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.

In June, Virac Harbour experiences relatively small but rideable waves with an average swell height of 0.9m and a decent period of 8.4s, providing some energy for surfers. The swell direction is predominantly from the east (ENE and E), accounting for the majority of waves, particularly in the 0.5-1.5m range, offering consistent conditions. Larger swells (1.5-2.5m) are less frequent but do occur, mostly from the ENE and E directions. Wind conditions are less favorable, with only 7% of the time being ideal for surfing. The predominant winds are from the SE to ESE, often blowing in the 10-30kph range, which can create choppy or cross-shore conditions. Offshore winds are rare, but when they occur, they typically come from the west—though this is uncommon. For experienced surfers, June can offer small, playful waves, especially on days with lighter winds, but it’s not a prime month for high-performance surfing due to the limited swell size and inconsistent wind conditions.