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Puerto Escondido, Mexico

Located in the state of Oaxaca, along the Pacific Coast of Mexico, Puerto Escondido is a world-renowned surfing destination, famous for its powerful waves, particularly at Zicatela Beach.

Best for: Experienced surfers seeking challenging waves, particularly during the summer months when the swell is at its peak.

Type of Break: Puerto Escondido is known for its powerful beach breaks, with Zicatela Beach offering some of the heaviest barrels in the world.

Best Time to Surf: The peak surfing season in Puerto Escondido runs from May to September, with the biggest swells arriving between June and August.

Things to Consider: Zicatela’s waves are for experienced surfers only. Beginners and intermediate surfers should exercise caution and consider other breaks in the area, such as La Punta or Playa Carrizalillo, which offer more manageable conditions.

Ericeira, Portugal

Nestled along Portugal’s picturesque Atlantic coastline, Ericeira holds the distinct honor of being Europe’s first and only World Surfing Reserve. This charming fishing village has transformed into a global surfing mecca, renowned for its consistent waves, diverse surf breaks, and laid-back atmosphere.

Best for: Surfers of all skill levels, from beginners finding their footing to seasoned professionals chasing world-class waves. The variety of breaks within a short distance makes Ericeira a truly unique and adaptable surfing destination.

Type of Break: Ericeira offers an impressive variety of breaks, including:

Reef Breaks: Coxos, known for its powerful right-hand barrels, and Pedra Branca, a challenging wave favored by experienced surfers.
Point Breaks: Ribeira d’Ilhas, a consistent right-hand point break suitable for all levels, and São Julião, a long, fast wave ideal for experienced surfers.
Beach Breaks: Foz do Lizandro, a forgiving beach break perfect for beginners and longboarders, and Praia do Sul, offering both left and right-hand peaks.

Best Time to Surf: Ericeira boasts consistent waves year-round, making it a surfer’s paradise in every season:

Summer (June-August): Smaller, more manageable waves, ideal for beginners and those looking for a more relaxed surfing experience. Water temperatures are at their warmest, often requiring only a light wetsuit or rashguard.
Autumn (September-November): The swell starts to pick up, bringing larger waves and more consistent conditions. This is a great time for intermediate and advanced surfers seeking more challenging rides.
Winter (December-February): The biggest swells arrive during the winter months, producing powerful waves at breaks like Coxos and Pedra Branca. This is prime time for experienced surfers but requires extra caution due to strong currents and colder water temperatures.
Spring (March-May): The swell gradually decreases, offering a mix of conditions from larger waves to smaller, more manageable ones. Spring is a good time to experience Ericeira’s diversity, with something to offer everyone.

Beyond Surfing: Ericeira’s charm extends beyond its waves. Explore the charming village, savor fresh seafood at traditional restaurants, and embrace the relaxed Portuguese lifestyle.

Accessibility: Located just a short drive from Lisbon’s international airport, Ericeira offers easy accessibility for travelers.

Peniche, Portugal

Perched dramatically on a peninsula jutting into the Atlantic Ocean, Peniche, Portugal, has rightfully earned its title as the “European Pipeline.” This historic fishing town boasts a raw, untamed beauty, coupled with a legendary reputation for producing some of Europe’s most consistent and powerful waves. Peniche offers an exhilarating surfing experience for all, from beginners seeking their first taste of the sport to seasoned professionals chasing world-class barrels.

Best for: Surfers of all levels, but particularly renowned for its challenging waves that attract experienced surfers and professionals, especially during the autumn and winter months.

Type of Break: Peniche’s diverse coastline offers a variety of breaks, catering to a range of skill levels:

Supertubos: Peniche’s crown jewel, this world-renowned beach break produces incredibly fast and hollow barrels, often compared to Hawaii’s Banzai Pipeline. Best suited for experienced surfers, Supertubos is home to the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal, a stop on the World Surf League Championship Tour.
Baleal: A versatile beach break offering a range of peaks suitable for different levels. Beginners can find gentler waves here, while more experienced surfers can chase bigger swells further out.
Lagide: A sheltered bay with mellow waves, ideal for beginners and longboarders seeking a more relaxed surfing experience.
Almagreira: A powerful reef break known for its long, fast waves, favored by experienced surfers.

Best Time to Surf: Peniche’s exposed location means it receives consistent swell throughout the year, but certain seasons offer optimal conditions:

Autumn (September-November): Considered the prime surfing season, autumn brings large, consistent swells from the North Atlantic, creating world-class waves at Supertubos and other breaks.
Winter (December-February): The swell remains powerful throughout winter, offering challenging conditions for experienced surfers. Water temperatures drop, requiring thicker wetsuits.
Spring (March-May): The swell starts to decrease, providing a mix of conditions from large waves to smaller, more manageable ones. Spring offers a good balance for different skill levels.
Summer (June-August): Smaller, more manageable waves prevail during summer, making it an excellent time for beginners and those seeking a less intense surfing experience. Water temperatures are at their warmest.

Beyond Surfing: Peniche’s allure extends beyond its waves. Explore the historic fortress, sample fresh seafood at local restaurants, or take a boat trip to the nearby Berlengas Islands, a nature reserve teeming with birdlife.

Accessibility: Located just an hour’s drive north of Lisbon, Peniche is easily accessible by car or public transportation.

Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Basking in the year-round sunshine of Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, the Guanacaste province stands as a true surfer’s paradise. Renowned for its consistent offshore winds, warm waters, and diverse coastline offering a wave for every skill level, Guanacaste embodies the “Pura Vida” spirit, inviting surfers to embrace the rhythm of the ocean and the vibrant Costa Rican culture.

Best for: Surfers of all levels, from beginners finding their footing in gentle beach breaks to seasoned riders seeking challenging reef breaks and world-class barrels.

Type of Break: Guanacaste’s diverse coastline boasts an impressive array of breaks:

Tamarindo: A popular surf town with a variety of breaks, including beginner-friendly beach breaks at Tamarindo Beach and more challenging reef breaks at nearby spots like Pico Pequeño and Witches Rock.
Nosara: Home to Playa Guiones, a world-renowned beach break famous for its long, consistent waves, ideal for longboarders and surfers of all levels.
Samara: A more laid-back surf town with a gentle beach break perfect for beginners and families.
Pavones: Located further south in the Puntarenas province but accessible from Guanacaste, Pavones boasts one of the longest left-hand point breaks in the world, a legendary wave attracting experienced surfers seeking an unforgettable ride.

Best Time to Surf: Guanacaste enjoys consistent surf year-round, but certain seasons offer optimal conditions:

Green Season (May-November): The “green season” brings larger swells from the Southern Hemisphere, creating more powerful waves, particularly at exposed breaks. Offshore winds are prevalent during this time, grooming the waves for excellent conditions.
Dry Season (December-April): The “dry season” offers smaller, more manageable waves, ideal for beginners and those seeking a more relaxed surfing experience. Water temperatures are at their warmest, often exceeding 80°F (27°C).

Beyond Surfing: Guanacaste’s natural beauty extends beyond its coastline. Explore lush rainforests, encounter diverse wildlife, relax on pristine beaches, or indulge in the region’s vibrant culture and delicious cuisine.

Accessibility: Guanacaste is easily accessible via Liberia’s Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR), offering direct flights from major cities in North America and Europe.

Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

Embrace the bohemian surf haven of Santa Teresa, a jewel nestled on the southern tip of Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula. This once-hidden gem has emerged as a sought-after destination for surfers and beach lovers alike, drawn to its unpaved roads, lush jungle backdrops, consistent waves, and laid-back “Pura Vida” atmosphere.

Best for: Surfers of all levels seeking a blend of consistent waves, a vibrant surf culture, and a bohemian beach town vibe.

Type of Break: Santa Teresa offers a variety of breaks catering to different skill levels:

Playa Santa Teresa: A long stretch of beach offering consistent beach breaks with both left and right-hand peaks. Beginners can find gentler waves closer to shore, while more experienced surfers can head further out for larger swells.
Playa Carmen: Located just south of Santa Teresa, Playa Carmen offers a more challenging beach break with powerful waves, particularly at high tide.
Suck Rock: A reef break located off the northern end of Santa Teresa beach, known for its fast, hollow waves, best suited for experienced surfers.
Roca Mar: Another reef break, located further south, offering challenging waves with barrels and fast sections.

Best Time to Surf: Santa Teresa enjoys consistent surf year-round, but certain seasons offer optimal conditions:

Dry Season (December-April): The dry season brings offshore winds and smaller swells, creating ideal conditions for beginners and those seeking a more relaxed surfing experience. Water temperatures are at their warmest during this time.
Green Season (May-November): The green season brings larger swells from the Southern Hemisphere, producing more powerful waves, particularly at exposed breaks like Suck Rock and Roca Mar. The occasional rain shower keeps the jungle lush and vibrant.

Beyond Surfing: Santa Teresa’s charm extends beyond its waves. Explore hidden waterfalls, practice yoga at world-class studios, indulge in fresh seafood at beachfront restaurants, or simply relax and soak up the bohemian atmosphere.

Accessibility: Santa Teresa is accessible by car or shuttle from San José’s Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) or Liberia’s Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR). Domestic flights are also available to Tambor Airport (TMU), located a short drive from Santa Teresa.

Oahu’s North Shore, Hawaii

Oahu’s fabled North Shore stands as a hallowed ground in the surfing world, a seven-mile stretch of coastline on the Hawaiian island of Oahu renowned for its legendary waves, laid-back surf culture, and breathtaking natural beauty. From November to February, the North Shore transforms into a surfer’s amphitheater, as colossal winter swells march across the Pacific, unleashing their fury on iconic breaks like Pipeline, Sunset Beach, and Waimea Bay, drawing professional surfers and enthusiasts alike to witness and experience the pinnacle of big wave surfing.

Best for: Experienced surfers seeking world-class waves, particularly during the winter months when the North Shore comes alive with its legendary big wave surf.

Type of Break: The North Shore boasts a collection of world-renowned breaks, each with its unique characteristics:

Pipeline (Banzai Pipeline): Arguably the most famous wave on Earth, Pipeline is a shallow reef break producing incredibly powerful and hollow barrels, often breaking just a few feet from the shore. This wave is for experienced surfers only.
Sunset Beach: A long, sweeping point break offering a variety of waves depending on the swell size and direction. Sunset can handle massive swells, producing long, challenging rides.
Waimea Bay: A legendary big wave surf spot, Waimea Bay comes alive when swells reach over 20 feet, creating massive, awe-inspiring waves that only the most experienced surfers dare to ride.
Haleiwa: A more forgiving wave located in Haleiwa town, offering a mix of peaks suitable for different skill levels. Haleiwa is a great spot for beginners to experience the North Shore’s magic.

Best Time to Surf: The North Shore’s surf season runs from November to February, peaking during the winter months when large north swells arrive from the North Pacific.

Winter (November-February): The prime time for big wave surfing, with consistent swells producing massive waves at breaks like Pipeline, Sunset, and Waimea.
Summer (May-October): The summer months bring smaller, more manageable waves to the North Shore, offering a more relaxed surfing experience, particularly for beginners.

Beyond Surfing: The North Shore offers a laid-back atmosphere, charming towns, and breathtaking scenery. Explore the lush valleys, hike to scenic lookouts, sample local food trucks, or simply relax on the beach and soak up the Hawaiian vibes.

Accessibility: The North Shore is located on the island of Oahu, easily accessible from Honolulu International Airport (HNL). Rental cars are readily available for exploring the North Shore’s coastline.