December 2020
Your Bucket List
Did it take a global pandemic to have a surf-trip epiphany? Maybe.
Surfers that travel the globe for waves are continuously on the look out for the spot they have yet to uncover. A friend just surfed Iceland, another found a wave in Sri Lanka. Maybe you want to surf the Maldives before the Atolls sink. There are always countless discussions about where in the world to surf, and now that surf trips are on hold, those goals have to wait.
We asked around to hear about where some local surfers are ready explore, finally poised to pounce on their dream spots around the world when the world is ready.
Maldives: With over 1000 atolls and countless breaks to surf, the Maldives is not just a romantic paradise. Its a force in the world of waves. Ross Phillips, CEO of luxury travel and surf company Tropic Surf, is the guide on when and where to surf in the Maldives. Images of the over-the-water huts may be the most popular screen saver, but it’s really about perfect waves, topaz-blue water, all to yourself, on the other side of the planet.
Biarritz: French culture meets the rugged Atlantic coastline, surrounded by beauty, spectacular food and world class surf. Grand Plage and Cote des Basques are the best known breaks, with hollow waves, year round swell, and a laid-back vibe. Biarritz is understandably one of the most popular spots in Europe. Where else can you go where the wine, cuisine and waves compete for best in show?
Noosa: Well traveled surfers agree that Noosa Heads is one of their top destinations for surf. Not only home to Tropic Surf Head Quarters, it’s where you will find world class point breaks with the back drop of a serene national park. While there is quality surf year round, the cyclone season offers east swell and south-east trade winds. Even Australians describe it as dreamy.
Jefferys Bay: Ripped from the pages of surfer magazine, most surfers know the 300m-plus wave “Supertubes” and find J-Bay to be one of the top five spots in the world for surf. It’s also one of the fastest waves on the globe. The perfect time to go is March through October, where surfers describe the stacked lines as corduroy. With perfect lines, perhaps the best right hand break on Earth, it’s the gold standard of surfing for a reason (sans the threat of sharks).
Cloudbreak: Fiji’s heart-shaped island Tavarua is home to the hollow and world-renowned wave Cloudbreak. The break is so challenging it brings pro-surfers from all over the world to attempt to master it. While it works on all tides, it’s a heavy wave that’s one of the most dangerous. Neighboring Namotu Island can host every surfer’s skill level, as most beginners adore Ditch’s ‘Kiddie Pools’ South Pacific cousin, ‘Swimming Pools’ as the perfect introduction to surfing in Fiji.
Now that we are on hold, start planning your next global surf spot, checking it off your bucket list.
