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Surfer riding inside the barrel at Cloud 9, Siargao — surf retreat at Kawayan Villa, 200 metres from the break
Surf Retreat · Cloud 9

Your Private Surf Retreat — 200 Metres from Cloud 9

A private 2-bedroom villa for surfers of every level. We organise the surf side — local guides, lessons, board rental, airport pickup. You focus on the waves.

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The Kawayan Surf Retreat

Stay 200 Metres from the Best Wave in the Philippines

Kawayan Villa is a private surf villa in Siargao, sitting on Cloud 9 Drive in General Luna — a two-minute walk from the boardwalk that leads onto the world-famous Cloud 9 reef break. We are a 2-bedroom property with a private pool and tropical garden and daily breakfast from our French bakery, designed for guests who want comfort and privacy after long days in the water.

A surf retreat in Siargao at Kawayan Villa is not a packaged surf camp. It is your private estate, with an experienced local team coordinating the surf logistics so that you arrive, drop your bags, and start surfing the right waves the next morning — whether that is the legendary Cloud 9 surf for advanced surfers, Cemetery for a long wall left, or Tangbo for a complete beginner's first ride.

We host three kinds of guests: beginners who want a proper introduction to surf in Siargao with a vetted instructor, families who want a safe and quiet base for parents and children to surf together, and groups of friends renting the whole villa for a week of surf and shared meals. Each section below tells you exactly what to expect.

Compiled by David Frachou — French founder of Kawayan Villa, on Siargao since 2007 and surfing Cloud 9 since the early days. This page is updated from real local conditions, not generic surf write-ups.

What We Organise

Everything Around the Villa, Handled

You message us once with your dates, group size and skill level. We coordinate the rest with our trusted local partners.

In the Water
  • Local surf guide — knows every spot, tide window and skill match
  • Surf lessons — vetted local instructors. They bring boards and let you pick the right one for the session.
  • Spot & tide briefings — your guide reads the swell each morning and matches you to the right wave
  • Board rental for own-time sessions — we point you to the best shops on the Cloud 9 boardwalk, a 5-minute walk from the villa
At the Villa
  • Daily breakfast — French pastries from Kawayan Gourmand bakery
  • Private pool — recover after morning sessions
  • Tropical garden — hammocks and shaded loungers
  • Quiet rest — silent split-type aircon, blackout curtains, no shared walls
Logistics & Extras
  • Airport pickup — private transfer from Sayak Airport (IAO)
  • Massage at the villa — on request, after surf sessions
  • Yoga session — on request, in the garden or living room
  • Island hopping — Naked, Daku and Guyam islands, organised on request
Surfer in a tropical Cloud 9 barrel — beginner surf lessons Siargao at Kawayan Villa
For Beginners

Beginner Surf Lessons in Siargao — Done Honestly

Let's be honest first: Cloud 9 itself is an advanced reef break, not the place to stand up on a board for the first time. The good news is that Siargao has several beginner-friendly waves within a short ride of the villa, and our local instructors will start you on the right one based on the swell and your level. Beginner surf lessons here cost a fraction of what you'd pay in Bali or Hawaii, with smaller crowds and warm water year-round.

Two things to know about Siargao surf. First, every wave on the island is a reef break — there are no beach breaks. Most surfers here go barefoot; reef shoes are not commonly used and not provided by instructors, so bring a pair from home if you prefer them. Second, almost every spot can work for beginners on small days and turn into an advanced wave when the swell is big. Size is the deciding factor. Your guide checks the conditions each morning and matches the group to the right peak — that is the value of having a local with you, not just a board.

Spots we send beginners to (on the right size day)

Cemetery (Pesangan)
Left & right peaks · Reef · Mid–low tide
A long, rippable wall that breaks both ways. On small days the left is a friendly intermediate-friendly wave perfect for progressing surfers; when bigger it gets steep and barrels for advanced. Reached by 20-minute walk, paddle, or short boat from General Luna.
Daku Island
Beginner-friendly · Deep coral reef · Mid–high tide
A gentle, forgiving wave breaking over deep coral reef in front of Daku Island — one of the safest spots on the island for first lessons. 10-minute boat ride from General Luna; combine with island-hopping lunch on the white sand.
Tangbo
North Siargao · Right & left · Reef
A mellow reef peak up north that breaks both ways. Quiet, far fewer crowds than the Cloud 9 area, and a great half-day expedition for a progressing beginner who wants empty waves and time in the water.
Jacking Horse
Cloud 9 area · Reef · All tides
A jacking peak right next to Cloud 9 itself. The main wave is intermediate-to-advanced, but when it reforms inside it becomes "Little Pony" — a softer, beginner-friendly section. Your guide will read the day and tell you which line to take.
Quicksilver
Cloud 9 area · Right · Mid–high tide
Adjacent to Cloud 9, similar character but typically smaller. On small days it is a friendly right-hander beginners can learn on; when the swell builds, the same wave becomes fast and barreling for the experienced. Avoid low tide — the reef goes dry.
Pacifico
North Siargao · Long left · Reef
A long left-hander on the quiet north side, around an hour by motorbike. Manageable on small days and a fun adventure for progressing surfers; powerful and advanced when the swell is up. Pair with exploring the calmer north shore.

What a typical learning week looks like

  • Day 1 — arrival, pool, briefing with your instructor about goals and skill
  • Day 2 — first lesson on a soft-top, paddling and pop-ups in chest-deep water
  • Day 3 — riding white water, first attempts at standing on a wave
  • Day 4–5 — moving outside, catching unbroken waves at Cemetery or Jacking Horse
  • Day 6–7 — independent sessions with your guide, plus a wellness rest day

Most first-time surfers stand up on a wave by day three. By the end of a week, you will be paddling out on your own at the beginner peaks.

Private pool and tropical garden at Kawayan Villa — family surf retreat base in Siargao
For Families

A Safe, Private Base for a Family Surf Trip

Kawayan Villa is a private, gated estate — not a hotel. There are no shared corridors, no other guests, no lobby. For families with children, that matters: the pool is yours, the kitchen is yours, the garden is yours. Parents can have a coffee on the balcony at sunrise without bumping into strangers in pyjamas.

Each of the two bedrooms has 2 king-size beds, so a family of four can comfortably share one room or spread across both. A baby crib is available on request at no extra charge. We have hosted multi-generational families travelling with grandparents, toddlers and teenagers — the layout works.

What families typically want, and how we help

  • Surf lessons that suit kids — we connect you with local instructors who are patient, English-speaking, and used to teaching ages 8 and up
  • Daily breakfast — French pastries, fresh fruit and coffee delivered to the villa, so mornings are calm even with sleepy children
  • Family-friendly excursions — Magpupungko rock pools, island hopping to Daku, Naked and Guyam islands, all easily booked through us
  • Wellness day for parents — book an in-villa massage and yoga session by the pool while the kids surf with the instructor
  • Rest space — air-conditioned bedrooms, blackout curtains, hammocks in the garden for nap time after the beach

Plan for May to August if you can — that is the family-and-beginner sweet spot, with the smallest, cleanest, glassiest swell of the year and the gentlest wind. Avoid August to November if your kids are learning: that is typhoon season and the surf gets heavy fast. We are happy to advise on specific dates when you enquire.

Pool table and private bar in the 220m² living room — group surf trips Siargao at Kawayan Villa
For Friends & Groups

Whole-Villa Cloud 9 Surf Trips for 4 to 8 Friends

Two bedrooms, four king-size beds, sleeps up to 8 — the most flexible Cloud 9 surf trip setup on the boardwalk. Take the whole villa for your group and you have a 220m² living room with a full-size pool table and private bar, a private pool, an outdoor kitchen and tropical garden. The neighbours are quiet. The walls are real. You can stay up as late as you want and start the morning whenever the group is ready.

Why this works for groups

  • Mixed skill levels handled — our guide can split the group between Cloud 9 for the advanced surfers and Jacking Horse or Cemetery for the rest, same morning
  • Built for hangs — pool table, private bar, sound system, large dining table for shared meals
  • Late-night kitchen — fully equipped, accessible at any hour
  • No curfew, no shared spaces — the property is yours for the duration of the booking
  • Bookable extras — group island-hopping boat trip, surf videographer, in-villa chef night, all on request

Group Rate · 5+ Night Stays

For groups of 5–8 friends booking the whole villa for 5 nights or more, we offer custom rates. Send us your dates, group size and any extras you want organised, and we will come back with a tailored quote.

Get a Group Quote on WhatsApp
Surf Seasonality

When to Come — Honest Calendar

Siargao breaks year-round, but the character of the surf changes completely from one season to the next. Here is how each window actually plays out, in plain terms.

May – August
Beginner's Window
Small, glassy, forgiving. Light winds, warm water, mellow clean swell around the whole island. The friendliest sessions of the year — ideal for first lessons, families travelling with kids, and intermediates dialling in their pop-up. Quiet lineups.
August – November
Typhoon Season
The big one. Cloud 9 wakes up — proper typhoon swell, peak crowds, peak adrenaline. Advanced surfers travel from across the world for this window. Beginners are better off waiting, or sticking to sheltered spots with a guide.
November – April
Big Swell, Tricky Winds
Plenty of swell still rolling in, but the wind rarely sets up offshore at Cloud 9 itself. This is where having a local guide really shows — different spots around the island clean up on different days, and you'll be on the right one. Confident surfers only for self-guided sessions.
How It Works

Four Steps from Enquiry to Wave

01
Book your dates
Through our booking page, or message us directly on WhatsApp.
02
Pre-arrival questionnaire
We ask your skill level, group composition and what you want from the trip.
03
We design your retreat
Lessons, guides, board rental, transfers and extras — all coordinated before you land.
04
Arrive and surf
Sayak Airport pickup, drop your bags at the villa, first session the next morning.
Frequently Asked

Surf Retreat FAQ

Can complete beginners surf in Siargao?
Yes. Cloud 9 itself is advanced, but Siargao has several beginner-friendly waves nearby — Cemetery, Jacking Horse, Quicksilver, Daku Island, Tangbo and Pacifico. All are reef breaks (Siargao has no beach breaks), so a local instructor reads the swell and puts you on a wave that suits your level. Most surfers here go barefoot — reef shoes are not common and instructors don't provide them, so bring a pair from home if you prefer. Most beginners are standing on a wave by day three.
Do you organise surf lessons and guides?
Yes. We coordinate vetted local surf instructors for beginners and intermediate surfers, and local guides who know every spot, the tides and which break suits your skill level on any given day. Board rental and airport pickup are also handled.
How far is Kawayan Villa from Cloud 9?
200 metres. The villa sits on Cloud 9 Drive in General Luna — a short walk to the boardwalk and the famous right-hand reef break.
Is Kawayan Villa suitable for families with young children?
Yes. The property is private and gated with a pool and garden. A baby crib is available on request at no extra charge. We can recommend kid-friendly surf instructors and gentler waves for older children, plus excursions like Magpupungko rock pools and island hopping.
Can a group of friends rent the whole villa?
Yes. The villa has 2 bedrooms with 2 king-size beds each, sleeping up to 8 guests in total. For 5+ night stays with a group, contact us directly for a custom rate.
When is the best time to surf Siargao?
May to August is the beginner-and-family window — small, clean, glassy swell across the whole island and the gentlest winds of the year. August to November is typhoon season, when Cloud 9 fires for advanced surfers. November to April still has plenty of swell, but the wind is rarely offshore at Cloud 9 itself; a local guide will redirect you to whichever spot is clean that day.
What equipment do you provide?
None directly — we don't stock surf gear at the villa. If you book lessons with one of our recommended instructors, they bring a range of boards and let you pick the right one each session. If you surf on your own, the Cloud 9 boardwalk is a 5-minute walk away and has plenty of board rental shops with everything from soft-tops to performance shortboards. Most surfers in Siargao go barefoot; reef shoes aren't common here, so bring a pair from home if you prefer them.
Do you offer airport transfer?
Yes. We arrange private pickup from Sayak Airport (IAO) to the villa, around 45 minutes by road. Just send your flight details once you book.

Plan Your Surf Retreat

Tell us your dates, group size and skill level. We will reply within 24 hours with a tailored proposal.

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