Bauang • Surf Spot Statistics

Best Surf Season (November - February)

The northeast monsoon, locally known as Amihan, becomes the dominant weather driver across the South China Sea from late autumn through winter. At Bauang this is the most reliable window: average swell heights climb to around 2-3ft (0.6-0.9m), average wave periods reach 7-8s, and the percentage of clean offshore wind days tops out at 25-39%. Most of the energy arrives as NNW-oriented swell, which sits just north of Bauang's ideal WSW-to-NW window but still delivers punchy, rideable waves along the exposed west-facing beach. Water temperatures remain warm and pleasant at 26-28°C, rainfall is low, and the mornings often offer the cleanest conditions. The biggest payoff comes in December, when the combination of size, period, and clean wind is at its annual peak.

Fair Surf Season (March and June - October)

Outside the peak Amihan months, Bauang sits in a transitional pattern. March is a fading echo of winter: swell is still present but smaller and shorter-period, and offshore winds are less frequent. From June through October, the southwest monsoon (Habagat) takes over, delivering WSW, W, and WNW swell right into Bauang's optimal southwest-to-northwest compass window. The catch is that the same south-to-southwest monsoon winds often blow across the same direction, putting a lumpy, onshore texture on the surface. Periods hover in the 6-7s range and average heights remain in the 2ft (0.6m) range, though late August and September can produce some fun 3-5ft (1-1.5m) waves when tropical cyclones add energy. The best strategy during this stretch is to chase early-morning E/SE land breeze windows before the seabreeze ruins it.

Low Surf Season (April - May)

April and May are the flattest months of the year at Bauang. The northeast monsoon has collapsed and the southwest monsoon has yet to fully spin up. Average swell heights sink to around 1ft (0.3m), periods dwindle below 6s, and offshore wind days drop to a measly 7-9%. The water is very warm, around 29-30°C, and May brings a sharp increase in rainfall as the monsoon approaches. This is a grovel-fest. Enough said - skate, train, or save your energy for the stronger months ahead.