Best surfing destinations in Asia
Best surfing destinations in Asia
World-class reef breaks and consistent tropical wave zones across Asia
Asia holds some of the most famous waves anywhere, spread across a region large enough to offer everything from beginner friendly breaks to demanding reef passes.
Indonesia sits at the center of it all, with Bali's Uluwatu drawing surfers of every level, while the Mentawai Islands further out require a boat charter to reach some of the most consistent reef breaks anywhere. The Philippines has built its own reputation around Siargao, home to the famous Cloud 9 wave and a surf town that has grown up entirely around it. Sri Lanka offers a gentler introduction, with Arugam Bay known for long, forgiving point breaks well suited to less experienced surfers. Japan surprises many visitors too, with a real surf culture along its Pacific coast, including Tsurigasaki Beach in Chiba, which hosted surfing at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Board rental and lessons are easy to find at most of these spots, even for travelers who have never stood on a board before.
Lists by region
Island in Philippines
Siargao
Philippines' untouched surfing paradise
Cloud 9 is a right breaking reef wave with thick hollow tubes. Photographer John Seaton Callahan named it after a chocolate bar. Surfer magazine featured it in March 1993. Crowds earned it the nickname Crowd 9. Offshore winds blow from August to December during the southwest monsoon.
Region in Indonesia
Bali
Tropical beaches, vibrant culture and adventure
A 1971 film called Morning of the Earth put Uluwatu on the surf map in 1972. The outer reef Bombie can reach 20 feet on bigger swell days. Pura Luhur Uluwatu stands 70 metres up on the rock at the tip of the peninsula. The best months are May to October.
City in Japan
Chiba
Suspended monorail, port tower and bay views
Surfing made its Olympic debut at Tsurigasaki Beach in Ichinomiya. Ítalo Ferreira and Carissa Moore won the gold medals in 2021. Locals call the beach Shida. Its piers make lefts and rights and the rights tend to work best. Chiba shines from late August to October.
Island in Indonesia
Java
Vibrant capital city and ancient temples
G-Land breaks along half a kilometre of shallow coral reef in Alas Purwo National Park. Its sections include Kongs, Moneytrees and Speedies. Speedies is the heaviest wave there. Consistent waves run from mid April to mid October. Boat charters from Bali are the usual way in.
Town in Sri Lanka
Arugam Bay
Sri Lanka’s Surf and Sunrise Haven
Main Point is a classic right hand reef point with rides of 50 to 150 metres. On good days a ride can run past 400 metres. The main season runs from April to September. The bay is the only international surf competition venue in Sri Lanka. Crowds peak from June to August.
Country
Maldives
Coral atolls, lagoons and overwater villas
Australian surfer Tony Hinde was shipwrecked on a Maldivian reef in December 1973. He named the waves and kept them secret for about 15 years. In 1989 he founded the country's first surf operation at Pasta Point. Water stays between 28 and 30 degrees Celsius so no wetsuit is needed.
Island in Indonesia
Mentawai Islands
Surfer's paradise with tribal culture
Chris Goodnow, Scott Wakefield and Tony Fitzpatrick found Macaronis in 1980. Lance's Right was found about ten years later. Photos leaked after a 1992 trip aboard the MV Indies Trader. The islands lie about 150 kilometres off the coast of Sumatra. Over 40 charter boats take surfers to waves up to 15 feet.
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