Top Surfing Holiday Destinations for 2025

When the weather in the UK turns colder and even wetter, there's a stronger chance your thoughts will turn to where can you escape for a foreign surf trip next year.

If you don't have anything booked yet, now is a great time to research where to go and get something lined up, so you can sit back and dream of those warmer waters,  hours of sunshine and pumping surf!

Here's our pick of the top surfing holiday destinations for 2025.

Portugal

Famed for its world-class surf breaks such as Supertubos (Supertubes) near Peniche or Coxos in Ericeira, plus the big wave spot of Nazare, Portugal is still a popular surf destination for surfers from across Europe and beyond.

It has 6 different regions, from the colder northern area near to Porto, all the way down to the sunny Algarve in the south.

The northern area is often overlooked by travelling surfers, who get attracted to the Algarve coastline or the breaks around Peniche, however it has lots to offer in terms of waves and culture.

There's also the Atlantic Islands of Madeira and the Azores if you're feeling more adventurous.

One great advantage of Portugal is that there are a variety of breaks for all abilities, plus coastlines facing different directions for favourable wind directions. Peniche itself is a peninsula, so there's almost always somewhere to surf that is offshore and manageable when other spots are blown out.

There are lots of surf schools, which is great if you want some coaching and organised surfing and socialising. However if you're not needing their services, then hire a car and get exploring, as you will find lots of empty breaks along the 1,700km coastline.

Away from cities like Lisbon, Portugal is still a bit cheaper than other European countries. And if you love fresh fish and wine, then you are spoilt for choice.

Main season: October to April

Canary Islands

Situated off the coastline of North Africa, the Canary Islands and their desert landscapes feel more African than European in nature. This Spanish chain of islands, due to its location, enjoys warm water and sunshine for most of the year.

There are seven islands to explore, each of which is slightly different in terms of geographical features and surf:

• Lanzarote - the famed 'North Shore' offers rocky reefs and big waves, especially during the Autumn and Winter months
• Fuerteventura - again, the northern coast is the main place to head to, although the island offers more sandy beaches than its neighbours.
• Gran Canaria - reef and beach breaks around the north, east and south coasts of the island.
• Tenerife - the busiest island and a mix of built-up towns (and busy waves) down south, with quieter and often larger waves further north.
• La Palma - a much smaller island, with cliffs and black sand. Head to the Porto Naos area for some beach and reef spots.
• Gomera - only a handful of surf spots here, due to the coastline being dominated by cliffs.
• Hierro - another small island, with only a few surf spots to be found.

Across these islands there are nearly 100 recognised breaks and due to the fact they are islands, you can get good conditions almost all the time, depending on the wind and swell directions.

Main season: September to April 

Bali

The Indonesian island has long been a favourite with surfers from across the globe. For many, it truly is a tropical paradise, with world-calls lefts like Uluwatu and Padang Padang and fun performance rights at spots like Keramas.

The three main regions - the Bukit Peninsula, West Bali and East Bali have over 40 breaks between them.

The islands is also full of temples, mopeds and Bintang beers, offering some good sightseeing opportunities in between the surf sessions. Also the the cost of living is relatively cheap compared with other surf destinations, meaning many Brit surfers will try to make their budget last for longer trips if possible.

Be prepared for crowded waves at times, plus shallow reefs and some driving conditions that are a bit sketchy.

Main season: April to October 

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is probably the most popular of the Central American countries for a surf holiday, due to it being more accessible and easy to visit than some of the others.

The coastline stretches for just over 1,200km and offers over 60 breaks. Most of these are on the Pacific facing coast, with a few on the Caribbean side.

There are several different regions, including Guanacaste and Puntarenas, all of which offer breaks for different abilities. Costa Rica can be popular with those looking for some longboarding conditions too, as there are some fun waves top be had.

You can surf in Costa Rica most of the year and also will get to enjoy the wonderful jungles and their inhabitants.

Main seasons: May to October or November to March 

Sri Lanka

Another favourite for British surfers, especially those looking to get some warm waves as an alternative to our colder conditions. Sri Lanka is situated in the Indian Ocean and has two main regions for surf, which have waves at different times of the year.

Sri Lanka is also a popular destination for those looking for some easier surfing, with plenty of soft beach breaks and reefs to choose from. The pay-off is that sometimes the surf is small and you need to be an early riser, as the winds often switch onshore with the heat of the day.

The cost of living in Sri Lanka is one of the cheapest in the world, so those on a budget can enjoy plenty of good food and accommodation for their stay.

Main seasons: May to September (east coast) or October to April (south coast) 

Need some new surf equipment before your surf holiday? We've got everything from surf board bags to wax, and from surfboard fins to leashes.

Photos (c) Wavelengthmag.com