Daku
Surf guide
There are several waves surrounding Daku that will work with different swell directions and sizes. The main break is a right-hander located on the northern side of Daku Island, about a 3.8 km (15-20 min) boat ride from General Luna. Boats can be hired directly from the marketplace boardwalk, or from the Cemetery launch point with a cost of 800-1500 php for a half-day trip, split among up to six surfers. Daku needs at least a 3-4 ft swell to start breaking and is best from shoulder to head high but can get much bigger contrary to what you might hear. Daku is best known for its soft, easy nature which is great for beginners, though it gets trickier as the swell and current picks up. In terms of crowds, this wave is a favorite among surf instructors and resorts for their guests when surrounding spots are too big and Guiwan isn’t breaking. Unfortunately, this means tit can get crowded, and since there is only one peak, you might have to deal with the inevitable drop-in. Crowded conditions can lead to wave disputes, so practice good surfing etiquette and always respect the lineup. With that said, when the conditions are right we believe Daku is one of the funnest waves on the island. If it's too crowded, you can always explore any of the several other breaks surrounding the island.
Ideal conditions
Swell direction
3-10 ft East to Northeast swells.
Wind direction
West or Southwest light offshore winds. The break is protected by Daku Island so also works on South winds.
Tide
Mid-high. Exposed reef on a low tide.
Wave difficulty
Beginner
An easy roll-in takeoff into a long right-hander. On small to medium days, beginner and intermediate surfers on shortboards might struggle to navigate the first fat section (deep water area with less power). Intermediate on bigger swells.
Wave quality
Good
Long rights when conditions are good. Needs some swell to get going, but the scenery and wave length make this one of our favorites.
Crowd factor
Crowded
We rated the crowd factor as high since there is a single takeoff zone. Leave General Luna on a high tide before sunrise for the best chance to score an hour or so alone.
How to get there
To get to Daku you’ll need to take a 15-20 minute boat ride from General Luna (depends on the weather). Boats can be hired directly from the marketplace boardwalk, or from the Cemetery launch point with a cost of around 800-1500 php for a half-day trip, split among up to six surfers. Remember to bring an additional 50-100 PHP per person for the “environmental fee” before departing if you're leaving from the marketplace. This fee is constantly changing so take it with a grain of salt.
Surf forecast & live wind
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