Siargao and Cloud 9 go hand in hand, and while most people think the world-famous wave is the only spot that’s worth riding on this tear-shaped island in the Pacific, then you’re in for a big surprise.

Siargao actually has plenty of worthy surf spots that every kind of surfer can ride – whether it’s your first time to get on a board or even if you’ve traveled the world surfing the best waves the ocean has to offer – Siargao has it all.

So without further adieu, here are Siargao’s best surf spots and their suggested skill levels:

 

Cloud 9

Of course, we’ll begin with this world-class wave and virtually the very wave that put Siargao and the Philippines on the surf map. Easy to get to, clean, heavy, hard, and powerful. Cloud 9 is barreling perfection on its good days. From late August to November, Cloud 9 comes alive and pumping like crazy, with only the best surfers, the seasoned locals, and professionals brave enough to ride its double-overhead barrels.

Nicknamed “Crowd 9” due to the large number of people you’ll find on the line-up during its peak season, it can get pretty crowded at times. During summer, however, the wave is flat, and crowds are fewer with tourists and locals paddling out rather than seasoned surfers.

Level: Expert, Pro

 

Quiksilver

The wave that’s found right beside Cloud 9, Quiksilver is not for the faint-hearted. It’s a right-handed wave that can swell up to 10 feet on its good days, and it’s super fast, so only serious surfers who know how to catch a serious wave are found here. It also gets crowded within August to November (its peak season), since it’s also easy to get to. And just like Cloud 9, it’s flat during the summer months.

Level: Advanced

 

Jacking Horse

The number one choice for beginners, Jacking Horse is right beside the tower or boardwalk that leads to Cloud 9. Right after the parking lot of Cloud 9, you walk to the left of the tower and the waves right in front of the beach is where you’ll find the instructors with their students, kids, and tourists who came to Siargao to stand on a board for the very first time in their lives.

The waves are pretty decent in size and soft, so most beginners can easily stand on the board and surf their very first wave and get a taste of their very first stoke (surfer’s high).

Level: Beginner

 

Tuason

A wave that’s surfed by advanced surfers, it’s located in General Luna (the town where Cloud 9 is found), but a spot that’s away from the crowds. It can swell up to 8 feet on its good days (which is from August to November) but it’s a much harder wave to surf than Cloud 9 since its barrels close way too fast and on very shallow water. You can find it by going through a road right past the resort called Harana.

Level: Intermediate – Advanced

 

Stimpy’s

A left-handed wave. It’s ridden by surfers who know how to handle a shortboard. One of the more popular spots, it can get crowded due to its big waves that barrel, which can swell up to 10 feet. It’s not that easy to get to, however, as you’ll have to hire a boat to reach the spot. It takes about 15 minutes to get to by boat.

Level: Intermediate – Advanced

 

Rock Island

Rock Island is found right beside Stimpy’s, and you’ll pretty much want to hit that spot when you hire your boat to the latter. The wave can get pretty big – swelling up to 12 feet in its peak season, so it’s best to leave it to experienced surfers who fancy a left-handed wave.

Level: Upper Intermediate – Advanced

 

Salvacion

Found outside of General Luna, this wave is ideal for beginners to advanced surfers. Since it’s far from the main tourist area of Siargao, there are fewer crowds and great for seasoned surfers who want to ride some smaller and fun waves without the massive line-up of surfers.

The size of the waves range from knee high to shoulder high, clean, and gives long, right-handed waves – perfect for those who just started learning how to surf.

Level: Intermediate

 

Cemetery

One of the most inconsistent waves on the island, you can enjoy a small 2-feet wave here, or massive 12 feet waves that wipe you out towards the seabed. Usually not crowded, it’s ideal for intermediate surfers looking for left-handed waves, as well as seasoned surfers who want to get away from the crowded spots.

Cemetery can be found across Pagoda Beach Bar, which is close to General Luna.

Level: Intermediate

 

Daku

A wave found near Daku Island; you’ll have to hire a boat to get to this spot. A right-handed wave that can get to 8 feet during peak season, it can get pretty crowded due to its idyllic location. A favorite of many instructors, you’ll often see a lot of instructors and students here. But many intermediate surfers also love this spot for its clean waves and beautiful scenery.

Level: Beginner – Intermediate

 

Guiuan

To get to this spot, you’ll have to ask a local. It’s not the easiest to find as you’ll have to journey through dirt roads and unmarked paths. But as hard as it may be to find, you’ll see that the spot can get pretty crowded. This is because the waves are pretty easy to ride, which is ideal for beginners and those who just learned how to surf and are looking for a more challenging wave but are not yet ready to hit up the big time spots like Cloud 9 or Tuason.

What’s also great about Guiuan is that there are always waves because it faces the South, but they’re also always small.

Level: Beginner – Intermediate

 

Pacifico

An hour’s drive from Cloud 9, Pacifico is less crowded, and only expert surfers ride its waves. Why? Because the wave can be heavier and bigger than Cloud 9, but it’s a left-handed wave, whereas most surfers prefer right-handed ones. Far from the touristy areas of General Luna, you won’t find beginner surfers or tourists here as much, which can be the ideal setting for many seasoned surfers.

Level: Advanced

 

Bumee

A right-handed wave that’s ideal for intermediate surfers, Bumee is found in the town of Pilar, which can be reached through land or a 10-minute boat ride from Salvacion. The wave can get pretty high at 8 feet but it’s not consistent – sometimes you’ll get a barrel that’s smooth and long, sometimes you’ll get small 2-feet waves, or sometimes you’ll get a massive overhead that closes too fast. But if you want to enjoy a spot that’s away from the crowds and to try something different in Siargao, then Bumee is a great spot to try.

Level: Intermediate

 

So there you have it, Siargao’s top surf spots: from the most crowded to the lesser known waves; to the small waves best suited for anyone who simply wants to try it out; to the massive waves that scare the heck out of you: like mentioned earlier, Siargao has it all.

Photo courtesy: Nay Palad Master Villa one of Siargao luxury villas