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
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
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
3. Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte
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 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
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
6. Baras, Catanduanes
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
7. Puraran, Catanduanes
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
8. San Juan, La Union
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
9. General Luna, Siargao del Norte
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
10. San Narciso and Antonio, Zambales
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
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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