What to See and Do When in Siargao (6-Day Itinerary): Day 6 (Canjugan Peak Retreat, Taktak Falls, Alegria Beach, Kanaloa Sunset)

After exploring Siargao’s lively surf spots and island-hopping adventures, we decided to spend a full day chasing the quieter, greener side of the island. This meant mangroves, mountains, waterfalls, and beaches — the kind of itinerary that makes you fall in love with the island’s natural beauty all over again.

6:00AM Sunrise at Canjugan Peak Retreat

We kicked off the day with a winding drive up to Canjugan Peak Retreat at 6AM. The higher you go, the more the early light spills over the hills — and yes, the more you feel the heat once the sun is up!

Birdwatchers will love it here. We spotted a brahminy kite gliding in lazy circles right above our heads — the closest I’ve ever seen one in the wild. The retreat usually has a consumable fee for food and drinks, but a power outage that morning meant no kitchen service, so we left a small tip and lingered for the views.

Tip: Go early for cooler temps and better wildlife spotting. They’re very accommodating and agreed to open up at 6AM just for us.

8:00AM Breakfast at Branch

Next stop: Branch, our tried-and-true brunch favorite in General Luna. My pick? The Island Fuel — a bibimbap-style rice bowl with a mountain of vegetables and your choice of chicken or fish. It’s one of those dishes where each component is perfectly seasoned, but when mixed together… pure magic.

11:00AM Strolling Through Del Carmen Mangroves

From town, we drove to Del Carmen Mangrove Boardwalk, a peaceful wooden walkway threading through one of the largest contiguous mangrove forests in the world.

The sea breeze keeps the heat at bay, and the surrounding greenery makes it feel like the rest of the world has melted away. Entry is free, but donations are welcome.

Tip: Wear light-colored clothes for better photos — the green backdrop is gorgeous!

12:30PM A Quick Stop at Taktak Falls

Taktak Falls looks like a scene from a tropical postcard, but the reality can be busier. On our visit, the pool was packed with swimmers, the water had a murky brown tint, and off-key karaoke echoed in the background. At ₱50 entrance, it’s worth checking out only if you’re planning a dip (and ideally during off-peak times).

Tip: Visit early or on weekdays if you want to avoid the crowds.

1:00PM Cooling Off at Alegria Beach

We then headed north to Alegria Beach, where clear turquoise waters and pale sand await. It’s not Boracay-level powder, but it’s one of Siargao’s better beaches for a quick swim and some barefoot lounging.

Tip: The water here is calm, making it great for kids or less confident swimmers.

2:30PM Late Lunch at Pacigao

Hunger hit, so we stopped at Pacigao for their excellent fish tacos. The place is shaded, which is a relief in Siargao’s midday heat, but note that they only have a few electric fans — so it can still feel toasty when there’s no breeze.

4:30PM Sunset Paddle at Kanaloa (Malinao)

In the late afternoon, we made our way back toward General Luna, stopping at Kanaloa in the Malinao area for a sunset paddle. You can rent their single kayak or a wooden paddle boat to explore the surrounding mangroves.

Gliding through still waters while the sky turned gold was one of those perfect “slow travel” moments. But before that, you can choose to cool off by taking a dip in the waters!

Tip: Go 45 minutes before sunset to maximize your time on the water.

Dinner BBQ Crawl in General Luna

Back in General Luna, we went all-in for barbecue night:

• Catangan BBQ — perfectly charred pork belly

• Annattos — juicy, flavorful Negros-style chicken inasal

A smoky, savory end to a nature-packed day.

For other Siargao recommendations, I also have a suggested 6-Day Siargao Itinerary below. Hope it helps:

• • Day 1: Arrive at Siargao, lunch at Surfing Temple, sunset bridge, dinner at Kermit
  • Day 2: sunrise at Malinao Beach, breakfast at Siargao Corner Cafe, island hopping (Naked, Guyam, Corregidor) with Galatea, dinner at Bayani, party at Hang Loose
  • Day 3: Breakfast at White Beard, Sugba Lagoon, Kawhagan Island, Coconut View, Maasin River, lunch at The Greenhouse or Bravo, sunset at the Secret Beach, dessert at Buonana, dinner at Las Barricas, drinks at Manu
  • Day 4: Breakfast at Lunares, Tayangban Cave Pool, Magpupunko Rock Formation, Lunch at Trogon’s Perch, Alegria Beach (to swim) or Burgos (for café hopping), Taktak Falls, Dinner at Haole
  • Day 5 (Sohoton Cove, Tiktikan Lake, Hagukan Cave, Magkukuob Cave, Non-Sting Jellyfish Lagoon, Dinner at Wild)
  • Day 6 (Canjugan Peak Retreat, Taktak Falls, Alegria Beach, Kanaloa Sunset)
  • Other Activities to do in Siargao
  • Best Restaurants to Eat & Drink at when in Siargao