Philippines ยท Indo-Pacific
Each location is refreshed once every three hours. The hourly view, 7-day forecast, luck factor and packing notes come from the same stored update.
We compare the 7-day forecast with the version-matched historical observations available for the same time of year at Siargao/Cloud 9. The delta shows whether conditions look better, worse or about the same as a typical late July.
We score each day of the 7-day forecast using the same algorithm as the leaderboard, and highlight the highest scorer.
Open-Meteo's Marine API (swell height, period, water temperature) and Weather API (wind and conditions).
Slim pickings. Only worth it if you are gagging for a wave. Short-period chop. The waves lack any real push. Light cross-shore texture but very manageable. Not enough swell to get this spot firing properly.
PeakWave scores are planning signals, not safety clearance. Check local authorities, official bulletins and on-site conditions before you go. Read our editorial policy.
Cloud 9 is a notoriously shallow, high-consequence right-hand reef break situated on Siargao Island in the Philippines. The bathymetric topography comprises an exceptionally abrupt, live coral reef shelf that drops rapidly into the deep Philippine Sea. As unimpeded easterly groundswells travel across the Pacific Ocean, they hit this sudden depth transition, causing the wave to jack instantly and pitch top-to-bottom. A westerly offshore wind actively retards the lip, ensuring the resultant thick, cylindrical barrel remains wide open. The wave features a highly critical, steep take-off that drops the surfer directly into a high-speed tube section, offering virtually no shoulder for preliminary turns. Due to the extreme hydraulic force and the proximity of razor-sharp coral-often only centimetres below the water surface-there is zero margin for error. A mistimed drop inevitably results in severe impact with the reef. Consequently, Cloud 9 is classified as an expert-only domain, demanding elite technical proficiency, split-second reflex capabilities, and immense experience in navigating heavy, hollow reef passes.
Heads up: thunderstorms forecast, and jellyfish: peak season.
Indicators derived from forecast data, not official warnings. Always check local lifeguard or official advice.
The air here is 63% cleaner than the average comparison city right now.
Noticeably cleaner air than a typical city. Good conditions for prolonged outdoor activity.
Not a pollutant. Ozone is naturally higher at altitude and near the coast, and lower in cities where traffic exhaust breaks it down. High readings here typically indicate clean air. Can cause short-term airway irritation during intense exercise but is not linked to the long-term health risks of particulate pollution.
Additive health score: each pollutant contributes points relative to its WHO 2021 guideline and long-term health impact (PM2.5 9, NOโ 5, Oโ 3, PM10 2, SOโ 1 at WHO limits). Data via Open-Meteo. City markers show live readings. Red line marks the WHO guideline. Updated 09:24
Crystal clear water: ~36m visibility
Daily scores over the last 12 months at Siargao/Cloud 9
Historical quality only. Safety is not reconstructed for this view.
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Create Profile โPartly. The model uses stored spot geometry, swell ranges and tide preferences where configured. It cannot see changing banks, crowds, access, closures or everything visible on a local cam, so treat it as a starting point.
The best week for surf at Siargao/Cloud 9 is the week of 30 November (score 3/5) with low crowds.
This guide was generated from conditions data. Know this spot? Submit your own tips below.
Cloud 9 is the Philippines' most famous wave, a shallow right-hand reef break on Siargao Island that produces thick, powerful barrels over a dangerously shallow coral shelf. The wave pitches top-to-bottom immediately from the take-off, offering virtually no shoulder for preliminary turns. You are either in the barrel or you are on the reef. The boardwalk extending over the reef provides a spectacular viewing platform, and the island's remote tropical beauty has made it a pilgrimage destination for travelling surfers.
The primary season runs from August through November when Pacific typhoon systems generate easterly groundswells that push directly into the reef. September and October typically see the largest, most consistent swells. The wave needs at least 4ft of east swell to properly activate. Westerly offshore winds are most reliable in the mornings before the trade winds establish. The dry season (March-May) can also produce rideable conditions on south-east swells.
The take-off zone is extremely concentrated over the shallowest section of the reef. The peak breaks in the same spot every time. Sit just beyond the boil where the water is slightly deeper, and stroke into position as the set approaches. The drop is steep and immediate, requiring you to bottom turn directly into the barrel without hesitation. The deep-water channel to the south provides entry and exit.
The coral reef is centimetres below the surface and razor-sharp. Any wipeout means direct impact with the reef. The wave breaks with severe hydraulic force, driving you down and across the coral. Hold-downs are disorienting and the shallow water amplifies the violence. Strong currents sweep across the reef during tidal changes. Medical facilities on Siargao are limited. Infected coral cuts are near-guaranteed without immediate treatment.
Motorbike parking is available at the Cloud 9 boardwalk. A small entrance fee provides access to the viewing platform. The paddle-out from the beach via the channel takes 10 minutes. Several surf resorts and hostels operate within walking distance of the break. Siargao is accessed by plane from Manila or Cebu to Sayak airport.
Cloud 9 is Siargao's primary attraction and draws a constant stream of international surf tourists. Expect 15-25 surfers on good days, which is significant given the concentrated peak. The Filipino local crew is skilled and commands respect. Competition for the deepest position is intense. Dawn patrol offers the best window before the crowd builds.
Do not paddle out at Cloud 9 unless you are genuinely comfortable pulling into fast, shallow, heavy barrels. The wave is not forgiving to hesitation or poor positioning. Bring reef boots, a helmet, and comprehensive first aid supplies. The barrel is shorter than it looks from the boardwalk but significantly more powerful. Mid-tide provides the safest water depth while maintaining barrel shape. Stimpy's, a softer right-hander nearby, offers a good warm-up and confidence builder before committing to Cloud 9.
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Combining historical conditions with school holiday crowd pressure to find the sweet spot.
The timing score combines two signals: historical conditions quality (how good the skiing or surfing typically is in a given week, based on 5 years of weather data) and crowd pressure (how many of this destination's feeder markets have school holidays that week).
Crowd pressure is weighted by each feeder country's share of visitors. If 40% of a resort's visitors come from France and France is on holiday, that contributes 0.40 to the crowd pressure score. Crowds can reduce the timing score by up to 35%, ensuring conditions still matter most.
Scores: 5 = great conditions with low crowds (the sweet spot). 4 = great conditions with moderate crowds, or good conditions with low crowds. 3 = average. 2 = below average conditions or very crowded. 1 = poor conditions or peak holiday chaos.
Last 29 days of logged conditions.
Based on historical weekly averages
Conditions at Siargao/Cloud 9 tend to be best between 06:00 to 09:00 in July.
Average score during this window: 30/100
See timing scores, school holiday busyness, and lift pass pricing to find the best time to book.
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