Cloud 9 is the Philippines' most famous wave—a hollow, dredging right-hand barrel on Siargao Island that has put Southeast Asian surfing on the world map. The wave breaks over a very shallow reef shelf, producing thick, spitting tubes that have hosted WSL Championship Tour events. When typhoon swells hit from the NE, Cloud 9 turns into a legitimate world-class barrel. The island vibe is tropical backpacker paradise, and the wave has transformed Siargao into Asia's surf destination.
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Water temp
28°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
8/10
Crowd level
7/10
The Cloud 9 profile favors mid to high tide, ideally between 0.5m and 1.5m on the local tide chart. Compare this preference with the forecast tide and local conditions before choosing a session. The profile flags a low-tide hazard below 0.3m.
The Cloud 9 profile uses wind from SW (225°) as its preferred direction, with an offshore range of 180° to 270°. Wind speed matters too: light winds outside that range can still produce surfable conditions, while strong offshore winds can make takeoffs difficult.
The Cloud 9 scoring profile favors swell from NE (20° to 90°), a swell-height range of 1m to 3.5m, and a reference period of 14s. These are model inputs, not guaranteed breaking-wave heights or a promise that the surf will suit every ability.
The main season at Cloud 9 is Aug-Nov. A secondary window runs Mar-May. NE monsoon best (Aug-Nov). Typhoon swells.
The spot profile lists IAO as a nearby airport. The estimated road transfer is 30 minutes.
Cloud 9 is a reef break, a right-hander. Difficulty is rated 8/10.
Peak: Aug-Nov
Secondary: Mar-May
NE monsoon best (Aug-Nov). Typhoon swells.
↙️ Siargao's premier left • Goofy-footer's paradise • Big swell treasure
🐴 Cloud 9's playful neighbor • Punchy reef right • Crowd escape valve
😊 Beginner-friendly reef • Siargao intro wave • Low-key sessions
Compare this break with other destinations in these surf guides.