Anyone seeking a Baler, Aurora hotel accommodation, such as Costa Pacifica,
has only one thing in mind: surfing. It is a given. For any sensible
surfer, trooping to the birthplace of Philippine surfing to get intimate
with its bounty of 9-foot waves is automatic. Made popular by the 1979
film Apocalypse Now, the break here has retained its allure that is too
hard to resist from then until now.
From Manila, it
takes a bit of a drive, around 6 hours by land, but it is not the least a
burden. The drive is a thrill for the senses, with beautiful views of
Crayola-green rainforests and generous coasts, the trance occasionally
broken by bumpy roads. Commuting is simple enough, with buses from the
metro heading to Baler daily. It costs around PHP450.
Surfing
throughout the year is possible in the beach break here, but the best
time of the year to enjoy the north swell is from October to April, with
the waves at peak quality and size in December to January. Expect the
left-to-right break direction to be very consistent, with regular wave
quality. Surf schools and board rentals are available within the
vicinity, too, perfect for beginners to give surfing a shot.
Various surf spots to visit in Baler include:
Sabang Beach
– Beginners and novices spend time here, practicing with the small to
medium waves found in the area. Its vast expanse of gray coast is also
great for sunbathers.
Cemento Beach – For those
seeking large, clean, and good quality waves, this is the place to go.
Marked by its strong right hand reef break, Cemento Beach is a haven for
advanced surfers. Most of the local surf contests are held here. Make
sure you take your wetsuit!
Lindy’s Point – An
interesting break, this one is considered manmade. As a method of flood
control, the local government engineers opened the mouth of Baler Bay to
the town river, accidentally creating Lindy's Point. It is an advanced
surf spot with tall, strong, and sharp waves. It is clearly one of those
occasions when mistakes turn out to be truly great.
Charlie’s Point
– This is where the crew of Apocalypse Now minted Baler as a prime surf
destination. It is a good choice for all levels of surfers, featuring
regular swells of medium quality and size that can break both left and
right. But probably the best part is it is walking distance from the
town proper so if you are staying somewhere like Costa Pacifica, you can just get up and go and hit the water first thing in the morning.
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