Summer is almost over and that’s OK with us. Why? Well, it’s not because of pumpkin-spiced lattes (so basic). When temperatures start to drop and much of North America is bringing their flannel pajamas down from the attic, it’s time to break out the surfboard. Fall produces some of the best barrels and swells, worldwide. Looking to hang ten? Here are the top surf destinations that’ll let you catch waves from September until November.
Costa Rica
Surf Fun for everyone
Costa Rica is sandwiched between the Caribbean and Pacific, blessing it with coastlines from two different oceans. Translation: a bounty of surf spots. There are too many to call out, but one of the best is Playa Hermosa. Set on the Central Pacific Coast about 3 miles south of Jaco, it’s where surfers go to feast. Just beware of strong currents (and skip the swimming). Another worthy mention is the small town of Cabo Matapalo, situated on the tip of the Osa Peninsula in southern Costa Rica. Flanked by beaches on all sides, here the Pacific Ocean routinely produces large swells that guarantee fun at every skill level.
Hawaii
The birthplace of surfing
July and August are peak tourist season in Hawaii. It can make finding a solitary spot near impossible. By the time Autumn hits, however, hotel rates are lower and beaches emptier. Plus, the weather conditions are actually perfect for surfers, whether you’re a seasoned pro or absolute beginner. Looking for the best Hawaiian surf spots? Check out Paia (Maui), Hanalei (Kauai) and, of course, Waikiki Beach (O’ahu).
Taghazout, Morocco
Home of those perfect right-hand breaks
North of Agadir, the largest seaside resort in Morocco (where foreign tourists are attracted all-year-round due to the mild climate), lies Taghazout. This seaside town happens to be Morocco’s best surf spot. Not only that, but it is said that Taghazout is blessed with the best right-hand breaks in the world. Plus, your per diem costs can be lower than most other surf spots. It’s an ideal place to surf on a budget, escape the October chill and enjoy the welcoming, local culture in the evenings.
Australia
The “big wave” hotspot
Instead of sitting at home watching the diving temperatures frost up the window, turn your daydream surf vacation into a reality. Enter: Australia. Ranked alongside Hawaii, Margaret River’s surf is internationally recognized as a “big wave” hotspot. Take your pick from more than 40 powerful reef breaks. Looking for a softer ride? There are plenty fun beach breaks closer to shore. For Perth’s gnarliest waves, head to Trigg. Here sandbanks shift over rocky ledges to create a powerful surf. Going that extra mile to seek out the local surfing secrets will reward you with once-in-a-lifetime surf experiences. Head for the reef breaks of Esperance, the left-hand ledge at Gnaraloo or The Bluff in Geraldton.
Bundoran, Ireland
Surfer’s paradise in the Emerald Isle
Tourists have been visiting the Irish town of Bundoranor since 1777. If you’re feeling real adventurous, you can call the town by its Gaelic name, Bun Dobhráin (which means “the foot of the little water”). Despite its connection to the water, the town is a recent discovery in surf terms. The growing popularity of Bun Dobhráin’s surfing has extended the tourist season from the usual summer holidays to all-year-round with surfers arriving all over the world as Autumn begins. The Gulf Stream pushes warmer tides north in September, bringing great surf conditions to this stretch of coast.
Basque Country, Spain
Big waves & surf competitions
For a surf holiday by the Atlantic Ocean, you don’t necessarily have to be able to speak French, Spanish or Euskara (Basque). The common language on this stretch of coast is the board. The area offers summertime-rolls all through Autumn. In San Sebastián you will find two beaches with spectacular surf breaks: Playa de Gros and Playa de la Concha. Once the summer ends, both these sports are far less crowded than high season. From here, you can also cross the border to France and surf Biarritz. This elegant French seaside town is thought to be the surfing birthplace of Europe when it started here in the 1950s. You might want to check out Les Cavaliers, a large sandy beach, where waves break both left and right and wave height can get up to 10 feet. The Plage de la Madrague is on the same stretch of coast and, if you’ve worked up an appetite after hanging ten all day, offers a variety of restaurants.
Florida
The sunny side of surfing
Can you really keep surfing in November? Heck yeah. And the sunshine state is the place to be. For a true East Coast surfing experience, check out Cocoa Beach. It’s home to surfer Kelly Slater (11 world titles). But why wait out Cocoa Beach until November? It’s all about the swell. In July, the consistency is as low as 9%, whereas October sees a massive increase (to 46% according to magicseaweed.com) and a high of 48% in November. Don’t miss out on New Smyrna Beach, just south of Daytona Beach. This somewhat insular beach community could be Florida’s most surf-centric town. So prepare yourself for the locals. Or join them. The New Smyrna Inlet has very consistent surf year round, meaning you might extend your one-week surf vacation to a for-life commitment.
Hotels starting at $67/night
Methodology: The flight prices (including taxes and fees, excluding baggage fees) are for one round-trip economy seat and were based on the lowest price found on a flight to the destination listed by a user with a US origin in the last 72 hours as of August 3, 2017. The hotel prices (not including taxes and fees) are per night per room for double occupancy for the above and were found on kayak.com on August 3, 2017, for travel on August 3-4, 2017. Prices and availability may vary.
