Surf by month
Where to surf in July
July is Indonesia's busiest month, with the most reliable swell and the biggest crowds. Southern swells keep the Pacific coast of Central America working, while most of Europe's Atlantic coast is small and crowded with holidaymakers.
- Zones at their best12
- Also good3
- Out of season15
July at a glance
| Zone | Country | July | 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 July
Central Puntarenas, Costa Rica · Prime
May-Jul: Green season S-SW groundswell fires Dominical and the points; offshore mornings.
11-14h flight from Europe · from $40/day · 7 beginner spots
- Quepos & Manuel Antonio 6 spots
- Dominical & Uvita 6 spots
- Osa & the far south 3 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
May-Jul: Green season SW groundswell fires the points and beachbreaks; offshore mornings.
11-14h flight from Europe · from $40/day · 5 beginner spots
- Mal País & Santa Teresa 6 spots
- Puntarenas & the river lefts 3 spots
- Jacó & Playa Hermosa 6 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
- West Java 7 spots
- Pangandaran / Batu Karas 2 spots
- G-Land (Grajagan) 4 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
- Nias / Lagundri Bay 5 spots
- Krui / Lampung 7 spots
- Simeulue 2 spots
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 July
Guanacaste, Costa Rica · Good
May-Jul: Green season begins; bigger SW groundswell, afternoon showers, fewer crowds.
11-14h flight from Europe · from $40/day · 5 beginner spots
- Witch's Rock & Ollie's Point 2 spots
- Tamarindo 3 spots
- Nosara & the south 5 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 July
These zones are in season in July 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 July
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 July: common questions
Where is the best place to surf in July?
In July 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 July a good month to surf in Europe?
Not really. July 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 July?
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 July?
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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