Catanduanes, Philippines
Surf in paradise: Join a island retreat in tropical Catanduanes
Spend 10 days carving warm Pacific waves, greeting the sun with yoga, and diving into Bicolano culture on an off-the-radar Philippine island. With certified local coaches, a curated itinerary, and ground logistics sorted, the group will deepen its connection to nature, community, and each other, no prior surf experience needed.
- Kissy Tanael
- Worldpackers host since Feb/2024
Available group trips
Feb 16, 2026 - Feb 25, 2026
Naomi’s Surf & Soul: An Island Retreat
10 days of salt-kissed laughter, sunrise surf sessions, and barefoot yoga on a hidden Philippine island, led by the ever-warm and adventurous Naomi. Whether you’re paddling out for your very first wave or refining your carve, you’ll ride with certified coaches, recharge with yoga, and bond by bonfires under the stars. This isn’t just a retreat, it’s connection, adventure, and waves rolled into one unforgettable island escape.
Starting from
US$ 2,067
US$ 1,867
Mar 02, 2026 - Mar 11, 2026
Learn to Surf With Us in The Philippines!
Spend 10 days in warm Pacific waves, greeting the sun with yoga on an off-the-radar Philippine island. With certified local coaches, a curated itinerary and ground logistics sorted, the group will deepen its connection to nature, community and each other. Whether you're catching your very first wave or a experienced surfer refining your technique, this trip is designed for fun, growth, and unforgettable memories both in and out of the water <3 Got questions? Shoot me a DM on Insta, I’ll give you all the details. This is your sign to pack your bag and jump into the adventure of a lifetime! 🌊✨
Starting from
US$ 1,797
Itinerary
Day 1
Morning
Airport Pickup
Welcome! Your driver meets you and takes you to the retreat.
Check-in & Meet the Team
Settle into your room and get comfortable. Later on, get to know your surf coaches, yoga instructors, and fellow joiners.
Welcome Breakfast
Enjoy a fresh local breakfast upon arrival.
Afternoon
Lunch
Served at one of our partner restaurants featuring local flavors.
Intro Yoga Session
Light stretching and breathwork to ease into retreat mode.
Evening
Dinner
Enjoy a delicious buffet-style meal, with rotating menus at partner restaurants, served family-style.
Chill Night
Ease into the vibe with card games, drinks, music, or a peaceful beach hangout.
Day 2
Morning
Surf Lesson #1
Catch your first wave or level up your skills with personalized coaching designed for your pace and comfort.
Breakfast
Healthy, fresh options to refuel.
Sunrise Yoga
Start your day with calming yoga by the ocean.
Afternoon
Lunch
Skateboard Mini-Clinic
Learn tricks and techniques if weather allows.
Beach Cleanup
Help keep the beach beautiful with a group effort.
Evening
Dinner
Sunset Headland Walk
Scenic hike to watch the sunset.
Beach Bonfire & Music
Gather around the fire for stargazing and acoustic jams.
Day 3
Morning
Breakfast
Surf Lesson #2
Lessons designed for your level—beginner or advanced, everyone progresses here.
Yoga Session
Mobility-focused stretch session post-surf.
Afternoon
Lunch
Locally prepared fresh meals.
Island Hopping Tour
Snorkeling, river swim, hidden coves (weather-permitting).
Evening
Dinner
Outdoor Movie Night
Let's watch a movie together!
Day 4
Morning
Breakfast
Surf Lesson #3
Personalized tips and live feedback to help you catch (and ride) more waves.
Afternoon
Lunch
Enjoy a delicious local meal.
Evening
Dinner
Buffet-style meal.
Stargazing & paint
Group art session under the stars.
Day 5
Morning
Breakfast
Yoga Session
Sunrise flow to prep the body.
Surf Lesson #4
Focus on pop-ups and timing.
Afternoon
Lunch
Skate Session
Optional practice if weather allows.
Beach Volleyball Match
Friendly comp on the sand.
Evening
Dinner
Enjoy another delicious meal.
Bonfire Night
Share stories around the fire.
Day 6
Morning
Breakfast
Enjoy a delicious breakfast.
Surf Lesson #5
Progress-focused with coaching feedback.
Yoga Session
Light mobility work.
Afternoon
Lunch
Waterfall Trek
Jungle hike + river swim + cliff jump (optional).
Evening
Dinner
Karaoke Night
Sing your heart out with the group.
Day 7
Morning
Breakfast
Enjoy a yummy breakfast to ful your day!
Surf Lesson #6
Personalized one-on-one coaching with your assigned instructor.
Afternoon
Lunch
Another delicious lunch for you
Beach Clean-Up
Clean the beach that you are enjoying every day!
Free Time
Nap, walk, or grab a smoothie.
Evening
Dinner
Eat a local meal with your fellow travelers.
Day 8
Morning
Breakfast
Enjoy breakfast with your fellow travelers.
Surf Lesson #7
Last ride to lock in progress.
Yoga Session
Gentle recovery or meditation.
Afternoon
Lunch
Enjoy a delicious local meal.
Video Review
Watch your surf clips with your coach.
Evening
Dinner
Your choice night
Movie, karaoke, or stargazing.
Day 9
Morning
Breakfast
Free Day
Relax, explore, or squeeze in one more surf. Review your progress with your coach, unwind with an optional massage, or grab souvenirs before heading home.
Afternoon
Lunch
Evening
Dinner
Day 10
Morning
Breakfast
Enjoy a delicious breakfast.
Farewell & Departure
Wrap up the journey with a group photo and memory sharing before heading back via airport or seaport transfer.
What's included
What's not included
Requirements
- Intermediate English
- Over 18 years old
Activities
See the activities that will make your trip into an epic adventure.
Learning opportunities
Contribute to your project and make a positive impact while developing new skills.
Surfing
One-on-one coaching sessions Scheduled based on tides GoPro or drone video included for review
Beach clean-up
Help the local community by doing a beach clean-up.
Hike to Binurong Point
Self-guided
Minimal or no cost
Immersion activities
Get to know the local culture and have an authentic travel experience with activities included in your itinerary.
Skateboarding
Weather-permitting
Bonfire nights
2–3 times per week
Karaoke nights
Weekly activity
Beach volleyball
Available daily
Outdoor movie night, stargazing
Group mood-dependent
Card games
Available at the lounge
Island hopping
Visit Caramoan
Sunrise/sunset yoga
Balance and recovery sessions led by expert instructors.
Extra activities
Additional activities for you to enjoy this adventure even more in your free time.
Full-body massage
Optional
Approx. $10–28 USD per hour
Nahulugan Falls / Bahaw River
Visit this beautiful spot
Transport-based, small local fee
Videos
Thais
Brazil
Kissy is one of the best hosts I've ever met! Everything was absolutely perfect. I loved the way she managed our group's food restrictions (we had two vegans and one celiac person) and still delivered some of the best dishes ever! Having one instructor per person made the learning process so much smoother, and we could improve a lot in such a short time. The yoga sessions were also incredible.And to top it all off, the other activities like waterfall hikes and island hopping were so unforgettable that words can't describe them — you just have to experience it yourself!
3 months ago
Saffron
United Kingdom
Kissy is a very fair host, you are only expected to teach yoga up to once a day if the guests want to, and in return you receive a room, food, free surfboard rental and discounted surf lessons. You're included in all activities, dinners and parties with the guests, staff and locals. You will have the best time getting to know people here, hanging out and enjoying the local life. We were also very looked after during the typhoon, Kissy made sure we had somewhere safe to stay with everything we needed. I would highly recommend and will be back :)
about 1 month ago
Bethan
United Kingdom
I was the yoga teacher for the surf camp - I joined in the low season so there were very few guests around, but there are other surf retreats to join in activities with and the locals are so so lovely. You won't run out of people to chat with or play card games or scrabble with. Proper island life, island time - just go with the flow and you'll have the best time!! Days are decided by when the waves are good!! It's a proper family business and they all invite and include you in everything!! A truly beautiful month!!
7 months ago
Grace
United Kingdom
I really loved my time at the surf camp. Everybody on the team and beyond was so friendly and accommodating, and Kissy was great at making sure I felt involved especially at the beginning. It is such an amazingly tight knit community of people there and it was so so wonderful to be a belt to be a small part of it for a while. The island itself is absolutely beautiful and I loved every second I got to spend on its stunning beach. I would highly recommend a visit or a stay as a volunteer to anyone!
7 months ago
Lisa
Germany
You feel like home. I fall in love with the place and the people. You can learn a lot of the local life and the culture. I could slow down a lot and enjoy the time! I will come back
over 1 year ago
Travis
United States
My experience was nothing but amazing. Everyone there was super welcoming & took me in just like family from the moment I got there! I got to spend time with many locals, surf, party, practice yoga, go to different viewpoints & waterfalls, try new foods & just have a great time. I love this place & will definitely be back!!
over 1 year ago
Talk to those who have lived the experience
In our community, you can talk to worldpackers who have already collaborated with this host and get your questions answered directly.
Connect with others who will also be there
Exchange ideas with other confirmed worldpackers before your trip.
Accommodation options
Private Cabins
The group will stay just steps from the break in traditional nipa-style cabins set around a lush garden. Travelers will stay in private fan-cooled rooms, with a private bathroom with shower and toilet, mosquito nets and secure storage. Communal spaces include a pool, open-air café, beach-volleyball court, surfboard rack and fast Wi-Fi in the lounge.
- No laundry machine, but there's a free laundry space
- Internet (over 100 Mbps)
- Pool
- Bikes at your disposal
- Surfboards
Meals
Three fresh meals a day keep energy high. Breakfast is à la carte: tropical fruit bowls, eggs or fluffy pancakes with local coffee. A light, packable lunch fuels midday adventures. Evenings bring family-style buffets cooked by partner-restaurant chefs, spotlighting just-caught seafood and classic Bicolano dishes; vegetarian-friendly selections are always on the table.
Arrival orientation
Fly into Virac Airport (VRC), the island's only entry point. Cebu Pacific operates the one and only daily flight, so booking this specific route is mandatory. From Manila (MNL), the flight departs at 07:55 AM (arriving 09:05 AM). To catch it, the traveler must either stay overnight in Manila or book a very early arrival into MNL. Our team greets the group at arrivals—look for the bright surfboard logo—for the 40-minute drive to the retreat. For the return, the flight departs VRC at 09:55 AM. Pick-ups are synced with these flights; if traveling outside these hours, message us for a private transfer.
About the project
Founded in 2023 by a lifelong Catandungan surfer who grew up a few steps from the reef, this women-led collective now unites certified coaches, guides and organizers. Their mission: empower new wave-riders while creating fair-wage jobs across the island. Deep community roots ensure every peso spent benefits local families and the coastal environment they protect.
About the destination
Puraran Beach sits on the emerald-fringed east coast of Catanduanes—nicknamed the “Happy Island” for its laid-back vibe and year-round sunshine. Famous for the barreling “Majestic” reef break and dramatic limestone headlands, the area remains blissfully crowd-free. Expect crystal water, coconut groves, friendly fisherfolk and an authentic taste of provincial Philippine life.
Impact & Purpose
Every moment of this experience uplifts the local community: economically, culturally, and emotionally. Travelers support small businesses, connect with locals through surf and shared meals, and help preserve the natural beauty and spirit of Puraran through mindful, meaningful travel.
This host contributes to Sustainable Development Goals
Decent work and economic growth
Travelers directly support local jobs, from surf coaches and cooks to guides and hosts. Every booking helps build a more resilient economy in Puraran, where tourism becomes a force for good through fair wages, skill development, and local pride.
Gender equality
By supporting a women-led surf retreat, travelers help challenge gender norms in surf and tourism. This experience champions equal opportunity and celebrates inclusive leadership in a space where women are empowered to lead, teach, and thrive.
Good health and well-being
Daily surf and yoga sessions boost travelers’ mental and physical health while promoting a wellness culture in the local community. These shared practices foster confidence, body awareness, and a deeper connection to nature for everyone involved.
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