Philippines vs Indonesia.

Swell and water, month by month: Siargao and Canggu

Open-ocean medians from ERA5, 2015–2024, not surf at the beach. Sources.

Seasons and typhoons

Siargao's main season is usually August to November, with typhoon swells and favourable winds, and September and October the peak, according to the guide. December to March brings monsoon swells, often with wind. La Union's season is roughly October to March, during the north-east monsoon. The Philippines hub notes that typhoon swells are most common from around August to November on the east coast.

Bali's dry season runs roughly April to October. Indonesia has no real typhoon problem on Bali, while the Philippines does, and typhoons can disrupt travel as well as bring swell. Check forecasts and be flexible if you go in typhoon months.

Wave quality and level

Siargao's Cloud 9 is one of Asia's most famous reef waves, and the guide rates it advanced. Jacking Horse and other gentle reefs serve beginners and intermediates. La Union offers Urbiztondo, a soft beach break, and Monaliza Point, a right-hand point for stronger surfers.

Indonesia offers more of everything. Canggu is a long-standing learner hub, Uluwatu and the Bukit have some of the best-known left-hand reefs in the world, and other islands offer more. For advanced surfers, Indonesia's wave count is hard to match.

Crowds and development

Siargao has developed quickly but remains smaller and less crowded than Bali, with a laid-back surf town at General Luna. La Union is popular with Manila weekenders, so weekends can be busy.

Bali's Canggu and Bukit are among the busiest surf zones in Asia, especially in peak months. If a quieter atmosphere matters more than range, the Philippines has the advantage. If you prefer variety and services, Bali does.

Getting there and getting around

The Philippines requires domestic flights or ferries. The Siargao guide says you fly to Sayak Airport from Manila or Cebu, or take a ferry from Surigao City on Mindanao. La Union is reached from Manila by bus in roughly five to seven hours, or via Clark airport.

Bali has one main airport with extensive international connections and a dense road network, though traffic is heavy. Flights into Denpasar are generally easier than island hopping in the Philippines.

Value and trip style

Both countries can be done on a range of budgets, and prices depend on season and standard of accommodation. We give no figures here, so check current prices for your dates. As a rule, Indonesia offers more premium options and the Philippines more low-key ones.

The Philippines suits a surf-and-islands trip with a beach town base. Indonesia suits those combining surf with culture, nightlife and wellness.

Typhoons and crowds: the drawbacks

The Philippines' downsides are typhoons, remoteness and fewer facilities. Typhoon swells bring the best waves in Siargao, but they also bring the risk of cancelled flights and ferries, so book flexibly. Island logistics mean domestic flights and sometimes boat transfers.

Indonesia's downsides are the crowds and traffic of its best-known areas, shallow reefs that punish errors and a high season when prices peak. The Uluwatu guide stresses that the reefs are for experts and that the Bukit is busy. In both countries, check insurance, medical access and current travel advice.

Picking a base in each country

In the Philippines, General Luna is the base for Siargao's reefs, with surf schools and a relaxed town, while San Juan is the main base in La Union, easy from Manila for a weekend. In Indonesia, Canggu suits learners and workers, and Uluwatu suits advanced surfers. If you only have a week, pick one base and one season rather than trying to combine them.

Preparing for a warm-water archipelago trip

Before booking, check the typhoon season and buy flexible flights and accommodation if you go to the Philippines between August and November. Check the dry season and crowd pattern for Bali. For both, pack reef booties, a rash vest and sun protection, and confirm your insurance covers surfing, boat transfers and scooters. Ask your host how people reach the breaks each day, and keep a buffer day before an international flight in case of weather or transport problems.