Best surfing destinations in Oceania
Best surfing destinations in Oceania
Famous reef breaks and heavy wave barrels in Oceania
Oceania holds some of the most storied waves in surfing, with Australia alone home to enough famous breaks to fill a lifetime of trips.
Bells Beach in Victoria hosts the longest running surfing competition in the world, and its powerful, reef influenced waves have shaped the sport's history for decades. The Gold Coast's Superbank offers a very different style, a long, fast right hand point break that can run for hundreds of meters on the right swell. Margaret River in Western Australia adds a more remote option, with cold water and heavy reef breaks that regularly host world tour events. New Zealand's Raglan is known for one of the longest left hand point breaks anywhere, drawing surfers to the North Island specifically for it. Fiji rounds things out with Cloudbreak, a world class reef pass usually reached by boat from nearby Tavarua Island.
Conditions can shift fast at reef breaks in particular, so checking with a local surf shop before paddling out is always worth doing.
Lists by region
Country
Fiji
Tropical paradise with diverse landscapes
Warm water rolls over coral reefs off Tavarua island. Cloudbreak, about a mile offshore, is a powerful left that many surfers rank among the world's best waves. The island has seven main breaks, so skill levels are covered. Boats carry surfers out to the lineup each morning.
Town in Australia
Byron Bay
Bohemian Beaches and Laid-Back Vibes
The Pass, Wategos and Cosy Corner draw surfers to this stretch of coast. Longboarders found these natural breaks in the 1960s and helped turn the town into a traveller stop. Beginners can book lessons on gentle waves. Experienced surfers chase swell near Cape Byron, where the lighthouse overlooks the lineup.
Region in Australia
Victoria
Diverse Landscapes and Cultural Richness
The Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach began in January 1962. It is called the world's longest continuously running pro surfing competition. It takes place at Easter. Bells lies 5 kilometres southwest of Torquay on the Great Ocean Road. Nearby Winkipop often works better in varied conditions.
City in Australia
Gold Coast
Sun, Surf and Adventure
Since 1995, sand pumped from the Tweed River mouth has helped build the Superbank. This wave runs about 2 kilometres from Snapper Rocks to Kirra, with several barrel sections along the way. On good days over 500 surfers crowd the lineup. Paddle out early to find space.
Overseas Territory in France
French Polynesia
Paradise of Crystal Clear Lagoons
The village of Teahupo'o on Tahiti's southeast coast hosted Olympic surfing in 2024. Its name loosely means place of skulls. The wave breaks over a reef only about 20 inches below the surface. It closes out over dry coral, so only experts should paddle out.
City in Australia
Sydney
Where urban life meets stunning beaches
The Manly-Freshwater World Surfing Reserve covers 4 kilometres of coast. Kelly Slater dedicated it in 2012. Duke Kahanamoku showed surfing at Freshwater in the 1910s. Manly Life Saving Club formed in 1904. City beaches here offer waves within easy reach of ferries, cafes and the downtown skyline.
Region in Australia
Margaret River
Coastal charm meets world‑class wineries
Competitors and fans gather each April at Surfers Point in Prevelly for the Margaret River Pro, held since 1985. In 2018 shark attacks moved later rounds to Uluwatu in Indonesia. Powerful Indian Ocean swells roll towards Western Australia. Watch the forecast and the water closely.
Region in New Zealand
North Island
Geothermal Wonders and Māori Culture
Raglan's left-hand point breaks include Manu Bay, Whale Bay and Indicators. Indicators runs up to 600 metres, more than six American football fields. Manu Bay appeared in the 1966 film The Endless Summer. Together these waves make Raglan, on the Waikato coast, a long-ride favourite.
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