Cloud 9 Boardwalk Siargao: Everything You Need To Know Before Visiting One Of Siargao’s Top Things To Do 2024
You can’t say you’ve visited Siargao without seeing the famous Cloud 9 Boardwalk. Fast barrelling waves breaking over the sharp shallow reef below create Siargao's best spot for Surfing, attracting some of the best adventure seeking surfers worldwide.
The Cloud 9 Boardwalk stretches 300 meters out into the ocean with a large view deck at the end, connecting the people watching from the shore to the professional surfers and allowing you to get some great shots. Spend the day there or just visit for sunset but make sure to add this to your itinerary while in Siargao, read on to find out everything you need to know!
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Siargao isn't called the Surfing Capital of the Philippines for no reason! Book your Surf Lessons Here
Where Is Cloud 9?
The Cloud 9 Boardwalk is located in the municipality of General Luna, the main town and region of Siargao. Just a 10 minute drive north from General Luna on the main Tourism Road will bring you straight to the Cloud 9 Boardwalk entrance. If you reach Catangnan Bridge, famous for its sunset viewing, then you’ve gone too far.
How To Get To The Cloud 9 Boardwalk Siargao?
The easiest way by far to get around Siargao is by rental scooter, for ₽300-500 a day you can rent one out and have the freedom to drive wherever you want, there are also motorbikes with surfboard racks on the side if that's your thing, allowing you to rent a surfboard for the day and bring it to different spots around the island.
If driving a scooter isn’t your thing then you can also hail a tricycle or tuk-tuk, for a small fee they will be able to drop you off and pick you up from the Cloud 9 Boardwalk. It's only a short drive from the main section of Tourism Road so I wouldn’t expect this to cost much, however make sure to agree on a price before getting in and setting off to avoid any unexpected surprises.
To get to Cloud 9 and General Luna from the airport, your best bet for a solo traveller is in a shared van for ₽375, this will drop you off on the main road where you need to be. Alternatively, for small groups a tricycle is the cheapest option which should cost roughly ₽600 which works out cheaper when split between 2 or 3. For families, we recommend a private taxi which should be the fastest and most comfortable option however expect to pay around ₽2k.
How Much Is The Cloud 9 Boardwalk?
Entrance to the Cloud 9 Boardwalk is currently ₽50 each, the boardwalk was completely demolished during the 2021 Typhoon Odette so we thought paying ₽50 to maintain such a well kept area of Siargao was reasonable.
Cloud 9 Boardwalk Siargao
The first thing you’ll notice once you’ve parked your scooter and paid the entrance fee is the row of souvenir stands selling magnets and hand carved ornaments. Just past these you will find the start of the Cloud 9 boardwalk and big letter sign which is a popular photo spot.
If you're an adrenaline seeker then why not try Siargao's Wakepark!
If you fancy your chances at some surfing then to one side of the boardwalk you will see rows of surf boards available for rent, for roughly ₽200-300 per hour you will be able to use the boards without an instructor, however if it's your first time or you would like a lesson they were priced at ₽700-900.
There are plenty of people offering boards and lessons when you arrive so there’s no need to pre-book.
Cloud 9 Beach
If the adrenaline rush, bruises and cuts from the fast paced surf isn’t your thing and you prefer a more relaxed day out then Cloud 9 is also perfect for you. After walking down to the end of the boardwalk and watching people repeatedly fall off their boards, you can take a stroll down Cloud 9 Beach. Vendors and palm trees line the beach making it a perfect spot to grab some food or a sunset drink. Or bring a towel and a bottle of water and have a cheap day out, whatever suits you!
Don't miss this amazing Island Hopping Tour in Siargao, exploring Daku, Naked and Guyam Islands' pristine sandy beaches.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Cloud 9?
The best surf season for Cloud 9 is September-March, which overlaps slightly with the monsoon season July-November. Siargao has year round surf so if you can’t make it during the best surf season hopefully you will still be able to catch some waves.
If you’re visiting purely to watch and relax, we recommend anytime, but especially early morning and sunsets, your ₽50 ticket will last all day so maybe even both. Early morning allows you to avoid the crowds and sunset is also an amazing time to visit as the boardwalk is lit up by golden hour. Seeing the boardwalk at low tide is also pretty special as it's surrounded by beautiful turquoise rock pools.
Siargao isn't called the Surfing Capital of the Philippines for no reason! Book your Surf Lessons Here
Where Does The Cloud 9 Name Come From?
Local Legend has it that the Cloud 9 Boardwalk is named after the popular chocolate bar snack, a Filipino snickers, said to be one of the only snacks available at the time. However the definition of Cloud 9 is ‘a state of bliss, elation or happiness’ and that's just how it feels to be there!
The Siargao Cup
Cloud 9 was listed 8th on the CNNGo’s World Top 50 best surf spots which made it home to the Siargao Cup, an international surf competition held every September. World class surfers are attracted to the competition from all over the world every year with a huge $75k prize.
Best Places To Stay Siargao
Siargao has lots of accommodation whether you’re looking for a surf school, a luxury resort or a budget hostel you’ll be able to find somewhere.
We recommend staying in the main hub of General Luna as this is where most of the restaurants are located, as well as easy access to most of the island's attractions. If you want to get away from the crowds you could head up north and stay in Pacifico, which is the northern hub of the island best known for its epic waves.
We use Booking.com and HostelWorld for all of our stays around the world!
Below we share some recommend places to stay in General Luna, Siargao:
Where We Stayed In General Luna
We chose the budget option of Dream Catcher Nipas when staying in General Luna mainly due to the kitchen which allowed us to cook our own breakfasts and lunches. These are very basic triangular huts which have mattresses on the floor so don't expect anything fancy, but the location is perfect for General Luna and the grounds are lovely.
Top Things To Do On Siargao
We recommend a minimum of a week on Siargao, especially if you want to learn to surf. The island has an abundance of activities for you to explore and it’s also a great island for digital nomads. Here’s our highlights.
Top Pick: Magpupungko Rock Pools
A natural attraction that is stunningly beautiful at low tide. You can spend a couple of hours exploring the beach, cliff jumping and swimming in the warm Tidal pools!
Can’t Miss: Learn To Surf
A must in Siargao due to the world famous waves, there are lots of beginner beaches and shops offering surf lessons.
Best Beach: Pacifico Beach
A surf beach located North of the island with endless white sand, chill vibes and sunshine.
Off The Beaten Track: Tayangban Cave Pools
A short cave system with a crystal pool at the end to relax in.
Other Blogs On Siargao
Top Recommended Activities
Don't miss this amazing Island Hopping Tour in Siargao, exploring Daku, Naked and Guyam Islands' pristine sandy beaches.
Siargao isn't called the Surfing Capital of the Philippines for no reason! Book your Surf Lessons Here
For the adventure seekers out there why not try Siargao's Wakepark!
Essential Travel Items You Need
Lifestraw - Filtered Water Bottle Allowing you to fill up water whenever and wherever with peace of mind plus you’re helping the environment! | |
Jungle Formula - High Deet Mosquito Spray The weak sprays will not work! Make sure to bring a high deet percentage spray made for the tropics. We also use Mosquito Wipes. | |
Water Shoes - Lightweight with Protection Stay protected from Sea Urchins with these, also useful for snorkelling, waterfall hikes and more. We also love our Microfibre Towels and Dry Bag. | |
Universal Travel Adaptor With Multiple USBs Life while travelling will never be the same again! Charge multiple devices all at once in any country... game changer. |
Top Tips For Travelling The Philippines
If you’re visiting the Philippines here are our top travel tips:
Book flights in advance - they can become expensive if you leave it last minute… oh and check your luggage allowance to skip expensive check in fees at the airport. Don't forget your Apple Airtags to track your bags
Agree on taxi prices upfront - when getting into a tuk-tuk, tricycle or taxi, make sure you agree on a price or they have a meter, so many tourists get ripped off with a huge price tag at the end of the ride.
Take it slow - don't feel the need to see all the islands, we recommend picking a few and doing them properly. See the island in full, find some locals and sing Karaoke..
Embrace the chaos and get stuck in, the locals are friendly and love to help and share information about their home!
For a checklist of what's needed to pack for your trip, read: How to Pack for Backpacking to South East Asia: Backpacking Essentials and Accessories
We love our DJI Mini for all of our drone shots!
Final Thoughts on Cloud 9 Siargao
Although sometimes crowded, Cloud 9 is 100% a must see on the beautiful island of Siargao, known for its surf and game fishing, it doesn't get any better than this. Whether to want to experience the surf for yourself or not, this place has something for you. Enjoy a famous Filipino sunset, grab a drink and relax.
Travel Tools To Help You Plan
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Thank you for reading and enjoy your Philippine adventure. Reach out to us over on Instagram @KateandMikesTravels. We always love to hear from people who read our blogs!
For our Filipino friends: Maraming salamat sa pag babasa, hangang sa susunod nating pag kikita, mamimiss namin kayo, mabuhay ang pilipinas! Salamat
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