Lanuza, Surigao del Sur Travel Guide: My First Surfing Trip Experience

theficklefeet (53)in #lanuza • 6 years ago (edited)

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This post was originally published on June 24, 2016. I added some information that are more relevant for those who will visit Lanuza, Surigao del Sur.

When I was a kid, I always thought that the ocean was dangerous and beautiful at the same time. Imagine those big waves rushing to the shore with strong wind blowing through the coconut trees. What a paradise! But for a child who grew up in a small town facing the pacific ocean, the sea was a tease to play with but a warning to stay safe. Having that love-hate relationship, I never truly appreciated what the ocean really offered.

Now that I'm adult, freedom to explore comes in. It also means that I have more time and opportunity to know this blue thing. The result? I'm fascinated and totally in love with it. I always knew that this little fear will not last long. As for the present, the ocean offers a different experience every time I explore new places.

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And by exploring new places, I couldn't believe where I've been and not having been able to appreciate what my place has, until the day I decided to try surfing! My friends introduced me to this thing called aloha vibe. They made me realize what Lanuza, a sleepy town just an hour away from Tandag (where I grew up), offers and..... it is surfing.

Though Lanuza is not included in the top list of the Philippine surfing spots, a lot of surfers said that it is one of the few places in the Philippines that offers perfect waves. They describe it as perfect. You have to experience it yourself!

We went there during the Surfing Festival on November, the place was nice and the waves were good. It definitely means that we were in the right place and the right time.

So how was my first surfing experience? I will tell you honestly. It was a humbling experience for me, since I can't control the waves and my upper body strength sucks. I was not able to enjoy it as what I imagined it to be. Maybe because I underestimated how demanding surfing is, or maybe because I've done no search on how to prepare for my first ever surfing trip. But believe me when I say I actually want to try it again. (And I actually did.)

READ: Amihan sa Dahican: Surf, Eat, Sleep, Repeat!

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How to Get to Lanuza, Surigao del Sur:

From Cebu - You can book a plane via Cebu Pacific to Tandag City. They have flights every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. You can also go to Surigao City or Butuan City with daily flights from Cebu. However it will take longer hours to go to Lanuza.
From Tandag - Go to the Bus Terminal and then take a jeep/van/bus going to Surigao City. Get off at Lanuza Public Market/Bus stop. It will take 1-2 hours ride.
From Surigao City - Take a bus going to Tandag. Vans can go straight to Lanuza. Travel time is about 3-4 hours.
From Butuan City - Go to the bus terminal and take a bus going to Tandag. From Butuan airport, there are vans going to Lanuza directly.

Where to Stay?

You can ask locals in Lanuza where you can book an accommodation. They have rooms available that are not posted in any booking sites. If you want to book ahead of time, you can check these accommodations below:

Lanuza Greenroomz - They have very affordable rooms that ranges from Php500-700 per night. Breakfast is also available. You can book through booking.com or click this link.
Babak Bungalows Surf and Yoga - It is a resort where you can stay in bungalows. You can check their availability in Airbnb.

P.S. Sign up through my Airbnb Link and get Php1600.00 for your first booking!!

Other Details:

Surfing Season: November - March

Board Rate:

Php500 with Instructor per hour
Php250 board only (whole day)

TIPS:

You should try their local drink Pauroy! Pineapple juice is a good chaser for that.
Also, you can try Priz Snack House's Ice drop. They are located near Lanuza Plaza and Lanuza Public Market.
Lanuza is a sleepy town. Most of the stores close as early as 6PM.
Try to learn some Surigaonon words!
If you want to visit more place in Surigao del Sur, you can check this blog post.