Subic Bay is known for its calm protected
waters, while great for most water sports it is exactly what surfers do
not want. A short trip north from Subic Bay along the National Highway
brings you to another coastline. Zambales Province is located on the
western coast of Luzon and like many other activities in the area, has
yet to attract the attention that many of the other surfing locations
in the Philippines have. The coastline north of Subic Bay is open to
the South China Sea, here you will find conditions much more to the
liking of surfers. The waves are from soft to powerful, but as with
many locations in the Philippines, inconsistent in size and quality.
Best waves are from May to November. The town San Narciso and it's
neighbor San Antonio are the center of attention for this areas
surfing. Pundaquit is one of the best surf spots in the whole of
Zambales. Pundaquit is based in San Antonio and it is the fourth town
from the Subic Bay Freeport. It's Subic town, Castillejos, San
Marcelino then San Antonio. Pundaquit is the nearest surf destination
from manila compared to San Juan of La Union in the North (7 hours),
Baler of Aurora in the West (10 hrs) and Siargao in Surigao in the
South (board on 2 planes to get to siargao). At least a dozen
good breaks are located around San Narciso and its neighboring towns.
The waves vary for short boarders to
long boarders. One break, which is
right in front of Crystal Beach Resort, is good for beginners because
of its fun waves. When waves are bigger, it can produce good tubes
and power for more experienced surfers. San Narciso also features
the High 5 Lahar Break, considered the most consistent break in
Zambales. It has a unique lahar bottom created from the mud flow of
Mount Pinatubo. Another break influenced by the volcano is the La
Paz River Mouth Break. The mouth of the Macolcol River had massive
lahar flows that affected the surf. Just south of San Narciso is the
town of San Antonio with it own collection of small villages and nice
breaks. San Miguel, a village noted for its small fishing fleet and a
performing arts center, has an interesting break that is good when
the swell is small. Here one finds a right hander that breaks over
sand. Locals say this is a good place to be when there is no chance of
good waves anywhere else. Just to the south is Pundaquit with a good
break when the swell is bigger. Offshore are the Capones Islands. There
are at least three reef breaks located at Capones Island. Surfers
should be careful because some of the breaks have very sharp coral
while others have been smoothed.
Surfing at Crystal
Beach
There are two
resorts that are great for surfers. Crystal Beach resort
is a very basic resort that caters to the surf and beach community. Crystal Beach
Resort is also the home of Harley’s Surfboards and Surf Shop. This
is
one place to go if you want to try surfing. The shop rents out
surfing gear and offers lessons. An interesting note is that the
resorts beach is a nesting place for turtles. see the turtle concert
with Casa
San Miguel children
Punta de Uian
Punta de Uiam is a
resort that just open a few months ago. It is
located in Pundaquit but well away from any other civilization . The
resort is very elegant with grand views of the sea and the
Capones Islands. The beach front is extensive and offers a variety of
water sports. Surfing is available here along with rentals and
lessons. The rooms are well done and spacious with
complete amenities. The rooms are even equiped with speakers for
your ipods and wifi connections. Suites have jacuzzi. Everything you
need is right here.
