Coconut Road Loop from General Luna

The Coconut Road Loop is the most complete way to see Siargao Island in a single day on a bike. You leave General Luna at sunrise, cross the protected landscape of the south, climb gently through the inland coconut plantations, brush the northern tip of the island near Burgos, and roll back south down the western coast and the famous Coconut Road, before joining the Tourism Road back to Cloud 9.

127 km, only 750 m of elevation gain, max altitude 60 m — but don’t let the numbers fool you. The heat, the humidity and a few rough sections make this a serious day out.

At a glance

• Where to start: Datsco bus stop, General Luna (the Tourism Road end)
• Direction: Counter-clockwise via Dapa first, return via the western Coconut Road
• Best months: January to April (driest, calmest winds)
• Recommended bike: gravel bike with 40–45 mm tubeless tyres, or a road bike with at least 32 mm if you stick to the asphalt
• Refuel stops: Dapa (km 16), Pilar area (km 40), Burgos / Santa Monica (km 60–85), Del Carmen (km 100)

Surface and road conditions

The route is about 90 % paved and 10 % broken concrete or hard-packed gravel. Most of the ride is on the Siargao Circumferential Road (Nationale), a generally good asphalt with rolling profile and very little traffic outside of General Luna and Dapa.

The inland sections — particularly the climb and descent through the Coconut Road (km 90–105) — pass through long corridors of coconut palms with patches of broken tarmac, sand drift and the occasional pothole. A gravel bike makes this stretch much more enjoyable than a road bike with thin tyres. After heavy rain (December to February), expect mud, puddles and one or two short hike-a-bike sections.

The route, segment by segment

1. General Luna → Dapa (0–16 km, paved)

Roll out west on the Tourism Road, then follow the Dapa-Union-General Luna Road. Easy warm-up, flat. Watch for tricycles in the morning rush. In Dapa, you’ll briefly cross the town (Lopez Jaena Street, Quezon Street) — last reliable convenience store before a long stretch.

2. Dapa → Pilar (16–40 km, paved)

Take the 890 north out of Dapa. Quiet road, gentle rollers, the first real “you’re on Siargao” moment. Coconut groves both sides, ocean glimpses to your right.

3. Pilar → Santa Monica → San Isidro (40–60 km, paved)

At km 40 turn right onto the Santa Monica-San Isidro Road. This is the classic east-coast section — postcard ocean views, very few vehicles, occasional sleeping dogs. Pace yourself, the heat is usually peaking by now.

4. Northern loop (60–85 km, paved + a few rough km)

You skirt the protected landscape of the north, brush past Burgos and head west. This is the quietest part of the island. Carry water — the next reliable shop is Del Carmen.

5. Coconut Road (85–105 km, mixed surface)

This is the highlight and the reason most cyclists do this loop. A long, mostly straight road through dense coconut plantations, alternating between cracked asphalt, packed dirt and sand patches. Beautiful at golden hour. Don’t ride it after dark — no lighting, no traffic, no signal in places.

6. Coconut Road → General Luna (105–127 km, paved)

Rejoin the main Dapa–General Luna road for the final 22 km. Mostly downhill or flat. End back at the Tourism Road. Refuel at one of the Cloud 9 cafés.

Bike recommendation

A gravel bike with tubeless 40–45 mm tyres is the right tool. You get speed on the main roads and confidence on the Coconut Road sections without worrying about pinch flats or broken concrete.

A road bike with 32+ mm tyres can do it but you’ll move slower on the gravel sections and risk a puncture if you’re unlucky. A mountain bike is overkill — you’ll spend most of the day spinning out on tarmac.

Logistics, safety, what to bring

• Start time: sunrise (5:30–6:00). The heat after 10 a.m. is the real climb, not the elevation.
• Water: carry at least 2 L. Refill at every sari-sari store you see (₱20–30 a bottle).
• Spares: spare tube, plug kit, mini-pump. Bike shops outside General Luna and Dapa are rare to non-existent.
• Phone signal: spotty in the inland and northern sections. Download an offline map.
• Sun: SPF 50, long sleeves recommended.
• Cash: ATMs only in General Luna and Dapa.

Best months to ride

January to April: driest months, calmer winds, cooler mornings. December to February is the wet season — possible but expect mud on the inland sections. Avoid October–November storm windows.

Variants

• Half-day version (48 km): the Coconut Road Short Loop takes in the southern half of the Coconut Road only — same start, back by lunchtime. Perfect if you don’t have a full day or you want to test the legs before going long.
• Two-day option: stop overnight in Burgos or Pacifico, ride the Coconut Road fresh on day two.
• Easier version on e-bike: doable but tight on battery — plan a charging stop in Pilar or Burgos. Or stick with the 48 km short loop, well within e-bike range.
• Beginner alternative: the General Luna Easy Loop (26 km, flat) is the right call if 127 km feels like too much.