Siargao Surf Guide | The First Timer’s Guide to Surfing in Siargao + Tips

Siargao is the surfing capital of Philippines and your trip wouldn’t be complete without hitting those waves! If you’re a non-surfer or beginner, and you’re thinking about surfing in Siargao, I’ve got a great Siargao surf guide for you!

Here’s my first timer’s guide to surfing in Siargao with tips and a free Siargao travel planner cheat sheet!

Watch my video guide below. Everything written below is what I discussed in the video. Plus you get to see me wobble on a surfboard haha!

Let me first say I’m a beginner surfer, NOT a pro-surfer. I want to share my experience about surfing in Siargao and I know there are a lot of people who are beginners like me so I thought I’d make this post to help them get started.

What to prepare before surfing

There are a few questions you might have, like where to surf, how to get lessons, what to eat beforehand, what to wear and even how to get your pictures taken.

What to eat

Just like any workout, a snack or a light meal will do. For me, something not too heavy like a smoothie bowl from Shaka Cafe is great. You can also grab a light meal if you plan on surfing longer than an hour. I went to Harana Surf Resort because I love their Tuna Pan De Surf with truffle mayo and I also love petting their dogs. Whatever you choose, definitely drink a couple glasses of water because you need to stay hydrated anything that has to do with the ocean.

Warm up

I suggest warming up your joints like walking on the beach or doing some yoga, something that will give you a clear your head out and limber up. I didn’t do any warm ups and I definitely felt it in my hip joints once I tried standing on the board. So definitely warm up.

What to wear

If you’re like me and want to look cute, go for it! You’re much more likely to enjoy an activity if you’re wearing something you feel badass in. I opted for snug bikinis and a cute scrunchie to keep my hair back.  Something not to wear is a string bikini because hitting those waves can easily be a nip slip or vag slip galore. TRUST ME. Stick to something that won’t slide around like a surfing bikini, one piece or rash guard.

And wear sunscreen. The local surfers like to smear sunblock across their cheeks and noses, which is a thick paste that acts as a physical block against the sun. A great sunscreen is Headhunter SPF 45 Sunscreen Face Stick & Sun Bum SPF 50 Signature Mineral-Based Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion, and Surf Mud Tinted Covering Cream because they’re made for rigorous water activity and won’t make your hands slippery when holding on to your board and that’s important too. My sister had trouble grasping the board because her hands were slippery. You can also find these guys in any surf shop in Siargao like Fat Lips Surf Shop, Mamon Surf Co. or Kermit Siargao.

Where to surf

There are plenty of surf spots in Siargao and if it’s your first time there, you’re probably staying at General Luna and over there, the most popular spot is Cloud 9. Just make sure to head to the beginners side. And don’t surf without an instructor.

Also, if you go to Cloud 9, you’ll find a sign with the best surf spots on-island according to their difficulty.

Where to get surf lessons

If you’re looking  for a 1 or 2-time session, looking for surf lessons in Siargao is as easy as walking into Cloud 9. Literally. I’ve never been approached by so many surfer dudes all at the same time saying, “Mag surf ka maam? Mag surf ka maam? Mag surf ka maam?” It’s like the equivalent of the seagulls from Finding Nemo saying “mine.” “Mine mine mine.”

Certified or uncertified instruction ?

You must know that there are not really strict requirements to have a certification to teach surfing.  There was a child who got reef rashes all over during his lesson and after the whole ordeal, the instructor was no where to be found. The same sort happened to my sister. She got clocked in the forehead by her surfboard and her instructor didn’t know what to do when he saw blood coming down between her eyebrows. And while my friend was treating her, my sister’s instructor stayed quiet on the sidelines. He even told my friend “Please don’t tell her. Please don’t tell her.”

Anyway, I’m not sure if uncertified instructors know how to respond to injuries, know basic first aid, or CPR. But in my experience, as long as I followed my instructors’ directions and communicated clearly with them, I was okay. So I leave that decision up to you.

On Cloud 9 if you walk into any surf stall, lessons go for P500 or $10 USD for a 1 hour lesson. I went to Jacking Horse and was instructed by John. You can walk in and ask for him. He’s really cool and awesome to learn from.

You can also ask specific resorts for lessons and surf camps (which sound like a lot of fun). Surf camps usually include airport pick up, accommodations, free breakfasts, transportation to the surf spots, surfboard rental, a private instructor, daily yoga classes, and a free island hopping tour. In my Siargao Travel Planner Cheat Sheet, I also include the best places to look for surf lessons and surf camps.

Are there Language barriers in the lessons?

If you’re wondering about language barriers, most of these guys will first ask “Tagalog or Bisaya?” I chose– Taglish (Tagalog-English) haha! But most of the guys know basic english. So if you’re a foreigner, you’ll be okay.

What surfboard to use

Your instructor will be in charge of this but odds are it will be a long board and if they have one, a long board with a soft top. This will also give you more surface area to stand on , is a lot more forgiving and is much more comfortable to paddle on.

How to get your photos taken

You can hire a surfer dude to take photos & videos of you during your lessons. It will cost P300 or $6 USD. If you want to keep memories of surfing or if you’re like me, you’re a blogger and need some content, this is a great option. It’s better to ask someone familiar with the waters and the right of the way for surfers instead of your friend. Most of these guys know how to use a GoPro if you have one. They’ll even take photos and videos with your phone and somehow not get it wet.

These guys will also give you reassurance, give you tips, and help push you back out to your instructor. Watch my video to hear one of them. It’s so funny watching!

Siargao Surfing Tips

You’ve prepared more than you can. Now you’re ready to hit the waves! Here are some tips to start you off.

Tip#1 Know the Surfing Etiquette

Knowing a few things like the surfers’ right of way and communication is important before you set foot in the water. Your instructor will teach you about this and at Cloud 9, you’ll also find a sign about surfing etiquette. There’s a lot of explanation needed for this so you can check out my friends at Surfing Handbook for the rules on surfing etiquette.

Tip#2 It’s easier than you think

Before you hit the water, you’re going to get a quick session of how to stand and how to balance on your board. You might feel like you won’t be able to stand on your board but it’s actually easier than you think and you’re probably going to see yourself riding those waves sooner than later!

TIP #3 Bend & Smile

When you take off, look forward, bend your knees and smile. Every time I do this, I end up balancing better and enjoying the ride much more. And if I end up losing balance and falling, it’s usually because I didn’t bend or smile enough. It’s funny how it works that way but I think your instructor will say the same thing. If you end up falling, he might say, “You didn’t smile did you?”

Plus if you have someone taking your photos, you’re going to want to smile anyway!

Tip#4 Don’t dive off or jump feet first from your board

Fall on your back or butt because odds are the water isn’t that deep. So you don’t want to land hard on your feet or head. You can tell how shallow it is by the people standing in the video.

TIP#5 You’re going to be paddling a lot. LIKE. A LOT.

While surfing is a whole body workout, your arms will definitely be getting the most of it. To catch the waveS, you’ll have to paddle real hard. And then you’ll have to paddle back out again. It really helps to be a strong swimmer. I am not. But it wasn’t too bad.

TIP #6 You might get tiny cuts on your feet

It’s normal to get these cuts especially since your skin is soft from being soaked in water. It’s not a necessity but you can wear booties but it might feel awkward on the board. In Cloud 9, it’s mostly flat rocks and they have buoys to warn you about the rocky areas to avoid.

What to do after surfing

You’re done surfing, what do you do next?

Drink lots of  water

As you should always do with any workout and anytime spent in the ocean.

Stretch

This is to alleviate any tightness you might have and prevent strain when you’re back on the waves again.

Eat

Once you feel the rush of the waves, you won’t want to stop but by the time the waves are gone, you’d have definitely built an appetite. I recommend a hot bowl of bulalo (light beef shank soup) from Bulaloan or any food from Mama’s Grill. If you’re wondering about really yummy places to eat at, check out my other video, “Top 10 Foods You Must Eat in Siargao”. You can also check out my other video, “A Solo Female Traveler’s Guide to Siargao (And 10 mistakes to avoid)” if you want to know what to do and what not to do aside from surfing.

Conclusion

That’s all for my first timer’s guide to surfing in Siargao! I hope this video inspired you and taught you a few things to know about surfing in Siargao.

Free down to download my Siargao travel cheat sheet. It has all the best places to stay, things to do, food to eat, packing checklist, and a travel itinerary template for you to fill out so don’t forget to get a copy for yourself. It’ll make planning your trip easier. Here’s the link to download the cheat sheet now.

want more siargao posts? CHECK OUT MY SIARGAO TRAVEL GUIDE WITH MISTAKES TO AVOID. SIARGAO ALSO HAS AMAZING EATS SO CHECK OUT THE 10 TOP FOODS TO EAT IN SIARGAO. And if you’re wondering about what to pack, I’ve got PACKING GUIDE WITH ESSENTIALS you’ll need.