Surf by month

Where to surf in August

August is much like July: Indonesia and the Pacific side of Central America are at their best, and Europe is warm, busy and usually small. Mentawai boats and camps are fully booked months ahead.

Zones at their best12
Also good3
Out of season15

Plan a surf trip for August

August at a glance

Zone	Country	August	Flight from Europe	Daily budget
Central Puntarenas	Costa Rica	Prime	11-14h	$40/day
Golfo Dulce	Costa Rica	Prime	11-14h	$40/day
Golfo de Nicoya	Costa Rica	Prime	11-14h	$40/day
Bali	Indonesia	Prime	16-20h	$28/day
Java	Indonesia	Prime	16-20h	$28/day
Lombok	Indonesia	Prime	16-20h	$28/day
Mentawai Islands	Indonesia	Prime	16-20h	$28/day
Sumatra-Nias	Indonesia	Prime	16-20h	$28/day
Sumba & Rote	Indonesia	Prime	16-20h	$28/day
Sumbawa	Indonesia	Prime	16-20h	$28/day
Southwest Panama	Panama	Prime	12-15h	$30/day
West Panamá Province	Panama	Prime	12-15h	$30/day
Guanacaste	Costa Rica	Good	11-14h	$40/day
Limón	Costa Rica	Good	11-14h	$40/day
Bocas del Toro	Panama	Good	12-15h	$30/day

At their best in August

Central Puntarenas, Costa Rica · Prime

Aug-Oct: Peak, most consistent S-SW swell, and the wettest, greenest months.

11-14h flight from Europe · from $40/day · 7 beginner spots

Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica · Prime

Jul-Sep: Peak S-SW power, Pavones at its best, but the wettest, road-washing months.

11-14h flight from Europe · from $40/day · 4 beginner spots

Cabo Matapalo 4 spots
Pavones & the south 5 spots

Golfo de Nicoya, Costa Rica · Prime

Aug-Oct: Peak S-SW swell, most consistent and biggest, but the wettest months.

11-14h flight from Europe · from $40/day · 5 beginner spots

Bali, Indonesia · Prime

Jul-Aug: Peak everything: waves, crowds and prices, book ahead.

16-20h flight from Europe · from $28/day · 2 beginner spots

Uluwatu 7 spots
Canggu 7 spots
East Bali 7 spots
West Bali 2 spots
Nusa Lembongan 3 spots

Java, Indonesia · Prime

Jun-Aug: G-Land at full power with all-day offshores.

16-20h flight from Europe · from $28/day · 2 beginner spots

Lombok, Indonesia · Prime

May-Sep: Dry season: everything works, Deserts possible, trades offshore in the bays.

16-20h flight from Europe · from $28/day · 2 beginner spots

Desert Point 1 spots
Kuta Lombok 9 spots

Mentawai Islands, Indonesia · Prime

Jun-Aug: Peak season: maximum swell, maximum boats, book long ahead.

16-20h flight from Europe · from $28/day

Playgrounds (North) 8 spots
South Mentawai 8 spots

Sumatra-Nias, Indonesia · Prime

Jun-Aug: Peak power at Lagundri and Krui, the classic window.

16-20h flight from Europe · from $28/day · 1 beginner spot

Sumba & Rote, Indonesia · Prime

May-Sep: Trades offshore all season, T-Land and Occy's at their best.

16-20h flight from Europe · from $28/day

West Sumba 3 spots
Rote (Nemberala) 3 spots

Sumbawa, Indonesia · Prime

May-Sep: Dry season standard: consistent swell, offshore mornings.

16-20h flight from Europe · from $28/day

West Sumbawa 4 spots
Lakey Peak (Hu'u) 5 spots

Southwest Panama, Panama · Prime

Jul-Sep: Peak roaring-forties swell, biggest and most consistent, but wettest.

12-15h flight from Europe · from $30/day · 1 beginner spot

Morro Negrito 5 spots
Santa Catalina 2 spots

West Panamá Province, Panama · Prime

Jul-Sep: Peak S-SW season, best NZ lows send the optimum ~210° swell; onshore afternoons.

12-15h flight from Europe · from $30/day · 3 beginner spots

Rio Mar & the coast 10 spots
Panama City breaks 5 spots

Also good in August

Guanacaste, Costa Rica · Good

Aug-Oct: Peak SW swell and empty line-ups, but the wettest, muddiest roads.

11-14h flight from Europe · from $40/day · 5 beginner spots

Limón, Costa Rica · Good

Jul-Aug: A reliable mid-year mini-season, July the safer bet for swell.

11-14h flight from Europe · from $40/day · 3 beginner spots

Limón & the north 7 spots
Puerto Viejo & the south 6 spots

Bocas del Toro, Panama · Good

Jun-Aug: A reliable mid-year mini-season, July the safer bet.

12-15h flight from Europe · from $30/day · 2 beginner spots

Isla Colón 4 spots
Bastimentos & the outer isles 2 spots

Where beginners can surf in August

These zones are in season in August and have the most beginner-friendly spots:

Central Puntarenas, Costa Rica: Playitas, Playa Matapalo and Dominicalito
Golfo de Nicoya, Costa Rica: Playa Coyote, Playa Santa Teresa and Playa Carmen (Mal País)
Guanacaste, Costa Rica: Playa Grande, Tamarindo and Ostional
Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica: Playa Carate, Pan Dulce and Playa Zancudo
West Panamá Province, Panama: Hawaiisito (Little Hawaii), Panamá La Vieja and Mojon Beach
Limón, Costa Rica: Westfalia, Playa Negra (Cahuita) and Playa Cocles

Out of season in August

Côte Basque (France), Finistère (Brittany) (France), Gironde (France), Landes (Hossegor) (France), Azores (Portugal), Lisbon Coast (Portugal), Madeira (Portugal), Porto & the North (Portugal), The Algarve (Portugal), Asturias (Spain), Basque Country (Spain), Fuerteventura (Spain), Galicia (Spain), Lanzarote (Spain) and Ericeira (Portugal) are in their quiet months. Check each country's season guide before booking.

Surfing in August: common questions

Where is the best place to surf in August?

In August the zones at their best are Central Puntarenas (Costa Rica), Golfo Dulce (Costa Rica), Golfo de Nicoya (Costa Rica), Bali (Indonesia), Java (Indonesia) and Lombok (Indonesia), among 12 in total.

Is August a good month to surf in Europe?

Not really. August is outside the main season on the European Atlantic coast, which is usually small and busy. Long-haul destinations are the better bet.

Where can beginners surf in August?

Good options are Central Puntarenas in Costa Rica, Golfo de Nicoya in Costa Rica, Guanacaste in Costa Rica and Golfo Dulce in Costa Rica.

Where is the cheapest place to surf in August?

Among the zones in season, the lowest daily budgets are in Indonesia (from $28 a day). Flights make a big difference, so compare the total in the planner.

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