South America is blessed with a great coastline exposed to both the Pacific Ocean on the west side and Atlantic Ocean on the east side. No matter the time of the year, there is certainly a place with perfect waves somewhere in South America. Here a the 4 best countries to visit on a surf trip to South America…

Chile

Chile is a great country to visit on a surf trip to South America with surf towns like Pichilemu which can rival with some of the world’s greatest surfing destinations. With a long, rugged coastline, Chile has several uncrowded point breaks that will please any type of surfers.

Surfing in Chile can also get pretty wild, specially during winter season, as enormous south swells come from the Pacific. Tow-in surfing is sometimes the only way to conquer some of those giant waves…

Another gem that could be considered as part of Chile is the mysterious Easter Island, located several hundred miles off the coast. Easter Island has some awesome waves with barely anyone out.

Peru

Peru not only is a great country to surf in South America, it also is home of the world’s longest wave! In fact, Chicama (pictured above) is a point break that can run for several miles when conditions line up perfectly. The best time to surf Peru is from April to October as south swells make their way up the Peruvian coast.

Read our complete surfing guide to Chicama, Peru

Ecuador

Ecuador is a wonderful surfing destination with great weather, consistent waves and cheap cost of traveling. Montanita is probably the country’s best surf town and many surf camps and surf schools can be found in the area. For the most adventurous surfers, Galapagos Islands also have great waves and remain a very special place to surf in South America.

Brazil

Brazil has the longest coastline in South America, making it a prime surfing destination on the continent. The country is exposed to south and north swells coming from the Atlantic Ocean with two distinct surfing seasons.

From May to October, swells come from the south, making the whole southern end of the country turn into a wave machine. From November to April, north swells roll into the northern coast, including the Fernando de Noronha archipelago. 

With so many surf spots and year round swells, it’s easy to see how surfing legends such as Gabriel Medina, Filipe Toledo and Adriano de Sousa all come from Brazil.

Read our complete surfing guide to Rio de Janeiro

The post 4 Best Countries to Surf in South America appeared first on MyWaveFinder.

Having consistent waves and being able to surf everyday is the one thing everyone is looking for in a surfing destination. There is nothing more frustrating than going on a surf trip and being stuck with a whole week of flat ocean.

Therefore, it is important to chose a surfing destination wisely, using our WaveFinder search engine.

Here are the 10 destinations which have the highest overall conditions consistency percentage throughout the year. This percentage reflects the number of “surfable” days in a year or month. 90% consistency means you can surf 9 days out of 10…With that being said, here are the 10 surfing destinations with the most consistent waves and surfing conditions.

1. Indonesia

Overall surf consistency : 95%

Indonesia’s reputation for being the best surfing destination in the world is now pretty solid and undisputed. Not only is this country fed by extremely consistent ground swells throughout the year, it is one of the cheapest places to travel to.

Indonesia is also a pretty versatile surfing destination with several islands to chose from depending on the type of waves you are looking for. Bali and Lombok will be good for surfers of all levels while Sumbawa and the Mentawai Islands are some of the best places in the world to chase barrels.

2. Hawaii

Overall surf consistency : 95%

Hawaii is a small archipelago located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Therefore, Hawaii is exposed to swells of all angles at any time throughout the year. In winter, the islands’ north shores go absolutely crazy with waves often reaching monstrous size. In summer, the south side of the Hawaiian Islands get fed by southern ground swells, providing smaller, yet very clean waves.

Therefore, no matter when you visit Hawaii you are almost certain to be able to catch some waves. It is only up to you to decide what kind of waves you are looking for. 

Read Which Hawaiian Island is Best for a Surf Trip

3. Nicaragua

Overall surf consistency : 90%

With more than 300 days of offshore winds in a year, Nicaragua is one of the world’s most consistent surfing destination. Due to the geographical position of Lake Nicaragua, pushing wind towards the coast, Nicaragua is in a unique position where it has optimal wind conditions on a daily basis. On top of that feature, the west coast of Central America is fed with distant ground swells year-round, peaking from April to October.

Nicaragua is also a very cheap place to travel to, often less crowded than its neighbor Costa Rica.

Read our complete surfing guides to Popoyo and San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua

4. Ecuador

Overall surf consistency : 90%

Exposed to both northerly and southerly swells, Ecuador is definitely amongst the world’s most consistent surfing destinations. Ecuador’s most popular surf town, Montañita has a swell consitency of 90% at any given month throughout the year. Therefore, whether you go to Montañita in winter or summer, you will be able to surf 9 days out of 10 on average!

Not only are waves consistent in Ecuador, the weather is also some of the warmest and most consistent in the world making it a very pleasant place to go on holiday!

Read our complete surfing guide to Montañita, Ecuador

5. Australia

Overall surf consistency : 85%

Australia has one of the strongest surfing culture in the world for good reasons. Not only is the country surrounded by hundreds of beaches, it also receives swells on a very consistent basis.

Western Australia is the big winner in terms of consistency as the Indian Ocean’s ground swells typically offer more consistent waves than what can be found on the east coast, for example.

Down south, Torquay and Bells Beach also receive their good share of waves, hence why Bells is one of the top places to surf in Australia. 

The east coast might be slightly less consistent, it is where the highest amount of surf spots are found in Australia with places like Manly Beach, Byron Bay and Gold Coast.

Read our complete surfing guides to Byron Bay, Western Australia and Bells Beach.

6. Tahiti, French Polynesia

Overall surf consistency : 85%

Being strategically located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, Tahiti receives swells of all different angles making it one of the most consistent surfing destinations in the world.

In Tahiti, from April to November, the south side is an absolute wave machine with several reef breaks offering world-class waves. 

Then, from December to March, the north side lights up catching the same swells as Hawaii, just a bit later and usually not as strong.

Therefore, whenever you visit Tahiti, you are almost certain to find a surf spot with decent surfing conditions on any given day.

Read our complete surfing guide to Tahiti, French Polynesia

7. South Africa

Overall surf consistency : 85%

South Africa has a huge coastline covering both the Atlantic and Indian Ocean. Many storms pass between Antarctica and the African continent, pushing consistent swells towards South Africa. 

Near Cape Town, Muizenberg is a very popular and charming surfing destination while Jeffrey’s Bay and Durban are the two mains surf towns further east.

While sharks remain an issue in South Africa, the waves truly are worth the risk as some of the best surf spots in the world are found in this country.

Read our complete surfing guides to Jeffrey’s Bay and Muizenberg

8. Costa Rica

Overall surf consistency : 85%

Costa Rica is a very popular surfing destination in Central America mostly because of how consistent its waves are. Most surf spots are beach breaks that work almost everyday throughout the year. The Pacific side will work at any given time but becomes more consistent from April to November while the Caribbean side will work from December to March.

The strong surfing culture and consistent weather are two other reasons that make Costa Rica a very enjoyable surfing destination. 

Read our complete surfing guides to Tamarindo, Santa Teresa and Nosara

9. Mexico

Overall surf consistency : 85%

Mexico is also amongst the most popular surfing destinations mostly due to its incredibly consistent surf. The pacific coastline starts at the Californian border, in Baja California, and stretches all the way down to Guatemala.

Therefore, Mexico is exposed to both northerly and southerly swells making it a safe bet when planning a surf trip. Puerto Escondido is one of Mexico’s best surf town with a wave at Playa Zicatela that is often compared to Hawaii’s Pipeline.

For beginners, Sayulita is a charming surf town which has mellow waves, perfect to make your first steps in the water.

Surfers looking to stay off the beaten path can aim for Baja California Sur which has several world-class breaks with a fraction of the usual crowd.

10. New Zealand

Overall surf consistency : 80%

The whole west coast of New Zealand is fed by consistent southwesterly ground swells, making it a very underrated surfing destination. When the wind is not in the right direction, you can sometimes just hop over to the east side of the country and still get some decent surf.

Raglan, on the country’s North Island, is the number one surf town in New Zealand with a famous surf spot called Manu Bay. This left-hand point break was featured in the movie Endless Summer and remains one of the best waves in the world.

Read our complete surfing guide to Raglan, New Zealand

The post 10 Most Consistent Surfing Destinations appeared first on MyWaveFinder.

During the month of March, many surfing destinations are either coming into the end of their winter surfing season or getting right in the start of it. Here is a list of a few places that should be considered when it comes to planning a surf trip in March!

Find the best surfing destination for you, try our WaveFinder search engine!

Byron Bay, Australia

Average surfing conditions for Byron Bay in March
Suitable skill level: Any
Average wave size: 4-5 feet
Swell consistency: 85%
Water temperature: 23°C 73°F
Air temperature: 23°C 73°F
Crowd: Heavy

During the month of March, the whole east coast of Australia, including Byron Bay, starts getting hit by some fun cyclone swells. Waves become more consistent while the weather is still very nice and water is warm. Crowds also start to fade out with summer coming to an end.

Byron Bay is an absolute gem of a surf town with a unique vibe that makes it one of the best surf towns in the world.

Read our full surfing guide to Byron Bay, Australia

Cabarete, Dominican Republic

Average surfing conditions for Cabarete in March
Suitable skill level: Any
Average wave size: 5 feet
Swell consistency: 70%
Water temperature: 28°C 82°F
Air temperature: 26°C 79°F
Crowd: Fairly crowded

In March, the surf in Cabarete, Dominican Republic, is still at its best. With frequent storms passing by in the north Atlantic, this tropical surfing destination receives its share of decent waves.

Being located on the north side of Dominican Republic, Cabarete is the country’s top surfing destination and should be seriously considered for a surf trip in March!

Read our complete surfing guide to Cabarete, Dominican Republic

Dakar, Senegal

Average surfing conditions for Dakar, Senegal in March
Suitable skill level: Any
Average wave size: 6 feet
Swell consistency: 80%
Water temperature: 21°C 70°F
Air temperature: 22°C 72°F
Crowd: Empty

Senegal is another country that gets its fair share of great surf in March. It also happens to be a pretty uncrowded surfing destination even if it has some world-class waves. At this time of the year, N’gor Island, a popular surf spot in Dakar, is still pumping from the north swells and it definitely is worth a visit!

Read our full surfing guide to Dakar, Senegal

Taghazout, Morocco

Average surfing conditions for Taghazout, Morocco in March
Suitable skill level: Any
Average wave size: 6 feet
Swell consistency: 90%
Water temperature: 18°C 64°F
Air temperature: 18°C 64°F
Crowd: Few people

The surf in Morocco is still thriving during the month of March as the season comes to an end. Weather starts warming up and conditions are simply beautiful. Peak tourism season being during summer, the month of March represents a great time to go on a surf trip to Morocco to catch some good waves while staying away from heavy crowds.

Read our complete surfing guide to Taghazout, Morocco

Bells Beach, Australia

Average surfing conditions for Bells Beach, Australia in March
Suitable skill level: Intermediate and advanced
Average wave size: 6 feet
Swell consistency: 80%
Water temperature: 16°C 61°F
Air temperature: 19°C 66°F
Crowd: Heavy

In March, Bells Beach is coming into the Fall season and starts receiving all the waves that come with it. Located just about an hour out of Melbourne, this iconic surf spot hosts one of the best right-hand wave on Earth. Although Bells Beach is suitable for any type of surfers, intermediate and experts will definitely be in a better position to enjoy all the potential that this special surf town has to offer.

Read our complete surfing guide to Bells Beach, Australia

Ecuador

Average surfing conditions for Ecuador in March
Suitable skill level: Any
Average wave size: 4-5 feet
Swell consistency: 100%
Water temperature: 24°C 75°F
Air temperature: 26°C 79°F
Crowd: Fairly crowded

With a swell consistency of 100% in March, there is no doubt anyone going on a surf trip to Ecuador during that time of the year will score waves every single day. 

In March, weather is perfect and crowds are usually not that big of an issue. Beginners and advanced surfers can both enjoy the beautiful surf at this time of the year.

Read our complete surfing guide to Montañita, Ecuador

Costa Rica

Average surfing conditions for Costa Rica in March
Suitable skill level: Any
Average wave size: 4-5 feet
Swell consistency: 75%
Water temperature: 27°C 81°F
Air temperature: 28°C 82°F
Crowd: Fairly crowded

When planning a surf trip to Costa Rica, you can almost never go wrong. Waves are good all year round and sunshine is almost guaranteed. During the month of March, the surf in Costa Rica is mid-size and consistent. It is perfect for beginners or intermediate surfers looking to catch waves every day without feeling like they could drown on every wipeout.

Read our complete surfing guide to Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Big Island, Hawaii

Average surfing conditions for Big Island, Hawaii in March
Suitable skill level: Intermediate, Advanced
Average wave size: 8 feet
Swell consistency: 95%
Water temperature: 25°C 77°F
Air temperature: 25°C 77°F
Crowd: Few people

In March, Hawaii still receives its fair share of northerly swells, coming from the north Pacific storms that pass above the Hawaiian Islands. Big Island is the biggest island of the archipelago and receives a lot of those waves on its west coast. Therefore, many surf spots near Kona are still fully on in March with surfing conditions that are comparable to what can be seen on Oahu and Maui, but with only a fraction of the crowd.

Read our complete surfing guide to Big Island, Hawaii

Piha, New Zealand

Average surfing conditions for Piha, New Zealand in March
Suitable skill level: All surfers
Average wave size: 6 feet
Swell consistency: 85%
Water temperature: 19°C 66°F
Air temperature: 18°C 64°F
Crowd: Fairly crowded

In March, New Zealand is slowly coming out of its summer season and waves start picking up again while weather remains very enjoyable. Piha is a small surf town located just under an hour away from Auckland. 

Piha’s beaches are exposed to most westerly swells making it a fairly consistent surfing destination during the month of March.

Read our complete surfing guide to Piha, New Zealand

Ericeira, Portugal

Average surfing conditions for Ericeira, Portugal in March
Suitable skill level: Intermediate and advanced
Average wave size: 9 feet
Swell consistency: 95%
Water temperature: 15°C 59°F
Air temperature: 14°C 57°F
Crowd: Reasonable

Portugal is known as one of the best surfing destination in Europe with world-class surf spots like Nazare, Ericeira, the Algarve region and Peniche. In March, Ericeira is still getting fully hit by those winter swells and waves are nothing less than epic. 

At this time of the year, waves in Ericeira can often reach overhead size and are more suitable for experienced surfers. Ericeira is located just a short drive away from Lisbon, Portugal’s capital city also making it one of the most accessible place to surf in the country.

Read our complete surfing guide to Ericeira, Portugal

The post 10 Best Places to Surf in March appeared first on MyWaveFinder.

Use our WaveFinder search engine to find the destination that best suits your surf style and budget.

1. Indonesia

Not only is Indonesia one of the cheapest surfing destinations in the world, it also is one of the best, period. With many world-class breaks either on Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa, Sumatra or in the Mentawai Islands, Indonesia has definitely become a must-visit destination for every passionate surfer.

Waves are consistent throughout the year, peaking from May to October and a typical day can cost you less than $25.

2. South Africa

Known as the surfing mecca of its continent, South Africa has a wide coastline that connects two different oceans and is home to some very popular world class waves.

Despite being a sharky country, South Africa is attracting surfing adepts from all over the world due to its cheap cost of traveling, amazing landscapes and stunning wildlife.

3. Sri Lanka

Located right below India, Sri Lanka is somewhat similar to its northern neighbor, without the big chaos that is found pretty much everywhere around India. It will also be slightly more expensive, but nothing outrageous. A day will easily cost you less than $30.

The whole south side of Sri Lanka is very popular from November to April due to favorable winds. There are several surf towns spread along this side of the island such as Hikkaduwa, Ahangama, Midigama, Weligama and Mirissa.

During the rest of the year, you can head to Arugam Bay, on the east coast which has several point breaks as well as offering a very special laid-back surfing vibe. This region is also where the best waves in Sri Lanka will be found.

4. Peru

Peru is one of South America’s most underrated surf havens, especially for those traveling on a budget. With its low cost of living, affordable accommodation, and abundant local eateries, surfing in Peru can cost as little as $20–30 per day. Peru is also home to the longest wave in the world, Chicama, where rides can stretch over a kilometer on a good day.

Coastal towns like Huanchaco, Punta Hermosa, and Máncora offer consistent waves for all levels, a laid-back surf culture, and plenty of low-cost lodging. Transportation is also cheap and accessible, with buses and moto-taxis connecting the surf towns easily.

5. Nicaragua

Nicaragua offers some of the cheapest and most consistent waves of our list. With 300+ days of offshore wind every year, surf towns like San Juan Del Sur, Popoyo and Playa Colorado are all great places to settle down and score perfect waves every day without spending a pretty dime.

6. Ecuador

Ecuador is not the most popular surfing destination in South America, with Brazil, Chile and Peru stealing most of the spotlight. However, the surf in this small country is insanely consistent and fun.

Montanita is a small surfing village located near Guayaquil which is a great place to set a base on a surf trip to Ecuador. A typical day will cost you no more than $30 and you are almost certain to get waves and be able to enjoy tropical weather in a very friendly environment.

7. El Salvador

El Salvador has seen its reputation hurt by political instability in the last few decades. However, now that things have settled a bit, it is now a very interesting surfing destination in Central America. This country has many world-class point breaks like Punta Roca, Salvador’s most popular surf spot.

Since tourism is still low compared to Costa Rica, for example, the costs associated with a surf trip to El Salvador are very reasonable for the overall quality of its waves.

8. India

India might simply be the world’s cheapest country to travel to. In fact, accommodation and food can cost you less than $20 per day…There is also some decent surf in this country that is usually not mainly visited for its waves.

The region of Kerala, down south, is pretty exposed during the swell season that runs from March to November.

If you feel more adventurous, the Andaman Islands still have a few unexplored waves waiting for you…This trip will be a little more expansive though, due to lack of infrastructure.

9. Morocco

Morocco is a world-class surfing destination, known for its dreamy point breaks, rich surfing culture and cheap costs of living. While surfing in Morocco, you can easily find accommodation for as cheap as $10 per night and eating out at a restaurant can cost you less than $5.

When you add the rich Berber and Islamic culture, year round sunshine and delicious cuisine, you get a cheap and rewarding surfing destination that should be on every surfers bucket list for 2025. Great surf towns in Morocco include Taghazout and Sidi Kaouki.

10. Philippines

Philippines is still a fairly underrated surfing destination in Asia. However, this archipelago has some amazing surf spots that can definitely match the quality of any waves in Indonesia or Maldives.

The island of Siargao is known as the surfing capital of the Philippines with many great waves like Cloud 9 which could be considered like the Asian version of Backdoor.

There are also several spots for less experience surfers which are perfect to get into reef break surfing. On top of that, food and accommodation are very affordable on the island.

The post 10 of The Cheapest Surfing Destinations appeared first on MyWaveFinder.

Summary

The Galapagos Islands are amongst the most rewarding, yet, under discovered surfing destinations in the world. For a long time, the Galapagos Islands were mostly known as a wildlife sanctuary, popularized by the studies of Charles Darwin. While this remains totally correct, another aspect of this archipelago is slowly becoming more and more popular which is the surfing potential.

The Galapagos islands have many empty world-class surf breaks only waiting to be discovered by the surfing community. It offers waves throughout the year, with south swells from April to October and occasional north swells from November to March. On a surf trip to the Galapagos, the best place to settle is probably the island of San Cristobal as it allows the best access to surf breaks, without demanding a permit. It also is exposed to both north and south swells.

The Galapagos islands have a lot of regulations put into place in order to protect both land and marine wildlife. Consequently, some of the surf spots are harder to access.

When to go

The best time to surf the Galapagos Islands is from December to April which provides big and consistent north swells as well as warm temperatures. From May to November, south swells are pushing in with full force but the weather is not a clement.

Where to stay in Galapagos

The best place to stay on a surf trip in the Galapagos is Puerto Baquerizo, on the island of San Cristobal. You will have the best access to nearby surf spots like La Loberia, Punta Carole, El Canon and Tongo Reef.

Getting there

The difficult access to the Galapagos islands is what makes it a special and uncrowded place. The only way to get into the archipelago is by plane from Guayaquil. Some flights also leave from Quito, but will transit in Guayaquil. Upon entry, you will need to pay $200 in National Park entrance fee.

Safety/things to know

• Many waves are difficult to access due to park restrictions or military activity.
• Mostly powerful reef breaks, suitable for experienced surfers.

Surf spots in Galapagos

La Loberia

A playful, yet sometimes powerful A-framing reef break with sea lions often sharing the lineup. Works best on a mid to high tide and can provide fun walls for intermediate to advanced surfers.

• Wave direction: Left and right

• Bottom: Reef

• Best tide: Mid to high

• Skill level: Intermediate to advanced

• Optimal swell direction: S-SW

• Optimal wind direction: NE

Punta Carola

One of the best and most consistent surf spots in the Galapagos. Punta Carola is a powerful right-hand point break that can handle solid swells and deliver long rides.

• Wave direction: Right

• Bottom: Rock and reef

• Best tide: Mid

• Skill level: Intermediate to advanced

• Optimal swell direction: S-SW

• Optimal wind direction: NE

Tongo reef

A less crowded reef break that offers probably the longest waves in Galapagos. It’s a good option for intermediate surfers looking for a quieter session as it is a bit harder to access.

• Wave direction: Left and occasional right

• Bottom: Reef

• Best tide: Mid to high

• Skill level: Intermediate to advanced

• Optimal swell direction: S-SW

• Optimal wind direction: NE

Tortuga Bay

Famous for its stunning scenery and marine iguanas on the beach, Tortuga Bay also offers a surfable beach break. The waves here are more exposed to wind, but on the right day can deliver fun, rippable peaks.

• Wave direction: Right and left

• Bottom: Sand

• Best tide: Mid to high

• Skill level: Any

• Optimal swell direction: S-SW

• Optimal wind direction: NE

The post Galapagos Islands, Ecuador appeared first on MyWaveFinder.

Summary

Montañita is Ecuador’s most famous surfing destination and this little town has some of the most consistent in South America. In Montañita, you will find waves on almost any given day, giving you the chance to score on your surf trip without experiencing too many lay days.

When people think of surfing destinations in South America, Ecuador usually isn’t the first place that comes up. However, over the last decade, this country has been gaining a lot of popularity in the surfing community.

With a coastline that is yet to be fully discovered by surfers, you can still find some spots with barely anyone out. Swells are also very consistent throughout the year without ever getting too big like they would a bit further south, in Chile, for example.

Within Ecuador, if you are gonna chose one place to go, Montañita might very well be the one. It is very hard not to fall in love with this Ecuadorian beach town known as the surfing mecca of the country. Montañita has good restaurants and bars providing a decent social life and making it very easy to meet fellow travelers.

Sun, warm water, nightlife and fairly cheap accommodation will all make this trip even more enjoyable. While Montañita has this little buzz that makes you want to stay forever, make sure to also check the rest of the coast for emptier line-ups and amazing surfing opportunities. For even more adventure, go further inland to discover an amazing country.

When to go

The best time to surf Montañita, Ecuador is pretty much all year long. Waves are very consistent both in summer and winter. However, from December to April, conditions will be slightly bigger with the arrival of some north swells.

Where to stay in Montañita

Hotel Kunalini is a great affordable place to stay near Montañita Beach and ME Hotel is a little more expensive but still has a great reputation.

Getting there

The quickest and best way to get to Montañita is to fly to Guayaquil and then use public transportation to Montañita.

Surf spots in Montañita

Montañita point

At the very end of the beach, a classic right-hand point break holding nicely a sizable swell producing a long and nice wave. Can get hollow on the low tide, but most of the time it is a fairly mellow peeler.

• Wave direction : Right
• Bottom : Sand
• Best tide : Mid to low
• Skill level : Any
• Optimal swell direction : NW
• Optimal wind direction : E

Montañita beach

Very consistent beach break working on most days. Perfect for beginners or advanced with several peaks.

• Wave direction : Right and left
• Bottom : Sand
• Best tide : Any
• Skill level : Any
• Optimal swell direction : N or S
• Optimal wind direction : E

The post Montañita, Ecuador appeared first on MyWaveFinder.