After returning from Sugba Lagoon, we found ourselves in the town of Del Carmen with some time to spare. We heard about a newly built boardwalk nearby that spans over the water and weaves through the mangroves.
We love exploring mangroves, especially if we don’t need to get wet. So we made our way to the other side of town to check out the Del Carmen Mangrove Boardwalk.
Del Carmen Mangrove Boardwalk Complete Guide
The Del Carmen Mangrove Boardwalk is an elevated pathway that winds through the mangroves of Siargao. The boardwalk is located in the heart of the Del Carmen Mangrove Reserve, which is the largest contiguous mangrove forest in the Philippines.
The boardwalk zigzags through the mangrove ecosystem and spans 1.8 km one-way, with the same route taken on your return. Since the boardwalk is fully exposed to the sun, it’s best to visit in the early morning, late afternoon, or on a cloudy day to stay comfortable.
Walking on the boardwalk is completely free, but you can rent a bicycle at the entrance for 50 pesos. That’s what we did and we had a blast cycling through the mangroves to the boardwalk’s end and back.
How to get to the Del Carmen Mangrove Boardwalk
The Del Carmen Mangrove Boardwalk is located on the western side of Siargao, in the town of Del Carmen. The boardwalk is about a 50-minute motorbike ride from General Luna, and is located just past the Siargao Airport.
The boardwalk is near the Port of Del Carmen, where tours to Sugba Lagoon start. This makes it an ideal spot to visit after returning from a Sugba Lagoon tour like we did.
Del Carmen Mangrove Boardwalk: Our Experience
After visiting Sugba Lagoon, we found ourselves in the town of Del Carmen and decided to check out a newly built boardwalk nearby. The boardwalk extends over the mangroves, giving you the chance to explore without getting your feet wet. Pretty neat concept.
When we reached the entrance, we noticed that they rent bicycles. Always one to make things easier, Chloe suggested we rent a couple of bicycles for us to cruise along the boardwalk, and I’m so glad we did. There was no shade anywhere on the boardwalk so walking the entire length would have been brutal in the afternoon sun.
As we rode over the boardwalk, the path zigzagged through the mangroves and turned out to be much longer than I expected. After about 10 minutes, we reached the end of the pathway which was kind of abrupt. The ending is marked by a small monument that says “I was here”. So I took a photo of Chloe so she can say just that.
As we rode back, the sun began to set. I wondered what the view from above was like, so I sent up my drone. The sight was incredible—the mangroves stretched out for miles, much larger than I had imagined. Riding over the boardwalk was a fun way to end our day of exploring Siargao.
Is visiting the Del Carmen Mangrove Boardwalk worth it?
The Del Carmen Mangrove Boardwalk is worth visiting if you’re already in the Del Carmen area. However, the abrupt end of the boardwalk can feel a bit underwhelming, so it might not be worth going out of your way to visit.
If you do decide to visit, timing is everything. Avoid the midday sun, as the boardwalk has no shade and can be unbearably hot. Early morning or late afternoon visits are ideal, offering cooler temperatures and softer light to enjoy the mangroves at their best. Plus, you’ll have better chances of spotting wildlife during those hours.
Where to Stay in Siargao
Choosing where to stay in Siargao is pretty straightforward. General Luna is the island’s main tourism hub. Most of the accommodations, restaurants, and shops are located in General Luna, and it’s also where all the tours and activities depart from. If you want to be close to everything, General Luna is the place to be.
Here are our recommendations on where to stay in Siargao:
- Luxury: If you’re looking for the best place to stay in Siargao, Las Palmas Villas is hard to beat. It has everything you would expect from a resort, including a swimming pool, a garden, and a full-service restaurant and bar.
- Mid-range: Camanolo Homestay is located right in the heart of General Luna, but down a quiet side street. The rooms are clean and all have their own private bathrooms and AC.
- Budget: We enjoyed our stay at Hostel Bajala so much that we ended up extending it a few times. The place is clean, cozy, and comfortable. We couldn’t ask for more.
If you prefer to find your own place to stay, you can visit Booking.com to explore all your accommodation options in Siargao.
What to Pack for Siargao
Here are some of our must-have items you might not have thought of when packing for a trip to Siargao.
- Crocs: During our time in Siargao, I was so glad to have Crocs to protect my feet when exploring caves and islands. They are the ultimate shoe in the Philippines for a reason – many Filipinos wear them too!
- Earplugs: If you’re planning to do any island hopping while in Siargao, I recommend bringing a set of earplugs for the boat rides. Most boats in Siargao have super loud diesel engines that will make your ears ring!
- Sunscreen: For some reason, sunscreen is expensive in the Philippines and I’ve even encountered places selling fake sunscreen that doesn’t work! So I recommend bringing your own sunscreen to Siargao.
- Dry Bag: With all the sand, salt, and water flying everywhere during our adventures out to Siargao’s islands, I was so glad to have a dry bag to keep all my things safe from the elements!
- Travel Towel: In my opinion, a travel towel like this one is super necessary for a trip to Siargao! It packs down nicely and was there for me anytime I went swimming, or just needed to brush sand or dirt off.
Our Siargao Google Maps Locations
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Are You Following Our Siargao Blog Series?
We spent 16 days in Siargao and found so many things to do there—from caves to beaches, mangroves, and lagoons. To help fellow adventurers, we’ve put together guides to the best places we found. You can check them out by clicking the links below.
- Start planning your trip here: Siargao Travel Guide
- Our ultimate guide to Siargao: 26 Awesome Things to Do in Siargao
- Our Siargao accomodation/area guide: Where to Stay in Siargao
- How to plan your Siargao vacation: Siargao 3 Day Itinerary
- Our Siargao Beach Guide: 15 Best Beaches in Siargao
- Our favorite place to swim in Siargao: Beto Cold Spring
- Our most intense adventure in Siargao: Exploring the Marvelous Somyot Cave
- Our favorite day tour in Siargao: Sohoton Cove
- Our favorite beach in Siargao: Pacifico Beach
- How to rent a motorbike in the Philippines
I hope you enjoyed our guide to the Del Carmen Mangrove Boardwalk in Siargao. Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions! 🐸
