What makes a spot great for surfing? It’s important to keep in mind that surfing is a year-long sport and not just summer activity. So, prime surf locations have good conditions during each season. But this doesn’t mean it has to be warm and sunny out. In fact, winter weather patterns and tide movements often cause the biggest waves to break.
But the huge swells of waves that crash here continue to attract adventurous surfers looking for a wild ride. And sometimes the best surf spots aren’t the ones that attract thousands of visitors; often, the best beaches for catching waves are known only to locals and surfing enthusiasts who will travel far and wide for the perfect wave.
North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii
Start off somewhat close to home by traveling to North Shore in Oahu, Hawaii. It is not only one of the best surfing places in the country; it’s also one of the top spots in the world. Enjoy high quality waves with beautiful scenery, a destination respected by many world-class surfers and competitors.
Fuerteventura, Spain
Head to Europe for another top surfing destination: the Spanish island of Fuerteventura. While at the second largest island of the Canary Islands, enjoy the beautiful white sand beaches and crystal clear water perfect. The island is always sunny and warm, perfect surfing weather.
Jeffreys Bay, South Africa
Travel to the southern tip of the African continent for another top place for surfing: Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa. Jeffreys Bay has been named the place “where dreams become reality” or “surfer’s paradise” for its great surf rides of up to 800 m. J’ Bay has 70km of beaches and four epic point breaks. The best season to go to J’Bay is between June and August, but even in winter surfers can have a great ride with a 3mm wet suit. The bay also hosts the annual Billabong Pro WCT surfing event in July.
Bali, Indonesia
Fly to Bali, Indonesia, for another great place to surf. Just eight degrees south of the equator, Bali is seen as a mandatory stop for those taking a global surfing trip. This great location has over 20 top quality breaks on the southwest and southeast coasts of the island. There are so many different places on the island, surfers can choose from a variety of beaches from white sands, black sands, and fantastic scenery.
Gold Coast, Australia
In order to finish off your amazing surfing adventure you need to reach every continent. Make Gold Coast, Australia your last stop of the places you go to surf. Gold Coast City is known of its sunny subtropical climate and popular surfing beaches. Surfers at beach breaks near the Gold Coast are almost always guaranteed a wave. Some of the best point breaks at the city are Snapper Rocks Superbank, Kirra and Burleigh Heads.