The Philippines, having the second longest coastline in the world is blessed to have big waves ideal for surfing. With coastal areas exposed in two major bodies of water, the Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea, numerous surfing spots, both discovered and undiscovered, are scattered in its 36,289 kilometer coastline.

Where to Surf

While Australia, Hawaii and California are having their own claims as surfing capital of the world, the Philippines is starting to gain popularity in this sport, having numerous world-class surfing spots that can rival the waves of Hawaii and Australia.

The following are the popular and identified surfing locations in the Philippines.

Luzon: Baler, Aurora; Daet, Camarines Norte; San Juan, La Union; Catanduanes; Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte; Zambales

Visayas: Eastern Samar, Northern Samar

Mindanao: Siargao, Surigao del Norte; Lanuza, Surigao del Sur; Mati, Davao Oriental

The most popular of course is in Mindanao – Siargao in Surigao del Norte, which is hailed as the surfing mecca of the country, and host to a lot of international surfing competitions. In Visayas, Eastern Samar is starting to gain popularity with its coastline fronting the roaring Pacific. Luzon, on the other hand has the most identified surfing locations that includes the infamous San Juan in La Union, with great waves ideal for all surfer level. The list actually is growing as more and more surfing spots are being discovered and explored.

When to Surf

Being surrounded by waters, it is possible to surf all year round in the Philippines various breaks. But the most pronounced season for surfing in the eastern side of the country (Baler, Samar, Siargao, etc.) is usually from August and could last up to April of the next year, peaking from December. On the western side of the country (La union, Zambales, Pagudpud, etc.),  the most consistent waves are observed to be from October up to March, with peak times around December to January.

Surfing for Beginners

There are actually three types of waves: beach break, point break and reef break. Beach break are waves that break on sandy seabed, point break on a rocky point, while reef break are on the coral reefs and rocky seabed.

Beach break are ideal for starters. This includes waves in San Juan (La Union), Bagasbas (Daet, Camarines Norte), Zambales, Pagudpud (Ilocos Norte) and Baler (Aurora). Waves in Siargao’s famous Cloud 9 is considered as reef break.

So what are you waiting for? Grab a board now, play and surf with waves.