With summer coming to an end in the northern hemisphere, the month of September remains a great time to go on a surf trip as crowds start to fade and autumn swells pick up in size and consistency. Here is our list of 10 great surfing destinations for the month of September.
Make sure to try our WaveFinder search engine to find the best destination for you!
El Salvador
Surfing conditions for the month of September in El Salvador
Suitable skill level: Any
Average wave size: 5 feet
Swell consistency: 95%
Water temperature: 29°C 84°F
Air temperature: 28°C 82°F
Crowd: Reasonable
Read our complete surfing guide to El Salvador
September is a great time to visit El Salvador on a surf trip while swells are still pretty consistent in Central America and crowds aren’t as bad as peak summer season. El Salvador is an awesome underrated surfing destination compared to Costa Rica and Mexico which have been under surfers radar for a few decades now.
Book a surf camp in El Salvador, starting at $US797
Indonesia
Surfing conditions for the month of September in Indonesia
Suitable skill level: Any
Average wave size: 7 feet
Swell consistency: 100%
Water temperature: 29°C 84°F
Air temperature: 28°C 82°F
Crowd: Fairly crowded
Indonesia is still firing in September with consistent swells coming from the Indian Ocean. Most Islands still have great waves while the big crowds from July-August are slowing fading. In Bali, surfers of all levels will be able to find a surf spot that suits them. For experienced surfers, the Mentawai Islands or Sumbawa are two epic surfing destinations with some of the world’s best reef breaks.
Find the best Surf Camps in Indonesia, starting at US$125
France
Surfing conditions for the month of September in France
Suitable skill level: Any
Average wave size: 5 feet
Swell consistency: 90%
Water temperature: 21°C 72°F
Air temperature: 18°C 65°F
Crowd: Fairly crowded
In September, the Atlantic Ocean is slowly coming out of its summer spell and great autumn waves can be found on the whole European west coast. Temperatures remain fairly warm while swells become more consistent. France is a great place to benefit from those conditions and visiting surf towns like Biarritz or Hossegor can lead to an amazing surf trip!
Maldives
Surfing conditions for the month of September in Maldives
Suitable skill level: Intermediate and advanced
Average wave size: 6 feet
Swell consistency: 85%
Water temperature: 28°C 82°F
Air temperature: 27°C 81°F
Crowd: Fairly Crowded
Read our complete surfing guide to the Maldives
In September, the surf in Maldives is still nothing less than epic. The Indian Ocean remains very active and most surf spots in the Maldives will greatly benefit from those swells. In North Male, there are several public islands which are perfect to have an affordable surf trip in paradise!
Find a Surf Camp or Charter Boat in Maldives, starting at US$425
Japan
Surfing conditions for the month of September in Japan
Suitable skill level: Any
Average wave size: 7 feet
Swell consistency: 80%
Water temperature: 24°C 75°F
Air temperature: 20°C 68°F
Crowd: Reasonable
Japan is not a typical surfing destination. However, when conditions are right, this country has some insane waves. In September, Japan is exposed to a few typhoon swells which can turn into great surfing conditions as long as the storms stay far enough from the coast.
Portugal
Surfing conditions for the month of September in Portugal
Suitable skill level: Any
Average wave size: 7 feet
Swell consistency: 85%
Water temperature: 19°C 68°F
Air temperature: 20°C 69°F
Crowd: Fairly crowded
Just like France, Portugal benefits from the early autumn activity in the Atlantic Ocean and surf towns like Ericeira or Sagres become great surfing destinations for anyone in Europe. In September, temperatures in Portugal are still nice and warm while waves pick up in consistency and summer crowds start to fade. Those are all great ingredients for an amazing surf trip!
Morocco
Surfing conditions for the month of September in Morocco
Suitable skill level: Any
Average wave size: 6 feet
Swell consistency: 80%
Water temperature: 19°C 66°F
Air temperature: 23°C 73°F
Crowd: Fairly crowded
Read our complete surfing guide to Taghazout, Morocco
In September, Morocco also benefits from some early autumn swells coming from the Atlantic Ocean and many point breaks on the whole coast provide surfers with amazing right-hand waves. Taghazout is amongst many great surf towns along that coastline and remains a great place to establish yourself on a surf trip to Morocco.
Canada
Surfing conditions for the month of September in Canada
Suitable skill level: Any
Average wave size: 8 feet
Swell consistency: 90%
Water temperature: 14°C 57°F
Air temperature: 15°C 59°F
Crowd: Few people
On Canada’s east and west coast, surfing conditions peak around the month of September while weather is still mild and swells get more consistent. In Lawrencetown, Nova Scotia, September provides surfers with hurricane swells traveling up the Atlantic. On the other end of the country, in Tofino, surfing conditions are great and the environment is truly epic!
Costa Rica
Surfing conditions for the month of September in Costa Rica
Suitable skill level: Any
Average wave size: 5 feet
Swell consistency: 85%
Water temperature: 28°C 82°F
Air temperature: 28°C 82°F
Crowd: Fairly crowded
Most popular surfing destination in Central America for a couple decades now, Costa Rica is a very safe bet when chosing a place for a surf trip. With many great surf towns like Santa Teresa, Tamarindo and Nosara, Costa Rica has awesome waves in September for surfers of all skills levels.
Find a Surf Camp in Costa Rica, starting at US$315
Mexico
Surfing conditions for the month of September in Mexico
Suitable skill level: Any
Average wave size: 4 feet
Swell consistency: 95%
Water temperature: 28°C 82°F
Air temperature: 26°C 79°F
Crowd: Fairly crowded
Mexico is another insanely consistent surfing destination in September and this country ticks all the boxes from tropical weather, cheap traveling costs and great surf spots. In September, Puerto Escondido might still get some few big swells and Baja California is obviously going off. If you are looking for a nice laidback surf town, Sayulita is a surfers favorite with many waves for all skill levels.