Top 7 Best Surf Towns in the World
If you eat, sleep, and dream of surfing, immersing yourself in a surf town’s culture will be one of the greatest experiences you’ll ever have. You’ll get to meet friendly locals, ride the same waves with the pros, know about history, eat good food, watch the sunset every day, party every night — the list goes on! It’s every surfer’s dream to live in a vibing surf town, so if you’re looking for suggestions on where to start your adventure, you’ve come to the right place. This list contains the best surfing communities around the globe, including their must-see attractions and some local tips about surfing, food, and lifestyle. Top 7 Best Surf Towns in the World Haleiwa, North Shore, Oahu, Hawai’i Santa Teresa, Costa Rica Hossegor, France Siargao, Philippines San Clemente, California Byron Bay, Australia Tofino, Canada 1. Haleiwa, North Shore, Oahu, Hawai’i If you’re looking for an authentic surf town experience, then why not start at the surfing mecca of the world? The town of Haleiwa in North Shore, Oahu is a quaint surf destination that’s popular among surfers and non-surfers alike. It has a coastline that stretches out to seven miles, where you can also find some of the sought-after waves like the Pipeline and Waimea Bay. Best time to visit The surfing season for Oahu is from October through April. In these months, the beaches here are crowded with tourists and surfers of different skill levels. Expect restaurants, bars, and hostels to be filled to the brim. The peak months from November to December are when you can find outrageous waves that only the surfing experts and respectable locals have the guts to ride. During this season, surfing competitions are held here, like the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing and the Reef Hawaiian Pro. Famous surf personalities Decades ago, you might’ve had the chance to surf alongside surfing legends like Duke Kahanamoku and Eddie Aikau on the ‘Seven Mile Miracle’ beach coast. These days, however, you can still get lucky and bump elbows with some of the famous photographers and superstars who live in North Shore, like Laird Hamilton, Billy Kemper, and Jamie O’Brien. Where to go If you’re keen on trying adrenaline-pumping activities, you can bungee jump with the locals on the Rainbow Bridge. But if you’re looking for a mellower activity, you can try paddleboarding along the Anahulu River right under the same historic bridge instead. Families looking for relaxation can visit Haleiwa Beach Park. Even during peak months, this area on the North Shore has calm waves and a more relaxed vibe. Oahu’s got a rich surfing culture and history. If you want to learn more about it, you can visit the Haleiwa Surf Museum a.k.a. ‘House of the Frigate Bird’. The admission here is free, so that’s already a win in our books! Must-eats A trip on the North Shore isn’t complete without trying Matsumoto Shave Ice — a rainbow-colored treat drenched in different kinds of homemade syrups like Lilikoi and Ume. Heads up, though, there’s a long line of tourists waiting to be served here, so you might as well order a couple of bowls to get your time’s worth. Each cup of this dessert is priced at USD 3.50. Local tips Local surfers here are pretty territorial with their waves, so avoid spots that are already claimed. Another one to keep in mind is don’t paddle and pull back during critical wave conditions. 2. Santa Teresa, Costa Rica Nestled in between the jungles of the Nicoya Peninsula lies the little surf town of Santa Teresa. It’s a locality with a village-like atmosphere because of its rugged and unpaved roads, palm tree-lined beaches, and pristine waters with steady waves all year round. Its community consists of locals and young foreigners that keep a slow-paced and mellow way of life. Between you and us, we would have chosen Santa Teresa as our top pick — the only issue we have is the travel coming here, which is quite an inconvenience if we must say. Best time to visit To fully enjoy your time in this surf town, we recommend coming here in the ‘green season’ when the trees and plants are at their greenest because of the rains. This lasts from May to December, and during this time, you can expect consistent barrels and large peaks. The peak season for tourists, however, is from July to September, so you may want to avoid that if you hate crowded lineups. Where to go If you’re a mid-level or an experienced surfer looking for some serious waves, head to Playa Carmen. It’s located right at the center of Santa Teresa, a reason why it gets cramped most days. Head-to-shoulder waves and barrels are pretty common here, however, the wave conditions may vary depending on the spot. For beginners, we suggest going to Playa Hermosa. Although more remote and farther from town, the lineup here is smaller and the waves are calmer. Must-eats Santa Teresa is located in the remote part of Costa Rica, which is a distance away from airports and other towns. It’s quite an isolated area, so the locals created their own community where everything is within walking distance. As a result, Santa Teresa today is full of shared spaces, Airbnb’s, bars, sunset cafes, and restaurants owned by expats offering different cuisines. Among the bests here are Caracolas Beach Restaurant (seafood fine dining), Earth Cafe (healthy cafe), and Katana (Asian). Local tips The best time for surfing is between the hours of 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. This will give you a good view of the sunset before hermit crabs show up at the beaches. Another local tip is to travel here while the tourists are still manageable. It’s a developing community, so it’s just a matter of time before this place gets too commercialized. 3. Hossegor, France Combine Steamer Lane’s biggest breaks with baguettes and wine and you’ll get Hossegor — a French surf town in Europe with a Californian beach … Read more
