The 25 Best Surf Towns & Cities in the World (2026)
Ranked by wave quality, consistency, surf culture, and how easy it is to actually live there. Each entry names the breaks worth the trip, the season to book, and who the waves suit — from first-timers to barrel hunters.
- Canggu, Indonesia
Best breaks: Echo Beach / Batu Bolong · Wave type: Beach break · Best season: Apr–Oct · Level: All levels · Cost of living: ~$1,049/mo
- Gold Coast, Australia
Best breaks: Snapper Rocks / Burleigh Heads · Wave type: Point break · Best season: Feb–May · Level: Intermediate+ · Cost of living: ~$2,580/mo
- Honolulu, United States
Best breaks: Pipeline / Waikiki · Wave type: Reef break · Best season: Nov–Feb · Level: All levels · Cost of living: ~$3,568/mo
- Ericeira, Portugal
Best breaks: Ribeira d'Ilhas / Coxos · Wave type: Point break · Best season: Sep–Apr · Level: All levels · Cost of living: ~$1,600/mo
- Byron Bay, Australia
Best breaks: The Pass / Tallows · Wave type: Point break · Best season: Mar–Jun · Level: All levels · Cost of living: ~$2,200/mo
- Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Best breaks: Playa Grande / Langosta · Wave type: Beach break · Best season: Dec–Apr · Level: All levels · Cost of living: ~$1,100/mo
- Essaouira, Morocco
Best breaks: Moulay Bouzerktoun / Sidi Kaouki · Wave type: Beach break · Best season: Sep–Apr · Level: All levels · Cost of living: ~$738/mo
- San Diego, United States
Best breaks: Black's Beach / Swami's · Wave type: Reef break · Best season: Oct–Mar · Level: Intermediate+ · Cost of living: ~$4,015/mo
- Lisbon, Portugal
Best breaks: Costa da Caparica / Carcavelos · Wave type: Beach break · Best season: Sep–Apr · Level: All levels · Cost of living: ~$2,072/mo
- Cape Town, South Africa
Best breaks: Muizenberg / Dungeons · Wave type: Beach break · Best season: Apr–Sep · Level: All levels · Cost of living: ~$1,412/mo
- Siargao, Philippines
Best breaks: Cloud 9 / Stimpy's · Wave type: Reef break · Best season: Aug–Nov · Level: Intermediate+ · Cost of living: ~$680/mo
- Puerto Escondido, Mexico
Best breaks: Playa Zicatela / La Punta · Wave type: Beach break · Best season: May–Oct · Level: Intermediate+ · Cost of living: ~$1,378/mo
- Florianopolis, Brazil
Best breaks: Praia Mole / Joaquina · Wave type: Beach break · Best season: Apr–Sep · Level: All levels · Cost of living: ~$1,047/mo
- Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
Best breaks: El Confital / La Cícer · Wave type: Reef break · Best season: Oct–Mar · Level: Intermediate+ · Cost of living: ~$1,600/mo
- Lombok, Indonesia
Best breaks: Desert Point / Gerupuk · Wave type: Reef break · Best season: May–Sep · Level: Intermediate+ · Cost of living: ~$740/mo
- Faro, Portugal
Best breaks: Praia de Faro / Ilha Deserta · Wave type: Beach break · Best season: Sep–Apr · Level: All levels · Cost of living: ~$1,719/mo
- Porto, Portugal
Best breaks: Matosinhos / Espinho · Wave type: Beach break · Best season: Sep–Apr · Level: All levels · Cost of living: ~$1,789/mo
- Los Angeles, United States
Best breaks: Malibu / El Porto · Wave type: Point break · Best season: Aug–Nov · Level: All levels · Cost of living: ~$3,660/mo
- Pipa, Brazil
Best breaks: Praia do Amor / Baía dos Golfinhos · Wave type: Beach break · Best season: Dec–Mar · Level: All levels · Cost of living: ~$720/mo
- Funchal, Portugal
Best breaks: Jardim do Mar / Paul do Mar · Wave type: Reef break · Best season: Oct–Mar · Level: Intermediate+ · Cost of living: ~$2,037/mo
- Sydney, Australia
Best breaks: Bondi / Manly · Wave type: Beach break · Best season: Mar–Jun · Level: All levels · Cost of living: ~$2,431/mo
- Natal, Brazil
Best breaks: Ponta Negra / Pipa · Wave type: Beach break · Best season: Dec–Mar · Level: All levels · Cost of living: ~$751/mo
- Bordeaux, France
Best breaks: Lacanau / Hossegor · Wave type: Beach break · Best season: Jun–Oct · Level: All levels · Cost of living: ~$1,820/mo
- Tenerife, Spain
Best breaks: El Médano / Las Américas · Wave type: Reef break · Best season: Oct–Mar · Level: All levels · Cost of living: ~$1,551/mo
- Santiago, Chile
Best breaks: Pichilemu / Punta de Lobos · Wave type: Point break · Best season: Mar–Sep · Level: Intermediate+ · Cost of living: ~$1,089/mo
Surf Cities FAQ
What is the best surf town in the world?
Canggu, Indonesia ranks #1 in Voyica's 2026 ranking of the 25 best surf towns. Best breaks: Echo Beach / Batu Bolong. Wave type: Beach break. Best season: Apr–Oct. Level: All levels. Living costs there run about $1,049 per month for one person including rent.
How much does it cost to live in the best surf towns?
Across the 25 ranked surf towns with cost data, the median cost of living is about $1,600 per month for one person including rent. The range runs from $680 in Siargao to $4,015 in San Diego — a spread of roughly 6×, so the ranking position matters far less to your budget than which entry you pick.
Which are the most affordable surf towns?
The three cheapest ranked surf towns are Siargao, Philippines (~$680/mo); Pipa, Brazil (~$720/mo); Essaouira, Morocco (~$738/mo). Each figure is the estimated monthly cost for one person including rent.
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