With all the amazing waves and surf spots around the globe, it definitely is not easy to narrow it down to the 10 best waves on Earth. However, here is our list of the 10 surf spots which, in our opinion, all have a little something special that makes them stand out from the rest…
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10. Pasta Point, Maldives
Just a short ferry ride from Male, the country’s capital city is a private island called Dhonveli. This beautiful island is home to the Maldives’ best and most consistent wave, Pasta Point. Getting to surf this high-end reef break with only you and a few other surfers out (30 people max.) is something that can’t really be found these days. If you cannot afford to stay at the Dhonveli Resort, there are a few similar “public” waves in the area like Honky’s and Sultan’s.
Read our Surfing Guide to the Maldives
9. P-Pass, Micronesia
This one is probably the least known in the whole countdown but it totally deserves its rank. P-Pass is located on the Federated States of Micronesia‘s main island, Pohnpei. It is a powerful and hollow right-hand wave that was surfed by many of the world’s best surfers either on strike missions or posing for magazines.
Being a bit far from land, the only way to get access to the wave is by boat which are offered by a few surfing companies, the main one being the Pohnpei Surf Club.
Read our Surfing Guide to The Federated States of Micronesia
8. Lance’s Right, Mentawai Islands, Indonesia
Lance’s Right is located in the Mentawai Island chain which is becoming the new surfing mecca. More and more surfers discover the potential of the waves of this region, Lance’s Right being the main attraction. This wave is a hollow and fast right-hand break that will challenge even the best surfers out there.
Read our Surfing Guide to The Mentawai Islands
7. Superbank, Gold Coast, Australia
The Gold Coast is a huge surfing scene in Australia, mostly because of Superbank, a man-enhanced sandy point break that provides great waves any day of the year. Even when conditions are bad (onshore wind and messy swells), there will still be something to catch out there. However, when conditions become epic, like what we saw with the last few cyclones, this wave breaks all the way from Snapper Rocks to Kirra for the ride of a lifetime.
Read our Surfing Guide to the east coast of Australia
6. Honolua Bay, Maui, Hawaii
Located in the heart of West Maui, Honolua Bay is a consistent and long right-hand wave that has some barreling sections as well as long carving walls. Usually lighting up on a westerly swell, Honolua Bay attracts a pretty big crowd being by far the best option to surf on Maui’s west side.
Read our Surfing Guide to Maui, Hawaii
5. Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia
Uluwatu is Bali‘s most popular and picturesque surf spot, located at the bottom of some very impressive cliffs. This wave typically has three different takeoff spots which link together on good swells forming an extra long wave with a few cover-up sections and some straight walls to pump some speed. Crowds are usually a big factor, but the whole setup is just too good to skip.
Read our Surfing Guide to Bali, Indonesia
4. Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa
Jeffrey’s Bay is a series of consistent, world-class point breaks which can sometimes connect and form one of the most epic and longest waves on Earth. From barrels to high-speed sections, J-Bay is a versatile wave that will take your surfing to the next level.
Read our Surfing Guide to Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa
3. Cloudbreak, Fiji
Located next to Tavarua, a small island in Fiji, Cloudbreak is a very consistent reef break that offers a long, powerful and insanely fast wave. Every professional surfer made it at least once down there to get covered on one of those Fijian bombs. Cloudbreak works on most days, whether it is 4 feet or 20 feet+…
Read our Surfing Guide to Fiji
2. Teahupo’o, Tahiti
Teahupo’o is the most perfect barrel on the planet, period. Whether it is from 4 feet or 25 feet+, this wave will stay just as hollow and clean. At first, what may look like a closeout, suddenly offers an end section that spits you out in the channel for a 4-5 seconds ride maximum. However, this wave is not about length, it is about the thrill. Given its remote location, Teahupo’o remains much less crowded than Pipeline and the town is still very raw.
The general setup is also gorgeous with crystal clear water and a jaw-dropping landscape shaped by volcanic mountains in the back. Be ready to touch the reef and break a few boards.
Read our Surfing Guide to Tahiti, French Polynesia
1. Pipeline, Oahu, Hawaii
It was pretty natural to award the number one spot to the Queen of all waves, Pipeline. Not only is this wave totally insane, it has a deep and magical history. Many great surfers grew up on this wave to later be crowned as world champions on that same wave. Pipeline is a hollow and powerful Hawaiian reef break that offers consistent and perfect tube rides, wave after wave.
Although it is considered as one of the best waves on Earth, it most definitely is also the most dangerous one. Many surfers have suffered serious injuries on this reef, some of them paying the cost of life. That doesn’t stop all the professional surfers from heading down to Pipeline every winter to battle in the Pipe Masters and get ready for the next season.
Read our Surfing Guide to Oahu, Hawaii