Surfing is a strong a growing culture in the United States and with 23 states out of 50 that have exposure to an ocean coastline, it might be difficult to figure out which state has the best surfing conditions.
Here are the top 5 states with the most surf spots in the country which should be added to any surfers’ bucket list.
1. Hawaii
Hawaii’s strong reputation in the surfing world is no longer a secret for anyone. It is definitely the best state for surfing in the U.S. with 4 major islands that all have world-class surf spots. The island of Oahu is home to prestigious breaks like Pipeline and Waikiki while Maui has one of the world’s biggest wave in Jaws.
With its tropical weather, lush scenery and a vibrant surfing culture, Hawaii is a must-visit surfing destination in the United States.
2. California
The state of California has also a strong surfing culture which started gaining strong momentum in the 1960’s. Ever since, California has been known as the most popular state for surfing on the United States mainland.
With surf spots like Trestles, Santa Cruz, Huntington Beach and Malibu, California has waves to please all types of surfers and remains one of the best states for surfing in the U.S.
3. Florida
Home of Kelly Slater, the world’s greatest surfer of all time, Florida is another amazing state to visit on a surf trip. While sharks have caught a bit of attention lately, some surf towns like New Smyrna and Cocoa Beach are still amongst the best places to surf in the country.
4. New Jersey
Up along the east coast is the state of New Jersey which, according to Statista, is fourth on the list of states with the most surf spots. On a good hurricane swell in the early fall, the state of New Jersey turns into a wave machine and becomes without a doubt one of the best surfing states in the country.
5. Oregon
Surfing in Oregon might be cold, it remains an amazingly beautiful experience as most surf spots are empty or slightly crowded at worst. The state of Oregon is an under discovered gem in the United States when it comes to surfing and is greatly rewarding.