Windsurfing and kitesurfing / kiteboarding in the Philippines: The Philippines is considered by some people to be perhaps the best place for windsurfing and kitesurfing /kiteboarding in the whole of Asia – and Cuyo Island the ultimate choice for those dedicated windsurfers who come to the Philippines since many years. The Capusan beach of Cuyo town is very good for windsurfing – because the deep water near the pier make it possible also during low tide. But for those few who like to combine the excitement of windsurfing and kite surfing with the tranquility of a beautiful beach with untouched nature – the ultimate choice is the Quijano Windsurfing Retreat also known as Anino Windsurfing Retreat at the Quijano beach. The wind blows on shore slightly from the left, permitting long rides inside the bay or going over the reef into the waves. Those who consider themselves mediocre windsurfers find ideal conditions to practice the water start in chest deep crystal clear water in a pristine landscape with green hills and several island in view. Visitors stay in small hotels in Cuyo town or at the “Quijano Windsurfing Retreat” – a place where you want to spend your honey moon.

    Windsurfing and kitesurfing at the “Quijano Windsurfing Retreat”: The Quijano Windsurfing Retreat also known as Anino Windsurfing Retreat is a “Boutique Resort” located in unspoiled nature at a sand beach lined with palm trees and only few cottages built at the foot of a small hill covered with trees. The concept of the “Quijano Windsurfing Retreat” is to provide a beautiful ambience for just a few visitors who enjoy privacy and nature. It is a place which invites you for beautiful hikes through a pristine landscape. However, you must bring your own boards, sails, or kite surfing / kite boarding equipment as there are no board rental facilities in Cuyo Island. The “Quijano Windsurfing Retreat” provides storage facilities for windsurfers and boardsurfers regardless whether they rent a cottage with us or stay in a hotel in Cuyo town – Nikki’s Pension or  Feroland Hotel – and just visit the Quijano beach during the day. Quijano Beach to Cuyo town is a beautiful twenty minutes ride with a motorbike through a lush green landscape with lots of smiling people. During the periods with low tide during day time our guests surf at Capusan Beach in Cuyo town where storage facilities are also available.

    Philippines windsurfing and kitesurfing / kiteboarding seasons: The weather in the Philippines has two principal seasons named after the particular winds known as Amihan and Habagat. For the windsurfers and kite surfers it is the Amihan season which brings them year after year back to Cuyo Island. The Amihan season lasts from late October to March and is characterised by moderate temperature, rarely any rainfall, and almost daily wind from the Northeast. This is in contrast to the hot Habagat season with frequent rainfall that lasts about from April to September. During this time the wind blows very moderate from the west with less chances to go surfing. In Cuyo town the wind blows during the winter season offshore and but still provides at the Capusan Beach good spots for beginners and professionals. Only a handful of other windsurfers and kiteboarders will be sharing this slalom blaster's and wave heaven with you. Windsurfers and kiteboarders on the island come from a great diversity of countries – you could be sailing with a Filipino, American, Australian, Swedish, Swiss, and Brit, all in the same day. But unlike on Bulabog beach in Boracay you will never have more than 10 kiters out on the water in Cuyo. If you look for the best of windsurfing and kitesurfing in the Philippines come to Cuyo Island. The best place to stay is the “Quijano Windsurfing Retreat”: info.philippineswindsurfing.com

    Other windsurfing and kitesurfing destinations in the Philippines: The Cuyo surfers do not agree that it is fun to be out in the sea and waves with 200 or more other windsurfers and kiteboarders. In Cuyo in contrast, a windsurfer and kiteboarders has virtually unlimited access to the ocean. For windsurfers, you can choose from the various destination spots available here in the Philippines. Where to go: Boracay Island. The feeling of elation is something everyone experiences after their first day sailing into Boracay. Beginners and improvers can use each end of the day to practice in good conditions except that the water at Bulabog beach is polluted. Puerto Galera is another interesting place for some of the windsurfers. Lake Caliraya is a place for sailing, windsurfing, fishing and other water sports. At the centre of all this is the Manila-based Caliraya Windsurfing Fleet, a tight-knit group of friendly and hospitable members, and the Anilao group, formed around the Olympic training squad. Davao is yet another place where water sports is fast becoming a main attraction.

    Board surfing in the Philippines: The Philippines has more than the usual potential to become one of the best board surfing destinations in the world, even though for a long time its spectacular, great waves have been unknown. Recently discovered, the country can pride itself as one of the most exciting board surfing destinations in the world today. Go wild over waves such as Cloud 9 and Tuason Point in Siargao, Majestics in Catanduanes, and Cemento in Baler, Aurora, a variety of beach breaks that attract thrill-seeking international board surfers and locals alike now highly interested in learning a lot more on this high-flying, wave-blasting sport. The excellent time to enjoy world-class waves of up to 15 feet is between July-November when the winds bring wallops from 12-30 knots.

    Spending some time on Boracay Island and some time on Cuyo Island: After spending some weeks in the overcrowded and much polluted Boracay more and more windsurfers and kite surfers like to spend also some leisure time on Cuyo island. To travel from Boracay to Cuyo you can take a bus or rent a van from Caticlan to Iloilo and than by ferry boat to Cuyo. Timetable / Schedule of ferries

Kitesurfing lessons at Anino Windsurfing Retreat by IKO level 2 Instructor Mark Antonio