Dearest Seniors, have you been to Siargao1? If yes, have you visited Sugba Lagoon and Kawhagan Island? A day tour to these destinations is offered by various tour operators. Well, if you have not, allow Tita S to share with you her experience.
SUGBA LAGOON AND KAWHAGAN ISLAND: AN OVERVIEW
First, let me give a brief description of these two destinations:
Sugba Lagoon is a small lagoon located on Caob Island, in the municipality2 of Del Carmen3, in the northwestern coast of the island of Siargao1, in the province4 of Surigao del Norte5, in the Caraga6 Region7 of Mindanao8, Philippines.
This lagoon is known for its clear, calm, turquoise waters and surrounding limestone cliffs. The locals say that you must take the challenge to dive from the wooden platform, for that iconic picture and/or video, in this destination!
Diving at Sugba Lagoon, https://www.facebook.com/kermitsiargao/photos/a.285014781583559/2196288190456199/?type=3&theater
Paddleboard, kayaks, bamboo rafts at Sugba Lagoon, https://www.facebook.com/kermitsiargao/photos/a.512267345524967/2124798377605181/?type=3&theater
For other tourists, you can still enjoy this lagoon – go kayaking, snorkeling, standup paddle-boarding, swimming, bamboo rafting, and even free diving. However, a group can only stay a maximum of three hours in this lagoon so other tourists to enjoy their visit there too.
Oh, by the way, Sugba Lagoon is closed for an annual monthly environmental recovery and rehabilitation, so when you plan your Siargao1 vacation, be sure to check out the closure schedule ahead of time. In 2019, it was scheduled to be closed from January 10 to February 10. Good that we visited three days before that schedule.
Kawhagan Island is a small island near Sugba Lagoon surrounded by coconut trees. Watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwILymCjEco
It has a small beach which looks like a long narrow sandbar, about 150 meters during low tide, where tourists can swim, sunbathe, and take lots of photos and videos.
Kawhagan Island, Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte – Source: https://www.facebook.com/kermitsiargao/photos/2219790818105936
THE SUGBA LAGOON-KAWHAGAN ISLAND DAY TOUR PACKAGE AND MY EXPERIENCE
You can visit Sugba Lagoon as part of a group package tour, or a private tour. Just google service providers. My group opted to avail of the tour package of Kermit Siargao9, in the municipality2 of General Luna10 where we also stayed. We joined a group tour and it costs PHP2,000 (about US$40) per person.
Full payment, in cash or through credit card, must be made a day before the tour date, to guarantee a slot. A minimum of 6 persons is needed, or the tour will be cancelled. There are no refunds once payment has been made, unless weather does not permit the tour. So, leave a contact number for possible cancellations. You can opt to join the next tour but if you decide to cancel, only 50% will be refunded. Visit https://www.kermitsiargao.com/island-hopping
It was a day tour, with only two destinations: Sugba Lagoon in the morning, and Kawhagan Island for lunch and early afternoon. We were able to return to General Luna10 at around 4:30 pm.
The tour package was inclusive of van transfers from Kermit9 to Del Carmen3, boat transfers (for a group of 6-10 people), life vests, and barbecue lunch with drinks, as well as entrance, docking and tourism fees.
You can also book online via Klook, or avail of cheaper tours offered by other local tour operators in the island, around PHP1,500 (about US$30) per person, excluding lunch.
Some tour operators include a third destination – Pamomoan Beach – which is connected to Caob Island, same as Sugba Lagoon, just separated by hills and trees. Tourists can swim, snorkel, or just sunbathe while waiting for their lunch. The group can then proceed to Kawhagan Island after lunch.
You can also have a private tour for a group. A private boat tour allows for flexibility in your stay per destination. Here are options for your lunch: bring your lunch, order lunch in Sugba Lagoon for about PHP200-400 per person, or go to the public market in General Luna for the freshest catch of the day: seafood and fishes. Fruit and vegetables, on the other hand, may not be that fresh since they come from other towns. You may then have them cooked in Sugba Lagoon or Kawhagan Island, for a fee. A picnic table in Kawhagan Island can be rented, if you choose to bring your lunch and eat there.
For the younger ones who travel on a budget, you can rent a motorbike or driver in General Luna to take you to the Del Carmen Mangrove Propagation and Information Center at the port of the municipality2 of Del Carmen3. There, you pay for an entrance fee, environment fee, and boat fee, and you will be assigned a boatman. You have three options regarding food and beverages: opt to bring your own food and drinks; order food to-go from Krokodeilos Restaurant, just beside the Center; or, buy lunch, around PHP200-400 at Sugba Lagoon’s two-storey pavilion.
As for my group, we had an early breakfast and immediately proceeded to Kermit9 at around 7AM. We rode a van for about an hour, till we reached Del Carmen Mangrove Propagation and Information Center.
Our guide arranged our boat ride while we went around the center to know more about the role and activities of this Center. The staff of the center gave a brief talk about the center, its mangrove forest, the conservation efforts of Siargao Island Protected Landscapes and Seascapes (SIPLAS), and the interesting (and for some, scary) crocodiles and other fauna in the island.
Del Carmen Mangrove Propagation and Information Center is located at the port of the town, Del Carmen3. It is in charge of the town’s 4,000-hectare mangrove forest which is considered the largest contiguous mangrove forest in the Philippines.11, has the second largest mangrove system in the Philippines. It also serves as the breeding ground for a diverse aquatic life, including the king crab and a species of saltwater crocodile. Oh my, the latter made me nervous riding our boat but no worries, I was assured by the boatmen.
The boat trip from Del Carmen Mangrove Propagation and Information Center’s port to Sugba Lagoon is about half-an-hour.
Our boat passed by the healthy-looking mangrove area of Del Carmen3. It is such a beautiful sight, and it is so heartwarming to know that the local government has conservation projects in place to save this wonderful place. 
Del Carmen mangrove area, Surigao del Norte – https://www.facebook.com/SiargaoMangroveCenter/photos/a.561181530712164/861882160642098/?type=3&theater
I was told that the local government also offers a mangrove tour so tourists will learn more about the importance of mangroves, and enjoy kayaking or paddle boarding within the area.
Paddleboarding at Del Carmen mangrove area, Surigao del Norte – Source: https://www.facebook.com/kermitsiargao/photos/2249614365123581
Then, lo and behold, in the interior limestone cliffs was our first destination – Sugba Lagoon!
There is only one entry to the lagoon and our boatman parked the boat along the entrance of a two-storey wooden pavilion at the center of the lagoon. We were assisted to disembark from the boat and led to the first level. Both levels had tables and chairs for tourists to stay, safekeep their belongings, and order food and beverages, if desired.
To the right, upon entering the first level is a counter where you can pay for rentals like kayaks, bamboo rafts and paddle boards, for about PHP300 per hour.
The first level was almost full of foreign and local tourists who arrived ahead of us. They occupied chairs, and placed their belongings on the tables. To the left, upon entry, were the stairs leading to the second level where there were additional tables and chairs.
We found an empty table with enough chairs for us all. From the second level, you could see a wooden diving board below, where the courageous tourists conquer their fears and jump to the waters below.
And guess what? My senior citizen husband took the challenge and dove! That is nearly 10 feet high! Here is his video.
Late morning during peak season, you might have to line up a bit to dive, so come early.
Do not forget to check out the corals and marine life amidst the blue-green waters. They say there is even harmless jellyfish. So, guess what? Harmless or not, Tita S stayed out of the water and just settled on kayaking for an hour – her exercise for the day – being careful not to bump other kayaks, paddleboards and even people snorkeling and swimming around the large lagoon.
To enjoy the water activities, arrive early in the lagoon, around 9AM, so there will be less people around. Anyway, I did enjoy kayaking across the clear, calm waters with my husband, and this activity made me somehow relax and appreciate the beauty around us.
They say there is a “Blue Lagoon” further on, but I was contented to stay close to the pavilion. Our relatives, in another kayak, ventured onwards and were rewarded by a beautiful site. If you did too, can you share with me what you saw?
For the more adventurous, you can cliff dive from a wooden platform on a nearby hidden tree cliff! Kayak or standup paddleboard further to the right of the pavilion, around the corner, for about 500 meters to the far side of the lagoon. I was told it is dangerous, so do this at your own risk, younger and more courageous ones! You have to go up for about 7-8 meters until you reach a wooden platform which serves as the diving board. The thrill seeking tourists get a kick from this but if you miss a step, you might fall down on the rocks below!
It was almost lunch so our group rode the boat to a nearby island, Kawhagan Island, a small island near Sugba Lagoon, just 20 minutes away.
Source: https://www.facebook.com/kermitsiargao/photos/2114654441952908
Kawhagan Island is a small island surrounded by coconut trees. It has many native huts for groups to stay in, or to leave their belongings in, when going around the island, or when swimming, snorkeling, or sunbathing.
The long narrow sandbar-looking beach has fine, powdery, off-white sand. It was a sight to behold since it was like this very small island extended a long-sandy-carpet for tourists to enjoy the sand, sea and sky!
Source: https://www.facebook.com/kermitsiargao/photos/1905739586177729
The local and foreign tourists with us opted to sunbathe, then swim a little, or just chat endlessly under the sun, sit on the fine, powdery sand, and simply chill with family and friends, amidst the relaxing sea breeze.
We immediately went around to take photos and videos. It took a while before our lunch was served but it was satisfying, what with the newly barbecued meat, fish and seafood, vegetables, thirst-quenching water, soft drinks and even alcoholic drinks!
Fresh coconut and even cold beer are available, just ask your boatman, and be ready with your cash.
After lunch, we were allowed to explore the beach, swim, and take lots of pictures and videos. For sure, the nature lovers will appreciate the tranquility of the inner coconut tree-fringed portion, and the beauty of the sandbar-looking beach, of this island. We left at about past 3PM.
We then returned to Del Carmen’s Mangrove Propagation and Information Center and had a snack at Krokodeilos Restaurant, just beside it. Some members of my group even went to the nearby market and were able to enjoy soft serve ice cream. Our van arrived and we reached Kermit9 in General Luna10 at around 4:30PM. That is just the right time for Kermit restaurant’s Happy Hour!
Before I end this post, let me give you some suggestions on what to bring for this day tour to maximize your enjoyment:
- Sunblock – apply beforehand and reapply as needed
- Swimwear – wear this already, under your clothes or wrap, so it would be easy for you to dive and do other water activities
- Fully charged cellphones, cameras, GoPro or similar gadgets, drones, extra batteries and chargers
- Refillable water bottle – Kermit provides water and it is best to bring your own water bottle; just ask it to be refilled when needed. I personally prefer to bring my own water.
- Personal medicine/s
- Extra clothes, towel, basic toiletries – if you will dive, swim, or snorkel
- A hat or cap – to wear during your boat ride, strolls around island/s, or any above-water activity
- Cash – for that fresh coconut, drink, snack, or whatever else you might want to buy
- Snorkeling gear – if you have one; you can also borrow snorkels from Kermit but you need to pay a PHP500 safety deposit which will be returned to you once you return the gear in good condition, upon your return.
- Dry pack bag – to keep all your gadgets and belongings safe and waterproof.
This is not a sponsored post. We paid for the tour I shared with you.
Read my other posts re Siargao:
MAGPUPUNGKO BEACH, TIDAL POOLS AND ROCK FORMATIONS (Pilar, Siargao, Surigao del Norte, Philippines)
SUN, SAND AND SEA AT GUYAM, DAKU AND NAKED ISLANDS
A BREATHTAKING VIEW AT SIARGAO’S CLOUD 9 BOARDWALK AND SURFING VIEWING DECK
FOR NATURE LOVERS, DO NOT MISS PALM VIEWPOINT SIARGAO
CEV: Ceviche Heaven in Siargao
A HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE AT SHAKA, SIARGAO
Seniors, Now You Know: S.E.A. MOVEMENT – FIGHTING TO PRESERVE SIARGAO!
The collage cover picture is a combination of my personal pictures and https://www.facebook.com/kermitsiargao/photos/?ref=page_internal.
Did you find this post informative? I would like to hear your comment/s regarding Sugba Lagoon and Kawhagan Island. Did you take the challenge of diving in the lagoon? Did you enjoy the sandbar-beach at Kawhagan? Were you satisfied with the tour you availed of, by Kermit or by another tour provider? Do share this post with your Facebook friends, follow me by clicking on the bottom right corner of your device, and do not forget to like this post. Thank you.
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The following terms are defined for interested readers, especially those with “Senior-Moments”, not familiar with Filipino terms, and those too busy or lazy to Google such terms:
1Siargao is a tear-drop shaped island in the Philippine Sea, almost 200 km southeast of Tacloban, in the province4 of Surigao del Norte5, in the Caraga6 Region7 of Mindanao8, in the Philippines. It has a land area of about 437 sq. km. (169 sq.mi.). It has one of the largest mangrove forest reserves in Mindanao, particularly in the municipality2 of Del Carmen3, covering 4,871 hectares.
It has excellent surfing conditions, particularly during the southwest monsoon, locally called habagat, from August to November. Local and international surfers call its municipality2 of General Luna10 as the “The Surfing Capital of the Philippines”, with surfing pros enjoying the challenging waves in nearby Tuason Point area as well. Siargao was also named by Surfer as one of the “Ten Best Surf Trips of All Time” in 1995.
The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Siargao”12 and the Wikitravel page “Siargao”13.
2A municipality is small, single urban administrative division, or local government unit (LGU), in the Philippines which has corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by law. It is a unit under a province4, subdivided into barangays14, and is called town, or bayan. In the Philippines, a municipality is headed by a mayor, a vice-mayor, and members of the Sangguniang Bayan (legislative branch). It can enact local policies and laws, enforce them, and govern its jurisdictions. It can enter into contracts and other transactions through its elected and appointed officials, and can tax as well. It enforces all local and national laws. The information was obtained from Wikipedia page “Municipalities of the Philippines.”15 See a related post: Foreign Seniors Ask: HOW MANY CITIES ARE THERE IN THE PHILIPPINES?
3Del Carmen is a fifth class municipality in Siargao Island1, in the province4 of Surigao del Norte5, in the Caraga6 Region7 of Mindanao8, in the Philippines. It is the home of Sayak Airport, the island’s main airport. This town was formerly called Numancia until 1966. It currently has 20 barangays. The information was obtained from Wikipedia page “Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte.”16 Visit its website: www.visitdelcarmen.com
4A province is the primary administrative and political division in the Philippines. It is the second-level administrative sub-division of a region7. There are 81 provinces (called “lalawigan”) in the Philippines. Each province is governed by an elected legislature called the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, and by an elected governor. In the Philippines, a province is divided into cities and municipalities2 (or towns), which in turn, are divided into barangays14, formerly called barrios. The information was obtained from Wikipedia page “Provinces of the Philippines.”17 See a related post: Foreign Seniors Ask: WHAT ARE PROVINCES IN THE PHILIPPINES?
5Surigao del Norte is a province4 in the Caraga6 Region7 of Mindanao8, in the Philippines. This province comprises two islands, Siargao1 and Bucas Grande, in the Philippine Sea, and a small area at the northeastern tip of Mindanao. This mainland portion borders Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Sur to the south. It is the second northernmost of the Mindanao provinces, and is an important transportation hub between Visayas (the central part of the country) and Mindanao (the southern part). It was founded on June 19, 1960. It has 20 municipalities2 and one component city, its capital, Surigao City. The information was obtained from Wikipedia page “Surigao del Norte.”18
6Region XIII, or the Caraga Region, is a Philippine region7 located in the island group of Mindanao8, with Butuan as its regional center. It has five provinces4: Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte5, and Surigao del Sur; 6 cities: Bayugan, Bislig, Butuan, Cabadbaran, Surigao and Tandag. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Caraga.”19
7A region is an administrative division based on geographical, cultural and ethnological characteristics. Each region is further subdivided in provinces4, composed of cities and municipalities2 (or towns), which in turn, are divided into barangays14, according to the Wikipedia page “Regions of the Philippines”.20 See a related post: Foreign Seniors Ask: WHAT ARE THE REGIONS OF THE PHILIPPINES?
8Mindanao, commonly known as Southern Philippines, is one of the 3 major geographical divisions of the Philippines, located at the southernmost part of the country. It is the second largest island of the country and covers 6 administrative regions: Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), CARAGA6 Region7, Davao Region, Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos), and Zamboanga Peninsula. It is composed of 22 provinces4 and 33 cities. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Mindanao.”21 The 2 other major geographical divisions of the Philippines are Luzon (in the northern part) and Visayas (in the central part).
9Kermit Surf Resort and Restaurant is located at Purok22 5, in the municipality2 of General Luna10, Siargao Island1, in the province4 of Surigao del Norte5, in the Caraga6 Region7 of Mindanao8, in the Philippines. It offers accommodations, dining services, tour packages, and surfing and yoga lessons. Contact information: Cellphone numbers: Globe – +639176550548, Smart – +639209689934; Email: info@kermitsiargao.com; website: www.kermitsiargao.com
10General Luna is a fifth class municipality2 in the province4 of Surigao del Norte5, in the Caraga6 Region7 of Mindanao8, in the Philippines. It is the home of world-renowned Cloud 9 waves, so this town is called “The Surfing Capital of the Philippines”. It was formerly called Cabuntog, and currently has 19 barangays14, 15 of which are located on Siargao Island1, while 4 are on the other outer islands. The islands of Anahawan, Daku and La Januza are within its jurisdiction. The area is protected within the Siargao Islands Protected Landscapes and Seascapes (SIPLAS) under Republic Act 7586 (National Integrated Protected Area System Act) of 1992. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “General Luna, Surigao del Norte”23 and “Siargao”.12
11http://minda.gov.ph/news/226-minda-siargao-lgu-partner-for-mangrove-conservation
12“Siargao,” accessed October 13, 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siargao
13“Siargao,” accessed October 13, 2019, https://wikitravel.org/en/Siargao
14A barangay is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines, headed by a barangay captain, aided by a Sangguniang Barangay (Barangay Council). It is the native Filipino term for a district or village. It was formerly called a barrio. In a metropolitan area, a barangay is an inner city neighborhood, a suburb, or a suburban neighborhood. The information was obtained from Wikipedia page “Barangay.”24
15“Municipalities of the Philippines,” accessed accessed October 13, 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Municipalities_of_the_Philippines
16“Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte,” accessed October 13, 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Del_Carmen,_Surigao_del_Norte
17“Provinces of the Philippines,” accessed July 17, 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provinces_of_the_Philippines
18“Surigao del Norte,” accessed October 13, 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surigao_del_Norte
19“Caraga,” accessed October 13, 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caraga
20“Regions of the Philippines,” accessed July 17, 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regions_of_the_Philippines
21“Mindanao,” accessed October 13, 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindanao
22A purok is a division, or a portion of a less densely populated neighborhood, within an urbanized barangay14, in the Philippines. It often serves as a unit for delivering services and administration within a barangay. It is typically composed of 20-50 households, depending on the particular geographical location and cluster of houses. Its counterpart in a rural barangay is called a sitio. The information was obtained from Wikipedia page “Purok.”25
23“General Luna, Surigao del Norte,” accessed October 13, 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Luna,_Surigao_del_Norte
24“Barangay,” accessed October 13, 2019, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barangay
25“Purok,” accessed October 13, 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purok
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