PH · Aurora · 15.76°N 121.56°E

baler

Surf lessons on Sabang Beach, a small historic centre and waterfalls in the nearby hills.

Best time
February to May is dry and sunny, with small, friendly waves for beginners. The best surf comes from October to February with the northeast monsoon, along with rain. August to November is typhoon season.
How long
3–4 days
Getting there
Fly direct to Manila (about 4 hours from KL), then about 5–6 hours by bus or car to Baler, longer in traffic. A night in Manila on the way makes it easier. The Philippines is on the same time as KL.
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PH · Aurorabaler15.76°N 121.56°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Surf lessons on Sabang Beach, a small historic centre and waterfalls in the nearby hills.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingBalerPH, Aurora
KLbaler
≈ 2,588 km from KL, as the crow flies
Dicasalarin Cove (Baler)

Photo: Kennnpogi · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

The Philippines' original surf town, on the Pacific coast north-east of Manila, where the surf scene took off after Apocalypse Now was filmed here in the 1970s. Learn to surf on Sabang Beach, walk the old town and its church, and cool off at a big waterfall in the hills.

Makan

  1. SumanBaler's sticky rice cakes, wrapped in leaves; locals eat them with peanut butter.Map ↗
  2. Pako saladYoung fern shoots with tomato, onion and salted egg in a sweet-sour dressing.Map ↗
  3. Grilled fishThe local catch with rice, calamansi and soy.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Sabang BeachA long, sandy beach break lined with surf schools, the place to learn.Map ↗
  2. The old townBaler Church, the plaza and the Museo de Baler, which tells the story of the 1898 Siege of Baler.Map ↗
  3. Ditumabo Mother FallsA tall waterfall at the end of a river walk in the hills of San Luis, with a local guide.Map ↗
  4. Ermita HillA short climb to a lookout over the bay and the coast.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Learn at Sabang with an instructor; Cemento, along the coast, is a reef break for experienced surfers.
  • Skip Ditumabo after heavy rain, when the river trail floods.
  • Halal food is very limited, and pork and lard are common in Filipino cooking. Grilled fish, seafood and vegetable dishes are the easy fallback.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.