Puro Pinget - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (December - February)

The heart of the North Pacific winter drives consistent, powerful N and NNW swell trains into the West Philippine Sea, giving Puro Pinget its most reliable size and period. Average wave heights hover between 1.0m and 1.2m with periods in the 7.5-8.0s range, offering punchy, rideable waves that can rival more exposed breaks when the wind cooperates. However, the trade-off is the persistent northeasterly monsoon, which brings frequent onshore flow from the N and NNE quadrants. The sweet spot comes when a passing cold front or low pressure to the east allows the wind to clock around to the south or southwest, creating clean, offshore conditions. These windows are relatively brief but highly rewarding, often delivering fun, lined-up sets.

Fair Surf Season (March - April & October - November)

During these transitional months, the monsoon pattern weakens and the swell window becomes more mixed. March and April see the last gasps of north swell with average heights dropping to 0.7m and 0.5m and periods shortening to 6.6s and 5.9s. While the north component still dominates, the energy is weaker and more inconsistent. October and November are more promising, as the early winter storms begin to rekindle. Average heights climb back to 1.1m and periods reach 7.7-7.8s, and the wind ideal percentage rises to 18-22% — a slight improvement over the dead of winter. Expect occasional fun-sized sessions with a mix of N and NNW swell, especially when a building high pressure system sets up a southerly flow.

Low Surf Season (May - September)

The southwest monsoon dominates the Philippine summer, shifting the primary swell direction to SW and WSW. For a break that faces NNW, these swells arrive with very little energy — most of the wave action is either blocked by the island or barely wraps in. Average heights remain in the 0.8-1.1m range, but the period is lackluster (5.7-7.2s) and the waves are often small, weak, and wind-affected. The wind ideal percentage does peak during June-August at 27-32% as the prevailing S and SSW winds become offshore at this spot, but without quality swell from the correct direction, there is simply not enough power to generate surfable waves. May, June, and July are especially poor, with the majority of the swell under 1m and coming from the south. August sees slightly better heights due to typhoon activity in the region, but those swells often arrive from the WNW or NW — a marginal direction at best. This is a season for swimming or exploring other spots, not for serious surfing at Puro Pinget.

December: Peak size, persistent wind challenge

December is the apex of the winter swell season. Average swell height reaches 1.2m — the highest of the year — with a period of 8.0s. The NNE quadrant alone accounts for 56.1% of all swell, with N at 29.3%, both excellent directions for the spot. The period is solid, offering punchy, long-interval waves that can wrap into the beach with force. Unfortunately, the wind is the worst it gets: only 14% ideal, and the northeasterly monsoon is in full force, blowing from the NNE and NE at 20-40 kph over 75% of the time. But here’s the good news: when the wind does swing around to the south — often after a strong cold front — it usually comes with a fresh north swell. Those setups can last for a day or two, producing absolutely pumping conditions: chest-to-overhead waves with clean faces and occasional barrelling sections. December demands patience, but the rewards are the best of the year. Check the long-range wind models religiously.