I grew up surfing at Surfers Paradise in Queensland, Australia — in the water with some of the greats of that era including Rick and Paul Neilson, Michael Peterson (Rabbit), Tony Etherington and a few others whose names the years have blurred. When I arrived in the Philippines in 1986 there was almost no surf scene to speak of — a handful of locals who had picked up the sport and very little else. What exists today is extraordinary by comparison. The Philippines has quietly become one of the best surfing destinations in Asia, and for those willing to look beyond the famous breaks, there are waves here that most of the world will never find.
Baler, Aurora — Where It All Began
Baler holds a unique place in Philippine surfing history. The story goes that when Francis Ford Coppola’s crew filmed the famous surfing scene for Apocalypse Now here in the late 1970s — the one where Robert Duvall famously declared his love of the smell of napalm in the morning — they left their surfboards behind when they departed. The locals picked them up and taught themselves to surf. A sport was born.
Today Baler is a well-established surf town with breaks for all levels. Sabang Beach is the heart of it — long, approachable waves that are ideal for beginners and intermediates. For more experienced surfers Cemento Reef, also known as Cobra Reef, offers a fast hollow right-hand break that is a genuine challenge. Charlie’s Point — where Apocalypse Now was filmed — is more accessible and fun on a regular swell. The best conditions run from October to February when the northerly swells arrive consistently.
Siargao — The Surfing Capital
I was living in Cebu when the boys first started finding Siargao. Getting there in those days was a genuine adventure — it involved multiple connections, unreliable boats and a serious commitment to actually making it happen. Word was spreading slowly through the surf community that there was something special out there, but you had to want it badly enough to find out.
What they found was Cloud 9 — a right-hand reef break that ranks among the best waves in Asia. Fast, hollow and powerful, with a sharp reef below that demands respect. On a good swell it produces barrels that professional surfers travel across the world to ride.
Siargao was billed for years as the next Bali. Thank the surf gods it hasn’t gone that way. The island has developed significantly — there are proper resorts, restaurants and infrastructure now — but it has retained enough of its island character to remain a genuinely special place. It is busy around the annual international surfing competition in September and October but outside of peak season it is still possible to find a quiet lineup.
Beyond Cloud 9, Siargao has breaks for every level. Daku Island offers long mellow rides for beginners and longboarders. Cemetery and Tuason provide intermediate options that help bridge the gap between learner waves and the serious stuff. The island rewards those who stay long enough to explore beyond General Luna.
Catanduanes — Majestics and Hidden Breaks
Catanduanes is known to serious surfers for one thing — Majestics at Puraran Beach in Baras. One of the fastest and most hollow right-hand barrels in the world, it breaks over a reef with the full force of the Pacific Ocean behind it. Not for the faint-hearted. The best conditions run from July to October when typhoon swells light it up.
But Catanduanes has a less publicised side too. I once found myself surfing a break on the island with a small group of mates — a spot known to a foreigner who had settled there and made it his home. He had found a break that virtually nobody outside his immediate circle had ever surfed. No crowds, no competition, just clean waves and the kind of experience that is becoming increasingly rare in a connected world. That kind of discovery is still possible in the Philippines for those willing to look.
La Union — The Weekend Escape
San Juan in La Union has become the most accessible surf destination in the Philippines — a few hours drive north of Manila and with a well-established surf culture that caters to everyone from absolute beginners to capable intermediates. The waves are not the most powerful in the country but they are consistent, particularly between October and April when the amihan winds create reliable conditions. La Union has developed into a proper surf town with schools, rentals, cafes and a social scene that has made it enormously popular with Manila’s weekend crowd.
Bagasbas Beach, Camarines Norte
An emerging surf destination in the Bicol region, Bagasbas draws surfers from Manila looking for something beyond La Union. The beach breaks are consistent and accessible, making it a good option for those progressing from beginner to intermediate level. Less developed than the bigger names on this list — which for many surfers is exactly the appeal.
Dahican Beach, Davao Oriental
On the far eastern coast of Mindanao, Dahican is on its way to becoming one of the significant surf destinations in the country. The waves are powerful, fuelled by open Pacific swells, and the beach itself is among the most beautiful in Mindanao. Still relatively uncrowded and undeveloped compared to Siargao and Baler — catch it while it lasts.
Lanuza Bay, Surigao del Sur
Sitting just south of Siargao, Lanuza Bay benefits from similar swell exposure with far fewer people. One of Mindanao’s under-the-radar surf spots, it offers consistent waves and the kind of uncrowded lineup that is increasingly hard to find. The surrounding area is also notable for its marine biodiversity — combining a surf trip with a dive here makes complete sense.
Calicoan Island, Eastern Samar
One of the least visited surf destinations in the Philippines and one of the most rewarding for experienced surfers who make the effort. Calicoan sits on the Pacific side of Eastern Samar and receives powerful open ocean swells that produce challenging, high-quality waves. The island is remote, the beaches are pristine and the crowds are minimal. Not a destination for beginners — but for intermediate to advanced surfers looking for something off the beaten track, it is worth serious consideration.
When to Surf
The Pacific-facing coasts — Siargao, Baler, Catanduanes, Eastern Samar — see their best conditions from September to February when northeast swells arrive consistently. Siargao peaks from September to December. The west-facing coast, including La Union, is best from October to April. There are waves year-round across the archipelago for those who know where to look.
A Final Note
The Philippines still has surf spots that very few people have ever ridden. With over 7,000 islands and thousands of kilometres of Pacific-facing coastline, the country’s surf potential has barely been explored. The famous breaks are world class — but the real adventure is in finding the ones that aren’t on any map yet.
Browse our full directory of Philippine surf spots and start planning your next session.
