La Union surf is really all about San Juan, one of the top surf destinations in Luzon and great for all levels.
An introduction to La Union surf
West of Baguio and only a couple of hours’ drive north from the sprawl of Metro Manila, the region of La Union has been dubbed the Surfing Capital of the North – even by the official Philippine tourist board, we think. Anyway, it’s got the closest waves to the big city and they aren’t all that bad.
The mainstay draw is San Juan, which shares three breaks that cater to different levels, including a beachie for learners and a point break on the reef for better surfers. Beyond that, you’re looking at pretty untrodden surf territory where you’ll have to go out on a whim to find the next bay or sandbar and will probably have it to yourself.
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This guide is just one part of our complete guide to surfing Philippines
La Union surf at a glance
The good
- One of the best beginner waves in the Philippines
- Close to Manila
- Great right-hand point breaks
The bad
- Gets busy because it’s close to the capital
- Can be sloppy when it’s windy
What’s in this guide to La Union surf?
- An introduction to La Union surf
- Where is La Union
- The top La Union surf spots
- Surf hotels and surf camps in La Union
- When to surf in La Union
Where is La Union?
The La Union surf is anchored on the town of San Juan, which sits in the northern half of the region, some 1.5 hours’ drive from Baguio. Getting in from Manila takes about four hours in all, using the main E1 expressway. The whole region of La Union faces the South China Sea to the west and ends at the estuary of the Amburayan River to the north.
A guide to the La Union surf spots
La Union surf is really all about one town: San Juan. The breaks listed here are all there, spreading up the reef points to the north but also in the middle of the resort itself on the main beach.
Urbiztondo/The Beach Break
People often get confused and rock up to San Juan Beach with their surfboard in hand. That’s not actually where the main beginner break is in the town. It’s a touch to the south, in a much smaller cove that’s hugged by two hotel-topped headlands. The waves here are just what the doctor ordered for starters in the sport. Small but punchy, they work virtually all year round and are perfect for schools and teachers to ply their trade on. It’s not for nothing that this is considered one of the top places for learning to surf in Asia!
Monaliza Point
A fantastic surf camp sits just on the rocks by Monaliza Point. It’s a top place to bed down if you’re a more experienced surfer because it means access to what’s certainly the best break in the town. We’re talking a peeling right-hand point that behaves a touch like the inside section of Bells when the big October-January swells push through the channel. Sets will line up and rip right off a shallow reef. When it’s smaller this is a prime logger wave that can offer rides of up to 100m. Bigger days call for the shorty and can even get hollow.
Carrile Point
Like Mona’s before it, Carrile Point is another right hander that forms on the reef shelf that pokes out from this corner of Luzon island. It’s a touch harder than it’s compadre, though, forming on a cluster of submerged rocks at high tide to give a wedge of a wave that sucks up and walls right in front of your nose. You need to do a lot of pumping to keep speed and always rearrange to stick in the pocket.
Where to stay when surfing in La Union?
We’ve actually plumped for a hotel that has charm over proximity to the breaks here. That’s because it’s easy enough to travel back and forth to the major spots in La Union. The main thing to make sure is that you stay in San Juan, the wave capital of the whole region.
Sea Breeze Beachfront Home and Cottages
There are some ankle-burner waves on the beach just in front of the charming Sea Breeze Beachfront Home and Cottages. However, you will need to drive or tuk-tuk it 10 minutes to get to the main La Union surf breaks. That’s kinda’ worth it, though, because we rate this stay as one of the most charming in the region. You bed down in traditional wood-built cabanas with tropical gardens all around and the sound of the waves lapping the nearby shore.
The Escape San Juan
Literally one minute off the main Urbitztondo beachfront (the beginner spot that’s pretty much responsible for putting La Union surf on the map!), The Escape San Juan is a good budget choice with multi-bed dorm rooms. The crowd is a mix of backpackers and surfers and the vibes are pretty chilled. There’s also an on-site bar for post-sesh sundowners, don’t worry about that!
P&M Final Option Beach Resort
A welcoming midrange choice that’s on the main beach in San Juan, P&M Final Option Beach Resort is within walking distance to most of the main breaks. It’s got large family rooms that can sleep the whole crew across single beds and bunks, along with affordable doubles for surfing couples. There’s also an on-site pool, though we’d probably be in the sea more.
When to surf in La Union?
Being on the west coast of Luzon means that the surf season in La Union plays out opposite to what it does in the Pacific-facing destinations on the islands. Well…almost. December and January tend to be the peak times, mainly because they see NW swells cruise through from the North Pacific and the central Pacific Ocean thanks to the Amihan wind system that works like clockwork. That said, there are almost always waves on offer, though it turns to mushy beginner stuff in the spring and summer for the most part. That’s fine for hitting San Juan Beach Break and learning, though.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
This article is just one part of our complete guide to surfing Philippines
