During the month of March, many surfing destinations are either coming into the end of their winter surfing season or getting right in the start of it. Here is a list of a few places that should be considered when it comes to planning a surf trip in March!
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Byron Bay, Australia
Average surfing conditions for Byron Bay in March
Suitable skill level: Any
Average wave size: 4-5 feet
Swell consistency: 85%
Water temperature: 23°C 73°F
Air temperature: 23°C 73°F
Crowd: Heavy
During the month of March, the whole east coast of Australia, including Byron Bay, starts getting hit by some fun cyclone swells. Waves become more consistent while the weather is still very nice and water is warm. Crowds also start to fade out with summer coming to an end.
Byron Bay is an absolute gem of a surf town with a unique vibe that makes it one of the best surf towns in the world.
Read our full surfing guide to Byron Bay, Australia
Cabarete, Dominican Republic
Average surfing conditions for Cabarete in March
Suitable skill level: Any
Average wave size: 5 feet
Swell consistency: 70%
Water temperature: 28°C 82°F
Air temperature: 26°C 79°F
Crowd: Fairly crowded
In March, the surf in Cabarete, Dominican Republic, is still at its best. With frequent storms passing by in the north Atlantic, this tropical surfing destination receives its share of decent waves.
Being located on the north side of Dominican Republic, Cabarete is the country’s top surfing destination and should be seriously considered for a surf trip in March!
Read our complete surfing guide to Cabarete, Dominican Republic
Dakar, Senegal
Average surfing conditions for Dakar, Senegal in March
Suitable skill level: Any
Average wave size: 6 feet
Swell consistency: 80%
Water temperature: 21°C 70°F
Air temperature: 22°C 72°F
Crowd: Empty
Senegal is another country that gets its fair share of great surf in March. It also happens to be a pretty uncrowded surfing destination even if it has some world-class waves. At this time of the year, N’gor Island, a popular surf spot in Dakar, is still pumping from the north swells and it definitely is worth a visit!
Read our full surfing guide to Dakar, Senegal
Taghazout, Morocco
Average surfing conditions for Taghazout, Morocco in March
Suitable skill level: Any
Average wave size: 6 feet
Swell consistency: 90%
Water temperature: 18°C 64°F
Air temperature: 18°C 64°F
Crowd: Few people
The surf in Morocco is still thriving during the month of March as the season comes to an end. Weather starts warming up and conditions are simply beautiful. Peak tourism season being during summer, the month of March represents a great time to go on a surf trip to Morocco to catch some good waves while staying away from heavy crowds.
Read our complete surfing guide to Taghazout, Morocco
Bells Beach, Australia
Average surfing conditions for Bells Beach, Australia in March
Suitable skill level: Intermediate and advanced
Average wave size: 6 feet
Swell consistency: 80%
Water temperature: 16°C 61°F
Air temperature: 19°C 66°F
Crowd: Heavy
In March, Bells Beach is coming into the Fall season and starts receiving all the waves that come with it. Located just about an hour out of Melbourne, this iconic surf spot hosts one of the best right-hand wave on Earth. Although Bells Beach is suitable for any type of surfers, intermediate and experts will definitely be in a better position to enjoy all the potential that this special surf town has to offer.
Read our complete surfing guide to Bells Beach, Australia
Ecuador
Average surfing conditions for Ecuador in March
Suitable skill level: Any
Average wave size: 4-5 feet
Swell consistency: 100%
Water temperature: 24°C 75°F
Air temperature: 26°C 79°F
Crowd: Fairly crowded
With a swell consistency of 100% in March, there is no doubt anyone going on a surf trip to Ecuador during that time of the year will score waves every single day.
In March, weather is perfect and crowds are usually not that big of an issue. Beginners and advanced surfers can both enjoy the beautiful surf at this time of the year.
Read our complete surfing guide to Montañita, Ecuador
Costa Rica
Average surfing conditions for Costa Rica in March
Suitable skill level: Any
Average wave size: 4-5 feet
Swell consistency: 75%
Water temperature: 27°C 81°F
Air temperature: 28°C 82°F
Crowd: Fairly crowded
When planning a surf trip to Costa Rica, you can almost never go wrong. Waves are good all year round and sunshine is almost guaranteed. During the month of March, the surf in Costa Rica is mid-size and consistent. It is perfect for beginners or intermediate surfers looking to catch waves every day without feeling like they could drown on every wipeout.
Read our complete surfing guide to Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Big Island, Hawaii
Average surfing conditions for Big Island, Hawaii in March
Suitable skill level: Intermediate, Advanced
Average wave size: 8 feet
Swell consistency: 95%
Water temperature: 25°C 77°F
Air temperature: 25°C 77°F
Crowd: Few people
In March, Hawaii still receives its fair share of northerly swells, coming from the north Pacific storms that pass above the Hawaiian Islands. Big Island is the biggest island of the archipelago and receives a lot of those waves on its west coast. Therefore, many surf spots near Kona are still fully on in March with surfing conditions that are comparable to what can be seen on Oahu and Maui, but with only a fraction of the crowd.
Read our complete surfing guide to Big Island, Hawaii
Piha, New Zealand
Average surfing conditions for Piha, New Zealand in March
Suitable skill level: All surfers
Average wave size: 6 feet
Swell consistency: 85%
Water temperature: 19°C 66°F
Air temperature: 18°C 64°F
Crowd: Fairly crowded
In March, New Zealand is slowly coming out of its summer season and waves start picking up again while weather remains very enjoyable. Piha is a small surf town located just under an hour away from Auckland.
Piha’s beaches are exposed to most westerly swells making it a fairly consistent surfing destination during the month of March.
Read our complete surfing guide to Piha, New Zealand
Ericeira, Portugal
Average surfing conditions for Ericeira, Portugal in March
Suitable skill level: Intermediate and advanced
Average wave size: 9 feet
Swell consistency: 95%
Water temperature: 15°C 59°F
Air temperature: 14°C 57°F
Crowd: Reasonable
Portugal is known as one of the best surfing destination in Europe with world-class surf spots like Nazare, Ericeira, the Algarve region and Peniche. In March, Ericeira is still getting fully hit by those winter swells and waves are nothing less than epic.
At this time of the year, waves in Ericeira can often reach overhead size and are more suitable for experienced surfers. Ericeira is located just a short drive away from Lisbon, Portugal’s capital city also making it one of the most accessible place to surf in the country.