Best Places In The World To Learn How To Surf

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Best Places In The World To Learn How To Surf

Surfing is an activity that many people want to do, but have never found the time to learn how to do it. Not every place that you can surf is where you should actually do it. The conditions need to be conducive to learn how to do it and you need to have good instruction.  It is preferred to have warm waters, soft waves, and affordable lessons. If you are one of the many individuals that have surfing on your bucket list, here are some of the best places in the world to learn how to surf.

Seminyak, Bali

Here, surfers can enjoy almost constant wave breaks and water that isn’t too hot or too cold. You can also get one-on-one surfing instruction which will allow you to master surfing in no time. There are board rentals available, so even if you are on vacation here, but left your board at home, you can still hang ten. With an abundance of hotels located right on the beach in Seminyak, Bali, numerous tourists come here each year just to surf.Seminyak Bali

Tamarindo, Costa Rica

At this location, you don’t have to worry about snagging your toes on a rock or coral under the water. The conditions are good to surf much of the year and there are plenty of other areas to explore once you’ve got your fill of surfing. For those wanting to learn how to surf but also have luxurious accommodations to stay at, they can certainly find it here. There are plenty of luxury hotels located right on the beach of Tamarindo, Costa Rica, so you don’t have to go very far when it’s time for your surf lessons.

Tamarindo Costa Rica

Byron Bay, Australia

This is one of the most popular places to surf in the entire world. The water is a beautiful blue color that’s pretty clear so it’s easy to find your board when it slips out from under you. Because surfing is so popular at Byron Bay, Australia, you will be able to easily find great surf lessons. While they do vary, some of the most popular lessons for beginners are around 4 hours long, which will give you plenty of time to get some of the most basic steps down and hopefully ride a wave on your first day.

Byron Bay Australia

San Onofre, California

You don’t even need to leave the United States in order to learn how to surf. California is known for its surfers so you will find a variety of lessons here to fit your needs. A popular spot for beginners is Old Man’s Surfing Area. Here, the swell tends to be pretty good and you can almost always find decent waves to surf on.

San Onofre California

Other popular places that are often included on a list of The Best Places in The World to Learn How to Surf are Taghzourt, Morocco; Surfer’s Point, Barbados; Bali, Indonesia; Waikiki, Hawaii; Siargao, Philippines; and Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa.

If any of these places are too far, or not on your budget, Royal Caribbean cruises 2019 has a great option for you.  On most of their ships, they offer what is known as the FlowRider, which is a surf simulator that sends water at a very high speed across an area to mimic surfing on the ocean.  You can learn from a pro for free during the time that the FlowRider is open to the public, or you can schedule private lessons, starting at $69.  Options are to boogie board or stand-up surf. The FlowRider is available on the following Royal Caribbean cruise ships: Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Quantum and Anthem of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, and Adventure of the Seas.

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Sue Lobo
Sue Lobo is a four-time Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist (2023, 2024, 2025 & 2026) and Senior Travel Advisor at Atlas Travel Center, one of the most decorated travel agencies in the United States. With more than 35 years of experience in the travel industry, Sue has planned, booked, and personally accompanied trips for thousands of clients — from first-time cruisers to seasoned luxury travelers who have circled the globe multiple times. Sue's areas of deep expertise include ocean and river cruising, European tours, group travel coordination, luxury travel, honeymoon planning, and family vacation design. She is a CLIA-certified cruise specialist and works within an agency that holds IATA and ARC accreditation and maintains an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Over her career, Sue has been involved in more than 30,000 bookings and has personally coordinated over 200 travel groups — from faith-based group cruises and HBCU alumni trips to women's retreats, family reunions, and corporate incentive travel. What sets Sue apart is not just the credentials — it is the firsthand experience behind them. Sue has personally traveled to more than 20 countries across three continents, including Cuba, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and throughout Europe. She has sailed on dozens of cruise ships across nearly every major line, walked the river cruise routes she recommends, and eaten at the restaurants she suggests to clients. Her recommendations come from personal experience, not brochures. In addition to advising clients, Sue writes extensively about travel for The Traveler's Atlas blog — covering everything from cruise line comparisons and overtourism trends to destination guides and practical travel tips. Her writing is grounded in the same expertise she brings to every client conversation: honest, specific, and built on decades of real-world travel experience. Sue is based in the United States and available to help travelers plan cruises, European tours, group trips, river cruises, honeymoons, family vacations, and more. To work with Sue, contact Atlas Travel Center at atlastravelweb.com.