World’s 25 Best Surfing Islands

 

There definitely is something special about being on an island…Being surrounded by water and living by the rhythm of nature.

 

For surfers, islands are even more special. They represent countless surfing opportunities and true freedom…

 

Whether it is in the Pacific, in Asia or around the Caribbean Sea, many of the world’s most amazing surf spots are, indeed, located on or around islands…

 

Here is our list of some of the world’s best surfing islands…

 

Try our WaveFinder search engine to find the surfing destination that suits you best!

 

 

Lombok, Indonesia

Lombok is a direct neighbor to world-favorite surfing destination, Bali. It has the same consistent, high-quality ground swells but with only about half of the crowd that Bali can attract.

 

Desert Point is Lombok’s most popular wave but it also is the most challenging and dangerous wave on the island.

 

There are obviously several other surf spots around Lombok that will be more suitable for beginners and intermediate surfers, like Senggigi or Gerupuk, for example.

 

A good place to settle for a surf trip on Lombok is definitely in Kuta which has a pretty central location on the south side giving you access to many surf spots in the area like Mawi beach and Kuta reef.

 

When to go : The best time to surf Lombok is from May to October, during Indonesia’s dry season, which also bring more consistent swells.

 

Here is our complete surf guide to Lombok, Indonesia

 

 

Little Andaman, India

 

Andaman and Nicobar islands are a little hidden gem located between the Bengal Sea and the Andaman Sea, just off India’s east coast. Most of the surf is located on Little Andaman, an island at the southern end of the archipelago.

 

See our full surf guide to the Andaman Islands

 

Apart from Kumari Point, the island’s most famous spot, where you might share the lineup with a few surfers, most breaks on Little Andaman will be all yours. There is also a lot of exploration to be done through the Andaman Islands with a lot of surfing potential to still be discovered.

 

When to go : The best time to surf Little Andaman and the Andaman Islands is from March and April (sometimes a bit of May) when the wind switches to North and drops dead. The rest of the year will be blown out or simply lacking swell.

 

 

Iceland

 

With water temperatures peaking at around 12°C (55°F) in summer, Iceland definitely is not your typical surfing destination.

 

However, Iceland is exposed to some really solid north Atlantic swells and on a good day, you are pretty sure to be alone in the water, surfing in front of the world’s most amazing backdrops…

 

The tricky part is finding those good days as the best swell window is in winter which offers only about 5 hours of daylight.

 

This trip definitely requires more preparation but the reward is almost unmatched.

 

When to go: The best time to surf Iceland is probably from November to March. However, this is also the coldest time of the year with about 6 hours of daylight, making things very tricky. The summer months of June, July and August will be much warmer and have almost 18 hours of daylight! However, swells will be unpredictable and inconsistent during this time of the year.

 

To find the best surfing destination for you, try our WaveFinder search engine!

 

 

 

Kingdom of Tonga

Known for being a top scuba diving and whale watching destination, The Kingdom of Tonga also has some of the world’s most amazing waves with very reasonable crowds.

 

Being exposed to two distinct swell seasons, Tonga is a good destination year-round, for surfers of all skill levels. As long as reefs don’t scare you…

 

Read our complete surf guide to the Kingdom of Tonga

 

When to go : The best time to surf Tonga is pretty much any time of the year as it is exposed to two different swell season. The first one is the Hawaiian winter season from November to March. Swells travel and eventually reach Tonga.

The second season brings storms from Australia and New Zealand and runs from April to October. This season is also much drier.

 

 

 

Moorea, French Polynesia

 

Often left in the shade of Tahiti, Moorea still remains one of French Polynesia’s most popular islands. Furthermore, Moorea is home to an insane wave called Haapiti. Not as critical as Teahupo’o, this long left will give you amazing thrills and is often considered as the best wave in French Polynesia.

 

Besides the beautiful surf, there is still so much more to do on Moorea. This paradise will seduce you with its lush landscapes, amazing beaches and crystal clear water.

 

Moorea is located on the doorstep of Papeete, home to the only international airport in French Polynesia. Simply jump on a ferry and you will find yourself in paradise.

 

When to go : The best time to surf Moorea is from April to October when decent south swells are consistently pushed towards Tahiti and Moorea.

 

 

 

Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

Located a few hundred miles off the Brazilian coastline, Fernando de Noronha is a stunning archipelago composed of 21 islands spoiling its visitors with warm weather all year and a decent surf season during the austral summer.

 

Often referred to as one of Brazil’s top places to visit, Fernando de Noronha offers powerful and high-quality waves that will suit intermediate to advanced surfers.

 

Read our complete surf guide to Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

 

When to go : The only time to surf Fernando de Noronha, Brazil is from November to April. During austral winter, the North Atlantic goes pretty quiet and even if it produces small storms, they do not have enough power to go all the way down to the archipelago.

 

 

 

Bocas del Toro, Panama

 

This tropical paradise located off the Panamanian east coast is home to some of central america’s best hidden waves.

 

With two different surfing seasons, it is important to time your trip, but when you do, chances are good to score big time in Bocas.

 

Read our full surf guide to Bocas del Toro, Panama

 

Most breaks require a boat to get access to them which will tend to spread the crowds between every different spot.

 

Many surf camps, restaurants and different accommodation are well established in Bocas del Toro which makes it a premium surfing destination in Central America.

 

When to go : The best time to surf Bocas del Toro, Panama is from December to April but there is also a summer swell window from June to August which will offer smaller waves.

Outside of those two windows, expect very inconsistent conditions.

 

 

 

Vancouver Island, Canada

Canada is not just about ski resorts, mountains and lakes…it is also home to a little hidden gem in the surfing world.

 

Vancouver Island is a short ferry away from the Canadian mainland and is exposed to some very solid swells coming from the north pacific. Most swells hitting Hawaii over the winter season will finish their run on the Canadian coastline.

 

Even in summer, there are some beautiful waves in the 2-5 feet range, perfect for anyone either getting into surfing or simply looking for some nice beach break action.

 

Read our surf guide to Tofino, Canada

 

When to go: The best time to surf on Vancouver Island, Canada is from September to December as bigger and more consistent swells start hitting the coast while water stays relatively warm from the summer heat.

 

 

 

Sumba, Indonesia

 

Indonesia already is a very trendy surfing destination mostly due to Bali’s popularity.

 

However, Bali has been quite overcrowded for the last decade and surfers started discovering other Indonesian islands that also offered incredible surf with only a fraction of the crowd.

 

We saw a big increase in tourism for islands like Java, Sumatra and Lombok which are also blessed with amazingly consistent ground swells from the Indian ocean.

 

Good news is, there are still some remote islands that remain not nearly as crowded as Bali or Lombok.

 

One of them is Sumba…

 

Located south of Sumbawa and Flores, this remote Indonesian island is also exposed to the same SW swells and remains a fairly uncrowded surfing destination although its reputation is slowly increasing.

 

When to go : The best time to surf Sumba is during the Indonesian dry season from April to October.

 

 

Sri Lanka

 

With two distinct surfing seasons, a warm climate and a rich culture, no wonder why Sri Lanka has witnessed a big increase in its surfing community over the last decade.

 

Arugam Bay, on Sri Lanka’s east coast should be on every surfer’s bucket list with magical point breaks and a true laid back surfing culture.

 

Read our full surf guide to Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka

 

Another big reason that makes Sri Lanka a special surfing destination is its stunning wildlife. With many national parks spread across the country, this island is bursting with beauty and surprises.

 

When to go: April to October offers good surfing conditions on the east side of Sri Lanka, in Arugam Bay. November to March is better down south at Weligama, Hikkaduwa and Ahangama.

 

 

 

Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain

Lanzarote is the smallest of the 4 major surfing islands in the archipelago. However, it still has just as many decent breaks as the rest of them.

 

Like for most of the Canary Islands, the best surf in Lanzarote is located on the west side. Playa de Famara is a large beach break, perfect for all surfing levels.

 

Read our full guide to the Canary Islands

 

Experts will find challenging waves at San Juan and El Quemao, two extremely powerful and technical spots that are sometimes compared to some of the world’s best waves.

 

When to go: Beginners might prefer the summer swells that occur between May and October which are more gentle and forgiving. For a bit more action, the north Atlantic swells will hit from November to April.

 

 

 

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

 

Mainly known for being a wildlife sanctuary, the Galapagos Islands are also a surfing heaven. 

 

This archipelago has many empty world-class surf breaks only waiting to be discovered by the surfing community. The best place to settle is probably the island of San Cristobal as it allows the best access to surf breaks without demanding a permit. It also is exposed to both north and south swells.

 

Read our full surf guide to the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

 

When to go: The best time to surf the Galapagos Islands is from December to April which provides big and consistent north swells as well as warm temperatures. From May to November, south swells are still pushing in but they are not as consistent.

 

 

 

Easter Island, Chile

 

This tiny and mysterious island located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean is meant to be one best hidden gem in the surfing world.

 

Easter Island is blessed with consistent swells any time of the year and has a many challenging surf spots as well as a few beginner-friendly waves. 

 

Read our complete surfing guide to Easter Island

 

When to go: The best time to surf Easter Island, Chile is from October to April which is during the Austral summer. However, even over winter, swells roll into Rapa Nui and waves are to be found anytime of the year.

 

 

 

Maui, Hawaii

 

Maui is another mythical surfing destination with spots like Jaws and Honolua Bay which are some of the world’s most famous waves. Every year, people come down to Maui simply to watch big wave surfers have the ride of their life on a beast at Pe’ahi (Jaws).

 

Beginners can also have a blast surfing on Maui at spots like Lahaina or Kihei which are very smooth and gentle longboard waves.

 

However, Maui has a lot more to offer than just surfing with stunning hikes, pristine beaches and amazing view points.

 

This island is also very popular for its winding Road to Hana and for Mt. Haleakala, both offering unique day trip experiences.

 

When to go: The best time to surf Maui, Hawaii depends on what kind of conditions you are looking for. Winter (November to March) will bring big and consistent waves on the north side, while summer will mostly offer south swells.

 

Read our complete surf guide to Maui, Hawaii

 

 

 

Barbados, Lesser Antilles

 

This small island from the Lesser Antilles is probably the most versatile surfing destination in the Caribbean. From the hollow and powerful waves at Soup Bowl to the long and mellow left-handers at Freight’s Bay, Barbados will definitely be able to please any kind of surfer looking for a perfect surfing experience.

 

Read our complete surf guide to Barbados

 

When to go: There are waves all year long with a season peaking from December to March. Expect more rain during the hurricane season that lasts from June to November.

 

 

 

Sumbawa, Indonesia

 

Sumbawa is Bali’s second neighbor, right next to Lombok. Being just a little more remote obviously brings way less crowd, but still offers some of Indonesia’s best waves.

 

Sumbawa doesn’t have that many spots for beginners, but intermediate and advanced surfers will have a blast surfing epic wave like SuperSuck, Yoyo’s, Periscopes or Lakey Peak.

 

Sumbawa is way less developed than Bali and Lombok. Therefore, besides surfing and chasing waterfalls, there is not much else to do here. Most people making the trip are looking to surf their a*** off and score epic waves. In most cases, this is exactly what is going to happen.

 

Read our complete surfing guide to Sumbawa, Indonesia

 

Most waves here are reef breaks that tend to get powerful and hollow. A perfect destination for high-level surfing with reasonable crowds.

 

 

 

Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia

 

Pohnpei is a small island in the Federated States of Micronesia that is home to P-Pass, a world-class reef break. While P-Pass helped attracting many surfing tourists over the last few years, this archipelago remains very quiet and uncrowded.

 

See our full surf guide to the Federated States of Micronesia

 

You will find many surf spots to chose from which are all accessible by boat. The main surfing tour company is the Pohnpei Surf Club.

 

Like on most South Pacific islands, reef breaks prevail in Micronesia. However, on smaller days, there are a few surf spots suitable for beginners.

 

When to go: The best time to surf Pohnpei, in the Federated States of Micronesia, is from November to March, when swells hit from the north and south Pacific.

 

 

 

Kauai, Hawaii

Kauai is the most northern of the four major Hawaiian islands and most of the time, remains in the shade of Oahu and Maui, as far as surfing goes.

 

However, the Garden Isle has some of Hawaii’s most picturesque and amazing surf spots.

 

Exposed to the same amazing winter swells than any other Hawaiian island, Kauai will offer awesome surfing opportunities for surfers of all skill levels.

 

Read our complete surfing guide to Kauai, Hawaii

 

Hanalei Bay is Kauai’s main surf town on the north shore. Experienced surfers will find a decent reef break right at the point, in front of St.Regis resort while beginners can stay in the bay for some beach break fun.

 

There are obviously several other spots well spread around the island for you to discover.

 

If the surf is flat for a few days, Kauai is also a hikers’ paradise with stunning places like Waimea Canyon and the Napali Coast which both attract nature lovers from all around the globe.

 

When to go: The surf in Kauai is good all year long. Winter will offer big and consistent north swells while summer will provide decent southerly swells.

 

 

Himmafushi, Maldives

 

Himmafushi is a small public Maldivian island in the North Male Atolls that is surrounded by some of the world’s best reef breaks.

 

A direct neighbor to Himmafushi is Thanburudhoo, a small inhabited island, home to Honkey’s and Sultans, two amazing surf spots.

 

Read our complete surf guide to the Maldives

 

Most breaks are accessible by boat, except Jailbreak, which is located right on Himmafushi.

 

Like for most public Maldivian Islands, Islamic rules apply to Himmafushi. Therefore, no alcohol consumption is allowed and bikinis should only be worn on one defined beach.

 

The Maldives represent a surf trip of a lifetime with many high-quality waves in a truly stunning environment.

 

When to go: The best time to surf the Maldives is from April to October when waves are much more consistent and bigger in size.

 

 

 

Tahiti, French Polynesia

 

Tahiti offers some of the most solid surf in the world with critical reef breaks and overall insane conditions.

 

Ever since footage began to leak from Teahupo’o, chargers from all over the world started rushing into French Polynesia to see the beast in person and in some cases, try to have a go at it.

 

Even if “Chopes” is the main attraction in Tahiti, there are several other reef and beach breaks to chose from that will suit any type of surfer.

 

Read our full surf guide to Tahiti, French Polynesia

 

When to go: The best time to surf Tahiti depends on what conditions you are looking for. November to April will offer good north swells with smaller, but consistent south swells as well as being pretty rainy and hot.

May to October is when the big south-west swells rush in and hit every reef break on the south side of the island, including Teahupo’o. Weather is then cool and dry.

 

 

 

Siargao Island, Philippines

 

Philippines has over 7,000 islands but if you were gonna chose one of them for a surf trip, Siargao would have to be the one.

 

This small island is a true paradise with crystal clear water, warm weather and some very welcoming locals. From the heavy barrels of Cloud 9 to mellow Little Pony, there are waves for all skill levels on Siargao.

 

Read our full surf guide to Siargao, Philippines

 

When to go: The best time to surf Siargao is from October to April with consistent storms pushing swells towards the island.

 

 

 

Puerto Rico

 

Located in the heart of the Carribean, Puerto Rico is a world-class surfing destination. In winter, this beautiful island receives plenty of swell and the whole northern side of the Puerto Rico lights up.

 

Waves are good for surfers of all skill levels as long as you chose your spot carefully. Most of them are powerful reef breaks which are more suitable for experienced surfers. However, there are still a few deeper reefs or beach breaks, perfect for beginners.

 

Read our full surf guide to Puerto Rico

 

 

 

Nias and the Mentawai islands, Indonesia

 

Once a secret and isolated surfing holy ground, West Sumatra has become, through the years, one of the world’s most epic surfing destination.

 

With extremely consistent surfing conditions from April to November, the Mentawai, Nias and Telo islands offer perfect barreling waves on a regular basis.

 

Those islands are still very raw and secluded and can only be accessed by boat which prevents mass tourism. Many surf camps are located in West Sumatra and offer shuttle service to different surf spots, most of the time with an all-inclusive formula.

 

Read our full surfing guide to the Mentawai Islands

 

When to go: The best time to surf the Mentawai Islands is from April to November.

 

 

 

Oahu, Hawaii

Does Oahu even need an introduction? Place of birth of the sport of surfing itself, this Hawaiian island is home to some of the world’s most publicized spots like Pipeline, Waimea Bay, Sunset Beach and Waikiki.

 

Whether you are a huge charger looking to get pitted on the North Shore or a simple beginner trying to make your first steps on a wave, Oahu will have an option for you.

 

Not to mention all the beautiful hikes, beaches and cultural sites that will all make your trip more memorable.

 

Read our full surf guide to Oahu, Hawaii

 

When to go: There are good waves on Oahu all year long. November to April is when the big north swells light up the whole North Shore and May to October offers great longboarding conditions down south.

 

 

 

Bali, Indonesia

Bali is one of the world’s most popular surfing destination for good reasons…

 

This Indonesian surfing mecca is exposed to amazing ground swells as well as having so many different breaks suiting any type of surfers out there.

 

The beautiful Bukit Peninsula is home to some of the planet’s best left-hand waves in Uluwatu, Padang Padang and Impossibles.

 

Read our full surf guide to Bali, Indonesia

 

On the other hand, beach breaks like Medewi, Canggu and Kuta will offer great waves for learners and first-timers.

 

Bali is also a very cheap and affordable destination with many other things to do besides surfing, like hiking an active volcano or visiting the jungles of Ubud.

 

When to go: Surfing in Bali is better from April to November for decent conditions and dry weather.

 

 

 

Tavarua Island, Fiji

 

Tavarua is a small, private island located only a short boat ride away from Viti Levu, Fiji’s biggest island.

 

What makes this small island so special is its proximity to the country’s best surf spot, Cloudbreak.

 

A long, fast and hollow wave that already attracted most of the world’s best surfers in their quest to find the best waves on Earth.

 

While Cloudbreak remains Tavarua’s main attraction, there also are many other surf spots around that will suit less experienced surfers.

 

Read our full surf guide to Fiji

 

When to go: The best time to surf Fiji is from April to October when sizable and consistent swells are pushed towards the archipelago.

 

The “off season”, from November to April will still offer interesting waves for beginners and intermediate surfers looking for head high reef break action. However, this season will also be rainier.