There are many incredibly beautiful and famous surf spots all over the world. If you’ve always wondered which ones are the most impressive, stay tuned.
Overview
10 famous surf spots for pros
Banzai Pipeline in Oahu, Hawaii
Ehukai Beach is located on the north coast of Oahu. This beach is the origin of the Banzai Pipeline, a world-famous reef.
In summer it is a beautiful beach, in winter it is the place to watch professional surfers perform their maneuvers in the water.
The waves sometimes reach a height of up to 30 meters. The Billabong Pipeline Masters Surf Competition is a surf contest that attracts many surfing enthusiasts every year. This spot is one of the most dangerous beaches for surfers.
The wave builds up at a 90-degree angle within a very short time, creating a wall of water as high as a house. There is no other place in the world where the spectacle takes place at this speed.
10 famous surf spots for pros
Big wave surfing in Nazaré, Portugal
The Canyon of Nazaré is an underwater canyon located in the western Atlantic Ocean on the coast of Nazaré. The canyon is 230 km long and has a depth of at least 5,000 meters.
Around Nazaré, however, there are not only huge and dangerous spots, there are also waves that are accessible to all surfers regardless of their level.
In contrast to many other big wave spots, the seabed consists of sand instead of coral reef or hard rocks. On reefs, the waves break at a certain point, so surfers know exactly where to position themselves.
In Nazaré, however, things are different. Extremely high waves break with massive force in a variety of different places, which can be explained by the arrangement of the sandbanks under water.
10 famous surf spots for pros
Mundaka in Basque Country, Spain
The Mundaka wave is located on the beach of Laidaitxu in Spain. Surfing enthusiasts travel thousands of kilometers to see the wave, which is up to 400 meters wide, with their own eyes.
On good days, the waves reach a height of around 6 meters. The beach with its golden sand was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.
This spot is one of the best surf spots in the world and is definitely the best on the Basque coast.
Mundaka is described as unpredictable and unbalanced, which is why beginners should stay away from the wave.
10 famous surf spots for pros
Gold Coast – The Superbank in Queensland, Australia
In 2001, a sand diversion system was installed here, which pumps the sand from the south side onto the beaches on the north side. The aim was to restore the natural sand shift.
The authorities wanted to stop the erosion of the coast. At the same time, one of the best surf spots was created by chance.
The results are fantastic for surfers: the gaps in the rocks now create long, high waves that are perfect for surfing.
In the south of Queensland there are right point break waves, which have been producing flawless tubes and surf champions for decades.
10 famous surf spots for pros
Hossegor, France
Hossegor is one of the best surf spots for beginners and professional surfers. On the South and Central beaches in Hossegor, the swell is not as strong and therefore easier to tame.
The sandbanks and currents provide ideal conditions for surfing. The waves seem to roll forever.
The level is a success for surfers all year round. The first winter swells hit the French Atlantic coast at the end of September. These have more power, which makes surfing more interesting for more advanced surfers.
10 famous surf spots for pros
Mavericks, Half Moon Bay in Northern California
Mavericks is the name of an extraordinary wave that breaks at Pillar Point in Half Moon Bay in Northern California. It is located about 30 km south of San Francisco and its waves reach a height of 8 to 18 meters.
Mavericks is a fast right-hander that produces a rare left-hander on some days.
When huge waves from the depths hit the rocky outcrop under water, the unique Mavericks wave is created. This can be ridden for over 200 meters, the best period for this is from September to April.
However, this spot is also dangerous, as it is described as cold and foggy; it is one of the deadliest in the world. Sharks are also frequently spotted here.
10 famous surf spots for pros
Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa
There are many different surf spots on the coast of South Africa. Supertubes beach in Jeffrey’s Bay is by far the most impressive.
Many people know it from the movie “Endless Summer”. The wave is one of the most varied in the world.
On a good day, this runs through up to seven sections. Supertubes, also known as Supers, is the most famous. J-Bay hit the headlines in 2015 after a shark attack on surfer Mick Fanning during a contest.
The wave stands out due to its length, which can be surfed for several hundred meters. This is why surfing competitions, such as the Billabong Pro ASP World Tour, take place here.
10 famous surf spots for pros
Teahupo’o, Tahiti
The huge wave called Teahupo’o is referred to by the locals as the “wall of skulls”, as legend has it that a tribal battle ended with the victors displaying the skulls of their enemies.
The waves usually originate from storm systems south of New Zealand and reach a height of two to five meters.
The wave breaks directly over a sharp coral reef. Even the most experienced surfers only venture into the waves on days when the sea and wind are in perfect harmony.
The surfing competitions of the 2024 Olympic Games were held in Teahupo’o for the first time.
Waves with a long period usually begin to interact with the seabed at a depth of around 200 meters. This depth usually occurs several kilometers off the coast, but in Teahupo’o it is only a few hundred meters.
10 famous surf spots for pros
Cloud Nine in Siargao, Philippines
Cloud 9 is located on the Pacific coast of Siargao and is one of the most famous reefs there. This spot is known for its big right-breaking waves. The Siargao Cup takes place here every year. One of the most famous surf spots on Siargao is Cloud 9, to which the town owes its surfing heritage.
The wave is more suitable for advanced surfers, as you hit the razor-sharp coral when falling off the board. With a wave height of one to two meters, the ride is rather gentle and short in the right conditions.
Cloud 9 attracted worldwide attention in 1993 thanks to an article in “Surfer” magazine. Not only do the waves make for a breathtaking sight, the 49 islands around Siargao offer stunning beaches, secret lagoons and untouched rock pools.
10 famous surf spots for pros
Rincón, Puerto Rico
In Rincón there are many different waves for every level. There are very good waves for beginners, barreling sections and a big wave spot for experts.
Rincón Puerto Rico is one of the most consistent spots in the Caribbean, which is why it is also known as the “surf capital of the Caribbean”.
