MANILA, Philippines – Surfer dudes who get an adrenaline rush out of braving the elements using long boards are always on the prowl for that next big wave.

Fortunately for the Philippines, that quest has led many of these generally moneyed and hard core travelers to less popular but equally challenging surf sites in the country, thus helping boost tourism revenues.

“The Philippines is fast becoming a top surfing destination as surfers are tirelessly in search of the perfect wave, and they constantly move around the islands pursuing it,” notes Tourism undersecretary Edu Jarque. “There is also this camaraderie among surfers. They readily share their discoveries with their kindred spirits. They are very mobile and are great champions of spreading the wonderful news.”

Alfredo Gonzalez of the Aloha Board Sports, which sells surfing apparel and boards, explains that the Philippines is a great surfing destination because it is bordered by both the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean, so it gets waves all year round that suit both professionals and beginners in the sport. Foreign surfers are also lured into making the long trip here by the privacy offered by remote and unexplored surf spots in the country, weary as they are of the crowded surfing sites in Australia, California and Hawaii.

“Much of the Philippines is unexplored in terms of surf spots so the country offers one of the last great surf adventures in the world,” says Gonzalez, an avid surfer himself, who has also made it his company’s mission to encourage adventure tourism in the Philippines in cooperation with the Department of Tourism.

Here are his recommended sites:

1. San Juan, La Union. Good for both beginners and advanced surfers. Most of the surf schools in the Philippines are based here. Good food and accommodations.

2. Baler, Aurora. The first surf community in the Philippines. “Apocalypse Now" was filmed here. One of the most challenging and scariest waves, Cementos, is found here. Beach break is good for both beginners and advanced surfers.

3. Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. Beautiful, untouched landscape and beaches, with challenging and heavy waves found all throughout the area. There are good spots for beginners, however, and if you’re looking for a place to get away from everything and just enjoy nature, this is the place to go.

4. Samar Island. One of the most wave-rich areas in the Philippines, it gets waves practically all year round. Has some of the heaviest and biggest world-class waves in the country. Guiuan island in Eastern Samar offers excellent accommodations and good food, and so does Borongan. It requires a lot of traveling to get to the spots, though, but If you want an adventure, this is the place to go.

5. Siargao Island. Cloud 9, the most famous surf spot in the country, is found here. Waves are for advanced surfers but there are some great spots for beginners. Waves break over shallow coral reefs so it can be painful to wipe out. Good accommodations throughout the island.

6. Cabugao, Ilocos Sur. Great surf spots for both beginners and advanced surfers and very close as well to a lot of great historical sites.

7. Daet, Camarines Norte. Good surf spots for beginners and advanced surfers.

8. Catanduanes. One of the heaviest and most dangerous waves, Majestics, is located here. Majestics is the Philippine version of Teahupoo in Tahiti. Big waves from the Pacific hit a shallow coral reef and produce a great barreling wave. This is recommended for advanced surfers.

9. Zambales. A lot of great spots throughout Zambales but it is probably the Philippines’ most fickle area for surfing. But once the swell hits this part of the country, you can see most of Manila’s surfers heading there.

10. Lanuza, Surigao del Sur. Beautiful, untouched landscape and beaches. Challenging and heavy waves are located throughout this area, with some spots for beginners. Quite a trek to get there but it’s worth it. One of the most beautiful places you can ever visit in the country. Few hotels but food is good throughout the town.

Gonzalez says anybody can pick up a surfboard and learn how to surf, but short boards―which is what professionals use―are harder to paddle. Opt for the long board, which is at least nine feet long. These are easier to paddle and more stable, making them easier to balance on.

“When people first start to surf, they try to look good right away and get on a short board. But since they’re most likely not used to the paddling and have no experience reading the ocean, they won’t be able to enjoy themselves because they’ll have a hard time. This is where people get the idea that you have to be in top physical condition to learn how to surf,” Gonzalez adds.

For people who want to learn how to surf, he recommends going to either San Juan in La Union or Baler, Aurora. Surf schools charge at least P500 for an hour of lessons, including the use of a board.

The fact that surf schools in La Union get 60 to 70 new students every week leads Gonzalez to conclude that surfing is becoming more popular among the locals, who realize that surfing provides a rush like no other and that it is actually easy to learn.

“We are huge advocates of the sport,” he says. “The joy you experience when you first get up on a surfboard―riding your first wave, getting barreled, charging down a smoothly paved road, or carving through the streets―is unlike any other experience you get from other sports. It’s not about how good you are, it’s about enjoying yourself. The best surfer is always the person having the most fun.”