The Surfing Capital of the Philippines - Cloud 9 Siargao

March 1, 2015
What is a surfer's dream? A white beach with clear turquoise waters, swells well, strong waves but with a long shallow yet pebble smooth shoreline that breaks the strong waves to ripple like number 9 but would give you a smooth landing off board. And so this is every surfers' "cloud 9". In the Philippines a perfect beach for a perfect swell is no where else but in Siargao, the surfing capital of the Philippines.



Cloud 9 is a state of emotion where anyone has reached the topmost excitement. And this is the etymology why Barangay Catangnan that sounds like Cloud 9 has gained its name due to its rhyme and reputation.

Encompassing all the attributes that could give this beach the right wave for surfers, this gave Catangnan of General Luna, Surigao del Norte at the island of Siargao as one of the best surfing spot in the country.

Having a long shallow pebbled shore, a 215-meter boardwalk was constructed so a surfer can easily get to the breaking waves area to surf. And a three-storey hut was constructed for viewers to get an awesome vantage point of the waves the surfers doing their thing amidst the waves.

And by the beachfront is a beach resort with good rooms and restaurants; while the long road parallel to Catangnan's shoreline are dotted with various bars, hostels and inns for a relaxing stay on the island.

Too bad, I arrived there at noon time and during a low tide. No surfers are around and the summer heat if directly under the sun is unbearable. But the view and the great breeze from the Pacific has never disappointed us.


How to Get to Cloud 9 Siargao

Check out our detailed Island Hopping Travel Guide to Siargao Islands.

As you reach Dapa port (coordinates 9.75502N 126.05055E), the gateway port to Siargao Islands, you can ride a tricycle for
Php 300 or a motorcycle (habal-habal) to General Luna for Php 200.

Along the road parallel to Catangnan's shore is a plethora of bars and inns for you to stay including the Cloud 9 Boardwalk of Siargao (coordinates 9.81256N 126.16392E)

Best time for surfing is from March to July.

The trip to Cloud 9 Siargao is part of our 7-day mapping expedition to the eastern seaboard of the Philippines; covering 13 provinces from Mindanao's Caraga Region to Eastern Visayas and Bicol which acquired over 500 waypoint data and covered over 2,700 kilometers of roads, trails and ferry routes. The data has been donated to OpenStreetMap Philippines and a GPS routable map of the Philippines is being compiled by Schadow1 Expeditions regularly to which it can be used for navigation assistance for tourism and humanitarian purposes.


Map 
Google Maps (link)
Schadow1 Expeditions Contributions (link)
How to use for your Navigation System (link)

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2015 East Philippine Seaboard Mapping Expedition Articles

• East Philippines Seaboard Mapping Expedition 2015 Part 1
• East Philippines Seaboard Mapping Expedition 2015 Part 2
• East Philippines Seaboard Mapping Expedition 2015 Part 3
• East Philippines Seaboard Mapping Expedition 2015 Part 4
• Portuguese Man-o-War on Island Hopping to Siargao
• Tinuy-An Falls - Multi-tiered and Widest Waterfall in the Philippines
• What is with this small paradise called Canigao Island
• The Magnificence of  Hinatuan Enchanted River
• Island Hopping Guide at Siargao Islands
• Magpupungko Beach and Natural Pool of Siargao Islands
• The Surfing Capital of the Philippines - Cloud 9 Siargao
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