Around the world, surfers spend hours upon hours training at their home beaches, waiting for the day they can take their skills to the big waves. It may be strange to many that so much time and effort goes into a ride that lasts hardly more than a few minutes, but these waves are not your typical roller coaster. Curious where you can find the world’s best waves? Check out these ten places.
1. Puerto Escondido Oaxaca
Known as Mexico’s Pipeline, this break can be surfed in four locations. Don’t surf this unless you know you can make it! While some of the surf spots are fun and fairly safe, the others are dangerous and even deadly. Even so, surfers from across the globe come flocking during high season each year to experience the incredible waves of Oaxaca’s coast.
2. Superbank, Australia
Get ready for to fight crowds, quell your rage against drop-ins, and have the best ride of your life. Superbank in Australia is famous for offering a ridiculously long ride in a perfect tubing wave. This is definitely your best bet for surfing down-under! Only one person has ever made it all the way across the Superbank, but hey, why couldn’t you be the second?
3. Pipeline, Oahu, Hawaii
The world’s deadliest surf spot continues to be one of its most popular—at least for the gutsy and talented. This reef break has perfect barrels that tempt surfers into the water again and again. The danger comes from the fact that this reef break crashes over lava spires, which can turn a simple slip into a trip to the emergency room. Or the morgue. If you want to surf this wave, make sure you’re ready for a wild and risky ride!
4. The Peak, Bundoran Beach, County Donegal, Ireland
The Peak is arguably Ireland’s bet wave. It breaks on both sides (so double the fun and half the competition), and it tubes deliciously on the right side. The left side gives a longer ride, and both ends are popular for local, foreign, and even pro surfers. The wave breaks over reef, so if you’re surfing The Peak you need to watch out when you fall.
5. Mentawai Islands, Indonesia
The islands are home to a booming surf vacation industry, and it’s little wonder why. These islands are filled with fantastic waves! 4 Bobs is a consistent, relatively short wave that can be surfed by people with pretty much any ability level. If you’re looking for something thrilling and advanced, try Bankvault. It can be dangerous if it catches you off guard, but the vigilant surfer will be rewarded with perfect barrels.
6. Supertubes, Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa
Jeffery’s Bay, or J Bay, as the regulars call it, is a good enough surf spot to host the annual Billabong pro surf contest. There are seven main breaks that you can try, with varying ability levels. Just remembers that the local surfers own these waves, and they won’t give you an easy time of getting on them if you aren’t respectful.
7. The Bubble, Fuerteventura, Canary Islands
This spot is so popular that you might want to plan to surf it on a weekday, when the crowds aren’t as thick. The wave is at its best when it’s 4 to 6 feet high. You can easily surf a fantastic barrel here, just as long as you watch the sharp reef below and the competitive lineup around you.
8. Cloudbreak, Tavarua Island, Fiji
Cloudbreak not only makes it to this top-ten list, but also the “top ten most challenging waves in the world” list. The waves break about three miles off shore, so you have to take a boat to get there. As you approach, you’ll see the perfect rhythm of white foam crashing on the ocean, over and over. Once you get there, you’ll be stunned by the massive barrels rolling at high speed over the live reef. If you still have the nerve to try it, be ready for the ride of your life, and be careful!
9. Rincon, Puerto Rico
The surf capital of the Caribbean has a lot to offer. Check out both the northern and southern breaks for totally different surfing experiences. Sandy Beach is great for all levels, with its long waves that offer a lengthy ride. Just be cautious of the undertow. Indicators is only for the strong-hearted and advanced, with a tough paddle-out and dangerous but rewarding waves.
10. Manu Bay, Raglan, New Zealand
Also known as The Point, this surfing location draws hundreds of surfers from across the globe. This spot features a steady stream of long, perfect waves. Join the greats and make this one of your next surf destinations.
In every part of the world, there are great surf spots just waiting for you. From Ireland to Mexico to Indonesia, you can catch a wave at these top 10 surf destinations.
