Jacking Horse
Surf guide
Jacking Horse is where Siargao catches its first green wave. A short stroll from the Cloud 9 pier, this right-hand reef serves up a gentle, waist-deep roller out front: instructors lined up ready to push you in, and a punchier reef section out the back for when the bug bites and you want more. The inside is about as forgiving as reef surfing gets: flat bottom, easy take-off, soft shoulder. Out back, almost in line with Quicksilver, the wave steepens and links into the inside when the swell lines up, perfect for grooving your pop-up once the current eases. Grab a big soft-top to learn and step down to a funboard or mid-length as you progress. Book a local instructor; it's safer and it keeps the spot welcoming. Hazards to watch: strong sideways currents run on mid-to-high tides and full moons, so keep checking your position against the shore. Rocks and shallow reef show through at low tide, and the inside is a churn of loose boards and learners, hang onto yours and don't ditch it when a set rolls through. Where it fits: this is step one, and the easiest paddle-out on the island. Once you are standing up consistently in the whitewater, Cemetery on a small day or Daku are the natural next moves, a notch up without being a jump. If the inside is a wall of lessons, Cemetery spreads a crowd far better than anywhere else near town. Etiquette: it is a learner's wave, but the rules still apply. Do not ditch your board when a set comes, because there are people behind you. Do not paddle straight to the back peak unless you can handle it, and give instructors working with paying students room to do their job.
Ideal conditions
Swell direction
2-6 ft East or Northeast swells
Wind direction
Southwest offshore winds are best, but it won't matter too much for beginners.
Tide
Jacking horse can be surfed on any tide, but is best from mid-high. Be careful of exposed rocks and shallow areas on low tide.
Wave difficulty
Beginner
Beginner at the front, to intermediate and sometimes advanced at the back. Jacking Horse is the perfect place for beginners to learn and catch their first wave.
Wave quality
Poor
Mellow, forgiving, beach break feel. Suitable for beginners to catch their first wave.
Crowd factor
Crowded
The front section is generally crowded with instructors and beginners. The back section is usually much less crowded.
How to get there
Jacking Horse is at the northern end of the Cloud 9 beach area. Enter through Cloud 9's main entrance, head to the beach, and take the footpath on the left: a short walk brings you to the break, just past Loka Siargao Bar & Restaurant and in front of MUJO Ice Bath. The Cloud 9 gate is 100 PHP, and it covers Cloud 9 and Quicksilver too, so you can surf all three on one fee. Local tip: you can also enter via the gate to Isla Corgis to skip the entrance fee, but consider supporting the local businesses that keep access open. You're in the heart of the Cloud 9 strip, so surf schools, rentals, cafés and bars are all right here, with Cloud 9 itself breaking next door.
Surf forecast & live wind
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