Cloud 9
By Koobo Surf Team ·
Surf guide
Written by the Koobo team from local sessions and boatman intel
Cloud 9 is the wave that put Siargao, and Philippine surfing: on the map: a heavy, barreling right-hander (with the occasional left) breaking over sharp reef, and home to some of the most critical, photogenic tubes on the planet. When it's on, it's perfection: a steep drop straight into a hollow, top-to-bottom barrel and a clean exit. Short, intense, and not for the faint-hearted: a dream for skilled surfers and a…
Ideal conditions
What to look for before you commit to the boat fare
Swell direction
3-10+ ft Northeast swells. Cloud 9 stays consistent even with small swells in the offseason.
Wind direction
Southwest offshore winds create clean barrels. Onshore winds may roughen it, but it’s still rideable.
Tide
High tide is ideal at Cloud 9. The wave can be surfed on a low tide but becomes extremely shallow and dangerous.
How to get there
Once you're in General Luna, Cloud 9 is a stone's throw away. Head to the Cloud 9 Tower, right next to Shaka Cafe in Catangnan, from there it's only about a 150-metre walk or paddle to the break. Keep 100 PHP handy for the entrance fee at the roadside entry; local residents enter free with a valid resident ID. That one gate also covers Quicksilver and Jacking Horse, so you can surf all three on a single fee rather than paying across separate days. The boardwalk and tower are the best free seats on the island if you just want to watch it barrel. Jacking Horse (beginners) and Quicksilver sit right alongside, and the whole Cloud 9 strip is stacked with surf schools, board rentals, cafés and bars, with General Luna's full spread of stays and food minutes away.
Surf forecast & live wind
Where the wave breaks
Nearby spots
Other breaks within reach of the same trip
At a glance
Wave difficulty
Advanced
Advanced/pro in peak season. During the low season (April to August) when the swell is between 1-3 ft, Cloud 9 can be suitable for intermediate surfers and beginners with an instructor.
Wave quality
Perfect
Cloud 9 delivers world class barrels, often considered some of the best in the world.
Crowd factor
Crowded
Often referred to as “Crowd 9”, this is the go-to wave for most local and foreign residents. Paddle out at first light for the best chance at scoring the wave to yourself.
Verified local instructors
