Surfing in Aurora

Aurora is a paradise for surfers, with its long Pacific coastline exposed to the Pacific Ocean. The sport was made famous in the Province by the classic film Apocalypse Now. The scene in which U.S. soldiers are surfing was filmed here, and the production crew left behind surfboards for the locals to use. The locals of Baler claim that the surf is sometimes so huge that they could hear it all the way from the provincial capitol building, some 1.5 km away from the coast.
There are numerous surfing points in Aurora, but the municipality of Baler offers most of the more accessible surfing areas with good accommodations.

Baler, Aurora - Quezon Memorial Park and Museo de Baler

Quezon Memorial Park
(Poblacion, Baler, Aurora). This quiet park of trees and lawns was developed in honor and in memory of the late president Manuel L. Quezon. A marker fenced by concrete and set on a circular cement platform serves as a landmark of Baler, the birthplace of Quezon. A replica of the house where Quezon grew up could be found at Quezon Park (Casa de Maestro Lucio Quezon).

Museo de Baler
(Poblacion, Baler, Aurora). Aurora's museum that houses Aurora's priceless artifacts.

Baler, Aurora - SABANG BEACH

Everytime I have the opportunity to visit Baler, the Sabang Beach did’nt fail to astound me. The ocean, the waves, the shoreline, the mountains - everything just amazes and overwhelms me! Although the sand is gray, it’s really very fine. It is so fine, that you can’t feel any grittiness when you walk along the beach.

While this is a surfer’s beach, the wave here is seasonal. The waves arrive during the months of October to February and are good for first time surfers. However, from March through June, the waves are relatively calm providing a good beachfront for swimmers and an excellent challenge for expert windsurfers.

A new and modern hotel, Bahia de Baler II, can be found few meters from the beach, just few blocks from the more popular Bay’s Inn Resort (see picture below).

Baler, Aurora - Ermita Park

(Zabali, Baler, Aurora). This shrub-covered area provides an excellent view of the town of Baler, Sabang Beach, Cemento and Dimadimalangat islet. It is a short, steep trek from the foot of the hill, through small trees and cogon grass, to the top. Hidden beneath a clump of trees are the almost unrecognizable remains of a bell tower. Owing to its excellent vantage point, the bell tower was formerly used to warn people of Baler of raiding pirates. During sunny days the place is swelteringly hot.

Here are the astonishing views from the top of Ermita Park...

Baler, Aurora - Radar Station

The Baler Radar Station is located at Digisit Baler, Aurora and is still on its rehabilitation/repair stages. It is handled and being managed by PAGASA. Link

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration abbreviated as PAGASA, which means "hope" in Filipino is a Philippine national institution dedicated to provide flood and typhoon warnings, public weather forecasts and advisories, meteorological, astronomical, climatological, and other specialized information and services primarily for the protection of life and property and in support of economic, productivity and sustainable development.

PAGASA monitors tropical cyclone activity and issues warnings within its area of responsibility.

Source

Baler, Aurora - Lindy's Point

(Baler, Aurora) Further North of Sabang Beach, Lindy's Point is a newly discovered surfing spot. The place is within 15-minute walking distance from Bay's Inn or Bahia de Baler. The locals of Baler can be your guide in going to this place; most of them are very accomodating to guest and tourist alike.

Baler, Aurora - Lukso-lukso Islets

(Off the coast of Barangay Zabali, Baler, Aurora) At least three islets comprise the rock formations known to the locals as "Lukso-Lukso." One of these small islands is connected to the mainland and at low tide you can see white grainy sands, crushed corals and numerous seashells, some inhabited by hermit crabs. This island formation is the southernmost point and is accessible to vehicles coming from Baler. The sea bottom and undersea reefs around these islets are reportedly good areas for diving, and during calm months, snorkeling.

Baler, Aurora - Baler Catholic Church

(Poblacion, Baler, Aurora) The structure is an old church with a simple facade. Here, the last Spanish garrison of four officers and 50 men was besieged by Filipino insurgents from June 27, 1898 to July 2, 1899. This was the last pocket of resistance of the Spanish Armed Forces to surrender to American troops. This is also where the La Campana de Baler, an ancient bell, was used and later stored as a relic.

Baler, Aurora - Dimadimalangat Islet

(Off the coast of Barangay Cemento, Baler, Aurora) This rock formation is actually a small island just a few meters away from the reef shore of Barangay Cemento and serves as a point identifying the southernmost tip of Baler Bay. During low tide, this islet becomes a peninsula, of sorts, where one could walk and wade from the reef shore to this natural rock formation. Around this island are reefs for the more daring divers.

Baler, Aurora - Aniao Islets

Aniao Islets (Off the coast of Barangay Zabali, Baler, Aurora). Two small but imposing islands lie south of the islet of Dimadimalangat. These islets jut straight from the sea like bullets, with shrubs, small trees and other greenery growing on top surfaces. Kingfishers, gulls and hawks use these islets as lookout points for fish. Towering waves relentlessly pound the base of the formations, challenging even the most intrepid of rock climbers.

Scuba Diving

Aurora has many prime spots waiting to be discovered by an adventurous scuba diver along the reefs and coral-lined shores. The main snag to the sport is the lack of scuba diving equipment and air compressor units for oxygen tank refilling.
But if you care to bring your own equipment, you may find scuba diving in Aurora to be a most rewarding experience... and you may be among the first divers to explore the untouched reefs in the deeper reaches of the province's coast.

Dive Spots
Experienced scuba divers can generally discover fine diving points on their own, since the most pristine spots are those that remain largely undiscovered. One can also try asking the locals about the best dive areas. Among the diving spots they recommend are:
Off-shore, Borlongan Beach. Two miles off-shore from the beach, a mushroom-shaped coral reef runs more than 150 feet to the bottom.
Baler.The adjacent areas of the Aniao Islets, Cemento Beach, Dimadimalangat Islet, and the Lukso-Lukso Islets are dotted with numerous coral reefs and formations.
Dicasalarin. Discasalarin is full of marvelous coral formations as yet unsullied by dynamite fishers and the general grime of modern civilization.
Also investigate the coral reef off-shore of Casiguran and Dilasag, where many potential diving spots still lie barely explored. The deep waters of Dibut Bay are also home to many species of marine life.
The MIA Surf & Sport Resort can provide a guided tour to the various diving spots in Aurora.

Sabang Beach and Bahia de Baler Resort

This is the most accessible and nearest beach from the town proper of Baler, Aurora. It is usually frequented by locals in the early mornings to jog and exercise or simply enjoy the sea breeze. Fun waves-not usually big, except during typhoons. A good site for beginning and novice surfers to learn the basics with relative safety from scratches, since most of the beach is sandy- bottomed. A local resort situated by the beach, offers surfing lessons and rents out surfing, windsurfing and snorkeling equipment. They also offer tours to the best surfing, snorkeling and diving areas.

Located on this long stretch of gray sand beach are several resorts which includes, the Carribean style, Bahia de Baler. These resorts offer accommodations near the beachfront and provide food and relaxation for tourists and surfers.

Baler Fish Port

Baler Port is situated along the coast of Cemento Beach. This is where ships take on or discharge cargo from the nearby towns and provinces and where local fishermen unload their fresh catch of saltwater fish and other sea foods. As of now, few ships dock in this harbor since locals and tourists preferred to take a trip on land as Pacific Ocean oftentimes gets rough during typhoon and storm signals.

Baler, Aurora

Baler is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Aurora, Philippines. It is the capital municipality of Aurora.

Baler is the political and economic center of Aurora. It is located some 230 kilometers northeast of Manila via a mountain pass accessible by bus. Baler is host to spectacular geographic formations and is situated on a vast plain at the mouth of Baler Bay, a contiguous segment of the Pacific Ocean. Nine-foot high waves serve as Baler's tourist asset, attracting hundreds of surfers in February for the Aurora Cup.

The town has produced some of the country's great leaders. Manuel Luis Quezon, the first president of the Philippine Commonwealth, was born in Baler. Edgardo J. Angara, also born in Baler, was a senate president and the present governor, Bella Angara Castillo was the first woman Majority Floor Leader of the House of Representatives.