fbpx

Best Places To Surf In The World

Best Places To Surf In The World

1 of 11

The thrill of catching the perfect wave is a feeling that only surfers can understand. And they’ll chase that feeling across the globe to the finest beaches that can create the perfect conditions for that one life-changing wave. And while there are plenty of places to surf some seriously impressive swells, there are some only the elite dare to try.

JeffDivineSurf.com
JeffDivineSurf.com

Pipeline, Oahu, Hawaii (U.S.)

Hawaii is often considered the granddaddy of all surfing meccas, and it’s no surprise that the Pipeline in Oahu usually finds itself at the top of most lists. One of the heaviest waves in the world, the Pipeline comes in at a whopping six meters and breaks over a reef of razor-sharp coral. Surfers need some serious experience to try this one (and cajones). Those who have succeeded talk about their moment with wonder.

ShalohaGuestHouse.com
ShalohaGuestHouse.com

Supertubes, Jeffrey’s Bay, Eastern Cape (South Africa)

Similar to the Pipeline, the supertubes in Jeffrey’s Bay are made up of massive barrel rides over an intense point break. Surfers can surf rides up to 300 meters long, especially during the prime months of June, July, and August. It’s also home to the annual Billabong Pro WCT surf event every July that brings in premier surfers from around the world.

SurfLine.com
SurfLine.com

Superbanks, Gold Coast (Australia)

In the land that loves the water so much it made its money waterproof, the Superbanks in Gold Coast City, Australia, are not for the faint of heart. Faced with an epic point break, surfers who aim to catch them will always remember their first Superbanks ride.

MentawaiIslands.com
MentawaiIslands.com

Mentawai Islands (Indonesia)

Actually made up of 70 islands, the Mentawai Islands off of the western coast of Indonesia make up one of the most consistent surf spots in the world. Fueled by variable winds, waves come in from all directions and surfers have their pick of dozens of great spots. Top surfers will usually try to catch a wave at one of the greats such as Bankvaults, Macaronis, or Lance’s Left or Right.

En.Wikipedia.org
En.Wikipedia.org

Mavericks, Piller Point, California (U.S.)

It’s not called Mavericks for no reason – this giant of a wave off the shores of Northern California can reach up to a blood-freezing 25 meters and can really only be reached by jet ski. Surfers need to be careful to come at Mavericks, with its wave size and dangerous location, from the correct angle or they don’t stand a chance.

SurfThereNow.com
SurfThereNow.com

Uluwatu and Kuta, Bali (Indonesia)

Bali has quickly risen in the ranks of surfing destinations. Its location on the Southern Ocean translates to consistent waves that top 12 feet easily. While its desirable location also means that it gets a bit crowded in the prime months (April to November), it’s worth the hassle for incredible surfing in breathtaking surroundings. After all, even if you have a bad day out on the water, you’re still in BALI!

TheTravelersWay.com
TheTravelersWay.com

Fuertaventura, Canary Islands (Spain)

With a veritable bevy of big waves to choose from (among the most popular are Generosa, Suicides, Majanicho, and Esquinzo), Fuertaventura is sometimes referred to as the Mecca for surfers in Europe. Located in the Atlantic off the coast of Africa – but owned by Spain – its warm weather and consistent conditions make it a prime destination.

SwitchBackTravel.com
SwitchBackTravel.com

Manu Bay, Raglan (New Zealand)

If you’ve seen the surfing classic film, “Endless Summer,” then the beaches of Manu Bay in New Zealand will look familiar. With waves consistently up to three meters, and the occasional barrel, the openness of the bay allows for a wide variety of waves and therefore a variety of levels to test it out on.

CastawayFiji.com
CastawayFiji.com

Cloudbreak, Tavarua Island (Fiji)

Cloudbreak is another wave that the best surfers in the world dream of riding, and you’ll need to travel to Nadi, Fiji, to do so. It’s an enormous, 1,600-meter-long, hollow wave that reaches 10 meters into the sky and allows for rides as long as 500 meters! It’s considered to be one of the more brutal options, so it’s definitely for experts only.

LowPressure.co.uk
LowPressure.co.uk

Hossegor (France)

Last but not least, those looking for a bit of a scene with their surf should try to hit Hossegor in Southwest France. It’s considered the surfing capital of Europe, in part due to the heavy celebrity sightings that often happen here. But the waves live up to the hype, with perfect tubes and heavy walls forming over shallow sandbars.