Sayak Airport (Siargao)

Sayak Airport (IAO), also widely known as Siargao Airport, is not merely a transport hub but a true gateway to a world of surfing and tropical bliss. Located amidst coconut groves in the municipality of Del Carmen, this small and cozy air port immerses travelers in a relaxed island atmosphere from the very first minute. There are no endless corridors or the hustle of giant hubs here: stepping off the plane, you immediately feel the warm sea breeze and see green hills. This is exactly where your introduction to the "Surfing Capital" of the Philippines begins.

Features and Advantages of the Airport:

The main characteristic of Sayak Airport is its intimacy and simplicity. The terminal consists of a small building, making navigation intuitively clear, and arrival procedures are completed quite quickly. The absence of jet bridges turns into an advantage: the walk from the aircraft stairs to the arrival hall across the tarmac allows you to take your first colorful photos against the backdrop of palm trees and the airliner itself.

Despite its modest size, the airport ensures good transport accessibility. Immediately upon exiting the terminal, there is a parking area for vans (minibuses) that transport tourists to the popular tourist zone of General Luna and the Cloud 9 spot. In recent years, the airport has been actively modernized to cope with the growing flow of surfers and beach holiday lovers eager to discover the beauty of Siargao.

Below you will find the main contact information for Sayak Airport (IAO), which serves Siargao Island. Please note that this is a small regional airport, and some direct contacts may be unavailable.

• Official Website: Like many regional airports in the Philippines, Sayak Airport is managed by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP). It does not have its own separate website. Current information can be found on the official CAAP portal.
• Information Desk Phone: It is difficult to find a direct public phone number for the airport information desk. For information regarding flights, bookings, or schedule changes, it is recommended to contact your airline directly.
• Airport Address: Sayak Airport (IAO), Del Carmen, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte Province, Philippines.
• Email: There is no dedicated email address for general passenger inquiries. For all flight-related questions, please contact your airline's customer support.
• Social Media: Official social media pages for the airport may be non-existent or updated irregularly. To obtain verified information, it is best to follow the news on the official pages of the airlines operating flights to Siargao.
• Lost Luggage Information: If your luggage has been lost or damaged, you must immediately contact your airline representative at the airport. It is the air carrier that bears responsibility for checked baggage and handles its search.
• Passenger Support Contacts: The best way to receive support is to contact the airline whose services you are using. Airline staff at check-in counters or boarding gates will be able to assist with most questions related to your journey.

Sayak Airport (IAO), also known as Siargao Airport, is the main air gateway to the eponymous island in the Philippines. It is located in the municipality of Del Carmen, approximately a 45-minute drive from the popular tourist hub of General Luna. You can get from the airport to your hotel, or vice versa, in several ways suitable for different budgets and preferences.

Taxis, Shuttles, and Motorcycle Taxis

The most common and convenient method of transport is a pre-booked hotel transfer or one of the numerous vans (shuttles) waiting for passengers at the terminal exit. A ride on a shared shuttle to General Luna will cost approximately 300-400 PHP per person. If you are travelling in a group, it is more economical to book a private van, the cost of which will be around 1500-2500 PHP. Local motorcycle taxis are also available — tricycles and habal-habal (motorcycle taxis). This is a more budget-friendly but less comfortable option, suitable for travelers with light luggage. The price should be negotiated with the driver in advance.

Vehicle Rental

For those who value independence, an excellent solution would be renting a scooter or car. Many rental agencies are located in General Luna, and some can deliver the vehicle directly to the airport by prior arrangement. Renting a scooter is the most popular way to move around the island; it gives complete freedom and allows you to explore even the most remote corners. The cost of renting a scooter starts from 350 PHP per day. Please note that you will need an international driving license to operate a vehicle.

Public Transport and Parking

There is no direct bus service to the airport. Theoretically, you can use local minibuses — jeepneys, which run between the island's towns, but their routes and schedules are not always convenient for tourists with luggage, and you will likely have to make transfers. This option is the cheapest but also the most unpredictable. There is a small parking area on the airport grounds where you can leave a rented or private vehicle for a short or long term. Given the size of the airport, finding a spot is usually not a problem.

Sayak Airport (IAO), also known as Siargao Airport, is a small and compact transport hub serving the island. Its structure is extremely simple and clear, making the stay here comfortable even for those arriving for the first time.

The airport consists of one passenger terminal, which serves both arriving and departing flights. Thanks to its compact size, navigating through it causes no difficulties. All main zones — check-in counters, security screening, the departure lounge, and the baggage claim area — are located in one building and within walking distance of each other.

The terminal layout is intuitively clear. Upon entering, you immediately find yourself in the public area where airline check-in counters are located. After receiving a boarding pass, passengers proceed to the security screening zone, beyond which lies a small waiting hall with a boarding gate. The arrival zone is located in the same part of the building but has a separate exit. After landing, passengers enter a hall with a baggage claim belt, and then proceed to the exit where taxis and transfers await them. Since there is only one terminal, there is no need for transfers between terminals.

Completing all pre-flight procedures, including check-in and security, at Siargao Airport usually takes little time — on average from 30 to 50 minutes. However, it is worth considering that during the peak tourist season or when several flights arrive/depart simultaneously, small queues may arise. It is recommended to arrive at the airport approximately 1.5-2 hours before departure to complete all formalities without rushing.

The history of Sayak Airport (IAO), located in the municipality of Del Carmen, is inextricably linked to the transformation of Siargao Island into one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Philippines. As the main air gateway to the island, the airport has journeyed from a modest airstrip to a modern transport hub, reflecting the rapid growth of Siargao's popularity.

Initially, the airport was a small airfield capable of accepting only light propeller aircraft. A key stage in its development occurred in the 2010s, when modernization began due to the growing flow of tourists. The runway was widened and extended, allowing the airport to accommodate larger commercial airliners, such as the Airbus A320. This event was a real breakthrough, significantly simplifying and reducing the cost of travel to the island for thousands of surfers and holidaymakers from around the world.

The most dramatic moment in the airport's history was December 2021, when Super Typhoon "Rai" (known in the Philippines as "Odette") struck the island. The elements caused colossal damage: the terminal building and other infrastructure facilities were almost completely destroyed. The airport temporarily ceased operations, which jeopardized communication with the island at a critical moment.

However, the history of Sayak Airport is also a story of incredible resilience and rapid recovery. Thanks to the efforts of the authorities and aviation services, a large-scale reconstruction was carried out in the shortest possible time. By 2022, a completely new, modern terminal was opened, designed not only to restore functionality but also to service future growth in passenger traffic. This became a symbol of the revival of the entire island of Siargao after the devastating typhoon.

Today, Sayak Airport is not just a transport facility but an important part of the island's tourism ecosystem. Its history, marked by both rapid development and the overcoming of serious trials, inspires and demonstrates Siargao's readiness to welcome guests, offering them a comfortable and safe start to their journey in a surfer's paradise.

Sayak Airport (IAO), serving the paradise island of Siargao, is a small regional air station offering passengers a basic but necessary set of amenities for a comfortable wait for their flight. It is important to remember that this is not a major international hub, so the infrastructure here is quite compact.

Before departure, you can grab a bite at several small cafes and snack bars serving simple dishes, sandwiches, and drinks. This is a great opportunity to try local snacks. Souvenir shops also operate within the terminal, where you can purchase memorable gifts, surf wear, and handicrafts — a wonderful way to take a piece of the island atmosphere with you.

Opportunities for relaxation while waiting for a flight correspond to the size of the airport. Specialized business lounges or VIP lounges are absent here. A general waiting hall is equipped for all passengers. Access to Wi-Fi may be limited or provided for an additional fee, so it is better to have mobile data available. Charging points for electronic devices may also be in limited supply, so a portable power bank will be very useful.

Regarding financial services, there may be an ATM at the airport, but its operation is not always stable. There are no currency exchange points, so it is strongly recommended to take care of cash in advance in the larger towns on the island. For passengers with special needs, including travelers with disabilities or small children, basic amenities are provided, such as an accessible environment and mother-and-child rooms. For specialized assistance (e.g., a wheelchair), you must notify your airline in advance. There is also a first aid station at the airport.

There are no hotels, business centers, or conference rooms in the airport building or its immediate vicinity. All accommodation options are located outside, mainly in tourist zones such as General Luna, which can be easily reached by taxi, tricycle, or hotel transfer. If you require conditions for business meetings or work, it is better to use the services of hotels at the resort itself.

When planning your departure from the picturesque island of Siargao, it is important to calculate time correctly not only for the road but also for a snack. Sayak Airport (IAO) is a small regional airport, and the choice of dining establishments here is appropriate to its size. The options are quite modest, so it is better to know in advance what to expect.

What is available at the airport?

Instead of full-service restaurants, at Sayak Airport you will find several small cafes and kiosks. They are located primarily in the public area before security control (landside). After security (airside), the choice is usually even more limited and may be reduced to one or two vending machines with drinks and snacks.

Assortment and Cuisine

The main menu of local cafes consists of simple and quick dishes:

• For a quick snack: You will easily find fresh pastries, sandwiches, chips, as well as hot coffee, tea, juices, and bottled water. This is a great option to fortify yourself before the flight.
• More substantial meals: Some establishments may offer simple hot dishes, for example, rice with chicken or pork (so-called rice meals), instant noodles, or local soups. This is not fine dining, but rather home-style food to satisfy hunger.
• Local specialties: Sometimes you can find packaged local delicacies for sale, such as dried mangoes or pili nuts, which are convenient to take with you as a souvenir or a snack on the plane.

Special Dietary Needs and Prices

Unfortunately, finding vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free options at Sayak Airport is extremely difficult. Halal options are also unavailable. If you have strict dietary restrictions, it is strongly recommended to bring food with you. Prices at the airport are traditionally higher than in the city but remain within reasonable limits for a tourist zone.

Opening Hours

Cafes and kiosks at the airport operate in accordance with the flight schedule. Usually, they open a couple of hours before the first departure and close after the last plane departs. Do not count on 24-hour service.

Main Recommendation: For a full and tasty lunch or dinner, it is better to choose one of the numerous establishments in popular tourist areas, such as General Luna, and head to the airport already full. Sayak Airport is more suitable for a light snack and buying drinks for the journey.

Travelling through Sayak Airport (IAO), the gateway to the fabulous island of Siargao, generally proceeds smoothly, but a few tips will help make it even more comfortable. The airport mainly serves domestic flights, which simplifies many procedures for tourists arriving in Del Carmen.

Arrival Time and Check-in. Although the airport is small, queues can occur during peak season. It is recommended to arrive at least 2 hours before the departure of a domestic flight. Many airlines flying to the Philippines offer online check-in, which can save you time. Security checkpoints here usually work quickly, but one should not rely on this at the last moment.

Seat Selection and Carry-on Baggage. When flying to or from Siargao, try to get a window seat. The views of the archipelago from a bird's eye view are simply mesmerizing! Regarding carry-on baggage, standard international rules apply: liquids in containers up to 100 ml, packed in a transparent bag. Always keep power banks and other batteries in your carry-on luggage, not in checked baggage.

Transfers and Customs. Sayak Airport is primarily a final destination. If you are flying from abroad, you will likely pass customs and immigration control at your first point of arrival in the Philippines, for example, in Manila or Cebu. In Siargao, you will only need to collect your luggage. Passengers with transfers to other flights will in most cases need to collect their luggage independently and check in again.

Savings and Unforeseen Situations. To save on transfer to the hotel, arrange it in advance or find fellow travelers to share a van or tricycle ride right at the terminal exit. Prices for food and drinks at the airport can be inflated, so it wouldn't hurt to have a bottle for water (which can be filled after security) and a light snack with you. In case of a flight delay, be prepared for the fact that waiting facilities at the airport are limited. Download movies or books to your devices in advance and ensure they are fully charged.