Where to Surf in August? The Best Destinations for Every Level

Zarautz is one of the best places in Europe to learn to surf, with a long, sandy beach break that produces fun, manageable waves throughout the summer. The waves here rarely get too big in August, making it ideal for beginners looking to build confidence.

The town itself is a buzzing surf hub, packed with Spanish pintxos bars, laid-back cafes, and a thriving surf culture. While it can get busy, the beach is long enough that you can always find a quieter peak if you’re willing to walk.

Plus, San Sebastián is just a short drive away if you fancy a bit of city exploration between sessions.

Where to stay? The Zarautz Surf House is the best here. You can walk from your bed to the beach in under 20 seconds and they have a cracking on-site cafe.

Sagres is the gateway to some of Portugal’s best waves, but in August, the mellow beach breaks near town are perfect for beginners.

Praia do Tonel and Praia da Mareta offer forgiving waves with sandy bottoms, while Praia do Amado is a great spot for those ready to tackle slightly bigger surf. You’ll also have easy access to the west-facing beaches of the Algarve, which include the uber-consistent beginner hub of Arrifana.

Sagres itself has a rugged, remote feel compared to other parts of the Algarve, and while it’s popular in summer, it’s nowhere near as crowded as spots like Ericeira or Peniche.

Where to stay? Aldeia Caiçara Surf House – Very nice pad with very nice people. Simple.

If you want warm water, consistent waves, and a laid-back South American surf town, Máncora can tick all the boxes.

The main wave here is a fun, long-ish left-hander that peels over a sandy bottom, making it one of the best waves in Peru for beginners.

August is still in the dry season, meaning blue skies, offshore winds, and warm temperatures with plenty of good south swells coming up through the Pacific.

While Máncora does attract a mix of backpackers and partygoers, the town still has a chilled-out vibe, with plenty of cheap accommodation and delicious Peruvian food on offer. It’s also more accessible than ever now thanks to loads of new surf camps setting up shop.

Where to stay? Algae Surf House have a really nice eco lodge on the main beach.

Playa Venao is the off-the-beaten-path choice here. Nothign short of a tropical paradise on Panama’s Pacific coast, the horseshoe bay offers fun, user-friendly waves that break over sand.

The waves here are consistent but never too intimidating in August as the bay is nicely shelterd. I’d say it’s a great place to go from whitewash to green waves in a week or so.

The town itself is small but has everything you need—beachfront hostels, surf camps, and a handful of great restaurants. It’s a bit tricky to get to but that just adds to the adventure.

Where to stay? El Sitio de Playa Venao has a ridiculously nice location on the edge of the beach.

If Bali feels a bit too hectic, head to Lombok for pretty much the same dreamy Indo surf without the crowds (or, at least, without as many crowds – Lombok is still busy but it’s generally better than Bali).

August brings solid S-SW swells, lighting up spots like Gerupuk, a huge bay that’s got like four breaks that suit all levels, and Ekas, a fun left that’s kinda fat at the take off and then really workable for intermediates.

The beauty of Lombok is that you get that classic tropical surf trip feel—palm trees, turquoise water, and warm temperatures—but without the madness of Kuta or Canggu. You’ll need a scooter to get around or (the better option in my opinion) go for a surf camp becuase Kuta Lombok is the base and then you travel out to the waves from there.

Where to stay? Xanadu is a gorgeously luxurious surf-yoga camp with some of the best packages in the whole of Indonesia.

Arugam Bay is in its prime in August, with long, playful right-handers peeling down the point at Main Point. This is the perfect place for intermediates looking to work on their turns, as the wave is fast but also a bit forgiving, with plenty of open face to work with.

Further up and down the coast, Whiskey Point and Peanut Farm offer slightly softer waves, making them great for progression.

The town itself has a relaxed backpacker vibe, with cheap guesthouses and plenty of post-surf coconut stands. While it does get busy this time of year, the waves are long enough that you’ll still get plenty of rides by sitting out on the shoulder.

Where to stay? Whisky Point Resort is located right next to the surf spot of the same name and it’s an intermediate’s dream.

Santa Teresa is one of Costa Rica’s most beloved surf towns, and August is a great time to visit if you don’t mind a bit of tropical rain – it’s the middle of what the locals call the Green Season because it rains quite a bit.

The waves here are mainly fun, punchy beach breaks. The main beach at Santa Teresa has tons of different banks and gives powerful but manageable waves, while Playa Hermosa offers more forgiving, longer walls.

While it’s still busy, the wet season means fewer crowds compared to the peak vacationing months. Add in the warm water, stunning jungle backdrop, and Costa Rica’s famously friendly locals, and you’ve got the recipe for a perfect surf trip.

Where to stay? Zeneidas Garden are known for thier surf-yoga packages and have a prime location on the main playa in Santa Teresa.

Byron Bay is one of Australia’s most iconic surf towns, and August is a fantastic time to visit. Winter swells are still rolling through, providing fun, consistent waves at The Pass, Wategos, and Tallows, plus a bunch of other beaches around town.

While it’s not as warm as summer, the water is still inviting, and the crowds are thinner than during peak holiday months.

The waves here are ideal for intermediates—long, playful rights that give you plenty of time to practice your style and flow.

Byron itself is a mix of surf hippies, backpackers, and digital nomads, with amazing food, a buzzing nightlife, and some of the best post-surf cafes in Australia.

We’d reccomend a car. 20-30 minutes’ driving aroud the central NSW coast can bring you to a dozen or more amazing spots that are highly, highly consistent in August.

Where to stay? The Surf House is a nice lodge that’s a surprising bargain (low-cost digs are hard to come by in Byron). They also do on-site surf rentals.

If you want to surf what are often hailed as the most perfect waves on the planet, Mentawais in August should be at the top of your list.

This is peak swell season, with the Indian Ocean sending in back-to-back S-SW pulses, lighting up world-class waves like Macaronis, Rifles, and a whole load more.

These are some of the best, most perfect reef breaks on the planet—fast, hollow, and powerful. Most surfers stay on a surf charter or at one of the many land camps that have thier own boat, as there’s no real town here.

It’s a mission to get to, but if you’re an experienced surfer looking for flawless waves, it’s absolutely worth it.

Where to stay? AWERA RESORT. Stunnnnnnninng. No need to say anymore.

Puerto Escondido’s Zicatela Beach comes alive in August. Also known as the Mexican Pipeline, it’s a freight train of a wave, offering thick, spitting barrels that challenge even the most seasoned surfers.

But that’s not the real reason we rec Oaxaca here. We like it because the southern portions of the state are just coming into focus for thier series of ultra-quality right points. There are stacks of them stretching out between Playa Zipolite and Salina Cruz just waiting to be scored and the S swells of August are perfecto.

Oaxaca is an incredible place to visit beyond the surf, with amazing food, stunning coastlines, and a raw, authentic feel that’s getting harder to find in Mexico’s more developed surf zones.

Where to stay? El Alquimista Yoga Spa a chillout stay on Zipolite Beach. A good base for further explorations down the Oaxaca coast.