1. Canary Islands – Spain

THE WAVES
Lanzarote and Fuerteventura can often get crowded, but have a good selection of reef- and point-breaks. A yacht charter will take you to less accessible islands such as La Graciosa and Lobos, which have top-quality point-breaks for surfers of all abilities.

WHEN TO GO
Consistently big swells from October to March.

ON DRY LAND
On Lanzarote, the volcanic Timanfaya National Park and the spectacular views afforded by the Mirador del Río shouldn’t be missed. The Sahara-like sand dunes on the island of Fuerteventura are also worth seeing.

2. HOSSEGOR – COTE D’ARGENT, FRANCE

THE WAVES
Ideal for everyone from complete beginners to experts. Surfers head here from all over the world for the late-summer swells, and several pro contests are held locally each year. Crowds can usually be avoided by travelling away from the main breaks.

WHEN TO GO
August to October for warm water; Spring to avoid the crowds.

ON DRY LAND
Villages and lakes leading up to the Côte d’Argent to the north; to the south, the historical Basque city of Bayonne, and the elegant resort of Biarritz. Inland, the Pyrenees visible from the coast are great for walking and mountain biking.

3. JEFFREYS BAY – SOUTH AFRICA

THE WAVES
Intermediate-to-expert surfers will find that Jeffreys, near Port Elizabeth, lives up to its reputation as the world’s best right-hand point-break (where a wave breaks off a headland). Crowds are a hazard, as are sharks although dolphins are a more common sight.

WHEN TO GO
Consistent waves between May and September.

ON DRY LAND
The nearby Garden Route (the N2) passes through beautiful coastline rainforest; Tsitsikamma Coastal Park and Storms Rivermouth, an hour to the south, are lovely stretches of coastline with underwater trails for divers and snorkellers.

4. KIRRA – AUSTRALIA

THE WAVES
A fantastic sand-bottomed point-break. On a good cyclone-swell, the wave at Kirra seems to grind on forever, hollow and fast. Being in the heart of Aussie surfing territory, however, means you have to compete with some of the world’s best to get a wave.

WHEN TO GO
May to August for the best conditions.

ON DRY LAND
The in-your-face bars, clubs and fleshpots of Surfers Paradise, at the heart of the Gold Coast, are nearby. The subtropical rainforests of the hills inland and the much quieter coastline of New South Wales are also worth a visit.

5. MUNDAKA – SPAIN

THE WAVES
Regularly used for surf contests, the big, fast wave here is generally regarded as the best left-hand break in Europe. Surprisingly, it’s cold enough here to require a wetsuit all year round, unlike surfing the Côte d’Argent, just to the north in France.

WHEN TO GO
September/October, although there are waves here all winter.

ON DRY LAND
Overlooked by the attractive town of Mundaka, about 20km east of Bilbao, home of the new Guggenheim Museum. The coastline is great for walking or cycling, its cliffs and forests scattered with traditional Basque fishing villages.

6. PUERTO CHICAMA – PERU

THE WAVES
Rides over a kilometer are possible on what is arguably the world’s longest left-break wave. This is a break for the hardcore surfer the local coastline and climate are harsh and barren and there are few modern amenities in the area.

WHEN TO GO
November to April for the warmest water temperatures.

ON DRY LAND
The Moche pyramids, just south of Trujillo (about 55km from Chicama), are the largest pre-Columbian structures in South America. The foothills of the Andes are worth a visit but bear in mind the danger of bandits and terrorists.

7. SOUTH PACIFIC ISLANDS

THE WAVES
Thousands of them, if you have the time and money to take a yacht – charter to the islands and coral atolls of the South Pacific. There are perfect reef-breaks for the taking, some of them crystal-clear, never-been-surfed waves waiting to be discovered.

WHEN TO GO
All year round.

ON DRY LAND
Nothing to speak of, but diving and snorkelling and swimming or just relaxing on the yacht should be enough distraction when the sea is flat

8. SUNSET BEACH – HAWAII

THE WAVES
For experts only. A classic ‘tubing’ wave is created as powerful deep-water swells break over reefs into shallows. Surfers ride inside the wave the famous ‘Banzai Pipeline’ hidden behind its curling lip. Long-running pro contest the Pipe Masters is held here.

WHEN TO GO
The best swells arrive between November and March.

ON DRY LAND
Honolulu, on the other side of Oahu island, is worth a visit, so is Pearl Harbour with its sunken World War II ships. The neighbouring Big Island is home to the spectacular Volcanoes National Park, including the still-active Mauna Loa.

9. THURSO – SCOTLAND

THE WAVES
Not for novices, the right-hand reef-break at Thurso East can provide experienced surfers with a unique cold-water experience. You get in and out of the water over rock slabs. The wave is fast, heavy and ‘tubing’ (not to mention cold – a good wetsuit is vital).

WHEN TO GO
August/September, when the water is at its warmest.

ON DRY LAND
Drive west along the coast towards Sutherland and the dramatic cliffs of Cape Wrath to discover some of the most spectacular and unspoilt coastal scenery in Europe, as well as easier beach-breaks for less experienced surfers.

10. ULUWATU – BALI, INDONESIA

THE WAVES
Suitable for good-to-expert surfers. A fast, left-hand reef-break (left handers are ideal for ‘goofy foot’ riders, who lead with their right foot). The wave breaks over a shallow coral reef in front of cliffs on which a Hindu temple is set.

WHEN TO GO
Between January and August for the best conditions.

ON DRY LAND
There are plenty of tourist trips around the island (Uluwatu is on its southern extremity) to serve as an introduction to the unique Hindu culture of Bali which incorporates religious rituals from Polynesia, the birthplace of surfing.

If you have another list that rivals this Ten Best Surf Spots on Earth, send it in to Surf in Jaco Costa Rica and we will post it and let our readers decide who has it right. Or check out another site located here in Jaco Costa Rica, aboutjaco.com where you can find travel information related to Jaco, Costa Rica. If you like spanish language versions better, visita surfearencostarica.com para informacion a cerca surfear en Costa Rica.

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