Jeffreys Bay (J-Bay)
Eastern Cape, South Africa · perfect right-hand point
Featured in 'Endless Summer'. Hosts the Corona Open J-Bay WSL event.
-34.0507, 24.9182
Showcase
Map of the World's Best Surfing Spots
Direct answer
What does this interactive map show?
Legendary surfing spots across Hawaii, California, Australia, Europe, Indonesia, and the rest of the world.
- Locations shown
- 28
- Categories
- 8: Hawaii, California, Mexico / Central America, Australia / Pacific, and 4 more
- Data snapshot
- Legacy snapshot date not recorded; use the linked sources for time-sensitive facts
- Evidence
- 1 reviewed page-level source; row-level lineage is not retained
Africa
1 locationAustralia / Pacific
6 locationsSnapper Rocks (Superbank)
Gold Coast, Australia · longest right-hander in the world
Mick Fanning's home break. The 'Superbank' produces 1-mile rides on the right day.
-28.1632, 153.5505
Bells Beach
Victoria, Australia · Rip Curl Pro since 1961
-38.3680, 144.2825
Margaret River
Western Australia · heavy, powerful waves
-33.9529, 115.0407
Manly Beach
Sydney, Australia · WSL longboarding mecca
-33.7965, 151.2862
Cloudbreak
Tavarua, Fiji · reef-pass perfection
-17.8744, 177.1825
Teahupo'o
Tahiti · heaviest wave on the WSL tour
Hosts the 2024 Olympic surfing event. Famous for its impossibly thick, hollow waves.
-17.8517, -149.2674
California
6 locationsMavericks
Half Moon Bay, CA · big-wave legend
One of the world's premier big-wave spots — 30-60ft on a big swell.
37.4972, -122.5008
Trestles
San Clemente, CA · WSL final stop
33.3833, -117.5917
Malibu (Surfrider Beach)
Malibu, CA · classic longboard wave
34.0381, -118.6776
Steamer Lane
Santa Cruz, CA · cliff-watched right point
36.9519, -122.0258
Huntington Beach (Surf City USA)
Huntington Beach, CA · US Open of Surfing
33.6595, -117.9988
Rincon
Carpinteria, CA · 'Queen of the Coast'
34.3784, -119.4769
Europe / Atlantic
4 locationsNazaré (Praia do Norte)
Portugal · world's largest surfed waves (100ft+)
Garrett McNamara surfed a 78-foot wave here in 2011. Modern records exceed 100ft.
39.6027, -9.0738
Ericeira
Portugal · World Surfing Reserve
38.9636, -9.4185
Hossegor (La Gravière)
France · powerful Atlantic beach break
43.6671, -1.3974
Mundaka
Spain · Basque country · world-class left
43.4076, -2.6981
Hawaii
4 locationsPipeline (Banzai Pipeline)
Oahu, Hawaii · most-famous wave in surfing
The most-photographed wave in the world. Hosts the Volcom Pipe Pro and Vans Triple Crown.
21.6628, -158.0529
Waimea Bay
Oahu, Hawaii · big-wave birthplace
21.6404, -158.0653
Sunset Beach
Oahu, Hawaii · 7-mile miracle
21.6739, -158.0407
Jaws (Pe'ahi)
Maui, Hawaii · big-wave tow-in spot
20.9419, -156.2972
Indonesia
3 locationsUluwatu
Bali, Indonesia · iconic Bukit Peninsula left
-8.8307, 115.0851
Padang Padang
Bali, Indonesia · 'Balinese Pipeline'
-8.8137, 115.1071
G-Land (Grajagan)
Java, Indonesia · jungle, long lefts
-8.7062, 114.3705
Mexico / Central America
3 locationsPuerto Escondido
Oaxaca, Mexico · 'Mexican Pipeline'
15.8635, -97.0689
Rincon, Puerto Rico
Western Puerto Rico · 1968 World Championships
18.3415, -67.2546
Soup Bowl
Bathsheba, Barbados · east-coast reef
13.1968, -59.4519
South America
1 locationPunta de Lobos
Pichilemu, Chile · long left point
-34.4159, -72.0252
The world's most-iconic waves
A handful of breaks define modern surfing.
- Pipeline (Oahu): most-photographed wave in surfing
- Mavericks (CA): legendary big-wave spot, 30-60ft on a swell
- Teahupo'o (Tahiti): heaviest wave on the WSL tour, host of 2024 Olympics
- Nazaré (Portugal): home of 100ft+ waves on giant swells
Regional flavors
Surfing regions each have a distinct character.
- Hawaii: the North Shore is the spiritual home — 7 miles of legendary breaks
- California: from gentle Malibu to Mavericks big-wave
- Australia: long right-hand points + heavy beach breaks
- Indonesia: Bali + Sumbawa = year-round perfection
- Portugal: Atlantic powerhouses + Nazaré giants
When to surf where
Surf seasons follow swell patterns.
- Northern Hemisphere winter (Nov-Mar): Hawaii, California, Mexico, Portugal
- Southern Hemisphere winter (May-Sep): Indonesia, Fiji, Tahiti, Australia winter swells
- Year-round: Costa Rica, Nicaragua, some Caribbean spots
Frequently asked questions
Best wave in the world?
Subjective — Pipeline, Teahupo'o, and Cloudbreak each get top votes.
Biggest surfed wave?
Sebastian Steudtner's 86ft wave at Nazaré (2020) — the official Guinness record.
Hardest wave to surf?
Teahupo'o (Tahiti) and Pipeline (Oahu) are widely considered the most-dangerous on the pro tour.
Best surf destination for beginners?
Waikiki (Oahu), San Onofre (CA), Sayulita (Mexico), and Tamarindo (Costa Rica).
Build with MapsMaker
Build your own version of this map
Add filters, photos, and your own pins. Then embed it anywhere.