Best Surfing Destinations in the World

Bali is the most complete surf destination for all abilities, with Costa Rica and Sri Lanka best for beginners, Ericeira and Hossegor for Europe, and Hawaii’s North Shore strictly for experts in winter. Check the season — most of these have a clear on and off period.

1. Bali, Indonesia

Best months: Jul–Sep · 23–33°C days · rainy (ERA5 climate data)

The most complete surf destination on earth — beginner beach breaks at Kuta and Canggu, world-class reef at Uluwatu and Padang Padang, all within an hour.

2. The Gold Coast, Australia

Snapper Rocks and the Superbank produce some of the longest rides anywhere, with warm water and consistent swell year-round.

3. Ericeira, Portugal

Best months: Jun–Aug · 18–28°C days · dry (ERA5 climate data)

Europe’s only World Surfing Reserve, an hour from Lisbon, with a dozen quality breaks packed into a short stretch of coast.

4. Hossegor and the Landes, France

Best months: Jul–Sep · 15–25°C days · rainy (ERA5 climate data)

Powerful Atlantic beach breaks and the centre of European surf culture. Best in autumn, and genuinely heavy at size.

5. Nosara and Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

Best months: Jan–Mar · 16–26°C days · dry (ERA5 climate data)

Consistent, warm and beginner-friendly, with a large yoga-and-surf scene built around them.

6. Taghazout, Morocco

Best months: Nov–Jan · 7–21°C days · dry (ERA5 climate data)

Long right-hand point breaks like Anchor Point, best from autumn to spring, with cheap living and reliable winter swell.

7. Siargao, Philippines

Best months: Jan–Mar · 23–30°C days · some rain (ERA5 climate data)

Cloud 9 is the famous barrel, but the island has plenty of gentler options and a slow, appealing pace.

8. Jeffreys Bay, South Africa

Best months: Jul–Sep · 7–21°C days · dry (ERA5 climate data)

Supertubes is one of the finest right-hand point breaks in the world. Cold water, and a genuine white shark presence worth understanding.

9. Hawaii's North Shore, Oahu

Best months: Jun–Aug · 23–29°C days · some rain (ERA5 climate data)

The proving ground — Pipeline, Sunset and Waimea in winter. Expert territory; the summer flat spell is when everyone else visits.

10. Sri Lanka's south and east coasts

Best months: Dec–Feb · 23–30°C days · rainy (ERA5 climate data)

Two seasons on opposite coasts means year-round surf, with Arugam Bay and Weligama both very beginner-friendly.

Surf safety is not optional. Learn to identify rip currents before entering the water, never surf alone at an unfamiliar break, and check whether a beach is lifeguarded. Reef breaks cause most beginner injuries — wear a helmet and reef boots where locals do, and always ask about conditions before paddling out.