Photography : Unknown
Some people hit the beach to relax and bask in the sun, but the real beach lovers are those who engage in a much more energetic activity: surfing. If you are among the growing number of adventurous sportsmen who love to hang 10 , you'll be very interested in the following list. It outlines the world's best surfing beaches, based on quality and frequency of the waves, weather and accessibility.
Number 10
Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain
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The
northernmost of the Canary Islands, Lanzarote arguably boasts Europe's
best surf. Though the swells are not huge, the warm waters and
consistent waves keep surfers coming back for more. The resort of Famara
is the ideal spot for you to catch waves, as it has a mile-long beach
and a British Surfing Association Surf Clinic where you can hone your
skills with the aid of a teacher. The ideal time to get gnarly at
Lanzarote is from November to February, when the waves are biggest and
the weather is perfect.Biggest waves: 6 feet
Number 9
Kandahar Beach, Mexico
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There are fast, wild waves at The Boca, great longboard conditions at La Saladita, and challenging breaks at Troncones Point. To take advantage of these great spots, it is highly recommended that you rent a car.
Biggest waves: 15 feet
Number 8
Huntington Beach, U.S.A.
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Though the
surrounding area has been given a Hollywood-like facelift, no amount of
construction can change the waves at Huntington Beach. Known as Surf
City, U.S.A., Huntington has, by many accounts, the "perfect break." On
good days, the wave curls just right and is easy to catch off of the
large pier. Professionals ride these babies during the annual OP Pro
Surfing Tournament and International Surfing Championship.Contrary to popular belief, the ideal time to catch "the big one" is not during the summer months. The oft-surfed south side area often gets battered by high winds and the break is not as good as it is during winter, which is the time locals claim is ideal.
Biggest waves: 10 feet
Number 7
Isla Ensenada, Panama
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Hardly distinguishable
on any map, this paradise lies five miles off the Panamanian coast. But
after the discovery of some world-class breaks, this site has begun
teeming with surfers. To visit, you must join the Morro Negrito Surf Camp (which is actually two islands), which gives you access to the beach, in addition to the small breaks of the Big Island and the 10 challenging breaks of the Small Island. Since only 20 lucky surfers can join the camp at a time, no area is ever crowded. What's more, there are still beaches on the islands that have yet to be developed, so there are plenty of opportunities to explore, especially during the peak surfing months of April through October.
Biggest waves: 8 feet
Number 6
Surfers Paradise Beach, Gold Coast, Australia
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The name says it all. One of the busiest Australian destinations,
Surfers Paradise Beach is unrivaled when it comes to surfing conditions.
Though the waters may be crowded, most visitors argue that the ride is
well worth the wait. Off of the 492-foot wide beach, you'll find the
warm Pacific waters very inviting. Swells for every skill level offer
riders a long, fun-filled trip. To get the best waves and weather, visit
from March to June, or September to December.Of course, part of the allure of Surfers Paradise is the extracurricular activities, which include plenty of nightspots, parties and restaurants. Don't forget to take advantage of these while on the Gold Coast, dude.
Biggest waves: 12 feet
Number 5
Tamarindo, Costa Rica
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After the popular
surfing film The Endless Summer 2 showcased Tamarindo's goods, tourists
were tripping over themselves trying to get to this Central American
hotspot. Now developed into a full-fledged resort, Tamarindo has not
lost its edge as an exclusive surfing spot. Spots like Little Hawaii and
Witch's Rock are among the most legendary, thanks to aggressive swells
and almost perfect weather.Unlike other areas in life, size doesn't matter here in Tamarindo. Longboarders and shortboarders alike are welcome here, as the rivermouth opens to a world of waves accommodating both styles. Peak tourist time is during the winter months, but the great waves continue from April through July.
Biggest waves: 9 feet
Number 4
Jeffrey's Bay, South Africa
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A notorious
surfing destination thanks to its six superb breakpoints and
consistently great weather all year, Jeffrey's Bay sees some
picture-perfect waves roll onto its beaches, including "Kitchen
Windows," "Magna Tubes" and "Albatross." It is no wonder the popular
Billabong Surfing Festival attracts the world's best surfers here every
July -- the conditions are ideal.For purists, there is no better place to be. There are no distractions or over-the-top resorts -- if you don't surf, there is not much else to do. Enjoy it while it lasts, especially during the peak months of May through August.
Biggest waves: 8 feet
Number 3
Buzios, Brazil
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At first, Buzios appears to be
nothing more than a typical Brazilian fishing village, but look closer
and you'll find 23 (count 'em) beaches to serve your surfing needs. The
area is so nice, in fact, that it has been dubbed "the jewel of the
Carioca seaside."At Manguinhos, windsurfers can be spotted year round thanks to the 10 to 25 knot winds, while the shortboard surfers can be found off the beaches of Pero and Geriba. Generally, the conditions are calm and inviting, especially during the peak months of December through February. As a bonus, several beachside clubs and bars await you following a day on the waves.
Biggest waves: 8 feet
Number 2
Papara Beach, Tahiti
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At Papara Beach, surfing
is not only an attraction for tourists -- it is a way of life. At this
legendary location, nature has put in place all the necessary tools to
make any surfer drool. From the clear water to the light breeze and
postcard beach, you're all set here in Tahiti.Only a short paddle out from the beach will bring you to waves that rise to challenging heights, while a short boat cruise brings you to the huge monster waves that make this area famous. Whether you try out these big ones or stick to the breaks closer to land, you need to be experienced to visit this perfect surfing spot. Ideal conditions exist between November and April.
Biggest waves: over 20 feet
Number 1
Waikiki, Hawaii
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No list concerning surfing would be complete without a top entry from Hawaii.
True surfers will appreciate Hawaii's -- and especially Waikiki's --
deep history of the sport, which was popularized in the early 1900s on
beaches that are still bustling today.There is a reason, other than lore, why Waikiki has become a surfing mecca. The clear waters, constant sunshine and enormous breaks are almost too awesome to believe. Beginners can learn to surf at Canoes, while pros can experience the waves that come crashing at the Queens section. Though conditions are great year round, the best of the best riding happens from May to September.
Biggest waves: over 20 feet
