Surfers
From first lessons to famous breaks, matched to the right swell season.
A surf trip lives or dies on the waves. The right place for you depends on your level and the season, because swell changes a lot through the year. Some breaks are gentle and good for a first lesson. Others are famous, powerful and only for experts. Our picks cover both. Many places have easy beach breaks for beginners not far from bigger reef breaks for strong surfers, so mixed groups can surf together. We help you choose where to stay, when to go and how to get to the breaks. We can also plan lessons, board rentals and days off the water when the surf goes flat.
Oahu
Oahu is one of the most famous surf islands on earth. In winter, the North Shore gets huge swells at well known breaks such as Pipeline, Sunset Beach and Waimea Bay. These are for experts or for watching from the sand. In summer, the south shore at Waikiki has long, gentle waves that are ideal for lessons and longboards.
Maui
Maui has surf for every level. Gentle breaks on the south and west shores are popular for lessons. Honolua Bay on the northwest tip is a well known point break in winter. On the north shore, Peahi, also called Jaws, gets some of the largest waves in the world on big winter days. It is a place for experts and spectators.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica has warm water and surf all year. The Pacific side is the most popular, with surf towns like Tamarindo, Nosara, Santa Teresa and Jaco. Tamarindo is good for beginners, while other spots offer stronger waves. The Caribbean side has powerful reef breaks in winter. Surf camps and lessons are easy to find, and it is a good place to learn.
Puerto Vallarta
The coast north of Puerto Vallarta has some of the friendliest surf in Mexico. Sayulita is a lively surf town with a gentle beach break that is good for lessons. Punta de Mita has several point and reef breaks that suit different levels. Summer brings the bigger south swells. The water is warm, so most surfers do not need a wetsuit.
Sydney
Sydney is one of the few big cities where you can surf before work. Bondi Beach is the most famous, and Manly on the northern beaches is also popular. Both have surf schools and gentle spots for learners. Many more beaches lie along the coast north and south of the city. The water is cooler in winter, so plan on a wetsuit.
Barbados
Barbados has surf on several coasts. The best known break is the Soup Bowl at Bathsheba on the wild east coast, a powerful reef break for strong surfers. The south coast has gentler waves where surf schools teach beginners. Winter swells bring the most consistent surf. It is an easy island to get around, so you can follow the waves each day.
San Juan
Puerto Rico is a popular winter surf trip for Americans, with no passport needed. Near San Juan there are beach and reef breaks for different levels. The town of Rincon on the west coast is the island's best known surf area, a few hours' drive away, with many breaks in a small area. Winter swells from the north bring the best waves.
Tahiti
Tahiti is home to Teahupoo, one of the heaviest and best known waves in the world. It breaks over a very shallow reef and is only for experts, but boats take visitors out to watch. Other reef passes around the islands of French Polynesia have waves for skilled surfers. This is not a place to learn, but it is a dream trip for strong surfers.
Swell changes with the seasons. Hawaii's north shores get big waves in winter, while south shores are better in summer. Puerto Rico and Barbados are best in winter. Mainland Mexico's Pacific coast gets its biggest swells in summer. Costa Rica has surf all year. Sydney has surf all year, with cooler water in winter.
Talk to us: (888) 520-3908Yes. Many places on this list have gentle beach breaks and surf schools. A first lesson usually covers safety on land, then time in the water on a large soft board. Most people stand up on their first or second lesson. Plan a few sessions over several days to really improve.
Experienced surfers often bring their own boards, but airlines charge fees and have size limits. Many surf towns rent good boards by the day or week. For a short trip or a first trip, renting is usually easier. We check your airline's board bag rules if you want to bring one.
In warm places like Mexico, Costa Rica, Hawaii and the Caribbean, most surfers wear board shorts or a swimsuit with a rash guard to protect from sun and wax. A thin top can help on windy days. In Sydney, you will want a wetsuit for much of the year.
Places like Pipeline, Peahi and Teahupoo are for expert surfers only. They break over shallow reef with great force, and the risk of injury is real. Most visitors watch these waves from shore or a boat. If you are not an expert, choose the gentler breaks nearby instead.