When you want to learn how to surf, one of the most important decisions you will make is which beach to go to. As a beginner surfer, you need gentle, small waves and plenty of space. You need to know where to go and when to go. In this article, I present 7 of the best surf spots for beginners. These spots are where I learned to surf.
1. Kuta Beach, Bali, Indonesia
Bali is the golden land of surfing. The waves are warm, turquoise, and well-shaped. What makes Bali such a good surfing destination is that the swell is very consistent, meaning there are often waves suitable for surfing. Renting a bike and driving around the island is easy.
When to go?
April through September is the peak season, with the smoothest waves and favorable winds. However, the rest of the year offers many surfable days as well.
If you want to go to Bali from October through March and the waves at Kuta Beach are not working, I recommend checking out Nusa Lembongan. It is a small island with several good surf spots for beginners.
What makes Kuta Beach stand out as a beginner destination?
The biggest selling points of Kuta Beach are the cheap surf lessons, cheap accommodation, and easy accessibility to the beach—all things you need when you start your journey towards becoming a surfer.
The culture and atmosphere of Bali are wonderful; it is like a slice of paradise. People are super friendly and there is every kind of food.
Things to consider before traveling to Kuta Beach, Bali
The sun is strong, so you need your best sunscreen to avoid burning yourself. Since it is such a great spot for beginners, Kuta Beach is often crowded. Try going early in the morning to avoid the crowds.
If you want to be adventurous and find un-crowded spots, check out my guide The 10 best uncrowded surf destinations around the world.
2. Weligama Beach, Sri Lanka
I spent 3 years in Sri Lanka, and when I was not yet a good surfer, Weligama Beach was my favorite spot to practice.
The sand is soft, and the waves are peeling slowly with plenty of “wall” to practice on. The beach is a big bay with several peaks, so it is easy to drift away from the crowds and get some space.
When to go?
The west coast of Sri Lanka works best from November to March. This is the dry season and it is always warm and sunny with little wind.
If you want to go from May to October, the East Coast has good waves. Arugam Bay is a surf town on the East Coast, and there are several beginner-friendly breaks around that town, such as Potuvil Point. But generally speaking, the West Coast is a bit more beginner-friendly since the waves are smaller.
What makes Weligama Beach stand out as a beginner destination?
Sri Lanka is beautiful, with lush jungles and coconut palms leaning into charming beaches. When your surf session is finished, you can buy a fresh coconut to rehydrate yourself. The food is flavorful and spicy, an experience in itself.
Living is affordable, and since the island is relatively small, traveling around and exploring is easy.
Things to consider before traveling to Weligama Beach, Sri Lanka
Weligama Beach is the most popular beginner beach, so take a couple of trips to the surrounding beaches to try and find some waves for yourself.
Sri Lanka has suffered a lot of civil unrest for the last decades, so make sure you check the political situation before you book the tickets. It is a safe country for tourists, and the people are incredibly nice.
3. Baleal Beach, Peniche, Portugal
I live in Portugal, so I’m partial to Portugal as a world-class surf destination and a great place to catch your first green wave.
There are surf schools everywhere in Portugal and plenty of beginner-friendly waves to practice on.
When to go?
May through September is the period when the waves are the smallest and, thus, best for beginners.
Baleal in Peniche is one of the few beaches that might also work in the off-season. If you are lucky, you can score great days of surfing in the European winter, but be aware that there can also be a lot of storms.
What makes Baleal Beach stand out as a beginner destination?
A huge sandy beach with gentle waves and plenty of different peaks is exactly what you need to develop your surf skills, and this is what Baleal offers.
It is also a fairly consistent break, meaning that most days, there is something worth getting wet for. When the waves are too big (as they can be in the winter), you can always practice your pop-ups in the white water.
There is cheap accommodation close to the break and different surf shops where you can rent boards.
Things to consider before traveling to Baleal
Even in the summer, the ocean is on the chilly side, and you need a 4.3 wetsuit to surf. In the winter, it can be pretty cold.
Portugal can be very expensive in the high season, July and August. I recommend going in the shoulder season, May and September, which can be absolutely lovely.
You might want to rent a car to explore the beautiful coast of Portal and the many different surf spots that are suitable for beginners.
4. Playa Tamarindo, Costa Rica
If you can afford it, Costa Rica is a wonderful country to choose for your first surf trip. Stunning beaches and tropical fruits make this country a bucket list destination. Playa Tamarindo is the place to start before you move on to more remote surfing locations.
In this laidback surf town, it is easy to rent surfboards and arrange surf lessons.
When to go?
This beach is a year-round surf destination, so that’s good news. December through March is the dry season and the winds are usually off-shore. (The wind condition ideal for slowly peeling waves.) The rest of the year you can still score clean waves, you just might have to surf early in the morning or in the afternoon.
What makes Playa Tamarindo stand out as a beginner destination?
Tamarindo is the number one surf town for surfers who like to party. So, if you want to visit the best surf spot for beginners, where you can also socialize and have fun, this should be your top pick.
When you want to get away from the buzz, just drive up the coast. There are many different breaks to choose from. The farther you get from Tamarindo, the less crowded the breaks are.
So, as you progress in surfing, you can venture further and further away from the other beginners.
Things to consider before traveling to Playa Tamarindo
The surf in and around Playa Tamarindo is dependent on the change in the tide, so be prepared to wait until the tide fills in for the waves to show up. Mid to high tide is usually the best time to score waves.
Since this town is one of the main surf destinations, it is also a party town. Whether that’s a plus or minus, I leave it to you to decide.
If you want to learn more about Costa Rica as a surf destination, I recommend our guide Surfing in Costa Rica – Planning your Costa Rican Surf trip.
5. Playa Remanso, Nicaragua
San Juan del Sur is the name of a charming surf town. It is a must for any surfer visiting Nicaragua. I visited this place 20 years ago, and it had a great vibe even then, with an inclusive surf community and lots of fun nights out in town.
Playa Remanso is a beginner paradise with small waves that break slowly, perfect for anyone who is not yet nailing their pop-up. The break is 8 kilometers away from the surf town, but plenty of surf shuttles are taking off from the different guesthouses, so it is easy to get there. You will make a couple of new friends on the way.
When to go?
Late November to April is the best time for small nice waves and good wind conditions. But Nicaragua is known as a surf destination that works year-round.
April to September is the season with the best waves for experienced surfers; of course, there are still options for beginners during this period.
What makes Playa Remanso stand out as a beginner destination?
Warm water and good conditions for weeks at an end make this a bucket list destination for becoming a surfer.
The slowly breaking waves are the reason why this beach is one of the best surf spots for beginners.
Another reason to pick this surf mecca is that the prices are considerably lower than those in neighboring Costa Rica. Basically, you get the same epic conditions for a fraction of the price.
There are also a lot of board rentals, surf camps, and surf schools in the area.
Things to consider before travelling to Playa Remanso
Nicaragua is a travel-friendly country. Getting around is much safer and easier than you would think. Just learn a bit of Spanish and you will get the best deals.
6. Foz do Lizandro, Ericeira, Portugal
Here is another tip from Portugal: Ericeira is the surf capital of Portugal, and it is a must for your Europe surf trip. In the summer, there are outdoor mini-festivals, and the small streets of Ericeira are full of surfers having a blast. Visiting Ericeira is a great way to soak up surf culture and not just learn to surf but become a surfer.
When to go?
If you are learning to surf, I strongly recommend visiting in the summertime when the waves are small. From June to September, this is one of the best surf spots for beginners
What makes Foz do Lizandro stand out as a beginner destination?
When the waves are small, it is such a nice beach with clear turquoise water and a nice sandy bottom without rocks. (which is not always the case in Portugal.)
Things to consider before traveling to Foz do Lizandro
The best month to learn to surf in Foz do Lizandro is August. Unfortunately, that’s also peak tourist season, so the prices are very steep. If you want more of a budget-friendly Portugal trip, I recommend early spring or October.
7. Ngarunui Beach, New Zeeland
This beginner-friendly beach, close to the small surf town Raglan, is yet another epic beach where surfers are made.
You show up here without having a clue about surfing, and after just one lesson, you fall in love. Before you know it, you have sold all your earthly possessions and are living the surfer dream. Extra bonus points if you also buy a van.
Such is the power of surfing in New Zealand.
When to go?
The waves around Raglan are consistent, meaning you can surf year-round. March to June is peak season for more experienced surfers, due to less wind and fewer people.
For beginners, October through March offers slightly smaller waves and warmer weather. For more information about New Zealand, make sure you read .
What makes Ngarunui Beach stand out as a beginner destination?
New Zealand is often forgotten as a surf destination, especially for beginners pondering the question of where to catch their first wave.
It is a long journey, but if you are prepared to make the trip, you will be rewarded with amazing waves and a scenario straight from Lord of the Rings.
Things to consider before traveling to Ngarunui Beach
Surf lessons and surf rentals are much more expensive than what you would find in Asia and Central America. Do consider buying your own board as soon as possible.
Many people who travel to New Zealand take the opportunity to work or volunteer.
The importance of choosing the best surf spots for beginners
When you want to learn to surf, the single most important decision you will make is where to go. Some waves are incredibly easy to surf; they are slow and forgiving, and all you have to do is slowly crawl up to a standing position. Those are the waves you need to hunt down to fulfill the dream of being a surfer.
