Surf Spots & Lessons Worldwide

Morocco • Souss-Massa

Genuinely the longest wave in Africa, perfect for longboards and improving intermediates.

South Africa • Eastern Cape

Possibly the most perfect wave in the world on its day; vibrant surf town built entirely around the lineup.

South Africa • Western Cape

30 minutes from central Cape Town, multiple highly-rated surf schools, table-mountain views from the lineup.

Morocco • Souss-Massa

Warm winter water when Europe is freezing, world-class points, cheap surf camps and tagine for dinner.

Sri Lanka • Eastern Province

Long, mellow point break perfect for improving intermediates; rich Sri Lankan food and culture.

Indonesia • Bali

Lifestyle hub for working surfers, lots of board-rental options, easy waves to surf every day.

Philippines • Surigao del Norte

World-class barrel in a tropical-island setting, vibrant Siargao surf-town scene.

Indonesia • East Java

World-class long left, jungle-camp adventure, fewer crowds than any Bali break.

Indonesia • Bali

Year-round mellow waves, lessons from US$10/hour, vibrant beach-town nightlife.

Philippines • Ilocos

Closest decent surf to Manila, dozens of beach-front surf hostels, friendly locals.

Indonesia • Sumbawa

Multiple world-class waves in one bay, fewer crowds than Bali, classic Indonesian dry-season trade-wind setup.

Indonesia • West Sumatra

Arguably the world's best surf trip: dozens of world-class reefs, warm water, dry-season offshore winds.

Maldives • North Malé Atoll

Crystal-clear water, dependable reef peaks, world-class surf-charter scene.

Indonesia • Bali

World-class barrel within a 5-minute walk of Uluwatu, dramatic limestone-cliff setting.

Indonesia • Bali

World-class reef break, iconic cliff-top temple, and one of the world's most photogenic surf scenes.

Sri Lanka • Southern Province

Cheap lessons, year-round warm water, easy to combine with safari and tea-country trips.

El Salvador • La Libertad

World-class points without the price tag of Costa Rica or Mexico, warm water, lively backpacker scene.

Panama • Los Santos

World-class consistency without the Costa Rican crowds, jungle-backed bay setting.

Nicaragua • Rivas

More offshore days than almost anywhere on earth, world-class reefs, growing but still mellow surf-town scene.

Mexico • Oaxaca

World-class barrels, warm Pacific water, vibrant Oaxacan food and culture.

Costa Rica • Nicoya Peninsula

Year-round consistency, jungle-meets-ocean setting, dozens of surf camps and yoga retreats.

Mexico • Nayarit

Warm water, mellow waves, postcard-perfect village atmosphere.

Costa Rica • Guanacaste

Easiest international access in Costa Rica, dozens of surf schools, lively beach-town nightlife.

France • Basque Country

Cheaper accommodation than neighbouring Biarritz, better waves on most days, full surf-camp scene.

France • Basque Country

Surf-and-stroll lifestyle, world-famous longboard wave at Côte des Basques, easy public transport.

Ireland • County Donegal

World-class reef break for advanced surfers, friendly beach for learners, and pubs that don't close.

Portugal • Lisbon Coast

City-break friendly: surf in the morning, fado in Alfama at night, no rental car required.

Portugal • Lisbon South

Lessons available every day of the year, easy bus access from Lisbon, lively summer beach scene.

Portugal • Lisbon Coast

Cobbled fishing-village charm, dependable Atlantic swell from autumn through spring, and a surf school on every corner.

Spain • Canary Islands

Year-round warm water in Europe, almost no rain, and a wave for every level within a 20-minute drive.

France • Landes

Pine-forest backdrop, world-class waves, and the headquarters of every European surf brand.

France • Aquitaine

Hour from Bordeaux, lake on one side and ocean on the other, classic French summer surf-camp vibe.

Ireland • County Clare

Genuinely empty waves outside summer, friendly Irish surf-town vibe, Guinness within walking distance.

Spain • Canary Islands

Stunning Mars-meets-ocean scenery, mild winter water, and a tight surf-school community in Famara village.

Spain • Basque Country

If you're an experienced surfer, no European trip is complete without checking it on a winter NW swell.

Portugal • Silver Coast

Watch tow-in legends from the lighthouse one morning, take a beginner lesson at Praia da Vila that afternoon.

United Kingdom • Cornwall

Easy train access from London, every UK surf brand has a shop here, autumn delivers world-class waves.

Portugal • Silver Coast

365-day consistency, two coastlines for any wind direction, and one of Europe's biggest surf-camp scenes.

Portugal • Algarve

Two coastlines, dramatic cliffs, and cheap surf-camp packages popular with backpackers across Europe.

Spain • Basque Country

World-class food, walkable old town, and an honest surf wave all within five blocks.

Spain • Andalusia

Pair surfing with kite, wing-foil, or whale-watching trips into the Strait of Gibraltar.

United Kingdom • Scotland

World-class reef break with empty lineups, atmospheric far-north Scotland setting.

Norway • Lofoten

Surf below the Arctic Circle, photograph the Northern Lights from the lineup, ride empty waves.

USA • Florida

Warm water year-round, famous Ron Jon Surf Shop, easy launching pad for the whole Florida coast.

USA • California

Quintessential California surf-culture immersion, plus consistent year-round waves.

USA • California

Iconic, photogenic, and a world-class longboard wave 45 minutes from downtown LA.

USA • Maryland

Family-friendly, easy access from DC and Baltimore, mellow learner waves all summer.

USA • Oahu, Hawaii

The Mecca. Every serious surfer comes to watch — only a handful of professionals get to ride it.

USA • New York

Surf in the morning, work in Manhattan in the afternoon — and hurricane swells in September are genuinely good.

Canada • British Columbia

Rainforest backdrop, year-round consistency, friendly Canadian surf-town vibe.

USA • California

Best wave in California for high-performance surfing; protected within San Onofre State Beach.

USA • Oahu, Hawaii

The historical home of surfing, warm clear water, and arguably the most welcoming learner lineup on earth.

USA • North Carolina

Great learner town with multiple ISA-certified surf schools, warm summer water, and hurricane swell from August.

Australia • Victoria

Iconic surf history, raw Southern Ocean power, Great Ocean Road backdrop.

Australia • New South Wales

Surf in the morning, brunch on Hall Street, no rental car required from anywhere in Sydney.

Australia • New South Wales

Long, mellow points perfect for longboarding, vibrant arts/wellness scene, dolphins in the lineup.

Australia • New South Wales

Iconic ferry commute from Circular Quay, peaks for every level, café strip across the road.

Australia • Western Australia

World-class waves paired with Australia's premier wine region — surf, then sip.

Australia • Queensland

World-renowned longboard waves, tropical Queensland warmth, polished beach-town lifestyle.

New Zealand • Auckland

An hour from Auckland, dramatic Tasman-Sea power, raw New Zealand wilderness.

Australia • New South Wales

Family-friendly beaches, warm protected waters, and a relaxed holiday-town atmosphere with surf schools running daily lessons.

New Zealand • Waikato

Bucket-list left-hand point, friendly NZ surf-town vibe, and genuinely empty waves outside peak summer.

Australia • Queensland

World-class point break in walking distance of Coolangatta cafés; possibly the longest performance wave in surfing.

French Polynesia • Tahiti

Watch the world's heaviest wave from a boat in the channel — only world-class pros surf it.

Peru • La Libertad

The longest wave on earth — period. A genuine bucket-list destination for any goofy-foot.

Brazil • Santa Catarina

Surf any wind direction by driving 20 minutes, vibrant Brazilian surf culture, and warm water most of the year.

Brazil • Bahia

Genuine tropical-jungle backdrop, warm year-round water, and laid-back Bahian culture.

Peru • Piura

Warmer water than the rest of Peru, friendly long left, plus cheap Pacific seafood and lively nightlife.

Chile • O'Higgins

Big-wave point break in stunning surroundings, designated a World Surfing Reserve in 2013.

Uruguay • Maldonado

Surf-and-beach-town hybrid, growing local surf scene, accessible from Buenos Aires by ferry.