The World’s 10 Best Surf Spots

Here are the top 10 worldwide bucket-list spots for every surfer, in no particular order…

10. BINGIN, BALI, INDONESIA

8°48’13.4” S 115°06’49.0” E
A quick scooter ride from Kuta, Bingin is a reef break that’s great on a south swell and will show you a good time on waves in the three-to-five-foot range. A fun challenge for the intermediate surfers and enjoyable for goofy-footers with its predominant left-hand ride.

9. RAGLAN, NEW ZEALAND

37.8000° S, 174.8833° E
Manu Bay in Raglan is on the North Island of New Zealand and boasts one of the world’s longest and visually stunning left-hand point breaks. It met its fame in the Endless Summer film and since then, despite its cold waters, is on many a must-surf list.

8. JEFFREY’S BAY, SOUTH AFRICA

34.0333° S, 24.9167° E
JBay got its own five minutes of fame this year when Mick Fanning took on a great white shark. It is sharky, but also one heck of a glory-ride when it’s firing. It’s a generous right-hander that’s super long and provides a hollow tube-ride breaking really shallow, but worth taking on if you’re game.

7. TRESTLES, CALIFORNIA, USA

33.3850° N, 117.5950° W
Apart from the epic selfies you can take on the iconic train tracks on your walk to Trestles, there are a selection of incredible waves that make up the Trestles stretch and they can line up perfectly; delicious, offshore split peaks that dreams are made of. A great intermediate-to-advanced wave with a cobblestone bottom.

6. SNAPPER ROCKS, AUSTRALIA

28.1625° S, 153.5500° E
Snapper is a right-hand “Super Bank.” Super because it’s long, hollow, fast and crowded. It’s a world-class wave made with a sand pump. Mick Fanning, Joel “Parko” Parkinson and Stephanie Gilmore call it home, as do 1 million other locals. If you’re fast on your feet and up for a paddle battle it will reward you with a long satisfying ride.

5. CLOUDBREAK, FIJI

17.8577° S, 177.2018° E
Out in the middle of the ocean lies one of the best and most challenging waves in the world. You’ll need to get a boat to Cloudbreak from either Namotu or Tavarua Island Resorts and remember to take lots of sun protection. It’s an almond-shaped left-hander breaking onto a really shallow reef, but if you’re serious, it’s seriously gratifying. Summer is best for small manageable waves while winter brings up to 20-foot faces.

4. LOHIS, MALDIVES

3.2000° N, 73.2200° E
Lohis is the most consistent wave in the Maldives and a world-class left-hander right in front of a resort, perfect for non-surfing partners to relax while you get surfed out. Crowds are not a problem with the break exclusive for Hudhuranfushi guests and locals only. At two to three feet, it is a long playful wall and at four to eight feet it’s a perfect barrel.

3. CLOUD 9, THE PHILIPPINES

9°52’ N 126°03’ E
Located on Siargao Island is another magical resort break. It’s best to paddle out on the increasing tide to avoid the nasty coral bottom. The rolling barrels are mouth-watering and addictive. The best waves come with the typhoons between August and November. This is a real storm-hunter wave!

2. HOSSEGOR, FRANCE

43.6594° N, 1.4267° W
While you’re in France, you need to stop by Hossegor and get yourself a board. The South of France is home to a number of thick, close-to-shore waves that are dependent on the tides. But when it’s on, it’s on and there are lefts and rights to please everyone, and it’s also home to the longest beach stretch in Europe.

1. SUNSET BEACH, HAWAII

21.6664° N, 158.0553° W
When you think surfing, you pretty much think Hawaii. The North Shore of Oahu is surf central, and Sunset Beach is one of the best in the world. Prepare yourself for a bit of local attitude and get your fitness up, because you’ll be paddling hard. Sunset is best in winter and is bone-dry with reef on low tide. Surf to your ability and respect the locals.