SURFING
Lying at the veritable edge of the Philippine archepelago, Siargao is reputed as the surfing capital of the Philippines that host the annual international surfing event. Its waves combine the best qualityfeatures of top-rated waves of Hawaii's fabled "pipeline" and the top-billed wave of Indonesia. The huge and powerful "pacific rollers" has been ranked among the top five breaks in the world, including the "Cloud Nine" which is considered one of the world's top surfing waves. Another excellent breaks, which offer the adventurous surfer's top-class exploratory surfing without crowds, are found in the towns of Tandag and Lanuza.

ISLAND HOPPING
Hop from island to island while you discover the picturesque landscapes and feast on the rich marine delights like the fresh blue marlin, crabs, squids, seaweeds, giant clams and lobsters. Once in Caraga, you can take your pick of which to visit. The alluring islets and islands of Guyam, Daku, Naked or Pansukian, La Janosa, Pig-ot, Dinagat, Bucas Grande, and Britania have white-sand beaches and are ringed by teeming coral reefs that are ideal for swimming and snorkelling

Among the region's tropical treat include: a boat ride along the naturally-carved water channels amidst the jade-colored lush of mangrove forest in Barangay Manjagao; a journey to the floating village of Barangay Dayasan, and to Buenavista Cave; and a visit to the tropical island paradise of white sand beach, deep blue crystal water in Sagisi island. The Britania in San Agustin-Surigao del Sur hosts 25 unspoiled islets and islands of sugary-white sand and clusters of limestones hills, much like the fabled hundred islands in pangasinan. After having enough sightseeing, swimming and snorkeling, you can spread your picnic blankets in the sand and eat with gusto amidst the serenade of slashing waves and the whispering winds. But you have to bring your food and drinks since there are no restaurants yet in the islands.

MOUNTAIN BIKING
Great trails run all around the Cities of Butuan and Surigao, Surigao del sur, Agusan del Norte and Siargao. There are regular cross-country and downhill competitions done in these areas which are participated by local and international bikers. Caraga has an active and hospitable biking scene. Butuan or Surigao-based bikers regularly tour the rugged terrain of the region and are eager to show their routes to new comers.

TREKKING
Mt. Mas-ai and Mt. Hilong-Hilong are the best sites for trekking or mountain climbing. The views from the mountains are superb, taking in the full scope of the vast lower agusan valley. Close to Mt. Mas-ai lies the picturesque Lake Mainit, which is considered as the fourth largest lake in the country with a total land area of 14,700 hectares. Through the years, the lake is a known lair for pidjanga, tilapia, kasili, banak, haw-an, gingaw, saguyon and igi. Migratory birds, pagosi and tabokali flowers are its intermittent added attractions. From the cosatal areas of lake mainit to the hills of jabonga, tubay, and santiago offer the hikers the opportunity to explore the quiet and interesting life of these places. There are only few-established treks in the region, but everywhere else you will be hiking in areas vitually untouched by tourism.

SEA KAYAKING
Siargao first became famous for its surf, so kayakers who like big waves have a field day here. There are also mangrove swamps in the island where you can paddle both in the main channel and through narrow passages in the mangroves while seeing some wildlife and enjoying the serenity of the place. The first is just behind the Pansukian Tropical Resort while the other one is in del Carmen, where the largest contigous mangrove forest in the Philippines is located. The "must see" place in Caraga where you can paddle around spectacular limestone formation to a point where you can enter a narrow channel which soon becomes a cave is in sohoton cave and lagoon in Bucas Grande Island, which is more than an hour boat ride from Siargao. Since the sport is new here, only Pansukian Tropical Resort offer kayak tours in several locations around Siargao. Aside from sea kayaking, Masao & Agusan Rivers, Lake Mainit and the Agusan Marshland have tremendous potential for padding using wooden-canoes.

SCUBA DIVING
Scuba diving is a new sport in the region, so there are no dive resorts available in the area but the Butuan Divers Club offers dive safari at Bito Wall in Bolobolo-Jabonga, Lipatan Shoal in Karihatag-Malimono, Punta Diwata Reefs and Balete Wall in Vinapor-Carmen, and artificial reefs in Calibunan-Cabadbaran. For adventurous divers, the coasts of Surigao offer interesting dive site while the islands of Sagisi and Corregidor are excellent for snorkelling activities.

CAVING
The limestone karst bedrock of some areas in Surigao and Agusan provinces (particularly in the towns of San Agustin, Tagbina, Lianga, Rosario, and Bislig) features dozens of caves but none of these are regular destinations for recreational cavers. Located within the towns of Tagbina and Bislig, Banbow and Tatol caves (whixh are ranked the 6th & 9th longest caves in the Philippines) are recently declared by the japanese cave explorers as the third longest cave in the country. Further expeditions are expected as more cave systems are discovered. Some of the most frequently visited and accessible caves in the region are Buenavista & Silop Caves in Surigao City and Libas Cave in Jabonga-Agusan del Norte. These caves have impressive limestone formations and naturally carved stalagmites, stalactites and columns.

EVENTS AND FESTIVALS
The events and festivals offer you an experience in color and character, giving a good view of the rich culture that make up caraga's heritage. Whatever time of the year, there will always be an event or festival for you to experience and enjoy like kahimunan, balangay, kaliguan, lisagan, bonok-bonok maradjao karadjao festivals. Feel the excitement also as the surfers across the globe converge in Siargao to pit their skills during the annual international surfing competition.

CONTACTS:

BUTUAN CITY TOURISM OFFICE
Tel.No. (+6385) 2254041 / 34225601 / 8156016
Fax No. (+6385) 3427729
Email Address: bxutourism@yahoo.com

AGUSAN DEL NORTE TOURISM OFFICE
Tel.No. (+6385) 3422185

AGUSAN DEL SUR TOURISM OFFICE
Tel.No. (+6385) 3437669

SURIGAO DEL NORTE TOURISM OFFICE
Tel.No. (+6386) 2319271
Fax No. (+6386) 8264259

SURIGAO DEL SUR TOURISM OFFICE
Tel.No. (+6386) 2113633

PHILIPPINE TOURISM AUTHORITY
Tel.No. (+632) 5247734 / 8795160

SURIGAO CITY TOURISM OFFICE
Tel.No. (+6386) 8268064
Fax No. (+6386) 8264131

BISLIG CITY TOURISM OFFICE
Tel.No. (+6386) 8536089
Fax No. (+6386) 8535355

DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Tel.No. (+638822) 726578

BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION (Butuan)
Tel.No. (+6385) 3425097

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE-QUARINTINE DIVISION (Butuan)
Tel.No. (+6385) 3412046 / 3413352

PROTECTED AREAS AND WILDLIFE DIVISION-DENR (Butuan)
Tel.No. (+6385) 3412031 / 3419812

FIRE DEPARTMENT (Butuan)
Tel.No. (+6385) 3428217 / 2255267