🏄♂️ Top 10 best surf spots in the world
Every year on June 20th we celebrate International Surfing Day! Taming the elements, challenging oneself, philosophy of life… It seems that this is a separate type of daring and unbridled art, which, by the way, is passionate about about 120 million people around the world. It is so widespread and global that in 2021 the most adrenaline-pumping water activity received the status of an Olympic sport at the Tokyo Games. To fall in love with surfing completely and irrevocably, you need to know the places where to practice it.
Surfing is one of those sports that is very dependent on the weather. Fortunately, there are many places around the globe where you can almost always catch a good wave – there are excellent locations on every continent. Theoretically, this can be done at sea, but it, of course, cannot be compared with the ocean coasts. In this article we will tell you about the best locations for conquering the waves.
Kuta and Balangan in Bali (Asia)
Bali is regularly top of the list for wave conquerors. This province of Indonesia is considered the best surfing spot in Asia. On one side the island is washed by the Indian Ocean, and on the other by the Bali Sea of the Pacific Ocean. The average water temperature is at least 28°C, so you can easily do without a wetsuit. There is a possibility of encountering sharks, but those species that live in local waters are more likely to be more afraid of humans than they are of them. Only small and herbivorous species are found in the surrounding area.
There are many surf spots in Bali for surfers of all skill levels. For example, Kuta Beach, which is located in the south of the country, is recommended for beginners. There is a flat sandy bottom, no stones or corals. Strong waves are very rare, but low tides are a regular occurrence. This resort has several schools where you can learn to surf.
For more experienced surfers, Balangan Beach near Kuta is suitable. The waves here are quite big. Sometimes they reach two meters. Gentle waves can be found from April to August.
Nazaré in Portugal (Europe)
Mild climate, well-equipped beaches, hospitable hostel owners – this is all about the features of surf camps in Portugal. Among the abundance of places to conquer the waves, we highlight the Praia de Norte beach in Nazaré. It is located 120 kilometers north of Lisbon. The inclusion of this place in the list of the best is a symbolic action, because the waves here are simply huge – up to 30 meters – and are suitable only for super professionals. They are formed thanks to the canyon of the same name – the largest underwater gorge, which stretches along the coast for almost 170 km. From October to March, when the waves are at their highest, the World Surf League (WSL) hosts the Nazaré Challenge tournament in Nazaré. The best surfers in the world come here.
Unlike other world surfing centers, not a single person has died in Nazaré.
Hawaii, USA (North America)
The list would definitely be incomplete without Hawaii, the birthplace of surfing and the location for the filming of the most famous feature film about surfers, “Point Break.” There are practically no sudden temperature changes here, so you can ride the waves all year round. Not too hot and not too cold – always comfortable. Surfing on the island is so popular that it is even included in the school curriculum! There will also be no problems with renting the necessary equipment or finding a coach – there are surf schools at every step.
In Hawaii, almost the entire coastline of the state is suitable for their conquest, but we especially highlight the island of Oahu – the world center of surfing for many decades. It is here on the north shore that the annual largest competition in the world of surfing, The Triple Crown of Surfing, takes place over five weeks. The best of the best representatives of this sport come there.
In addition, only on Oahu can you see and conquer Pipeline – the queen of waves. It is recognized as the most difficult and, unfortunately, the most deadly. But there are just movie stories! For example, in 2020, the surfing community was rocked by the achievement of Brazilian Derek Berelo. Despite his illness – the guy was born blind – he managed to conquer the Pipeline. “This happened due to the fact that I can listen to the ocean and feel it,” the surfer admitted after his triumph.
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Gold Coast, Australia
We are moving to Australia. You can surf the waves of local beaches all year round. The green continent is washed by two oceans and is controlled by currents, which provide conditions for the formation of good waves along almost the entire perimeter of the coast. The water temperature here does not drop below 22°C, and in summer reaches 30°C. Until some time, sharks were the main troublemakers for surfers. Alas, there are plenty of these inhabitants here, but thanks to modern means of protection – the beaches are fenced with special nets – no predatory attacks on people have been recorded for more than 40 years.
The main beach for surfers is the Gold Coast, located in the west of the country. This is where you can see the longest wave in the world, Snapper Rocks. The only downside of the Gold Coast may be the large number of people, since the place is very popular both among wave surfers and ordinary tourists.
By the way, like in Hawaii, in Australian schools surfing is also taught as a compulsory subject.
Jeffreys Bay, South Africa (Africa)
Now let's go to the dark continent, namely South Africa. Jeffreys Bay, located 700 kilometers from Cape Town, attracts wave lovers from all over the world. This is a true gem of African surfing. Special waves are created by the warm currents of the Indian Ocean, which mix with the currents of the Atlantic.
For beginners and intermediate surfers, the best conditions are from May to August, when it is winter in the southern hemisphere. Specifically in July, it is better not to meddle in Jeffreys Bay: the location is occupied by wave kings from all over the world to take part in competitions from the professional surfing league Billabong Pro.
Peru, South America
The Republic of Peru has not yet become a place of attraction for surfers from all over the world, but it is confidently moving towards this. It is here in the northwestern part of the country (600 km from the capital, Lima) in the small town of Puerto Chicama that the world's longest left wave, Chicama, is located. It can reach four kilometers. And there is even a law that protects it! It is prohibited to build anything within a distance of one kilometer from the place where the wave forms. Peruvian officials believe this could damage the waves.
You can surf in Malabrigo (as the beach is officially called) all year round, but the coolest time is when winter is in the Southern Hemisphere – from March to October. At this time, the water temperature rises slightly above 20˚С, but in winter it does not fall below 16˚С – comfortable. The big advantage of Peru, which has not yet been advertised, is the minimum number of people: this means that you will get more waves.
Another fact in favor of surfing in Peru is the unique achievement of a local athlete. In 2004, Sofia Mulanovic became the very first South American ASP (Association of Surfing Professionals) World Tour champion, female or male. Sofia returned home as a celebrity.
Surfing is a special and unique sport. Direct contact with nature and the feeling that in the moment everything depends only on you. In circles of fans of this type of activity they say: “If you’re having a bad day, catch a wave.” After reading this material, you know where to catch her!