First-timer lesson
For anyone who has never stood on a board. We start on the sand, then head into the white water together.
- Your own instructor in the water
- Soft-top beginner board included
- Safety and wave basics on the beach
Surf school · Sabang Beach, Baler, Aurora
Catch your first wave at El Dawn.
Surf lessons with local instructors on the friendly beach break of Sabang. Board rental for when you're ready to paddle out on your own, and motorbikes to explore the rest of Baler.
Tide
Surf forecast · Sabang
Morning waves, next 5 days
Surf lessons
Never surfed? Perfect.
Sabang's soft, rolling waves are one of the best places in the Philippines to learn. Your instructor stays with you in the water, pushes you into the right waves and keeps you safe while you find your feet.
Keep progressing
Already standing up? Learn to angle along the wave, read the sets and paddle out past the white water.
- Coaching on your next step
- Choosing waves and positioning
- Board included
Friends & family
Learning together is half the fun. Bring the barkada or the kids and we'll set up a session for your group.
- Instructors for the whole group
- Kids welcome with a parent nearby
- Boards for everyone
Your first lesson
From the sand to standing up.
- Meet on Sabang BeachSay hi to your instructor, get your board and a quick look at today's waves.
- Practice on the sandLying on the board, paddling, and the pop-up, until it feels natural.
- Into the white waterYour instructor holds the board and pushes you into the right waves, one by one.
- Ride it to the beachMost of the lesson is spent catching waves. Then a cold drink, and maybe one more.
Rentals
Boards for the water, bikes for the rest.
Already know your way around a surfboard? Grab one and paddle out. Want to see Baler's falls, coves and town? Take a motorbike for the day.
Surfboard rental
Soft-tops for beginners and boards for surfers who are ready for more. Rent by the hour or for the day.
Motorbike rental
The easiest way to explore Baler and the coast. Ask us for the best route to the falls and the quiet beaches.
Surfing in Baler
Where Philippine surfing began.
Baler faces the Pacific, so the sun rises straight out of the sea in front of Sabang Beach. Surfing here goes back to the late 1970s, and the town is still one of the best places in Luzon to learn.
When the waves are best
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
The best waves run from October to May. Smaller, gentler days in between are perfect for first-timers.
Sabang BeachLong, sandy beach break. Where the lessons happen.
Ditumabo FallsThe "Mother Falls", a scenic ride and short trek inland.
Dicasalarin CoveA quiet cove south of town, worth the trip.
Baler townMuseo de Baler and the old church, close to the beach.
Life at El Dawn
Sun, salt and good people.
Good to know
Questions before your first wave
Do I need to know how to swim?
First lessons happen in shallow water at Sabang Beach with your instructor right beside you. If you can't swim, tell us before the lesson so we can plan for it.
When is the best time to surf in Baler?
The best waves run from about October to May. Smaller, gentler days are ideal for first-timers, so there's a good time to learn most of the year.
What should I bring?
Swimwear, a rash guard or a shirt you can get wet, reef-safe sunscreen and water. The board is ready for you.
How do I book?
Send us a message on Messenger with your preferred day and time and how many people are coming. We're on the beach from 6 AM to 6 PM, and mornings are usually the calmest.
How do I get to Baler from Manila?
Baler is about 5 to 6 hours from Manila by bus or car. Sabang Beach is a short tricycle ride from the town center.
Find us
See you on Sabang Beach.
Come by the beach, or message us first and we'll have a board waiting.
El Dawn Surf School
- Where
- Sabang Beach, Barangay Sabang, Baler, Aurora
- Book
- Message us on Messenger
- Open
- 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM