“Oh my wow!”

Powdery white sand beaches, hidden coral reefs, uninhabited islands, and unforgettable parties – all in a place where nature remains untouched and the locals’ hospitality knows no bounds. Siargao is a surfer’s paradise, and it’s no coincidence that we organize camps here year after year, allowing us to immerse ourselves in the island lifestyle for ten days.

Whether you’re a beginner still figuring out the front of your surfboard or an advanced surfer chasing waves, Siargao in the Philippines is the perfect place to improve. Thanks to its eastern location, the island’s west coast faces the open Pacific Ocean, where well-placed coral reefs create ideal waves, ensuring a premium surfing experience that even pro surfers appreciate while training at the legendary Cloud 9 next door.

Life on the island never slows down: when we’re not surfing, we’re exploring hidden lagoons, boating through the jungle, or simply soaking in the endless tranquility while enjoying juicy, locally grown fruit on a white sandy beach—all under the embrace of the ocean and 30-degree sunshine.

In 2024, Nóri Kollár joined us, arriving as an almost complete beginner but quickly getting the hang of surfing. Today, she confidently rides the waves and has returned home with lifelong memories and friendships.

What were your first impressions of Siargao? What struck you the most upon arrival?

After arriving, I felt an enormous sense of relief because we flew to the island through a small typhoon. I loved that even on the way from the airport to our accommodation, we were surrounded by lush green palm trees. The entire landscape was idyllic.

How did your surfing skills improve? What was it like catching your first wave?

This was only my second time trying surfing – my first attempt had been a complete disaster. In the Philippines camp, everyone had a personal instructor who focused solely on them, so we could improve quickly and never had to wait in the lineup.

Did you have any funny wipeouts or mishaps worth sharing?

My funniest fall wasn’t actually during surfing, but I hope it made everyone laugh, whether they saw it or not. On our second-to-last day, we were sailing through the lagoons, and as I was trying to board the boat, I took a little too much momentum. When I jumped onto the deck, the bow of the boat was wet and slippery. In an instant, I slid across to the other side and then dramatically splashed into the water – all in slow motion with a terrified expression on my face.

How was your instructor? Did you get along well?

I worked with three different instructors over seven sessions, and the last one was amazing! During the camp, his favorite phrases became legendary: “very good nice” and “oh my wow.” After one of my successful pop-ups, he high-fived me on the board and said, “your picture is already laminated.” Every instructor was enthusiastic and genuinely celebrated everyone’s successes, which was great to experience.

Was this your first GoBeyond trip? How did it compare to other experiences?

Yes, this was my first GoBeyond trip, but I’m sure it won’t be my last. Every camp promises that we’ll return with lifelong memories and friendships. I’ve participated in many similar experiences before, but this is the first time I truly believe it’s going to be the case.

What was your most memorable moment from the camp?

It’s hard to choose just one! Maybe the Mexican night when I sang ABBA’s Dancing Queen at the top of my lungs – though I’m not sure others enjoyed it as much as I did. Or perhaps when we sailed through crystal-clear lagoons and swam on pristine white sandy beaches, the kind I had never seen before.

How did the island vibe shape your experience? Did it change your feelings, relationships, or even your surfing?

The island and our stay had such a great vibe, it was so easy to leave the real world behind. I didn’t even mind waking up at 5 AM for a surf session, and trust me, I’m not a morning person. The whole ‘go with the flow’ feeling got even stronger when the airline left our bags in Manila, so we spent the first two days with zero clothes or gear. But I promise, there’s nothing a mango rum cocktail couldn’t fix!

What was your favorite way to spend time?

Talking and sunbathing with the others, especially around Happy Hour. I also really enjoyed the great conversations and goofing around.

What was your favorite food?

Our tour guide, Mendi took us to many amazing restaurants where we got a taste of Japanese, Mexican, and Filipino cuisine. But my favorite was the Filipino ceviche, called kinilaw, which we made ourselves during a cooking class. Also, on our last night, a chef prepared an entire roasted pig for us, which was absolutely delicious.

What made this trip special compared to other adventures?

The amazing group of people. I honestly can’t remember the last time I had so much fun. Twelve completely different personalities and backgrounds came together and formed a fantastic team by the end of the camp. So, thank you to everyone for this incredible ten days. Special thanks to Mendi for organizing everything and keeping us all together, and I’m truly grateful to Zsófi, Tibi, Barbi, Boró, Vanda, Dávid, András, Eszter, and Évi for making it all so unforgettable.