Photo: Flickr by kosmoseleevike
Surfing is now big business in the world of travel, but finding a place with consistently good waves is difficult. No matter where you are in the world however there will be a country which you can get to and you may find the best wave of your life.
Africa – Morocco
In the North West of the continent lies Morocco. The country has beautiful towns like Chefchaouen in the north, and bustling cities like Marrakech. On its Atlantic coast Morocco boasts some of the best waves in the world, and the best thing about it is the locals don’t even know about it. What they view as a hindrance to their fishing boats is heaven to some. That means uncrowded waves if you’re a surfer already, or plenty of easy going classes if you are just starting out.
Asia – Sri Lanka
This small teardrop island off the coast of India is a great mix between a tropical paradise and ancient culture. It also has a burgeoning surf scene and while the locals are starting to discover it, empty beaches can still be found. Surf spots can be found south of the capital Colombo. If you end up having wave-less days, just sit back and watch the locals play Cricket on the beach with a coconut in hand.
North/Central America – Costa Rica
This small country is a favourite with ex-pats, and on the pacific coast you will find beautiful beaches and even more beautiful surf. The country is very safe, and prides itself on always being stable. It has a rich biodiversity with almost 5% of the planets entire biodiversity in its tiny rainforests. The country is very progressive and wants to become carbon neutral by 2021.
Europe – France
Cheese, wine, bread and romanticism are all thing your mind conjures up when one thinks of France. Surf however might be lowdown on the list. Europe is more famous for its Soccer history, but in fact France is home to a famous surf coast which is visited every year by the World Surf League and the world’s best board men. The town of Hossegor in the Landes region is the hub of all things European surf, and with Biarritz and Bayonne close there is always something to see. A short drive away is the Spanish border and the unique Basque region which can be explored if you’re not looking to surf every single day.
Oceania – Fiji
Pictures of this country’s islands usually adorn the walls of people bedrooms or offices as something to aspire to get to. If you’re a surfer you shouldn’t overlook this gem in the Pacific Ocean. The wave of Tavarua, better known as Cloudbreak is currently a stop off on the year’s World Surf League. They drop in later this month and the perfect waves in bright blue make for amazing photographs and footage. There are plenty of stunning resorts on the islands and some are even surf specific. The locals are mad on Rugby, but surfing is slowly taking over.
South America – Brazil
The giant country in South America has over 7000km of coast and surfable waves. It offers a huge variety of options in terms of skill level. So if you are just looking to surf on the side of a regular vacation, Rio and its surrounding areas like Barra da Tijuca will offer amazing beaches with easy access to the big city and world famous sightseeing opportunities. If you are after an authentic experience, then the small town of Ubatuba is perfect. With only 89,000 residents this is the place to get away from the crowds. Situated almost perfectly between Sao Paulo and Rio, considering the size of the country, it is reasonably accessible. It has produce professional surfers Felipe Toledo and Gabriel Medina and if you’re a fan of surfing then you are going to want to try out their local breaks.