World's best surf spots

WideWorld's pick of the top surf breaks around the planet

Here at WideWorld we love to inspire you to try new adventures, whether it be heading to some far-flung corner of the planet or attempting a new outdoor sport. Last year we sent one of our writers to learn to surf on the US Gulf Coast. We also gave you the basics in our How to... surf article. Now we bring you our pick of the top surf destinations on the planet. Not for the faint-hearted, these are places where tides, sand bars, rocks and swells conspire to create the best waves in the world.

Chicama, Peru

Chicama stakes the claim to the 'longest wave in the world.' A small coastal town in the northwestern part of the country, about 560 km north of Lima by air, Chicama boasts a break that is, thankfully, fairly hard to access and so you're not going to find hundreds of people vying for space. Waves break along the cape and experienced boarders can ride all the way to the pier. According to the Globalsurfers website, this is around 1.62 miles and if you manage to stay up the entire time, it equates to between two and four minutes of constant surfing. Apparently ancestors of native Peruvians first started surfing on boards made of reeds thousands of years ago. Chicama promises great waves all year round but the most consistent surf is between March and October.

Stay: at the luxurious Chicama Surf Resort (www.chicamasurfresort.com)

Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Tamarindo, on Costa Rica's north west Pacific coast, was made famous by the surf film, Endless Summer II. Before that, it was just another small, quiet (albeit beautiful) fishing village. Now its white sand beaches, incredible surf and breathtaking sunsets are popular with both serious boarders and tourists.

Stay: Tamarindo Beach Rentals (www.tamarindobeachrentals.com)

Jeffreys Bay, South Africa

Jeffreys Bay, commonly known as “J-Bay” has some of the most consistent waves on the planet and a point that creates rides of up to 800m in length. Wave season at J-Bay is from June to August but the swell that comes out of the south can reach the coast as early as April. Be warned, though, at the height of the season this place gets crowded (it also plays host to the annual Billabong Pro ASP World Tour surfing event in July) but you can still surf here in winter with a 3mm wetsuit. So what's the downside? Well, in addition to surfers J-Bay is also home to an alarming number of Great White sharks and sightings are common. Just remember that old trick and punch it on the nose if it gets too close (we're joking).

Stay: Diaz 15, House on the Bay (www.diaz15.co.za)

North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii

Quite literally the Mecca of surfing. These glassy winter waves are simply massive (read: scary) at the birthplace of the sport, and it's little wonder why this place attracts the best athletes in the world. Oahu's North Shore beaches stretch for more than seven miles and the winter months (November to February) are the best times to watch (or, if you're brave enough take part) in big wave surfing. But these monsters can often rise up to 30 feet.

Stay: Turtle Bay Resort (expensive, but incredible – www.turtlebayresort.com)

Huntington Beach, U.S.A.

Locals learn to surf more or less as soon as they can walk at California's Huntington Beach. While there have been some negative reports about its redevelopment and how it's lost some of its charm, none of that can change the waves. Huntington Beach is surf city USA and a paradise for novices and professionals alike. As with the North Shore, the best time to come to Huntington in search of the perfect wave is in the winter. And when you do, light up a fire in one of the beach's many purpose-built fire rings, get out the guitar, and wait until sun-up when you can hit the waves all over again.

Stay: Huntington Surf Inn – where else! (www.huntingtonsurfinn.com)

Surfers Paradise Beach, Gold Coast, Australia

Voted one of the best beaches in the world by the American Travel Channel, Surfers' – as it's known – is also, understandably, one of the busiest Australian destinations. But it's unparalleled when it comes to surf conditions. The Pacific swells are best attempted between March and June and then between September and December and you can expect waves up to 12 feet.

Stay: Watermark Hotel and Spa (www.watermarkhotelgoldcoast.com.au)

Papara Beach, Tahiti

Paddle out from Tahiti's Papara Beach and you'll find some fantastically consistent surf due to its reef break and exposed beach. But take a short boat cruise out and you'll meet the monsters that made this place what it is today – some as big as 20 feet. November to April is the best time to visit when it enjoys offshore winter winds.

Stay: Hitimoana Villa (http://hitimoanavilla.com)

Lahinch, County Clare, Ireland

To mark the 40th anniversary of iconic surfing documentary, Endless Summer, USA Today interviewed surfing coach Rob Barber about his favourite surf breaks. Near the top was Lahinch in Ireland's County Clare. “It's the most awesome big wave to be discovered in recent surfing history," Barber told the paper. Surfers need to be towed below the Moher Cliffs by jet-ski, but if you can deal with the faff of doing that, you're in for a treat.

Stay: The Shamrock Inn (www.shamrockinn.ie)

Mentawai Islands, Indonesia

The Mentawais are a chain of about 70 islands off the west coast of Sumatra in Indonesia. And surfers from all over the world board charter boats and ferries to ride the swells amongst this breathtaking scenery. Head to the Metawais Islands between March and October – but the biggest swells will occur in late summer. The best waves include Bankvaults and Macaronis.

Stay: on the boat

Santa Catarina, Brazil

Known as 'Florianopolis', Santa Catarina island is one of the country’s most visited tourist spots – specifically because of the gorgeous beaches, great beach resorts and amazing surf. There is a huge variety of waves to choose from, but try Joaquina Beach which has been popular with riders since the 1970s.

Stay: Costao do Santinho resort and spa (www.costao.com.br)