Surfing in Asia – ALL Destinations + More [2024]
Let’s get one thing straight – Asia is huge.
At a whopping 44.58 million square kilometres, it’s the largest continent on the globe.
Yes, that means snow-capped mountains and vast tundra.
But it also means beaches, and mile upon mile of coastline that’s just waiting to be explored by the budding surfer.
They say it all started here back when American surfers discovered the reliable waves that roll into south Bali back in the early 1900s.
They rode the legendary left-hand barrels and took some awesome shots, all when the only thing on the Uluwatu cliffs was a couple of shacks and palm trees. Sigh.
Anyway, stories of waves like Ulus and Keramas, and the likes of G-Land, shifted the spotlight onto the azure seas of Southeast Asia and the surf potential that awaited.
These days, there are more known surf spots and destinations in Asia than you can shake a peanut satay skewer at. They range from the swell magnets of southern Bali to the urban beaches of Big Wave Bay in Hong Kong to the coconut-peppered sands of Sri Lanka and Thailand.
There’s such a formidable variety of places to surf in Asia that no one will leave disappointed. You can seek out beginner-friendly breaks that offer mellow whitewash. It’s possible to hit hardcore barrel sections that zip off shallow reefs. You can up your game on A-frames and drop ins.
The focal point of surf tourism in Asia is firmly South and Southeast Asia. It’s easy to see why.
The seas are warm, so you’ll rarely (read: never) have to reach for the wetsuit. Between sessions on the waves, you’ll be sunning yourself under a palm or sipping a coconut in a hammock. And there’s the sheer, undeniable reliability of Indonesian isles like the Ments, Lombok, and Bali, matched with upcoming locations in the Philippines and the like.
But don’t go thinking that’s all there is. Asia is SO massive that you’ll find cold-water beach breaks in Japan, epic points and reefs on both sides of Sri Lanka, surprising surf towns in India – the list goes on.
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!
Surfing in Asia at a glance
The good:
- Plenty of tropical sea means trips without a single wetsuit in sight
- Some of the cheapest surf destinations on the planet
- Some seriously unforgettable breaks – think Uluwatu, Keramas, G-Land and Cloud 9!
The bad:
- Not the best infrastructure
- You’ll need to pay attention to the surf seasons for different places
- Pollution can be an issue in some countries (but then there is usually somewhere you can go to escape it
The best surf destinations in Asia – our in-depth guides
Will it be the uber-famous point breaks of southern Bali? Will it be the mellow coves of Sri Lanka?
These are the top surf places in Asia; the ones we’d reccomend if you’re looking for a full-on surf trip…
Bali
Bali is hallowed ground for surfers. Up there with the likes of Oahu and J-Bay, it’s one of those places that’s considered the crème de la crème of global surf.
The main reason for that is the sheer consistency of the breaks that surround the Bukit Peninsula of the south. They work for much of the year, even when it’s the so-called ‘off’ season. And some of them are simply awesome – Ulu’s, Padang Padang, Bingin – it’s the stuff of surf sensation.
Of course, Kuta is also worth a mention. That’s arguably the finest beginner beach in the world, and many a first-timer has taken their first wave on that long, golden, and downright lively stretch of sand.
When to surf in Bali? All year. But the peak season is May-August with the strong SW swells. Head to Lombok or breaks along the east coast (Sanur/Keramas) for the wet season (Nov-March). Beginners will also like the wet season, though pollution is now a constant issue.
Where to stay in Bali? We do the legwork on this EVERY YEAR… Check our guide to the top surf hotels in Bali and the best surf camps in Bali.
>>Check out our ultimate guide to surfing in Bali
Indonesia
Indonesia is the king of Asian surfing really. It goes well beyond just Bali…
Java hosts the likes of G-Land, where cobalt walls of water can hit a whopping eight meters. Then there are the utter surf paradises of the Mentawai isles in West Sumatra, where the count of world-class surf breaks is off the charts. Go there to do live-aboard surf charters and high-performance surf camps on private islands.
On top of that, there are the all-level breaks of Lombok, an island that we think has some of the finest learner surf camps on the planet right now, along with upcoming gems like Sumba and Batu Karas.
There’s oodles to get through!
When to surf in Indonesia? Same as Bali. It’s the April to October dry season for the biggest waves and the wet season of November to March for more forgiving conditions or breaks that have S and SE exposure.
Where to stay? Take your pick. Surf camps in the Ments are the stuff of bucket lists for advanced surfers. The Shadow is our favorite there. They do an incredible 14-day package. Learners cannot go wrong Xanadu on Lombok – a really great semi-lux stay with daily lessons/yoga.
>>We’ve got a full guide to surfing in Indonesia
Sri Lanka
The Teardrop of India is slowly establishing itself as one of the best destinations for surfing in Asia, especially for learners, intermedaite improvers, and longboarders. (Swells need to travel a bit further up through the Indian Ocean than they do to Indo, so they mellow out and stretch into something softer than you get in Indo).
There are two distinct regions here: The east and the south, each with a different season (yep – there’s always something on offer in Lanka!).
The first is the home of Arguam Bay. That should be in the vocab of any surf traveler, thanks to its range of ultra-consistent right-hand points.
The other area has something like 20+ surf towns. It’s also gorgeous – think tropcial bays with turtle-filled waters. The region runs from Tangalle in the south to Hikkaduwa in the north and it’s got waves for all sorts.
Right now, Ahangama, Hiriketiya, and Kabalana are the standouts but there’s lots to get through, including the undisputed beginner mecca of Weligama and more secret Madiha Beach.
When to surf in Sri Lanka? The east coast and the south have opposing seasons. Hit the south between Nov-March, go to Arugam Bay between April and October.
Where to stay? A week at the lovely Naomi Beach Hotel is great for intermediates who want to surf the points and reefs of Midigama. Beginners should pick the incredible package at The Salty Pelican Hiri.
>>Check out our ultimate guide to Sri Lanka surf
The Philippines
One word: Siargao. This island has almost singlehandedly placed the Philippines on the glaobal surf map in the last couple of years. Blessed with a location that means it faces the power of the Pacific Ocean, it’s got a range of interesting breaks.
Kicking Horse hosts the learners at high tide, while the barrelling reef of Cloud 9 is where the pros go on competition days. You can also chuck a couple of dollars to a local fisherman and they’ll drop the nets to show you some unknown peaks over surrounding coral reefs
When to surf in the Phillippines? July to October is best here. Typhoon swells hit the eastern isles of Siargao and eastern Luzon. Any spots on the west side of the archipelago work better December-March.
Where to stay? Ultra-lux Awake Siargao Retreats. It’s cracking.
>>Check out our ultimate guide to surfing in the Philippines
The Maldives
The Maldives aren’t just a paradise. They’re a surf paradise, too.
Set across three separate groups of islands (known as atolls), they pick up the same S-SW swells as Indo, bending them into outer reefs that give out some of the world’s most beautifully glassy lefts and rights.
This region is best suited to more advanced surfers (probably intermediate and up) with a bit of cash.
Get it right and it will be heaven.
By far the best way to surf in these parts is on a guided surf camp, since you’ll either need to be on an island with its own break or have access to a boat to reach breaks further out on the reefs. We have a guide to the best ones in the country that we update every year.
When to surf in the Maldives? April to July is the peak season in the Maldives, with those big S-SW swells.
Where to stay? Stay Mikado have a two-week package that includes 2x daily surf trips by boat.
>>We have a complete guide to surfing in the Maldives
Other surf destinations in Asia
Asia has loads of surf destinations that aren’t neccessarily the creme-de-la-creme of the continent but still pretty darn amazing.
These are places like India and Japan, where there can be epic surf but it’s not quite as consistent as, say, the Ments.
These are destinations tailor-made for vacations that pack in culture, food, hiking, and surf…
India
India is a huge country and it’s got loads of coastline – 1,000s and 1,000s of miles of it, going right up the Bay of Bengal and then facing the Indian Ocean.
Sadly, not much of it is great for surfing.
There are pockets. Look to the western shorelines along the Indian Ocean. The SW swells that push up past Sri Lanka and the Maldives can hit there, though they’ll tend to be softer and mellower after traveling a longer distance.
In India, the key is booking into a good surf camp and getting some local know-how.
When to surf in India? There are waves all year, but the best time in the top surf regions (Goa/Karnataka/Kerala) is the dry-season between October and May, when the surf is small but at its cleanest.
Where to stay? Vaayu Kula – this hotel is GORGEOUS. It’s luxury on the side of a stunning Goa beach and there’s even an in-house surf school.
>>We have a complete guide to surfing in India
Japan
Japan is a surf mecca just waiting to be discovered. Scratch that, it’s sorta’ discovered now, but hardly feels like it.
From the breakwater wedges of Sendai to the Waikiki-style learner waves of Shirahama, it’s a land of lovely beaches that pick up typhoon swells between September and October.
Often unbusy, you can cruise to some lovely beaches where just a handful of surfers will be on the same peak.
Oh yea, and of course you get all the wonders of Japan – the udon, the hot springs, the buzz of Tokyo.
When to surf in Japan? Typhoon season – that’s September and October
>>Check out our full guide to surfing in Japan
Vietnam
Despite having over 1,100 miles of coastline on the South China Sea, Vietnam is kinda unreliable when it comes to surfing.
It relies on monsoon-season windswell and the occasional push-through Pacific groundswell to work. That means fickle is the name of the game.
The coastline is defined by long, arcing beaches, so when there is swell it’s generally best for total beginners.
Da Nang, Nha Trang and Mui Ne are the key spots to know about.
When to surf in Vietnam? The NW monsoon is key to the best windswells in Vietnam, which is what you’ll mainly be surfing. That means a trip between November and March.
Where to stay? Chi House Danang Hotel and Apartment is 20 seconds’ walk from the best surf beach in Da Nang, and probably in the whole of Vietnam.
>>Check out our complete guide to surfing in Vietnam
Thailand
Most people go to Thailand for the paradise beaches and the incredible culture. But there is also surf in this fabled Land of Smiles.
If you can peel yourself away from the Buddhist temples and the street food stalls for a moment, Phuket has plenty of wet-season breaks for all levels, including a few half-decent, semi-hollow point breaks.
There’s also upcoming Koh Phayam, which has one beach that sucks in mellow Indian Ocean swell.
Look, it’s never going to be Indo, but if you think you might want to try surfing between bouts of lazing and pad Thai noodles, this could be the doozy.
When to surf in Thailand? Wet season. That’s April-October. Rougher seas and more reliable wind swell in the islands. Just be prepared to be rained on.
Where to stay? Twinpalms Phuket is a walk off one of the main surf beaches on Thailand’s largest island. Proper resort living if you like that kinda’ thing.
>>Check out our complete guide to surfing in Thailand
Hong Kong
Hong Kong isn’t like Bali or whatever. It’s not an out-and-out surf destination. That said, it’s got perhaps the biggest surf culture of any special economic zone of China thanks to some nice exposure to the Pacific via the Luzon Strait.
Big Wave Bay and the Sai Kung Peninsula are the standouts. They have white-sand beaches that have banks that work on all tides and for all levels.
What’s amazing here is you can surf by day and then hit the buzzing streets of Kowloon or Central by night.
It really is a cool city.
When to surf in Hong Kong? The NE monsoon is the key time. It runs from November to March but the peak months for surf are Nov and Dec for sure.
>>Check out our complete guide to surfing in Hong Kong
South Korea
Don’t make South Korea a destination for a surf trip. Come, explore Seoul, the mountains, the food markets, and the DMZ, and do some surf on the side.
The country has a growing surf scene but it’s largely about long beach breaks that suit beginners.
The one exception to the rule is Jeju in the south, which has some nice lava reefs.
The whole place works best on big typhoon swells come the autumn.
When to surf in South Korea? August through to October for those typhoon pulses.
>>Read our full guide to surfing in South Korea right here
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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!