Heading up to TakTak Falls in Santa Monica is a full-day adventure to the north part of the island. From General Luna the waterfall is 1.5-hour drive but is well worth the effort. We enjoyed the waterfall to ourselves. Cliff jumping, tree jumping, and exploration to the top of the falls were the highlights of the adventure.
Tak Tak Falls is the only waterfall on Siargao Island, located in the province of Surigao del Norte in the Philippines. Nestled in the municipality of Santa Monica in the northern part of the island, it’s a serene escape from Siargao’s bustling surf spots. The waterfall is approximately 15 meters (49 feet) tall, surrounded by a lush canopy of tropical vegetation, creating a tranquil and picturesque atmosphere.

How to get to TakTak Waterfall on Siargao
To get to TakTak Waterfall from the tourist region of General Luna, you will need a moped or a vehicle. The drive took us 1.5 hours but like always it was a scenic cruise on this beautiful island. There are island tours that include TakTak waterfall as one of the stops but there is no need for a tour guide for this adventure.
When you reach the point Google maps sends you to there are two, awkwardly worded signs in both directions. The sign says “TakTak Waterfall 500m turn right”. This actually means turn right straight away and the waterfall is 500m in off the main road. We thought it meant drive 500m further and it is on the right.
Below is the Google map location you can use for directions:
MY 4 FAVORITE SIARGAO TOURS
- Siargao Island Hopping – The classic 3-ISLAND day trip. Daku, Naked and Guyam Island Tour including Boodle Fight lunch.
- Siargao PREMIUM Island Hopping: Same three islands as the above option but includes a luxury, picnic lunch and lots of add-ons!
- Siargao Land Tour (BEST PRICE): The classic tour for all the top spots on Siargao. Number one most booked activity in Siargao!
- Sohoton Cove Tour – Amazing lagoons, islands, caves & cliff jumps.
Click the orange button below to view the top-rated Klook tours.
How much is the entrance fee for TakTak falls?
Once you turn off the main road, follow the dirt road for a few hundred meters. There will be a small hut where you will need to pay 25 pesos, which is only 50 US cents. A 10 pesos parking fee for mopeds also applies. Once you have paid there is another 150m to drive along the dirt road before you reach the only waterfall on Siargao. This entrance fee has likely risen significantly as I visited in 2017!

TakTak Waterfall
When we arrived at the waterfall, there was no-one else around. At first glance, we haven’t blown away. However, we had been blessed to visit the epic Tiu Kelep Waterfall on Lombok just a few weeks earlier. This isn’t the most epic waterfall you will ever visit but it’s good fun nonetheless.
The waterfall is about 15 meters in height and has a few small ledges, which I don’t advise scaling… but we did. There is a tree that overhangs the pool below that falls. It’s about 5 meters above the pool and if you jump into the right area you can make a safe landing. The pool below isn’t too deep and only in a few spots is it safe enough to jump in.




When we were done jumping from the tree with the local kids we decided to make our way to the top of the waterfall. We chose the worst possible route up the steep hill and regretted it immediately. There is a small path to the left of the waterfall, which we found on the way down.
After cutting up our feet on the sharp vines during the climb up we chilled atop the waterfall looking out over the pool. Jorden even made the jump from halfway up the waterfall after ambling down.

TakTak waterfall ended up being a cool little spot to hang for half a day. You could easily come, look and leave all within 20 minutes but if you explore to the top of the falls and do all of the cliff and tree jumps you will make the long journey from General Luna count. After visiting TakTak waterfall we headed to Alegria beach to cool off and drink some freshly harvested coconuts.

TOP 3 PLACES TO STAY IN SIARGAO
I’ve written detailed guides about the Best Regions to Stay in Siargao, Best Resorts in Siargao and Best Hostels in Siargao. If you just want me three favorites right now…. here they are!
- My TOP Pick: Siargao Island Villas – Bungalow Style, Beautiful Palm Trees, Great Location.
- Best Hostel: Hiraya Surf Hostel – GREAT Location, Chill Vibes, Best Budget Spot.
- Luxury: Nay Palad Hideaway – Oceanfront, Beach Access, Beautiful Pool
Read More of my Siargao Guides
- Chasing Sunsets : 11 AWESOME SUNSET SPOTS ON SIARGAO ISLAND
- Cliff Jumping Guide: 9 CLIFF JUMPING SPOTS IN SIARGAO
- Complete Accommodation Guide: WHERE TO STAY ON SIARGAO ISLAND
- Island Hopping Guide: SIARGAO ISLAND HOPPING – GUYAM, DAKU & NAKED ISLAND
- The Complete Bucketlist: 40 AWESOME THINGS TO DO ON SIARGAO
- Itinerary & Expenses: SIARGAO ITINERARY & EXPENSES ULTIMATE TRAVEL GUIDE
- Sohoton Cove Itinerary: SOHOTON COVE NATIONAL PARK TOUR – CAVES AND LAGOONS
- Visit Sugba Lagoon: SUGBA LAGOON FROM SIARGAO ISLAND

MORE OF MY PHILIPPINES GUIDES
- The Ultimate Philippines Itinerary: 3-4 WEEK PHILIPPINES ITINERARY
- Best Island Hopping Trip: BIG DREAM BOAT MAN IN CORON
- The Backpacker’s Guide to the Philippines: 1 MONTH FOR $800
- Ultimate Guide to Coron: 22 AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN CORON
- Ultimate Guide to Siargao: 40 AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN SIARGAO
- Ultimate Guide to Romblon: 17 AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN ROMBLON
- Ultimate Guide to El Nido: 20 AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN EL NIDO
- Ultimate Guide to Bohol: 27 AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN BOHOL
- Ultimate Guide to Sibuyan: 9 AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN SIBUYAN

MY ACCOMMODATION GUIDES FOR THE PHILIPPINES
- Luxury in South Cebu: 18 BEST SOUTH CEBU RESORTS
- Bucketlist: 13 BEST PHILIPPINES OVERWATER BUNGALOWS
- Beach Resorts in North Cebu: BEST RESORTS IN CEBU
- El Nido Resorts: 12 BEST RESORTS IN EL NIDO
- Moalboal Accommodation: WHERE TO STAY IN MOALBOAL
- Panglao Resorts: 13 BEST LUXURY RESORTS IN PANGLAO
- Siargao Accommodation: WHERE TO STAY IN SIARGAO
- Hostels in Cebu: 10 BEST HOSTELS IN CEBU
- Sustainable Resorts: 12 BEST ECO RESORTS IN THE PHILIPPINES
- Coron Accommodation: WHERE TO STAY IN CORON

Jay
Friday 27th of July 2018
Went here. It’s pretty fug. Perhaps it would be go to show the surrounding areas and not just one angle to give people a more objective perspective. Not worth the hour and a half drive.
Charmaigne
Saturday 30th of December 2017
Hey Jackson! Your photos are so dope that it makes me want to visit Taktak Falls when I go back to Siargao the 7th time. Happy to know you're loving my country. Hope you're having a blast back in Straya and wish you a merry 2018!
Jackson
Saturday 30th of December 2017
Hey, Thanks so much! Yea Siargao is the chillest!
8 AWESOME SUNSET SPOTS ON SIARGAO ISLAND - Journey Era
Wednesday 27th of December 2017
[…] the party/surf hum of General Luna as we wound our way north to Alegria. Along the way we visited Tak Tak Waterfall, the only falls on Siargao. We also stopped off at my favorite beach on Siargao called, Alegria […]
Indra pradya
Wednesday 13th of December 2017
How wonderful the island and the whole ke view. I Never going there before, but I Will planing tO get there . Hope soon.
THE WEEKLY #74: I'M A DRONE CRASH SURVIVOR - Journey Era
Tuesday 12th of December 2017
[…] TAKTAK FALLS: THE ONLY WATERFALL ON SIARGAO ISLAND - Journey Era […]