Just outside of General Luna lies Secret Beach, a spot perfect for catching sunsets and unwinding from the parties and bustle of Siargao. While the beach itself may not be the most picturesque, its grassy area, shaded by swaying palm trees, is a relaxed setting for lounging or hanging out with friends.
In this guide, we’ll share everything you need to know about visiting Secret Beach in Siargao, including how to get there and what to expect when you arrive.
Secret Beach Complete Guide
Secret Beach in Siargao is the ideal place to spend a laid-back afternoon. We spent a few evenings here during our time in Siargao and the chill atmosphere combined with the tropical surroundings was the perfect place to wind down after a day of exploring the island.
A neat activity you can do at Secret Beach is explore the nearby mangroves. You can rent a canoe or paddleboard on the beach and do a little tour by yourself. That’s exactly what we did one afternoon, and we had an absolute blast.
How to get to Secret Beach in Siargao
Secret Beach used to be much harder to find, but nowadays it’s a known spot with an official entrance. It’s located at the end of Malinao Road, just outside of General Luna.
If you’re arriving by motorbike, drive until you get to the end of the road. You’ll need to park on the right side of Kanaloa. It costs 20 pesos to park a motorbike there, but it’s a fair price considering that the roadside would get clogged up with motorbikes and vehicles otherwise.
The entrance to Secret Beach is on the left side of the road. As you walk in, you’ll pass a few snack stalls so you can grab a quick snack before heading to the beach.
One important thing to note: Disposable plastics such as plastic bottles are prohibited on Secret Beach. There’s a person stationed at the entrance who checks to ensure that nobody brings these items in.
The map location below for Secret Beach is accurate and can be used to navigate there.
Secret Beach: Our Experience
We visited Secret Beach twice during our time in Siargao. On our first visit, we took a stroll to explore the area. The beach itself is decent, though not ideal for swimming due to its shallowness. However, if you visit during high tide, you might find a good spot to take a dip.
But what really stands out about Secret Beach is its grassy area shaded by coconut trees. It’s a popular spot for people to lay down a blanket and relax for the afternoon, making it an excellent place to hang out with friends.
We noticed that you can rent a canoe or paddleboard at Secret Beach, so a few days later we returned to rent a canoe and explore the mangroves. In my opinion, this is the best thing to do at Secret Beach. The mangroves stretch across the area surrounding the beach, creating a maze of little nooks. The water around the mangroves is surprisingly clean, clear, and shallow, so we felt comfortable paddling and exploring every corner.
If you decide to explore the mangroves be mindful of the tides. The current can get quite strong when the tides change. Better yet, ask the rental operator for recommendations on where to paddle based on the current tide.
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 Secret Beach in Siargao! Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions! 🐸
Loved your blog. It was a great guide for our adventures in Siargao.