Surf Vacations

You Can't Stop the Waves, But You Can Learn How to Surf: Top Surfing Hot-Spots

While it may seem like the ultimate modern activity, surfing is actually one of the oldest practiced sports on the planet. Ancient Polynesian fisherman used boards to paddle out to their boats. Sometime after that, Hawaiian kings and queens had their own version of surf retreats for what they called he'enalu, or wave-sliding. Surf trips are the perfect way to stay active and spend lots of time in the water. We’ve collected several top choices for a surf vacation that will be truly memorable.

Bali, Indonesia

Since as early as the 1930s, surfers have dreamed of catching a wave at places on Bali like Padang Padang and Uluwatu. The island has long been recognized as an ideal surfing location. Since Bali gets the full force of southern ocean swells direct from the Antarctic, there is excellent surfing all along its coasts.

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Nosara, Costa Rica

If you are seeking an unspoiled surf paradise, this is the place for you. Nosara offers a laid-back atmosphere and world-class surfing all year long. Sometimes, during a Nosara surf day, the only things you can hear are the crashing of the waves and the distant sounds of the tropical jungle.

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Hanalei Bay, Kauai

A two-mile, half-moon bay with white sand and majestic mountains, Hanalei Bay is more than just beautiful. It’s also an amazing ocean playground for some of the world’s best surfers. Wahines and Big Kahunas alike love to bring their boards to these legendary beaches for a chance to carve and rip in its powerful waves.

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Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, NC

Hatteras Island has long been known as one of the best surfing beaches in North Carolina, and surfers along the East Coast flock there in the wake of Atlantic storms that produce waves along its island. With 70 miles of Cape Hatteras National Seashore, it’s easy to find a spot where the surf's up.

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