If you’ve never been to Southeast Asia, you must take the time to go!
Beyond the colourful, clamouring markets, busy cities, and breathtaking temples, lies a vast array of beaches that appear like they could have only been dreamt up. It is heaven for travellers and surfers alike, as the beaches seem to be unlike anywhere else.
With the incredible swells, warm weather, and welcoming locals, you really can’t beat it!
If you love surfing, Southeast Asia is a definite must to put at the top of your travel list. Even when you’re done surfing, you can enjoy the fascinating culture and delicious food that Southeast Asia has to offer.
Read on to find out about the best surf spots to hit in the region!
1. Bali
Bali is easily one of Southeast Asia’s biggest surfing destinations – and for good reason.
There are numerous surf spots throughout the island, as well as a young surf culture that is beginning to hit the ranks of places like California and Australia.
Best Surf Spots
Out of the many surf spots, the best beach for beginners that we would recommend checking out is Kuta Beach. It can be a bit crowded sometimes, but is great for beginners, as they have many surf schools out there. Alternatively, head over to the up and coming Bali hotspot Canggu.
If you’re a veteran surfer, check out Uluwatu. With powerful surf and endless barrels, you can shred and kick it with some local Indonesian beach bums.
Best Surf Months
April to October
Book the best surf camps in Bali here.
2. Mentawai Islands
If you find that Bali is a bit crowded or “mainstream” for your taste, we would recommend catching a boat out to Mentawai Islands. The water out there is as clear as the blue sky and is complemented by soft, white sand and a quiet, secluded atmosphere.
Best Surf Spots
Kandui Resort is located at “Playgrounds” and is an excellent land-based surf camp with more than enough breaks for a crowd of surfers.
If you’ve ever heard of the Nokanduis wave, this is where you’ll find it. Macaroni’s is a great spot as well if you’re looking for solid left-handers.
Best Surf Months
March to October
Book your surf camp in the untouched Mentawai Islands here.
3. Sumbawa
Sumbawa is a gorgeous Indonesian Island nestled in the center of the Sunda Islands chain. To your west you have Lombok and to the east you have Flores. Not only can you enjoy the beauty of the tropics here, but you can also relax at the island’s resort.
Best Surf Spots
Lakey Peak is one of surfing’s hidden gems and is located on the central southern coast of Sumbawa. There are three main breaks closest to shore with excellent left and right-hand waves.
If you walk a bit south you can hit Lakey Pipe, a gnarly backdoor barrel that spits you out like a car zooming through the Lincoln Tunnel. Finally, about an hour-long trek from Lakey Peak, is Periscopes.
Show up during the swell season, you can hit double overheads one after the other. This is an excellent early morning spot.
Best Surf Months
April to October
Book your surf camp in beautiful Sumbawa, Indonesia here.
4. Philippines
With well over 20,000 miles of coastal beauty, the Philippines boast an incredible amount of unique place to surf, considering how small the country is.
Best Surf Spots
La Union is the ultimate spot if you’re looking to hit some consistent swells. This is a great spot if you’re more of a veteran surfer chasing bigger waves.
If you’re looking to ride for the first time, check out the main break in San Juan. There are plenty of surf schools and the instructors are very friendly and knowledgeable.
If you’re really looking to catch some of the best waves in the world, Cloud 9 is well-known and in the top 10 of surfing spots worldwide. With speed, height, and unreal barrels that hover atop the clear blue water, it lives by the name.
Best Surf Months
October to April
Book your surf camp in the Philippines here.
5. Maldives
Looking to surf in peace on waves that have hardly ever been surfed on?
The Maldives, a group of small islands and atolls in the Indian Ocean make up this pristine paradise. You essentially get the same swells that you would in Indonesia, though a bit more relaxed.
Most of the breaks here can only be accessed through charters, though with the vast number of them, you’ll never have a shortage.
Best Surf Spots
The North Male Atolls is just about the cleanest surf spot in the world.
The waves never end and will probably allow you to ride longer than you ever have before. ‘Chickens’, located on the quiet island of Villingilimathi Huraa, also offers some insanely long rides.
Many surfers consider this break to be the best in the world.
Best Surf Months
June to August
Book your surf camp in the Maldives here.
6. Thailand
Thailand is certainly one of the most popular tourist destinations in Southeast Asia, though also offers some amazing surf. There are tons of popular surfing spots up and down the coast for everyone from beginners to pros.
Best Surf Spots
Kata Beach in Phuket is great for a wide array of surfers. You can find everything from rough swells to soft, bubbling waters. You can even take a short walk to Karon Beach after for some wading around in the crystal waters.
If you’re looking for luxury, Bang Tao Beach is where you’ll find it. With luxury resorts and 5-star hotels, as well as left and right-hand breaks with serious gusto, you won’t run out of good waves or good times.
Best Surf Months
April to October
Book your surf camp in Thailand here.
7. Vietnam
With over 2,000 miles of beautiful waters and dreamlike swell, Vietnam is easily one of the best surf spots in Southeast Asia. They also boast an array of surf schools if you’re a beginner looking to start your shredding journey.
These surf schools can often shorten the learning curve with everything from lessons on which board to start on to the basics of catching your first wave.
Best Surf Spots
Bai Dai Beach not only is a luxurious resort playground for young and old, but also a great spot for beginners.
The stretch of shoreline is super long too, so you can find quiet spots to surf away from the crowds. Nam O Point is a great spot for surfers who are confident in their abilities to hit some dangerous rips.
Best Surf Months
September to April
Browse and book top surf camps in Vietnam here.
8. Cambodia
While Cambodia doesn’t have the same clout as many of the neighbouring countries in terms of surfing, mostly because the waters here are pretty flat.
However, don’t fret if you find yourself here, as there is one magical spot that, as of recently, has become a sought-after surfing destination.
Best Surf Spots
Bamboo Island is a pretty secluded little place that not only is a great place for kicking back with the locals but also gathers some great waves from monsoon swells.
Best Surf Months
June to October
Book the best surf camps in Cambodia right here.
9. West Sumatra
Once inaccessible to travelling surfers, West Sumatra has opened up a lot in the past few years for surfers all over the world.
With nearly untouched waves and beautiful boat rides out into the ocean scenery, this is a place you can’t miss.
Best Surf Spots
At the southern end of West Sumatra, you’ll find the Lampung District that holds the town of Krui.
All around the town are incredibly consistent spots that host waves all year long. The right-hand waves are perfect and the tropical waters are clear as day. Definitely have transportation n if you’re here, as the waves can move pretty quickly.
Best Surf Months
April to October
Book the best surf camps in West Sumatra right here.
10. Nias
Surfing is known for the world-class waves found on the island, and to this day, surfers are the most prominent tourists on the island.
The island itself is very remote and does not have much infrastructure, meaning tourists typically stay away unless they are feeling adventurous.
For you as a surfer, this means the possibility of having massive waves all to yourself.
Best Surf Spots
Lagundri Bay was discovered over 40 years ago by some Aussies and is now considered to have some of the best waves in the world. With tons of consistent right-handers and easy accessibility, this is one of the top spots.
Hinakos is another great surfing area on the island if you’re looking for a different set of waves while visiting the island.
Best Surf Months
May to September
Book surf camps and surf off the beaten track in Nias here.
Where will you go on your next surf trip?
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