great!

And once I step outside, a huge grassy lawn awaits on the right side and just a few meters away on the left side is already the beach and the surfing area!

There’s even a 2-floor extension of the restaurant where I usually hang out by myself and do my online work where it’s breezy and peaceful. I could definitely say that the view from my “office” was the best! Hihihi!

Surfboard rental by the way is Php500.00 for one whole day and if you get an instructor, the rate is Php300.00 per hour.

Ocean 101 is owned by a really cool and friendly couple —- Australian guy named Michael Archibald and his lovely Filipina wife Welia.

They’re such an awesome couple with super friendly staff that I immediately felt so at home upon my arrival. Oh yeah, I also booked round trip transfers with Ocean 101 for only Php500.00. It’s typically Php300 one way but Michael gave me a discount. Yay!

 

Perfect Sunset AT OCEAN 101

During the first afternoon of my 2-week vacation, I caught my first perfect sunset in Siargao. OMG! It was so magnificent! Ocean 101 has such an awesome sunset view!

I was actually trying to catch it on my first day but since I was so tired from my Badian trip, I fell asleep on one of Ocean 101’s hammocks.

Yep, they have hammocks here stationed at their two public beach huts.

What I loved most about Ocean 101  (aside from the affordable rates, the readily available wi-fi at the restaurant [for Php50.00 per day of use], the spacious rooms and bathrooms, the perfect sunset view, and its close proximity to the surfing break) is the super friendly staff. They’re very accommodating and approachable. Plus, I feel like I’m one of the “family”. Actually, from what I noticed since I got here, the locals were really friendly. It doesn’t matter what age they are. People of all ages have talked to me and made friends with me here from grandfathers to kids, my, my! How lovely! 🙂

 

OCEAN 101 FOOD AND DRINKS

Since I was on a budget, I only ordered a few times at their restaurant. Thought the price range is not that expensive between P100.00 to P300.00, I still preferred to look for a local food shop or carenderia so I can save up for more surfing lessons and road trips and beach excursions. Nevertheless, the few dishes I’ve ordered from their restaurant, I found tasty.

 

Ocean 101 CONTACT INFO and Room Rates

So anyway, if you’re heading to Siargao any time soon, check-in at Ocean 101 Cloud 9 Beach Resort for a more budget-friendly room accommodation. They also have a beach front room priced at Php600.00 per night but that one shares a common bathroom.

For rates of their different rooms, check out: Ocean 101 Accommodations.

Ocean 101 is located at Cloud 9, General Luna, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, Philippines.

You may contact them through:

Mobile: (63) 910 8480893 / (63) 919 8268837
Email: michael@ocean101cloud9.com

 

SUMMARY OF COST

• P600.00 – rent of room per night good for 14 nights with own bathroom (if less than 1 week of stay, it’s P750.00/night)
• P500.00 – roundtrip transfers from Siargao Airport to Ocean 101 (originally, this is P300 one way)
• P500.00 – rent of surfboard for one whole day
• P300.00 – surf instructor fee per hour
• P100.00 to P300 – price range of food offered at their restaurant
• P50.00 – use of wi-fi per day

 

Overall, I found my stay here at Ocean 101 Cloud 9 Beach Resort really satisfying. I will definitely come back!

For more photos, pleae head to my FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/momtraneur/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1142695042480241

Til my next Siargao post!