It’s summer! Get out your board and ride the waves with Cheapflights’ picks for 10 hot surfing destinations around the globe.
Chicago, Illinois
Surprised? So were we. Chicago makes our pick for an incredible place to surf for logistics and history. There’s something undeniably awesome about of surfing on a lake, and secondly, since the sport was actually banned for decades and recently allowed, we’re loving the epic draw that effectively legalizes surfing in the heart of the Midwest. It’s an unlikely surf spot for sure, but it only makes it that much sweeter.
Gold Coast, Australia
Most travelers don’t need much enticing when it comes to traveling to Australia. Stunning beaches, glorified reefs, and an adventurous attitude cloak this country in excitement. The Gold Coast is just one of the Aussie hot spots for surfing, and while you’re here, you’ll experience miles of beach break and running swells. There’s also a new artificial reef at Narrowneck. Travel before the end of July for the best waves.
Santa Cruz, California
A little obsessed, Santa Cruz is a niche surfing town about 50 miles south of San Francisco. The sport saturates the area with products and shops by the O’Neills, who have developed wet suits and surfboards for skilled surfers all over the globe. While you’re here, check out the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, which covers more than 100 years of local surfing history.
Oahu, Hawaii
Decadent by nature, Oahu is a surfer’s paradise, boasting 300 years of surfing roots, when fishermen used boards to ride waves with their catch. When winter swells take over the island, the world’s best surfers flock to the North Shore, where some of the largest and best-known surfing competitions in the world take place. A fan favorite is the Banzai Pipeline beach.
Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa
While Cape Town may seem like a more well-known choice for surfers in Africa, Jeffrey’s Bay is just a short drive along the coast from Port Elizabeth, and wins out for a deserving reputation, and ideal location that allows for perfect swells. The best wave season here is from June to August (Billabong Pro operates its World Championship Tour here for 10 days in July), when waves range from 3-10 feet.
Itacaré-Bahia
While Brazil specializes in parties and parades, its central coast of Bahia capitalizes on shoreline fun. Aside from it boasting the last remaining coastal Atlantic forest, Itacare-Bahia also offers hot temperature and coconut palm-fringed beaches. All waves here break on the sand, and because of a submarine canyon just offshore, board-breaking power is a highlight. At night, the area turns from tranquil to wild.
Bali, Indonesia
An archipelago made up of 18,700 islands, Indonesia is a blissful haven for sun, sand and culture. Bali boasts over 20 top quality breaks on both the southwest and southeast coasts surrounding the Bukit Peninsula. Areas like Padang Padang and Uluwatu are world-class barreling reef-breaks, where waves hit the 6-foot range.
Pavones, Costa Rica
Quieter than other surfing locations on the list, Pavones is perfect for surfers who want to focus solely on the sport and relax while they’re not hanging ten. Its serene location on the interior of Golfo Dulce heats up from May-November, when locals ride the waves and skillful boarders from all over the world travel to the remote Costa Rican locale to soak up the sun.
Fuerteventura, Spain
The Canary Islands beckon vacationers from around the globe to its exotic location. Just west of Morocco in the Atlantic Ocean, these gems offer the best swells in autumn and winter, and while surfers, sailors, and even kite surfers flock to Fuerteventura during the hot seasons, the beaches remain relatively calm. When you’re spending time out of the water, feel free to explore the volcano sites.
Hossegor, France
France may not come to mind when most people think of surfing, but Hossegor provides a cool balance of both wave consistency during the day, and rich nightlife after sunset. Settled on the west coast of France in the North Atlantic, this hot spot beams from August – November.
© Cheapflights Ltd (Photo credit: thelastminute)
