Summary

The island of Siargao, in the Philippines, is quickly becoming one of the best places to go on a surf trip due to its amazing waves and some of the best surfing island vibes you will ever experience.

The Philippines may be composed of more than 7000 islands, if you are gonna pick one for a surf trip, Siargao has to be the choice. It is an absolute tropical gem and recently, the increase in tourism made Siargao much more accessible with frequent direct flights from Manila.

Siargao is a surfing paradise for all types of surfers!

From beginners to experts, there are waves for everyone within paddling distance from the island of Siargao. Cloud 9 is the most popular and mediatized surf spot on Siargao. It is a heavy and hollow wave breaking over a shallow reef. Cloud 9 is home to some professionnal surfing competitions every year which helped put Siargao on the surfing map.

If Cloud 9 is mostly suitable for advanced surfers, Siargao also has some beginner-friendly waves and surf spots such as Jacking Horse and Rock Island. Many boats are available to access some more remote waves on Siargao and most of them will be very affordable.

All the surf spots on Siargao are on the east coast and most of them are around the General Luna and Cloud 9 area. This is also where you will find most accommodation options as well as many bars and restaurants.

When to surf Siargao

The best time to surf Siargao Island, Philippines is from October to April with consistent storms pushing swells towards the island. It also happens to be the wet season in the Philippines. July and August will be mostly flat and inconsistent while the shoulder seasons (May and September) can still offer some decent surfing days.

Where to stay in Siargao

On a surf trip to Siargao, the best place to stay is either General Luna or the Cloud 9 area. General Luna is a small town strategically located close to many surf spots and that is where you will find most accommodation and restaurants.

For high-end budgets, two good accommodations on Siargao are Kermit Siargao and Siargao Island Villas.

For budget travelers, there is a decent hostel near Cloud 9 called Hiraya Surf Hostel. Further along the road, you can also find the Fat Lips Surf Lodge.

Surf Spots on Siargao

Cloud Nine

This is Siargao’s most popular and best surf spot. Cloud Nine is a hollow and powerful A-frame breaking over a shallow but forgiving reef. The right works way better than the left and leads right into the small channel that separates Cloud Nine and Quicksilver. This wave should be kept for experts looking for a short but thrilling ride.

• Wave direction : Right and left
• Bottom : Reef
• Best tide : Mid to high
• Skill level : Advanced
• Optimal swell direction : NE
• Optimal wind direction : W

Quicksilver

Direct neighbor to Cloud Nine, Quicksilver is a less radical version of Siargao’s most famous spot. It remains a very challenging barrel that breaks left and right and this wave definitely helps spread the crowd a little on good days.

• Wave direction : Right and left
• Bottom : Reef
• Best tide : Mid to high
• Skill level : Advanced
• Optimal swell direction : NE
• Optimal wind direction : W

Jacking Horse

Around the corner from Quicksilver and Cloud Nine is Jacking Horse, another nice wave that is not as hollow and radical as the other two. All three waves are located in the same area, around the Cloud Nine pier.

• Wave direction : Right and left
• Bottom : Reef
• Best tide : Mid to high
• Skill level : Advanced
• Optimal swell direction : NE
• Optimal wind direction : W

Little Pony

Closer to the beach, Jacking Horse reforms into a mellow and nicely peeling wave that is perfect to learn. Most surf schools will bring people here to push them on their first waves.

• Wave direction : Right and left
• Bottom : Reef
• Best tide : Mid to high
• Skill level : Advanced
• Optimal swell direction : NE
• Optimal wind direction : SW

Rock Island

Just a 5-10 minutes boat ride away from the Cloud Nine pier is a perfect right-hand point break. Breaking for nearly 100m, it is a nice alternative to the short and intense rides from Cloud Nine and Quicksilver.

• Wave direction : Right
• Bottom : Reef
• Best tide : Mid
• Skill level : Any
• Optimal swell direction : NE
• Optimal wind direction : S

Stimpy’s

Located right next to Rock Island, with a similar set up but in a left-hander version. Stimpy’s and Rock Island break in different directions so when one is onshore, you might catch the other one offshore and clean.

• Wave direction : Left
• Bottom : Reef
• Best tide : Mid
• Skill level : Intermediate and advanced
• Optimal swell direction : NE
• Optimal wind direction : W

Cemetery

A long reef catches all the swell heading towards General Luna in front of the cemetery and results in several nice peaks along that reef. You can catch a boat or paddle for about 15 minutes and find the peak you prefer. This spot can handle a lot of people before it gets too crowded.

• Wave direction : Right and left
• Bottom : Reef
• Best tide : Mid to high
• Skill level : Intermediate and advanced
• Optimal swell direction : NE
• Optimal wind direction : W

Pacifico

Located on the north side of Siargao, Pacifico is a dreamy left-hander, away from the crowds of Genera Luna. It breaks a bit less than 100 meters away from shore and produces one of the nicest waves in the Philippines.

• Wave direction : Mostly left
• Bottom : Reef
• Best tide : Mid to high
• Skill level : Intermediate and advanced
• Optimal swell direction : NE
• Optimal wind direction : W

Getting there

The best way to get to Siargao, Philippines is to fly directly from Manila or Cebu. Ferry is a cheaper option but takes longer and can be hazardous depending on sea conditions.

Safety/things to know

• The typhoon season on Siargao runs from July to October. Throughout the years, a few disastrous typhoons have affected the area.
• Siargao only has reef breaks. There are no beach breaks on the island. That being said, beginners can still catch waves in a safe manner if accompanied by a surf coach.
• Many surf breaks on Siargao are only accessible by boat. They are fairly cheap and easy to find.

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