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.

August at Virac Harbour offers generally small but rideable conditions, with an average swell height of 0.9m and a decent period of 9.1s, providing some energy for surfers. The dominant swell direction is ENE (25%), followed by E (14%) and NE (8%), which aligns best with the spot's orientation for clean waves when winds cooperate. Most waves fall in the 0.5-1.5m range (70%), with ENE swells contributing the majority of the larger waves (1.5m+). However, winds are often a limiting factor—southwesterlies (SW, SSW) prevail at higher speeds (20-50kph), creating choppy or blown-out conditions 35% of the time. Only 15% of days see ideal offshore winds (light ENE-E), mainly when swells align from the NE-ENE. Expect smaller, weaker waves from other directions. For experienced surfers, the best sessions will come during ENE swells paired with light easterly winds, offering head-high peaks on rare larger sets. It’s a fickle month with mostly knee-to-waist-high surf, requiring patience for the cleaner, less frequent windows.