Why you should consider going to Surigao del Sur for a vacation

Okay guys, the reason why you viewed this blog entry is because you are looking for nice places to visit around the Philippines and you Googled Surigao del Sur. Well, let me persuade you to visit this province because of the photographs posted below and my experience (not sure if that's convincing enough though, haha!) Let me tell you the outline of this entry so that in case you find it incomplete, you may jump to another blog site. :)

Pertinent information within this entry:

1. What are the MAJOR attractions that you shouldn't miss?

2. How much is the budget?

3. How long should one explore the different destinations?

4. How do you go around and where's the best place to stay?

5. Is it worth it?

6. (unsolicited but most likely important) Travel advice

And now for the answers...

1. Major attractions

Please, for the love of God, Montresor! DO NOT LEAVE Surigao del Sur without visiting these TOP THREE tourist destinations:

   A. Britania Group of Islands, San Agustin

You will read numerous information and blog posts regarding this paradise. But let me tell you my personal take on this. My first visit to this heaven on earth sanctuary, we arrived at around four of the clock in the afternoon. Since my colleagues and I were agog at exploring this not-so-touristy-place yet back in 2013, we ventured onto the sea with manong bangkero at 4:30 pm and arrived at the island/s by 5 pm. A bad idea.

Tip: Please be EARLY (like 6 am) when you explore the islands so you can get the most out of your trip. You'll see the azure waters in all its ethereal beauty and the islands in their picturesque appearance. Plus. since you'll be paying the same amount of money to the bangkero, maganda nang malibot mo lahat ng islands, kaysa isa lang o dalawa. Tagalan niyo na rin sa isang islet.

My second visit was just recently, February 2015. At last! I was able to go back and explored more!!!
Our first destination was Hagonoy Island, one of the more popular islands in Britania. The pump boats usually bring their guests here first. There were a number of coconut trees lumped together on the island, the sands were ecru in colour but when the afternoon sun reflects on the sand, they become sugary white. The sands were of medium to fine texture and becomes consolidated when wet, giving the shore a smooth appearance. You can opt to ditch your slippers while walking on this island and it wouldn't hurt your feet. Except when the sands are hot. I always wear my Five Fingers when I go to the beach as they are versatile amphibian shoes.

Kyle, Minggoy, Claudine, and Roy goofing underwater. We used our Nikon underwater camera for this.

On the west side of Hagonoy island, there exists these weathered limestone rocks. An area of it is covered with moss and we just sat there and rolled around the moss that feels like a floor carpet to the touch. It's non-irritating and not itchy to the skin. We would wait for the waves to crash on the rock slab and we'd be tumbling and turning all over, haha! It was a fun experience.

That's me, Claudine, Minggoy, and Kyle, all fooling around on the rocky area of the island.

Not really the best and most convincing model for Hagonoy. Hahahah!

Here's the carpet moss! We are waiting for the wave...

And there goes the wave.

So this is what it looks like sitting on the carpet moss whilst waiting for the wave to crash (and topple) us. Looks like a scene in Tabing Ilog. Hahahaha.

Jump shot! As you can see, since no one lives on this islet, no one rakes the shore and the shore is full of organic sea debris. 

A lovely islet!!!

Next stop was Naked Island. This is a sand bar that has NOTHING on it, not even a tree or a blade of grass. It's NAKED. Not so nice to stay in especially during lunch time. It's VERY HOT and there is no shade at all. Moreover, you can only go there if it's high tide. Otherwise, it's difficult for the boatman to maneuver his way out. We did nothing here but take photos. The sun's heat was scorching!!! Here are some of the photos:

There's nothing on this island except sand and organic sea debris.

Ang init!!!

A couple of oddballs righ hurrrr... 

The last islet we went to is my favourite in terms of sand quality: Buslon Island! I've been to many beaches all over the Philippines, but the sands here in Buslon rival the sands of Boracay!!! Seriously. I feel like walking on talc. I removed my shoes and let my toes bury themselves in the fine to very fine texutre sands!!! Another feature of this island is the wealth of seafood items you can buy. The locals sell them at an affordable price. Though I felt a pang of guilt eating those urchins and sea cucumbers, ang sarap eh!!! Ang sarap pala ng sea cucumber! Hahahaha! Or tommy lee jones lang kami kaya ang sarap sarap ng lahat. One bundle of the seaweeds costs 20 pesos, same with the sea cucumber and urchin. The kamote was quite expensive though, 50 pesos for a bundle. The Pepsi was salvation for our parched throats. Here are some of the photos of us eating our prized-catch (from the locals, haha!):

Yummy seaweeds and sea cucumbers

And we all posed in front of the camera upon eating our munchies

Kyle drowned in the powdery sands with his head bobbing

The other islets across Buslon Island

Kwentuhan at tambay lang 'pag may time...

This cavorting of ours around the islands was indeed enjoyable and relaxing! Yes, relaxing. Walang stress dahil sasakay lang kayo ng bangka at pagkatapos bababa sa isla at magpapagulung-gulong sa buhanging malambot at pino.

   B. Tinuy-an Falls, Bislig

*Omigad higad the last time I wrote on this entry was so long ago I have forgotten some of the details na! I'm so sorry!!!*

Anyway, let's go to my second favourite tourist destination in Surigao del Sur: the majestic falls of Tinuy-an! This has got to be the widest falls I've seen so far in my travels around the Philippines. It's tall too, but Katibawasan in Camiguin is taller and also the one I've seen somewhere upstream of the Cagayan River (not sure what was that. we were aboard a Huey when we went there. and we were with the military).

Tinuy-an is most beautiful during the rainy season because the whole wall is filled/covered with water. But the downside if you go there during the rainy season is the waters are stronger and it migh be brown in colour due to upstream erosion. Anyway, we were fortunate when we went there because even if it's still summer time, the wall was covered with water and it was colour white. Kauulan lang kasi I think nung gabi. 

Roy, me, Ming, and Kyle. Missing in this photo is Claud. She's the one wearing the magenta-sleeve rash guard below.
 Behind us is the somewhat downstream portion of Tinuy-an. You'll see this beside the parking lot.

Notice that the wall is not completely covered with water. Pero maganda na ito sa lagay na 'to even during summer. The falling water makes a VERY LOUD sound that it can be heard a hundred meters away.

Tinuy-an has three levels that you can climb. The first level is of course underneath the main falls. You can hire a guide and rent a makeshift raft (don't worry it won't splinter under the water) to go underneath the VERY STRONG, VERY POWERFUL falling water. Those who have weak bones and scoliosis, I advise to not stay long under the falls and do not let yourself be pummelled by the water. Masakit siya, no joke. Yung unang impact masakit. But it's good that it's just liquid so when it comes in contact with your body, the force dissipates a little. Medyo maginaw din pala pero bearable naman.

Here we are underneath the falls clinging onto the raft's barre. Sa mga ballerina dyan, pwedeng gamitin itong barre na ito para sa selfie. Hahaha.

You are allowed to jump off the raft provided you know how to swim. The guides will throw in a flotation device attached to the raft so you can cling onto it when you haul yourself back to the raft. That's Ming with the goggles making the peace sign, Roy, the one with the yellow shirt was Kyle, and that's me at the back.
 CAUTION: I ALMOST drowned because Kyle (ay nako Kyle if you're reading this, peste, muntikan na akong malunod sayo! Hahaha!) hogged the buoy and I was already tired from treading! As I held onto the rope I tried to pull myself  towards the raft. The rope was slack and as I pulled I went underwater! PAMBIHIRA! It was difficult to regain your breath once afloat because of the HEAVY MIST from the falls! I felt lactic acid was building up in my muscles and I thought of already calling the guides to rescue me. But thank you Lord my swimming prowess prevailed and I was able to latch onto the raft safely. I was so FRIGGIN' TIRED after!!!

Kaya guys, please be careful before you jump into the water. Take precaution. The current is stroing going downstream and if you are not so much of a strong swimmer I advise not to go far from the raft. Yes there will be manong guides to help you but to avoid this kind of mishap, BE CAREFUL and WHEN IN DOUBT, DON'T!

This is what I looked like after my ordeal. SO TIRED!!! But eventually I was able to regain my strength fast.

Solo with Tinuy-an. Ang lakas ng tubiiiiig!!! It was MISTY all over!!!

The guides are strong swimmers and they are eager to take your group's photograph while afloat. From left to right. that's Roy, Claud, Ming, Kyle, and I.

As I've stated earlier in this post, Tinuy-an has three levels that you can climb. The photos below is the second level. Water here is also VERY STRONG but it's not as tall as the main falls of Tinuy-an. It's easy to go underneath the water and take group photos. But what's scary is just a few meters and you'll see the steep drop to the main falls. If in case you lose your footing and get carried by the raging waters, Kuya Guide is just standing at the edge of the falls to immediately catch you. I've asked the guide if they have tried jumping from this level to the main falls and they said no one has done that yet but they undergo rigorous training to serve as the falls's guide.

Enjoying the second level falls

That's me underneath the falls. Lakas ng tubig!

GROUP PHOTO!!! Look how strong the water is!

Roy and I are so blind we wear our eyeglasses even when in water

There goes the unconvincing model of Tinuy-an

This is the left side of the second-level falls. Notice behind us is already the steep drop of the main falls. I estimated it to be around 10 to 12 meters in height. It was scary because if you slip and get carried away by the current you'll fall into the main falls! Yikes! But don't worry, in this area right here the current is weak and the water height is low, it cannot carry you down the falls.

May lechon sa harap ng picture

This was what Tinuy-an looked like early in the morning, around 7AM. Notice the water became weaker.

C. Enchanted River, Hinatuan

Save the best for last!

Medyo bad trip lang nung pagpunta namin dito paubos na yung battery ng underwater cam namin kaya ang KONTI at ang CHAKA ng mga litrato. Boooo.

Indeed, this place lives up to its name: ENCHANTED. I made this the last destination entry because out of the three places I've visited, this is where I enjoyed the most and for me, the most surreal place of all. But of course, what's enjoyable and surreal for me might not be for you. Different strokes for different folks. :)

Pose muna bago lumangoy :)

 The water of this river is brackish and I think it's isotonic because once you open your eyes underneath, you CAN'T FEEL any pain at all, unlike when you open your eyes when you swim in a beach or a pool. No need to wear goggles really. Well  yeah, it's isotonic and it's refreshing to open your eyes underneath but of course it will be blurred and you cannot see the bottom. For skin divers out there, please do take the opportunity to bring your snorkelling gear: mask, snorkel, and fins. I promise it's worth it. You'll thank me for telling you.

The water is crystal clear. Best time to go here is just before 12NN because the sun is directly above you and once its rays hit the water, then you'll see the "enchantedness" of the place. Plus, at 12NN they feed the fishes!!! 

Look how clear the water is!!!

Not really the bottom but the side cliffs of the river

Another unconvincing modelling for this trip.

For safety and enjoyment (kasi para hindi ka madaling mapagod), I recommend that you rent a life vest. It's cheap anyway. Do bring a valid ID for your group when renting the vests. It's required.

Yes, even when in water Roy and I need to wear our eyeglasses. We would not appreciate our surroundings if we remove our spectacles. Did I tell you how clear the water is???

Ang sarap magswimming!!!!

Below are underwater photos of the terrain and the fishes. THE FISHES ARE HUUUUGE!!! And friendly too!!! At 12 NN they are being fed by the management. But you'll notice at around 11 AM they are already congregating at their "eating spot"; meaning swimming near the humans!!! I think this is the only time in my life that I swam very near the big fishes. I mean when you swim in the sea or even when you go diving, the ocean is so vast that the fishes are spread out and it's difficult to congregate them all at once swimming around you; unless you're swimming with a school of fish.

Though at one time, I experienced feeding the fishes in Boracay in the littoral zone. The fishes came up to me but they are no bigger than my hand. The fishes here in the Enchanted River are bigger than my face! Medyo scary actually but when I tried swimming towards them of course, being the evasive species they are, lumalayo sila. And I cannot catch up because I had no fins with me to keep up. But yeah, seeing those big fishes swimming around, beside, under, over you is such a treat!!!

WATTAFISH!

That's me swimming with the fishes right after the feeding frenzy. During feeding, people are prohibited to swim and should stay at the rim of the swimming area. E ako medyo pasaway. Nung tapos na yung pagpapakain at tapos na si kuya feeder, nagswimming ako agad papuntang gitna para makita ko yung mga fish!!! Yey!!!

2. Budget Matters

Naku. I'm so sorry friends. I honestly cannot remember anything anymore. Suuuuuuuuuper tagal ko nang nagawa itong post na ito and nagpatong-patong na field works ko so hindi ko na talaga maalala!!! Waaaah! Pero sige, try ko alalahanin. Or, let me give you a not-so-conservative estimate:

Budget for one person per day in a group of four:

Transportation (if travelling with three other friends and you rented a van) - 625
Gas - 100
Accommodations - 400
Food - 300

Total: 1,425/day/person in a group of 4
If staying for 4 nights, 5 days, this will be 6,575 ((1,425 x 4 nights) + 625 + 100 + 150)

Other expenses per person:

Round trip ticket MNL-BXU-MNL - approx. 4,500

Souvenirs - 1,000
Miscellaneous  - 2,000

Total: 7,500/person

Grand total: 7,500 + 6,575 = 14,075/person in a group of 4.

This is kinda steep. But realistic for a 4N/5D stay plus a van rental.

3. Length of stay

To FULLY enjoy these destinations, may I suggest the following:

a. Britania - should be one whole day but can be two full days to really enjoy the islets and swim around and go to other places that may be suggested by manong bangkero.

b. Tinuy-an - can be one whole day or half day pero sayang naman. There are accommodations available within the Tinuy-an "resort" itself. It's a government-run facility and they offer inexpensive lodging. But this is mainly for groups because the room is cramped with double-deck beds. Kung sinuwerte kayo na walang ibang tao, you can have the whole room to yourselves.

c. Enchanted - can be half day, depending how much you love swimming or if you plan to go to the fish cages. Not sure of this thing but you can ask the tourist information area upon entering the facility. I was told by one of the guests that you can rent a pump boat from the Enchanted River area going to somewhere, I forgot the local name of the place.

So if you factor all of these plus your travel time, here's your possible (rough and fast) itinerary:

Day 1: Fly-in to Butuan then head straight to San Agustin for Britania
Day 2: Explore Britania
Day 3: Travel to Hinatuan for Enchanted early morning. Arrive before lunch at Enchanted. depart in the afternoon for Bislig. Sleep in Tinuy-an or somewhere near.
Day 4: Explore Tinuy-an in the morning. Travel to Butuan.
Day 5: Fly-out from Butuan

Medyo haggard pa itong itinerary pero keribells na yan. If you have more time in your hands, you can go down south further to Davao Oriental. Or if you want, instead of going straight to San Agustin, you can drop by Lanuza first, there's surfing going on in that place. :)

4. Going around

Naku, I cannot give you tips on how to commute around del Sur, I'm so sorry. When we were there, we rented a van. Our driver was kuya Cocoy Garcia. Very friendly. He knows how to speak Bisaya and Tagalog and he can be your all-around driver, body guard, yaya, cook. He can also haggle for you if the need arises. He knows Eastern Mindanao well and can take you wherever you want to go in that area. He has a Starex van (medyo luma na nga lang pero malamig naman aircon) that can tour you around for 2,500 per day, excluding gas. You may text me at 0917-8825084 if you want to know his number.

You can be more adventurous by taking the habal-habal or a motorcycle to tour you around these destinations. But for intra-province travel, take the Bachelor Express bus.

5. Was it worth it?

Every second of it. The Philippines is very beautiful. I haven't been to a lot of places around the world but I can say that the Philippines has, perhaps, one of the most diverse natural environment spread over a small land area.

6. Travel advice

Again, different strokes for different folks. You get my drift. But please do read my two cents on the topic:

1. When going island hopping or going to the beach, the best time to explore it is at 6AM onwards. Trust me on this. I've been to countless beaches and oceans around the Philippines and this always holds true.

2. Travel light. Adopt the motto: Have toothbrush will travel.

3. Invest in a good camera that will capture your priceless moments with nature.

4. Be cautious but courageous at the same time.

5. Support local trade.

6. Leave nothing but footprints. Take nothing but pictures (and buy souvenirs from the locals). Kill nothing but time.

7. And please, gustuhin man natin talaga makatipid sa bakasyon pero isipin din natin na ang industriya ng turismo ang isa sa pangunahing pinagkakakitaan ng mga lokal sa kanilang lugar. Kaya huwag naman tayo masyadong tumawad sa presyo. Unlike Manila, Cebu, and Davao, opportunities in provinces, especially the less developed ones, are scarce. Most families thrive on hand to mouth living.

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Okay so ang tagal bago ko nakumpleto ang post na ito! Whoo! Ilang buwan din yun!!! Well at least I'm now finished. I hope you guys enjoyed my post and learned a few things and obtained some tips for your Surigao del Sur travel. Enjoy your trip!!! :)