Siargao among CNN’s best surf spots

MANILA, Philippines – A list of the “World’s 50 best surf spots” compiled by CNN places the Philippines’ Cloud Nine in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte at the 9th spot.

CNN called Cloud Nine a “death ride” where “fearless surfers will experience a slice of paradise or hallucinations as waves wrap over them like a liquid cocoon.”

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The description ends with images of “razor-sharp coral” and skin and bone “ripped to shreds by the ocean bed,” perhaps a warning of the intensity of the Cloud Nine high.

See Cloud Nine through the eyes of a foreign tourist:

Aside from its thrilling ride, Cloud Nine is one of the few waves which can be accessed even without a boat. This, at times, leads to overcrowding. Locals have even given it the nickname “Crowd 9.”

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According to Cloud Nine Surf, Siargao is widely recognized as “The Surfing Capital of the Philippines.” It is home to several surfing hot spots.

READ: A motorcycle, a map and Siargao’s open road

Although decent waves are present all-year round, surfing season is at its peak from September to March.

Cloud Nine was placed in the top 10, along other world famous sites:

• Pipeline, Oahu, Hawaii
• Supertubes, Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa
• Teahupo’o, Tahiti, French Polynesia
• Uluwatu and Kuta, Bali, Indonesia
• P-Pass, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia
• Maverick’s, California
• Hossegor, France
• Puerto Escondido, Southern Oaxaca, Mexico
• Cloud Nine, Siargao Island, Philippines
• Lance’s Right, Sipora, Mentawais Islands, Sumatera Barat, Indonesia

– Rappler.com