During the month of July, many countries experience their best surfing conditions of the year with waves peaking in size and consistency. It remains one of the best time to go on a surf trip, whether you are a beginner looking to catch your first few waves or an experienced surfer looking to get barreled.
Let’s jump into our 10 favorite surfing destinations for the month of July!
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Sumbawa, Indonesia
Suitable skill level: Intermediate and Expert
Average wave size: 6 feet
Swell consistency: 100%
Water temperature: 29°C 84°F
Air temperature: 29°C 84°F
Crowd: Reasonable
Just like the rest of Indonesia, Sumbawa has amazing surfing conditions during the month of July. Southwesterly swells are so consistent, you are almost certain to be able to surf everyday and score epic waves.
Most surf spots on Sumbawa are heavy reef breaks which are perfect for barrel chasers. SuperSuck, Scarreef, Yoyo’s and Lakey Peak are now all well established as world-class waves. Beginners might have a harder time finding waves on this island and should probably stick to Bali or Lombok, where it will be possible to find mellow beach breaks.
Read our complete surfing guide to Sumbawa, Indonesia
Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka
Suitable skill level: Any
Average wave size: 6 feet
Swell consistency: 90%
Water temperature: 28°C 82°F
Air temperature: 29°C 84°F
Crowd: Reasonable
Located on Sri Lanka’s east coast, Arugam Bay is one of the most stunning destinations in Asia. In July, the surf in Arugam Bay is at its best with swells consistently feeding the whole coast.
Most surf spots in Arugam Bay are soft point breaks which are really fun and perfect for surfers of all levels. Beginners will be able to safely catch their first few waves while experienced surfers can practice their carves without any risk of hitting the reef or getting slammed too hard.
Read our complete surfing guide to Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka
San Jun Del Sur, Nicaragua
Suitable skill level: Any
Average wave size: 5 feet
Swell consistency: 85%
Water temperature: 29°C 84°F
Air temperature: 29°C 84°F
Crowd: Fairly crowded
During the month of July, the surf in Nicaragua is absolutely amazing. This country is a special surfing destination due to its consistent offshore winds, pushing from Lake Nicaragua onto the Pacific coast. Therefore, when surfing Nicaragua in July, you are almost certain to have great and clean waves every single day.
San Juan Del Sur is Nicaragua’s most popular surf town due to its proximity to different breaks as well as being a young, lively town. Many restaurants, bars and hotels can be found in San Juan Del Sur making it a millennials’ top surfing and party destination. For more tranquility, head up to Popoyo, another great surf town in Nicaragua.
Read our complete surfing guide to San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua
Find a surf camp in San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua
Kovalam, India
Suitable skill level: Any
Average wave size: 6 feet
Swell consistency: 90%
Water temperature: 28°C 82°F
Air temperature: 26°C 79°F
Crowd: Few people
India isn’t a very popular surfing destination, often left in the shade of Sri Lanka and Maldives, its southern neighbors. However, in July, when swells peak in the Indian Ocean, India also gets its share of waves.
Kovalam is on the southern end of India and is one of the country’s best surf town. It is primarily a small fishing village, but when waves are good, the beach becomes a great surfers gathering.
Read our complete surfing guide to Kovalam, India
Bells Beach, Australia
Suitable skill level: Intermediate and advanced
Average wave size: 8 feet
Swell consistency: 80%
Water temperature: 10°C 50°F
Air temperature: 13°C 55°F
Crowd: Fairly crowded
Australia’s winter surfing season peaks during the month of July and that is when the surf is most consistent. Bells Beach, near Torquay, in Victoria, is one of the country’s best surf spot, hosting the World Surf League every year for the last few decades.
Although the surf is good during the month of July in Australia, it is also when temperatures hit their annual lows. When surfing Bells Beach at this time of the year, a wetsuit is necessary, but the reward truly is worth it.
For warmer weather you can head up the east coast of Australia towards Byron Bay and Gold Coast, two other great surfing destinations.
Read our complete surfing guide to Bells Beach, Torquay, Australia
Puerto Escondido, Mexico
Suitable skill level: Intermediate and advanced
Average wave size: 12 feet
Swell consistency: 95%
Water temperature: 30°C 86°F
Air temperature: 30°C 86°F
Crowd: Fairly crowded
Puerto Escondido, home of the Mexican Pipeline, quickly became one of the most popular surf towns in Mexico. In July, this heavy beach break is at its best, getting hit by big and consistent swells.
Playa Zicatela is the main beach in Puerto Escondido and that is where you can find the famous Mexican barrels.
There are several surf spots in the area in case things get too heavy at Playa Zicatela. You can then head to a spot that is less exposed and still be able to catch some great waves. Either way, just watching the best surfers getting barreled by one of the 10 biggest waves on Earth is an astonishing show itself.
Read our complete surfing guide to Puerto Escondido, Mexico
Find a Surf Camp in Puerto Escondido, starting at US$389
Tofino, Canada
Suitable skill level: Any
Average wave size: 5 feet
Swell consistency: 60%
Water temperature: 15°C 59°F
Air temperature: 17°C 63°F
Crowd: Fairly crowded
While Canada might not be primarily known for its surf, in Tofino, that is what most people live for. In July, this small surf town located on Vancouver Island is truly buzzing with people looking for a little surfing getaway. Waves are typically not at their best in July, but there are still some very fun longboarding action happening.
July is also when temperature reach their apex making it a very enjoyable time to visit Vancouver Island!
Read our complete surfing guide to Tofino, Canada
Montañita, Ecuador
Suitable skill level: Any
Average wave size: 6 feet
Swell consistency: 100%
Water temperature: 22°C 72°F
Air temperature: 24°C 75°F
Crowd: Reasonable
During the month of July, the surf in Ecuador is at its very best. Waves are peaking in size and consistency, although they never get too big or dangerous, which is perfect for beginners or advanced surfers. Even if Ecuador is in the middle of its winter season, the weather is still really enjoyable and it remains a great time to go on a surf trip.
Montañita is Ecuador’s most popular surf town with multiple quality surf spots in the area as well as many great restaurants, bars and accommodation.
Read our complete surfing guide to Montañita, Ecuador
Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa
Suitable skill level: Any
Average wave size: 5 feet
Swell consistency: 95%
Water temperature: 29°C 84°F
Air temperature: 29°C 84°F
Crowd: Fairly crowded
Jeffrey’s Bay is the absolute best surfing destination on the African continent and in July, the surf here is at its very best. On a good day, you can catch some insane waves in J-Bay which are more suitable for experienced surfers.
Read our complete surfing guide to Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa
Waikiki, Hawaii
Suitable skill level: Any
Average wave size: 5 feet
Swell consistency: 75%
Water temperature: 27°C 81°F
Air temperature: 27°C 81°F
Crowd: Very crowded
In July, Hawaii’s is blessed with numerous southerly swells that provide great waves on the islands’ south shores. Waikiki, on Oahu, is perfectly located to benefit from these swells and that is when you can see all the Hawaiian legends grab their longboards and hit the several surf spots surrounding this paradise.