Sugba Lagoon, Siargao: Timing, Costs, and What It's Actually Like

Written from Del Carmen by the Mariden team — we're 30 minutes from the boats and send guests here most mornings. This guide is about the one thing that determines whether your visit is worth it: timing.

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Disclosure: This guide is published by Mariden Resort. While we've aimed for accuracy, we encourage you to research both areas for your trip.

Route Map from Mariden Resort

The map below shows the full route: drive from Mariden Resort to Del Carmen Port (~30 min), then a boat ride to Sugba Lagoon (~20–30 min). See Siargao scooter rental rates for getting to the port.

🚗 Blue line: drive to Del Carmen Port  ·  🚤 Dashed line: boat to Sugba Lagoon

Sugba Lagoon is a deep, jade-green pool hidden 20 minutes by boat inside the Del Carmen mangroves — no road in, no phone signal, and for the first hour of the morning, often no other boats. It's the most photographed place on Siargao's west coast, and the difference between the photo everyone wants and the experience most people get comes down to one decision: what time your boat leaves.

This guide covers the real 2026 costs (collected at one window, in cash), the tour options, the rules that catch people off guard, and how to be on the first boat out. For where to base yourself, see our Del Carmen vs General Luna comparison.

Sugba Lagoon with emerald-green water, limestone cliffs, and iconic diving board platform - Del Carmen, Siargao, Philippines
Panoramic shot of Sugba Lagoon showing the turquoise water, limestone cliffs, and floating platforms with the diving board.
Image courtesy of Lucky Ambago

Quick Facts

  • Location: Del Carmen, Siargao (West Coast)
  • Travel Time: 20-30 minute boat ride from Del Carmen Port
  • Best For: Swimming, Paddleboarding, Kayaking, Nature Lovers
  • Entrance Fee: ₱100/person (~$1.80 USD) for foreign visitors · ₱50/person for locals
  • Environmental Fee: ₱50/person (~$0.75 USD, separate charge)
  • Terminal Fee: ₱20/person (~$0.30 USD)
  • Boat Rental (Tour A – Sugba Lagoon only): ₱2,150/boat (~$38 USD total, up to 6 people)
  • From Siargao Airport: Del Carmen is just 10-15 minutes from Sayak Airport (IAO) , located within Del Carmen itself, making it the most convenient base for your trip.
  • From General Luna: It takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour by van or motorbike to reach the Del Carmen Tourism Center.
  • Operating Hours: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily (first boat departs 8:00 AM; arrive by 7:00 AM to queue)

💡 Pro Tip: Combine your trip with the Del Carmen mangrove boardwalk , Taktak Falls jungle hike , or visit low-tide rock pools at Magpupungko for a full day of North Siargao exploration.

⚠️ ANNUAL CLOSURE: Sugba Lagoon undergoes an annual closure for environmental rehabilitation under Municipal Ordinance No. 045 of 2019. The exact dates are announced each year, so check the Municipality of Del Carmen Facebook page or contact the Del Carmen Tourism Office before planning your visit.

How to Get There

Getting to Sugba Lagoon is an adventure in itself, taking you through the Philippines' largest contiguous mangrove forest:

  1. Head to Del Carmen Tourism Center: Located near the Del Carmen municipal hall, this is the official jump-off point for all Sugba Lagoon tours.
  2. Register and Pay Fees: You'll pay the entrance fee (₱100 (~$1.70 USD) foreign / ₱50 (~$0.75 USD) local), environmental fee (₱50/person, ~$0.75 USD), and terminal fee (₱20/person, ~$0.30 USD), then arrange your boat rental at the tourism office. Payment is cash only. No ATMs near the port.
  3. Enjoy the Boat Ride: The 20-30 minute journey takes you through winding mangrove channels, a scenic tour that's Instagram-worthy in itself!

Tour Options & Official Boat Rates (2026)

Note: We do not arrange tours or boat bookings. Book directly at the Del Carmen Port on the day of your visit.

All tours depart from Del Carmen Port. Prices are per boat (up to 6 people).

TourDestinationsBoat Rate
Tour ASugba Lagoon only₱2,150 (~$38 USD)
Tour BSugba Lagoon + Kawhagan Sandbar OR Pamomoan Beach₱2,700 (~$48 USD)
Tour B+Sugba Lagoon + Kawhagan + Pamomoan₱3,050 (~$54 USD)
Tour C/DSugba + Kawhagan + Mangrove View Deck₱3,050 (~$54 USD)
Tour D+Sugba + Kawhagan + Pamomoan + View Deck₱3,650 (~$65 USD)
Tour EMangrove Forest Guided Tour₱2,150 + ₱300 guide (~$43 USD)
Tour FMangrove View Deck only₱600 (~$11 USD)

Note: Kawhagan Sandbar has an additional docking fee of ₱30–₱150/person (~$1.25-$2.30 USD) paid on arrival.

USD conversions are indicative based on ₱56 = $1 USD (2026). Pay in Philippine Pesos. No ATMs at the port.

Boat ride through Del Carmen mangrove forest channels on the way to Sugba Lagoon, Siargao, Philippines
Boat ride through the mangrove forest channels on the way to Sugba Lagoon, showing the scenic journey.
Image courtesy of Krios003

Tips for the Best Experience

Go Early

The lagoon opens at 8:00 AM. Arriving first thing guarantees you'll get the diving board to yourself without a queue — the water shifts from jade to turquoise as the sun climbs, and the light is at its best before 9 AM.

Bring Your Own Supplies

Food and alcohol are no longer permitted inside Sugba Lagoon. The only thing available at the floating boathouse is filtered water. Pack your own snacks and lunch before heading to the port. Food stalls are available near Del Carmen town and at the port area. Leave No Trace : bring all your trash back with you.

Rules at Sugba Lagoon:

  • 🚫 No food or alcohol inside the lagoon
  • 🚫 No single-use plastic; bags are checked at the pier before boarding
  • ⏱️ 3-hour maximum stay per group (strictly enforced)
  • 💧 Decant plastic water bottles before boarding, or leave them at the pier
  • 🧴 Use reef-safe sunscreen only

Combine with Other Spots

For day-by-day trip plans that incorporate Sugba Lagoon, see our sample Siargao itineraries .

Many boat operators offer combo tours that include Kawhagan Island (great for swimming and picnics) or Pamomoan Beach . Ask about package deals when booking your boat. Since both Sugba Lagoon and the the Philippines' largest mangrove forest depart from the same port, you can easily combine them in one morning trip. You can also visit tidal rock pools at Magpupungko (30 mins north) or Taktak Falls jungle waterfall in the afternoon.

Rent Water Activities

At the lagoon, you can rent paddleboards and kayaks for around ₱200-₱300 (~$3-$5 USD) per hour. The calm, sheltered waters make it perfect for beginners. If you enjoy paddling through peaceful waters, you'll also love kayaking at Maasin's jungle river channels where you can spot wildlife and navigate through coconut-lined waterways.

What disappoints people

We've sent hundreds of guests to Sugba over the years. The ones who leave let-down almost always made the same mistakes:

  • Arriving too late. Groups that reach the port after 10 AM find the best morning light gone and the platform already crowded. The 3-hour maximum stay is strictly enforced — if you're last in, you're last out, and the afternoon often brings wind chop on the boat ride back.
  • Expecting food inside. The no-food rule catches many people off guard. There's only filtered water at the floating platform. Pack your own lunch — the small sari-sari stores near Del Carmen port sell biscuits, chips, and drinks.
  • Booking during a typhoon signal. Operations close at Signal 1 and above. Check PAGASA the night before — if a signal is active anywhere in Surigao del Norte, don't assume the trip will run. Ask at the port in the morning; boat operators will tell you straight.
  • The diving board is the whole reason, and it's crowded. The high board at Sugba is genuinely fun — but at peak hours, the queue is long. First boat means 10 minutes of waiting; arriving at 11 AM can mean 30. Go early or accept that you might not get the empty-platform shot.
Visitors paddleboarding, kayaking, and jumping from the diving board at Sugba Lagoon, Del Carmen, Siargao
People enjoying activities at Sugba Lagoon - paddleboarding, kayaking, or jumping from the diving board into the clear water

Stay Close, Start Early

Here's a local secret: Why wake up at 5 AM to travel from General Luna? Most tourists make the 45-minute journey from GL and arrive at the lagoon around 10-11 AM when it's already crowded.

Mariden Resort is located in Del Carmen, about a 30-minute ride from the port — 15 minutes closer than heading from General Luna. Stay with us, enjoy a relaxed breakfast, and still be on the first boat out to the lagoon. By the time the GL crowds arrive, you'll already have the diving board shots and the quiet version of the lagoon that most visitors never see.

If you're staying with us in Del Carmen, let us know your Sugba date — we send guests there most mornings and can tell you honestly what time the first boat usually goes and whether the afternoon chop is likely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Boat rental for Tour A (Sugba Lagoon only) costs ₱2,150 (~$33 USD) per boat for up to 6 passengers (round trip from Del Carmen port). Add ₱100 (~$1.70 USD) entrance fee (foreign) or ₱50 (~$0.75 USD) (local), plus ₱50 (~$0.75 USD) environmental fee and ₱20 (~$0.30 USD) terminal fee per person. The more people in your group, the lower the cost per person, and a group of 6 pays only ~₱358/person (~$6 USD) for the boat alone. Paddleboard and kayak rentals at the lagoon cost ₱200-₱300 (~$3-$5 USD) per hour. Budget approximately ₱800–₱1,000+ (~$14-$17 USD) per person if traveling solo or in a small group (2–3 people), or ₱500–₱700 (~$8-$12 USD) per person in a full group of 6. This includes boat share, entrance/environmental/terminal fees, and one activity rental.

Arrive early (7:00-8:00 AM) to beat the crowds and enjoy the calmest water for photos. The lagoon is best visited during dry season (March–October) when water clarity is optimal. Avoid rainy days when visibility drops and boats may not operate.

Yes. Sugba Lagoon undergoes an annual closure for environmental rehabilitation under Del Carmen Municipal Ordinance No. 045 of 2019. The exact dates are announced each year by the municipality, so check the Municipality of Del Carmen Facebook page or contact the Del Carmen Tourism Office before booking.

Sugba Lagoon is accessible only by boat from Del Carmen port . The boat ride takes approximately 20-30 minutes. Arrange your boat directly at the port on the day of your visit. From General Luna, you'll need to travel 45 minutes to Del Carmen first.

Yes! Swimming is one of the main activities. The water is calm, clear, and safe for swimming. Life jackets are available and recommended for non-swimmers. There's also a diving board on the floating platform for those who want to jump in.

Yes, Sugba Lagoon is family-friendly. The calm, sheltered waters are safe for children with supervision. Life jackets are available in various sizes. The floating pontoon provides a stable area for kids to play. Just ensure children are comfortable around water. For other family-friendly beaches, check out Alegria Beach in Santa Monica with its shallow, calm waters.

  • Reef-safe sunscreen (regular sunscreen damages the ecosystem)
  • Waterproof bag for electronics
  • Snacks and plenty of water
  • Towel and change of clothes
  • Cash for activities and tips
  • Underwater camera if you have one

Stay Closer to Sugba Lagoon Than General Luna Guests

The Sugba Lagoon boat tour departs from Del Carmen port — 30 minutes from Mariden Resort, versus 45 minutes from General Luna. Arrive earlier, beat the crowds. Rooms from ₱1,500/night (~$26 USD) with airport pickup (₱200) and Starlink WiFi.

Use code DIRECT20 at checkout for 20% off your direct booking.

See rooms near the lagoon →

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