Surf guides
Best places to learn to surf
66 beginner-friendly spots in six countries, the months to learn in each and the cheapest week for a beginner.
| Country | Beginner spots | Months to learn | Week from | Cheapest area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Costa Rica | 24 | All year | $717 | Cabo Matapalo |
| Portugal | 13 | May-Sep | $287 | Ericeira Town & South |
| France | 9 | Jun-Sep | $327 | Lacanau & Le Porge |
| Indonesia | 7 | Apr-Oct | $683 | Pangandaran / Batu Karas |
| Spain | 7 | Jun-Sep | $282 | Gijón & Central Coast |
| Panama | 6 | Apr-Oct | $725 | Isla Colón |
Week from: seven nights on a tight budget, with flights from Europe. Lessons are extra.
Learn to surf in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is one of the easiest countries to learn in. Most of the coast is sandy beach break, the water is warm all year and one coast or the other has surf every month. Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula are at their best in the dry season, from December to April, and the beaches of the central and southern Pacific take over from May to November.
Learn to surf in Portugal
You can learn to surf in Portugal in any month, and there are surf schools all along the coast. Summer is the easiest time: smaller swell and the warmest water of the year. Carcavelos and Costa da Caparica are a short train or bus ride from Lisbon, and the Algarve has south-facing bays like Meia Praia that stay small when the west coast is too big.
Learn to surf in France
In France you learn on the long sandy beaches of the Atlantic coast. Summer is the classic time, with small waves, warm water and lifeguards on the main beaches. Biarritz and the Hossegor area have the most surf schools, while Gironde and Brittany are quieter.
Learn to surf in Indonesia
Most of Indonesia's famous waves break over shallow reef, which is why the list for beginners is short. The beginner spots we list break over sand, or over a reef with enough water on it to fall without getting hurt. Kuta Beach in Bali is where most people stand up for the first time: it's busy, but the waves are gentle and the bottom is soft. Java and Lombok are quieter places to keep learning.
Learn to surf in Spain
Northern Spain is a good place to learn in summer, when the Bay of Biscay goes small. Zarautz and Sopelana in the Basque Country are the classic beginner beaches. Asturias and Galicia have more room in the water, and Lanzarote has gentle beach waves in every season.
Learn to surf in Panama
Panama is better known for its reefs and points, but both coasts have friendly waves. The beaches west of Panama City get small, regular surf from April to October and are easy to reach from the capital. In Bocas del Toro, on the Caribbean side, the months to learn are December to March.
Learning to surf: common questions
Where is the easiest place to learn to surf?
Of the countries we cover, Costa Rica has the most beginner-friendly spots (24), with warm water and sandy beaches. Portugal, France and Spain are good in summer, when the Atlantic is small.
Is Indonesia good for learning to surf?
It can be, but choose carefully. Most Indonesian waves break over shallow reef. Stick to sandy spots like Kuta Beach in Bali, or Batu Karas in Java, until you can turn and duck-dive.
Where can I learn to surf in Europe in winter?
The Canary Islands, like Lanzarote, have gentle beach waves and mild water in winter. On the mainland, winter swells in Portugal, France and northern Spain are usually too big for beginners.
Where to surf by month
January · February · March · April · May · June · July · August · September · October · November · December
Last updated October 2026. Seasons, costs and conditions change, so check the details before you book.
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