TOP 10 SURF SITES IN THE PHILIPPINES

*2nd of the series of the Top 10 Surf Sites in Southeast Asia.

There are 27 surf sites in the Philippines known to the surfing circuit – 18 in the North & Southeast (of Luzon Island) and 9 in the Southeast (off Mindanao coast). The best and the most famous of which are in the latter.

As the Philippines is a relatively new surfing destination, surf shops are quite rare. It is imperative that you bring your own provisions. One thing you have to know, waves in the Philippines are fickle and almost absolutely dependent on typhoons.

This list is subject to 25 seasoned surfers surveyed exclusively for BISEAN. Actual visits from 02 May to 25 July 2008. Total surf sites visited: 27. Here are the Best 10 Surf Sites the Philippines has to offer:


1. Rock Island (off Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte) Right reef-rocky. Come August to November and you'll know why this is the Philippine's No.1. For Kamikaze surfers only; meaning surfers looking for "scenic backdrops" should go somewhere else. This list is about surfing.

2. Cloud 9 (Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte) This site is mostly on top of everyone else's list especially the capitalists of the island. The "too-much-trying" crowd pulls it down a notch for the BISEANers.

3. The Majestics @ Puraran Bay (Baras, Catanduanes) Awesome long-barrel waves. September is the prime month. Crystal clear waters. If the Puraranese would hire PR people, they can easily be on the Top 1.

4. D-Land (Labo, Ilocos Norte) Also known as the Labo Surf Spot. Right reef-coral. 150-300m waves on a good day. Experienced surfers only. 6 hours bus ride from Manila.

5. The Boneyards (Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte) Beach-break, left & right. You have to find the surf sites your self. No local tourist assistance. Find Blue Lagoon. Ask other surfing dudes at the bus terminal. It's quite hard to make directions on this blog. Smile and ask. Period.

6. Crystal Beach Break (Zambales) Standard waves left & right, beach-break. 300-500m long with 5m swells on a good day. Crystal Beach Resort +63.47.913.4309 Cool and friendly people! 3 hours drive from Manila.

7. Twin Rocks (Catanduanes Island, Luzon) Reef-coral, left & right, 50-150m waves with 3-4m swells. What makes this on the list is the frequency of waves.

8. Sabang (Cabugao, Ilocos Sur) Reef-Rocky, right. 100-150m waves with 5m swells. Experienced surfers only.

9. Paradise (Siargao Island) Reef-coral, left & right. Power, power, power! This site can be all to yourself on certain days meaning; No hyenas chuckling when you fall off.

10. Daku Island (Siargao Island) Right & Left, reef-rocky. Very long waves! For experienced surfers only. Siargao Island is your best bet. 9 surf sites of the Philippine's 27 are located here.

Beginners should try San Juan (La Union), Urbiztondo Beach or Llorente. All in the North.

Happy Surfing and Mabuhay!


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Related Post: Top 10 Surf Sites in Indonesia

TOP 10 SURF SITES IN INDONESIA

Indonesia is the world’s ultimate surfer’s paradise. With more than 17,000 islands *whoa!*... who knows what else is out there!?

The island of Bali alone has more than 40 established surf sites! There are more than 150 surf sites in Indonesia known to the surfing circuit! Woohoo! Thank god for Indonesia!

Having said that…it would be quite impossible to rate the Top 10 Surf Sites in Indonesia. So I asked some help from a couple of friends who has visited most of these sites. Here’s what we thought…

1. Padang Padang – Southern-most tip of Bali. The Bali Pipeline. The most dangerous in all of Southeast Asia. For pros and kamikaze only. Power and fear. Epic 100-300m waves with 3-5m swells. The crowd makes it more dangerous. Left/Reef-Coral.

2. Uluwatu – Southern-most tip of Bali. The most famous in all of Southeast Asia. Totally epic! 50-300m waves with 2-5m swells. Entry caves. Left/Reef-Coral.

3. Impossibles – Southern-most tip of Bali. Short 50m waves with awesome 2-5m swells. Left/Reef-Coral.

4. Bluffs – Bali. Hollow waves surrounded by rocky cliffs. Wave stats same as Impossibles. This spot is very hard to find. Right/Reef-Rocky

5. Bangko Bangko – Southwest coast of Lombok Island. The Aussies call it “Desert Point”. 300m waves with 2-4m swells. Tubes occur for 10-20 sec. Left/Reef-Coral

6. Bawa – Sumatra. Right/Reef-Coral
7. Asu – Sumatra. Left/Reef-Coral
8. Rifles – Mentawai. Right/Reef-Coral
9. Keramas – Bali. Left&Right/Reef-Rocky
10. Grajagan – East Java. Left/Point Break

This list is subjective to 26 seasoned surfers surveyed exclusively for BISEAN. Actual visits from 15 January – 10 March 2008. Total surf sites visited: 67.

I personally think the 3 sites in Sumba Island were overlooked. And they should’ve more Mentawai sites on the Top 10. But hey, this was a survey – nothing I could do with it.

Nevertheless, the list is ACTUALLY Southeast Asia’s Top 10 already.
So, there you go. Thank you, Indonesia.

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*Special thanks to all 25 BISEAN surfers. Georgy, Mer, Bjorn, Hagar, Tommy, Hulda, Frog, Ton, Macky, Piss, Monsta, Boggs 1, Boggs 2, Jim A., Jim G., Jim L., Mary Antoinette (Queen of All Surfers), Henry, Beng-beng, Noel B., Noel D., Dave, Xtian, Mugger and TinyGiant. Plus the legendary Maui S! I owe you all trip to the Olympics…Now, get your asses over to the Philippines! New tasks were sent to your emails. =) **Thanks to Carl Page for the 2nd photo.

SURFING IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

Southeast Asia has a total coastline of more than 106,000 km. We are continually battered by beautiful waves from the Andaman and the Indian Ocean in the West, the mighty Pacific Ocean in the East and the unforgiving Arctic Ocean in the South – all beautiful gifts for surfers! *Sweet!*

The world has already recognized Indonesia as a surfing mecca with more than 150 known surf sites. Thailand and Malaysia has their share of attractions. Vietnam and Timor Leste are being noticed lately and the Philippines has the potential to be the next surfing mecca.

Padang Padang, Uluwatu, Koh Kradan, Mentawai or Pururan may not mean anything to those who are not familiar. But these surf sites are “sacred” in the surfing world.

With the help of some of BISEAN’s friends in the circuit, we will feature the greatest surfing sites of Southeast Asia in our coming blog posts. This means mobilizing more than 20 seasoned surfers to visit, rate and of course, ENJOY these gifts from the gods of the ocean.

SEE YA'LL SOON!

Update: TOP 10 SURF SITES

Indonesia


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