10 Best Places to Surf in April
April is a very good month to go on a surf trip. With winter coming to an end, you can still catch some of the remaining winter swells in places like Hawaii or Puerto Rico as well as chasing the early summer ones in Indonesia or Tahiti.
Here is a list of a few surfing destinations you really should consider when planning a surf trip in April.
To find the most appropriate surfing destination for your needs, try our WaveFinder search engine!
1. Baja California, Mexico
Suitable skill level: Intermediate and advanced
Average wave size: 4 feet
Swell consistency: 85%
Water temperature: 16°C 61°F
Air temperature: 15°C 60°F
Crowd: Reasonable
Read our complete surfing guide to Baja California, Mexico
In April, Baja California still receives a few north swells as it starts shifting into its high season. Over summer, Mexico receives decent SW swells that fire up the whole coast. The month of April will provide of both swell directions and only a fraction of the summer crowds. Here is a good win-win situation.
2. Andaman Islands, India
Suitable skill level: Intermediate and advanced
Average wave size: 4 feet
Swell consistency: 70%
Water temperature: 29°C 84°F
Air temperature: 28°C 82°F
Crowd: Empty
The Andaman Islands are a hidden gem in the Indian Ocean. April is the best time of the year to surf the Andaman as the window of opportunity only lasts a couple months. After that, winds switch onshore and swell fades away. During the month of April though, the surf is absolutely gorgeous and uncrowded. Getting there and finding places to stay may be a bit of a challenge, but the reward is unmatched.
Read our complete surfing guide to the Andaman Islands, India
3. South Sri Lanka
Suitable skill level: Beginner, intermediate and advanced
Average wave size: 5 feet
Swell consistency: 75%
Water temperature: 29°C 84°F
Air temperature: 27°C 81°F
Crowd: Fairly crowded
Read our complete surfing guide to South Sri Lanka
In April, Sri Lanka starts receiving their best swells which will last the whole season until late October. It is a great time to surf either the south side of the country or Arugam Bay, on the East Coast. There are many surf spots and surf towns to chose from with Ahangama, Mirissa, Weligama, Hikkaduwa and Midigama all within driving distance. Sri Lanka is a culturally rich surfing destination with great weather, food and amazing wildlife!
Find a surf camp in South Sri Lanka, starting at US$249
4. Raglan, New Zealand
Suitable skill level: Beginner, intermediate and advanced
Average wave size: 7 feet
Swell consistency: 80%
Water temperature: 18°C 64°F
Air temperature: 18°C 64°F
Crowd: Reasonable
In April, Raglan is slowly coming into the winter season with conditions growing bigger in size as well as being more consistent. However, the winds still haven’t picked up yet and the water is still fairly warm from the summer heat. Raglan is gifted with some of the world’s best surf spots in Manu Bay and Whale Bay. Both point breaks are insanely consistent and provide rides you’ll never forget. Locals will mostly agree that Spring is the best time to surf Raglan, New Zeland.
Read our complete surfing guide to Raglan, New Zealand
5. Byron Bay, Australia
Suitable skill level: Beginner, intermediate and advanced
Average wave size: 6 feet
Swell consistency: 85%
Water temperature: 23°C 73°F
Air temperature: 23°C 73°F
Crowd: Very crowded
Read our complete surfing guide to Byron Bay, Australia
Byron Bay is one of Australia’s most buzzing surf town. In April Byron Bay is also coming out of its summer season and receives some epic cyclone swells. Water is still warm from the summer days and crowds are starting to fade coming into winter. With spots like The Pass and Broken Head, Byron Bay has something for every surfer out there and April really is a great time to surf Byron Bay or anywhere on the Australian east coast.
Find a surf camp in Byron Bay, starting at US$198
6. Sayulita, Mexico
Suitable skill level: Beginner, intermediate and advanced
Average wave size: 4 feet
Swell consistency: 90%
Water temperature: 25°C 77°F
Air temperature: 24°C 75°F
Crowd: Fairly crowded
Sayulita still enjoys beautiful surfing conditions in April with a swell consistency of nearly 90% which means you will be in the water almost every day! April is a great month to surf in Mexico for surfers of any skill levels. Sayulita is a truly charming surf town just a short ride away from Puerto Vallarta.
Read our complete surfing guide to Sayulita, Mexico
7. Nosara, Costa Rica
Suitable skill level: Beginner, intermediate and advanced
Average wave size: 4 feet
Swell consistency: 80%
Water temperature: 27°C 81°F
Air temperature: 28°C 82°F
Crowd: Reasonable
Nosara, Costa Rica is an all around great surfing destination at pretty much any time of the year. April will offer nice weather, great waves for surfers of all skill levels as well as not having as many people in the water as you can find in peak summer season.
Read our complete surfing guide to Nosara, Costa Rica
8. Nicaragua
Suitable skill level: Beginner, intermediate and advanced
Average wave size: 4 feet
Swell consistency: 75%
Water temperature: 29°C 84°F
Air temperature: 29°C 84°F
Crowd: Reasonable
Nicaragua is one of the most consistent surfing destination in the whole world and the month of April is when things start to get really interesting. In fact, with the rainy season around the corner, Nicaragua start receiving bigger and more consistent swells while getting offshore winds on a daily basis. It also is a great destination for surfers of all skill levels.
Find a surf camp in Nicaragua, starting at US$510
9. Indonesia
Suitable skill level: Beginner, intermediate and advanced
Average wave size: 5 feet
Swell consistency: 95%
Water temperature: 27°C 81°F
Air temperature: 28°C 82°F
Crowd: Fairly crowded
Indonesia doesn’t need any more presentation in the surfing world and the month of April is when things start heating up in the archipelago. Waves are world-class, weather is stunning and everything is extremely affordable from food to accommodation. It remains one of the most popular surfing destination in the world…
Find a surf camp in Indonesia, starting at US$125
10. Fiji
Suitable skill level: Intermediate and advanced
Average wave size: 6 feet
Swell consistency: 90%
Water temperature: 27°C 81°F
Air temperature: 25°C 75°F
Crowd: Reasonable
Fiji is a top tier surfing destination mostly known for world-class waves like Cloudbreak and Restaurants. In April, those surf spots in Fiji start turning back to life and offer uncrowded, magnificent rides to remember…
Read our complete surfing guide to Fiji