The list of great surfing spots all over the world

While surfing as a sport and outdoor activity has been growing increasingly popular worldwide and begun attracting tourists, world's best surf spots thrive and new are on the way to be discovered. Hence when it comes to choosing a destination for a new surf trip the degree of confusion among surf junkies is getting higher.

Since multiple factors have to align, picking a right surf spot at the right time largely depends on your research and commitment. With the diversity of sources and opinions this job may turn from a lovely routine to frustration.

To avoid that and help you to keep focusing on your surfing proficiency we in Windy.app took this job for you and made up a list of great surf spots all over the world, where you may want to go to practice waveriding this summer season.

Some of them you already know like Bali, Hawaii, Portugal, Canary Islans, and Mexico; some could be new to you like Morocco, South Africa, and Philippines. Or did you know there is a surfing on Kamchatka Peninsula on the far east of Eurasia?!

Batu Bolong surfing spot, Bali, Indonesia

Batu Bolong is a wide beach break on the South-Eastern coast of Bali with a rocky seabed and a variety of waves. Fairly considered one of world's best places to surf, physically it consists of more than two surfing spots. When it’s firing, you will see a distinct fat and powerful wave in the middle, which sometimes tubes. There are also a left and right hander, which get connected with the middle break in times of big swell.

Depending on a particular swell all of those best waves give many opportunities to surfers of all levels. Here you are free to challenge big waves or start your journey by learning to surf. Batu Bolong hosts a lot of surf camps. It’s crowded all year round and you need to be always careful. The surroundings offer lots of great options to enjoy a delicious meal and chill after surfing.

Season: all year
Level: beginner (closer to the beach), intermediate, advanced
Board recommendations: all types
Traffic: very crowded
Best tide: from mid to high tide
Best swell: South-West
Average wave: 3-5 feet
Beach type: sandy and rock
Hazards: crowds and other people’s surfboards

Get the wind and weather forecast for Batu Bolong

Banana Point surfing spot, Taghazout, Morocco

In the pursuit of some of the most perfect breaks on Earth try Taghazout. A village on the Atlantic coast of Morocco is surrounded by a number of tempting surf spots. Banana point is just one of them, offering a stoking experience of surfing on the African continent.

Banana point is a small beach tucked between Tamrhakht rivermouth and a cape. The landscape provides some protection from northern winds and creates a long righthander, which breaks from the reefs. It offers waves of all levels, which are more consistent at low tide. Often a fast peak and lovely lines are coming all the way down to the beach. The beachbreak leaves enough room for beginner surfers with some decent fun waves. Numerous surf schools on the shore will help you to make your first attempt or improve your surfing skills.

Season: October-March
Level: beginner, intermediate
Board recommendations: all board types
Traffic: mellow
Best tide: from mid to high
Best swell: South-West, North
Average wave: 3-5 feet
Sea bottom: sand
Hazards: none

Get the wind and weather forecast for Banana Point

Waimea Bay surfing spot, Hawaii, US

Waimea Bay sits on the northern shore of Oahu and catches a lot of ground swell directly from the Pacific, especially in winter months. Many of those big waves are created by storms in the waters surrounding Russian Kuril islands and the rest of North Pacific. Thus their arrival to Waimea is a subject to a storm forecast several days in advance. In summer water in Waimea is mostly still.

Even though the beach is partly covered from the outside by vast reef beds, when it’s firing Waimea Bay provides 20-25ft (6-8m) swell which not everyone will dare challenge. Sudden deep water swells and jumping sea bottom create a fast and steep wave that violently lurches up and pushes you with tons of water to the channel.

Shorebreak here is not an easy target too. Lips are crashing heavily and wash you hard with powerful mash. You can get in and out of the water in the northern corner, but mind the timing.

Season: December-February
Level: advanced, professional
Board recommendations: guns
Traffic: crowded
Best tide: all tides
Best swell: West, North-East
Average wave: 15-30 feet
Sea bottom: reef
Hazards: really big waves, rocks and reefs, strong currents
Note: vests and helmets recommended

Get the wind and weather forecast for Waimea Bay

Jeffrey's Bay surfing spot, South Africa

Jeffreys Bay (J-Bay) is an area about 75 km southwest of Port Elizabeth. It consists of no less than 10 different sections including Kitchen Windows, Magnatubes, Boneyards, Supertubes, Impossibles, Salad Bowls, Coins, Tubes, The Point and Albatross. This is a very popular surfing spot, which is well known for one of the best righthanders in the world.

Climate in Jeffrey’s Bay is somewhat unstable and mostly dry. Temperatures change drastically. Some days bring good warm weather, which might be easily followed by cold winds. With the exception of summer months when you may even surf in a shorty the rest of the year requires a good full suit.

Different breaks around Jeffrey’s Bay provide waves of different levels. For instance, a renowned spot Supertubes is a fast long big wave, often barreling, which attracts many tough folks. Whereas Point and Albatross offer mellow vibe and fun waves with slower speed, which most of intermediate and longboarders will find comfortable.

Season: May-August
Level: beginner, intermediate, advanced
Board recommendations: all types
Traffic: crowded
Best tide: all tides
Best swell: South-East, South-West
Average wave: 2-12 feet
Sea bottom: boulders and sands
Hazards: there are many shark reports, so avoid on dark surfs and never go surfing alone. Strong currents might be also an issue

Get the wind and weather forecast for Jeffrey’s Bay

Ericeira surfing spot, Portugal

A picturesque village Ericeira is frequently named the surf capital of Portugal. Good waves of different origin and levels are found in many surf spots which surround the settlement. You will see beach breaks, reefs with right and left-handed barrels, walling point breaks and many more which will blow your mind. International surfers of all levels have recognized consistency of local waves and the quality of water. Safe for the beautiful scenery.

Waves in Ericeira are good all year long, but hence different seasons match different surf skills we recommend to fairly estimate your potential. Thus, beginners will feel comfortable in May-September. Intermediates are welcome in June-October, whilst September-January is pros’ time. Surf spots of Ericeira will impress you with variety and consistency of rideable waves.

Season: all year
Level: beginner, intermediate, advanced
Board recommendations: all types
Traffic: crowded
Best tide: from mid to high
Best swell: South-West, North-West
Average wave: 2-8 feet
Sea bottom: sand
Hazards: crowds and other people’s surfboards

Get the wind and weather forecast for Ericeira

Jeremy Bishop / Unsplash

Khalaktyrsky Beach surfing spot, Kamchatka, Eurasia

Kamchatka Peninsula recently has been turning more popular as a surfing destination thanks to efforts of local surf community and surf documentaries. Put aside severe weather conditions, the place offers several remarkable surf spots with the main in Khalaktyrsky Beach. A vast strip of coast line of Avachinskiy Bay is covered with black volcanic sand. Monumental volcanoes in the background and sharp cliffs, which stand out of the water, provide an epic view reminding of something like Game of Thrones.

Khalaktyrsky Beach is just 30 minutes away from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, local administrative center and the biggest town. Take bus 8 (bound for Dolinovka village) or 24 (bound for Zaozyorny settlement). Considering that you will have to hike around 5 km down to the beach taking a taxi or hiring a car seems a reasonable choice.

Khalaktyrsky Beach is an exposed beach break that has excellent quality waves with stable conditions. It offers both right and lefthanders. However due to its landscape preliminary forecast check is highly recommended whenever you plan a surf trip there.

The open beach area leaves no places to hide from offshore winds, which might get really strong and relentless. Especially so in winter. Whilst summer time offers relatively mellow conditions for surfing, when board riders of all levels can get what they want.

Season: all year
Level: beginner, intermediate, advanced
Board recommendations: all types
Traffic: empty even when it’s working
Best tide: from mid to high
Best swell: South
Average wave: 3-6 feet
Sea bottom: volcanic lava rocks
Hazards: bonechilling cold
Note: needless to say, you need a full suit to surf there

Get the wind and weather forecast for Khalaktyrsky Beach

El Hierro surfing spot, Canary Islands, Spain

Another super popular place to surf, this time situated in the Atlantic on Fuerteventura island which is between the main island of Canary and African coast. El Hierro is located on the northern shore next to Majanicho beach. It is an exposed reef break that has good waves from groundswell to offer. Works perfectly in winter while summer tends to be mostly flat. No beach break there.

El Hierro includes two main take off points, which break over a lava reef a few metres below. The left side provides a long speedy ride in fast hollows. The right section is shorter, but still may bring you lots of joy with its decent tubes. Consistency and quality of waves in El Hierro attract many surfers, so at times it gets crowded there. If you seek opportunities to learn to surf and enjoy recreational comfort Fuerteventura is a good destination.

Season: December-March
Level: beginner, intermediate, advanced
Board recommendations: all types
Traffic: crowded
Best tide: all tides
Best swell: North, North-West
Average wave: 3-10 feet
Sea bottom: lava reef and rocks
Hazards: shallow reef and rocks

Get the wind and weather forecast for El Hierro

Cloud 9 surfing spot, Siargao, Philippines

The world-famous surfing spot, which becomes a stage for annual WSL Surfing Cup, is located on the eastern coast of Siargao. It is an exposed reef break with right and left sections that has quite reliable surf. When conditions match it creates a perfect tube with a speedy run, which is short but intense. Autumn and winter are recommended to surf some of the best waves there. They are mostly coming from typhoons in South Pacific and winds.

Cloud 9 is a quite difficult spot, but confident and experienced surfers will love it. Intermediates and beginners may take advantage of Jacking Horse and Quicksilver — two adjacent surf breaks with much easier and mellow conditions. All three places require attention and good paddling skills as strong currents take you away down the beach. Probably due to sharp rocky sea bottom, which may leave you with painful cuts unless you wear surf boots, Cloud 9 and the neighboring spots are not so crowded. But many locals surf there too, so be polite and respectful.

Season: September-January
Level: beginner, intermediate, advanced
Board recommendations: all types
Traffic: mellow
Best tide: from mid to high
Best swell: North, East
Average wave: 2-12 feet
Sea bottom: lava reef, rocks and corals
Hazards: shallow reef, sharp rocks and corals, sea urchins

Get the wind and weather forecast for Cloud 9

Punta Sayulita surfing spot, Mexico

Punta Sayulita is located on a small peninsula nearby authentic Sayulita town, the State of Nayarit. Although known as the best beachside raves destination among hippies, now Sayulita turns a real surf-town with all necessary infrastructure with surf rentals, lessons and gear.

Punta Sayulita as an exposed surf spot provides good quality left-handed waves. Facing the Pacific, it catches distant groundswells from all over the ocean. Summer is the best time to surf there. With the eastern wind and appropriate swell a good 5ft wave may take you for a long ride down to the beach. Longboarders of all levels will love these vibes.

Punta Sayulita is renowned for its perfect conditions for first-timers. It offers nice fun waves which are designed by elements exactly for learning. Except submerged rocks the place is quite safe.

Season: May-August
Level: beginner, intermediate
Board recommendations: longboards, all types
Traffic: crowded
Best tide: all tides
Best swell: West, South-West
Average wave: 2-8 feet
Sea bottom: reef and sand
Hazards: rocks

Get the wind and weather forecast for Punta Sayulita

Sperlonga surfing spot, Latina, Italy

Sperlonga is a small town and tourist resort on the so-called Riviera of Ulysses (the Latin name of Odysseus from a Greek epic) of the province of Latina in central Italy on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea. In winter the town is almost empty, but in summer it is filled with tourists from other regions of Italy and from abroad. The town has a small old center, a port, and two beaches — Ponente (east) and Levante (west).

The first beach is a relatively large of a couple of kilometers, which makes it very cozy. About half a year and especially in winter from December to March there are almost no people on it, so you will be surfing alone or in the company of a few local surfers who come here especially. The second beach stretches for many kilometers in the direction of the larger resort Terracina.

In both cases, the surfers try to catch the waves on both spots close to the port and the old town, where the best entry points to the sea and the biggest waves by local standards. But if you compare the spot with the other locations on this list, the waves in Sperlonga are quite small, so the spot is suitable for beginners or if you are traveling in Italy with a surfboard. There can also be strong winds here.

Season: all year
Level: beginner (closer to the beach)
Board recommendations: all types
Traffic: not crowded in winter
Best tide: all tides
Best swell: South (S), South-west (SW)
Average wave: 3-6 feet
Beach type: sand
Hazards: strong wind

Get the wind and weather forecast for Sperlonga

This is an updated version of the post, which was originally published on the Windy.app blog on Feb 4, 2020.

Learn more about how to read the surf / swell forecast in a special Windy.app presentation with examples and tips from professional surfers with many years of experience of riding the biggest and best waves on the planet.

Text: Windy.app, Ivan Kuznetsov

Cover photo: Aliburhan S / Unsplash