Top 10 Surf Spots In Philippines

surf spots in the philippines
Shamika
Shamika 
Updated
| 5 min read

There are few countries that immediately conjure an image of the quaint, tropical beach life the way the Philippines do. Being an archipelagic country, there is an unlimited number of beach spots where you can enjoy the warm white sands under your feet as the sea breeze brushes across your face, and you can spot cosy palm trees lining the beach. For surfers, or people interested in trying their hand at surfing, Philippines is a perfect destination for them. The waters are always nice and warm unlike colder temperate countries, and there is never a dearth of surfing spots. So, if you are a fan of surfing, try your hand at this amazing sport and read on as we explore the top 10 surf spots in Philippines.

1. Real, Quezon

Surfing Buddies
Source: Photo by user dahon used under CC BY-ND 2.0

Situated in the province of Quezon, Real is a small town on the Luzon shore, popular for its amazing surf-friendly beaches. The beach here is just a short drive away from the capital city of Manila, but the friendly and humble locals keep this town as chilled out as can be. The surfing opportunities here are truly incredible, and you can rent surfboards from the nearby shacks as well as stop there for a few snacks in between your water sports adventures. In addition, you can even try water skiing and boating here, or just go for a swim in the warm waters.

Real, Quezon

Address: Real, Quezon, Philippines

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2. Lanuza, Surigao del Sur

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Situated in the province of Surigao del Sur, Lanuza is another extremely popular ecotourism spot in the Philippines that has slowly grown as one of the best surfing spots in all of the Philippines. With huge waves that you can ride, transparent turquoise waters that are beautiful to swim in, and a vibrant local surfing community, Lanuza represents the best of the laid-back surfing lifestyle. This coastal town also has other water sports available, such as paragliding, parasailing, and water skiing. The water is very warm most times of the year, and it is wonderful to surf along the waves for that reason.

Lanuza, Surigao del Sur

Address: Lanuza, Surigao del Sur, Philippines

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3. Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte
Source: Photo by user Denise Bentulan used under CC BY-ND 2.0

On the popular Luzon Island’s northern shores lies this quaint little town that seems unassuming at first. However, you will be pleased with the huge surfing community that has slowly grown here over the years, making it quite the surfing hub in the Philippines. Today, it has become a tourist haven, with lots of hotels, motels, and resorts nestled along the beautiful beaches. There are amazing water sports opportunities here. You can rent surfboards and set out towards the sea if you have surfing experience, but if you’re a novice or an intermediate surfer, you can take surf lessons, which are easily available.

Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

Address: Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, Philippines

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4. Baler, Aurora

Baler, Aurora
Source: Photo by user susancorpuz90 used under CC BY 2.0

Baler is an absolute must-visit surfing location when you are in the Philippines. With one of the most beautiful beaches you might ever see, and huge waves that you can ride for a long time, this is a great spot to visit even if you have never surfed before. Cemento Beach is a popular surfing destination, and you can book resorts or hotels to stay near this beach. In addition, you can also visit Ermita Hill, which offers picturesque and beautiful views of the coast from a distance.

Baler, Aurora

Address: Baler, Aurora, Philippines

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5. Mati, Davao Oriental


The capital of the province of Davao Oriental, Mati City holds a special place in the hearts of the locals and tourists alike. The beaches here are truly extraordinary, with powder-thin white sands as far as the eye can see, crystal-clear turquoise waters and grand waves that just seem to call you in for a good surfing experience. The beaches are lined with palm and coconut trees, creating a beautiful little cover. Dahican beach is one of the most beautiful beaches here. This beach is surprisingly not as commercialised as some of the more popular ones, and you will be able to enjoy some peace and quiet here.

Mati, Davao Oriental

Address: Mati, Davao Oriental, Philippines

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6. Baras, Catanduanes

Binurong Point, Baras, Catanduanes
Source: Photo by user Rain Tamayo used under CC0

For the adventurer, Baras in the province of Catanduanes is an outdoor lovers’ paradise that is filled with adventure sports and outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain-climbing, and cliff-diving. However, the one thing all locals and tourists can agree on is that Baras remains primarily a surf town. You can find tons of people hitting the waves at the beach. The waters hit the rocky land as they come in, creating huge waves that you can chase even if you are a beginner surfer. It truly is a pleasure to just sit on the beach and watch people surfing here.

Baras, Catanduanes

Address: Baras, Catanduanes, Philippines

Tip from Content Creator

Baras Baras

Photos of Baras shared by content creator from the Philippines, Joshua Oruga

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7. Puraran, Catanduanes

Puraran beach
Source: Photo by user L. used under CC BY 2.0

Very close to Baras in the province of Catanduanes, Puraran Beach is a worthwhile surfing destination to check out if you are nearby. The waves here are huge, making it a wonderful surf spot. You can also engage in some other fun water sports such as parasailing or paragliding, which are great fun because of the strong winds this beach carries. Once you are done surfing, stop by a shack and drink some fresh coconut water, which is served by cutting into a fresh coconut and dipping the straw right in it.

Puraran, Catanduanes

Address: Puraran, Baras, Catanduanes, Philippines

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8. San Juan, La Union

Laiya San Juan Beach Philippines
Source: Photo by user Jose Nicdao used under CC BY 2.0

Sprinkled with a variety of resorts and hotels where you can spend the night, San Juan just seems to be calling out to you to book a weekend surf trip with your buddies. Head over to Urbiztondo, which is a laid-back and a quaint little town with some of the highest and best waves that are suitable for surfing for most times of the year. You can book a surf instructor and learn to surf from scratch, or pick up some cool surfing skills to increase your level.

San Juan, La Union

Address: San Juan, La Union, Philippines

Tip from Content Creator

Video of San Juan, La Union, shared by content creator from the Philippines, Louise Nicole.

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9. General Luna, Siargao del Norte

20150210_114740
Source: Photo by user EladeManu used under CC BY 2.0

If you are looking for hidden gems in the surfing community and are tired of the overcrowded commercialised beaches, Siargao seems to be a well-kept secret for quite a while by the locals. The slowly growing surf town of General Luna has incredible beaches that offer amazing surfing opportunities for the experienced surfer. The waters here are quite active, and owing to the limited crowd this beach town attracts, it is better to go surfing in larger groups and only hit the waters once you are advanced enough.

General Luna, Siargao

Address: General Luna, Siargao, Philippines

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10. San Narciso and Antonio, Zambales

ZAMBALES OCT 2018
Source: Photo by user jopetsy used under CC BY 2.0

With beautiful coastal reefs that you can see underneath the crystal-blue waters of the beaches in Zambales, it is really no wonder why the waves go so high in this particular province, making it an extremely popular surfing destination. The most popular beaches - San Narciso and Antonio - are a must-visit location if you are interested in surfing. Here, you can ride the waves on your own or hire an expert who will provide you with surfing lessons. It truly is a wonderful place to visit, as tons of people surf here throughout the day, and it is a pleasure watching people hit the waves.

San Narciso and Antonio, Zambales

Address: San Narciso and Antonio, Zambales, Philippines

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Surf's up in the Philippines!

Comprised of a whopping 1700 islands, the beautiful country of the Republic of Philippines oozes an inherent beachy vibe that is hard to shake off long after you have left this incredible country. The best waves for surfing are between the months of December and April, so definitely explore the world of surfing if you happen to be here.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Being a military kid, Shamika has lived and travelled all over India, and her nomadic childhood has fueled an immense hunger and fascination for new cultures and languages (she's a polyglot!)...Read more

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