10 Best Places for Beginners to Learn How to Surf
Surfing can be a pretty intimidating sport to get into for beginners. However, the feeling of catching and riding your first few green waves is absolutely unforgettable. Beginner surfers often find it hard to find a safe environment to learn without getting yelled at or pounded by closing out waves.
With so many different options and places to go, it is hard to hit the nail on the head and find the perfect surfing destination with optimal surfing conditions for beginners.
Search no more, here is a countdown of our top 10 surfing destinations for beginners trying to learn how to surf.
To discover many more destinations, make sure to try our WaveFinder tool and find the wave that suits you best!
1. Taghazout, Morocco
Taghazout is a very beginner-friendly surf town located near Agadir on the Moroccan coastline and quickly became one of the country’s best surf town. You will easily find surf schools and accommodation as well as being very close to some of Morocco’s best waves like Anchor Point.
Most waves in Morocco are point breaks which are ideal for beginners to learn how to surf without getting smashed wave after wave like it could happen on a beach break. Point breaks are typically easier to read and waves are more consistent which is perfect for learning!
Beginners will have a great time learning how to surf on the smooth and peeling waves of Taghazout.
When to go
Beginners will be able to surf anytime of the year in Taghazout. However, summer will have smaller waves and milder weather which are perfect conditions for beginners to learn how to surf.
Book a Surf Camp in Taghazout, starting at US$204
2. Maui, Hawaii
Maui simply ticks all the boxes when it comes to a perfect surfing destination for beginner surfers. Yes, Hawaii is mostly known for its massive winter swells, but that’s the great part of surf islands! If it’s too big on the north side, the south side will likely be much smaller and vice versa.
Therefore, Maui is an awesome place for beginners to learn how to surf with spots like Lahaina and Kihei which have much smaller waves than Ho’okipa and Honolua Bay.
On top of that, Maui is just a pure natural beauty so if the surf is bad on a certain day, there is just so much more to see and do and you will never get bored.
When to go
The summer months from April to November are definitely better for learning how to surf in Maui. Swells will roll in from the south and conditions are usually very good in Kihei or Lahaina. While winter delivers massive north-westerly swells, there are still smaller waves to be found on the south side of the island.
Read our complete surfing guide to the island of Maui, Hawaii
3. Tofino, Canada
Canada is typically not a destination you would associate with surfing in the first place. However, Tofino is a little rugged surf town that has everything you want for a nice surf trip as a beginner and getting into the sport in a smooth way.
Most surf spots in Tofino are beach breaks with very mellow waves which make it a perfect place for beginners to learn.
Tofino is a fairly remote destination that remains pretty raw but surfers really run this town so you will find surf schools very easily. There are also some really cool bars and restaurants to enlighten the mood and enjoy your evenings!
When to go
The best time for beginners to learn how to surf in Tofino is during the summer months, from May to September as waves as smaller, weather is much nicer and there is a nice summer vibe around town.
Read our complete surfing guide to Tofino, Canada
4. San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua
Nicaragua is another gem of a surfing destination for beginners due to its consistent conditions, great weather and cheap traveling costs. Places like San Juan del Sur and Popoyo are amongst the best surf towns in Central America with waves almost everyday and a great surfing vibe.
The country also has the particularity of having consistent offshore winds due to Lake Nicaragua pushing winds towards the coastline. Apart from a few reef breaks, most surf spots in Nicaragua are beach breaks which is perfect for beginners.
Read our complete surfing guide to San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua
When to go
The best time for beginners to learn how to surf in Nicaragua is from November to April while weather will be drier and waves will be smaller, yet still consistent.
Book a Surf Camp to San Juan del Sur, starting at US$379
5. Portugal
Portugal is arguably Europe’s best surfing destination and as long as you don’t mind wearing a bit of neoprene, it might very well be your best bet to learn how to surf. Whether you go down south in Algarve or stick to the west side in towns like Ericeira or Peniche, there are surf schools absolutely everywhere. Most surf schools offer group lessons for 30-40 euros, including board and wetsuit so it is quite affordable.
In summer, Portugal has some very consistent and small waves which are perfect for learning in a safe environment.
When to go
The best time for beginners to learn how to surf in Portugal is from May to October with smaller waves and warmer temperatures!
Book a Surf Camp in Algarve, starting at US$250
6. Costa Rica
Costa Rica has a well implanted surfing culture that will charm everyone paying a visit. A bit like Nicaragua, Costa Rica has a tremendous amount of surfing beaches and surf schools to help beginners learn how to surf. Santa Teresa, Nosara and Jaco are amongst the best surf towns in Costa Rica which all offer amazing waves and a great social life.
Costa Rica is a pretty developed destination with plenty of accommodation, restaurants and surf schools which makes it a perfect setup for families and beginners looking for a worry-free surfing destination.
When to go
The best time for beginners to learn how to surf in Costa Rica is from November to April when waves are smaller and weather is drier.
Find a surf camp in Tamarindo, starting at US$390
7. Southern California, USA
With places like Malibu, Venice beach and Huntington beach, Southern California has some of the world’s best beach breaks as well as having a very strong surfing culture. California is known as the surfing mecca on the American mainland.
You will find yourself finally experiencing the Californian dream…California remains one of the most popular places in the world to learn how to surf.
When to go
The best time for beginners to surf in California is during the summer months while waves are a bit smaller and weather is nice and warm.
8. Bali, Indonesia
This Indonesian island grew for itself a reputation for being nothing less than one of the world’s best surfing destination. Indeed, Bali is blessed with extremely consistent ground swells pushing up from the Indian ocean as well as having a rich culture and cheap cost of living making it a very special place for a surf trip.
Read our Complete Surfing Guide to Bali, Indonesia
When to go
The dry season is from April to November and remains the best time to surf in Bali with light easterly winds resulting in perfect conditions for all the west coast spots including Canggu, which is one of the best place for beginners.
Book a Surf Camp to Bali, Indonesia, starting at US$199
9. Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii
Nothing less than home of the sport itself, Waikiki is a very special place to visit and trying to resist taking a surf lesson here will be next to impossible. This huge bay obviously gets very crowded but there are so many different spots to chose from that everyone will find a wave.
When to go
Being located on the south side of Oahu, Waikiki is sheltered from the big and famous north-westerly swells that hit Pipeline and the rest of the north shore every winter. You will then be able to enjoy nice and mellow waves in this surfing capital of the world.
Here is a complete surf guide to the island of Oahu, Hawaii
10. East coast of Australia
The east coast of Australia made it to the top of our list mostly because of the insane amount of surf spots and favorable year-round surfing conditions for beginners. Australia is also a very convenient place to travel to with a lot of facilities, surf schools and hostels that will all provide great opportunities to meet fellow travelers and have a great time down under…
The weather is also very optimal for surfing or to simply hang on the beach with a few beers and friends!
When to go
Any time of the year is good to learn how to surf on the east coast of Australia. Summer months will obviously be much warmer and also more crowded.
Here is a complete surf guide to the east coast of Australia