Last updated on March 18th, 2024 at 06:02 pm
If you are looking for a place to surf in August, you came to the right place. In this post, you will find our list of destinations offering excellent surf conditions in August.
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About Surfing in August
There are many good surf destinations in the world, but not all of them work simultaneously. Each one has its own characteristics and surf season. Therefore, when planning your trip, it is crucial to know not only where to go but also when to go. If you succeed in that, you will score the waves you dream about.
August is the peak of summer in the northern half of the globe. At this time of year, the south swell sends consistent waves to various surf destinations, making August an excellent month for a surf adventure.
So, in detail, these are our top choices for a place to surf in August:
The 10 Best Places to Surf in August
1. Fiji:
Far in the South Pacific, Fiji is a spectacular destination for surfing in August. This is the time of year when you can score giant swells with massive power. To clarify, Fiji is not a place for beginners. The waves are hollow, and the reefs are extremely sharp. For advanced surfers, it is an absolute paradise and a perfect opportunity to get barreled. However, you must have good surfing skills to handle these kinds of waves.
The most famous surf spot in Fiji is Cloudbreak, but there are many other amazing ones. Between April and October, the swell is big and consistent on a daily basis. In the rest of the year, the surf is still up, but with less power and size, which is an excellent opportunity for intermediate surfers to enjoy the magic of the island.
For details about surf camps in Fiji, please click here.
2. Playa Venao, Panama:
The Pacific Coast of Panama offers excellent surf conditions in August. The water is warm, the swells are consistent, and the lineups are much less crowded than other surf destinations.
The beach break at Playa Venao is one of the best surf spots in the country. It is not easy to get here, as it requires a 6-hour drive from the airport on a pretty bumpy road. However, once you arrive you will have the whole bay almost to yourself. The waves are suitable for all skill levels, the bottom is sandy, and there are plenty of breaks to both the right and left sides. When the swell is big, you can get epic tube rides.
For details about surf camps in Panama, please click here.
3. The Mentawai Islands:
The Mentawais are located off the Sumatran Coastline in Indonesia. When it comes to surfing, it can’t get any better than the Mentawai Islands, as the waves here are pure perfection. Along these islands, there are several world-class surf breaks, one next to another. Due to the reef shelves that surround the islands, the swells break with incredible shape. Actually, long rides and hollow barrels are an everyday thing here. Forget everything you know about surfing; this is the real deal.
There are two ways to stay in the Mentawais: on a boat or in a resort. Either way, small boats will take you to the different surf spots. The most famous spots are Macaroni’s and Kandui, but there are many other epic ones.
For details about surf camps in the Mentawai Islands, please click here.
4. Santa Catarina, Brazil:
Santa Catarina is Brazil‘s surf capital. It is situated in the southern part of the country, facing the great swells of the Atlantic Ocean. During the Brazilian winter, these swells are big and consistent, making Santa Catarina a wonderful place to surf in August. The selection of surf spots in this area is impressive. You will find all kinds of breaks for any skill level.
Outside of the water, Santa Catarina offers lots of fun for travelers, too. With a happy Brazilian vibe and great nightlife, it is a perfect destination for a surf trip.
For details about surf camps in Brazil, please click here.
5. Playa Grande, Costa Rica:
In the Northern part of Costa Rica, next to the party town Tamarindo, there is a small, quiet town called Playa Grande. This is an ideal place for surfers who want to escape life for a week or two and focus on surfing only. The swell in Playa Grande is consistent year-round, and the waves have a beautiful shape. During high tide, you can get some pretty long rides, and when the tide drops, you will get lovely barreling sections. Playa Grande offers spectacular waves for all skill levels, and it is definitely one of the best spots in the country.
For details about surf camps in Playa Grande, please click here.
6. The South Shores of Hawaii
While the North shores of Hawaii work best during winter, the south shores are exposed to summer south swells. Therefore, if you go on a surf trip in August, that’s where you want to be to score the best waves. In Oahu, for instance, Waikiki Beach has several good breaks during this season. On the Big Island, Pine Trees and Kahalu’u Beach offer fantastic waves. And, of course, there are also incredible surf spots in Maui and Kauai.
For details about surf camps in Hawaii, please click here.
7. Baja California, Mexico:
The Baja area is well-exposed to great swells coming from the Pacific Ocean. On the Northern Coastline, close to the US border, you can find spectacular surf beaches in Rosarito. For instance, Baja Malibu and El Morro offer perfect surf conditions in August. Further south, if the swell is big enough, you can ride incredibly long right-hand waves at Scorpion Bay. And finally, in South Baja, the Los Cabos area provides plenty of surfing opportunities in spots like Nine Palms, Shipwreck, and La Roca.
For details about surf camps in Mexico, please click here.
8. Punta Mango, El Salvador:
Punta Mango is definitely one of the best surf spots in Central America. It produces unbelievable right-hand barrels and long rides. To get to this spot, you must take a boat ride from Las Flores or simply make a 40-minute drive. You can also stay right in front of the break in Hotel Los Mangos. This is a world-class break suitable for advanced surfers only.
For details about surf camps in El Salvador, please click here.
9. Playa Colorado, Nicaragua:
Playa Colorado is definitely one of the best surf spots in Nicaragua and a perfect place to surf in August. On this beach, the waves are powerful and suitable for experienced surfers. Due to its power, surfboards break here pretty often, so bring an extra one. Unfortunately, the access to this beach is only allowed to those staying at the Hacienda Iguana Resort. However, if you are not a guest, any taxi boat will take you to the break.
For details about surf camps in Nicaragua, please click here.
10. Sagres, Portugal:
The Algarve region in South Portugal is a sunny holiday destination with beautiful beaches. Due to its location, the water here is warmer than in the rest of the country, and there is a wide variety of surf spots. Sagres is where you will find most of the breaks. Praya do Martinhal, Tonel, Beliche, and Praya de Luz are the best ones.
For details about surf camps in Portugal, please click here.
Conclusion- A Final Thought
In summary, August is a great time to take a surf vacation. With consistent south swells, many surf destinations are at their best this time of year. While some are mentioned in this article, there are many others to explore.
Before you go, remember to check out our top surf destinations for July and September, and finally, visit our Reef Break Homepage to find more surf destinations around the globe.
We hope you liked this guide to the best places to surf in August. We wish you a great surf adventure!
