Travelling to the Philippines with your family for the first time? Siargao is a pretty wonderful place to start.

The Philippines can feel like a big adventure when you are travelling with children for the first time. New food, tropical weather, boats, islands, unfamiliar roads and a completely different pace of life — exciting, but sometimes a little overwhelming too.

That is one of the reasons we love welcoming families to Emerald House Village in Siargao.

We are surrounded by tropical greenery, away from the busy road, with a spacious garden where children can run, play and explore freely. At the same time, we are close enough to General Luna and all the things that make Siargao such a special place to visit.

It makes Emerald a lovely home base for your first family adventure in the Philippines.

A place where kids can simply be kids

One of the things families tell us they appreciate most about Emerald is the space.

Our garden is big, green and full of life. Children can run around, play, discover little corners of the garden or cool down in the pool, while parents can actually sit down and enjoy their coffee. And we know that when travelling with kids, having somewhere comfortable to come back to matters just as much as the adventures you have during the day.

You can have a slow morning at Emerald, joining one of our yoga classes or surf in one of the many spots around, spend an afternoon by the pool, or simply stay in and enjoy some family time. There is no pressure to be sightseeing every minute.

Discovering Siargao with your family

Of course, the best part is getting out and exploring.

There is so much more to Siargao than surfing. Families can spend their days discovering beaches, natural pools, lagoons, waterfalls, coconut forests, local villages and beautiful viewpoints, or heading out onto the water to explore the islands around Siargao.

And this is where we can help.

We live here, we know the island well, and we genuinely enjoy sharing our favourite places with our guests.

Instead of simply giving you a list of the most popular tourist attractions, we can help you decide what actually makes sense for your family. Travelling with a toddler? We can suggest an easier day. Have older children who want a little more adventure? Let's find something exciting. Want to spend a quiet day swimming and exploring beaches? We know where to go. Want to get out on the water and discover some of the islands around Siargao? We can help organise that too.

Things to do in Siargao with kids

Siargao is wonderfully versatile, which is one of the reasons it works so well for family holidays. Depending on your children's ages and interests, you can:

* Explore the island and its beautiful beaches

* Swim in natural pools and lagoons

* Go island hopping and snorkelling

* Try a surf lesson

* Visit Cloud 9 and watch the surfers

* Discover local food and restaurants

* Explore the quieter parts of the island

* Take a boat trip to nearby islands

* Spend a day simply swimming and playing

* Join a workshop in one of the local gyms and sports clubs or arts club

You don't need to plan everything before you arrive.

Sometimes the best approach is to arrive, settle in and ask someone who knows the island:

“What should we do today?”

We'll be happy to help.

Beyond Siargao

If you have more time, Siargao is also a great base for exploring beyond the main island. There are beautiful islands and smaller communities nearby, and we love organising trips that allow our guests to experience the real local atmosphere of the Philippines. Some days might be about swimming and snorkelling. Others might be about exploring, discovering remote beaches or simply spending a day on a boat together. We can help you choose experiences based on the age of your children, the weather, your interests and how adventurous you feel.

Because when you're travelling as a family, the best itinerary isn't necessarily the one with the most activities. It's the one everyone enjoys.

Your family home in Siargao

If you are planning your first family holiday in the Philippines, we would love for Siargao to be part of your adventure. Stay somewhere with space for the kids, tropical nature all around you and a team that is happy to share local knowledge, recommendations and help organise your days.