9 Best Places to Surf in October – All Levels, 5 Continents
October hits the sweet spot between lingering summer warmth and the first real punch of autumn swell. From the reef breaks of Nicaragua to the chilly Atlantic power of Wales, these nine destinations are all well worth your attention this month.
I’ll just say this: It’s a month that I particularly like in the Northern Hemisphere, Europe in particular, because the oceans aren’t cold yet, the summer holiday crowds have retreated, and the swell of the Atlantic are firing nicely but not blowing out.
No wonder there’s Spain times two and a whole thwack of UK + Portugal…
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Wales
October is when Wales wakes up. After a flat summer, the Atlantic begins sending proper low-pressure systems into the Celtic Sea, lighting up points and beach breaks from Pembrokeshire to Llyn Peninsula.
The standouts? Freshwater West for raw power, Porthcawl for consistency, and Whitesands Bay for a reliable learner-friendly peak.
It’s cold-ish, sure – bring a 4/3 and boots – but the crowds thin and the swell quality lifts as the UK schools go back.
Winds can be a bit all over the shop, but early mornings often stay clean. Add in surfy towns like St Davids and rugged scenery that feels like something out of a fantasy novel, and Wales becomes a bit of a sleeper pick for an October mission. Any flatness in the forecast? Head north to climb mountains instead!
Nicaragua
October is the tail end of the wet season, but Nicaragua still delivers.
On the Pacific coast, offshore winds remain consistent in the mornings, and the reefs and beachies around Popoyo, Playa Maderas, and Playa Hermosa still catch the last solid south swells of the year.
It’s quieter this time of year, meaning fewer people in the line-up and cheaper surf camp rates. That said, you’ll want to plan around the rain — early starts are key, and inland roads can get messy.
If you’re after warm water barrels with a laid-back Latin vibe, October can be a surprisingly great time to score Nicaragua with room to move.
Where to stay? Alive Beach House. This is a pretty cool surf stay that’s meters from the waves of El Transito, an all-level beach break in the less-crowded part of Nica.
The Algarve
October is arguably the best time of year to surf the Algarve. The summer crowds have cleared out, the water’s still warm, and early winter swells begin to bend into the south-facing beaches.
Spots like Amado, Arrifana, and Zavial come to life, catching both NW and SW energy. It’s a great region for surfers of all levels — you can go from mellow beach breaks to challenging reef setups in under an hour. Winds are generally favourable in the mornings, and the sunsets are off the charts.
Add in cheap car rentals and off-season prices, and the Algarve is a solid bet.
Where to stay? Russo Surfcamp is a cracker. Location on a hill above the coast. Access to awesome west-coast beaches. One of the best surf camp options in Portugal right now, and they offer low-season rates from Sept to Nov.
Western Australia
It’s prime time on WA’s southwest coast. October brings consistent groundswell from the Roaring Forties, lighter winds than the peak winter months, and fewer crowds in iconic spots like Yallingup, Injidup, and the ever-fickle The Box.
Margaret River becomes the epicentre, offering everything from reef slabs to long point breaks. Water temps are still cool — around 17–19°C — but manageable in a good 3/2. Inland spring blooms and emptier line-ups make this one of the best times to explore the wild West Oz coastline. Just be ready for punchy surf — WA doesn’t hold back.
Fuerteventura
Fuerteventura is just starting to turn on in October. Early NW swells begin to pulse through the Atlantic, waking up the north track — El Hierro, Bubble, Majanicho — while the wind is still relatively low.
The surf isn’t huge yet, which makes it ideal for intermediates looking to test themselves on lava reef setups. The water’s warm, the sun’s out, and the crowds haven’t hit their winter peak.
Stay near Corralejo to be close to the best breaks and board rentals. A wetsuit top or shortie is fine most days, but you’ll want reef boots for some of the trickier take-offs.
Where to stay? The island is quite big and has multiple spots, so throw in with the guys at Surfintrip Camp. They’ll take you to the top spots and have a great surf package for around just $500 per person, per week.
California
October in California is dreamy. It’s that rare combo of solid swell, offshore Santa Ana winds, and fewer tourists clogging the coast.
The south swell season overlaps with the start of northwest swell season, meaning breaks from Trestles to Ocean Beach can all fire. Malibu still works, Rincon might be stirring, and San Diego beachies like Blacks and Cardiff start to show some punch. It’s kinda a party right up the coast from the Mex border to San Fran and beyond.
It’s still warm enough for a springsuit down south, but you’ll want a 3/2 north of Santa Barbara. Local surf culture is in full swing, but the vibe in the water’s often more mellow than peak summer.
Galicia
Galicia in October is raw, rugged, and pumping. This is the start of the proper surf season on Spain’s northwest coast, when the Atlantic wakes up and sends clean long-period swells into Pantín, Razo, and Doniños.
The cliffs light up with offshore breezes, and the lack of big surf crowds means there’s a bit of that exploratory thrill still alive here. Water temps hover around 17°C, so you’ll need a 4/3.
Between sessions, you’re dealing with sleepy fishing towns, forested hills, and some of the best seafood in Europe.
Where to stay? Get to Esteiro Surf Lodge and enjoy the ridiculously nice location between the lush hills and the beach.
The Maldives
October is the tail end of the surf season in the Maldives, but there are still clean waves to be had, especially in the central and southern atolls. Expect fewer crowds, glassy mornings, and lingering SSW swells lighting up rights like Sultans and Jailbreaks.
You’ll likely need to dodge some rain and tropical storms, but it’s worth it if you’re after one last Indian Ocean fix before the season closes, especailly since nearby Sri Lanka is kinda having it’s only bad moment when the coasts can’t decide whose turn it is.
Many surf charters and camps offer discounts in October, and you might just score perfect head-high rights with only a handful of others in the water. Warm water, dreamy reef passes, and chilled vibes all around.
Where to stay? Stay Mikado are the stand outs. Do 2x daily surf boat trips to secluded breaks. What more could you want?
Cantabria and Asturias
This part of the north coast of Spain shifts into gear in October. Swells roll in from the Atlantic and meet the scalloped coastline of Cantabria and Asturias, turning on classic beach breaks like Somo, San Vicente de la Barquera, and Rodiles.
It’s the ideal time for intermediate surfers — there’s enough push to challenge, but the heavy winter swells haven’t fully arrived.
Water temps are still reasonable with a 3/2, and the air is cool but crisp. Stay in Santander or Ribadesella and road-trip between spots. The scenery – rolling green hills, dramatic cliffs, and old-world fishing villages – adds a touch of magic between sessions.
Where to stay? Good People Surf are in Zarautz, arguably Spain’s top surf town. It’s the perfect beginner-intermediate pacakge.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
