Since the 1980s, Siargao has been hailed as the "surf capital of the Philippines," a reputation that began when surf photographer Tony Arruza and surfer Steve Jones discovered the island's exceptional surfing conditions. Their explorations and subsequent promotion of Siargao's pristine waves have turned General Luna, a coastal town, into a gateway to the island's many attractions. Over the years, the island's allure—combining natural splendor, community spirit, and adventure—has drawn increasing numbers of visitors to the southeastern Philippines. International tourist arrivals have skyrocketed from approximately 13,600 in 2012 to nearly 54,000 in 2023, with domestic travel also experiencing a surge from around 124,000 visitors in 2018 to over 476,000 in 2023. This growth is particularly remarkable for an island with a population of roughly 150,000 residents. Upcoming developments include a cruise terminal, airport expansions, and larger resort projects.

"Wemar Bonono, a professional surfer and co-founder of several local businesses, emphasizes the importance of preserving Siargao's natural beauty and close-knit community," he says. "We must learn from other island destinations and prioritize sustainable practices, eco-friendly initiatives, and responsible tourism to ensure Siargao's prosperity without losing its unique charm."

Bonono is part of a growing movement of residents dedicated to safeguarding Siargao's essence while inviting like-minded travelers to experience its beauty through sustainable stays, voluntourism, and immersive cultural experiences. Here are some of the individuals committed to preserving the island's magic.

Ian Sermonia and Mike Medina, high school friends from Manila, embarked on a journey in 2013 to establish a surf resort that merged their passion for hospitality and surfing. "After searching throughout the Philippines for the perfect location for Harana, we found Siargao to be the most welcoming," Sermonia shares with Travel. When Harana Surf Resort opened its doors in 2015, Sermonia and Medina became the first residents of Manila to establish a surf resort on the island. Despite their urban origins, they made a conscious effort to integrate into the local community.

"Many of the initial resorts were owned by foreigners who revered the local culture and sought to live the island life—surfing, enjoying nature, and reveling in the waves," Sermonia, now 44, recalls. The island's small but burgeoning hospitality industry, founded on a philosophy of slow living and sustainability, resonated deeply with the duo, contrasting sharply with the cautionary tales of other popular destinations.

Sermonia and Medina sought advice from STOKE Certified, a sustainability certification organization specializing in surf and ski tourism. "They advised us not only to protect the environment but also to promote the local culture and ensure that the locals felt included in Siargao's growth," Sermonia explains. The resort's practices include hiring local staff, offering fair wages, providing discounts to guests who volunteer on the island, advocating for environmental protection, and partnering with local charities and non-profit organizations. They also foster a sense of community at their popular Saturday beach parties, creating a social space where residents and tourists can mingle. "That's what keeps the atmosphere relaxed," Sermonia says. "It's not just about tourists—it's about everyone coming together."

Wemar Bonono, who grew up in Siargao, spent his childhood on Big Wish Beach in Pacifico, a tranquil village an hour's drive from General Luna. Lacking proper equipment, the curious 9-year-old Bonono made do with plywood until he could borrow a surfboard from friends. He preferred surfing to school, eventually dropping out at the age of 10 due to negative experiences. "I had a difficult time in school, which I was embarrassed about," he admits, noting that he learned to read at 16. "But it was this experience that inspired me to start The Sun Crew."

The Sun Crew, a local charity founded in 2017, teaches children to surf on the condition that they attend school and participate in weekend beach clean-ups. Bonono and Australian expat Hannah Bowyer initiated the program after observing children skipping school to watch tourists surf. "I realized we could use surfing as an incentive to get them back in school," he says. What started as a small initiative has now grown to support over 1,000 children from nearby villages, expanding to include summer school, literacy programs, math tutoring, plastic collection initiatives, and young women's leadership development. "We want to help them combine their passion for surfing with education and instill environmental values," he shares. The Sun Crew also welcomes travelers who wish to volunteer while visiting Siargao, Bonono adds. "The island has this incredible spirit where locals and visitors come together, sharing a deep respect for the waves, nature, and each other," he says. "This sense of belonging truly sets Siargao apart—the strong surfing culture and the shared passion to protect this paradise."

Originally from Manila, Kara Rosas arrived in Siargao in 2019 for a three-month volunteer position at Bayatakan Farm Experience, an immersive farming and cultural experience initiative. While volunteering, she met the owner, Analyn Dulpina, who had partnered with a local snackbar in Burgos, one of the northernmost towns on the island. "The snackbar is a social enterprise—it's a community space where people can gather over a snack, away from the main tourism area," Rosas, 27, explains, who helped formalize the projects into an organization called Lokal Lab. "While running the snackbar, Mark (Pintucan) and Iris (Aroa) wanted to ensure that at least 80% of what they served actually came from the island. That's when we discovered a problem with food security; 97% of the island's produce was imported, even though there are many farms here."

To address this issue, they collaborated with Dulpina to launch a slow-food market in General Luna where buyers, such as restaurants and hotels, could connect with local producers. By providing an economic ecosystem for local produce, Rosas says, Lokal Lab hopes to sustain traditional livelihoods like weaving and farming. Otherwise, she fears that rapid tourism development will cause locals to sell their land or be forced to leave due to rising prices. "They are the food producers and the backbone of tourism—and we don't want them to be marginalized by development," Rosas adds. "That's what happened in Bali... When visiting or moving to the island, we need to be careful not to gentrify it and be mindful of the island's existing culture."

On a mission to make Siargao a self-sustaining island, Lokal Lab also trains farmers in regenerative techniques, supports local artisans, and hosts a youth-led storytelling initiative. Travelers can experience Lokal Lab's work at The Hub, a social enterprise in General Luna. Set inside a renovated Filipino house, the community space and cafe showcases farm-to-table cuisine alongside immersive events and workshops. It's also the meeting point for Lokal Experience tours, which include hands-on farming experiences, cooking, and traditional weaving experiences. The organization's latest project, Tropical Academy, is a vocational school teaching regenerative farming, with plans to add carpentry, culinary, and hospitality skills. "The idea is to empower locals so they don't have to leave their communities for jobs," she says. "We want them to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to start their own businesses and take control of their own livelihoods."

Preserving nature and tackling plastic waste are also significant concerns for Siargao, home to the Philippines' largest mangrove stand, spanning over 4,800 hectares and providing habitat to rare and endangered species such as crocodiles, sea turtles, and the Philippine cockatoo. While the island and its surrounding waters have been designated a protected area since 1996, enforcement remains a challenge.

"The more tourists that arrive on the island, the more plastic waste comes,"  The 25-year-old joined the nonprofit SEA Movement, which stands for Siargao Environmental Awareness, in 2022. The organization aims to inspire collective action and environmental stewardship through beach cleanups, advocating for plastic-free alternatives, and educating locals and tourists on marine conservation. Born and raised on Halian Island, off the west coast of Siargao, Litang also leads Halian SEAwikan, a turtle-nesting conservation program, and Saturday beach clean-ups with local island children. She also collaborates with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office of Surigao Del Norte to conduct turtle conservation workshops in Halian and parts of Siargao. Litang says the government and many other organizations are working on waste-management solutions, but travelers must also be mindful of their choices. "There are some irresponsible tourists we can't control," she adds. "But we are just hoping that the travelers who come here will be responsible and eco-conscious—that they travel to support the local communities."

Despite the challenges of rapid tourism development, there is hope among Siargao's residents. After the devastation of Typhoon Rai, known in the Philippines as Super Typhoon Odette, in December 2021, donations have poured into the region, providing a much-needed boost for the island's restoration. Moreover, a "Comprehensive Tourism Master Plan" was developed back in 2017 to provide a roadmap for balanced growth, but it hasn't been implemented yet. "It's really unfortunate—it would have tackled key issues like rising tourism, power shortages, waste management, and disaster resilience," Felino A. Palafox, Jr., the award-winning Filipino architect whose namesake firm is behind the plan. "The government needs to implement the plan quickly—every new structure in Siargao should go above and beyond the building code to withstand super typhoons, earthquakes, and tsunamis."

Sermonia agrees that the master plan would steer Siargao in a positive direction. "The community is strong, but leadership must prioritize sustainable practices," he says. "Politicians will ultimately decide where Siargao goes." For now, Sermonia says, Siargao is at a tipping point. "Hundred-room resorts aren't necessarily bad if they're eco-friendly and locals feel like they're part of the growth," he notes. "At the end of the day, I truly believe that alongside the warmth of the locals, it's the surf culture and its deep respect for the environment and nature that sets the island apart. If politicians continue valuing and protecting this culture, Siargao will be in a good place."

Bonono echoes this sentiment. "The community is making great strides—there's a genuine investment in preserving the island's beauty while ensuring growth benefits everyone," he says. "It's inspiring to see some of the work being done to help the island evolve from not just a surfing paradise but also a model for a sustainable, inclusive community, and we look forward to seeing more people join this mission."