SURFING CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES, SIARGAO - BEST SURF SPOTS
Known as “the surfing capital of the Philippines”, the island of Siargao has a laid back vibe, great all-year surf conditions, beautiful coastline and lush coconut palm forests, it really is a surfers heaven.
For surfers a trip to the Philippines isn’t complete without spending time on Siargao, the countries surfing mecca.
For more information about where to stay, where to eat, budget, how to get there and everything in-between, checkout our guide to Siargao.
Find a Siargao Surf Spot
Interestingly it’s the result of a collusion of two tectonic plates (The Philippine Trench) and the deep depths around Siargao that produces such awesome surf spots around the island. There are surf breaks that are suitable for all levels of surfer as well as the famous Cloud 9. Siargao is the kind of island that has the odd secret surf spot that isn’t on any map.
We loved Siargao, exploring the island and it’s surf spots and we hope this guide gives you some surf inspiration. Having said that, this is just a guide as with most surf spots it’s well worth asking when you’re in Siargao about which surf spots are working under the current conditions. Ask other surfers or at surf shops for advice before heading to a particular spot.
Surf spots and waves vary in condition, some days they work and others they don’t. We explain the basics of some of the best surf spots in Siargao but there’s no substitute for local knowledge! As always, make sure you know what you are doing before attempting to surf… if in doubt and you are relatively new to surfing, book an instructor with you.
Absolute beginner surfers should always take lessons first, surf spots can often be unpredictable or have hidden dangers. If in doubt, get a surf instructor. On Siargao there are a large range of surf schools and instructors that can take you to the right surf spot perfect for your level. Siargao has been labelled “the surfing capital of the Philippines” for good reason, there are plenty of surf spots around the island for all levels of surfer.
Little Pony
Level – Super Beginner
Little Pony is a spot at Jacking Horse, it’s closer to the beach and mainly used by absolute beginners getting their first taste of riding small waves. It’s a gentle first introduction to surfing!
Jacking Horse
Level – Inner – Beginner
Level – Outer – Intermediate
Wave Direction: Right
Swell Size: 2ft – 6ft
How Crowded: It can get fairly crowded at times as it’s popular spot right next to Cloud 9.
Best Conditions: High Tide, Mid to High Tide
Season: Mostly all year except June, July and August when the wave is too small.
How to find it: It’s super easy to find, take a left down the beach from the pier at Cloud 9 and you can’t miss it.
Summary: Jacking Horse is a good spot to visit whilst you’re checking out Cloud 9 (watching not surfing) as it’s just around the corner. Best for beginners visiting Siargao looking to take a few lessons and learning to surf.
Just a short walk down the beach from Cloud 9, Jacking Horse is a wave for beginners. It’s nowhere near as big as Cloud 9 but offers the beginner a got spot to get in some much need practice.
Our advice is to get an instructor from the beach here, it’ll cost you around £7.50 (₱500) per hour but will save you plenty of time and prevent you from struggling in the strong current. The combination of rocky bottom and strong current running across the break here means that you’ll see almost all beginners being towed out to the waves by instructors, without one you might spend all your time battling the current. If you did want to just rent a board (not recommended for beginners) it’ll cost you around £7.50 (₱500) per hour from the beach.
Around June, July and August the waves are usually too small to surf.
Guiwan
Level – Beginner/Intermediate
Wave Direction: Right, short Left
Swell Size: 2ft – 6ft
How Crowded: Can be quite busy as it’s a beautiful spot to surf.
Best Conditions: High Tide, Mid to High Tide
Season: Mostly all year except summer (June, July and August).
How to find it: Guiwan can be a tricky spot to find with just a tiny wooden sign nailed to a palm tree on the side of the road (See the photo below). Take the road from Dapa towards General Luna (or vice versa) and look out for the tiny sign post! Once you’ve found that you have a less than 5 minute trek through the muddy forest to find the beach.
Summary: Guiwan or Guiuan, I’m not sure. I’ve seen it spelt in a few different ways, but who’s to argue with the signpost? So, I’m going with that, Guiwan. If you’re one of the lucky ones and get to experience Guiwan at its best you’ll find a barrelling wave according to the locals. However, usually it’s just a great spot for beginners due to the size, it’s a fairly fast and tricky wave. You’ll find many instructors taking their surfers to this spot. Guiwan is a surf spot that’s protected from the wind, meaning that whenever other surf spot around is out of action it’s the spot to head for. It’s a fun spot for beginners and intermediates.
If the surf conditions aren’t great or it’s low tide it may be too dangerous for beginners due to the rocks, take an instructor.
Daku
Level – Beginner/Intermediate
Wave Direction: Right
Swell Size: 3ft – 8ft
How Crowded: Daku is an incredibly beautiful spot and for that reason can get busy.
Best Conditions: High Tide, Mid to High Tide & High to Mid
Season: Mostly all year except summer (June, July and August).
How to find it: You hire a boat from the market and around the boardwalk at General Luna, the trip takes around 15 minutes and cost you around £3 (₱200) each. Boat drivers will wait for you whilst you surf.
Summary: Now Daku is a really special surf spot, it is absolutely stunningly beautiful. Situated just off Daku Island with backdrop of lush coconut palms you might just think you’re in paradise. Beginners (and experienced beginners) should be accompanied by an instructor here, if in doubt, get an instructor. They’ll know the surf spots and hidden dangers so you don’t put yourself in any danger. The right hand wave here is long with a soft gentle takeoff in the right conditions.
Cloud 9
Level – Expert/Pro
Wave Direction: Right
Swell Size: 2ft – 10ft
How Crowded: Surfers from all over the world come to Cloud 9 and its easy access means it’s often pretty busy.
Best Conditions: Best at mid – high tide
Season: The height of the season is from the end of August to end of November.
How to find it: Really easy, head out to the end of the pier tower from Cloud 9 villages and it’s about 100m out on the right.
Summary: A crazy famous surf spot that’s not for beginners or intermediates. Only attempt surfing Cloud 9 is you know what you’re doing. It is the kind of wave that most surfers dream about due to it’s barrelling right hand wave that’s both heavy and powerful. It’s a really easy spot to find, if you’re a beginner it’s worth wandering down the wood pier to watch surfers take off on Cloud 9.
Through the summer months of June, July and beginning of August, Cloud 9 is one of the only spots that has good enough conditions to surf on the whole of Siargao. If you’re an expert this isn’t the time for you, it’s more suited to less experienced surfers with instructors during these months.
Warning: The break at Cloud 9 is over a very shallow reef, at low tide it can be extremely dangerous. It’s only recommended to surf at mid to high tide.
Quiksilver
Level – Expert
Wave Direction: Right
Swell Size: 2ft – 10ft
How Crowded: Fairly crowded because of its location next the the tower at the end of the pier. It’s popular as it’s a smaller wave than Cloud 9.
Best Conditions: Best at mid – high tide
Season: Best in peak season around September and November, the surf’s flat in summer and unsurfable in winter.
How to find it: Similar to Cloud 9, Quicksilver is the break right in front of the tower. You’ll find Cloud 9 just to the right.
Summary: If you’re a expert surfer then you might have fun at Quiksilver but for the most part it’s a tricky break to master. The wave breaks fast in peak season when waves are big so it’s only recommended for advanced surfers. It’s popular with locals who you’ll watch carving it up, just don’t get too confident as its easy to get barrelled at Quiksilver. In good conditions you’ll find Quiksilver a fast barrelling right hand wave.
Stimpy’s
Level – Intermediate/Advanced
Wave Direction: Left
Swell Size: 2ft – 10ft
How Crowded: Stimpy’s works best around a low tide, although mid-low/low-mid work well enough.
Best Conditions: Best at mid – high tide
Season: Mostly all year except summer (June, July and August).
How to find it: Like Daku you have to hire a boat to get to Stimpy’s. You’ll find a boat and a driver to hire in Cloud 9 village and the trip will take you about 15 minutes. Your drive will wait whilst you surf. The ride costs you about £3 (₱200) each.
Summary: Stimpy’s is a favoured spot for short boarders who like a long left hand wave. Around 2ft – 4ft the wave is good and rideable, anything over that and you’ve got a serious wave to handle. It’s at its best and produces barrels at low tide. Do watch out for the huge rock at the bottom during low tide and poor conditions, Stimpy’s breaks into a shallow water.
So that’s a wrap, Siargao is known as the surfing capital of the Philippines for a good reason. It’s almost spoilt for choice when it comes to surf spots that appeal to all different levels and abilities of surfer.