The Best Surfing Spots in the World
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Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia
Backpackers' Rip, which got its name from being so close to the nearby bus station, sits on the south side of the beach and attracts some of the city's top surfers. Not ready to tackle that rip current? Head to the north side, where gentle waves roll. No matter which side (and difficulty level) you surf, keep an eye out for whales and dolphins, especially during migration seasons.
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Les Cavaliers, Anglet, France
The powerful waves at Cavaliers make it the ideal spot to host a handful of pro surf competitions and events, including the WSL World Tour. The long, soft stretch of sand that lines the water has also been known to host many family-friendly festivals, which makes Cavaliers Beach a go-to for surfers looking to bring along the kids.
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Huntington Beach, California
Set in Orange County, Huntington Beach is often known simply as “Surf City, CA” for its ability to draw surfers from around the world. Though crowds descend on Huntington, especially during warmer months, the miles of highly surfable beach give visitors plenty of room to spread out. Pro tip: Hit it in the winter if you're looking to avoid the droves.
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Mavericks Beach, California
Big-wave surfers flock to Mavericks near Half Moon Bay each winter to surf the U-shaped wavefront. The strong waves can swell to massive heights—not for the novice surfer or the faint of heart. But for those chasing the ride of a lifetime, Mavericks is the spot. The area is also home to the invite-only surf competition, Titans of Mavericks.
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Cloud Nine, Siargao Island, Philippines
This classic wave is known around the world for one thing: its hollow tubes. While certainly not the only must-catch wave in the area, surfers have been chasing down Cloud Nine’s thick walls since the 1980s. Looking for something a little less crowded nearby? Paddle about 330 yards down to Jacking Horse, which is better suited for beginners.
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Nazaré, Portugal
If you judge a surf spot by the size of its waves, then head to Nazaré. Hawaiian surfer Garrett McNamara entered the record books when he caught a 100-footer there in 2013, and Nazaré Canyon, the 16,000-foot-deep underwater formation, is responsible for creating huge swells off the coast of this fishing village.
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Playa Grande, Costa Rica
For major swells, a relaxed vibe, and unbeatable sunsets, visit Playa Grande. Beat the tourists in this classic beach town, and catch waves at either Playa Grande’s main strip or Casitas, the break found off the cost of the Palm Beach Estates. No matter which you choose, you’ll be sure to get lucky, as this little Costa Rican town is known for its remarkably consistent, supremely ridable waves.
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Pipeline, Oahu, Hawaii
The Banzai Pipeline, often referred to as just “The Pipeline,” is one of the most sought-after in the world. Off the coast of Oahu’s north shore in Ehukai Beach Park, this world-class surf reef break is famed for massive (and often dangerous) waves, which measure in at an average of nine feet, but often grow much larger.
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Jeffreys Bay, South Africa
The Jeffreys Bay Surf Break is long, fast, and—if you're hip to the lingo—one of the best righthand point breaks on the planet. It's divided into several sections that provide a heavy dose of fun to a range of levels; pros tend to head to Supertubes. South Africa is a boarders' paradise in general, but this little spot in the Eastern Cape might just take the gold medal when it comes to surf.
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Tofino, Vancouver Island, Canada
Canada may not be the first spot to come to mind when you think of catching waves, but surfing has been deeply rooted in the culture of Vancouver Island’s Tofino since at least the 1970s. The beaches are sandy and the waves are fairly mellow, meaning you don’t have to be a shredder to have a good time.