Where to Surf in September? 12 Options Sorted By Region

The first NW swells of the year start rolling into Cantabria in September, making it one of the best times to surf this underrated stretch of Spain.

Playa de Somo is a great base for beginners, offering forgiving beach breaks with surf camps lining the sand.

More experienced surfers should rent a car and cruise the coastline—there are plenty of gems, like Los Locos, that deliver 150 meter rides that can be very fast in big swells but nice and trimmable in smaller swells.

In September, the weather is still warm, the water’s inviting, and the summer crowds have thinned out.

Where to stay? Escuela Cantabra De Surf Quicksilver Roxy do an 8-day package of pure quality. Some of the best surf teaching in Spain right on Playa Somo.

The Algarve is the ultimate in European versatility, with September offering a mix of NW and S-direction swells. The region works pretty much the whole month.

It’s still blazing hot—think 30-35°C days—and the coastline faces multiple directions, so there’s always a spot with clean waves and offshores.

Sagres is the best all-round hub, offering access to both wild west-facing beaches and the more sheltered southern coast.

Arrifana is another great option that’s better for beginners but we’d reccomend staying in the nearby town of Aljezur to access that since it’s an enchanting Moorish village set on a hill about 15 mins back from the beach. You will need your own car.

If you’re bringing the family along, more resort-focused towns like Albufeira or Luz provide an easier, all-round holiday experience.

Where to stay? Endless Summer Surf House is very cool indeed. Boho-chic living right beside Arrifana Beach.

Cornwall is basically the UK’s most consistent surf region, and I’d say September is when it really comes into its own. The summer crowds thin, the swell picks up, and the water remains relatively warm.

Newquay is the beating heart of the scene, packed with surf shops, nightlife, and easy beach access. For those wanting something a little quieter, Sennen Cove is a personal favorite. It’s more remote, offering mellow longboard waves and stunning coastal scenery.

Book accomodation early, since Cornwall is a major staycation destination and things do keep filling up well into Sept.

Where to stay? No Place is a proper Cornish coastal home with a fireplace and amazing access to the lovely beach/wave at Sennen Cove.

Busua Beach is the place to surf in Ghana. It’s home to the country’s best surf camps, where beginners can pick up the basics on mellow, sand-bottomed waves, while more experienced surfers can take trips to nearby reef breaks.

The local surf scene is thriving, with a tight-knit community that welcomes visiting surfers. September sees consistent but manageable swells, making it a fantastic time to visit.

September is key here as it means solid southerly swells and good offshores. It’s kinda the peak month of the main season.

Where to stay? Palm Grove Lodge has the best location for Busua.

Cape Town fires in September as the last of the Austral winter storms bless the region.

Muizenberg is the most protected bay in the area, making it the go-to for beginners. It’s basically a sun-splashed beach town that has sandy breaks the whole way up its length and surf schools by the bucket load.

It’s often seen as a great drop-in surf spot that you can add to the end or start of a Garden Route drive. More dedicated surfers will want a car and the freedom to explore the whole Cape Peninsula.

Where to stay? Surfers Corner Beachfront run this 7-day surf course in Muizenberg, which includes a lesson each day.

September is a seriously nice time to surf the largely unknown island of Sumba. The main swell season is tailing off, but the Trade Winds are slacking, meaning conditions are glassier and more manageable.

Sumba is one of Indonesia’s last frontiers—less crowded, more remote, and home to some of the most exclusive surf resorts on the planet.

If you’ve got the budget, this is a seriously good luxury surf destination.

Where to stay? NIHI Sumba. There’s no doubt that this one deserves a place among the best surf hotels on the planet!

By September, the Northwest Monsoon is setting in, which means the Northern Atolls are the place to be in the Maldives.

This region is the most accessible, with some of the best surf resorts and boat charters running trips to Jailbreaks, Cokes, and Honky’s—all of which fire this time of year.

It’s expensive, but if you want tropical perfection in one of the most beautiful places on Earth, it’s hard to beat.

Where to stay? Adaaran Select Huduran Fushi is a lux hotel with its own surf break; a perfect Maldivian left over reef.

Thailand isn’t famous for its waves, but September is your best bet for scoring something rideable. It’s the height of the rainy season, so there’s a chance of storms, but that also means chest-high beach break waves on Phuket’s west coast.

If you’re happy to embrace the uncertainty, you’ll be rewarded with warm water, a relaxed surf scene, and, of course, some of the best post-surf food anywhere in the world.

Basically, Thailand is the option if you want to experience somewhere fricking awesome and maybe catch some surf while you’re at it.

And Phuket isn’t the only option. You can also head to Koh Phayam, a realtively off the beaten path island that has super chill vibes and some good beginner surf in September.

The only real downside is that this is rainy season on the Andaman coast so don’t expect amazing weather. Hotels are cheap, though.

Where to stay? InterContinental Phuket Resort by IHG – enjoy the resort life and have a surf break on the beachfront right by the hotel.

Siargao‘s pretty short surf season kicks into gear in September, with the first solid swells lighting up the island’s famed reef breaks usually around the first weeks of the month, or even towards the end of August.

Cloud 9 is the big name, but it’s heavy and shallow and hollow as hell. Plus, it was blasted by a huge typhoon a few years back and hasn’t quite been the same wave since.,

Jacking Horse is the better choice for beginners and intermediates. It’s a reef break but it’s really mellow and easy to access by paddle out from the main beach just north of the Cloud 9 break.

Siargao has gotten pricier in recent years, but it’s still one of the best surf destinations in Asia.

Where to stay? Punta Punta Surf Retreat. Glamping tents or deluxe abound just opposite the iconic Cloud 9 and Jacking Horse surf points. This hotel is LOOOOVVEELYYY.

Arica is South America’s heavy-wave capital, home to two of the most powerful waves on the continent. El Gringo—also known as the Chilean Pipeline—is a fast, hollow, and heavy reef break, while El Buey is just as intense but slightly more makeable.

September sees consistent swell and cooler temperatures, making it a great time to surf if you’re more in the advanced category.

September is also the tail end of the South American winter, and it’s just about when the S swells that really power the point here all the way to Peru start switching. AKA – it’s consistent and generally a reliable time to come. There are lots of options north and south of Arica if you like the sound of that but want something a bit more reliable.

Where to stay? Hotel Apacheta is for those with an eye for slick design and something special. It’s a hotel you’ll remember, close to the surf.

The Pacific Northwest is criminally underrated as a surf destination. In September, the summer crowds thin, the water isn’t too cold yet, and the beach breaks are firing.

The Oregon coast is a haven for adventurous surfers, with miles of empty, powerful beach breaks that make the crowds of California seem laughable.

Bring a solid wetsuit, because even in September, the Pacific is chilly.

Lincoln City is the place to start and then venture up the coast highway in a car and you’ll be treated to loads of spots.

You could also go further north, up to Westport, the captial of surf in Washington State, or even into BC, where Tofino has you covered.

Where to stay? Surfland Hotel is a stylish lodge right on the Oregon Coast in the state’s main surf town. Can’t beat it.

Waikiki is the spot for longboarders and beginners looking to ride mellow summer waves in the Aloha State.

September is still prime time for south swells, which means Waikiki’s famous rollers are in perfect form.

It’s an ideal spot if you’re planning a Hawaii vacation and want to mix in some fun surfing with beach days and mai tais.

If you’re doing it right, you’ll fly into Honolulu, book a couple of nights in a hotel right on the sand, and enjoy some of the most fun, playful waves in the world.

Where to stay? Any of the vintage/lux hotels on the Waikiki beach strip. They have thier own vibe that you’ll either love or hate.