Cloud9 surfing in General Luna, Siargao Island

Surfboard riding or plainly surfing was not recently introduced in the Philippines not until in the 1980's when an American named John Callahan traveled into the island of Siargao, Surigao del Norte named a so called hollowed thick tube of wave as "cloud 9" an article was written about it and appeared in Surfer Magazine. Ranking third amongst the world's deepest oceans, the Philippine Deep is home to the surfer's paradise a small town named after General Luna during the Philippine-American war way back in the late 19th century where the Philippines was under American colonial rule. The famous surf break faces the Pacific Ocean against rocks and corrals below the sea. The wave formation was at par with Hawaii's Maui or that of Australia and neighboring New Zealand. "Cloud 9" as the local folks of General Luna call it is on the Caraga Region of the Northeastern section of Mindanao the second largest island of the Philippine archipelago. Comprising the said region are the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur. The natives of the place were formerly called "caragans." Despite its remote location a vacation to the island will bring much fun and excitement. Gone were the days were there was difficulty in communication as satellite phones were then a scarcity. There were only a handful of resort operators operating in the island. Today, the town is booming with tourists mostly Australians, some Europeans, Americans, New Zealanders and others are being welcomed, and there are now resort owners that offer world class facilities offering wireless-fidelity[wi-fi] broadband Internet access, direct satellite television, pool tables and a sea water swimming pool among them Sagana Beach Resort, Ocean 101, Patrick's on the Beach Resort, etc. Getting there takes at least an hour and a half flying from the capital city of Manila to Surigao city through local domestic flights and upon landing at Surigao airport travelers are transferred to the port of Surigao to a fast ferry service or a motorized boat known locally as the "pump boat" which takes about four hours average travel time. Upon reaching Siargao Island, the port of entry is at Dapa town and another thirty to forty five minute bus, jeepney, van-for-hire or a heavy passenger tricycle will take you to the town of General Luna about four kilometers in distance from Dapa.Avid surfers beginners and professionals of the surfing sports may bring their own surfboards or may rent the same from the various resorts scattered all over town. Another mode of going to Siargao Island are by means of domestic shipping lines plying the Cebu to Surigao routes if one has a connecting flight from Manila to Cebu City which is in the Central Visayas region. South East Asian Air or SEAIR a local airline resumes its flight schedule flying direct to Siargao Island sometime in March 2008. Although flying via SEAIR may be a little expensive, only a few can afford its fares one may have to make a choice of the alternate trip of taking the boat from Cebu to Surigao. The monsoon months beginning from September to early October bring about the best waves and during summer between April and May the waves are slightly low in height and the winds are moderate this time of the year; and is ideal for newcomers. An annual invitational international surfing cup is held each year in September. Australians almost always dominate the sport and in the championships. Filipino surfers are yet to prove themselves that they too can achieve a winning trophy someday. Surf's up! Let's go surfing! Welcome to General Luna, Siargao Island the "Surfing Capital of the Philippines!"