Are you passionate about exploring the world from your surfboard? You’re in good company as there are some pretty gnarly destinations around the world that some of the world’s best surfers seek out for some incredible waves. If you haven’t started a bucket list to keep track, we suggest you start now.
These are five of the best destinations for surfing that every expert surfer will want to add to his or her bucket list – take note, these are not for the faint of heart.
1. Teahupo'o, Tahiti
In the South Pacific Ocean along the southern coast of Tahiti lies Teahupo’o, a village whose name loosely translates to the “place of broken skulls.” Feeling invigorated yet? This world-renowned destination is for daredevils and expert surfers only and has also been home to the Tahiti’s biggest surf competition, Billabong Pro Tahiti. Chase after some of the world’s most epic waves in one of these epic shark tooth surf necklaces or a gnarly carved wood & bone necklace. Wave heights are usually up to about 9 feet in this slice of surfer’s nirvana, although swells of 20 feet and more have been recorded.
2. Padang-Padang, Bali
This is one of the best destinations for surfers in Bali and with good reason. Not only is it beautiful, but the waves during Bali’s dry season are out of this world, sometimes reaching up to 12 feet in height. You’ll want to book your trip to Padang-Padang between April and August to catch the best waves. Head out in the morning to avoid the crowds, but don’t leave until you bear witness to the picture-perfect sunset in the evening.
3. Puerto Escondido, Mexico
Puerto Escondido, which means Hidden Port in English, is situated in the Oaxaca region of Mexico. This stunning port is a surfer’s paradise known for its desirable barrel waves and huge swells peaking between May and August. Not only are you guaranteed to hit some of the biggest while in Puerto Escondido, but they’ll also be some of the fastest in the world. This surfing hotspot has even been nicknamed the “Mexican Pipeline.” Cool surf jewelry is a must for your trip. Accessorize your look with leather surfing bracelets or stacked triple wrap surf bracelets with beads. After conquering the swells, don’t forget to wash down the day’s adventures with refreshing Mezcal cocktail.
4. Oahu, Hawaii
If you’ve been surfing for some time, Backdoor and Pipeline are probably surf buzzwords you’ve heard of. If you haven’t experienced these first-hand though, they should surf up to the top of your bucket list. What’s awesome about these breaks on Oahu’s North Shore is that they originate from a wave that’s A-shaped, with the break known as Pipeline veering off to the left and Backdoor heading off to the right concurrently. These two breaks are consistently home to some of the world’s most reputable surfing competitions, so it’s clear the caliber of skill (and bravery) that surfers need to possess to conquer these behemoth waves.
5. Jeffrey's Bay, South Africa
Some of the world’s best surfers flock to Jeffrey’s Bay to ride out on its Supertubes. If you have a need for speed, you’ll want to catch these down-the-line fast sections. Other areas of the beach feature reefs that create the perfect scenario for barrels named “Impossible,” “Tubes” and “Coins.” There’s even a section within Jeffrey’s Bay that experts can use for warm up called “Point” with smaller, yet still fun-to-ride waves. For peak surf season, you’ll want to book your trip for May through July.
Teahupo'o, Padang-Padang, Puerto Escondido, Oahu and Jeffrey's Bay are some of the best surfing destinations in the world, and should certainly be on every skilled surfer’s bucket list. The waves await – go ahead and get packing for one of the most incredible trips of your life. (Don’t forget to include Charming Shark’s beautiful surf jewelry as part of your gear and you’ll be the talk of the swells.) Surf’s up!
Written by: Haley Dagan
