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.

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1. 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

2. 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

3. Honolulu, United States

   Best breaks: Pipeline / Waikiki · Wave type: Reef break · Best season: Nov–Feb · Level: All levels · Cost of living: ~$3,568/mo

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. Essaouira, Morocco

   Best breaks: Moulay Bouzerktoun / Sidi Kaouki · Wave type: Beach break · Best season: Sep–Apr · Level: All levels · Cost of living: ~$738/mo

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. Siargao, Philippines

    Best breaks: Cloud 9 / Stimpy's · Wave type: Reef break · Best season: Aug–Nov · Level: Intermediate+ · Cost of living: ~$680/mo

12. 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

13. Florianopolis, Brazil

    Best breaks: Praia Mole / Joaquina · Wave type: Beach break · Best season: Apr–Sep · Level: All levels · Cost of living: ~$1,047/mo

14. 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

15. Lombok, Indonesia

    Best breaks: Desert Point / Gerupuk · Wave type: Reef break · Best season: May–Sep · Level: Intermediate+ · Cost of living: ~$740/mo

16. 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

17. Porto, Portugal

    Best breaks: Matosinhos / Espinho · Wave type: Beach break · Best season: Sep–Apr · Level: All levels · Cost of living: ~$1,789/mo

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. Sydney, Australia

    Best breaks: Bondi / Manly · Wave type: Beach break · Best season: Mar–Jun · Level: All levels · Cost of living: ~$2,431/mo

22. Natal, Brazil

    Best breaks: Ponta Negra / Pipa · Wave type: Beach break · Best season: Dec–Mar · Level: All levels · Cost of living: ~$751/mo

23. Bordeaux, France

    Best breaks: Lacanau / Hossegor · Wave type: Beach break · Best season: Jun–Oct · Level: All levels · Cost of living: ~$1,820/mo

24. 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

25. Santiago, Chile

    Best breaks: Pichilemu / Punta de Lobos · Wave type: Point break · Best season: Mar–Sep · Level: Intermediate+ · Cost of living: ~$1,089/mo

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