Catching some waves at Bagasbas Beach in Daet, Camarines Norte

Bagasbas Beach in Daet, Camarines Norte is one of the top surfing spots in the Philippines. This brown-sand beach break is a safe place for both novice and experienced surfers alike. A boulevard lined with guesthouses, restaurants and KTV bars (actually, the next best thing to do here besides surfing is karaoke!) runs along the length of Bagasbas Beach. Kalesas or horse-drawn take tourists for a ride up and down this avenue. The beach itself wasn’t white-sand pretty at all, but at least it was quiet and clean. And, most importantly. I had it all to myself!

A well-camouflaged pallid ghost crab on the sands of Bagasbas Beach

A surfing instructor teaching me the basics on the shore before we hit the waves

It was my first time to surf again since trying it at San Juan, La Union in 2006. Surprisingly, I don’t suck as much anymore. My last session got me standing on the board only once. At Bagasbas Beach, I was catching waves eighty percent of the time for some reason. I guess learning to snowboard in the USA has improved my sense of balance, and scuba diving has made me more confident in the water. Definitely stoked!

Guesthouses, restaurants and KTV bars line the beach boulevard

HOW TO GET THERE: Daet, Camarines Norte is 8 hours (PHP 700) by bus from Manila. From Daet, take a tricycle to Bagasbas Beach (PHP 30, 20 minutes). Surfing rates are board rental for PHP 200 per hour; and surfing lessons are PHP 200 per hour. I rented my surfboard and hired an instructor at White Wave Hotel.

WHERE TO STAY: There are several budget accommodations along Bagasbas Beach. Bagasbas Surfers Dine-Inn along the beach boulevard has affordable rooms starting at PHP 800 for an A/C double room. Mobile: +63 9225243656 or +63 9164759053.

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