World’s 10 Best Left-Hand Waves
Here is your ultimate goofy footer’s guide to the world’s best left-hand waves.
Whether you are just getting into surfing and looking for a long mellow left wave or if you are an expert seeking that deep barrel ride, this countdown should help you decide what you next perfect surfing destination should be.
To find the best surfing destiation for you, try our WaveFinder search engine!
10. Mundaka, Spain
To kick off this countdown, here is a sweet left located on the north coast of Spain, just under 2 hours away from San Sebastian.
Mundaka is a dreamy point break with a few hollow sections allowing to either go straight down the line or stall in the pit for some cover, if desired. This wave is considered as one of the best surf spots in Europe and works best from low to mid tide. It is also, arguably, the best wave in Spain.
When to go: The best time to surf Mundaka, Spain is from October to April, during the Spanish winter which brings more swell, less crowds and colder conditions.
Book a Surfari in Mundaka, Spain starting at US$337
9. Pavones, Costa Rica
This is the longest wave in Costa Rica and probably in all of Central America…
Located on the very southern tip of Costa Rica, next to the border with Panama, this wave works perfectly on a dominant southwesterly swell that wraps around the point peeling for ages.
Read our complete surfing guide to Pavones, Costa Rica
Unlike Tamarindo or Santa Teresa, Pavones is a bit of a pain to get to as it is very remote and undeveloped. However, the trip will definitely be worth it with the reward of potentially catching the longest wave of your life.
When to go: Costa Rica is good all year round for surfing but the best season is from April to November when swells are more consistent and sizable. It also happens to be the rainy season in Central America.
Book a Surf Camp with Surf Expedition using Promo Code MYWAVEFINDER to save $50
8. Chicama, Peru
Chicama is known to be nothing less than the longest wave in the world. On a good day, you can surf this left for almost a mile and the locals even started using boats to take the surfers back to the take off zone instead of having to paddle all the way back. Located on the dry coastline of Peru, Chicama is pretty mellow and should suit a wide range of surfing levels.
Read our complete surfing guide to Chicama, Peru
When to go: The best time to surf Chicama is from April to October, during the austral winter months, for better chances of seeing a nice SSW swell peel onto the point.
Surf Camp in Chicama Starts at US$1,100
7. Raglan, New Zealand
First featured in Endless Summer, Raglan quickly became New Zealand’s surfing capital as well as one of the best lefts on the planet. Manu Bay is the main point break in Raglan, followed by Whale Bay and Indicators. On an epic day, all three points will connect creating one of the world’s longest waves.
Read our complete surfing guide to Raglan, New Zealand
When to go: The best time to surf Raglan is from March to June with big consistent SW swells and lighter winds than what winter and spring would offer.
6. Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia
One of Bali’s most iconic surf spot, Uluwatu is blessed with a unique set up both in and out of the water. First, to get to the wave, you must come down those stunning cliffs where bars, shops and restaurants are packed with surfers and visitors enjoying an after-surf Bintang or simply having a Balinese coffee watching the sunset.
Read our complete surfing guide to Bali, Indonesia
Then, the wave itself is a challenging left with a few barreling sections and about three different takeoff spots. On a good day, they will all connect into one long wall of water with the potential of catching the wave of your life.
When to go: The best time to surf Uluwatu, on Bali’s west coast is from April to September as the winds are favorable and swells are more consistent.
8-day Surf Camp in Uluwatu Starting at US$576
5. Desert Point, Lombok, Indonesia
Desert point is a very fast and challenging barreling wave. On a good swell, it is comparable to Fiji’s Cloudbreak in terms of speed and length. This one should strictly be kept for experts as the reef does not forgive. Being a direct neighbor to Bali, Lombok is easily accessible by air or ferry. You will experience a total different culture considering this island is mostly Islamic instead of Hindu.
The island of Lombok also remains much less crowded than Bali in terms of surfing population which is another great advantage of hopping over to this side for a surf trip.
When to go: The best time to surf in Lombok, Indonesia is from April to September when the swell becomes more consistent. It also happens to be the country’s dry season.
Read our complete surfing guide to Lombok, Indonesia
4. Skeleton Bay, Namibia
Hands down, the longest barrel in the world. Yes, when it works, Skeleton bay is indeed the longest barrel in the world and quite a tricky one to ride, too. Located off the Namibian coast, Skeleton bay is a very hollow wave (and heavy on large swells) breaking on a shallow sand bank. When conditions line up, you are almost guaranteed the ride of a lifetime.
However, the perfect conditions for this ride to happen are pretty fickle and tend to be quite rare. Also, its remote location make it very hard to just go to for a regular surf check. People go up from South Africa when the charts look awesome and this trip has to be a full commitment, nothing less.
When to go: The best time to surf Jeffrey’s Bay (JBay), South Africa is from June to September.
Read our complete surfing guide to Namibia
3. Cloudbreak, Fiji
Cloudbreak is a world class reef break located near the island of Tavarua, in Fiji. This very fast and hollow left is a perfect set up to get some of the longest tube rides in the world. However, such a wave definitely does not forgive and should only be kept for experts.
When to go: Although surfing is possible all year in Fiji, the best conditions are to be found from May to November.
Read our complete surfing guide to Fiji
2. Teahupo’o, French Polynesia
To many, this is the most picture-perfect and amazing spot in the world. Almost pulled from a fiction movie.
Teahupo’o is an incredibly hollow and powerful wave that breaks right on top of a shallow and very sharp reef giving place to the best barrel you will ever see. To surf it, you can paddle out for about 15 minutes. However, if you wanna see it or take a picture of a surfer getting spat out of the hole, you will need to hire a boat as the spot is quite far from shore.
The whole scenery is absolutely unreal with crystal clear water and an amazing coastline defined by mountains and palm trees.
When to go: The best time to surf Teahupo’o is from May to October for significantly more consistent and bigger waves than the rest of the year.
Read our complete surfing guide to Tahiti, French Polynesia
1. Pipeline, Oahu, Hawaii
Pipeline is arguably the world’s best wave and also the most popular surf spot.
Located on the North Shore of Oahu, this A-frame reef break is known to offer some of the best barrels and is also hosting the World Surf League on their final leg of the world championship. This wave should also be attacked by experts only as it remains the world’s deadliest spot.
Its proximity to the beach also makes Pipeline one of the best wave to simply watch from shore and on a big winter swell you will sometimes feel the beach shaking on a big set.
When to go: The best time to surf Pipeline and the whole north shore of Oahu is from November to April, during the Hawaiian winter season.