Charlies Point (Baler)

Charlies Point is a right-hand river mouth break just north of Sabang Beach, known for producing powerful surf. The wave breaks over a sandy bottom with some reef and coral influence, and it’s recognized as a filming location for Apocalypse Now. Conditions are generally described as good, with rides commonly ranging from about 50 to 150 meters. The spot is most suited to surfers with intermediate experience due to the combination of exposure and hazards around the river mouth area. For best performance, it’s typically worked mid-tide and favors swell coming from the Northeast/East (with a working swell window cited around 1.0 to 2.5 meters). Wind is described as mixed overall, but surfing tends to work best when winds are offshore from the West or Southwest. Safety considerations are important: rocks and reef/coral patches sit in the lineup, and currents near the river mouth can be moderate to strong. Debris can accumulate after heavy rains, so it’s recommended to check the river mouth before paddling out and to surf at mid-tide to avoid exposed shallow sections.