Qurino (Bacnotan)
- Freeride, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Medium 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Qurino (Bacnotan) is a beach-break spot with generally clean water and medium-sized surf. The launch is described as a sandy beach area often near the river mouth, where conditions can vary due to river-mouth currents and debris during wetter months. The shoreline can feature a moderate shore break, and the presence of a bridge near the spot is a key hazard to manage. For wind sports, Qurino is best when the wind comes from the northwest (NW). The most consistently favored months are January through April and also November and December, aligning with the Amihan season pattern. Typical wind strength is described as roughly 15–25 knots, with moderate gustiness and moderate overall reliability. For kiteboarding, the spot is commonly set up for wave riding and freeriding, with many riders using kite sizes in the ~9–12 m range. Surfing-wise, it’s described as an exposed beach break that can work well on North or West swells, producing peeling waves of average quality. Ride length is generally medium, and the wind can also contribute chop to the surf when NW winds are strong. On bigger days, sources note it can close out on very large swells. In terms of safety and logistics, the spot is reported to be quieter than San Juan but has fewer facilities, so bring what you need and plan for limited roadside/beach access parking. There are no lifeguards indicated, and rescue is not described as dedicated wind/kite-focused—so rider preparedness matters, especially around the bridge and river-mouth conditions.
- Quieter, less-crowded alternative to San Juan
- Clean Northwest wind window during Amihan season
- Sandy beach break with moderate waves
- Warm water year-round
- Best wind direction is Northwest, with the strongest months in January–April and November–December.
- Warm, generally clean water with a sandy medium-sized beach break.
- Quieter and less crowded than the nearby San Juan surf hub.
- Bridge and river-mouth dynamics are notable hazards for wind sports.
- Limited facilities and parking near the launch area.
- Surf can be affected by Northwest wind chop, and very large swells may close out.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Amihan/Northeast Monsoon regime; spot wind window is described for Northwest flow.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April, November, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Medium waves
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium
- Launch
- Medium — Medium sandy beach area often near the river mouth.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate
Through the year
Low to moderate; much quieter than San Juan.
June to October
By sport
What to expect for each.
Secondary option for La Union during Amihan season, noted for a cleaner Northwest wind window compared with the main San Juan area; suited to wave riding and freeriding when NW wind is present.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Potentially foilable, but beach break and shore break can make launching difficult; minimum depth generally sufficient once past the break.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited
- Min Depth
- 1.5m
Beach break that can provide peeling waves; can close out on very large swells.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- N, NW, W
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Northwest wind can create side-shore conditions for kiters but can also chop up the surf.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out on very large swells.
- Wave Quality
- Average
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate wave power; quality can be affected by wind chop.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Ride Length
- Medium
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Qurino (Bacnotan) in the full forecast view.
Qurino (Bacnotan) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–6 ktsGusts 13 kts
- Direction
- NW324°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 246 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–1.8 m6s period
- Temperature
- 25–31 °C
Over the next 7 days, Qurino (Bacnotan) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–6 kts, peaking around 6 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 13 kts. The prevailing direction is NW. Waves run 0.3–1.8 m with a period of about 6s. 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
- Bridge
- River mouth currents
- Shore break
- Bridge located near the spot
- River mouth debris during rainy season
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No dedicated kite/wind-specific rescue services; riders typically rely on local surf life-saving groups or nearby resorts.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facility: Lorma Medical Center in San Fernando (~15–20 km). National emergency number: 911.
Rules of the spot
Watch for the bridge when kiting near the river mouth area.
- Quieter than San Juan, but facilities are fewer.
- Watch out for the bridge if kiting near the river mouth.
- Currents can be strong near the river mouth depending on tidal flow.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- San Fernando
- Nearest Town
- Bacnotan
- Nearest Airport
- Clark International Airport (CRK) ~160 km; Manila International (MNL) ~280 km.
- Parking
- Limited roadside or beach access parking
- Public Transport
- Provincial buses from Manila plus local jeepneys or tricycles for shorter distances.
- Access
- Accessible by road from San Juan or Bacnotan town center
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- Ilokano, Tagalog, English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Guesthouses and resorts available in Bacnotan and nearby San Juan.
- Food & Drink
- Local eateries in the barangay.
- Equipment Rental:
- Specialized kitesurfing or windsurfing rentals are extremely limited along this stretch (general rentals for related board sports are more widely available in the wider area).
- Gear Storage
- Limited gear storage is available at select surf-oriented resorts.
- Gear Repair
- Basic surfboard/fiberglass repairs through local shapers; no dedicated kite or sail repair shops in the immediate vicinity.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The Bacnotan coastal area is a quieter, rural stretch with nearby natural day trips and cultural stops, plus a concentration of dining options in the nearby San Juan area.
Small limestone islands and lagoons known for crystal-clear waters.
Locally famous for honey production and agricultural heritage.
Popular hiking and cliff-jumping destination in the nearby municipality of San Gabriel.
A dense concentration of international and local restaurants and bars just south of Bacnotan.
A unique shoreline where colorful pebbles are harvested, with a historic Spanish watchtower.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Qurino (Bacnotan)?
The best overall months at Qurino (Bacnotan) are November, December, January, February, March. The best wind months are January, February, March, April, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Qurino (Bacnotan)?
Qurino (Bacnotan) works with NW winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Qurino (Bacnotan)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Qurino (Bacnotan): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Qurino (Bacnotan) suitable for?
Qurino (Bacnotan) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate.