Ride the Pacific Waves in Baler, Plus Other Great Surf Spots in the Philippines

For certain, there will be no shortage of surfers seeking a hotel in Baler like Costa Pacifica this summer. When it comes to surfing, no other place comes to mind first than the surf paradise in Aurora on the Luzon east coast. Facing the roaring waves of the Pacific Ocean, Baler offers several beach breaks that cater to all levels of surfers. There is really no surprise here since the coast stretches up to 328 km, so whether a beginner or an advanced surfer, there is a bounty of high-quality waves to go around.

Furthermore, Baler occupies a special place in Philippine pop culture as it holds the distinction of being the birthplace of surfing in the country. In 1979, the film Apocalypse Now revealed the surfing wonder to the world and the rest, as they say, is history. The exact surf scene in the movie was shot in what is now called Charlie's Point. It features regular swells of medium quality and size that breaks both left and right. Other surf spots of interest in this area include Sabang Beach, which is popular for beginners, and Cemento Beach and Lindy's Point for the more advanced.

Apart from Baler, Aurora, another good place to hit the waves in the Philippines lies in La Union, towards the north of Luzon. It can be reached by land in roughly 5 hours travel by car from Manila. It is a choice destination for beginners and advanced surfers alike because of its good, clean swells that can reach anywhere between 8 to 10 feet.

Pagudpud is another surfing hot spot, a dream getaway place for those who want to enjoy the beach with much privacy. Compared to other destinations, the beaches here are less crowded, allowing one to enjoy the best and largest waves as intimate as one wishes.

Meanwhile, further down south is the surf capital of the Visayas region, Samar. Some of the cleanest and largest hollow tubing waves in the country can be found here during peak season. It mostly comprises reef breaks, but there are also some beach breaks in the area. Coming over to experience these waves is definitely a big treat for any surfer.

Finally, there is Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte, a world-known surfing location, home to the popular Cloud 9 Beach. While Baler is the birthplace of Philippine surf culture, Siargao Island is the country's surf capital. Its beauty is proven by CNN Go ranking it as the 8th best surf spot in the world. Enough said.

So this summer, go pack those surfboards and experience the waves in the Philippines. You can expect to have a great time, whether you decide to take retreat in a Baler hotel like Costa Pacifica to rendezvous with the breaks in Aurora or in the other surfing destinations in the country.