There’s nothing quite like surfing. To finally master a wave, keep your balance and not end up with a face full of water is one of the best feelings you can get. Surfing also gets bonus points for the keeping you fit and taking place in beautiful surroundings on a beach. So much better than a sweaty gym, right?
Zip up your wetsuit, grab your board and get ready to hit the waves at dearJulius.com’s favorite and unique surf destinations — known for their beauty as well as their break. Check out 12 unique surfing spots around the world.
Eisbach River, Germany
This small man-made river in Munch is known for its unique standing wave. The wave stays stationary, allowing surfers to show off their skills. However, since the water is cold and the depth shallow, the wave is only suitable for experienced and skilled surfers.
Jökulsárlón, Iceland
Meant for seasoned professionals who don't mind ice-cold water, Jökulsárlón lagoon offers great glacial currents and strong swells. The unique landscape also offers tricky challenges to surfers: most notably massive ice blocks jutting out of the water that a rider must navigate swiftly to hit the open water.
Kovalam, India
India has about 4,700 miles (7,564 kilometers) of coastline, and if you're in the country and want to surf, head to the southern state of Kerala and the beaches of Kovalam. The Lighthouse Beach offers the best waves, thanks to the construction of an artificial reef off the shore.
Pororoca, Brazil
The Pororoca tidal bore on the Amazon River has waves that are 12 feet (3.6 meters) high and travel as far as 497 miles (800 kilometers) inland upstream from its point of source – where the river meets the Atlantic Ocean. Unlike other surfing spots, here surfers ride the wave in dark brown, murky waters. An annual surfing championship is held in the São Domingos do Capim municipality of Pará, between March and April, attracting surfers from all over the world.
Severn Bore, England
The rising tide in the Bristol Channel and Severn Estuary in Gloucestershire county results in the formation of the Severn Bore, with the tidal range as much as 50 feet (15.24 meters). The biggest bores are seen during the spring months and offer longer hang time.
Habitat 67, Canada
The unique housing complex in Montreal is famous among surfers for the standing wave on the St. Lawrence River. The rapids here are formed by the depression at the bottom of the river. In 2002, Olympic kayaker Corran Addison was the first to ride the wave.
Skeleton Coast, Namibia
Known for the stranded remains of ships caught by fog and offshore rocks, Skeleton Coast is one of the most barren surfing spots in the world. The wave here is cylindrical, allowing surfers to ride deep inside the curl from start to finish. The coast near cities like Walvis Bay, Luderitz and Swakopmund offer great swells.
Lake Michigan, US
Lake Michigan is known for its strong winds, which create amazing surfing conditions. The prime surfing time here is largely during the fall, winter and spring. In the summer months, the waves are small, making for great learning opportunities.
Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh
Compared to more famous surfing spots around the world, this fishing port city is a pretender to the throne. That said, the charm and enthusiasm of the locals and the warm climate combine to make this a hidden gem in any surfer’s must-visit list. With as many as 150 days of great waves every year between April and November, there is plenty to keep you occupied. Make sure you check out Bangladesh’s first surfing school, which was set up in the 1990s by local surfer Jafar Alam.
Busua Beach, Ghana
Ghana probably isn’t on every surfer’s list of destinations, but warm water, consistent swell and the lack of sharks (always important!) combine to make this a popular tropical surfing destination. There are several surfing spots and you can explore the waves all year round, with the best months running from April to August.
Arabian Sea, Oman
A popular surfing spot in a country not usually associated with the sport, the waters of the Arabian Sea off the Oman coast include surfing destinations like Sur, Ras Al Hadd and Salalah; the country’s first surf school was set up in the latter city. The water is usually warm, and the waves are plentiful, but be on the lookout for strong riptides and the occasional shark.
Hilton Beach, Israel
Former Israeli skateboard champion and surfer Arthur Rashkovan called this beach a “mini California, a surfer’s paradise.” This beach in Tel Aviv is named after the nearby hotel and is made special by two jetties that offer excellent reef breaks for the waves. The break generates waves with maximum heights of seven feet (2.13 meters) and a swell that gets stronger as it gets closer to the shore.
