Best places to learn to surf

Who doesn’t dream of being able to stand up effortlessly on a wave, admirers on the beach gazing at your prowess and muscle tone? It’s a lovely thought, and we’re here to make it happen.

Learning to surf isn’t easy, and not all breaks are created equal, with some beaches being far easier for beginners than others. The following destinations are the best for learning the art of surfing, with mellow waves, gentle swell, and a laid-back attitude so that you can wobble and fall over without judgement.

Australia

Australia is the place to learn to surf. Not only is the choice of surf beaches immense but they’ve also got the surf culture down pat; it’s nigh impossible not to be won over by the magnetism of Byron Bay. With white sand stretching for miles up the coast, friendly locals, everyone walking around barefoot, and year-round sunshine, the town has kept its infectiously laid-back character and individuality despite being one of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations. In terms of surfing, there are plenty of gentle rollers (particularly off Watego Beach) and surf schools to guide you through the rookie stage. A white, wooden house with a large garden, verandah and outdoor pool, The Atlantic boutique hotel is only a few minutes’ walk from the beach. Byron Beach Resort is an equally atmospheric but more budget-friendly option, with rainforest sounds serenading you from outside your bungalow window.

Costa Rica

Spend a few weeks learning to surf in Costa Rica and the only problem will be adjusting to the real world when you return. This paradisiacal part of Central America is blessed with a Pacific and a Caribbean coastline, both of which enjoy year-round swell. The water is always warm and clear, the sand soft and the palm trees filled with monkeys. There are approximately 300 beaches to choose from, with Tamarindo being one of the most popular surfing spots – fringed by dense jungle and with affordable luxury accommodations. Another – slightly more protected – beach is in the town of Nosara, featuring easily-accessible beachbreaks and a choice of surf schools. Soak your surfing muscles in a rose petal bath in the outdoor tub at La Ramona Charming Hotel in Tamarindo.

California

California, of course. One of the defining places when it comes to surf culture, the West Coast offers waves, good weather, and chilled out surf attitude in spades. The beaches are all beautiful but the most well-known ones are where you’re guaranteed to experience that California surfer vibe. Cowell’s in Santa Cruz is a sheltered cove with calm waters for beginners, La Jolla Shores has mellow waves, dolphins, and friendly sea lions, while Malibu Surfrider Beach is one of the world’s most famous surf breaks, with smaller waves close to the shore. All of the beaches have lifeguards. The colourful, beachside hotel, Beach Street Inn and Suites, is the highest-rated accommodation near Cowell’s Beach in Santa Cruz.

Cornwall

Cornwall is one of the sunniest parts of the UK, with hundreds of Blue Flag beaches that are well-suited to beginners. And the scenery is an added bonus; the beaches are spotless and bordered by grassy cliffs, you can spot dolphins off the coast, and enjoy Cornwall’s signature yellow vanilla ice cream between surf sessions. Porthmeor Beach in St Ives, Watergate in Newquay, Polzeath, and Perranporth are the best surfing spots for newbies. With French windows in each bedroom that open straight onto the sand dunes, St Moritz Hotel is unsurprisingly the highest-rated accommodation in Polzeath.

Portugal

In November 2011, American surfer Garrett McNamara broke the world record for the largest recorded surf when he rode a 78-foot wave at Nazaré, Portugal. Needless to say that Nazaré has a strong surf culture, although not all the waves are giants. For beginners, summer is the time to go, as winter waves are bigger and require more experience. During the warmer months, the swell is consistent and safe wherever you go, from Porto in the north, Peniche in the middle, Ericeira and Cascais in the South and all the way down to the Algarve. Stay at Fatima House, just a few minutes from the beach in Nazaré.