Surf’s Up: All Over the World

Full List of Surfing Destinations and Surf-Friendly Hostels

Beaches full of boards, triangular shapes on the horizon, bright colors, reggae and wet suits...

Anywhere and at any time of year: heat, cold, rain or wind, you can find a real surfer paddling out to sea. Much has been studied, but surfers know the secret and the anatomy of waves better than anyone. They can anticipate and take advantage of even the smallest change in wind or climate. But, how, when and especially where?

By looking at the materials and aesthetics, one tends to think that surfing is a new sport, one more extreme sport that guarantees adrenaline unfit to sensitive hearts, and instead, few know that surf has existed for more than 500 years (originating in Polynesia) and that the legendary James Cook claimed to discover it centuries later. American soldiers and tourism did the rest: a lifestyle which boasts of millions of people from all nationalities and cultures. There are all sorts of websites and magazines now to find out the “wave forecast” in advance to go on the hunt for the perfect surfing trip.

The whole philosophy of life around the sport includes environmentalists and free thinkers, in direct contact with nature. Amongst them, projects like “Surfers Healing” - a foundation born in California, uses surfing as an alternative therapy to help children with autism. Teaching these kids to navigate and catch the waves, the impact of the sea has had impressive results.

Unlike windsurfing or kite, surfing focuses on the waves versus the wind which in some cases makes surfing difficult even. Therefore, the type of waves present in each beach is the most important factor. There are waves which swell up high or over a long period of time based on the wind, and depending where the waves originate, surfers look closely at the time and place where the waves break as they reach the coastline.

HostelsClub cannot navigate through all the details on surfing or surf boards, but something we can help with is the price of surfing accommodations! The materials are certainly not cheap: the board takes the cake, but the suit and accessories don’t come cheap either. So we figured we’d give you a break and offer several options on hostels around the world with a closer look at the facilities, accessibility to the beach, quality ratings and the map locations to show the exact distance from the coast.

So all you need now is to get your board, check the forecast and HostelsClub will take care of the rest!

See our full list of hostels around the world that are best suited for surfers like you!

AUSTRALIA

Surfer’s Paradise - The Gold Coast is the place to go in their summer months. Escape Europe’s low temperatures between December and March and head to Australia instead! The Islander Backpackers Resort has dorm rooms but visitors have full access to the resort facilities like the spa, pool, and tennis court. Not to mention it is close to the train station and the beach!

Sydney - Surf in Sydney! There are perfect surf spots closed to the city center. Come to the Cronulla Beach YHA at Cronulla Beach( South Sydney) or to the Sydney Beachouse YHA at Colloroy Beach( North Sydney), the perfect places to rest after a day surfing. Enjoy the parties at night and the surf during the day: Lamrock Lodge at Bondi Beach is the right place for you.

Byron Bay - It’ s the most easterly australian spot, the place where the surfer style is combined with the hippie style… a really funny mix! Come to the Art Factory Lodge or to the Nomads Byron Bay( both are Nomads properties) and experience the greatest atmosphere ever!

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BRAZIL

Jericoacoara - A small village north of Fortaleza, defined by a visitor as “not a city, but an experience”. With immense beauty, the Posada Surfing Jeri is located in an area where the natural tranquility and the great waves resemble an earthly surfer’s paradise. They recently have running electricity as it was originally occupied by a hippy community for over thirty years but now have remodeled the hostel with the works!

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COSTA RICA

Tamarindo – On the northern coast of the Nicoya Peninsula with perhaps the most concentrated set of beaches for all tastes in one place, you will find the Hotel Coco Rico where you are walking distance to the beach, bars and can enjoy scuba and snorkeling too!

Playa Teresa – On the sourthern tip of the Nicoyo Peninsula, you can find Minihostel which provides surf lessons, Spanish lesson and even massages in front of the beach!

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INDONESIA

Bali-The best beach in Bali is Uluwatu, but at Dana Guesthouse Bali, they are a 7 minutes’ drive to Canggu beach, the famous surfing area next to Uluwatu. With all the amenities like a free car rental and massage, you cannot pass up this place if you're on a budget! __________________________________________________

MOROCCO

(Important Notice: the best time to go to the Moroccan beaches for surfing is from September to March to take advantage of the constant waves that reach the north coast from Portugal.)

Taghazout – Go to Smashed! Surf house in the heart of a hippie village near Agadir. They have organized hikes to the best beaches based on the conditions of that day. They provide lunch and dinner, boards and even wetsuits! Groups are welcome here.

Agadir - The Riyadh Imourne Quick Surf Guest House organizes packages of seven days with six mandatory surfing days! Stay in a classic Riad style building with Moroccan food and transportation included. Their motto is “No Surf=No Bed”!

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PANAMA

David- The Gulf of Chiriqui is amongst the top 10 surfing spots worldwide and nearby we happen to have one accommodation facility, incredible right? Stay at the Purple House International Backpackers' Hostel in David, in a commercial area where you can buy everything you need before you hit the waves. Check out the price, from 7€ per night!

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PERU

Punta Hermosa - South of Lima, never too cold or too hot, so it's perfect any time of the year. In the Bravo Surf Camp you can enjoy the eight beaches that surround the village. This place is considered a surfer town and at the camp they can even provide you with all three meals from 14€!

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UNITED KINGDOM

Cornwall - Located in the south-western peninsula of Great Britain, this is one of the coolest place for surfing in Europe, and probably the only one with genuine English pubs few yards away. The Porthtowan Backpackers is by one of Cornwall's blue flag beach's. You can get surfing lessons from here and rent out suits and boards. The surf instrutor who is qualified instructor and lifeguard does that hes called spence and runs under the name of Falmouth/Porthtowan Surf school.

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PORTUGAL

The Lusitanian coast has a large area: 850 km of white sandy immense beaches. The waves of the Atlantic are a paradise for surfing beginners or experts.

Sintra-SurfiberiaHostel is located just two minutes from the beach by foot! The name of this place says it all.

Peniche- The Surfing Baleal with unmatched prices is also a surfing school, certified by the Portuguese Surfing Confederation. This beach is ideal for beginners and intermediate surfers and you can sleep there from 25€ a night!

Surfing Inn Peniche - The House is at a 2 min walk from the beach and even closer from the major amenities in Baleal!

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SPAIN

Lanzarote –An undisputed mecca for surfers around the world, Apartments Teneguía in Playa del Carmen will offer all services from 15€ a night!

Fuerteventura - The Apartments Club Las Olas which literally means “Apartments Club of the Waves” has all sorts of amenities including swimming pools, tennis courts, mini golf and a restaurant. Surfing doesn’t mean you have to forgo these luxuries!

Oviedo - Las Dunas Hostel is also one of our eco-friendly hostels certified by Hostelsclub. This hotel has a surfing school and you can even take advantage of their large stock of surfboards! They guarantee the total respect for nature and quality lodging from just 20€ per night. __________________________________________________

UNITED STATES

Hilo, Hawaii - This place speaks for itself. Waikiki is the place to dream of with crystalline waters, sandy beaches, blue skies, and water depth of up to 9 meters. The Hawaiian Retreat Hostel is in the western part of the island with bungalows sitting on their organic farm! In contrast, the Hilo Backpackers Hostel, however, is in the heart of the city, 10 minutes from the airport, very close to the volcanic springs and the ocean.

Los Angeles, California – With over 12 miles of uninterrupted beachfronts, this coast receives millions of visitors during the summer not to mention the locals. At Tradewinds hostel located in LA just two miles from the airport, they provide a free shuttle from the airport and to the beach! Not bad for just 16€ a night so you can surf by day and party by night!

Venice Beach, California - This beach which is also part of the Greater Los Angeles area is sometimes referred to as “Muscle Beach” because of all the sporting activities happening right on the beach from kite surfing to open outdoor gyms. Venice Beach Hostel & Hotel and Venice Beach Cotel are both located right on the beach, so you can wake up and ride the Pacific!

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What are you waiting for? Go catch some waves!