The best places to go surfing around the world — and the top hotels to learn and stay at while doing it.
There’s a common belief among surfers that every wave has a story to tell, but that only those who know how to listen and observe can truly hear it. For some, simply being near the ocean is enough. For others, it takes being on the water to understand. But for surf-loving travelers, the magic lies in pairing a surf adventure with a comfortable stay near the shoreline.
Hawaii’s Indigenous people, the original surfers, understood that hee nalu (wave sliding) was far more than a sport. It was a way to connect with the sea, engage with others, and absorb the untold stories of a place. Today, surf destinations carry on that tradition, offering more than waves as they’ve become spaces where people and cultures come together naturally.
Whether you’re an experienced surfer or dreaming of your first ride, here are some of the best surf spots in the world. As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
United States
Oahu, Hawaii
The birthplace of surfing, Hawaii is home to numerous bucket-list “dream wave” spots for many surfers, especially on the island of Oahu, where diverse waves welcome all levels. Beauty and history pervade the surf culture here, where a statue of Duke Kahanamoku — the father of modern surfing — watches over the beginner-friendly waves of Waikiki Beach.
Travelers can start their surfing journey with lessons at Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort, enjoying long, rolling breaks offshore and sweeping views of the ocean and Leahi (Diamond Head crater) from the resort’s award-winning infinity pool.
November through February is big-wave season in Hawaii, and that’s when most surfers make their way to Oahu’s storied North Shore to surf the Banzai Pipeline (famous for its left-breaking waves) off Ehukai Beach Park in Pupukea or its neighboring Backdoor (famous for its right-breaking waves). Both spots host professional surfing competitions and are just a short drive from The Ritz-Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay. This sprawling, luxurious resort is a surf destination in its own right, and experienced surfers can surf from its grounds. Surf lessons for all ages and abilities are offered on-site, and if you prefer to watch others ride the swells, grab a cocktail from Sunset bar and watch the show unfold.
California
Surfing is the official state sport of California, where sunny vibes mix with 840 miles of Pacific coastline. Surfing came to California in 1885 when three Hawaiian princes introduced it to locals in Santa Cruz. The craze caught on as Californians realized many of their breezy coastlines were ideal for wave riding.
Huntington Beach adopted its “Surf City USA” monicker long ago and has some great beginner-friendly breaks. Farther south, San Diego’s coastline is a playground for surfers with its massive variety of surf spots. Many experienced surfers view Black’s Beach as their white whale, treating the steep hike down the cliffs (proper footwear is a must) almost like a ritual before tackling the spot’s powerful waves. Ocean Beach is vintage SoCal at its best, where surf is consistent (and beginner friendly) day in and day out and a good fish taco is just a stand away. The neighborhood of La Jolla welcomes all levels with its gentle waves and sandy bottom, and Sheraton La Jolla Hotel, nested just inland, close to La Jolla Cove, makes it an even warmer welcome with its California-cool aesthetic and heated pool.
Latin America and the Caribbean
Barbados
Situated in the Caribbean, just east of the other islands in the Lesser Antilles chain, Barbados dances to its own rhythm. Limestone caves tell storied tales of pirate lore, trickling waterfalls sparkle among lush vegetation, and the warm welcome of sugar-soft sand and relaxed surf culture greets surfers heading out for their first waves of the day.
Consistent trade winds provide plenty of waves for everyone year-round, and most of the top spots on the island are beginner friendly. The Soup Bowl, on the east coast in Bathsheba, and Freights Bay on the island’s southwestern tip tend to attract more experienced surfers. But Surfer’s Point, on the southeastern tip, is a favorite for all levels of surfers and windsurfers with its warm breezes and sheltered waters.
Located just a short drive from both Freights Bay and Surfer’s Point, Courtyard by Marriott Bridgetown, Barbados is a great place to experience all of Barbados’ surf culture in the heart of the city. The hotel is also just a short drive from Oistins Fish Market, where guests can experience the famous Friday night Fish Fry. A daily shuttle from the hotel brings guests to a great beach for swimming and paddle practice, but it’s worth the drive to Surfer’s Point for its bigger and more consistent waves.
Pro tip: Marriott Bonvoy members can earn points when they book activities, like local surfing lessons, via the Marriott Bonvoy Tours & Activities website.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is known for its rainforests, volcanoes, beaches, and a truly vibrant surf scene. The sounds of quetzal birds and spider monkeys mark the mountainous jungles, but it’s the rhythmic sound of breaking waves that serenades the country’s coastlines.
In general, December through March is the time to surf the swells of the Caribbean Sea, but April through October is when its Pacific Ocean coastlines shine. Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean side is home to Salsa Brava, a hollow reef break that’s best suited for advanced riders.
On the Pacific coast, the popular Playa Tamarindo is tame enough for beginners and intermediate surfers. JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa sits just south of Tamarindo Bay, on Mansita Beach. The resort partners with local surf camps, and surfing on property is an option, as well. Don’t forget you can earn Marriott Bonvoy points for activities like snagging a spot in a private or group class offered via Marriott Bonvoy Tours & Activities. Mansita Beach provides a relaxed and uncrowded experience for newbies to the sport.
Mexico
Mexico brings its own distinct flavor its surf culture, with a signature warmth that comes from both the people who live there and the rich, sometimes spicy cuisine it’s known for. A land of extremes, Mexico’s high mountains, low canyons, and sprawling deserts bump right up against its coastline.
The gentle surf of Baja California is great for beginners, and Sayulita, on Mexico’s west coast, is a dream for wellness seekers with a penchant for paddling (eating pitaya smoothie bowls after surfing has become a ritual). It’s impossible, however, to talk about surfing in Mexico without mentioning Puerto Escondido. Southern Oaxaca’s most famous surf spot is home to what has become known as the Mexican Pipeline, and experienced surfers dream about hitting these powerful barrel waves.
Hotel Humano, a Member of Design Hotels marries eco-chic design with a barefoot-luxury aesthetic, and the area’s surfer culture plays into all aspects of the Puerto Escondido property, which has its own surf shop and offers lessons right on its beach, Playa Zicatela.
Asia Pacific
Taiwan, China
Surfing has developed a loyal following on the semitropical island of Taiwan. Its coastline ranges from rocky cliffs to sandy beaches and meandering lagoons, and its waves that form offshore are just as varied as the lands they roll onto.
Longboarders tend to prefer Taiwan’s southern beaches, like Nanwan and Jialeshui, for their drawn-out reef breaks and small, mellow waves. And although Jinzun Harbor hosts the annual Taiwan Open of Surfing, it’s equally known for its surf schools and beginner lessons.
The island’s best-kept secret for surfers lies on its northern coast off of Fulong Beach, where the waters are uncrowded since the beach is better known among most visitors for its Sand Sculpture Art Festival. The waves are gentle enough for beginners but consistent enough to keep advanced surfers interested.
An hour away from Fulong Beach, the Four Points by Sheraton Yilan Jiaoxi acts as a haven for surfers with soaking tubs fed by a local carbonic-acid hot spring, local craft brews at Shi Chao Bar, and delicious Cantonese-style menus at restaurant Chu Shi Xuan.
Phuket, Thailand
Thailand’s largest island is also where some of the best surfing spots are located. Surfing has picked up in recent years as more travelers have discovered the gentle waves and relaxed ambience of Phuket’s coast.
Bangtao Beach and Kamala Beach are great for beginners year-round, but between May and October (i.e., monsoon season), an occasional monsoon swell creeps in and makes the surf exciting — and more challenging — at Kata Beach. Kata is still a favorite for beginners the rest of the year, as lessons run daily and the winds often blow in surfers’ favor.
Just a short drive away, Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach has a beautiful oceanfront setting, a house reef for snorkeling, and several pools. Before or after catching the waves, visit the on-site butterfly sanctuary and hear about its conservation efforts and the importance of butterflies to the ecosystem.
Fiji
Of the approximately 300 islands that make up this South Pacific archipelago, only 100 or so are inhabited. Surfing takes place all around Fiji, which has become known as one of the friendliest nations in the world, but most of the best waves can be found on the Coral Coast and around the Mamanuca Islands.
Surf boats transport surfers to the country’s most iconic waves, especially Cloudbreak, Frigates, and Wilkes, saving surfers hours of paddling. A 20-minute boat ride brings surfers directly to Cloudbreak — the famous (and highly challenging) reef break that was featured in “The Endless Summer II” — from the Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay. The resort is a surfer’s dream, where overwater bungalows keep the ocean in sight at all times and innovative sustainability programs bring the spirit of surfing to life: Try hands-on experiences like coral restoration, mangrove planting, and fish-house building.
Europe
The Canary Islands
Year-round sunshine, strong winds, and a distinct attitude of vive ut vivas (live so that you may live) make the Canary Islands a surfer’s paradise. Each of the eight islands has its own personality, and the same is true for their surf cultures.
For advanced surfers, El Hierro’s famous left-handed waves are powerful and exciting, and Los Lobos offers an equally thrilling right-hand point break.
The island of Fuerteventura offers natural beauty and shallow lava reefs that are ideal for beginner surfers, and the sandy beaches of the town Caleta de Fuste set the stage for a great intro to the sport. During high winds, Caleta de Fuste is a great spot for kitesurfing lessons, but once the winds die down, the surf is ideal for practicing some light wave reading and catching beginner-friendly waves. Stay at the lushly landscaped Sheraton Fuerteventura Beach, Golf & Spa Resort for easy access to the beach and classes with nearby surf schools.
Visit the lighthouse in Nazare, Portugal to watch pro-surfers in action. (Photo: Mindaugas Dulinskas / Getty Images)
Don’t miss beach views from the pool deck at Immerso Hotel.(Photo: Marriott International)
Portugal
Life in Portugal is good. The wine, the weather, the food, the people, the beauty … all of it comes together to create a quality of life that draws in visitors from Europe and abroad. The prime Atlantic coastline is what attracts surfers, and the country’s many coves create a cool and diverse landscape that has something for all levels of riders.
Big-wave surfers come to Portugal for Nazaré’s breathtakingly huge waves, and the golden sands of Péniche attract many festivalgoers with numerous pro surfing competitions. Ericeira is a modest-sized surf town with great shops and surf schools and even better breaks for learning the sport. A short 5-minute drive north from Ericeira lands intermediate surfers in the dreamy right-hand breaks of Ribeira d’Ilhas, and just another 5 minutes up the road is an ideal spot for post-surf-school practices on the gentle waves of São Lourenço beach.
São Lourenço beach is down the road from the eco-luxe Immerso Hotel, a Member of Design Hotels, where time slows down intentionally as food gets cooked by fire and everything revolves around a connection to the local land. Surf lessons happen in partnership with Tiago Pires Surf School on any of the nine beaches around the resort (all part of the World Surfing Reserve), with the more advanced option to rent equipment and head out solo with expert recommendations on more challenging spots to hit.
Munich, Germany
The land of fairy tales and festivals is not the first many would think of when it comes to surfing, and yet Germany is home to one of the top bucket-list waves for many surfers. Munich, which also hosts the most famous Oktoberfest celebrations in the world, is where surfers from around the world come to try their skills on what has become known as the “endless wave.”
The “Eisbachwelle” is a human-made wave that forms on the Eisbach River only suitable for professional surfers, but available year-round for anyone brave enough to attempt it (or anyone who wants to watch the spectacle). Ask the concierge at The Westin Grand Munich (located a bit downriver) to help arrange directions and equipment rentals — or even to book you into a soothing spa treatment at the property’s renowned ISARspa post-river-ride.
The Middle East and Africa
Namibia
This sparsely populated sub-Saharan country is ripe with adventures for those who come searching. The Namib Desert runs along the coast, with huge red sand dunes jutting out toward the sea. And while the shipwrecks along Skeleton Coast National Park may seem ominous, they’re actually a marker of one of the top surfing spots in the country. South of the park, the long, barrel waves of Skeleton Bay, aka Donkey Bay, break left and are best for advanced surfers, especially between June and August when the swells can grow to well over 10 feet.
A few miles down the coast, the waves mellow out as they flow into the quiet Walvis Bay. The bay is favored by the largest flock of flamingos in Southern Africa, and Protea Hotel by Marriott Walvis Bay Pelican Bay offers an up-close view of the beauty of the birds and the sea. Tours on sand or by sea are all fair game from this adventure hub where guests wind up swapping stories at the end of the day over drinks at Aquarius Restaurant.
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