Surfing Jacking Horse: The Complete Guide

Jacking Horse is a reef break located in Siargao, Philippines, offering a right-hander along Southeast Asia's tropical lineups. Jacking Horse is Siargao's answer for surfers who want quality Pacific reef waves without the pressure of Cloud 9. Rated as advanced difficulty with lightly crowded conditions, this reef break is a worthy destination for surfers looking beyond the usual suspects.

Best Conditions

Swell Direction: The ideal swell direction is E (80°), with workable conditions from NE to ESE (50°–110°). Swells outside this window will either miss the break or produce disorganized waves.

Swell Size: Jacking Horse needs a minimum of 0.8m / 3ft to start working and handles swells up to 2.5m / 8ft before conditions deteriorate.

Swell Period: Look for a swell period of at least 8 seconds, with 12 seconds being the sweet spot. Longer periods deliver more organized, powerful waves with better shape.

Wind: True offshore here blows from the W (270°). The full offshore range spans SW to NW (230°–310°). Glassy conditions under 4km/h from any direction also produce excellent surf. Plan for early morning dawn patrol sessions.

Tide: This spot works best at mid tide. Optimal tide range is 0.4m–1.3m.

When to Go

Primary Season: The prime window at Jacking Horse runs August, September, October, November (Aug–Nov). This is when swell consistency and direction align most reliably with the break.

Secondary Season: A secondary window opens March, April, May (Mar–May). While not as consistent, patient surfers can still score quality sessions during this period.

Season Notes: August-November peak. Pacific typhoon swells.

Water Temperature: Expect water temperatures around 28°C / 82°F. Boardshorts or a thin rashguard are all you need.

Getting There

The nearest airport is IAO, roughly 25 minutes by car.

Access: Near Cloud 9. Short trike ride.

Hazards & Tips

Known Hazards:

🪸 Sharp reef — Shallow reef, booties recommended
🌀 Strong rips — Dangerous currents

Shallow reef sections. Strong currents.

Safety Tips:

Wear reef booties to protect your feet from sharp coral and rock
Study the currents before paddling out. Know your exit strategy

Skill Level: This spot is rated advanced (6/10). Crowd Level: Typically lightly crowded (4/10).

Check the Live Forecast

Planning a session at Jacking Horse? Check the live forecast on Strike Mission to see today's conditions and the 10-day outlook. Our Strike Score algorithm rates this spot from 0 to 100 every day, factoring in swell direction, size, period, wind, and tide — so you know exactly when to paddle out.

Don't leave your next surf trip to chance. Let the data tell you when Jacking Horse is firing.

*Conditions data sourced from Strike Mission's verified spot database.*