Cloud 9 teaches beginners fast. What makes Ulap Surf interesting is the combination of private instruction at one of Siargao’s most famous breaks, a stable beginner board, and a photographer who captures your best moments while your coach keeps you progressing.

I love the private coaching format. You get hands-on guidance where your instructor can spot what you’re doing wrong on the spot, instead of teaching a whole crowd at once.

One possible drawback: the experience runs only when conditions are good, so good weather matters for getting your full session.

Key things that make Ulap Surf worth your time

• Private beginner coaching at Cloud 9, with your instructor right there for the wave-by-wave feedback
• 9-foot longboard and soft-top rental so you can focus on pop-up and balance first
• Photos and video, plus a post-surf review that helps you see what changed
• Structured safety briefing before you ever paddle out
• Beginner certificate and safety guide (Google Slides) for something you can actually use later
• A team led by Ana Mae (and often Coach Loloy) that keeps the vibe friendly, supportive, and very practical

Cloud 9: why this spot works for first-time surfers

Siargao’s Cloud 9 is one of those places that has a big reputation for a reason. For a beginner lesson, that reputation isn’t about impressing anyone. It’s about having a consistent, surf-school-friendly environment where you can learn the basics in a real-world setting.

What I like is that Ulap Surf doesn’t throw you into the deep end without support. Before you paddle out, you get a short plan for safety and ocean awareness, then time to practice the pop-up and balance on land first. That order matters a lot when you’re new.

Price and value: what $190 buys you (and what it doesn’t)

At about $190 for roughly 2 hours, the value depends on one thing: you’re paying for coaching that is hard to get if you’re in a mixed group lesson. A private format means you spend more of your time being corrected, not waiting your turn.

You also get more than just time on the water. Included are soft-top board rental, a beginner safety guide in Google Slides, a beginners course certificate, and photos plus video. That matters because learning surf isn’t only about catching a wave; it’s about building repeatable habits.

One note: private transportation is not included, so you’ll want to factor in how you’ll get to the Cloud 9 area and back to the meeting point.

The 2-hour flow: what happens from start to finish

Ulap Surf keeps the lesson structured. That’s not just for efficiency. It reduces the “where do I go next?” stress that can make beginners overthink everything.

Stop at Cloud 9 Surfing Tower

Your session is built around the Cloud 9 area, with the start at Cloud 9 Surfing Area (R578+F36, Siargao Island, General Luna). The activity ends back at the same meeting point, so you don’t end the day guessing where you’re supposed to go.

Meet the team, sign the waiver, then get straight to it

Right when you start, you’ll meet the team, sign the waiver, and get a clear briefing on what’s included. Payment gets settled before you head into the water plan. The goal here is simple: you spend less time on admin and more time learning.

A focused safety and ocean-awareness briefing (about 10 minutes)

Before warm-up, you’ll get instruction on the surf area and how the ocean behaves there. This is where you learn the basics of safety and how to move with the water instead of fighting it. For beginners, that quick grounding can prevent the most common mistakes, like panicking when a set comes through.

Beach warm-up: your pop-up starts before you paddle out

The warm-up phase is where good beginner surf lessons win. Ulap Surf uses the beach time to set your mechanics before you start chasing waves.

You’ll work on:

• How to pop up (the timing and hand placement that help you stand without scrambling)
• Where your feet go on the board
• Balance so you can stay stable before you ever paddle for real

You’re also shown how to find your footing before paddling out. That’s the difference between getting one shaky ride and building a repeatable setup for more attempts.

The board choice: why a 9-foot longboard helps beginners

A stable board can make or break your early progress. Ulap Surf uses a sturdy 9-foot (about 3-meter) longboard, which is a smart match for learning. Longer boards tend to be more forgiving when your timing is still inconsistent.

You’ll have a soft-top surfboard rental included. Soft-top boards are built to be kinder to beginners, especially during the inevitable wipeouts while you’re learning pop-up and balance.

If you’ve never surfed before, think of the board as training wheels that still let you experience real waves.

90 minutes in the water with your own instructor

After warm-up, you get about 90 minutes coaching in the water. This is the part you feel immediately, because the instructor is there to help you ride, not just explain from the shore.

In practice, that wave-by-wave coaching helps you in a few key ways:

• You can correct your stance and timing while you’re still in the middle of the learning phase
• Your instructor can help you interpret what the water is doing in that moment
• You spend fewer attempts stuck on the same mistake

This is also where the private setup shines. With a group class, you’re often waiting. With your instructor tuned to your needs, you get more of the useful feedback that actually changes what happens next time you paddle out.

Meet the coaching team: Ana Mae and Coach Loloy’s style

A big part of the Ulap Surf experience is the teaching vibe. From the way the team is described, Ana Mae is a core coach with a hands-on, step-by-step approach that focuses on fundamentals like paddling, pop-up technique, and safe surfing etiquette.

Coach Loloy also comes up in descriptions of instruction. The common thread is that coaching is specific, friendly, and practical. Instead of just telling you to do something, instructors help you understand why it matters—then connect that to what you can improve immediately.

If you’re choosing between a surf school that treats you like a ticket number and one that treats you like you’re learning a real skill, this one leans hard toward the second option.

The photos and video are more than souvenir material

Many surf lessons add photos as a nice extra. Ulap Surf pairs the camera work with coaching follow-up, which makes it more useful.

After surfing, you review your footage. The feedback focuses on:

• what worked
• what needs changing
• what you should do next

That video review is especially helpful when you’re a beginner. In the moment, you can’t always tell whether your feet were in the right place or if your timing was late. Seeing the mechanics later makes the advice stick faster, and that’s usually when people start feeling real progress.

And yes, you also get the photos and videos to share, so it’s not only “learning” but also proof you actually did the thing.

Beginners course certificate and safety guide: learning you can carry home

A lot of lessons end when you leave the beach. Ulap Surf adds a layer that can help you keep improving.

You’ll receive:

• a Beginners Course Certificate
• a Beginners Safety Guide in Google Slides

That’s useful if you plan to surf again on your next beach trip. You’re not starting from scratch next time. You can refresh the safety basics and remember what the coach wants you to practice.

Logistics that matter at Cloud 9 (and small timing notes)

Ulap Surf is listed as a private tour/activity, so only your group participates. That’s great for comfort and focused coaching.

The meeting point is at the Cloud 9 Surfing Area, and the session ends back there. It’s also noted as near public transportation, which can help if you’re staying in General Luna and don’t want to rely on private transfers.

The activity is listed with operating hours showing Monday 6:00 AM to 3:30 PM. You’ll want to confirm your exact start time when booking, since surf schools often shift plans based on conditions.

What to pack (so you enjoy your lesson more)

The tour data doesn’t list packing items, so I’ll keep this as practical guidance you might want for any surf lesson in Siargao.

Bring:

• a water bottle
• sunscreen and reef-safe lotion if you use it
• a rashguard or swim shirt if you have one (helps with sun and board friction)
• a dry bag or zip pouch for your phone and valuables

Wear swim gear you’re comfortable moving in, since the warm-up and coaching happen fast once you’re at the beach.

Who should book this, and who should think twice

This is a strong fit if:

• you’re a true beginner and want a guided path
• you want focused attention instead of a crowded class
• you like instruction that includes video feedback
• you want a surf lesson that feels friendly and encouraging, not stressful

You might want to think twice if:

• you’re expecting transportation from the school (private transport isn’t included)
• you’re booking with uncertain weather plans, since the experience requires good conditions
• you’re looking for an advanced skills clinic (this is built for beginners)

Should you book Ulap Surf?

I’d book it if you want your first surf lesson to feel structured, safe, and focused on actual progress. The private format, the 9-foot longboard, and the coaching that includes photo/video review are the combo that turns a one-off attempt into a skill you can build on.

If you only want a quick ride and don’t care about learning mechanics, you could find cheaper group options. But if you care about fundamentals, safety, and leaving with something you can practice again later, Ulap Surf is a solid value for Siargao.

FAQ

How long is the Ulap Surf beginner lesson?

The lesson is approximately 2 hours.

Where do I meet for the surfing lesson?

You meet at the Cloud 9 Surfing Area (R578+F36, Siargao Island, General Luna, Surigao del Norte, Philippines). The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is this a private lesson or shared group?

It’s a private tour/activity, so only your group participates.

What surf equipment is included?

You get soft top surfboards rental included.

What’s included besides surfing instruction?

You receive a surf guide, a Beginners Course Certificate, a Beginners Safety Guide (Google Slides), and photos & videos.

Do I need to arrange private transportation?

No. Private transportation is not included, so plan your own way to the meeting point.

What fitness level do I need?

You should have moderate physical fitness.

Will I get confirmation after booking?

Yes. Confirmation is received within 48 hours, subject to availability.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel and get a full refund?

Yes, you can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, it isn’t refunded.

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