Baler Sabang

Aurora, Philippines

Beach breakIntermediate

In Aurora province on Luzon's Pacific coast, Baler's Sabang Beach is the birthplace of Philippine surfing, a crescent bay where the 1979 film "Apocalypse Now" crew inadvertently introduced surfing, and now hosts one of Southeast Asia's most spirited surf communities.

Typical Conditions

The Surf Window

Swell Window

OptimalE (90°)

WindowNNE–SSE (30°–150°)

Size–E 1.5–2.5m at 10–14s

Wind

Light to W under 15 knots

Tide

Mid tide

LowMidHigh

Season

Oct–Mar

JFMAMJJASOND

The Wave

Type

Beach break

Bottom

Sand

Shape

Multiple peaks along the bay, strong lefts

Length

60–120m

Skill Level

•Who it's for: All levels
•Why: Multiple peaks accommodate everyone, gentle inside for beginners, powerful outside for advanced

Hazards

•Strong rip currents near the river mouth
•Typhoon season (June–September) brings dangerous swells
•Jellyfish periodically

Local Tips

•The "Apocalypse Now" surfing scene was filmed here, local surf culture celebrates this history
•August Baler Surf Festival is one of the Philippines' biggest surf events
•The 5-hour drive from Manila on the Quezon-Aurora corridor passes extraordinary Sierra Madre mountain scenery

Location

15.7564, 121.5718