Surf’s Up! Some of the World’s Best Waves
Whether you’re an experienced surfer or just want to get your toes wet while on vacation, there are many spots around the world that offer big waves, beautiful scenery, and great weather. If you’re looking to plan the perfect surfing vacation then read on, and learn about eight of the hottest surfing spots around the globe.
Gold Coast, Australia
A beautiful city located in the southeastern corner of Queensland, Gold Coast (the city) offers not only great waves but also a warm, subtropical climate – with average temperatures in between 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. People from all over the world come for the famous surf breaks, including The Spit, Broadbeach, Greenmount and Snapper Rocks.
Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa
If you don’t plan to do much else but surf during your vacation, then Jeffrey’s Bay might be your best option. You won’t find any wild nightclubs or fancy hotels, but you will find waves that sometimes surge up to ten feet. You’ll find the best waves anywhere from April to August, with many surfers hitting the beach in July – during the Billabong Pro surfing event.
Waikiki, Hawaii
If you’re looking for a beautiful place to learn how to surf, this neighborhood beach in the city of Honolulu is a perfect spot. It’s fun, the waves are mellow, and instructors and rental boards line the white sand beaches. Waikiki caters to tourists with lots of beachfront hotels, lively entertainment, dining, and shopping options.
Bali, Indonesia
An island located in Indonesia, Bali is well known to tourists; but until recently, not many knew that it was a great surfing destination as well. Residents of the island had been surfing since the 1930s, and Australian surfers began visiting in the late 1960’s. Tourists can expect to see twelve-foot waves from spring to late fall.
Fuerteventura, Spain
Part of the Canary Islands, Fuerteventura has a warm climate year-round, with air temperatures rarely dipping below 59 degrees Fahrenheit. The warm climate combined with the wind from the Atlantic Ocean makes for great surfing conditions. For the best conditions, you’ll want to visit any time between fall and spring.
Kandahar Beach, Mexico
Although not as well known, Kandahar Beach is a great location for surfers of any skill level. Various locations on the beach offer different types of waves, breaks, and swells, for everyone from beginners to experts. You can surf any time of the year at Kandahar Beach, but you’ll see the biggest waves during May and June.
Huntington Beach, California
One of the best surfing spots in the U.S., also referred to as “Surf City USA,†Huntington Beach’s climate allows for great surfing throughout the year. Contrary to what you might think, the winter seems to be the best time to get in the water—wetsuits required, of course. The locals seem to think that the break is better during this time of year.
Samoa
Not for the faint of heart, Samoa offers some of the most exciting and challenging surfing opportunities in the world. There are varying opinions as to whether the surfing is better during the winter or summer months, but you can conceivably surf year-round. Make sure to bring your own board and gear, as there are no surf shops on the island. You’ll also likely have to pay a small fee to the village for the right to surf!
There is no shortage of terrific surfing spots around the world, and many of them have great weather and waves all year long. If you’ve never stepped foot on a surfboard, your next vacation could be the perfect time to take up this new hobby.
Kenny Atkins a big board surfer and a content contributor for sites providing reverse phone lookup services. Photo credits courtesy of Flickr creative commons: Gold Coast Surf Dude by Lee Bailey; Waikiki Kid surfing by Sheila Scarborough; Fuerteventura, Spain by Adamina; Huntington Beach surfer by Michael Roy; Samoa by Felipe Skroski.
