Feature photo by goodsurfers2009 / Above photo by Gustty
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out why surfing is so popular. In an increasingly busy world, going for a surf is a chance to get back to nature, test yourself against the ocean, have fun and get some exercise.
And these days learning to surf doesn’t have to be the fearful, difficult proposition it once was. Forgiving foam surfboards and qualified surf instructors mean standing up and riding a wave in your first session is very likely — and then you’re hooked.
Read on for Matador’s list of the best surf spots to start your new addiction…
Byron Bay, Australia
This onetime sleepy dairy town turned hippie-surfer-stockbroker enclave is quite possibly the best place in the country, maybe the world, to learn to surf. There’s a variety of waves to suit different levels, from gentle rollers off Watego Beach to the beach breaks of Tallows and The Wreck (in small swells).
Byron Bay Surf School offers both lessons and accommodation. Or stay at the Byron Bay YHA (formerly J’s Bay), complete with pool.
Best time to go: March to May for warm weather and consistent swell .
Kuta, Bali
On an island famous for its grinding left hand reef breaks, Bali still offers great options for learners. The long sandy stretch of sand in front of the famous Kuta and Legian tourist strip can turn on fun waves for beginners in small swells – but watch the currents when its bigger.
Various beach huts rent old surfboards for about 20,000 rupiah per hour. For complete novices try the School of Surf.When the wind picks up in the afternoon there’s a bunch of options to keep you busy, from practising yoga in Ubud to partying late at Ku De Ta in Seminyak.
Best time to go: May to September for offshore winds and a party atmosphere.
Photo by mikebaird
Lagos, Portugal
While there are rarely waves in Lagos itself, this picturesque Algarve town is the base for many surf schools in the region, and it’s not hard to see why. A variety of great waves are within a 30 minute drive, including the protected break at Arrifana – a favourite for learners at low tide.
Among the surf schools based in Lagos, Surf Experience is the longest established and one of the best.
After a day spent learning to surf, refuel at one of Lagos’ cheap but delicious restaurants, from cook-your-own €8 steaks at Retiro da Trinidade to fiery hot piri piri chicken at O Franguinho. After 10 PM, the clubs come alive, the clientèle spurred on by cheap cocktails and refreshing bottles of Sagres beer for just €2.
Best time to go: Northern hemisphere spring and autumn to avoid the summer crowds and higher prices.
Surfer’s Point, Barbados
Located on Barbados’s more protected southern coast, Surfer’s Point in Inch Marlowe is the perfect location to learn to surf in an idyllic, tropical setting. Former competitive surfer and Barbadian local Zed Layson runs the popular Zed’s Surfing Adventures. Zed offers two hour lessons on easy-to-ride foam surfboards, plus a range of accommodation options near the point.
Best time to go: Anytime, although the rainy season from June to October may limit your tanning time.
Photo by marcodede
Waikiki, Hawaii
What better place to learn to surf than the home of surfing itself? Hawaii’s ancient kings rode the surf on crude wooden boards before missionaries in the 19th century frowned on the sport for being a godless activity.
Thankfully, surfing is back bigger than ever. The gentle rolling waves of Waikiki are perfect for beginners, offering long rides and a (mostly) fun, easy going atmosphere. Canoe’s is the most popular, and consequently most crowded, break but you’ll be among beginners so catching waves is relatively easy.
Boards can be rented from the shacks on the beach by the hour or take a lesson from one of the many surf schools in the area.
Best time to go: There’s waves year round although the Hawaiian summer from June to August sees consistent south swells.
Taghazoute, Morocco
Thanks to its long, righthand point breaks, Morocco has been a popular winter destination for European surfers since the 1970s, with convoys of VW campervans parked beside the various breaks.
These days, you don’t need to be a hardcore surfer to enjoy the waves, with a variety of surf schools to choose from. Pure Blue Water, between Casablanca and Rabat in the north of Morocco, offers a range of beach and point break waves.
In the south, Taghazoute almost has more surf camps than surf spots, so you’re bound to find one that suits your budget. Hash Point and the beaches around Agadir can throw up an easy wave for learners. If it’s flat, the chilled port town of Essaouira is just three hours north by bus and makes a great day trip.
Best time to go: The big swells roll in from November to February, but early autumn has smaller waves and warmer weather.
Photo by sub_lime79
Newquay, UK
For a country known for its crap weather, the British sure love their surfing. Newquay’s Fistral Beach is surfing ground zero in Britain, with a variety of backpacker hostels, surf cafes and surf schools in and around the town.
Newquay’s headlands mean there are surfable waves in most conditions, from the swell-exposed Fistral to the protected Watergate Bay just around the corner. If you have access to a car, the crystal clear peaks at Sennen Cove an hour south are worth the drive in clean swells.
Best time to go: September to October are the most consistent months. You’ll need a 4/3 or even a thick 5/4 wetsuit to brave the chilly water in winter and spring.
Bundoran, Ireland
Ireland is the new surfing hot spot in Europe; its world class, uncrowded waves now lure surfers from around the world.
Bundoran in County Donegal on Ireland’s west coast is a great place to learn the basics, with a variety of beach breaks on offer. If the swell is small, try Tullan Beach in town. If it’s too big, head 10 km. north to the more mellow Rossnowlagh Beach. The respected Bundoran Surf Co. offers lessons as well surf-and-stay packages.
And five places to avoid
- North Shore, Hawaii: With waves regularly reaching above 10 feet in winter, this coast is no place for the novice. Hell, even experienced surfers regularly come to grief here.
- Coolangatta, Australia: Home of the Superbank. When it’s on it’s so crowded you can almost walk out to the surf on the back of paddling surfers.
- Port Elizabeth, South Africa: Would you surf in the same waters where tourists flock to go swimming in shark-proof cages?
- Fuerte Ventura, Canary Islands: Sharp lava reefs, sea urchins, strong winds, localism and thumping Atlantic swells. Experienced surfers only.
- Puerto Escondido, Mexico: Has a reputation as one of the heaviest beach breaks in the world. The waves here are consistently above head high and routinely snap surfboards like twigs.
Community Connection
Keen to catch a wave on your next trip? Here are a few of Matador’s destination surf guides: Surfer’s Guide to the Algarve Coast, Portugal, Surf Vietnam: China Beach and Beyond, Surfer’s Guide to Asturias, Spain, or Surfing Argentina: An Insider’s Guide to the Breaks of Mar del Plata.
Landlocked? You can still take a look at our 5 Best Surf Films of All Time.
About the Author
More By This Author
- Top Surf Destinations for 2010 (8 comments)
- Surfing Morocco (12 comments)
- Surfers' Guide to the Algarve Coast, Portugal (3 comments)
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41 Comments... join the discussion!
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funny, my first surfing experience was in puerto escondido and i did indeed smash a surf board and just about killed myself, that was five years ago, i have yet to get back on a board.
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Costa Rica has some of the best places to learn to surf. Also some of the most intense.
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Yeah, that happens… were you at Zicatela or down at the point? I live in Puerto part of the year and Have snapped some boards, but I definitely wouldn't discourage everyone from coming here to learn, as long as you're careful!
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I tried surfing in Costa Rica and all I got was sore nipples… ;( I guess I will stick to sand castles!
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Hoorah – I have been similarly land-locked in Europe for a few years. Glad to hear I am heading back to Aus via the best place to (re-)learn – Kuta. I've heard it is even ok in the wet season…
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Anyone know of good places in Nicaragua or Costa Rico? I'm heading down there in a month, and looking for a spot to learn.
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you can surf in Port Elizabeth, and be quite safe, no cage diving here. To see great whites you have to travel 800km down the coast to Cape Town. Sardinia, Pipe, and Noordhoek to name few is great spots to surf.
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Bali!!!!!!! that was the first place I learned, right at Kuta Beach, and it is flooded with novice surfers, mostly asians, but you will def find the locals here tearing it up as well. Good days of swells and bad days as well, but all in all a great learning experience. and a great party atmosphere!
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you forget Jeffreys Bay, one of the best right hand breaks in the world, is right next to PE. Sharks are there, but then again the whole ocean is they're home so they're basically everywhere.
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Muzinberg in Cape Town, South Africa. the top ten for beginners. I totally agree with the above for the best spots though.
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For Byron Bay, check out Surfing Byron Bay, ” target=”_blank”>http://www.gosurfingbyronbay.com/ Best surf school in the town.
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Dude: Port Elizabeth, I have stayed here for 26 years, There is now shark diving here.Best swin beaches,
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WTF !!!! Dude No3 on your places to avoid Port Elizabeth S.A. people go swim with shark cages Are you DOF or what Bru. There's no shark cage diving here. You thinking about Gansbaai in Cape Town.
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Great article. One correction re Fistral: Watergate Bay is the most exposed of the beaches in the Newquay area. The Bay beaches (Towan, Great Western, Tolcarne and Lusty Glaze) – which all link up at low water – are the place to go if the wind (as is often the case!) is blowing from the SW. Also Cornwall gets waves pretty much year round, although July/August can be pretty flat…
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No shark cage diving in PE – waters warm, gentle breaks and great for beginners…… Great whites are further down towards the Western Cape. And then they rarely bother any surfers!
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Could anyone give me some good beginners surf spots in the US? I am currently stuck on the continental United States and learning to surf is one of my dreams. You’ve gotta start somewhere.
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Tory Pines in SD CA
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I’ve been surfing in Port Elizabeth for nearly 20 years. obviously sharks are all over the ocean but you’re more likely to get eaten by a shark in the sahara desert than in Port Elizabeth.) So to whoever wrote this list, please update it with MORE accurate info. but otherwise, very cool site
oh and btw, PE’s waves aren’t that good anyway, only once in a while do we get some really cooking waves coming thru.
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I started surfing at Tory Pines in San Diego and the good days were awesome and turns out im a great surfer.
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wat up
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Tamarindo, COSTA RICA. – loong beach with sand bar.
also a great place for a family vacation, not too popular yet, but still able to find nice resorts, if thats what your looking for. great hostels too!!!↵ -
If you’re interested in learning in Costa Rica, Jaco is a great place. I’ve been in the country for 3 months and just started to surf myself. ‘The Corner’ is a great learning spot in Jaco and just down the road is Playa Hermosa, which has world class waves for advanced surfers. The ISA Billabong World Surfing Games were just there, and it was gnarly.
Jaco beach has something for every level of surfer, and the original Carton shop is just a couple hundred meters up the street from The Corner. Definitely worth a shot.
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Hi,
We are looking for a place to go surfing in February. We are beginner – intermediates,
can pretty much go anywhere but would prefer a warm place, with yummy food, great culture and kid friendly (travelling with a 6 year old-mini surfer).
I was all into Bali but not too sure now after reading about the weather for February-humid, rain etc…Thank you so much!
Catherine
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Seconding Costa Rica. There are some really good beach breaks for beginners. http://costaricavacationpackages.org/surfing.php has a pretty good writeup on the Tamarindo area.
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I have surfed many places, and San Onofrey (trail 6) has always been my favorite. There is so much coastline, hardly any surfers and really is an amazing break. I did get stung by a sting ray there, but even with all the pain that sting brought me, I still have to say it is one of my favorites!!!
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Coolangatta, and the whole coast may be crowded, but its a great place to learn to surf, anywhere along the coastline strip.
And anyone who lives there knwo that when it goes off, you dont want to miss it at any cost.
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Safari surf camp in Costa Rica is amazing. They have extremely consistent waves and the waves are created by a sandbar not a reef, which makes it more safe. The people were also extremely good, and at most there were 3 people to one instructor.
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Yes to surfing in Morocco!
Like Portugal, it’s good year-round (and the two could even be combined into one trip very easily).
Some accounts: http://www.ibnibnbattuta.com/2009/12/the-final-countdown-surfing-mehdiya-in-winter.html and http://vieaumaroc.blogspot.com/2009/07/surfing-south-and-other-adventures-with.html .
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I have just been to Fuerteventura and surfed in El Cotillo and La Pared. I was there for two weeks and I think the surf was quite nice, did not see any sea urchins, wind was OK and swells were quite good as well especialy an the 9th of January 2010, waves were perfect. I don’t see why a beginer should avoid Fuerteventura. I am a beginer and I enjoyed it. Off course you need common sense and you need to be careful. Don’t do anything stupid, you will be OK in Fuerteventura.
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Jaco down in front of hotel 9 had the smoothest waves when I was there end of January. I fell in love with surfing and Costa Rica. My girl friend and I took a lessons in Tamerindo which was also a great place for beginners but Jaco was sick and the waves were bigger and smoother and it had a better night life.
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Jaco is cool but it will destroy the bottom of your board.
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Stay away from Puerto, was there for ten years. Found a severed head in the highway near the beachbreak La Grava in Santa Elena (political that was running for mayor in San Pedro (Puerto Escondido). Kidnapped twice by police, they tried a third in 2009. The same police killed my swiss friend about 2005. Most of the people I know have to pay extortion fees. I have in the long run had to pay 15,000 dollars a year to the police. Thing is I stopped paying after the first time, they just came and stole it at gunpoint and from the bank. They also stole all the taxes I paid for ten years. Somehow after the tax money left the bank (by the accountants online transactions) to go to the department of finance they had some people inside the bank system that then rerouted the money.
The same police tried kidnapping me a third time as I was on my way to a U.S. Embassy safe house. Stole 30,000 dollars and stabbed my wife. This all happened within two hours after a puerto escondido attorney called my home, family members, attorney and friends for two days telling them to give me a message to pay extortion fees, which we did not and still will not.
I could tell you more really grusome things they do but its so crazy you would not believe it. DO NOT GO THEIR EVER or ANY OF MEXICO. Frontier, middle Mexico, Southern Mexico, whatever they tell you its all the same. They just dont publish the news in the southern states or the reporters would be killed. The police tell you they will kill your kids if you try to turn them in.
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I find this extremely hard to believe, but let’s give you the benefit of the doubt for a moment. I was just in Oaxaca state and in Puerto Escondido and the coast south of it for a few weeks. There is no danger, it is perfectly safe. One of the Matador editors has lived in Oaxaca city for years. We cycled from Puerto Escondido to Zipolite and survived! No extortion, no stabbings, no muggings, no kidnappings. Just a whole lot of perfectly friendly people selling tasty food and waving hello as we biked past. The police were fairly indifferent to us. I’m not sure what you would get out of posting a comment like this, my money is on you’re just a troll, which makes me stupid for even responding.
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I have to disagree about Portugal, Lagos…
best spot is Ericeira… no wonder they do the world championship there… algarve is only for summer and enjoying the quiet ocean
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I agree with Bundoran and Rossnowlagh in Donegal. Also Tramore beach near Ardara and Dooey strand. Most times you will have the place to yourself!
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Me and a couple of friends are looking fofr somewhere super cheap and cheerful to learn to surf, can anyone recomend anywhere in Europe, preferable close to cheap airline airport?
Thank you
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well, Ericeira (Portugal) is close to Lisbon airport, about 35km, with direct connection in motorways. There are a few of cheap hostels, and some hotels. I know there are surf schools, but I don’t know their names. I have a house there but is going to be rented for the next year… but you can find plenty of private houses to rent, but probably they are expensive for the summer.
Ericeira has a few beaches, but is a windy place, but lovely spot!
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I live in Port Elizabeth and there is no shark cage diving here, that is in Cape Town on the other side of the country. We have some of the safest beaches in the world to swim in and learn to surf, waves are perfect for beginners at clubhouse or at the pier, and can get good for experienced guys at lockness or the reserve.
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If you are looking for the best food, green and natural landscape, cheap place to sleep and a lot of surf spots … you should tour all over Galician coast (northwest of Spain).
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There’s definitely some interesting picks on the list, including a number of cold-water spots. I find it hard enough to surf in cold-water, couldn’t imagine trying to learn and battle the cold at the same time, but kudos to those who do. A great place to learn is Bahia Ballena in Costa Rica, warm water, no crowds, and excellent waves for beginners. Some general info http://www.bodhisurfschool.com/surfing/bahia-ballena
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