Longboard, Shortboard
Best for
Intermediate
Skill Level
Swell
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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

Glendas is a sheltered reef break in the Cortes (Surigao del Sur) area, known for fairly consistent surf during the winter season, while summer months often trend flatter. It is best when timed with low tide, and the sheltered setup can feel more forgiving than more exposed reef options in the region. The reef bottom is shallow and hazard-prone: rocks and sea urchins are described as prevalent, so protected footwear is strongly recommended. Currents can be more noticeable around the reef, and larger swells are associated with the potential for stronger flow and a higher chance of the wave closing out if it gets too big. Wind conditions are described as mixed, with a typical range around 10–20 knots. One provider notes offshore winds from the West or Southwest tend to produce cleaner faces, and wind-reliability is described as medium. For timing, providers highlight the winter/shoulder months as the most favorable period, with January repeatedly flagged as a best month and October through March collectively described as the more consistent stretch. On water safety, there are no confirmed lifeguards or dedicated water-sports rescue services in the Cortes area, so riders should plan for self-sufficient logistics and make conservative decisions in shallower, reef-heavy conditions. For medical needs, nearest facilities are indicated in Cortes or Tandag City.

  • Sheltered reef break with consistent winter surf
  • Low tide is the best tide window
  • Rocks and sea urchins on the reef bottom
  • Winter months emphasized for reliability (especially January)
Great for
Surfing longboardSurfing shortboardBeginners
What's great
  • Sheltered reef break with fairly consistent surf during the better season.
  • Low tide is the preferred window for more reliable conditions.
  • Budget access and basic local amenities.
Heads up
  • Shallow reef and prevalent rocks/sea urchins make it high-risk without protection.
  • Surf is best at low tide; summer can be mostly flat.
  • No confirmed dedicated rescue services.
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
SW, W
Offshore directions
W, SW
Wind Range
10–20 kts
Wind Type
Mixed — Providers describe mixed winds; regional flow is influenced by the Northeast Monsoon (Amihan) with possible daytime sea-breeze enhancement.
Reliability
medium
Gust Factor
Moderate gusts — Gusts described as moderate.
Best Months
October, November, December, January, February, March
Thermal Window
Sea breeze · All day · Regional context notes sea-breeze enhancement commonly strongest from about 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM; spot-level providers do not specify a dedicated thermal window for Glendas.

Water & beach

Water Type
Swell
Beach
Reef — Providers conflict on beach composition: one describes reef composition, another describes sand plus reef transition.
Beach Size
Medium
Waves
Medium — Providers describe medium wave size overall.
Launch
Medium — Sandy beach entry with immediate reef transition.
Launch Difficulty
Moderate — Moderate launch difficulty due to reef transition and hazards.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
Wetsuit Guide
Jan–Dec: rashguard or 1mm neoprene top
Crowds by Season

Generally quiet; more local surfers on weekends.

Storm/Rain Season

Rainy season typically runs from November to February; heaviest typhoon risk from November to January (regional context).

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

A sheltered reef break with fairly consistent surf in the winter; summer months tend to be mostly flat. Best conditions are reported at low tide, with the reef bottom requiring caution for rocks and sea urchins.

Reef break
Wave Direction
Both
Optimal Swell
NE, E
Swell Height
1–2.5 m
Optimal Tide
Low — Both providers emphasize low tide as best.
Shelter
Sheltered — Described as sheltered compared to more exposed regional spots.
Wind Effect
Offshore winds from the West or Southwest are described as producing the cleanest faces.
Bigger Swell
Can handle larger swells but may close out if too large; strong currents can occur during large swells.
Wave Quality
Average — One provider rates wave quality as average; another notes fairly consistent surf but summer is often flat.
Wave Power
Moderate — Wave power described as moderate; providers also note average wave quality and that it is sheltered.
Wave Shape
Peeling — Peeling shape reported by one provider.
Peel Speed
Medium — Peeling wave style with a medium peel speed.
Ride Length
Medium
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Glendas in the full forecast view.

Glendas wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
2–6 ktsGusts 15 kts
Direction
NE36°
Strongest day
Tue, Oct 276 kts
Windy days
0/712 kts or more
Waves
0.6–1.1 m8s period
Temperature
26–31 °C

Over the next 7 days, Glendas is forecast for daytime winds of 2–6 kts, peaking around 6 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 15 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 0.6–1.1 m with a period of about 8s. 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

  • Rocks
  • Sea urchins
  • Reef bottom
  • Strong currents during large swells
Ability Level: Intermediate
Recommended Safety Gear
LeashBoots

Rescue & support

Lifeguard
None — No lifeguards are indicated.
Rescue & Self-Rescue
No — No dedicated water-sports rescue services are confirmed for the Cortes area.
Emergency Info
Nearest medical facilities are in Cortes or Tandag City; regional emergency number is 911.
Localism / Vibe
Mild — Sources describe the spot as locally known with mild localism.

Rules of the spot

Self-sufficiency is expected; there is no confirmed dedicated water-sports rescue service in the Cortes area. Keep extra caution for shallow reef hazards (rocks and sea urchins) and strong currents around larger swells.

Local Tips
  • Wear booties to protect against sea urchins and sharp reef.
  • Best surf is reported at low tide.
  • Summer months are often flat.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Tandag
Nearest Town
Cortes
Nearest Airport
Tandag Airport (TDG)
Parking
Limited roadside parking or access through local properties
Public Transport
Local transport is primarily served by tricycles, habal-habal (motorcycle taxis), and passenger vans along the Surigao–Tandag coastal road.
Access
Accessible via local roads in Cortes, Surigao del Sur
Cost Level
Budget
Local Language
Filipino (Tagalog), Surigaonon, Cebuano
Amenities

What's on the beach

Accommodation
Nearby town — Accommodation options range from basic beachfront homestays and surf camps to modest guest houses in the town center.
Food & Drink
Basic sari-sari stores and local eateries in the nearby town.
Equipment Rental:
Surfboard rentals are available via local operators and surf camps; specialized kitesurfing/wingfoiling gear is not widely available.
Gear Storage
Storage is typically available for guests staying at local surf-oriented accommodations.
Gear Repair
Basic surfboard ding repair is available locally; no specialized kite/sail repair confirmed.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

Best time to visit: March to June is often best for general tourism, when weather is driest and seas are calmer.
Island Hopping10-20 km

Boat trips to nearby uninhabited islets and sandbars along the Surigao del Sur coast.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Glendas?

The best overall months at Glendas are October, November, January, February, March. The best wind months are October, November, December, January, February, March.

Which wind directions work at Glendas?

Glendas works with SW, W winds. Offshore directions are W, SW.

What skill level is Glendas suitable for?

Glendas suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.