6 Stunning Destinations for Surfers

September 1, 2015

When it comes to travel for sport, you can’t beat destinations for surfers.

Imagine an unbelievable ocean getaway, where either I use my incredible surfing skills or sit back and relax and watch the “kids” hang ten.

Here are a few terrific locations that would be a perfect spot to spend a surf-centered weekend:

Oahu North Shore, Hawaii

Roughly a one hour drive from Waikiki, perfect waves are in ample supply on Oahu’s North Shore. The big, glassy waves of this legendary surf mecca attract surfers of all ages and ability. If you time your visit right, you might just see a major surf competition. Best time to visit is between November and February.

Surfing_Maui_Tom_Kelly — Flickr/Tom Kelly

Surfer’s Point, Barbados

Located on the Southeast coast of Barbados, Surfer’s point is rustic and beautiful piece of paradise for surfers and those who just want to hang out and watch. The beach is home to several tiny bays and the sea conditions often vary within each one. Your kids will also enjoy taking a dip in the many rock pools that are found all around the beach.

Playa Grande/Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Known as a paradise for surfers, the Tamarindo area of Costa Rica meets the needs of beginners and advanced surfers alike. Across from Tamarindo sits Playa Grande, which consistently has the best waves in the region. When Tamarindo gets too crowded, you can paddle with your board across the river to get to the surf spot “La Casita” with its fast beach break.

Tamarindo-Costa-Rica-Pepe-CamPhotography — Flickr/Pepe Cam Photography

Santa Cruz, California

Also known as Surf City, this tiny stretch of coast is located at the north end of Monterey Bay. The small stretch of coast is in the perfect spot to take the winter swells and transform them into surfable waves. One of the main attractions is Steamer Lane, a classic California surf spot (which sometimes gets very crowded). This is a great place if you have some surf skills, you’ll probably want to try out your best moves to impress the crowds. It’s also a wonderful place to sit and watch it all happen.

Uluwatu, Bali

Okay, now we’re getting into the wonderful part of the world where I learned to surf. Thanks to my work with Travel Channel, I got to visit Bali and take a few lessons. The results were amazing and I loved every minute of it. Surfing Uluwatu is a special experience, the water is warm, the waves are fast and go long and the scenery is EPIC!

Bondi Beach, Sydney

One of the true urban surf experiences, Bondi Beach is the perfect destination for surfers, whether you’re an expert or a newbie. You can travel to Bondi in less than 20 minutes by bus from Sydney’s City Center. True surfers and those with experience head to the southern end of the beach, so steer clear of that area until you’ve take at least a few lessons.