Surfing in the Philippines: Top Spots to Catch the Waves this Rainy Season

The Philippines, a tropical archipelago with over 7,500 islands, offers a surfer’s paradise with world-class waves year-round. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just learning to paddle out, you’ll find the perfect spot to hone your skills.

While surfing is possible year-round, the peak season for swells runs from August to early November, coinciding with the typhoon season. The combination of strong winds and stormy weather creates ideal conditions for epic waves.

Also read: Top Destinations in the Philippines to Visit Even During the Rainy Season

If you’re ready to catch some waves, here are among the top surfing destinations in the country!

Western Luzon

Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

The Bangui Windmills is a testament of the strong winds that gush its way to Ilocos Norte, so it is not surprising why one of its towns is also becoming a famous surfing destination. While its white sands and blue waters are not as famous as the others found in this list, it is ideal for surfers who would like to avoid the huge crowds.

San Juan, La Union

While many of the Philippines’ most famous surf spots are on the eastern side of the country, facing the Pacific Ocean, there are also excellent waves to be found on the western coast, facing the South China Sea.

San Juan in La Union, known as the Surfing Capital of Northern Luzon, is a prime example. With its consistent breaks and wide-open beaches, San Juan attracts surfers of all levels, both local and international. The town is home to numerous surf schools, making it an ideal place to learn or improve your skills.

Also read: Best Places to Surf in Asia

San Felipe, Zambales

Just a four-hour ride from Manila is another destination ideal for those wishing to try out surfing as a hobby. Sitio Liwliwa is a popular place for surfers and is located just a few minutes away from the national road. With its easy access from Manila, it is one of the easiest weekend getaways for surfing enthusiasts.

Eastern Luzon

Baler, Aurora

Baler is not just about history, it is also one of the best places to surf in the country. According to the locals, the surfing culture in the town started after the crew of Apocalypse Now left a surfing board after filming there back in the 1970s. Sabang Beach boasts of medium sized waves while Cemento Beach gets larger and stronger waves which is why surfing competitions are often held there.

Also read: 7 Easy Steps to Enjoy a Weekend Escape in Baler, Aurora

Bagasbas Beach, Camarines Norte

While most surfing sites feature powdery white sand beaches, Bagasbas Beach in Daet boasts of fine grey sand with big waves. A lot of advanced surfers frequent the place as it is known to provide great barrels, especially between July and November.

Puraran Beach, Catanduanes

Another renowned surfing destination in the Philippines, especially in the international surfing community, is Puraran Beach in Baras, Catanduanes. It is best known for fast and hollow barrels making it a favoured playground among local and foreign surfers.

Gubat, Sorsogon

Slowly gaining popularity is this small town in Sorsogon whose sand-bottomed beaches make the perfect surfing destination. It creates great swells for practising all-year round but the best ones often come between October and March.

Visayas

Also read: Escape the Crowd: These 10 Beaches in Eastern Visayas are Totally Unspoilt

Calicoan Island, Eastern Samar

Calicoan Island in Guiuan, Eastern Samar may have been badly hit by Typhoon Yolanda a few years ago but it certainly does not mean that the best surfers in the area have given up. Head on to ABCD Beach, find the local pros living in simple huts and have the beach all to yourself.

Dulag, Leyte

If you have yet to try out surfing, the surf camp in Dulag, Leyte might just be the place for you. The waves there are perfect for beginners—not too short and not too tall. While you might not feel as challenged there as you would be in the other surfing destinations included in this list, you will very much become addicted after a few tries on your board.

Borongan City, Eastern Samar

Borongan City, a hidden gem nestled in Eastern Samar, offers a unique and welcoming surfing experience. Located on the northeastern tip of Samar Island, this coastal town boasts beginner-friendly beach breaks, making it an ideal spot for those learning to ride the waves. With its friendly locals and relatively uncrowded surf spots, Borongan provides a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere for surfers of all levels. From the white sands of Baybay Boulevard in Barangay Bato to the more adventurous black sand breaks in Locso-on, Borongan offers a diverse range of surfing options to suit every preference.

Also read: My Weekend Getaway: Sabang Daguitan Surf Camp in Dulag, Leyte

Mindanao

Lanuza, Surigao del Sur

Lanuza in Cantilan is most famous for its surfing camps that are perfect for beginner and advanced surfers alike. The best time to visit the place is between November and March where the waves are frequently huge and you can also get to choose whether to conquer reef breaks, beach breaks or anything in between.

General Luna, Siargao Island

One of the Philippines’ most iconic surf destinations is the stunning island of Siargao, often called the country’s Surfing Capital. Renowned for its world-class waves and pristine beaches, Siargao attracts surfers from all over the globe. The island regularly hosts local and international surfing competitions, supported by the provincial government, further solidifying its reputation as a surfer’s paradise.

Mati, Davao Oriental

Dahican Beach in Mati boasts of seven kilometres of raw shoreline that is just the perfect playground for those wishing to try out or improve their surfing skills. It is more popular for skimboarders, however, thus earning the title as the Skimboarding Capital of the Philippines.

Also read: I Spent 3 Days Surfing and Flying an Ultra-Light Plane in Mati for ₱3,900

I’m quite sure this list has gotten you stoked already. C’mon—let’s paddle up and catch those waves!