Looking for best surfing spots in the Philippines? Plan your trip to these awesome surfing destinations this 2021!
Surfing is a sport that I always try whenever possible. Though I'm not that good at it, I try to learn the sport the best I can. The Philippines as sandwiched between the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean, it has plenty of shorelines and a number of excellent surf spots where you could try your skills in balancing over a fast-moving board. So, if you want to learn how to surf (just like me!), here's a list of awesome surfing spots around the Philippines that I've been to.Top Surfing Destinations in the Philippines
1. Bagasbas Beach in Daet, Camarines Norte
Bagasbas is known for its long and wide stretch of fine, gray and powdery sand with big waves that roll in from the Pacific Ocean which makes it an ideal spot for surfers of any level. It is known to provide barrels, that can be experienced between July to November and sometimes, all the way to January.Travel Time: 8 hours by bus from Manila
Estimated Rates: PHP 400/hour (including board rental and instructor)
RELATED POSTS:
- Riding the Waves of Bagasbas Beach
- Travel Guide : Camarines Norte - Tourist Spots and Attractions, How To Get There, Things To Do, Where To Stay and Expenses
How to get to Bagasbas? From Manila, take bus bound for Daet, Camarines Norte. Travel time is about 8 hours and fare is around 700 pesos. Form the town center, take or hire a tricycle for 30 pesos to Bagasbas Beach, which will take about 10-15 minutes. For a more detailed post on how to get there, click here.
2. Baler, Aurora
Sabang Beach as a prime surfing site in the Philippines has become Baler's source of pride alongside its rich history and natural wonders. It's a popular surfing destination among surfers and non-surfers because of its distinct long stretch of gray sandy shoreline with crashing waves coming from the Pacific Ocean. The sandy bottom of the beach and the shallow water is also perfect for beginners as you wouldn't need to worry on being battered and bruised by rocks from underneath whenever you fall off the board.Travel Time: 7 hours by bus from Manila
Estimated Rates: PHP 400/hour (including board rental and instructor)
RELATED POSTS:
- Baler Travel Guide Blog + Travel Tips
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How to get to Baler, Aurora? Genesis Bus Lines has direct trips from Manila to Baler, travel time is 6-7 hours and fare is around 600-700 pesos. For a more detailed post on how to get there by bus or private car, visit: How to Get to Baler from Manila.
3. Dahican Beach in Mati, Davao Oriental
The long, white sandy beach of Dahican is certainly "to die for". The "raw-ness" of its seven-kilometer stretch of pure white sand beach facing the turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean is simply amazing! Dubbed as the "skim boarding capital of Mindanao", strong waves come which makes it also a good spot to surf in this part of Mindanao.Travel Time: 5 hours from Manila (1.5 hours by plane from Manila to Davao City and 3.5 hours over land from Davao City to Mati)
Estimated Rates: PHP 400/hour (including board rental and instructor)
RELATED POSTS:
- Surfing and Skimboarding in Dahican Beach, Mati City
- Mati's Dahican Beach is one of my Favorite Beaches in Mindanao
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How to get to Dahican Beach? From Davao City's Ecoland Terminal, take a bus bound for Mati, Davao Oriental. Air-conditioned Bus fare is around 250 pesos, travel time is about 3.5 - 4 hours. From the town center, take a tricycle or a habal-habal (single motorcycle) to Dahican Beach. Fare is around 40 pesos each and travel time is about 20 minutes. For a more detailed post on how to get there, click here.
4. San Juan, La Union
Dubbed as the "Surfing Capital of the Northern Philippines", San Juan La Union is a favorite destination among surfing enthusiasts. The surfing sites and surf schools can be found along the shores of Urbiztondo which boasts of consistent swells conducive for surfing. Accommodations and Restaurants are also available.Travel Time: 5 to 6 hours by bus from Manila
Estimated Rates: PHP 400/hour (including board rental and instructor)
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- Top Things to Do in La Union + Tourist Spots and Itinerary
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How to get to San Juan, La Union? You may take any bus bound for Vigan and Laoag and alight at Urbiztondo in San Juan La Union. Travel time from Manila is about 5-6 hours.
5. Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte
The white sand and blue waters of Blue Lagoon in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte is not just one awesome beach but also a great surfing site in the Philippines. As it is not as popular as the other surfing spots in the country, there isn't usually much of a lineup of surfers here, making it a nice place to catch a bunch of waves without a lot of traffic.Travel Time: 2.5 hours from Manila (1 hour by plane from Manila to Laoag and 1.5 to 2 hours over land from Laoag to Pagudpud)
Estimated Rates: PHP 350/hour (including board rental and instructor)
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How to get to Pagudpud? It can be reached via a 10-12 hour bus ride from Manila or via a 1 hour flight from Manila to Laoag then via a 1.5 hours drive from Laoag to Pagupud. For a more detailed post on how to get there, click here.
6. Puraran Beach in Baras, Catanduanes
Puraran beach is a "world renowned surfing site" located in the town of Baras in Catanduanes. Facing the pacific ocean it is home to the so-called Majestic waves. This surfing site came into fame because of its majestic waves produced by the deep rumbling Pacific Ocean. It became a favorite among international and local surfers for having one of the fastest, most hollow, right-handed barrels in the world.Travel Time: 2 hours from Manila (1 hour by plane from Manila to Virac and 1 hour over land from Virac to Baras)
Estimated Rates: PHP 400/hour (including board rental and instructor)
RELATED POSTS:
- Where to Stay in Catanduanes?
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How to get to Puraran Beach? By Air: Major airlines offer direct flights from Manila to Virac, the capital of Catanduanes. Travel time is about an hour. Then you travel by land for about an hour from Virac to Puraran Beach in the town of Baras. By Land and Sea: Take a bus bound for Legazpi City which takes about 10-12 hours from Manila. From there, take a jeepeney to Tabaco City port and take a RORO to Virac. Ferry leaves at 6:30 AM in Tobaco City and 1:00 PM from Virac daily. From Virac, take a bus or jeepney to Baras. For a more detailed post on how to get there, click here.
7. Sitio Liw-liwa in San Felipe, Zambales
San Felipe, Zambales is around 4 hours by bus from Manila. The surfing site can be found along the shore of Sitio Liw-liwa, just a few minutes away from the national road. It's accessibility from Metro Manila, makes it a favorite surfing destination among surfing enthusiasts and weekenders.Travel Time: 4-5 hours by bus from Manila
Estimated Rates: PHP 400 - board rental / day | PHP 180 - instructor fee/hour
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- Travel Guide : Liw-liwa Surfing Weekend - Things To Do, Suggested Itinerary, How To Get There, Accommodation and Expenses
How to get to San Felipe Zambales? Take a Victory Liner bus bound for Iba, Zambales. Just tell the bus attendant to drop you at Bobulon Elementary School and at the left side of the school, you'll find the road leading to the Liw-liwa Surfing site. It takes about 4.5 hours to reach Sitio Liw-Liwa and fare is around 300 pesos. For a more detailed post on how to get there, visit: En Route to Liw-liwa Surfing Site.
ALSO READ: Top Things to Do in Subic and Zambales: Tourist Spots, Sample Itinerary and More!
8. Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte
The strong waves coming from the Pacific Ocean make Siargao Island one of the most popular surfing destinations in the country. Dubbed as "The Surfing Capital of the Philippines", Siargao is a favorite among local and international surfers. The best time to visit is every September when local and international surfing competitions are held and organized by the provincial government of Surigao del Norte.Travel Time: 1 hour via a direct flight from Manila or 4 hours via a 1-hour flight from Manila to Surigao City then via a 3-hour boat ride to Siargao Island.
Estimated Rates: PHP 500/hour (including board rental and instructor)
RELATED POST:
- The "Surfer Wannabe" Conquers the Waves of Siargao
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How to get to Siargao? Take a direct flight to Siargao Island from Manila or Cebu. This is the easiest way to go to the island. Or you may take a flight to Surigao City. From there, take a boat ride to Dapa Port in Siargao Island. Boats can be found at the boulevard. For a more detailed post on how to get there, click here.
9. Gubat, Sorsogon
Gubat Sorsogon is now emerging as one of the newest surfing destinations in the country. The sandy bottom of the beach makes it an ideal spot to learn surfing. The surf break along Gubat bay produces waves all year round with consistent major swell during the surfing season of October to March.Travel Time: 13 hours by bus from Manila
Estimated Rates: PHP 300/hour (including board rental and instructor)
RELATED POST:
How to get to Gubat? Buses from Metro Manila have direct trips to Sorsogon. Alternatively, if coming in via air through Legazpi Airport, take a bus or van going to Sorsogon City. From Sorsogon City, take a jeepney bound for Gubat. Travel time is 30-45 minutes, fare is around 25 pesos.
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10. San Narciso, Zambales
Crystal Beach Resort's beach break is one of the most popular surfing spots in Zambales. It is a favorite destination among surfing enthusiasts and is considered as one of the surfing spots closest to Manila. At Crystal Beach, the waves are not too big and if you get wiped out, you will fall on shallow gray sandy bottom of the beach. This is actually the best place to learn surfing in this part of Luzon.Travel Time: 4 hours by bus from Manila
Estimated Rates: PHP 400/hour (including board rental and instructor)
RELATED POSTS:
- Surfing at Crystal Beach, Zambales
- Accommodations at Crystal Beach Resort, Zambales
- REVIEW: Crystal Beach Resort, Zambales
How to get to San Narciso, Zambales? Go to any of the following VICTORY LINER stations: Cubao, Caloocan, Pasay, and Sampaloc. Take the IBA/STA.CRUZ-bound bus and ask the bus attendant to dropped you off in San Narciso, Zambales (nearest landmark: San Sebastian Catholic Church). Fare is about 250 pesos. Once there, take a tricycle going to Crystal Beach Resort. Fare is 15.00 pesos per person.
What are you waiting for? Plan your trip to these awesome surfing destinations this 2021!
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Thank You For Sharing!
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I am eyeing for Dahican, Puraran and Siargao - the surf spots I've never been to. :)
ReplyDeleteSiargao is the best of all i have been!
DeleteBeen to Pagudpud and La Union. My next stop will be Baler this march then sana next year, Siargao and Dahican naman. hehehe nice list!
ReplyDeleteIm planning to surf in baler alone this april. Any tips? Ok lang ba dun to travel alone?
DeleteIm planning to surf in baler alone this april. Any tips? Ok lang ba dun to travel alone?
DeleteI'm looking forward to surf (in Baler or San Juan) this March on my b-day
ReplyDeletevery helpful post
nice content man, gracias
ReplyDelete