Top 6 Best Places to Surf Without Sharks
One of the biggest worries that cross a surfer’s mind is sharks. These supposed mean, bloodthirsty, killing machines are often seen as the ultimate danger to ocean goers. But this is not entirely true. There are approximately 35 million surfers in the world. If each person only surfed once that year, there is a 0.0003% chance of a shark attack on each person. That being said, no surfer wants to see a big gray fin sticking out the water next to them while they surf, which is why it is best to surf in places such as Madagascar, El Salvador, Chile, Costa Rica, and even Indonesia, all of which report less than 14 shark attacks since 1900 . If you are ready to dive into the world of surfing but the sharks are giving you second thoughts, then this list of the best places to surf without sharks may be the encouragement you need. What Do Sharks Like? Before you know how to avoid sharks it is important to learn what it is that sharks like. Some sharks spend their time in the deep oceanic waters, while others prefer the warmer shallow waters of oceanic shelves and coral reefs. These are known as pelagic sharks, and it is these sharks that surfers come across. Examples of pelagic sharks include the Great White and the Basking shark. Pelagic sharks tend to spend time in the shallows of river mouths or in areas where there is a lot of bacteria in the water. The bacteria and microbes create a feeding ground for smaller sea life, thus attracting bigger fish, and so on. This dark and dirty water also gives the shark an advantage of not being seen, which is why more shark attacks tend to occur in cloudy waters. Some sharks, such as the great white, hunt in areas where there is a steep shelf. This shelf allows them to attack from depths, catching their prey with speed and by surprise. All of that being said, there are approximately 500 species of sharks in the ocean, all of whom have their own habits, habitats, and feeding patterns. 6 Best Places to Surf Without Sharks As the world is filled with shark-free surf destinations it is difficult to name them all. This is why we have taken some of the most popular surf locations worldwide that do not experience many shark attacks. The list below, with data from the shark attack data website, may surprise you, but on the flip side, it may present some new surf locations that had not yet crossed your mind. 1. Indonesia The Indonesian archipelago’s 17,000 islands are home to some of the world’s best waves, with arguably more waves than can be found anywhere else on earth. Located in the warm Indian Ocean, Indonesia has countless dream-like reef breaks, point breaks, and even a few shore breaks. The dry season (April – October) is the best time to find surf in the famous “Indo” but waves can still be found year-round. Last reported shark attack: 2016 Total unprovoked shark attacks since 1900: 14 Best places to surf Dessert Point, Lombok (Advanced). Uluwatu, Bali (Intermediate/ Advanced). Dylan’s Right, Simeulue (Intermediate). Tuba, Bali (Beginner) 2. Costa Rica With consistent surf year-round and a water temperature that averages 80*F (26*C) it is no surprise that Costa Rica has quickly become one of Central America’s most popular surf destinations. Creating a home for world-class surf breaks to beginner beach breaks, no matter what your surfing level is, you will always find a wave to ride. Last reported shark attack: 2011 Total unprovoked shark attacks since 1900: 10 Best places to surf: Playa Naranjo (Witch’s Rock), Santa Rosa National Park, Guanacaste (Intermediate/ Advanced). Playa Negra, Nosara, Guanacaste (Intermediate). Playa Avellanas, Tamarindo, Guanacaste (Beginner/ Intermediate/ Advanced). Playa Grande, Tamarindo, Guanacaste (Beginner/ Intermediate). 3. France France is possibly the heart of surfing in Europe, but with the world-class waves that hit its coast, it is not really a question why. The southwest coast is home to sandbanks that produce powerful barrels which brings the Quicksilver Pro world series to Hossegor each autumn. Last reported shark attack: 2014 Total unprovoked shark attacks since 1900: 8 Best places to surf: La Gravière, Hossegor (Advanced). Anglet, Basque coast (Intermediate). La Torche, Brittany (Beginner/ Intermediate/ Advanced). Hendaye, Basque coast (Beginner). 4. Chile 4,000 miles (6,435 km) of raw Pacific Ocean swell, Chile has often been referred to as the Goofy footers paradise. With smaller waves and warmer water in the north to icy behemoths in the south, the waves in Chile can be surfed all year round. That is if you are willing to face the giants that the winter swell brings in. Last reported shark attack: 1994 Total unprovoked shark attacks since 1900: 7 Best places to surf: Punta de Lobos (Advanced). Totoralillo, Coquimbo (Beginner/ Intermediate/ Advanced). Ritoque, Santiago (Beginner/ Intermediate). La Puntilla, Pichilemu (Beginner). 4. Madagascar Only 740 miles east of Mozambique, Madagascar is a surf paradise like no other. With an open exposure to the Indian Ocean and an incredibly small surf population, you can expect to find world-class breaks and keep them all to yourself. Although traveling in Madagascar can be tricky, and moving between breaks can be a challenge, the isolation and shark-free waters of Madagascar make it the perfect destination for a surf trip. Last reported sark attack: 2010 Total unprovoked shark attacks since 1900: 5 Best places to surf: Concussion Bowls (Advanced or Kamikaze surfers). Ankaninoof (Intermediate). Ambila Lamentsa (Beginner/ Intermediate). Safari Vezo housebreak (Beginner). 5. El Salvador Famous for hosting some of the longest point breaks in South America, El Salvador, although not commonly thought of as a surf destination, will surprise you with its numerous breaks and surprisingly small crowds. The surf areas are separated into La Liberated (the most popular), and “Wild East” which is quickly gaining a name for itself. Last reported shark attack: 1993 Total unprovoked shark attacks since 1900: 2 Best places to surf: … Read more
