I have included a list of the top 20 Spot to surf, many of them only accessible to professionals.
1. Pipeline, Oahu, Hawaii, United States
Aptly, it’s located at the island that created surfing, and is one of the heaviest waves in the world, scaling over six meters over a shallow base of razor blade table reef.
2. Supertubes, Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa
J Bay offers long fast barrels off this intense point break and has plenty of choice with the bay divided into sections: Kitchen Windows, Magna Tubes, Boneyards and the mecca of all waves: Supertubes. Expert surfers flock here for rides up to 300 meters long.
3. Uluwatu and Kuta, Bali, Indonesia
Bali has to be in the top three, but it’s a hard task deciding which break on this paradise island takes the crown. The island attracts the gnarliest surfers from Australia and Hawaii plus beginners from across the globe; all of whom can enjoy these perfect glassy faces.
With fewer waves than there are surfers, time-wasters may feel the brunt of aggressive locals at Uluwatu. But on the other hand, beginners at nearby bay Kuta are often cheered on by the more jovial locals while in the water.
4. Superbanks, Gold Coast, Australia
Another of the world’s finest breaks, you may well have the ride of your life on this section, which will produce tubes and solid walls. By all means fill your boots, but save some energy for the two-kilometer walk along the beach back to your car.
5. Mavericks, California, United States
The wave of legends has been surfed by only the most gutsy board riders; this mammoth peak forms due to hair-raising storms out to sea and reaches bone-chilling heights of 25 meters.
To surf here, we recommend you bring your jet ski (and a tow-in expert) and some life insurance. In 1994 skilled Hawaiian big-wave surfer Mark Foo died surfing this point. Those surfers who do conquer its peak will join a small club of over-achievers.
6. Lima, Peru
To the right of Miraflores shopping center (and the pier) a few locals rent surfboards to brave backpackers. Although the pebbled beach and gray water doesn’t look entirely appealing, the range of surf along this coastline is second to none.
Waves range from a meter and up, and at the pier waves break in three sections; large, medium and small (great for all abilities of surfer), while being constantly clean, long rides. Warning: try not to swallow the sauce or you’ll end up with a dodgy stomach for days.
7. Hossegor, France
Located on the Atlantic, this expert surfing spot has been dubbed the "surfing capital of Europe," so naturally the rich and the famous have mansions and holiday homes near the beach (previous owners include the likes of singer-songwriter Jack Johnson).
People come from miles around to watch the pros ride tubes, and heavy walls break on the unnervingly shallow sandbank. Tubes here rival Hawaii, but come minus the coral.
8. Cloud Nine, Siargao Island, Philippines
This dramatic and powerful reef break, which crashes onto shallow razor sharp coral, offers right and left death rides to those who dare.
Those who do will experience a slice of paradise, or magic mushroom-like hallucinations, as the wave wraps over them like a Cornish pasty shaped cocoon of water. Don’t slip, or your skin and bones will be ripped to shreds by the ocean bed.
9. Sultans, North Male, Maldives
A consistent reef wave that’s absolutely pumping in the spring. The rocks here can be hazardous but if you go with a live-aboard outfit such a Surfatoll.com, you’ll be in good hands.
These expert wave spotters will also deliver you to some of the finest points that are working on any one day, across the Maldives’ painfully beautiful 1,190 coral islands.
10. Honolua Bay, Hawaii, United States
A right-hand squeaky-clean point break should keep you occupied, but getting to it is tricky business. Locals may tell you to "go back home" and your valuables may get nicked from your car while you’re in the sea, but a little cash is a small price to pay for a world-class ride like this which comes with the added bonus of spotting whales.
11. Montanita Beach, Montanita, Ecuador
Not many travelers make it to, or even know about, this spot on the west coast of Ecuador. The majority head straight to the Galapagos Islands and miss this hidden spot (which wasn’t even on the map a few years ago).
There are only 1,000 locals in Montanita and they’re among the friendliest bunch of surfers we’ve met in a surf spot. After pounding right-hand breaks, get to know them during the awesome après-surf on the village’s bar strip, where you can also grab a fresh fruit cocktail or a Tibetan massage.
12. Manu Bay, Raglan, New Zealand
Made famous in the 1960s when it was the location for the cult surf flick "Endless Summer", atmosphere is key at this sleepy town. The bars and cafés play surf videos and serve New Zealand’s finest healthy smoothies and fresh cakes.
When you’re feeling pumped head down to Manu, which works from one meter to about three (and offers the occasional barrel if you’re lucky). The waves on this wide-open bay can get heavily blown out but it’s a mellow place to wait for the surf to pick up, you may even meet a veteran or two that starred in the original movie.13. Riyuewan, Sanya, Hainan, China
China is not exactly known for its beaches, let alone its surfing, but at the southern tip there’s a gigantic island offering untouched tropical beaches with consistent uncrowded waves (you’ll most likely be the only ones there).
Local outfit Surfing Hainan will guide you to beginner’s spots such as Riyuewan Bay and other lesser-known locations. Re-charge after your surf by eating fresh fish from the day’s catch cooked spicy Hainan-style at the local café just off of Riyuewan Bay.
14. Surfrider Beach, Malibu, United States
Grab a longboard and surf Beach Boys style on these small perfectly formed crests where Johnny Fain and Miki Dora once surfed in the 1950s. However, expect it to be absolutely rammed for exactly this reason.
15. Mentawai Islands, Indonesia
The bays around these 70 islands off the western coast of Sumatra in Indonesia will blow your little surfer mind. Our four picks are the northern and southern points of Pagi plus Sibebut
16. Cloudbreak, Tavarua Island, Fiji
The heart-shaped islands in the South Pacific offer something for everyone -- from the hardcore surfer, down to waves you’d push your toddler onto.
Cloudbreak, however, is strictly for experts. You’ll have the ride to remember on this brutal, hollow wave formed about 1,600 meters off the coast, which holds for up to 500 meters and reaches 10 meters in size.
17. Joe’s Point, Sur, Oman
The Middle East is still very much unexplored as a surfing destination, but Oman’s long stretch of coast facing the desert on one side and the Indian Ocean on the other boast miles of breaks waiting to be ridden.
Joe’s Point is suitable for both beginners and experts with a sand bar to the right and rock bottom to the left. Rides here can last up to 40 seconds. Compared to the rest of the Middle East, climates at Joe’s Point are forgiving. When neighboring Dubai is hitting 45 C, Sur in Oman is often in the low 30s and the water is a comfortable 25 C.18. Watergate Bay, Cornwall, England
It’s less famous than Fistral Bay but has even more English charm, is less crowded and equally as surfable, with waves ranging from 30 centimeters to three meters. When you’ve finished there’s a cute bistro on the beach where you can tuck into delicious steaks and locally sourced fish.
19. Backdoor, Hawaii, United States
An expert spot only, the reef bottom creates potent, hollow, fast and intimidating world-class tubes. Epic, but not quite as epic as its neighbor, Pipeline; if you’re not Kelly Slater you’d be a lot safer experiencing this break from the beach.
20. Pasta Point, Maldives
An expert spot only, the reef bottom creates potent, hollow, fast and intimidating world-class tubes. Epic, but not quite as epic as its neighbor, Pipeline; if you’re not Kelly Slater you’d be a lot safer experiencing this break from the beach.
One of the most famous waves in the Maldives, this break refreshingly offers both left-hand rides and 100 meters of pure tube riding out to sea. But, there is a catch: you have to be a Dhonveli Beach Resort guest to experience them. A stay on this exclusive island can cost up to US$343 per night.
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