The Best Surfing Spots in the World for Experienced Surfers
Discover the ultimate surfing destinations for experienced surfers around the globe. From the world-renowned Pipeline in Hawaii to the powerful waves of Teahupoo in Tahiti, this guide highlights the top spots for epic waves and unforgettable experiences.
Oahu
Oahu is renowned for its epic surfing. Often considered to be the birthplace of the sport, the swells at this island are legendary and can reach heights of 20 feet. It’s a great destination for experienced surfers and one of the best places to learn to surf in Hawaii.
During the summer (May to August), swells from the south and southeast are dominant. They’re mellower and more forgiving than the winter swells, and it’s usually not too hard to find a spot to surf that fits your skill level.
The North Shore of Oahu is famous for its renowned Triple Crown of Surfing, where you can experience world-class waves. It’s a must-visit for surfers who want to see what it takes to ride the big ones.
When you get there, you’ll feel like you’ve entered a different world as you wrangle with the waves at famous spots such as Banzai Pipeline and Sunset Beach. It’s a place where you can watch the pros battle it out and be inspired to take on the ocean.
For beginner and intermediate surfers, Turtle Bay Resort’s namesake beach is an ideal spot for a lesson with the Jamie O’Brien Surf Experience. It’s a protected inside reef break and perfect for first-timers.
Another excellent option is Lahaina, which is popular for its consistent and fun waves. It’s a favorite for beginners, and it also provides great vistas from the beach.
The North Shore, however, is a must-visit for any serious surfer, and it’s a great place to watch the pros in action. It’s a proving ground where surfers can test their skills against the gnarly winter swells, and it’s a great place for surf competitions.
Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach, California, is a thriving seaside town that’s known as Surf City USA, due to its ideal surf breaks and active surfing culture. Despite being a small coastal city, Huntington Beach offers an extensive range of activities and attractions to suit every taste.
This Orange County beach destination is a favorite among visitors looking to relax and unwind. It offers a variety of hotels, from deluxe oceanfront resorts to budget motels. It also boasts hundreds of restaurants and shopping options, including many local brands. Buyagift Discount offers a range of surfing experiences at different prices to fit your budget. You can browse their website to find the best option for you.
The beaches are a huge draw for surfers, especially in spring and summer. The sand is soft and pliable, making it perfect for catching a wave.
A stroll along the sand is also a lovely way to enjoy the scenery and absorb the atmosphere of this vibrant seaside resort. You can easily walk down to the pier, which offers a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean and stunning sunset silhouettes.
If you’re looking to try your hand at the sport, Huntington Beach has many good surf schools. They offer lessons and equipment rentals for both beginners and experts.
Located near the Huntington Beach Pier, First Point is a popular right-hand break that’s great for both novice and advanced surfers. The area can get busy on weekends, so if you’re planning to visit here, make sure to check the weather forecast before heading out.
Another popular spot in Huntington Beach is Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. This state beach is a popular picnic spot for families, with long stretches of sand and warm water that’s perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and surfing.
Alternatively, you can head just about an hour north to Malibu, a famous LA beach break that’s been the epitome of the Californian surf culture. With an array of beaches to choose from, including iconic Zuma Beach and Iconic First Point, you’ll be able to catch some of the best waves in the country.
San Francisco
If you’re looking for a good surf spot that will cater to both experienced and beginner surfers, then San Francisco is the place to go. The city is known for its stunning coastline and is home to many world-class waves that attract surfers from all over the globe.
Fort Point is one of the most alluring surfing spots in San Francisco and offers a unique opportunity to ride left breaks right under the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s not a suitable destination for beginners, however, as the waves can be quite high and unpredictable, making it difficult for newcomers to navigate.
Dead Man’s Beach is another great spot in the San Francisco Bay Area that will cater to both advanced and beginner surfers. It’s a hollow, right-hander break that attracts both locals and tourists. It is usually windy and prone to rip currents, so it’s best to practice with a buddy when you first begin.
Linda Mar is a relatively forgiving break in Pacifica that can often produce some decent waves and is well worth a visit on a sunny day. It is also very convenient, with parking slots right next to the beach and a range of facilities available for visitors.
Rincon: A small, secluded break in the north of California, Rincon is the ideal place to test your skills and experience what it’s like to paddle out into the open sea. It’s the perfect spot for intermediate and advanced level surfers, with a long, gnarly right-hander that can reach a height of four feet.
With a reputation for being the craziest and most epic wave in the country, Mavericks is a surfers’ dream come true. It is a highly regarded competition wave that can rise to an impressive 80-foot face when the conditions are right, but it’s not for beginners.
Woolacombe
The North Devon coast is home to some of the best surfing spots in the world. Woolacombe Beach is a three-mile stretch of golden sand that attracts surfers from across the world to enjoy its rolling waves and pristine water. The beach is located between Morte Point and Baggy Point and is renowned for its cleanliness, water quality, and facilities.
The beach is a favorite with families, and its long stretches of sand make it easy for people of all ages to enjoy. It also has lifeguards in place to ensure safe family swimming.
In addition to the beach itself, there are several shops, bars, and restaurants in the town center. The village is also a popular spot for walks, with the South West Coast Path running through it.
If you are a beginner, you can book surf lessons or equipment hire at the beach. There are plenty of surf schools in the area, including Shore2Surf, Surf South West, Woolacombe Surf Centre, and Nick Thorn surfing coaching.
Another great North Devon surf destination is Croyde Bay, a three-mile stretch of beach that faces west to get the best swells. Its strong rips can make it unsuitable for beginners, but there are plenty of surf shops and facilities here, including surf schools and equipment hire.
Alternatively, Saunton Sands is a quieter option, just south of Woolacombe. The swells here are usually gentler and more suitable for beginners, as well as longboarders.
Putsborough Sands is a good choice for sheltered surf in the southwest on windy days, or when other beaches are too messy to surf. The surf here is often cleaner than the ones in the center of Woolacombe, but it can be a little busier at certain times of the year.
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Portugal
Portugal is the ideal place for surfers of all levels, with a variety of different surf spots to choose from. The country has a long, sand-filled coastline that can offer everything from small waves for beginners to large waves for experienced surfers.
The best time to surf in Portugal is during autumn and winter when the coast receives solid swells from Atlantic storms. These swells are perfect for advanced surfers and can produce waves up to 15 feet in size.
Summer is also a great time to visit Portugal, although it can be crowded with visitors from around the world. Waves are typically smaller during this time, and the water temperature is warmer as well, making it an ideal time for beginner surfers.
Peniche is a little peninsula that is surrounded by many different types of waves, which makes it an excellent choice for surfers of all levels. The waves are good year-round, but the winter months of September to May are better for advanced surfers, as they have larger swells that can generate bigger and more powerful waves.
Another great place to go surfing in Portugal is Sintra, which has several world-class reefs and point breaks. These waves are incredibly reliable and make it a popular destination for surfers and bodyboarders alike.
Further up north is Ericeira, which is home to many fantastic surf spots for all levels. It is considered a surfing Mecca and in 2011 was declared a World Surfing Reserve by the Save the Waves Coalition.
For more challenging waves, there is Nazare, a famous Portuguese surf spot that is known for its massive swells. Those who want to go big should know that these waves can be dangerous, especially for beginners.
Conclusion
It’s a proving ground where surfers can test their skills against the gnarly winter swells, and it’s a great place for surf competitions. Huntington Beach Huntington Beach, California, is a thriving seaside town that’s known as Surf City USA, due to its ideal surf breaks and active surfing culture. There are plenty of surf schools in the area, including Shore2Surf, Surf South West, Woolacombe Surf Centre, and Nick Thorn surfing coaching.
