Caridad (San Isidro)
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
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.
- 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.
- 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.
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
Consistently low to moderate; much quieter than General Luna.
December to February is the wettest period.
By sport
What to expect for each.
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
Exposed reef break with consistent waves; best when matching Northeast swell.
- 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.
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.
Other spots in the area
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
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
- 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
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.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Known for raw tropical beauty and a quieter scene than General Luna, with a mix of wind sports and local culture.
Natural tidal pools carved into the reef, visible and swimmable only at low tide.
A traditional coastal municipality offering a glimpse into local lifestyle and fishing culture of Siargao.
A scenic lagoon surrounded by mangroves, popular for paddleboarding and diving.
Traditional roadside eateries serving fresh local fish and rice dishes.
Boats can be chartered for trips to nearby islands like Guyam, Daku, and Naked Island.
From riders who've been here
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.