Siargao Surf Progression Guide: How We Went From Beginner Waves in North Siargao to Cemetery in General Luna
Siargao is known as the surf capital of the Philippines and for good reason! We were so excited to finally spend two weeks on the island with one goal in mind — surf every day and see if we could progress from complete beginners to more confident surfers.
For a bit of context, before arriving in Siargao I’d probably only surfed 3–5 times. I could occasionally stand up, but definitely not consistently. Harry had surfed closer to 10 times and was a little more comfortable on a board, but neither of us felt confident reading waves, positioning ourselves in the lineup or surfing without an instructor.
One thing that makes our Siargao experience a little different is that we didn’t spend our whole trip in General Luna like most surfers do. Instead, we based ourselves in North Siargao, spending 10 days surfing around Pacifico before heading south for our final few days. And looking back, I do think that decision made a huge difference to how quickly we progressed. You can access our Siargao itinerary to learn how we spent our 2 weeks here.
If your goal is to improve your surfing while on Siargao and you’re open-minded to not spending all of your time in General Luna, then this guide is for you. Over 14 days, we went from barely catching waves consistently to surfing at Pacifico Beach, Wantaw Beach, Little Tahiti and Cemetery without guides.
Below I’ll walk you through the exact surf progression that worked for us, compare surfing in North Siargao versus General Luna, share our favourite surf spots, what we’d skip, and cover all the things we wish we’d known before paddling out for the first time.
Table of Contents
- Who This Siargao Surf Guide Is For
- Why We Chose to Stay in North Siargao Instead of General Luna
- Our Surf Progression Roadmap
- North Siargao vs General Luna: Which Is Better for Surfing?
- Tips for Progressing Your Surfing in Siargao
- Things We Wish We’d Known Before Surfing in Siargao
- Final Thoughts
- FAQ
Who This Siargao Surf Guide Is For
This guide is for surfers who already have the basics down but aren’t quite ready for the more advanced waves Siargao is famous for.
Maybe you’ve had a handful of surf lessons before. You can usually stand up, but you’re still figuring out wave selection, positioning, reading the ocean and catching unbroken waves consistently. That’s exactly where we were when we arrived in Siargao.
It is also a great resource if you’re curious about surfing in North Siargao. Since we spent the majority of our trip based around Pacifico, most of our progression happened at northern surf spots and I’ll share our favourites below so if you’re wondering whether it’s worth heading north or looking for quieter alternatives to Cloud 9, hopefully our experience will help you decide.
Why We Chose to Stay in North Siargao Instead of General Luna
When we were planning our trip, it felt like everyone was telling us to stay in General Luna and surf around Cloud 9. It’s iconic for a reason, but we also kept hearing that it can get really busy.
As beginner surfers, we weren’t looking for world-famous waves or crowded lineups. We wanted somewhere we could spend a few hours in the water, make mistakes and not p*ss anybody off, catch plenty of waves and actually improve. That’s what led us to North Siargao and, more specifically, Pacifico.
Pacifico was often described as a hidden gem, and after spending 10 days there, I definitely think it lived up to that reputation. The lineups were quieter and the atmosphere felt more local and relaxed.
Another bonus for us was that we’re both goofy-footed surfers. Pacifico’s famous wave, Big Wish, is a left-hand break, whereas Cloud 9 is a right-hand wave, so Pacifico naturally appealed to us.
We’d also read that surfing in North Siargao was cheaper than in General Luna. From our experience, that wasn’t necessarily true when it came to board rentals or surf lessons, as prices were fairly similar. Where we did save money was on beach access. At the time of our visit (May 2026), the entrance fee at Pacifico was just 20 PHP (~$0.30), and even better the Bamboo Surf Spot was free, compared to the 100 PHP (~$1.60) to access the Cloud 9 area in General Luna.
Looking back, basing ourselves in North Siargao was one of the best decisions we made. Having quieter waves to practice on every day gave us so much confidence and I genuinely think it helped us progress much faster than if we’d spent the whole trip competing for waves around Cloud 9.
If you’re curious about how to spend your time in Northern Siargao. Read our guide to learn how we spent 11 days there linked here.
Our Surf Progression Roadmap
Here’s an overview of how we spent our 13 days surfing on Siargao:
| Surf Spot | Day of Trip | Surf Lesson? (Y/N) | Board Type |
| Big Wish (Pacifico) | 1 | Y | 9’0 three-fin longboard |
| Big Wish (Pacifico) | 2 | Y | 9’0 single-fin longboard |
| Big Wish (Pacifico) | 3 | N | 9’0 single-fin longboard |
| Bamboo Surf Spot (Wantaw) | 4-11 | N | 9’0 single-fin longboard |
| Little Tahiti (Cloud 9) | 12 | N | 9’0 single-fin longboard |
| Cemetery Surf Spot (General Luna) | 13 | N | 9’0 single-fin longboard |
And here are all of the surf spots that we visited while on the island:
Big Wish (Pacifico Beach)
| Surf Spot | Entrance Fee | Best For | Best Tide | Costs |
| Big Wish | 20 PHP (~$0.30) | Beginner-intermediate (inside break) || Advanced (main break esp. during bigger swells) | Mid-high tide | Surfboard Rental: 200 PHP/hour (~$3.25) Surf Lesson & Board Rental: 600 PHP/hour (~$10) |
🔎Overview
Pacifico Beach was where our surf progression in Siargao really began. While Big Wish is known as one of Siargao’s best advanced left-hand reef breaks, visiting during the smaller swell season meant there were plenty of manageable waves on the inside that gave us the confidence to build our skills before moving on to more challenging surf spots later in the trip.
🌊The Wave
The main wave at Pacifico is locally referred to as Big Wish, a world-class left-hand reef break that’s often compared to Cloud 9, just without the same crowds.
During the peak surf season (roughly August to November), it’s an advanced wave with powerful, hollow sections. However, if you visit during the smaller swell season (around April to July), the inside break becomes much more forgiving and can be a fantastic place for beginner and intermediate surfers to progress. We visited in May and found the conditions ideal for our level.
Like any reef break, it’s important to stay aware of your surroundings. We found that it’s surprisingly easy to get caught inside, and the reef becomes shallow quickly if you ride waves too far in.
🏄♀️How We Surfed It
We spent our first three days surfing at Big Wish.
- Day 1: Two-hour surf lesson
- Day 2: 90-minute surf lesson
- Day 3: Surfed independently after renting boards
Those first two lessons gave us the confidence to understand the break, navigate the lineup and become familiar with the currents. By our third day, we felt comfortable enough to head out without an instructor and practice on our own.
We booked our lessons with a local surf school we found at the entrance to the beach. The instructors were incredibly friendly, and while the lessons definitely helped build our confidence, we felt they focused more on pushing us into waves than teaching us how to catch waves independently.
If I were doing the trip again, I’d still start with a couple of lessons to learn the break and the local surf etiquette, but I’d ask the instructor to spend more time helping me read waves and paddle into them myself rather than relying on assisted take-offs.
💡Tips
- Watch the current. There’s a current that pulls you to the right as you enter the water. We found it easiest to walk into the ocean slightly further left than where we wanted to end up, then use a landmark on shore to make sure we weren’t drifting too far down the beach.
- Practice on your own once you’re comfortable. After two or three hours of lessons at the same break, we felt confident enough to rent boards and surf independently in similar conditions. That independent practice ended up being one of the biggest contributors to our progression. Once you’re ready to move up to a more challenging wave, that’s a great time to invest in another lesson.
- Learn to read the conditions yourself. One of the biggest lessons we took away from Siargao was not to rely solely on other people’s opinions. Doing your own research to understand what to expect at a surf spot — like tides, wind, swell direction and wave forecasts — will make you a much more confident surfer wherever you travel. These were the two resources we used throughout our trip:
🏅Would I Recommend It?
Absolutely. If you’re visiting Siargao as a beginner or advanced beginner during the smaller swell season, I think Pacifico Beach is one of the best places on the island to build confidence.
Bamboo Surf Spot (Wantaw Beach)
| Surf Spot | Entrance Fee | Best For | Best Tide | Costs |
| Bamboo Surf Spot | Free | Beginner–Intermediate | Mid tide | Surfboard Rental: 300 PHP/hour (~$5) |
🔎Overview
Wantaw Beach is where the most surf progression actually happened for us over the two weeks. We spent eight days returning to this wave — sometimes twice a day — and by the end of the week we were catching more waves, making better decisions in the lineup and feeling way more comfortable surfing without instructors.
🌊The Wave
The break at Wantaw Beach is Bamboo Surf Spot and isn’t nearly as well known as Pacifico or Cloud 9, but for beginner and intermediate surfers, I honestly think it’s one of North Siargao’s hidden gems.
It’s a right-hand reef break that’s particularly well suited to longboards. During the smaller swells we experienced, it was forgiving enough to build confidence while still having enough power to challenge us.
Compared to Big Wish, the atmosphere also felt noticeably more relaxed and there were less people. This was huge for us, because as beginner surfers, we aren’t super confident in the lineup yet but Wantaw’s lineup is forgiving enough that if you make a mistake you likely won’t get yelled at (within reason) and there is space for everyone.
🏄♀️How We Surfed It
We spent Days 4–11 exclusively surfing Wantaw Beach.
After our lessons at Pacifico, we rented boards for a full week from Wantaw Surf School and committed to surfing every day — usually once in the morning and again at sunset if conditions allowed.
Rather than constantly searching for new surf spots, we kept returning to the same break. That consistency made a huge difference. Every session we became a little more comfortable reading the waves, positioning ourselves in the lineup and improving our paddling and timing.
💡Tips
- Rent a board for the week. If you’re planning on surfing most days, ask about weekly rental rates. We paid 700 PHP (~$11) per day for a standard rental, but the weekly rate worked out to 500 PHP (~$8) per day, which saved us a decent amount over the course of the week.
- Finding the beach can be confusing. “Wantaw Beach” is the name locals used when we were there, but you probably won’t find it on Google Maps. More recently I’ve seen it referred to as Bamboo Surf Spot, as the entry point is directly in front of Bamboo Surf Beach Resort. The easiest way to find it is to navigate to Karajawan Bent Palm Tree, where you can park your scooter before walking onto the beach.
- Enter and exit the water at Bamboo Surf Beach Resort. Right at this point there is flat rock that you can walk on to get in and out of the water and avoid cutting your feet on sharp reef while holding your surfboard.
- Watch the current. Unlike Pacifico, the current here pulls you to the left after you enter the water. We found it easiest to paddle out directly in front of Bamboo Surf Beach Resort, then use it as a landmark and try to stay level or slightly above it.
- Find your “home break.” This was probably the biggest takeaway for us in Siargao. Instead of chasing a different surf spot every day, pick one wave that suits your ability and keep coming back. By the end of the week we recognised familiar faces in the lineup, got chatting with local surfers and instructors, and started receiving little tips and encouragement every session. It made it even more enjoyable and we learned a lot!
🏅Would I Recommend It?
Yes, 100%. If you’re an advanced beginner or early intermediate surfer looking to improve, I think Wantaw Beach is one of the best waves in North Siargao. It has just the right balance of being forgiving enough to build confidence while still challenging you to become a better surfer.
Little Tahiti (Cloud 9)
| Surf Spot | Entrance Fee | Best For | Best Tide | Costs |
| Little Tahiti | 100 PHP (~$1.60) Cloud 9 entrance fee | Intermediate during smaller swells || Advanced during larger swells | Mid–High tide | Surfboard Rental: 200 PHP/hour (~$3.25) |
🔎Overview
Little Tahiti was our first introduction to Cloud 9 after our 11 days in the North. Our intention was actually to surf Jacking Horse, but after the surfing that we had done in Pacifico, when we got to Cloud 9 and actually saw the Jacking Horse wave and crowds, we immediately knew that we would not have any fun in it so we pivoted to Little Tahiti.
🌊The Wave
Little Tahiti is a fast right-hand reef break located between Quicksilver and Jacking Horse. If you’re standing on the Cloud 9 boardwalk looking out to sea, from right to left, the breaks run:
Cloud 9 → Quicksilver → Little Tahiti → Jacking Horse
Compared with Wantaw, the wave is noticeably faster and the reef becomes shallow very very quickly. If you ride waves too far toward shore, you’ll find yourself over extremely shallow reef fast.
🏄♀️How We Surfed It
We spent around two hours surfing Little Tahiti on Day 12. The first wave I caught taught me a valuable lesson almost immediately. I was so used to the long waves at Wantaw, that I rode one in until I noticed the shallow reef and I abandoned ship immediately.
Also as the session went on, the conditions began to change. The better waves started breaking further outside with a much steeper peak and very little shoulder to work with. Rather than pushing beyond our comfort zone, we decided to call it a day.
We were honestly kind of disappointed by this session and in hindsight agreed that we should have paddled out to Quicksilver.
💡Tips
- Paddle out from Jacking Horse. The reef here is more forgiving and less likely to cut up your feet and board.
🏅Would I Recommend It?
After our session, no I would not recommend it. As mentioned, we both wished that we had paddled out to Quicksilver instead.
Cemetery Surf Spot (General Luna)
| Surf Spot | Entrance Fee | Best For | Best Tide | Costs |
| Cemetery Surf Spot | Free | Beginner–Intermediate during smaller swells || Intermediate during larger swells | Low Tide | Boat: 200 PHP return (~$3.25) Surfboard rental: 200-300 PHP/hour |
🔎Overview
If I could only recommend one surf spot in General Luna to beginner and intermediate surfers, it would be Cemetery. It was hands down my favourite surf session in Siargao and the perfect way to finish our two weeks. It challenged us without feeling intimidating, offered long rides and, best of all, it was an experience to ride a traditional Filipino boat out to the surf spot and surf in the middle of the ocean.
🌊The Wave
Cemetery is located around 800 metres offshore and is accessed either by boat or, at very low tide, walking across the reef like many locals do. Most visitors take one of the local boats, which run from around 5 am until approximately 3 pm. The return trip costs 200 PHP (~$3.25) per person, takes around 15–20 minutes and usually requires a minimum stay of two hours before returning.
The lineup stretches across several hundred metres of reef with multiple take-off zones, the majority of which are left-hand waves. Unlike many reef breaks, the take-off area is surprisingly deep, so you don’t spend the whole session worrying about the reef beneath you. As you ride closer to shore it gradually becomes shallower, so good reef awareness is still essential.
🏄♀️How We Surfed It
We surfed Cemetery on Day 13 and it ended up being my favourite surf of the entire trip. The first thing that struck me was just how much space there was. Instead of everyone fighting over one peak, surfers naturally spread themselves across different sections of the reef, making the lineup feel relaxed and friendly. Also, the waves seemed to go on forever, and if you got caught inside it wasn’t an exhausting paddle back to the peak.
Aside from the buzz of catching the biggest wave of my life here (!!) I also loved that feeling of surfing hundreds of metres offshore — it was an adventure!
💡Tips
- Getting to the boat. Navigate to Siargao Corner Cafe, then across the road, follow the dirt track directly down to the beach where you’ll find boats, board rentals and plenty of motorbikes parked. Boats run regularly, so there’s no need to pre-book — just hop on the next available one.
- Board Rental. We rented our boards from Edwin Surf Shop right in front of where the boat picks you up. Logistically this just makes sense so you’re not carrying a board around.
- Low tide generally offers the best conditions, while higher tides tend to produce smaller waves.
- Make Cemetery one of your first sessions if you’re planning a week of surfing in General Luna. I would have liked to have had the opportunity to surf here again but we were leaving unfortunately.
🏅Would I Recommend It?
Yes, yes, yes! If you’re progressing from beginner towards intermediate, I think Cemetery is one of the best rewards for putting in the time at easier breaks first.
North Siargao vs General Luna: Which Is Better for Surfing?
One of the things I loved most about this trip was getting to experience both sides of Siargao.
North Siargao has a much more local, laid-back feel. Pacifico is basically one main road lined with cafés, restaurants and surf shops, and you can simply walk onto the beach for a 20 PHP entrance fee. There are plenty of surf schools if you want them, but there are also far fewer crowds in the water, which makes learning to surf feel much less intimidating.
General Luna, on the other hand, is very much the heart of Siargao’s surf tourism. You pay a 100 PHP entrance fee to access the Cloud 9 area, and from there you’re surrounded by cafés, restaurants, surf shops and the famous boardwalk. Even people who aren’t surfing gather there to watch the waves, so the whole area has a much busier atmosphere.
It was so busy that the one time that we attempted to surf Jacking Horse we bailed almost immediately because it was so packed with surf lessons. There were so many people in the lineup that it felt almost impossible to catch waves without an instructor pushing you.
That said, General Luna also still gives you access to some incredible surf breaks – Cemetery ended up being my favourite wave on the island and made the trip south completely worthwhile.
Tips for Progressing Your Surfing in Siargao
After two weeks of surfing almost every day, these are the biggest lessons we took away from the experience:
- Choose one surf spot and stick with it. Progress came much faster once we stopped chasing new waves and committed to surfing the same break every day.
- Stay close to your chosen wave. Booking accommodation within a few minutes of your main surf spot makes it much easier to surf twice a day if conditions are good.
- Start with a couple of lessons. One or two 90–120 minute lessons are usually enough to understand the break, the currents and how to enter and exit safely. After that, spend as much time as you can practicing on your own before booking another lesson at the next step up.
- Learn to read the conditions yourself. Check the tides, swell, and wind before every session rather than relying entirely on someone else’s opinion. Surfline became one of our most-used apps throughout the trip.
- Surf as much as possible. There’s no shortcut. The biggest improvements came from simply spending time in the water.
Things We Wish We’d Known Before Surfing in Siargao
Looking back, there are a few things we’d definitely do differently.
- If you’re planning to surf every day, rent a board from the start. It’s cheaper, more convenient and removes the temptation to skip sessions because you have to organise equipment each day.
- You don’t need an instructor every time you paddle out. We’d recommend taking one or two lessons when you’re surfing a new break, then practicing independently in similar conditions. Once you’re ready for a more challenging wave, that’s the perfect time to book another lesson.
- Shop around before booking lessons. We learned that there’s a fairly standard price of 600 PHP (~$10) for a one hour surf lesson and board rental on Siargao but what does vary is the quality of surf instruction, so it’s worth it to do some research beforehand if you’re serious about improving.
- Always check the conditions yourself. We learned this the hard way. Early in our trip we relied almost entirely on what we were told at the beach, only to paddle out into very shallow reef at low tide when the conditions weren’t ideal for our level. From then on, we always checked the tide and forecast ourselves before deciding where to surf.
Final Thoughts
When we arrived in Siargao, we weren’t looking to surf overhead barrels or tick famous waves off a list, we just wanted to become better surfers.
And looking back, I can safely say that progress came from repetition — we picked a wave that was manageable for our level while also challenging and we surfed that wave 11 out of the 14 days on the island irrespective of how good the conditions were. If I could give you one piece of advice on how to progress your surfing it would be to pick your “home” wave and just keep surfing it.
FAQ
- Is Siargao good for beginner surfers?
Yes! While Siargao is famous for Cloud 9, there are plenty of beginner-friendly surf spots across the island. We spent most of our trip surfing Pacifico and Bamboo Surf Spot in North Siargao, where the waves were much more forgiving and the lineups were quieter. If you’re looking to progress rather than simply tick off famous surf spots, I think Siargao is one of the best places to learn.
2. Can beginners surf Cloud 9?
No, beginners cannot surf the Cloud 9 wave and in actual fact beginner surf lessons are banned and rental shops are also forbidden to rent boards to uninstructed learners at the break.
However, a little to the left of Cloud 9 as you’re looking at the break from the boardwalk, you’ll see another break — Quicksilver — and then Little Tahiti — and then Jacking Horse. It is possible for beginners to surf at all of these breaks, with Jacking Horse being the best for beginners and Little Tahiti & Quicksilver being perfect for those progressing to the intermediate level.
3. Is Pacifico better than General Luna?
It depends on what you’re looking for. If your goal is to improve your surfing, I’d recommend North Siargao. The waves are quieter, the atmosphere feels more local and there’s plenty of space to practice. General Luna has more cafés, nightlife and famous surf breaks, so I think the ideal trip is to start in the north and finish in General Luna once your confidence has grown.
4. How many surf lessons should you take?
From our experience, one or two lessons at a new surf break were enough to understand the lineup, currents and safest entry points. After that, we learned much more by practicing on our own in similar conditions. Once we were ready to move up to a more challenging wave, we’d book another lesson if needed.
5. Can you surf in Siargao without an instructor?
Yes, provided you’re comfortable with your ability and have taken the time to understand the surf break. We started with lessons, then rented boards and surfed independently for most of the trip. Just make sure you know the currents, tides and safest way to enter and exit the water before paddling out.
6. Is surfing in North Siargao cheaper?
Not by much. We found surf lessons and board rentals were fairly similar in price. The biggest difference was the entrance fee— Pacifico charges just 20 PHP (~$0.30), while the Cloud 9 area costs 100 PHP (~$1.60) to access. For us, the biggest advantage of North Siargao wasn’t the cost but the quieter lineups.
7. Is Cemetery suitable for intermediate surfers?
Definitely, especially during smaller swells. Cemetery ended up being my favourite surf spot in Siargao because the waves were long, the lineup was friendly and there was plenty of space. It’s still a reef break, but if you’ve built confidence at other beginner/intermediate spots around the island, you’re ready for it.
8. What’s the best time of year for beginner surfers in Siargao?
We visited in May and found the conditions ideal for beginners and advanced beginners. Many waves that become powerful during the peak surf season (August to November) were much smaller and more forgiving. Conditions can change daily though, so always check the swell and tides before heading out.
Hopefully our journey gives you a roadmap for planning your own. Whether you’re just starting out or trying to bridge the gap from beginner to intermediate, I hope it helps you skip a few of the mistakes we made and spend a whole lot more time catching waves!
Cheers and safe travels,
Julie & Harry
If you’re headed to the Philippines, you might also find our other guides helpful:
Read our complete 2 week Siargao itinerary here
Read our Northern Siargao travel guide here
Read how to travel the Philippines without cash here
Read where to eat in Moalboal here
Read to learn where to find the best lechon in Cebu here
Read our honest experience and review of the Kawasan Falls Canyoneering experience here
Read how to hike Osmeña peak here
Read our guide to the Moalboal Sardine Run here
Read about Philipinnes visa and entry requirements and learn from our mistakes here