Virac Harbour - surf spot statistics

Virac Harbour in the Philippines is primarily wind swell-dominated, with ground swells playing a minor role throughout the year. The best conditions for surfers are typically found from September to November, when ground swell contributions peak (30-31%), and wind conditions improve significantly (25-26% good wind days). During these months, the mean swell size ranges from 0.9m in September to 1.9m in November, offering more consistent and cleaner waves compared to other periods. The worst conditions occur from January to February and December, where bad wind conditions dominate (92-94%) despite decent swell sizes (2.0-2.3m), making it challenging for surfers due to onshore winds. May to August sees smaller swells (0.8-1.3m) and still poor wind conditions, though July and August show slight improvements with 14-15% good wind days. March and April offer a transitional phase with moderate ground swell influence (15-18%) but remain hampered by high rates of bad winds (91-93%). Overall, autumn (September-November) stands out as the prime window for surfable waves with better wind alignment, while winter months bring larger but messier conditions. Summer months (May-August) are generally less favorable due to inconsistent swells and persistent onshore winds.

Virac Harbour in April offers surfable conditions, though they can be inconsistent. The average swell height is 1.3m with a decent period of 9.4s, suggesting workable energy for intermediate surfers. The most dominant swell directions are ENE and E, accounting for the majority of rideable waves (ENE: 27.76% and E: 9.68% in the 1-1.5m range). These swells are typically cleanest when paired with light offshore winds, but wind conditions are often less than ideal—only 9% of the time is the wind truly favorable for surfing. Wind tends to blow from the E to ENE at moderate speeds (10-30kph), which can create choppy or cross-shore conditions, reducing wave quality. Stronger winds above 20kph are common, particularly from the E and ENE, further limiting glassy sessions. Swell size distribution shows that 1-2m waves are the most frequent, with about 40% of swells falling in this range—enough for fun sessions but rarely epic. The scarcity of larger swells (over 2.5m is rare) means this spot is better suited for relaxed surfing rather than high-performance waves. In summary: Expect small to medium, somewhat inconsistent swells with often less-than-ideal wind conditions. Surfable, but not a prime month for epic sessions—best suited for intermediate surfers or those looking for mellower waves. Keep an eye on wind forecasts for those rare clean days.