Top 10 Destinations In Southeast Asia That Surfers Should Add To Their List

"Surfing is very much like making love. It always feels good, no matter how many times you've done it." - Paul Strauch, the Hawaiian graceful surfer and winner of the 1963 Peru International Surfing Championships.

Indeed, if you can’t get enough of the rushing adrenaline while riding along on the peak of a wave, then Southeast Asia might be the place to be. This region offers incredible choices for an oceanic experience. Bali - the Asian version of Hawaii - is the surfing hub in Southeast Asia and home to a thousand miles of island coastline with powerful swell waves and reef breaks, capturing the hearts of surfers from any level. However, you have way more options than that.

If you are planning a trip to Southeast Asia for surfing, follow our guide to explore some of the best beaches for surfing in the whole of Southeast Asia. 

1. Kuta Beach, Bali, Indonesia

Speaking of Balinese surfing, one must mention Kuta Beach, the renowned beach that has been introducing surf culture to the public since the 1930s. Among all the best surfing spots in Bali, Kuta Beach stands out thanks to its wave diversity and high accessibility. It is a tempting destination for many surfing enthusiasts around the world, both pros and newbies who want to experience a fair beach break

It’s most recommended for surfers to pay a visit from May to October, which is the optimum time in the year for waves. The beach also offers both left and right breaks. Surfing classes are plentifully available so it’s no doubt a fitting place to learn for beginners. Additionally, as Kuta Beach is the surfing hub in Bali, it’s useful to remind yourself that it can be quite crowded at certain times. However, you can always find a quiet spot if you walk toward the end of the beach.

2. Uluwatu Beach, Bali, Indonesia

For a quieter retreat than Kuta Beach, the beaches of Uluwatu are truly the gems of Bali. With their cleanliness, photogenicity, and particularly robust waves, surfers may find many reasons to stay excited. For any professional surfer who is looking for a thrill in Bali, Uluwatu Beach is where you may want to end up.

The Uluwatu coastline extends as far as the west side of the Bukit peninsula. As most of the beaches are located below a cliff bank, you wouldn’t be surprised to encounter swift, powerful surfs, plenty of barrel waves, long swells as well as left breaks and right breaks. This is where you’ll be surfing with many local experienced surfers, presenting a perfect opportunity to mingle with the surfing spirit of the Balinese! The generally recommended months for surfing are from April to August.

Besides the great waves, Uluwatu also boasts dynamic cliffs scattered around the area with wonderful sandy beaches below, making it a delightful landscape for you to surf, especially during the spectacular sunset! 

3. My Khe Beach, Da Nang, Vietnam

Considered as one of the Top 10 best beaches in Vietnam, My Khe Beach (also known as China Beach) is no stranger to surfers. As the classic film “Apocalypse Now” has shown, the beach is where surfing first began for Vietnamese people and now has become the most popular surfer hotspot in the country. It holds a prominent position in Vietnamese history: it’s where the US marines first entered the country through the shores and introduced and developed the culture of surfing which is later embraced by the locals. 

Acclaimed by Forbes as one of the six most attractive beaches in the world, the sandy My Khe Beach stretches for around 30 km and is filled with clear five-foot water. There are plenty of dining points and bars scattered along the beach, making it ideal for a snack after a surfing day. While it’s not a secluded spot like Pansea Beach, it still delivers an enjoyable experience for anyone that is looking for casual surfing. Beach break is the most common type of wave in My Khe Beach and is meant for all surfers from all levels. However, it never hurts to stay alert for rips and undertows! 

For many reasons why travelers love Vietnamese beaches, My Khe beach must be one of them. 

4. Siargao Island's Cloud Nine, Philippines

In everyday use, “cloud nine” means feeling extremely happy and elated, but for surfers, the name means more than that. 

Frequently listed in the top 10 surfing sites around the world, Siargao Island is the one that can make your surfing experience feel like you’re at the top of the world. The island’s most recognizable signature is Cloud Nine in the Municipality of General Luna. The name refers to the most renowned and accessible wave break in the Philippines. Featuring clean barrels, wide hollow tubes, and persistent high waves, Cloud Nine has made many international surfers and local surfers alike fall in love with it.

Cloud Nine is also commonly accompanied by its renowned 300-meter boardwalk, from which viewers can enjoy the performance of the surfers. The name also implies multiple meanings in the surfing world. According to some locals, “Cloud Nine” comes from the shape of a “9” that is formed as the wave begins to ascend and breaks, delivering a perfect barrel. Meanwhile, for others, it’s simply explained by the elated sensation that makes them feel like on top of the world during the surfing experience. 

As the host of an annual fierce surfing competition - the Siargao Cup, Siargao Island may be best visited in September as the competition usually takes place during the month.  In any case, whether you’re a casual player or a professional, you’ll ultimately find your water paradise here on Siargao Island.

5. Nihi Sumba Island, Indonesia

For a more exclusive retreat, Nihi Sumba Island is where you want to be. The island harbors one of the most desirable private waves in the world, known as the “God’s Left” or “Occy’s Left”.

God’s Left has left breaking waves that exceed 300 meters with Nihi’s Sumba's beautiful outstretched reef underneath. It is also exclusively preserved for only ten surfers at a time, facilitating a much more private surfing experience. Yet for the most adept surfer, the wave can still pose some challenges in certain conditions depending on tides, size, strength, and direction. It might be tough to catch a ride, but once you make it through, you’ll be lavish in the thrilling 200 to 300m long down the ripple walls and swaying barrels.

While the wave is favored by avid and experienced surfers for decades, beginning surfers are welcome to try their lesson with God’s Left, depending on the wave’s swell. For surfers that prefer some light surfing, calmer waters can be frequently founded at nearby Coconut Cove. The southeastern side of the island also comprises mixed types of waves, ideal for both amateur and professional surfing. 

6. Pansea Beach, Phuket, Thailand

For those that choose a Thailand trip for their love of surfing, Pansea Beach in Phuket should be at the top of the list. Pansea Beach stretches for nearly 400 meters in length on the west coast of Phuket. Situated north of the spectacular Surin Beach, Pansea is separated from Surin with a little rocky cape. The beach is surrounded by an abundance of coconut trees as well as many exotic plants.

While Pansea Beach is commonly assumed to be a private beach owned by both Surin Phuket and Amanpuri Phuket, it is actually free and open to the public. Despite still remaining unknown to many surfers, this hidden little beach may surprise some of the most skilled surfers, frequently providing good wave quality and many tough point breaks. The dry season (from May to October) is usually the best time to go for the waves on this secluded beach. Generally, you will encounter local wind swells, but ground swells also occasionally occur. The optimal wave direction is from the southwest. 

7. Mentawai Islands, Sumatra, Indonesia

Bali is not the only surfing point that should be taken into consideration in Indonesia, but the Mentawai Islands as well. Placed on the west coast of Sumatra, the Mentawais are made up of 70 islands and inlets, attracting swells around the year, and have become one of the most wave-intense spots in the world. Mentawai has everything that a surfer could ask for: Warm and clear water, palm-dense beaches, outstanding right breaks (Lance’s Rights and Rifles) and great hollow lefts (Greenbush and Macaronis). 

The average height of the waves is usually about 1.8 meters while the overall size varies from 0.6 to 3.6 meters. The biggest swell ever recorded in Mentawai is up to more than 4 meters. So whether you are a newbie or a veteran of surfing, the Mentawais has all the things you need. 

The optimal season for surfing in the Mentawais is from March to October/November as this normally marks the dry season in Indonesia. From December to February, the waves are smaller and more soothing, which is more advisable for casual surfers. 

8. Cherating, Pahang, Malaysia

Malaysia may fly under the radar when it comes to surfing, but that doesn’t always have to be the case. A small resort town in Pahang - on the east coast of Malaysia, Cherating is one of the few places that provide good waves and sightseeing with budget-friendly accommodations. 

The Ministry and Culture Pahang (MOTAC) has been growing the surfing culture of Cherating since its first emergence in the 1990s. Now Cherating has become the center of the local surfing community with high-profile events like Cherating International Surfing Competition and captivates bountiful surfing enthusiasts around the world. 

Waves in Cherating have swinging moods on its own. Throughout the monsoon season, the waves are often small and the currents are relatively calm, which is perfect for beginners. Contrariwise, for the rest of the time, the waves are huge and unpredictable with tough currents. For more hardcore surfers, Cherating grants a 500m breaking point wave - one of the longest in Asia. Even if you have no clue about surfing, schools like the Cherating Boys Surf School (initiated by Safari Xtreme) are always available for you to learn and pick up some moves. 

9. Baler, Aurora, Philippines

Like My Khe Beach in Vietnam, Baler is the birthplace of the surfing scene in the Philippines. The sport was made known to Filipino people thanks to the classic “Apocalypse Now”.

After filming the US soldier's surfing scene, the movie crew left behind some surfboards for the local people to use and learn the sport, thus gaining a growing popularity as the surfing center of the country to this day. The stretching long black-sand beach is the most beloved surfing place of the locals. There are many peaks here, including both lefts and rights that are cut out for both high-level and non-experienced surfers.

There are several significant spots that you can surf in Baler: Cemento is where the best break can be found. The hollow right reef break which can give heavy barrels will satisfy the adrenaline craving of any professional surfer. The second spot is Charlie’s Point, where non-advanced surfers can have fun with the small-sized swell and easy peaks with a sandy bottom. Another ideal spot for beginners is Sabang Beach, where you can expect to see glassy waves (waves without ripples due to the absence of local wind, thus making an extremely clean surf) from December to February. Whatever the spot, Baler is a major playground for any surfing addict who either simply wants to enjoy a good time or wishes to get lost between the vast waves. 

10. Weligama Beach, Weligama, Sri Lanka

Guess what? You shouldn't hesitate to add Sri Lanka to your hot list of destinations for surfing goers. Weligama, located on the Southern Coast, has everything that Sri Lanka has to offer: Budget-friendly, lovely locals, and magnificent waves on the coastline.  

While Weligama has become a bustling beach town throughout the last several years, it was once a simple fishing village (or ‘sandy village’, as translated from the name ‘Weligama’). Weligama is the perfect heaven for any surfing novice who is looking to learn or sharpen their skills before heading for tougher areas. Because of the soaring length of the beach, it is able to hold many surfers at once without being too cramped.

The waves in Weligama are usually and consistently small. Yet, if you prefer something more challenging, you may have to wade a little further to catch yourself some bigger waves. There are also multiple advanced spots for intermediate surfers. Namely, take a 5-minute tuk-tuk to Mirissa Right, where you can find great waves and experiences local surfers. Weligama also offers easy reef breaks for beginners, including Midigama, Mirissa Left, and Plantation. 

The surfing season in Weligama is from September until May, however, you can still opt for the off-season by going for the tiny island spot “Taprobane”, where you can find some basic lodging.