Ilocos, Luzon
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Positives
- Consistent NE monsoon swell
- Occasional SW typhoon swell
- Many uncrowded breaks
- Cheap living costs
Negatives
- Small size waves
- Some Manilla crowds
- Natural and social disasters
- Sex tourism
Ilocos, Luzon surf travel guide
North of the capital Manila is the west-facing South China Sea coast of Luzon that benefits from two distinct monsoonal surf seasons. The provinces of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur contain an empty contorted coastline of shallow jagged reefs centred around the exclusive Badoc Island resort. Down south in La Union province the geology mellows and provides the perfect territory for beginner and intermediate surfers to hone their skills on a selection of rolling points and easy beaches within easy access of the crowded Philippine surfing mecca of San Juan.
Surf spots in Ilocos, Luzon
Research the 15 surf breaks in Ilocos, Luzon and discover what spots suit the current conditions.
Break lowdown
We’ve collated the wave data giving you a unique insight into the 15 breaks in Ilocos, Luzon.
When to go
Surf and weather statistics to help plan your surf trip to Ilocos, Luzon
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Travel Information
General
- Current Time
- Tourists
- 7,168,000
- Population
- 109,581,078
- Tourist Info
- Tourist Info
Security
Health
Money
- Currency
- PHP
- Exchange rate
- $1 = 48.79 PHP PHP
Cost of living
Communication
- Dialing in
- +63
- Dialing out
- 00
- Language
- Filipino (Tagalog) and English (both official) plus many reginal dialects.
Electricity
- Plug Type
- abc
Visas
The Philippines offers visa free travel to all countries for up to 30 days. It is easy to get an extensions to make a total of 59 days and sometimes longer. Small fees are payable for any visa extension.
Getting There
Manila-La Union is 6-8h by bus. Take the Swagman Hotel bus if arriving late and spend the night in Angeles. By bus (Partas Bus in Cubao) San Juan-7h; Badoc-10h. Flights to Laoag: $38 o/w. Domestic flights (PAL) are cheap but crash records are heavy.
Getting Around
Nat’l Highway is busy but fairly good and very coastal. Local town rentals ($160/week in San Juan) beat Manila airport rates. Local transport includes ‘jeepneys’ (re-built jeeps), metered taxis, sidecars motorbikes, PU-Cabs (small taxis, no meters) and trishaws.
Accommodation
Stay (±$45/dble) in Urbitzondo: San Juan Surf Resort; Sebay Surf Resort. For better standards, go to San Fernando or book Badoc Resort: $65/day, exclusive access, 2 jetskis + outrigger, airport pick up. Contact Surf The Earth. Filipino cuisine has Chinese, Malay and Spanish influences.
Activities
Don't miss Vigan - oldest surviving Spanish colonial city, Hundred Islands National Park, the epic journey from Baguio to Banaue across Central Cordillera. Avoid Poro Point sex tourist traps. High Altitude in San Fernando is a cool disco. Many Karaoke bars!
Hazards & hassles
It's a land of natural disasters! Typhoons pass periodically; nearly half of the Philippine's 25 major earthquake faults are in Luzon. Beware flash floods and transport failures. Coral reefs can be treacherous and there's some foul smelling kelp! Minimal localism.
Handy Hints
For beginners, it is possible to rent boards from San Juan resorts or get stuff in Yokohama Surf Shop in metro Manila. Yokohama is also a well-organised surf school in La Union. A gun won't be necessary but a wide board for slow waves in La Union will be. San Fernando population is 90,000. English is widely spoken.
Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.