Philippines surfing
Is it any good?

Philippines surfing, not quite a destination that would conjure up images of brilliant surfing breaks. Truth be told surfing in the Philippines can be fickle, but if you are after an adventure, are willing to go off the beaten track and are not afraid to try something different, then surfing in the Philippines will not disappoint you.





Philippines surfing

With 7,107 islands, the roaring Pacific Ocean bordering the eastern coastline and the South China Sea on the western coastline and attracting more typhoons than most neighboring countries, Philippines surfing is alive and well. In fact the Philippines are not a new surfing destination, with surfers enjoying the waves here since at least the sixties, maybe even earlier. Let’s face it who wouldn’t want a perfect left or right hander all to yourself!

Philippines surfing can be both temperamental and seasonal, it is important to know when the best time to come is or you may be disappointed, nothing worse that a surfer without surf.

Best Time To Go?

You can either surf the east coast or the west coast. The east coast probably gets the better surf.

The east coast which is the Pacific Ocean side gets it’s swell from the monsoons, low depression tropical storms and typhoons.

The first monsoon to hit the east coast is the south west monsoon which arrives in May and lasts through to about October. Philippines surfing is not that reliable even during the monsoon.

The better and more consistent surf is during the north east monsoon or the amihan, during November to April. On top of the monsoons throw in a typhoon or many and you can imagine that surfing in the Philippines can really pump. The typhoons usually come in from the east of Mindanao and head in a north westerly direction hitting the southern Luzon and the islands between Luzon and the Pacific.

The west coast, of the Philippines is more inconsistent than the east coast, it relies on the winds through the Taiwan Straights during the north east monsoon. This wind created swell hits the west coast of Luzon. The swell can also be really good when the odd typhoon heads towards Hong Kong.

The swell that hits Palawan can be hard to pick, but you are guaranteed to have fantastic waves if you leave your surf board at home, typically if you bring it the surf will be flat!

So when is the best time to go surfing in the Philippines? Well your best to try the east coast during the north east monsoon. But like everywhere surfing Philippines is inconsistent, however on it’s good day, totally unforgettable.

If you want to see what the surfing is like in the Philippines, have a look here at this video.






Where To Go

Surfing in the Philippines, most popular surfing spots are:

1. Badoc Island, Ilocos Norte Province.
North west coast of Luzon.

2. Baler, Aurora Province.
East coast of Luzon

3. Catanduanes.
Island province off east coast of Luzon.

4. Daet, Camarines Norte Province.
East coast of Luzon

5. La Union Province.
West coast of Luzon.

6. Samar.
The east coast of Samar Island

7. Siargao Island.
North east of Mindanao

8. Vigan, Ilocos Sur Province.
West coast of Northern Luzon.

9. Zambales Province.
West coast of Luzon.

Philippines surfing has many spots that catch waves, true sometimes you may need to be a bit lucky. You are access to waves is really only limited by your own imagination and how keen you are to head off the beaten track.






Where is your favourite surfing spot in the Philippines?

Where in the Philippines have you surfed? What was your favourite spot? How did you get there? Where did you stay? Would you go back again.

Was there a surf shop there?

Do they rent boards or give lessons?

Any other helpful tips for other?

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What Other Visitors Have Said

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Bagasbas Beach, Daet, Camarines Norte 
I tried surfing there once, it was mid-April this year, just in time for Bagasbas Beach's 4th summer surf festival.. The place was really cool and …

San Juan, La Union 
The size of waves and their force were just right for a beginner like me to be able to learn. There were many amenities around the area where you can …

surf shop Siargao 
I'm travelling to siargao and it's very expensive to take my board in the plane (400 dollars!!!). Can it be possible to buy a board in the philippines …

Quijano Windsurfing Retreat on Cuyo Island / Palawan 
Quijano Windsurfing Retreat has a very peaceful ambiance and is located at a sand beach lined with palm trees and beautiful cottages built at the foot …

La Union - West Coast, Luzon 
My trip to the Philippines was totally opposite to the report I read on this website. I went to La Union- West Coast Luzon, about 6 hours from Manila. …

Bamboo beach Pacifico Siargao 
I am only a beginner surfer but when I was visiting my friend in Pacifico Siargao she took me to a really nice nearby beach she called 'Bamboo beach' and …

dahican, mati, davao oriental Not rated yet
Mati is located in the south eastern most part of Mindanao, it is 165km from Davao City as entry point. You can reach Mati by bus, van or fastcraft …

Argao, Cebu Not rated yet
Located on the south coast of Cebu Province, and a very relaxing 2 hour land travel from Cebu City is Argao. Argao has more than 40 barangays and there …

Apocolypto, Polillio Island. Not rated yet
It's on the Pacific side of Polillio Island and only accessible by boat. So far, not many people have surfed it. My friends and I from the Philippine …

Urbiztondo Beach, La Union Not rated yet
Really nice people, the locals are the best. The waves are nice, but it's a little bumpy when it gets bigger. You can see at the end of this video …

la union surfing Not rated yet
We went to La Union just recently, you can make the trip in 5 - 6 hours from Manila. The place is complete with amenities, there were a lot of shops …

Baler Aurora - the East Coast - Pacific Ocean side Not rated yet
In Luzon facing the Pacific Ocean is the surf haven Baler where you could find the renowned Cobra Reef they have the first surf shop & surf school there …

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