Dreaming of riding the perfect wave but not sure where or when? 2026 is the perfect year to plan your surf sessions based on your level (beginner, intermediate, advanced) and the season. This guide reveals the best spots in France , Europe and around the world.
Ready to pick the perfect spot for your level and the season? Use this guide to avoid common mistakes, like ignoring the impact of wind or tides. Don’t pick the wrong destination or timing for your next session in 2026.
What kind of surfer are you? Define your level to pick better Where to surf in spring (March – May)? Where to surf in summer (June – August)? Where to surf in fall (September – November)? Where to surf in winter (December – February)?
What kind of surfer are you? Define your level to pick better
Picking the right spot starts with an honest self-check. Knowing your level optimizes safety, fun and progress. This guide will steer you toward destinations suited to your level and the season .
The beginner: first steps on the board Focus on balance and the take-off in the foam . Stick to safe spots, like sandy beaches with small waves, and keep your sessions regular.
You master the take-off in the foam or on small waves
You’re learning to paddle and position yourself on your board
You’re looking for balance and your first straight rides
You haven’t yet picked up wave reading
For successful beginner surf, the spot matters. Discover the right places
The intermediate: chasing green waves At this level, you leave the foam for green waves. You sharpen your take-off and try maneuvers like the cut-back. Stack the sessions to build independence on waves up to 1.5 meters .
You master the take-off on waves up to 1.5 metersYou ride along the wave shoulder (right/left) to extend your line
You’re working on the cut-back or roller
You’re learning to read waves and anticipate them
Pick spots like Fuerteventura in summer, where the moderate Canary Islands waves give you ideal training ground . Watch experienced surfers to pick up positioning at the peak.
The advanced surfer: control and style At this stage, you ride hollow waves (1.5m to 2.5m) with ease. You’re working on polishing technical moves like floaters while handling the currents.
You master controlled surf on hollow waves
You execute cut-backs, rollers, floaters smoothly
You read the ocean and adapt to the currents
You’re chasing demanding waves like barrels or reef breaks
Explore winter spots like Hossegor in France or Bali’s reef breaks in Indonesia, where tubular conditions from November to April give you a serious challenge . Mix in clinics with pros to fine-tune your style across varied conditions.
Where to surf in spring (March – May)?
Spring is ideal to surf : waves are accessible in Europe, while other regions enter their warm season. Pick your spot based on your level, avoiding winter extremes or summer crowds.
Beginners: Algarve (Portugal) and Morocco The Algarve (Portugal) is perfect to learn . Water warms up from March. Spots like Amoreira or Arrifana have soft waves. Amado, sheltered from the wind, has a cafe on site. Surf schools will help you nail the basics safely.
In Morocco, Taghazout or Imsouane work in spring. Imsouane, with its long right wave, is ideal for first rides . Sidi Kaouki avoids aggressive currents, perfect to nail your balance. To dig deeper, see the best surfcamps in Imsouane .
Intermediates: French Southwest and Canary Islands The Southwest (Landes, Basque Country) opens up after winter. In Capbreton, the waves are still powerful but workable. Fewer people than in summer, you progress in peace .
The Canaries (Fuerteventura, Lanzarote) offer steady waves in May. In Corralejo, the waves match your style. The Canary Islands , especially Lanzarote , offer steady May conditions ideal for intermediate surfers. On the northwest coast, Famara is the most accessible spot on the island: a sandy beach break with multiple peaks, perfect to work on the take-off on green waves and improve your ocean reading. For a first surf trip, a surf camp in Tenerife our comparison of the best surf camps in Lanzarote .
When the swell stays moderate, spots like San Juan also let you progress on faster waves, as long as you’re at ease on a rocky bottom.
Advanced: Mexico and Indonesia In Mexico , Puerto Escondido fires up from May with its famous powerful beach breaks. Waves can get very fast and hollow, especially at Zicatela, making it a spot reserved for advanced surfers , best on medium swell and with solid spot reading.Salina Cruz area has world-class point breaks , often technical and committing, clearly aimed at seasoned surfers who can handle power, currents and long sections.
In Indonesia , April marks the start of the dry season on the west coast. In Bali , spots like Uluwatu or Padang Padang serve up powerful, tubular waves, suited to advanced to expert surfers depending on swell size. At Desert Point (Lombok), perfect long lefts attract very experienced riders. Even though the spot is less crowded outside high season, it stays demanding and technical , reserved for surfers solid on reef.
For specific April ideas, this dedicated page will help.
Forecast: always check before you go Conditions change fast in spring. Check sites like Windguru to anticipate swell, wind and tides. With strong wind, prefer spots sheltered by cliffs or jetties. A local or a surf school remains the best source of real-time info .
Where to surf in summer (June – August)?
Summer in Europe is a key season for beginners . Waves are small, water is warm and conditions are softer. On the other hand, advanced surfers will need to look elsewhere for challenges.
Best beginner spots In France, the Southwest is ideal . Mimizan-Plage has steady waves on sandbars, perfect to start. In Biarritz, the Côte des Basques welcomes surf schools with low-power swells and a family vibe.
In Portugal, Peniche is a must . Praia do Cerro, with its slow waves, is perfect for first rides. Ericeira, listed as a “World Surfing Reserve,” also has accessible zones like Praia do Sul or Foz do Lizandro beach in summer.
In the UK, Newquay in Cornwall surprises. Even though the water is cooler, beaches like Fistral Beach catch moderate summer swells , with instructors available to guide newcomers.
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Best intermediate spots In France, the Landes have opportunities. Spots like Lacanau-Océan, Le Penon at Seignosse or Côte des Basques in Biarritz offer workable waves early morning or late in the day, when the wind drops and the sea is calmer.
Iconic destinations for advanced surfers In Indonesia, the Mentawais shine in the southern hemisphere summer. Waves like E-Bay or Macaronis roll over perfect reef, with regular barrels . In Bali, Uluwatu fires up with hollow lefts, ideal to fine-tune your aerials.
In Mexico, Zicatela (nicknamed “Mexican Pipeline”) becomes legendary in July. Waves over 3 meters draw experts, but watch for exposed reefs and strong currents. For a technical challenge, La Punta has fast lefts with less pressure.
In Australia, the Gold Coast is still accessible in southern summer . Less crowded than in winter, it has spots like Snapper Rocks where long waves let you work on style.
Just before the summer crowd hits, you might be wondering where to surf in June for intermediate conditions.
Where to surf in fall (September – November)?
Fall, a perfect season for all levels Fall brings the first big Atlantic swells, while keeping water still warm from summer. Fewer tourists, powerful waves and glassy mornings: what more could you ask for? It’s the ideal time to progress , whether you’re starting out or chasing memorable barrels.
In France, the Southwest, an epic destination The French Southwest is a nursery of iconic spots . In September, the water is still 20°C, perfect to surf in 3/2. Well-formed sandbars deliver clean waves, with frequent offshore winds in the morning.
Beginners : Waves are accessible at the start of the season, especially in Capbreton or at Grande Plage in Biarritz.Intermediates/Advanced: October and November bring legendary barrels at Hossegor, Anglet and Biarritz.
To know the best moments by level, check this detailed fall surf spot guide.
In Portugal, fall quality Portugal benefits from a rare combination from October to November : quality waves, water still warm (17-22°C) and fewer people. Central coast spots like Supertubos or Ericeira offer ideal intermediate conditions, while the Algarve stays accessible for beginners.
Machico and Porto da Cruz are the two bases to learn. The surf camps on these spots .
In Morocco, the ideal training ground Morocco’s surf season starts in October. Water temperature (16-22°C) and air (20-30°C) stay pleasant. The point breaks of Taghazout, like Anchor Point or Killer Point, become perfect for intermediates wanting to progress on long, powerful waves.
The best time for surf in Morocco
For long-haul fans, Costa Rica In November, the rainy season ends on the Pacific coast. Swells stay powerful, but the weather improves, giving you unforgettable sessions . Spots like Tamarindo and Nosara work for all levels, while Santa Teresa appeals to demanding surfers.
Watch out for morning thunderstorms in September-October, but conditions stay reliable thanks to steady swells. It’s a perfect month for those who want to combine demanding waves and a tropical climate.
Insurance for your surf trip
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Where to surf in winter (December – February)?
Advanced in Europe: muscular waves for the bold In winter, Atlantic storms turn Europe into a demanding playground for experts . In France, Hossegor unleashes powerful barrels from December, with waves of 1.5 to 2.1 meters. A 4/5 mm wetsuit is required. Head to Portugal and Supertubos in Peniche for waves of 2 to 3 meters, ideal to tame winter. Plus you might be able to swing by Nazaré to watch the chargers ride the big waves.
The Canary Islands flirt with the extreme : El Quemao at Lanzarote (up to 5 meters), nicknamed “Pipeline of the Canaries,” is reserved for the heavyweights. At Fuerteventura, La Izquierda rolls 400 meters of perfect right at high tide, while Tenerife surprises with Igueste, a technical left tucked between cliffs.
Costa Rica is a dream destination for a winter surf trip . On the Pacific coast, Tamarindo has soft waves (0.5-1 meter) with guaranteed sun. In Nosara, moderate tides and 15-20 knot offshore winds turn every session into an ideal lesson. The 28°C water lets you learn in boardshorts or bikini, with no risk of catching a cold.
Sri Lanka hides gems to progress : in Hikkaduwa, the Main Reef has waves of 1 to 1.5 meters, perfect to master transitions. In December, NE offshore winds smooth out the troughs, while in February, Coconut Point has A-frame lefts and rights accessible to intermediates.
Morocco surprises with its consistency: at Panoramas, Taghazout’s long, slow rights suit beginner/intermediate levels . In February, Banana Point lights up with 80 cm waves in offshore conditions. The 18°C water requires a 3/2 mm, but lessons stay comfortable. All the must-do spots in Taghazout.
Experts on the grail quest: Hawaii, the call of the giants Winter brings the divine waves back to Hawaii. On the North Shore of Oahu, Banzai Pipeline lines up its iconic tubes (up to 3 meters) from December. At Waimea, the 1.2 to 2 meter lefts test reflexes, while Sunset Beach rolls out series over 2.5 meters in February. The local dry season (November-April) ensures water at 26°C, but the crowd swells with January’s competitions.
Pick your 2026 surf spot by season and level
Season
Level
Europe destinations
World destinations
Typical conditions
Spring
Beginner
Portugal (Algarve), France (Basque Coast)
Morocco, Sri Lanka
Soft waves, water 16-22°C, air 15-25°C
Spring
Intermediate / Advanced
France (Southwest), Canary Islands
Indonesia, Mexico
Steady swell, fewer people, offshore winds
Summer
Beginner
France (Southwest), Portugal
—
Small waves, warm water (18-25°C)
Summer
Advanced
—
Indonesia, Australia, Mexico
More consistent conditions, reefs / point breaks
Fall
All levels
France, Portugal
Morocco, Costa Rica
Steady swell, water 16-28°C, fewer people
Winter
Beginner / Intermediate
—
Costa Rica, Sri Lanka
Warm water (27-28°C), sun 20-30°C
Winter
Advanced
Portugal, Canary Islands
Hawaii
Big swells, powerful waves, extreme conditions
A table to pick your 2026 surf spot at a glance. Need soft waves in mild water? European spring avoids the summer crowd. Dreaming of fall tubes? And if winter pushes you toward the sun, Costa Rica or Sri Lanka give you accessible waves in a paradise setting.
With this guide, pick your 2026 surf destination by level and season. Europe and the world have spots for everyone , from beginner to expert, summer or winter. The summary table helps you plan your perfect trip . Now go get those 2026 waves !
