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🏄‍♂️ Best Surf Beaches in the United States

26 items

Carla Matteucci

If you’re anything like me and the ocean feels like home, then you know there are certain beaches that just speak to your soul. 💙 I created this list with some of my all-time favorite (and dream) surf spots across the U.S.—from iconic breaks in Cali...

Sections

California Classics

Hawaiian Dreams

East Coast Gems

Hidden Treasures & Worth-the-Trip Spots

🌙 Off the Radar: Surf Spots for Soul Seekers

California Classics

California is surf culture. I could fill an entire list with SoCal alone, but here are my top picks—beaches that deliver reliable waves, unforgettable sunsets, and that laid-back West Coast vibe we all dream about. These are the spots I think of when...

A longboarder's paradise with mellow right-hand waves and a classic Cali feel. Ride a set and grab a smoothie after.

Malibu Surfrider Beach – Beaches & Harbors

World-famous break with consistent swells. Advanced surfers will love the punchy sections.

Trestles Beach in San Clemente, CA

“Surf City USA” for a reason. Bustling, iconic, and home to the US Open of Surfing.

Welcome to Huntington Beach, CA

Cold water, powerful waves, and epic views. Be ready for a lineup full of locals who rip.

Steamer Lane Surf Report & Forecast

Hawaiian Dreams

Surfing was born here. Hawaii is more than waves—it's sacred, humbling, and magnetic. These beaches are bucket-list material, from the legendary North Shore to gentle spots for newer surfers. Just being in the water here feels different—more alive.

The ultimate proving ground. Massive barrels, heavy reef, and pure adrenaline. For advanced surfers only

Banzai Pipeline (2025) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Reviews)

Where Duke Kahanamoku taught people to surf. Perfect for beginners and longboarders. Pure aloha.

Waikiki Beach

A stunning right-hand point break. Best in winter with crystal-clear water and clean waves.

Honolua Bay

A laid-back gem with dreamy, rolling waves and postcard views. Great for intermediates.

Hanalei Bay Resort: Tropical Vacation Rentals Kauai

East Coast Gems

Don’t underestimate the Atlantic. Sure, swells are less consistent—but when it’s on, it’s on. These spots are beloved by locals, offer plenty of charm, and are totally worth timing your trip right. Some are even beginner-friendly year-round!

Florida’s most consistent and powerful wave. The jetty creates fun peaks and long rides.

Sebastian Inlet State Park

The ultimate escape from NYC. Clean waves and beautiful rocky backdrops.

Welcome to Montauk - Visit Montauk

Super welcoming vibe, easy access, and consistent waist-to-shoulder high surf.

Wrightsville Beach

One of New England’s best point breaks. Rocky reef, cold water, and serious energy when the swell hits.

Ruggles Surf Guide

Hidden Treasures & Worth-the-Trip Spots

These are the kinds of surf spots you tell your real friends about. Not always on the top of the travel blogs—but if you go, you’ll remember them forever. Some are remote, some are local secrets, but all have magic.

Raw, rugged, and unpredictable—Ocean Beach feels like surfing on the edge of the world. The fog rolls in, the water’s cold, and the waves can pack a punch. But when it lines up? It’s magic. Definitely not for the faint of heart, but unforgettable for...

Ocean Beach

Welcome to the East Coast’s secret powerhouse. With shifting sandbars and an exposed location, Cape Hatteras can serve up hollow, powerful barrels that’ll surprise you. The vibe is quiet, wild, and a little mystical—just how I like it.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore (U.S. National Park Service)

Gentle waves, beautiful cliffs, and a laid-back vibe make this one of my happy places. It’s ideal for beginners or days when you just want to paddle out, cruise a few mellow waves, and soak up the sun. Perfect for a reset.

La Jolla Shores | City of San Diego Official Website

Surfing here feels like stepping into a dream. With Haystack Rock towering in the background and evergreens lining the coast, the whole scene is cinematic. The water’s cold, but the beauty is unreal. A quiet, soul-refreshing surf escape.

Cannon Beach

Tucked away in one of Florida’s most charming historic towns, this beach offers mellow, playful waves and a laid-back local vibe. It’s the kind of place where you can grab a post-surf acai bowl, wander cobblestone streets, and catch a golden-hour ses...

Home Page | Saint Augustine Beach FL

This is one of those secret spots that surfers whisper about. Hidden just north of San Francisco, Bolinas feels like stepping into a coastal time capsule. The waves are mellow, the lineup is friendly, and the boho vibe of the town is absolutely magne...

Visit Bolinas, Marin County, California

New England surf might not be on your radar — but it should be. Ruggles serves up solid point breaks over reef and rock, delivering powerful, clean lines when the swell is right. It's a spot that commands respect and rewards the seasoned surfer with ...

Ruggles Surf Guide

Remote, raw, and ridiculously beautiful. Just getting here is an adventure, with a scenic trail through the forest opening up to a wild Pacific coast. It’s not always consistent, but when the swell shows up, it’s pure magic. This one’s for the soul s...

Second Beach — Washington Trails Association

Classic SoCal charm meets consistent, rideable waves at Cardiff Reef. It’s a community favorite with long, peeling waves that suit every level — from stylish longboarders to confident shortboarders. Bonus points for the dreamy sunsets and post-surf b...

Guide to Cardiff-by-the-Sea Beaches | Official San Diego, Ca. Travel Resource

🌙 Off the Radar: Surf Spots for Soul Seekers

If you're like me and crave the kind of surf sessions that feed your soul — away from the big crowds and full of natural beauty — this is your list. These beaches aren’t always on the tourist map, but they offer powerful moments, unexpected swell, an...

La Push – First Beach (Washington)

First Beach - La Push

A crescent-shaped jewel surrounded by emerald mountains. Hanalei is mellow in the summer and wild in the winter. Surf here is a feeling — a gentle rhythm or a roaring heartbeat, depending on the season.

Hanalei Bay Resort: Tropical Vacation Rentals Kauai

Nestled inside Oswald West State Park, this cove is pure Pacific Northwest magic. You’ll hike through a mossy forest, then find perfect peaks breaking in the mist. Bring a thermos and take your time.

Oswald West State Park

New York’s favorite underground surf spot. Ditch Plains feels like a coastal paradox — rugged cliffs, rolling waves, and hipster surf culture all rolled into one sunrise session.

Ditch Plains Beach | East Hampton Town, NY

Okay, it’s not in the U.S., but I had to include it. If you’re ever hopping out of the country, this dreamy left-hand point break is gentle, glassy, and perfect for longboarders. Plus: turtles.

Barbados Surf Spots