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 September, Virac Harbour experiences relatively small but surfable conditions with an average swell height of 0.9m and a decent period of 9.7s, indicating consistent, albeit modest, wave energy. The most favorable swell directions come from the northeast to east (NE, ENE, E), making up a significant portion of the swell distribution, particularly in the 0.5-1.5m range. While larger swells (1.5m+) are less frequent, they still occur, mostly from NE and ENE, which can offer better surfing opportunities when present. Wind conditions are a mixed bag—about 25% of the time, they align favorably for surfing. However, stronger winds (>20kph) from the SW and SSW can create choppy conditions, while lighter easterly and northeasterly winds provide cleaner surf. Overall, September is a borderline month for surfing here, with the best sessions likely on NE/ENE swells paired with lighter offshore winds, but patience is required due to the variable wind and generally smaller waves.