Surf by month
Where to surf in September
September is one of the best months of the year for choice. Indonesia still has good swell with fewer people, and the first autumn swells start reaching Europe's Atlantic coast while the water is still warm.
- Zones at their best12
- Also good15
- Out of season3
September at a glance
| Zone | Country | September | 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 |
| Finistère (Brittany) | France | Prime | 2h | $25/day |
| Lombok | Indonesia | Prime | 16-20h | $28/day |
| Mentawai Islands | 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 |
| Porto & the North | Portugal | Prime | 2-3h | $25/day |
| Galicia | Spain | Prime | 2h | $20/day |
| Guanacaste | Costa Rica | Good | 11-14h | $40/day |
| Côte Basque | France | Good | 2h | $25/day |
| Gironde | France | Good | 2h | $25/day |
| Landes (Hossegor) | France | Good | 2h | $25/day |
| Bali | Indonesia | Good | 16-20h | $28/day |
| Java | Indonesia | Good | 16-20h | $28/day |
| Sumatra-Nias | Indonesia | Good | 16-20h | $28/day |
| Azores | Portugal | Good | 2-3h | $25/day |
| Ericeira | Portugal | Good | 2-3h | $25/day |
| Lisbon Coast | Portugal | Good | 2-3h | $25/day |
| The Algarve | Portugal | Good | 2-3h | $25/day |
| Asturias | Spain | Good | 2h | $20/day |
| Basque Country | Spain | Good | 2h | $20/day |
| Fuerteventura | Spain | Good | 2h | $20/day |
| Lanzarote | Spain | Good | 2h | $20/day |
At their best in September
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
- 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
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
- Mal País & Santa Teresa 6 spots
- Puntarenas & the river lefts 3 spots
- Jacó & Playa Hermosa 6 spots
Finistère (Brittany), France · Prime
Sep-Apr: Wide swell window catches groundswell from most directions.
2h flight from Europe · from $25/day · 2 beginner spots
- Crozon Peninsula 4 spots
- Pointe du Raz & South 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
Sep-Oct: Still good swell, fewer boats.
16-20h flight from Europe · from $28/day
- Playgrounds (North) 8 spots
- South Mentawai 8 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
Porto & the North, Portugal · Prime
Sep-Apr: Consistent swell from multiple directions, cold but reliable.
2-3h flight from Europe · from $25/day
- Porto Coast 5 spots
- Viana do Castelo 3 spots
Galicia, Spain · Prime
Sep-Apr: Wide-open Atlantic swell window, consistent and powerful.
2h flight from Europe · from $20/day · 2 beginner spots
- Ferrolterra 2 spots
- Costa da Morte 2 spots
Also good in September
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
- Witch's Rock & Ollie's Point 2 spots
- Tamarindo 3 spots
- Nosara & the south 5 spots
Côte Basque, France · Good
Apr-Jun, Sep: Reliable swell, festival season starts in October.
2h flight from Europe · from $25/day · 3 beginner spots
- Biarritz & Anglet 4 spots
- Guéthary & Hendaye 4 spots
Gironde, France · Good
Apr-Jun, Sep: Reliable swell, milder crowds.
2h flight from Europe · from $25/day · 3 beginner spots
- Lacanau & Le Porge 3 spots
- Cap Ferret & Le Verdon 4 spots
Landes (Hossegor), France · Good
Apr-Jun, Sep: Reliable swell, milder crowds.
2h flight from Europe · from $25/day · 1 beginner spot
- Hossegor & Capbreton 3 spots
- Seignosse & Vieux-Boucau 3 spots
Bali, Indonesia · Good
Sep-Oct: Still good waves, fewer people in the water.
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 · Good
Sep-Oct: Still world-class, camps wind down, deals appear.
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
Sumatra-Nias, Indonesia · Good
Sep-Oct: Clean swells continue, crowds drop off.
16-20h flight from Europe · from $28/day · 1 beginner spot
- Nias / Lagundri Bay 5 spots
- Krui / Lampung 7 spots
- Simeulue 2 spots
Azores, Portugal · Good
Apr-Jun, Sep: More settled weather, still decent swell.
2-3h flight from Europe · from $25/day · 2 beginner spots
- São Miguel 3 spots
- Terceira 5 spots
Ericeira, Portugal · Good
Mar-Apr, Sep: Reliable swell, milder water, shoulder-season crowds.
2-3h flight from Europe · from $25/day · 1 beginner spot
- Ribeira d'Ilhas & Coxos 3 spots
- Ericeira Town & South 3 spots
Lisbon Coast, Portugal · Good
Apr-May, Sep: Reliable swell, warming water, fewer crowds.
2-3h flight from Europe · from $25/day · 5 beginner spots
- Cascais & Estoril 8 spots
- Costa da Caparica 2 spots
- Nazaré 1 spots
The Algarve, Portugal · Good
May, Sep: Warmer water, still decent swell, shoulder-season crowds.
2-3h flight from Europe · from $25/day · 5 beginner spots
- Costa Vicentina 4 spots
- Sagres & Lagos 5 spots
Asturias, Spain · Good
Apr-Jun, Sep: Reliable swell, milder crowds.
2h flight from Europe · from $20/day · 2 beginner spots
- Gijón & Central Coast 7 spots
- Tapia & West Asturias 2 spots
Basque Country, Spain · Good
Apr-Jun, Sep: Reliable swell, milder crowds.
2h flight from Europe · from $20/day · 2 beginner spots
- Mundaka & Bizkaia 3 spots
- Zarautz & Gipuzkoa 2 spots
Fuerteventura, Spain · Good
Apr-Jun, Sep: Smaller swell, still warm and windy.
2h flight from Europe · from $20/day
- The North Track 6 spots
- South Coast 4 spots
Lanzarote, Spain · Good
May-Jun, Sep: Smaller swell, still warm and windy.
2h flight from Europe · from $20/day · 1 beginner spot
- Famara Bay 3 spots
- North Coast Reefs 4 spots
Where beginners can surf in September
These zones are in season in September 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
- Lisbon Coast, Portugal: Carcavelos, São Pedro do Estoril and Praia das Maçãs
- The Algarve, Portugal: Amado, Zavial and Tonel
- Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica: Playa Carate, Pan Dulce and Playa Zancudo
Out of season in September
Limón (Costa Rica), Bocas del Toro (Panama) and Madeira (Portugal) are in their quiet months. Check each country's season guide before booking.
Surfing in September: common questions
Where is the best place to surf in September?
In September the zones at their best are Central Puntarenas (Costa Rica), Golfo Dulce (Costa Rica), Golfo de Nicoya (Costa Rica), Finistère (Brittany) (France), Lombok (Indonesia) and Mentawai Islands (Indonesia), among 12 in total.
Where can I surf in Europe in September?
14 European zones are in season in September: Finistère (Brittany), Porto & the North, Galicia, Côte Basque, Gironde and Landes (Hossegor).
Where can beginners surf in September?
Good options are Central Puntarenas in Costa Rica, Golfo de Nicoya in Costa Rica, Guanacaste in Costa Rica and Lisbon Coast in Portugal.
Where is the cheapest place to surf in September?
Among the zones in season, the lowest daily budgets are in Spain (from $20 a day). Flights make a big difference, so compare the total in the planner.
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