Marihatag, Surigao del SURF!

Where: Marihatag Tree Park, Marihatag, Surigao del Sur, in Mindanao, Philippines
Who: Mr & Mrs. Wanderlust
When: Sept. 2014
What: SURIGAO DEL SURF

What to do, where to go? Pricing? Where to crash? Click Read More!

When you hear surf, you would always think of Siargao. Which is actually in the same province as we are, however Siargao is really far away and tiring to get to unless you have a direct flight to the said Island. But that doesn't stop Mr & Mrs Wanderlust from researching for other surf spots. Facing the Pacific ocean without any blocking islands would most likely mean good waves and nice swell during the season (ber months). Pro and amateur surfers alike sometimes even go on a trip on different towns to find surfing spots in the province of Surigao del Sur. From towns of Lianga, Marihatag, Lanuza, Tandag all of their beaches can give good waves if the season is right.

Lianga was close to where we are coming from (which was Hinatuan) however the surf scene there is kinda off and you have to bring your own surfboard and find a spot, which was kinda hard to do for 1 day. Tandag and Lanuza is a long way but thanks to Traveling Kit's blog, we got a contact from Marihatag. 

We got to surf with Tagmariha Surf Club members Nok and Dizon and they let us rent their surfboards. (Can't even say rent because they let us use it with free lesson as well for a very friendly price as you will see below.)

You may contact Dizon Iyana at 09126314489. Hourly rate is P250.00

How to get there:

From Bislig, just catch a bus going to Tandag and get off at Marihatag. 

From Davao get a bus that will go to Butuan but you should alight at San Franz, then from there you can take a van or bus going to Tandag, then just get off at Marihatag.

Where to stay:

There might be a few resorts around but they are kind of not within the internet radar. However through the recommendation of Tagmariha Surf Club member, Dizon, he reserved us a basic A/C room just a few meters away from our surf spot. The resort is an LGU (Local Gov't Unit) owned park named, Marihatag Tree Park.

Mr & Mrs Wanderlust's Rating

Marihatag Tree Park

Place was nice but not so good, since the rooms are very basic, and full of mosquitos (good thing we are ready and brought anti mosquito stickers). There was a small toilet and shower, and an air-conditioner that was functioning fine, though we have no complaints, in terms of the design of the room, it was just as plain as it would get, with one small table and a double bed, and floor was just cemented. Maybe other rooms would look better as there were also staff of PTV 4 doing a taping and checked in on a beach front room.

Our only complaint was when we went to the restaurant to order dinner, the only choice was fried chicken dipped in a used oil, but we had no choice since it is night time and in a sleepy town like Marihatag, the town's markets are probably closed.

They serve beer however they also ran out of beer that night.

Though again, we have no complaints about the friendly staff and the people, its just the facility that needs further improvement, but since its gov't owned, you cant really expect much, and for the price of 500 PHP a night, near a beach, you just get what you pay for.

***Rating:

Price:  $ (around 500 PHP / night)
Service: 2 star
Facilities & Amenities: 2 star
Restaurant (foods): 1.8 star
Bar: 2 star
________________________________
Overall: 2 / 5

What to do:

Beach bum - Mr & Mrs Wanderlust already likes the beach, and we even fell in love more after learning to how to catch waves and surf. But for the not so fond of surfing, you can just chill and be happy at the beach, I mean, who doesn't love the beach?!

Surf - For the enthusiasts, beginners, intermediate and pro alike, when in season, waves even make barrels. Good and consistent waves are also great because based on my experience even not paddling much and with just right timing, you can ride them large waves and prepare for a long nice ride. 

According to Nok & Dizon, there are a couple of surfing spots in Marihatag.

> Speedwalk Bay - The spot is just beside Tree Park, nice waves, and long rides and this is where we surfed, however one should be careful as if the beach is low tide, it is rocky and with corals (I have many wounds on my feet as we failed to bring reef shoes. But on the bright side, we were the only ones surfing there.
> Mayon's Break - near the town centre, waves are consistent, but a bit more people surfing. It is more suitable for beginners as the beach is sandy, and less rocks.

Explore Umangon Island - Just across tree park, there is spot that has weak / calmer waves, and it is because it is being blocked by Umangon Island, which makes it have its own surf spot. The island is probably 1-2 Kilometers from the beach. If you are a in good shape, you can probably swim it, we paddled our surfboards there, and for some, you can hire a boat to get you there.

Pricing:

Accommodation: 350PHP /night (fan room) - 500 PHP (A/C room)

Foods: 500 PHP / day is more than enough for Mr & Mrs.

Surfboard rent  from local surfclub members: 250 PHP

Chill and Relax, or Ride the waves -  PRICELESS!

CONTACTS:
FB: Tagmariha Surf Club

You may contact Dizon Iyana at 09126314489. Hourly rate is P250.00