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Solo + FamilySiargao
Cloud 9, Jacking Horse, Pacifico — the home of IAO. Beginner to advanced spots, coconut palms, island pace.
Best time: Mar–Oct (dry season)
Level: Beginner → Advanced
Solo Traveller GuideFamily Travel Guide
Community
The IAO Tribe
We surf together.
Spot guides from the team, real reviews from the water, community photos, stays we love, live surf forecasts, and packing guides for your next trip. This is where the IAO tribe lives.
Surf Spot Guides
Written by the IAO team & guest contributors
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Solo + FamilyLa Union
The surfing capital of the north. Mellow beach breaks, laid-back vibe, great for beginners and longboarders.
Best time: Oct–Mar
Level: Beginner → Intermediate
Family Travel Guide
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Solo + FamilyBaler
Birthplace of Philippine surfing. Sandy beach breaks, cheap stays, and a growing surf community up the coast.
Best time: Oct–Mar
Level: Beginner → Intermediate
Solo Traveller Guide
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Solo + FamilyUluwatu
Bali's most iconic reef break. Long lefts, cliff-top warungs, sunset sessions. Crowded but world-class.
Best time: Apr–Oct (dry season)
Level: Intermediate → Advanced
Solo Traveller Guide
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Solo + FamilyCanggu
Beach breaks for all levels, beach clubs, and the digital nomad capital of Bali. Great for a first Bali trip.
Best time: Apr–Oct
Level: Beginner → Intermediate
Family Travel Guide
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SoloPadang Padang
The Balinese Pipeline. Fast, shallow, barrel-heavy left. Spectators come for the show — surfers come for the barrel.
Best time: May–Sep
Level: Advanced
Solo Traveller Guide
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SoloKeramas
Right-hand reef break that holds size. Night surfing under lights at the Keramas resort. A unique Bali experience.
Best time: Apr–Oct
Level: Intermediate → Advanced
Solo Traveller Guide
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Solo + FamilyFuerteventura
Canary Islands' surf mecca. Volcanic reefs, warm Atlantic water, year-round waves, and EU-close flights.
Best time: Year-round
Level: Beginner → Advanced
Family Travel Guide
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Solo + FamilyEriceira, Portugal
Europe's only World Surf Reserve. Cobbled streets, cold-water point breaks, and a deep surf culture.
Best time: Sep–May
Level: Beginner → Advanced
Solo Traveller Guide
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SoloHossegor, France
The surf capital of Europe. Heavy beach breaks, pine forests, and the annual WSL contest stop.
Best time: Sep–May
Level: Intermediate → Advanced
Solo Traveller Guide
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SoloMundaka, Spain
One of Europe's best left-handers, flowing over a rivermouth sandbar. Fickle but magical when it works.
Best time: Oct–Mar
Level: Advanced
Solo Traveller Guide
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Solo + FamilyGold Coast
Snapper Rocks, Kirra, Burleigh — point breaks that run forever. The most consistent surf city on earth.
Best time: Mar–May · Sep–Nov
Level: Beginner → Advanced
Family Travel Guide
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Solo + FamilyByron Bay
Bohemian surf town with mellow beach breaks at The Pass and Wategos. Whales, dolphins, and barefoot living.
Best time: Mar–May · Sep–Nov
Level: Beginner → Intermediate
Family Travel Guide
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SoloBells Beach
Home of the world's longest-running surf contest. Powerful reef break on Victoria's Great Ocean Road.
Best time: Mar–Oct
Level: Intermediate → Advanced
Solo Traveller Guide
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SoloMargaret River
Powerful Western Australian reefs, world-class wine, and kangaroos on the beach. For experienced surfers.
Best time: Mar–Oct
Level: Advanced
Solo Traveller Guide
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SoloJeffreys Bay
Supertubes — one of the best right-hand point breaks on the planet. Long, fast, and tuberiding perfection.
Best time: May–Sep
Level: Advanced
Solo Traveller Guide
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Solo + FamilyMuizenberg, Cape Town
Cape Town's beginner-friendly beach break. Long gentle waves, colourful huts, and a vibrant local surf culture.
Best time: Mar–Sep
Level: Beginner → Intermediate
Family Travel Guide
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Solo + FamilyDurban
Warm Indian Ocean water, consistent beach breaks, and South Africa's surf city heritage.
Best time: Year-round
Level: Beginner → Intermediate
Solo Traveller Guide
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SoloCoffee Bay
Wild Coast adventure. Empty beach breaks, rural Xhosa culture, and the famous Hole in the Wall rock formation.
Best time: Apr–Sep
Level: Beginner → Intermediate
Solo Traveller Guide
Traveller Reviews
"Where I surfed in my IAO boardshorts" — real customers, real spots
Cloud 9, Siargao
"Surfed Cloud 9 at sunrise in my Tropical boardshorts — they dried before I'd even hiked back up the boardwalk. Best surf shorts I've owned."
Mara, Manila
in Tropical Boardshorts
Uluwatu, Bali
"The Rainbow sunglasses survived boat days, beach naps and a toddler. Respect. Polarised lenses cut the glare off the water perfectly."
Tom, Sydney
in Uni-Sex Rainbow Sunglasses
Pacifico, Siargao
"Feels like Siargao without trying too hard. Simple, strong gear. The surf hat stayed on through a whole session at Pacifico."
Ari, Cebu
in Surf Hat — Ocean Blue
Cotillo, Fuerteventura
"Ordered the Islander bundle to my hotel in Berlin before our Canaries trip. Everything arrived split across two shipments, exactly as promised. Loved the tote."
Lena, Berlin
in The Islander Bundle
#IAOspots
Share your spot → tag us @islandandocean → get featured
@surfswithmara
Cloud 9, Siargao
@tomrideswaves
Uluwatu, Bali
@ariline
Pacifico, Siargao
@lenasurfs
Cotillo, Fuerteventura
@jakeocean
G-Land, Indonesia
@saltwaterjess
Mirissa, Sri Lanka
@siargaosun
Jacking Horse, Siargao
@theoceansays
Padang Padang, Bali
@findyourtide
General Luna, Siargao
IAO-Approved Stays
Places we love in Siargao — curated, not booked through us
Surf CampKermit Surf Resort
Cloud 9, Siargao
Rooms right at the Cloud 9 boardwalk. On-site surf school, board rental, and the best sunset view on the island.
Surf schoolBoard rentalRestaurant
Visit Booking PageGuesthousePaglaom Hostel
General Luna, Siargao
Solo-traveller favourite. Social, clean, affordable. Walking distance to GL food scene and a short ride to Cloud 9.
Solo-friendlySocialBudget
Visit Booking Page
HostelMad Monkey Siargao
General Luna, Siargao
Pool, parties, and a younger crowd. Good for solo travellers looking to meet people and surf during the day.
PoolSocialBudget
Visit Booking PageBoutique HotelHarmony Boutique Hotel
General Luna, Siargao
Family-friendly with a pool, large rooms, and a quiet location. A short tricycle ride from the surf.
Family-friendlyPoolQuiet
Visit Booking PageResortSiargao Bleu Resort & Spa
General Luna, Siargao
Full-service resort for families who want comfort, a big pool, spa, and easy access to GL restaurants.
FamilyPoolSpa
Visit Booking PageFamily VillaLisbona Beach House
Pacifico, Siargao
Quiet beachfront house up the north coast. Perfect for families who want to escape the GL crowds and surf empty peaks.
Family villaBeachfrontRemote
Visit Booking PageIAO is not a booking platform. These are places we personally love — please book directly with each stay.
Surf Conditions — Siargao
Live forecast for Cloud 9 and surrounding breaks
Today at Cloud 9
Wave Height
3–5 ftWind
8 kts offshoreWater Temp
29°C🏄 Good conditions — chest to head high, light offshore wind.
Detailed Forecast
Open SurflinePacking Guides
What to pack for a Siargao family surf trip
Surf
Beach
Travel
Family
Everything in one bundle
Everything in this guide is in The Islander bundle
Boardshort + sunglasses + tee + tote — save €15 vs buying separately.
Also in our shop:
