Best Places To Score For Your Fall Surf Trip
So long summer, it’s been great. The holidays were good, the warm weather appreciated, the longer days rinsed. However, as Fall approaches, with the warmth fading, but new winter swells approaching, it’s time to book a fall surf trip. Airfares and accommodation prices start to drop, and the options open up around the world. Choose between continents, barrels, pointbreaks, warm water, cold water, lux resorts, remote camps, hardcore or chic, the options are endless. That’s why we’ve narrowed them down here.
Southwest France
Did you hear that? That was the crack of the Hossegor beachbreaks, as a freshly minted fall swell smacked against the sandbanks accumulated over a long, hot summer. From September, storms queue up in the North Atlantic, whilst high pressure systems hover over the land, creating sunny skies and cool mornings with offshore breezes. Surfers of all abilities can choose from bone-rattling beachbreaks around Hossegor or find safe harbour in protected bays and pointbreaks near the chic surf villages of Biarritz and Guethary. There are accommodation options ranging from your own van, affordable camping, tidy surf camps with coaching and equipment or high-end villas with infinity pools. And that’s before we get to the food and wine. Whack it on the bucket list, now!
Southwest France
Did you hear that? That was the crack of the Hossegor beachbreaks, as a freshly minted fall swell smacked against the sandbanks accumulated over a long, hot summer. From September, storms queue up in the North Atlantic, whilst high pressure systems hover over the land, creating sunny skies and cool mornings with offshore breezes. Surfers of all abilities can choose from bone-rattling beachbreaks around Hossegor or find safe harbour in protected bays and pointbreaks near the chic surf villages of Biarritz and Guethary. There are accommodation options ranging from your own van, affordable camping, tidy surf camps with coaching and equipment or high-end villas with infinity pools. And that’s before we get to the food and wine. Whack it on the bucket list, now!
Salina Cruz, Mexico
Sure, this part of the Mexican coast lights up in the summer south swells. But like bees to honey, both surfers and tourists are coming in increasing numbers around this time of year. As the summer season wanes, you’ll see a drop in the crowds, leaving the (regularish) late season healthy, long-period swells south swells to fewer surfers. The number and quality of right points don’t change, but the accommodation and flight prices do drop. It’s worth flagging that a hurricane (the peak season is September) can throw either a serious storm stick in the wheels or a high-energy swell and sand grinding barrels, and stronger gap wind events do happen, but post-summer in this awesome part of the Mex coast can still deliver in the shoulder season.
Portugal
The Portugal tourism board claims the country cops more than 300 days of sunshine a year. We’d argue there are even more days of waves. However, summer can feature strong onshore northerly winds and, increasingly, boiling temperatures. Winter has consistent swell, but storms that can send you indoors for weeks at a time. The sweet spot? September through to November. The first of the north-west winter swells start to arrive, but are often met by pleasant, summer-like temperatures and softer sea breezes. The surf hubs of Faro and Sagres, Lisbon and Ericeira, Peniche, Nazare and Porto (a stretch of less than 500 miles) all start to deliver consistent waves across the range of beaches, reefbreaks and pointbreaks. With the surfing infrastructure world-class, incredible cuisine, vibrant nightlife and (almost) friendly locals, Portugal is more than a surf trip, it’s a cultural experience.
The Mentawais Islands
“The shoulder and off-season are my favourite times to surf in the Mentawais,” said Steve “Sooly” Sewell, who has run boat charters in the Indonesian archipelago for two decades. “Less crowds, lighter winds, and, for punters, lower prices. It’s seriously underrated.” The Mentawais Islands have carved a reputation in the surfing world for having an unsurpassed quality and quantity of reef breaks. Yet most of the focus has always been around the prime surf season that runs from June to September, when the Indian Ocean provides the most consistent long-period swells. The iconic surf film “September Sessions” had its name for a reason. However, more and more surfers, especially those who aren’t looking for large or powerful waves, are booking surf trips in the shoulder and offseason that runs from October to January. Heading there at this stage helps with two of the biggest issues: the cost and the crowds. With the chain’s 70 islands offering more than 100 world-class waves, it’s still a place where you can score perfect waves, with just you and your mates out.
Barbados
From the start of October, or the end of the hurricane season in the Caribbean, solid ground swells start to hit the island. The East Coast tends to receive this front on and Soup Bowls can work it’s miracles. Kelly Slater once called this surf spot his favourite wave in the world, and it’s said he knows a thing or two about surfing. If the swells are strong, they can also start wrapping into the north, west, and south coasts of the island. Waves like Freights Bay on the South Coast are perfect for beginners. Others, like Tropicana on the north side break over sharp, shallow reefs and need expert tube riding. The weather, rather obviously, is warm, though not as warm as the water and there is a mix of accommodations from platinum luxury to basic surf camps. Add the friendly locals, the local rum, the excellent fish, and this isn’t just a surf trip, it’s a portal to being a better surfer.