Surfing and Kite Surfing
SIARGAO ISLAND, SURIGAO DEL NORTE
A picture of a wave in Siargao forever changed the destiny of the island and its people. When professional surf photographer John Callahan took pictures of Cloud 9 in 1992, the entire surfing world knew they had found their next dream destination. The perfectly hollow right-hand wave was named after Cloud 9, the local no-melt chocolate bar, because it was the treat that John and his crew of professional surfers looked forward to after each surf session.
Today, Siargao is the Surfing Capital of the Philippines and Cloud 9 is just one of the many world-class surf breaks around the island because it is the most accessible. Tuason Point is the next best spot with its powerful left hander that is both challenging and rewarding. A local boat can take on to other favorites such as Stimpy’s, Rock Island, and Guyam Island.
The surf season begins in October and lasts until May. If planning to visit Siargao, put off booking a return ticket. Chances are one might want to stay longer than intended.
DID YOU KNOW? – It has pristine white beaches and islands, breathtaking lagoons, and lush green coconut trees lined up on the roads.
BALER AURORA
Decades after local children learned to surf on a board left behind by a film crew, Baler is now a bustling surf town. Sabang Beach awakens with surf students every morning and the wide beach break students every morning and the wide beach break is a safe choice for beginners. If you fall, you will land on sand and not reef. The surf season begins in October and lasts until March; however, the summer months of April and May are also a good time to go if you prefer small waves.
The more adventurous type can drive further from Sabang to discover other surf spots. Charlie’s Point is the historic spot filmed in Apocalypse Now and this beach break offers fast left and right handers depending on the swell direction. Dianaed is a break about an hour north of Sabang and its cobblestone bottom creates a consistent left-hander that isn’t for the faint of heart. Yet nothing will get your adrenaline flowing quite like Cobra Reef in Barangay Cemento. This backless and barreling wave is known for its clean face and powerful punch.
DID YOU KNOW? – Baler is famous for its surfing spots, offering some of the best waves you can catch in Asia.
SAN JUAN, LA UNION
It’s easy to fall in love with La Union’s laidback vibe. Urbiztondo Beach in San Juan is a six-hour bus ride away from Manila and is located right on the National Highway. La Union gets its fair share of waves during both the amihan and the habagat seasons and you can experience fun and mellow beach break waves, fast reef breaks, and the occasional hollow wave depending on the swell direction.
Monaliza Point is the most popular surf spot in La Union. It is a fun right-hander that is just steps away from bars and hotels. The beach break beside it is where most surf schools conduct their lessons. If you are looking for a less crowded spot to learn how to surf, you can go to Taboc and Bacnotan. Meanwhile, more advanced surfers can brave the sharp rocks at Nirad to surf really punchy rights or move to the shallow end of the beach to score a barrel at the Bowl.
If you’re all surfed out, the city of Baguio, which is home to the rustic Camp John Hay Manor Hotel, is also just an hour and a half away. But if adventure is more your thing, Baguio is also the jump-off point for trekking in Mount Pulag.
DID YOU KNOW? – San Juan was established as a parish in its own right. On March 2, 1850, San Juan became part of the province of La Union, when the province was created by Governor General Antonio Maria Blanco.
PAGUDPUD, ILOCOS NORTE
A few hours past the windmills of Bangui are the northernmost coastline where first-class waves are found during the transition seasons. Pagudpud is a spot exposed to heavy winds, which is why it is also a choice destination for kitesurfing. As the seasons shift, the wind dies down leaving Pagudpud with a small window of glassy, unbroken waves for surfing. Kapuluan Vista is a consistent reef break that produces beautiful lefts and rights. Heartbreak is another story. Its left-hand slabs can drill you down in the reef or leave you with the best waves you’ll ever ride. Want to step up your game? Ask the local surfers to guide you to Level Up-a spot for exactly what the name implies.
Surfers of all skill levels will enjoy the wide variety of Philippine waves. Many come to surf but they stay for the people. In each surf spot thrives a community of families, friends , and fellow sea-lovers who work together protect their playground. When surfing in the Philippines, join a beach cleanup and the locals might just give on more wave!
DID YOU KNOW? – TRIVIA
Pagudpud is famous for its white-sand beaches and other beautiful natural wonders. That’s why event if it takes more than 10 hours of drive or bus ride, people are still willing to travel there.
KITESURFING
A few hours past the windmills of Bangui are the northernmost coastline where first-class waves are found during the transition seasons. Pagudpud is a spot exposed to heavy winds, which is why it is also a choice destination for kitesurfing. As the seasons shift, the wind dies down leaving Pagudpud with a small window of glassy, unbroken waves for surfing. Kapuluan Vista is a consistent reef break that produces beautiful lefts and rights. Heartbreak is another story. Its left-hand slabs can drill you down in the reef or leave you with the best waves you’ll ever ride. Want to step up your game? Ask the local surfers to guide you to Level Up-a spot for exactly what the name implies.
Surfers of all skill levels will enjoy the wide variety of Philippine waves. Many come to surf but they stay for the people. In each surf spot thrives a community of families, friends , and fellow sea-lovers who work together protect their playground. When surfing in the Philippines, join a beach cleanup and the locals might just give on more wave!
DID YOU KNOW? – TRIVIA
Pagudpud is famous for its white-sand beaches and other beautiful natural wonders. That’s why event if it takes more than 10 hours of drive or bus ride, people are still willing to travel there.
BORACAY ISLAND, AKLAN
For over a decade, kitesurfers have flocked to Boracay. Best known for its white sand beaches, luxury resorts, cocktail bars, and party scene, it’s a good mix of island and city life.
Bulabog Beach, the spot where kitesurfing first took off in the Philippines, now has plenty of kite schools and rental centers to choose from. Conditions: Onshore wind and choppy water, plus waves out at the reef attract kiters. Good for getting instructor training and certifications and even attempting new tricks. Expect a beach full of kites during Chinese New Year, Christmas and Easter.
Kiteboarding Season: Amihan winds la prevailing wind from the east best known for moderate temperatures and little or no rainfall are the best from mid-November to March. Challenges: Because the spot is fairly well known, both beginners and experts have to share space in the water. At least there’s no lack of nightlife fun, if you’re into that.
DID YOU KNOW? – TRIVIA
Boracay is also famous for being one of the world’s top destinations for relaxation. Boracay was awarded as the 2012 Best Island in the World by the international travel magazine Travel + Leisure.
CAMARINES NORTE
A hot surfing spot since the 1970s, Bagasbas Beach in Daet is ideal for beginners with the nearby lagoon’s flat waters. Don’t be fooled though-waves can get chaotic and reach up to 15 feet. Gear up in Mikes Kites, the local kiteboarding school. Conditions: Side-on to onshore wind and crazy waves. Head to nearby Vinzons for bigger but more predictable waves, or kite the flat lagoons for an easier beginner-level ride and practice freestyle tricks. Downwinders are fun, especially with a group of friends who would want to make a race of it.
Kiteboarding Season: Best to come between November and March.
Challenges: Onshore wind, which makes it a challenge to tack away from the beach.
Bare Beauty: Situated away from commercialism, Calaguas Islands is a secluded virgin beach that’s perfect for camping out. With Barely any resorts along its farmed white sand beach, Mahabang Buhangin (Long Beach), not to mention lack of any mobile signal, the experience is meant to bring you at one with nature.
DID YOU KNOW? – TRIVIA
Camarines Norte is known for its mineral deposits of gold, silver, iron, zinc, bull quartz, while its non-metallic minerals include sand, limestone, clay and kaolin. The waters of the province abound with fish and other marine products. Its farm lands are planted with coconut, banan, corn, palay and rootcrops. Farming and mining are its most important industries. Other industries are forestry products and fishing.
PALAWAN: CORON AND THE CALAMIANES ISLANDS
Imagine crystal clear waters dotted by hundreds of rustic islets-this is precisely idyllic Palawan, which has won Travel + Leisure’s Best Island in the World twice in a row in 2016 and 2017.
Calamianes Islands, north of mainland Palawan, was once difficult to get to. But with 250 Kite Camp, a private island resort, one can avail of airport pick-ups, luxury accommodation, island hopping trips, and kite gear and equipment-the makings of a stress-free holiday focused on kiteboarding.
Conditions: Open water chop and flat water, with numerous beaches and varying wind conditions.
Kiteboarding Season: November to March is the perfect time for kitesurfing in the Amihan winds. Luckily, kiting season is also the dry season, which means there will be hardly any rain or clouds ruining your holiday.
Challenges: prepare to kite in the open sea, which sometimes makes getting back to the launch spot a challenge. Make sure to go with a rescue boat to save time and energy.
DID YOU KNOW? – TRIVIA
Coron limestones were formed 260 million years ago as a coral reef along the length of Southeast Asia and was part of the China Continental Crust. It was later drafted to its present location north of Palawan by tectonic movements.
PAGUDPUD, ILOCOS NORTE
At the coastal north of the Philippines, one will find the Pagudpud Peninsula- a rugged and beautiful landscape, loved by thrill-seekers and explorers. For kitesurfers, Kingfisher Beach is the center where lessons and gear rentals are available.
Conditions: With wild winds, it’s best for advanced kitesurfers as 40+ knots during Amihan is usual. Best to ride any time from October to April but expect strong winds and giant waves. Breaking just 250 meters from shore, the rolling waves become an aquatic-playground for kiters-even during typhoon season! Good accommodations are also available in Kingfisher Resort.
Kiteboarding Season: It’s one of the only parts of the Philippines where the Habagat wind (a prevailing wind from the west known for hot and humid weather and frequent heavy rainfall) is also considered kite season.
Challenges: Gusty winds, big waves, shallow water, and sharp coral reef below. Recommended for good and experienced kiters.
DID YOU KNOW? – TRIVIA
The elders say that Pagudpud is an old Ilocano word which means soft sandy soil “kuppuoy” a kadaratan.