Caridad (San Isidro)

WingfoilingSurfing
Shortboard, Longboard
Best for
Intermediate
Skill Level
Small waves
Spot Type
Quiet
Crowd Level

This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.

About this spot

About

Caridad is a tranquil, exposed reef break in the San Isidro area of northern Siargao. The spot is known for having consistent waves with both lefts and rights, offering a more remote feeling than the island’s main tourism core. For best results, plan around a Northeast swell paired with Southwest offshore winds, which help groom the faces into cleaner surf. Reports also emphasize that the break works best for those comfortable with shallow reef conditions and navigating around rocks. September stands out as the best month for surf quality and cleanliness, while December through February align with wind-swell conditions. Mid tide is commonly recommended to avoid the shallowest reef sections, which can make entries and maneuvers significantly more hazardous at low water. Safety-wise, the reef is the main concern: sharp coral, submerged rocks, and sea urchins are present, and moderate rip currents can form near reef channels. With limited local rescue capacity, riders should be conservative with entry/exit and should bring appropriate protective gear (notably reef-safe footwear and a leash).

  • Consistent exposed reef waves.
  • Northeast swell + Southwest offshore wind is the winning combo.
  • Often quieter than southern Siargao surf areas.
Great for
Surfing shortboardSurfing longboardAdvanced ridersBeginners
What's great
  • Exposed reef break with consistent surfing conditions.
  • Generally lower crowds than the main south-area surf hub.
  • Best surf alignment is supported by Northeast swell with Southwest offshore winds.
Heads up
  • Rocks and submerged hazards on the reef.
  • Limited or no on-site rescue support; incidents may require outside help.
  • Gear/rental options are extremely limited locally.
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
NE, E
Offshore directions
SW
Wind Range
10–20 kts
Wind Type
Trade — Northeast/East trade-wind pattern (Amihan influence noted for the coast).
Reliability
fair
Gust Factor
Light gusts
Best Months
December, January, February

Water & beach

Water Type
Small waves
Beach
Sand — Sandy beach with reef-protected paddling access.
Beach Size
Medium
Waves
Medium — Surf-forecast describes consistent surf; other summaries describe medium-sized surf at the spot.
Launch
Small — Beach access leads to a reef-protected paddling area.
Launch Difficulty
Moderate — Moderate difficulty due to reef hazards and tide-dependent access.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
27–30 °C
Water Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jan–Dec: 1mm neoprene top or lycra (sun and wind-chill protection)
Crowds by Season

Consistently low to moderate; much quieter than General Luna.

Storm/Rain Season

December to February is the wettest period.

By sport

What to expect for each.

WingfoilingSkill Level

Possible in higher tide conditions outside the reef; largely unventured compared with more developed southern options on the island.

Foil Friendly
Limited
Min Depth
1.5 meters
Wing Sizes
4–6 m²
SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Exposed reef break with consistent waves; best when matching Northeast swell.

Reef break
Wave Direction
Both
Optimal Swell
NE
Swell Height
1–2.5 m
Optimal Tide
Mid — Mid tide helps avoid the shallowest reef sections.
Shelter
Exposed — Exposed reef break.
Wind Effect
Southwest winds are offshore, grooming the swell into cleaner faces.
Bigger Swell
Handles moderate size but can close out or become messy during heavy storms.
Wave Quality
Average — Reported as average overall; clean potential is noted with the best month for surf cleanliness.
Wave Power
Moderate
Wave Shape
Peeling
Peel Speed
Medium
Ride Length
Medium
Ride Length Details
Decent walls on both lefts and rights depending on swell angle.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Caridad (San Isidro) in the full forecast view.

Caridad (San Isidro) wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
3–7 ktsGusts 13 kts
Direction
NE52°
Strongest day
Mon, Oct 267 kts
Windy days
0/712 kts or more
Waves
0.8–1.3 m9s period
Temperature
26–31 °C

Over the next 7 days, Caridad (San Isidro) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–7 kts, peaking around 7 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 13 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 0.8–1.3 m with a period of about 9s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

What to know before you launch

Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.

Hazards

  • Sharp coral reef
  • Submerged rocks
  • Sea urchins
  • Moderate rip currents near reef channels
  • Isolated location
Ability Level: Intermediate
Recommended Safety Gear
BootsLeash

Rescue & support

Rescue & Self-Rescue
Limited — No dedicated local rescue service; help may rely on local boatmen or nearby schools.
Emergency Info
Nearest major medical facility is in Dapa or General Luna; regional guidance also notes Siargao District Hospital in Dapa (and national emergency number 911).

Rules of the spot

Local Tips
  • Works best with a Northeast swell and Southwest offshore winds.
  • Best surfed at mid tide to avoid the shallowest parts of the reef.
  • Rocks are a primary hazard—watch your line and entry/exit through reef channels.
  • Bring your own gear as rental options are extremely limited in this specific barangay.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Surigao City
Nearest Town
San Isidro
Parking
Limited roadside parking or small dirt areas near the beach access.
Access
Accessible via the Siargao Circumferential Road; follow signs for Barangay Caridad.
Cost Level
Budget
Local Language
Surigaonon, Tagalog, English
Amenities

What's on the beach

Accommodation
Nearby town — Local homestays and small guesthouses in San Isidro town.
Food & Drink
Small local eateries (carinderias) and sari-sari stores nearby.
Equipment Rental:
Limited; most surfers bring gear from General Luna. Rentals are organized via mobile schools/centers that arrange trips.
Gear Repair
Basic kite and sail repairs are available in General Luna, but specialized services are limited for the San Isidro coast.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

Known for raw tropical beauty and a quieter scene than General Luna, with a mix of wind sports and local culture.

Best time to visit: December to March for those seeking a blend of wind conditions and local culture without peak surfing crowds.
Magpupungko Rock Pools5-10km

Natural tidal pools carved into the reef, visible and swimmable only at low tide.

San Isidro Town Proper0km

A traditional coastal municipality offering a glimpse into local lifestyle and fishing culture of Siargao.

Sugba Lagoon25km

A scenic lagoon surrounded by mangroves, popular for paddleboarding and diving.

Local Carinderias1km

Traditional roadside eateries serving fresh local fish and rice dishes.

Island Hopping30km

Boats can be chartered for trips to nearby islands like Guyam, Daku, and Naked Island.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Caridad (San Isidro)?

The best overall months at Caridad (San Isidro) are September, October, November. The best wind months are December, January, February.

Which wind directions work at Caridad (San Isidro)?

Caridad (San Isidro) works with NE, E winds. Offshore directions are SW.

What equipment sizes are recommended at Caridad (San Isidro)?

Recommended equipment sizes at Caridad (San Isidro): Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 10–20 kts.

What skill level is Caridad (San Isidro) suitable for?

Caridad (San Isidro) suits these riding levels: Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate.