Surfing North America – ALL Countries / Seasons [2025]

Surfing North America throws up all sorts of amazing breaks. From the Atlantic beach breaks of the Carolinas to the legendary swells of California to Mexico’s hardcore peaks, there’s no region quite like it.

An introduction to surfing North America

North America covers a great big whack of the planet. It ranges from the jungles of Guatemala all the way to the icy tundra of the Arctic Circle.

Three great nations make their home between its borders: The United States, Mexico, and Canada. Each has something very different up its sleeve when it comes to surfing.

We’ll detail them individually a little later on, but for now, let’s just say there’s a break to fit any and every description in these parts.

Wild point breaks that lash across Mexican reefs? Check. Mellow beach breaks rolling under West Coast mountain ranges? Check. Slappy Atlantic shore breaks that’ll need you to suit up into 5/4s? Yea, if you’re brave enough. It really is endless.

The key to planning a trip to go surfing in North America is in homing in on the place you think suits you the best. That’s why this guide is perfect.

It will give a brief intro into each country that’s on the menu. Make your choice and click on through for more info on the best surf breaks and the surf seasons in each destination. It’s as easy as that!

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North America surf at a glance

What will I find in this guide to North America surf?

Where to surf in North America – ALL countries

The three countries that make up North America each offer something unique on the surfing front.

Here, we’ll take a look at each one individually so you can get a feel for what sort of swells and surf adventures await…

Canada

Canada usually conjures images of snow-capped mountains, great glacial lakes and rolling prairies. It’s ski-field country; not surf country, right?

Naaaa…There’s some awesome surfing to be done here. Cold water is the downside but the waves are emptier than the US and it’s wilder.

The region of Tofino usually takes the biscuit. It’s a whole leg of Vancouver Island over in BC where there are point breaks and waves worth chasing.

Inland, there are also some pretty off-beat river surfing opportunities, not to mention the few spots that come along the sides of the Great Lakes.

Finally, the east coast offers Nova Scotia. That’s a truly remote part of Canada with glassy swells that are lovely to ride in the summertime.

• Nova Scotia – The surfing mecca of Canada’s east coast is still really remote and unvisited.
• Vancouver Island – Brave the icy North Pacific to get some of the best open ocean swells in Canada.

• Tofino, British Columbia:
  • Fall and Winter (September to February): Best swells; storm season brings powerful waves.
  • Summer (June to August): Smaller, more manageable waves for beginners.
• Nova Scotia (East Coast):
  • Fall (August to November): Hurricane season creates clean, powerful swells.

Read our complete guide to surfing in Canada right now (coming soon)

United States

The United States of America is where modern surfing all began. The feats of Duke Kahanamoku and the Hawaiian North Shorers took the sport global; first to California and then the world.

So, it’s hardly a surprise that some of the very best surf spots on the planet are found in this country.

There are oodles of regions and places in the US to consider for that trip.

The West Coast is the obvious choice, with Washington all the way down to the legendary likes of Trestles and Encinitas in SoCal on the menu there.

East Coasters think of themselves as a more hardy bunch because they chase NE storms in the Atlantic come winter, cruising snowy coast roads from CT to Maine in the hunt for the right conditions.

• California (obviously!) – Up north it’s wild and remote with beach breaks that will chill your bones. Down south is SoCal, a land of famous wedges and pier breaks that are known all around the world!
• Hawaii – Is there any more famous surf destination in the world than Hawaii? The Aloha State really has it all. From the Oahu North Shore barrels to the stunning bays of Maui and beyond, it’s where wave riding first went mainstream.
• The Carolinas – Surfing on the east coast hits a zenith in the Carolinas. From the aptly-named town of Surf City to the salt-sprayed Outer Banks, you won’t be short of beach breaks, that’s for sure.
• Florida – Gave the world a certain Mr Slater. Long beach breaks on the white sand. Loads of peaks.

Best surf stay in the USA: The Surfrider Malibu is a vintage Malibu option right on the point here. Okay, so it costs, but it’s lux within eyesight of one of America’s most iconic surf spots.

Mexico

Mexico cannot be ignored when it comes to surfing North America.

It’s forged its rep mainly thanks to some seriously killer beach breaks and the epic right-hander points that await as you bend around to the south-facing coast of Oaxaca.

Puerto Escondido and Sayulita are the most iconic surf towns here but for quite different reasons.

Escondido is known for the colossal beach break of Zicatela, which has mighty barreling shorebreak barrels in the summer. Sayulita is a haven for logging and learning, offering cracking surf camps aplenty.

Time it right and a visit to Mexico’s surf-washed Pacific coast (any part of its 4,500 miles!) can open up some of the very best beginner- and intermediate-friendly places to ride – Punta Mita, Puerto Vallarta, and the Baja California.

Many of them come with balmy tropical waters and a side of real Mexican charm. That means tacos after a sesh and some great hotels that won’t break the bank. It’s also very easy to access from the US and even Europe.

• Puerto Escondido – Probably the most epic beach break in Mexico, with high walls forming straight of Zicatela Beach. There are also nearby beaches that are more suited to learners, and there’s a growing learner and camp scene here so don’t be put off if you’re not ready for 3x OH just yet.
• Sayulita – The key place to know about if you’re after chilled surf vacations and good surf camps. A fun-filled town on the Nayarit coast, Sayulita has a few local breaks but also access to the prizes beaches and reefs of the Bahia de Banderas, so there’s loads to surf for all levels.
• Cabo San Lucas – Sat at the end of a northern peninsula that borders California, Cabo is well-known for its nightlife and hotel resorts. But it’s a cracking place to catch waves in the summer, when big S swells travel up into the mouth of the Sea of Cortez and get right points and beach breaks kicking.

Best surf camp in Mexico: Oasis Surf House in Puerto Escondido. These guys come with night-on certain improvement to green wave surfing over the course of a trip.

Best surf hotel in Mexico: Cabo Surf Hotel. Right on Cabo’s best surf beach, this place has style, hot tubs, and walking access to the breaks.

• Pacific Coast (Baja California, Oaxaca, Nayarit):
  • Summer (May to October): South swells from the Southern Hemisphere; prime surf in spots like Puerto Escondido and Sayulita.
  • Winter (November to February): Smaller, more consistent waves; good for beginners.
• Gulf of Mexico:
  • Fall (August to October): Occasional hurricane swells.
• Baja California Sur:
  • Spring and Summer (March to October): Warm water and consistent swells.