Pacifico Beach in San Isidro is Siargao's premier destination for serious surfers seeking world-class waves without the crowds of Cloud 9. Home to Big Wish - one of the island's most powerful and technically challenging left-hand reef breaks - Pacifico has developed into a small surf village with boutique beachfront resorts, cafes, and a dedicated surf community. While General Luna has transformed into a party town, Pacifico maintains a chill, surf-focused vibe with small-scale development controlled by the local community. This guide covers everything you need to know: the legendary Big Wish break, intermediate-to-advanced surf conditions, beachfront accommodations, how to get there, and why Pacifico represents Siargao's authentic surf culture.
Image courtesy of Aurelia Teslaru
Quick Facts
- Location: Barangay Pacifico, San Isidro, Siargao Island (Northeast coast)
- Distance from Mariden Resort (Del Carmen): 45-60 minutes by motorcycle
- Distance from General Luna: 1.5-2 hours
- Entrance Fee: ₱20 per person (as of 2025)
- Best For: Surfing (intermediate-advanced), swimming, beach walks, sunsets
- Surf Season: Year-round, best swells September-March
- Facilities: Beachfront resorts, restaurants, cafes, surf shop, beach bar, basic health center
- What to Bring: Surfboard (or rent locally), swimwear, sunscreen, towel, water, cash
Activities at Pacifico Beach
Surfing
Pacifico offers world-class reef breaks for intermediate to advanced surfers:
The Breaks:
- Big Wish (Main Break): World-class left-hand reef break, powerful and technically challenging
- Outside Reef: Long, powerful waves for experienced surfers, consistent year-round
- Inside Beach Break: Softer waves for intermediates during calmer days (still requires reef experience)
Skill Level:
- Beginners: Pacifico is NOT recommended for beginners - powerful reef break with sharp coral
- Intermediate: Inside sections on smaller days; strong ocean swimming skills required
- Advanced: Big Wish offers world-class left-handers, can reach double to triple overhead heights
Surf Season:
- Best Swells: September-March (Philippine typhoon season brings consistent swells)
- Year-Round: Pacifico catches swells most of the year, smaller in summer (April-August)
- Less Crowded: Even during peak season, you'll share waves with a handful of locals and travelers
Swimming & Beach Activities
Beyond surfing, Pacifico is perfect for:
- Beach Swimming: Safe during calm days (be cautious of currents and waves during high surf)
- Beach Walks: Kilometers of empty white sand - ideal for sunrise/sunset strolls
- Sunrise Viewing: East-facing beach offers stunning sunrise colors over the ocean
- Photography: Dramatic wave action, coconut groves, untouched scenery
- Solitude: Bring a book, hammock, or simply disconnect and enjoy nature
Image courtesy of Chloe & Trey
How to Get There from Del Carmen
Pacifico Beach is located in San Isidro municipality on Siargao's northeast coast, accessible via the Siargao Circumferential Road from Del Carmen.
Motorcycle Route (Recommended)
From Mariden Resort, Del Carmen:
- Head north on the Siargao Circumferential Road toward Pilar
- Pass through Pilar town proper (20 minutes)
- Continue north toward San Isidro municipality
- Look for signage indicating "Pacifico" or "San Isidro" (turn right/east)
- Follow the road toward the coast
- Arrive at Pacifico Beach and pay entrance fee at gate (₱20/person)
Total Travel Time: 45-60 minutes
Road Condition: Mostly paved via circumferential road - standard motorcycle suitable
Tricycle/Van Option
- Tricycle from Del Carmen: ₱1,000-1,200 roundtrip (with waiting time, longer distance)
- Day tour from Del Carmen: Combine with Magpupungko Rock Pools (nearby) - book through resort
What to Expect at Pacifico Beach
The Setting
Pacifico Beach stretches for kilometers along Siargao's northeast coast in San Isidro:
- White Sand Beach: Powdery sand (not the rocky reef of Cloud 9)
- Coconut Groves: Tall palms providing natural shade
- Open Ocean: Philippine Sea stretching to the horizon - dramatic wave action
- Village Backdrop: Small beachfront resorts, local homes, surf-focused businesses
- Controlled Development: Boutique resorts (Bamboo Surf Beach, Pacifico Beach Resort, LaFinca Hostel, Yapak Beach Villas), cafes, surf shop
Facilities
Pacifico has small-scale, surf-focused development with locally-run facilities:
Accommodations:
- Bamboo Surf Beach: Beachfront resort with pool and private beach area
- Pacifico Beach Resort: Directly on the beach at the southern end
- LaFinca Hostel: Boutique hostel for digital nomads, steps from beach
- Yapak Beach Villas: Sea view villas near the shoreline
Dining:
- Barrel Spot: Known for homemade chorizo and pizza
- Common Ground Cafe: Popular brunch spot
- Pipeline Burgers: Casual beachside burgers
- Beach Bar: Managed bar on-site, handles chair/umbrella rentals
This is surf-focused Siargao - chill vibe, serious waves, no mega-resorts or nightclubs.
Image courtesy of Evgor
Best Time to Visit
For Surfing
September-March (Best Swells):
- Consistent waves from Philippine typhoon season
- 3-6 foot faces, occasionally bigger during storms
- Uncrowded sessions even during peak surf season
April-August (Smaller Waves):
- Calmer conditions, good for beginners
- 2-4 foot faces, softer beach breaks
- Best for combining surfing with swimming/relaxation
For Beach Relaxation
Dry Season (March-October):
- Sunny weather, calm seas (especially April-June)
- Perfect for swimming, sunbathing, beach walks
- Lower chance of rain
Time of Day
Early Morning (6AM-9AM):
- ✅ Glass-off conditions for surfing
- ✅ Coolest temperatures
- ✅ Fewest people
- ✅ Sunrise over the ocean (east-facing beach)
What to Bring
For Surfing
- ☑️ Surfboard - bring your own or arrange rental in advance
- ☑️ Leash - essential (no shops to buy replacement)
- ☑️ Booties/reef shoes - sharp coral reef
- ☑️ Rash guard - sun protection during long sessions
- ☑️ Wax - bring extra (no surf shops nearby)
For Beach Day
- ☑️ Swimwear - quick-dry recommended
- ☑️ Reef-safe sunscreen - reapply frequently
- ☑️ Towel - for drying off
- ☑️ Water (2+ liters) - stay hydrated, limited options on beach
- ☑️ Cash (₱500-1,000) - cottage rental, food, parking, no ATMs
Tips for the Best Experience
🏄 Surfing Etiquette
- Respect locals - they have priority in the lineup
- Don't drop in or snake waves
- Share waves generously - there are plenty to go around
- Pick up any trash (yours or others) in the water
🗺️ Combine with Magpupungko
Make it a full Northeast Coast day trip:
- Morning: Magpupungko Rock Pools (30 min from Del Carmen, check tide schedule)
- Midday: Drive 10 minutes to Pacifico Beach
- Lunch: Local eatery at Pacifico
- Afternoon: Surf or swim at Pacifico
- Late Afternoon: Sunset at the beach
🌱 Respect the Community & Environment
- Support local businesses (cottage rentals, eateries)
- Leave no trace - pack out all trash (no bins on beach)
- Don't litter in the ocean - protect the reef
- Be respectful and friendly - you're a guest in their community
Image courtesy of Chennie Montero
Pacifico's Surf Culture: Community-Controlled Development
Pacifico Beach represents a balanced approach to surf tourism - welcoming serious surfers while resisting mass commercialization. Here's why it matters:
Preserving Siargao's Soul
General Luna and Cloud 9 have transformed dramatically in the past decade: mega-resorts replacing local homestays, skyrocketing prices pushing out locals, overcrowded lineups (50+ surfers at Cloud 9), party scene overshadowing island culture, and infrastructure strain.
Pacifico represents balanced surf tourism - where:
- Local communities control development scale and character
- Tourism caters to dedicated surfers, not mass tourism
- Boutique resorts and surf businesses remain community-owned
- Visitors experience authentic surf culture, not party tourism
- Profits support local families and surf guides
Why Del Carmen is Your Strategic Base
Staying in Del Carmen positions you perfectly to explore Siargao's northeast surf coast:
- 45-60 minutes to Pacifico Beach - day trip for world-class surf sessions
- 30 minutes to Magpupungko - combine both in one epic east-coast day
- 5 minutes from airport - maximize exploring, minimize transfers
- Lower costs - Del Carmen accommodation cheaper than staying in Pacifico or GL
- Flexibility - surf Pacifico when conditions are good, explore other spots when they're not
📍 Your Northeast Coast Basecamp
Mariden Resort in Del Carmen is the perfect home base for exploring Pacifico Beach and Siargao's surf-rich northeast coast.
- 45-60 minutes to Pacifico Beach — Day trip for world-class surf at Big Wish
- 30 minutes to Magpupungko — Combine both attractions for an unforgettable east-coast adventure
- 5 minutes from Siargao Airport — Arrive and hit the surf fast
- Pool & comfort — Return to hot showers, fast WiFi, and a refreshing pool after epic surf sessions
- Local surf insights — We'll help with surf forecasts, tide schedules, and route guidance
- Affordable rates — Save money on accommodation, spend more time surfing
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Pacifico is NOT recommended for beginners. Big Wish and the main breaks are powerful, world-class reef breaks that can reach double to triple overhead heights. The inside beach break may be suitable for intermediate surfers on smaller days, but confident ocean swimming skills and reef experience are essential. Beginners should stick to Cloud 9's inside section or take lessons in General Luna.
Absolutely! Pacifico is a beautiful white sand beach perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and beach walks. Just be mindful of ocean conditions - assess wave size and currents before swimming. On calmer days (especially April-August), swimming is safe and enjoyable.
Yes, Pacifico has several beachfront resorts and accommodations including Bamboo Surf Beach (resort with pool), Pacifico Beach Resort (directly on beach), LaFinca Hostel (boutique hostel for digital nomads), and Yapak Beach Villas (sea view villas). These are small-scale, surf-focused properties. You can also stay in Del Carmen (45-60 minutes) or Pilar (20-30 minutes) for more budget options.
Pacifico offers a completely different experience: uncrowded waves (vs. 50+ surfers at Cloud 9), small boutique resorts (vs. mega-resorts at Cloud 9), intermediate-to-advanced left-hand reef break (vs. Cloud 9's right-hand barrels), and chill surf community vibe (vs. party/tourist scene). Big Wish is more powerful and less hollow than Cloud 9. If you want technical left-handers without crowds, choose Pacifico.
September-March brings the most consistent swells from Philippine typhoon season. However, Pacifico catches waves year-round - April-August offers smaller, beginner-friendly conditions. For uncrowded sessions, visit during shoulder season (May-June, September-October).
Yes! They're only 10-15 minutes apart by motorcycle. Visit Magpupungko Rock Pools during low tide (2-3 hours), then head to Pacifico for lunch, surfing, swimming, and beach time. It's the perfect northeast coast day trip from Del Carmen.
Related Guides
Nearby Attractions:
- Magpupungko Rock Pools Guide - Combine with Pacifico for the ultimate northeast coast day (10 min away)
- Alegria Beach Guide - Family-friendly beach, similar distance from Del Carmen
- Del Carmen Mangrove Boardwalk - Balance surf days with nature walks
Planning Your Trip:
- Sample Itineraries - Day-by-day trip plans
- Budget Guide - Complete cost breakdowns
- Best Time to Visit - Surf season and weather planning
- Transportation Guide - Getting around the island
- Del Carmen vs General Luna - Strategic base for exploring all of Siargao
- Siargao Airport Guide - Arrive and access Siargao's surf breaks