ISLAND TOURS

Pansukian Resort is an elegant base from where you can explore pristine and almost undiscovered islands. We have 2 speedboats and can organize for you 5 island tours in unique areas which are : The Lagoon (1), The Twin Islands (2), Caub Island (3), Bucas Grande Island (4) and Dinagat Island (5). 1. The Lagoon: (half-day tour) Pansukian resort is separated from the Pacific Ocean by a beautiful blue water lagoon. While touring you will visit 3 amazing islets which are located inside the lagoon at the back of the coral reef : Naked Island, Daku Island, Guyam Island Naked Island The island is called "Naked" because it's a dome of sand in the middle of the lagoon. The local name of this sandbar is Pansukian. We chose to give this name to the resort because this islet is located 4 kilometers right in front of it. Daku Island Daku, in Visayan, means "big". Hence, Daku Island. Take a quick look around this fishing village then cool off in its refreshing waters. You can snorkel here as there is some beautiful coral around. Guyam Island Guyam Island is as pretty as a postcard. It's probably what you imagined Robinson Crusoe's island looked like. This island is uninhabited although some enterprising souls have put up huts where you can take refuge from the summer sun. 2. The Twin Islands: (half-day tour) The twin islands are composed of La Janoza Island and Mamon Island. They are located 40 minutes away from the resort. They can be considered as the the easternmost islands of the Philippine Archipelago. The biggest of the four islands here is La Janoza. Colorful bancas line the powdery beach of this fishing village. La Janoza lies directly opposite its twin, Mamon Island. Between is a lagoon alive with fish and coral. Great for snorkeling! 3. Caub Island (whole-day tour) Caub is located on the western part of Siargao. This area can only be accessed by boat during high tide. Kayak in one of the Philippine's biggest mangrove areas. Lunch is served at a local's home in the charming fishing village of Sugba. The houses are built on stilts above a tranquil lagoon. After lunch, we recommend kayaking through the narrow channel that leads to a salt-water lake. 4. Bucas Grande Island: (whole-day tour) An hour away from Pansukian Tropical Resort is Bucas Grande. Mushroom-shaped limestone rocks, green with foliage, sprout from its shimmery blue waters. Bucas Grande bears a striking resemblance to the Rock Islands of Palau in Micronesia. (We suspect they were twins separated at birth!) Get on a kayak and paddle through Sohoton Cave, the sole entrance that leads to an enormous labyrinth of a lagoon. There are many nooks and crannies to explore. If you are courageous, you can swim with your guide through an underwater tunnel which leads to a hidden cave. You'll even find stingless jellyfish here in one of the lagoon's "pools", similar to Palau's Jellyfish Lake. If the sun is too hot, you can paddle under the rainforest canopy between limestone stalactites. Watch out for eagles, sea hawks, hornbills, giant fruit-eating bats and other rare and exotic species. Note: We were lucky enough to see whale sharks on two separate occasions while coming and going on trips to Bucas Grande! So keep an eye out for them on the way there and on the trip back and be sure to have your mask, snorkel and fins ready. There's nothing like getting up close and personal with these gentle giants of the sea. 5. Dinagat (overnight, May to August only) Dinagat's west side Dinagat has to be one of the most beautiful islands in the Philippines. The west side is dense with limestone rock formations and white sand beaches, while the side facing the Pacific reveals extraordinary coves; beaches blidingly white and others that look like solid iron. Fresh water streams flow from the mountains into the sea. Dinagat is truly an amazing experience. Highly recommended for adventurous souls with a passion for the undiscovered

SURFING

Siargao's potential as a tourist destination was initially "discovered" by the international surfing community, which was captivated by its awe-inspiring waves. Siargao's proximity to the Philippine Deep, combined with the huge swells of the Pacific, is the secret of its power. Aside from Cloud 9 and Pacifico which can be accessed from the shore, Siargao's other breaks are offshore and can only be reached by boat. Pansukian can provide its guests with a boat and a local surfer/guide to quickly reach the best spots of the day, according to the direction of the wind and the swells. Within an area of 20 km., you will find more than 20 surfing spots, mostly offshore. The most famous site is "Cloud 9". Surfing season is, generally, between August to October with annual international surfing competitions held around late September to early October. Siargao's Surf Areas The surfing areas in and around Siargao can be categorized into three: 1. Tuason Point (3 kms. north of General Luna): This is the most well-known surfing area in the Philippines. It also contains the most well known surf site in the country -- Cloud 9 (C9). C9 is a hollow and heavy right hand barrel; for experienced riders only. Within a stone's throw from C9 are three other world-class waves: When the sections line up, Jacking Horse is a long and fun right hander. It is about 200m north of C9. Tuason Left is, on its day, an amazingly hollow and powerful left hander. Experienced surfers only. This wave is about 400m south of C9. Cemetery's is a really fun left hander suitable for all surfers. Head north of GL, find the cemetery and paddle out. 2. North of C9: There are countless waves within an hour-and-a-half boatride north of C9. Some of the more well-known ones include: Stimpies, a great left hander. Can be fat, can be hollow, can be perfect. Rock Island, a 300m right hander that, on its day, can be flawless. These two waves can be seen from C9 and break on the opposite tide so, when it's too low at C9, just jump into a pumpboat for some slicker waves. Further north is what is considered the best left hander in the area, Pacifico. This wave is long, hollow, and powerful. Not to be missed. Still further north is Burgos, an area with several lefts and rights that, on their day, rival any others on the islands. Keep heading north and you will find plenty of known and "secret" spots to whet your appetite. 3. GL and south: To the south of GL, all waves must be reached by boat, and are always a highlight of one's holiday. Daku is an island to the east of GL and has a fun right hander that breaks during large swells. The wave breaks on the protected side of the island so it is usually small and great for beginners. Pansukian Reef is a fickle but hollow right hander; another for experienced surfers only. Further south are the islands of La Janoza and Mamon. These islands are beautiful. There are numerous waves in this area with the pick of the bunch being at Mabuntok Reef, which is to the left on Mamon. This wave will cater to all levels and is situated by one of the most pleasant and picturesque beaches in the region. Information for First-Time Surfers in Siargao A couple of things to be aware of when coming to surf in Siargao: Bring whatever you need, including wax. Buy and wear booties (rubber surfing boots). In some places, you will need to walk across the reef to get to the waves. Booties are a good idea for all people who plan to go into the water, swimmers and surfers alike. Nothing infects quicker than a reef cut. Bring a first aid kit -- and know how to use it! Always wear sunscreen. Ten minutes in the sun is enough to get burned. Most importantly, have travel insurance. It's priceless if -- God forbid! -- something goes wrong.

SCUBA DIVING

Pansukian has the only PADI dive shop in Siargao.  We offer SCUBA lessons at the following rates: Discover SCUBA Diving* - $100 *subsequent dives - $35 Openwater - $650 Advanced Openwater - $450 Openwater and Advance - $800 Our ratio is one instructor to two students.  The best time for diving is between the months of May to August.

DEEP SEA FISHING

Pansukian can organize a half-day or whole-day fishing expedition with Siargao's best fisherman, Junior Gonzalez, who can provide the boat, fishing equipment and bait. Year round, you can catch fish like jack and giant travelly weighing as much as 40 to 50 kilos. Around the payaos (artificial fish shelters), you'll find small yellow fin tuna (around two to five kilos), skipjack tuna, durado and, if you're lucky, marlin! Night fishing around the payaos can net about 100 kilos of squid, depending on your skill. March to May is big-game fishing season for sailfish, which Siargao is particularly known for. You can also find wahoo (tanguingue) and yellow fin tuna at this time. Closer to shore, you'll find barracudas. Night fishing is best from May to November, when you can catch yellow fin tuna weighing anywhere from 35 to 70 kilos. Around August to November, you can troll for durado (also known as dolphin fish or mahi-mahi). Live bait (flying fish) and Rapala skirts are Junior's recommended lures.

SHELL COLLECTING

Nicolas has organized his shell collection into a mini museum.  Its main feature are the cones but it also showcases terebras, mitres, olivas, cowries and vexillum, several of which are world-record sized!  Some of these shells were found in and around the islands of Siargao and Dinagat. The resort offers diving and snorkeling shell expeditions for the serious shell collector/hunter, and introductory "shelling" for the curious.