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“Learning to surf is like learning to walk; you take it step by step,” my instructor reassured me as I sat on the board, eyes towards the break, waiting for the next swell that would surely catapult me back into the water.
I traveled to the tiny coastal town of Hiriketiya, Sri Lanka, to spend a month learning to surf, a decade-long aspiration that I had been too risk-averse to attempt. And as I watched dozens of other beginners wobble their way onto a wave, I realized my goal wasn’t as original as I thought.
According to Grand View Research, surf tourism is a $65 billion industry set to increase by six percent by 2030. A large part of its growth can be attributed to introducing surfing to a wider audience through TV shows like HBO’s The 100 Foot Wave and Apple TV+’s Make or Break, as well as the addition of surfing to the Summer Olympics in 2021 and 2024.
Veteran surfers are also noticing a swell in newbies raring to ride some of the world’s best waves. “I’ve been traveling for surfing since I was 11, and over the past few years, I’ve noticed way more people in the lineup—especially in popular destinations,” says Brianna Cope, a professional surfer. “Surfing becoming an Olympic sport made it more mainstream, but I think social media has played a huge role too. Seeing beautiful waves and the surf lifestyle online really inspires people to travel and experience it for themselves.”
And in the age of digital detoxes, sleep retreats, and wellness out the wazoo, surfing provides travelers with a more active way to unwind. “Surfing stimulates so many senses. It’s seeing a wave form in front of you that has traveled from thousands of miles away, hearing the sound of those waves break, having your sinuses filled with salt water after a wipeout and feeling the power of the ocean,” says John Daniels, CEO and Founder of Learn to Rip Surf Lessons in Oceanside, California. “It’s a very therapeutic place and a spiritual place for some people. It’s a place to get away from the daily grind."
Here are some of the best places around the world for surfers still perfecting their pop-up.
Ericeira, Portugal
Crowned the “surf capital of Europe,” this sandy enclave, less than an hour outside Lisbon, is the continent’s first World Surfing Reserve. “Ericeira is a global reference for surfing,” says Pedro Filipe Severino, CEO and founder of Waves and Lines. “It is a unique amphitheater for beautiful surfing waves and to learn by watching the surfers or just contemplating the cliff view.” Severino has seen more locals and foreigners coming to the whitewashed village to take advantage of the consistent waves. From May to October, it s at its peak, with breaks for surfers of all riding capabilities. “When the Atlantic Ocean offers higher energy waves, 13-foot swells, for example, Ericeira still offers options to surfers who want to scale their skills with amazing quality waves,” says Severino. “This keeps surfers coming back here. It is part of the adrenaline of the sport.”
Sumba, Indonesia
For decades, it was Bali or bust for surf enthusiasts around the world. But now, thanks to ocean pollution, overtourism, and territorial surfers, other Indonesian islands are drawing in those itching to learn. A short flight from Bali lands you in Sumba, a destination with a swath of new luxury resorts catering to surfers. Cap Karoso gives its guests free rein over complimentary boards and offers surfing trips to untouched breaks around the island. “The swells here can be incredibly powerful and consistent during the season, April to October,” says Juli, Cap Karoso’s surf guide. “The breaks around Cap Karoso offer a mix of reef and beach setups, and the surrounding landscape adds a truly wild, cinematic backdrop you just don’t get anywhere else.” In the island’s south, its original luxury resort, NIHI Sumba (yes, the one with the horses), has one of Asia’s most iconic breaks, Occy’s Left. Surfers journey from around the world for a chance to catch the perfect left. While not advised for beginners, it offers some incredible inspiration for those watching.
Hiriketiya, Sri Lanka
After spending a few weeks on Sri Lanka’s south coast in 2021, I knew that when I finally got the guts to learn, I would head straight for Hiriketiya. Its soft sandy ocean floor, consistent and gentle two-to-four-foot waves, and seemingly endless surf schools would ensure success. It took several dozen tries, but I was right. From November to April, this tiny crescent-shaped beach is heaving with beginners on boards. A dozen surf schools line the beach, with locals teaching the basics at surf camps like Surf Lion, Dinesh’s Surf School and Sudesh’s Surf School. A single hour-long session will cost roughly $17, or you can opt for a seven or three-day Surf Yoga Package at The Salty Pelican. A stay here includes transport to and from the beach, a board, lessons, yoga for stretching those tired muscles, and hoppers at breakfast to fuel up for a day in the water.
O‘ahu, Hawaii
The North Shore of O‘ahu is considered the “surf capital of the world” by many of the sport’s legends. One of them is famous big wave surfer Laird Hamilton, and this October, he’ll lead an exclusive surf camp in partnership with The Ritz-Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay. Besides the opportunity to learn from one of the sport’s greats, the five-day program has been designed by Laird to blend different surfing techniques, including helicopter jumps and E-Foil sessions. But if you’re not preparing for the next Pipeline, local spots, particularly Chun’s Reef and Pua’ena Point, are the places to start. Considering how rapidly swells can change on the North Shore, it’s always best to paddle out with instructors from long-operating companies like North Shore Surf Girls. “Who doesn’t want to learn in one of the most iconic surf breaks in the world?” says Daniels. “Don’t forget to enjoy a Mai Tai and some plate lunch post-surf.”
Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a surfer’s paradise, and Puntarenas is an epic place to learn the ropes from December to April. “The southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica is truly an underrated surf gem,” says Junior “Chagüe” Vargas Salazar, the local head surf instructor at Lamangata Luxury Surf Resort in Puntarenas. “It’s one of the few regions in the country that offers consistent waves year-round, making it a dream for surfers of all levels.” This new resort sits within a 15-minute drive of four beach breaks, giving instructors plenty of room to tailor each surf session to daily wave conditions and surfers’ abilities. “This zone has something for everyone—it’s a paradise for learning, but also gives even the most experienced surfers a challenge. And the vibe here is still low-key and authentic—no crazy crowds, just good waves—a real surf town feel,” says Vargas.
The Maldives
Although Maldives vacations here are typically spent sipping coconuts from overwater villas or snorkeling the resort’s house reef, serious surf spots dot the Indian Ocean atolls. Niyama Private Islands has long marketed itself as “the only luxury surfing resort in the Maldives,” hosting surf competitions where the sport’s GOATs like Kelly Slater come to carve. But Niyama’s resident “Surf Guru,” Nathan Kemp, monitors nearby waves daily, taking guests to the best swells nearby. Tropicsurf is also a mainstay in the Maldives, appearing at various resorts, like Six Senses Laamu, Anantara Veli, and Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa. Inspired by increased demand from guests, Four Seasons Kuda Huraa has just launched a “Surf’s Up” package for the rest of the year. This four-day surf coaching experience is a customizable and luxurious way to learn, especially in the Maldives, with its warm water, crystal-clear bottom, and gentle breaks.