Best Time to Surf the Philippines
The best time to surf the Philippines is October to November: that is when the most breaks are at their best — 5 of the 5 Philippines breaks we map at the peak.
Last updated · Counted from the surf breaks we map — each break's own season, level and wave type
Surf in Philippines month by month
How many of the 5 breaks we map in Philippines are at their best in each month, and which ones. The busiest months are highlighted.
January
2 at their best · 2 in season
February
2 at their best · 2 in season
March
2 at their best · 2 in season
April
0 at their best · 0 in season
May
0 at their best · 0 in season
June
0 at their best · 0 in season
July
0 at their best · 0 in season
August
3 at their best · 3 in season
September
3 at their best · 3 in season
October
4 at their best · 4 in season
November
5 at their best · 5 in season
Cloud 9, Urbiztondo, Sabang Beach, Tuason Point, Jacking Horse
December
2 at their best · 2 in season
Lefts, rights and peaks in Philippines
Every break we map here, by what the wave breaks over and which way it peels — a left peels to the surfer's left as they ride towards the beach.
| Break type | Lefts | Rights | Both ways / A-frames |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reef | Tuason Point | Cloud 9 | Jacking Horse |
| Beach | — | — | Urbiztondo, Sabang Beach |
Season at every Philippines break
Each break's stated season, with its best months filled in.
- Sabang Beach
Baler
- Wave
- Beach break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)
- Level
- Beginner
- Season
- October to March (northeast swell)
- Tide
- All tides; sandbar-dependent
- Watch out
- Rip currents form between the sandbars, especially on bigger swells. The beach is busy with surf schools on weekends.
- Cloud 9
General Luna, Siargao
- Wave
- Reef break · Right-hand
- Level
- Advanced
- Season
- August to November (typhoon swell)
- Tide
- Best on a mid-to-high tide
- Watch out
- Shallow, sharp reef, especially from low to mid tide. Booties are a good idea. The take-off zone is small and the lineup is experienced, so wait your turn. Paddle out from the end of the boardwalk rather than across the reef.
- Tuason Point
General Luna, Siargao
- Wave
- Reef break · Left-hand
- Level
- Advanced
- Season
- August to November
- Tide
- Best on a mid-to-high tide
- Watch out
- Shallow, sharp reef, especially at low tide; reef booties are sensible. The paddle-out is long and the current can run hard on bigger swells. For experienced reef surfers only.
- Urbiztondo
San Fernando City
- Wave
- Beach break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)
- Level
- Intermediate
- Season
- November to March (northeast swell)
- Tide
- All tides; sandbar-dependent
- Watch out
- Rip currents form between the sandbars — always check conditions before paddling out.
- Jacking Horse
- Wave
- Reef break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)
- Level
- Beginner
- Season
- August to November
- Tide
- Best on a mid-to-high tide
- Watch out
- Shallow reef at lower tides; booties are sensible. The lineup is busy with surf schools, so keep clear of lessons and beginners.
Surf spots in Philippines by level
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to surf the Philippines?
The best time to surf the Philippines is October to November: that is when the most breaks are at their best — 5 of the 5 Philippines breaks we map at the peak.
Can you surf the Philippines all year round?
Not every month. None of the 5 breaks we map in the Philippines lists April to July in its season.
When is the best time for beginners to surf the Philippines?
The 2 beginner-rated breaks we map in the Philippines (Sabang Beach and Jacking Horse) are mostly at their best in October to November. Smaller days in the shoulder months are easier to learn on.
Which surf breaks in the Philippines are lefts and which are rights?
Lefts: Tuason Point. Rights: Cloud 9. The table below splits every break we map in the Philippines by type and direction.