Lanuza Rivermouth Surf Guide
Surf spot guide
Ideal Surf Conditions
Swell Direction
NE-ENE typhoon swell - the bigger the better
Wind
Calm or offshore ESE to SW wind. Seasonal SW "habagat" monsoon wind is offshore.
Surf Height
Chest high-3X overhead-plus
Tide
Lower the better. Can be fun at high tide, but low tide is necessary for a barrel.
Lanuza Rivermouth Surf Guide
The rivermouth wave at Lanuza, a small town in the badlands of Surigao del Sur province in northeastern Mindanao, is a long bar of sand, rocks and gravel that - with the right shape and the right swell and the right tide - can produce a grinding right barrel. But it's fickle. Getting it good at Lanuza is not easy, the first requirement is a powerful typhoon swell to push into the sheltered location. Then, the sandbar has to be in good position, and the tide needs to be as low as possible. When it's on, it's a legendary wave of awesome dimensions, from deep, throaty barrels at low tide to endless off-the-top and cutback combinations at high tide.
Ability Level
Intermediate - Advanced
When its on -- Intermediate and above on high tide, advanced on low tide.
Local Vibe
Welcoming
Relaxed. A few local surfers, major influx for the Lanuza Surfing Festival in November.
Crowd Factor
Mellow
Rarely crowded
Spot Rating
Perfect
Awesome rivermouth sandbar with long barreling rights, when everything lines up.
Shoulder Burn
Medium
Long paddles and some current.
Water Quality
Fair
River rubbish, plastic bags and other town trash and filth.
Hazards
River runoff, especially after significant rain.
Bring Your
Shortboard, Bodyboard, Longboard, Fish, Funboard
Access
Easy, Lanuza is a small town and the wave is at the rivermouth.
Bottom
Sand, rocks, gravel
Best Season
Summer, or the SW monsoon season from May to October. Typhoons season, which is all year round, but most active June through November.
Do you have local knowledge about Lanuza Rivermouth?
If you have any insights or information to add to this spot guide, drop us a note at [email protected]