Hawaii has been known for surfing for decades; however, most of the focus is generally on Oahu. But there is an awesome spot in Maui that offers some of the best surfing in the world. Known as "Jaws" and located off the far north shore of Maui, surfers go to this spot to find the best surfing in the world. The surf spot known as Jaws was made famous by Laird Hamilton, Dave Kalama and other surfers whom developed tow surfing in order to take on Jaws.

There is a phenomenon behind the famous Jaws surfing location and what is now known as one of the spots offering some of the best surfing in the world. Known as Peahi by locals, incredible walls of water are created in this specific location in Maui as a result of storm swells that originate as far away as the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. These walls of water are beautifully and artistically shaped by a barrier reef. Surfers are towed into the area and literally dropped into the waves. Jaws barrier reef is most definitely for expert and kamikaze surfers. Beginners and mediocre surfers are strongly advised not to attempt Jaws. Even expert surfers have taken the time to meditate, study and contemplate the fearful waves before finding just the right method to ride these monster waves.

Surfers planning to attempt jaws will have to contract drivers with watercrafts to tow them out to the wave, generally on special short boards with straps or 10 to 12 foot rhino guns. Again, it is suggested that visiting surfers not take Jaws lightly, and that they seriously consider the ferocious waves as deadly. Generally, the waves are about thirty miles an hour or more with a total surf time of approximately a minute on waves that are up to approximately 70 feet. The swell direction is generally north, and the wind direction is south. Seldom crowded, the dangers at Jaws include a steep, rocky trail that requires trainers. As far as the actual surf, beware of rips, rocks, undertow and severely, dangerously fierce waves.

Morocco is an interesting, exotic place to visit, but imagine the best surfing in the world being in Morocco. There is an incredible place to surf in Morocco that offers surfers awesome waves and offers the best surfing in the world. Surfing Anchor Point in Morocco is a great choice of spots for surfers looking for unique surfing adventures regardless of the time zone.

Anchor Point in Morocco, also known as "Anka Point," is known for its world-class waves. Anchor Point for experienced to kamikaze surfers. On average, the swells start working at 3 feet up to 5 feet and hold up to approximately 12 feet. The swell direction is north to northwest, with the wind direction southeast to east. Surfers should be aware the bottom is sandy, with rocks and no mention of sea life issues. In terms of access, Anchor Point is situated north of Taghazout, which is a small surf village just north of Agadir, Morocco. Surfers can rent a car or take public transportation to the bus stop near Taghazout and walk to the point break, which takes about five minutes. During the week, the beach is fairly empty, and on the weekend, it's only slightly crowded.

For surfers visiting Morocco to experience the best surfing in the world, visit Surf Maroc. Surf Maroc provides a guided tour, surf camp and a variety of accommodations based on one's preference and need. Their surf camp is ideal for beginners or experts. Accommodations include Tigger's Bay Luxury Apartments, which were just completed in July of 2008. Surfers staying at Tigger's have access to the world-famous surf break Draculas, as well as Boilers.

Killers Bay Apartments, which is also part of Surf Maroc, offers surfers access to the right and left reef break of la Source, the point break Killers to the right and the long waves of Mysteries to the left. Two minutes down the beach from Mysteries is the famous Anchor Point. Surfers headed to Morocco can fly RyanAir into Agadir from the UK or France.

In Western Europe and northwest of France, some of the best surfing in the world is found in Wales. The temperature in Wales is mild to temperate and is primarily influenced by the drift from the North Atlantic. Though the United Kingdom is known for having rainfall, the majority of the year surfers looking to travel to Wales will find the rainy season is September to January, and the driest season is between March and June, which allows surfers to take advantage of some of the best surfing in the world.

There are quite a few surf spots offering ideal surfing for beginners, intermediate and advanced surfers. Surfers flocking to Wales have access to a variety of breaks such as; Point Breaks, Beach Breaks, Rivermouth and Reef Breaks, all of which offer an awesome surfing experience.

Beginning surfers will find the best surfing spots for the beginning level including: Porthoer, Harbour Break, Caswell Bay, Manobier, Rest Bay Porthcawl, White Sands, Barry Island, Dalmore, Newgale and others. Dalmore and Newgale are particularly popular.

Tenby South and Black Rock Reef are two of the most popular surf spots for intermediate surfers. Other great choices include Langland, Aberavon, Marloes Sands and definitely Ogmore by the Sea. For experienced and kamikaze surfers there are more challenging waves such as Y Bocs, which is one of the most awesome reef breaks.

Surfers to Wales will fare well to come fully equipped with surfing gear and be prepared for the weather in the United Kingdom. This should not be a problem for water loving surfers, but, depending on the time of year, the areas around the Atlantic are cooler than usual.

For those surfers planning to enjoy some of the best surfing in the world who may also choose to up their game, there is the Gower and Swansea Surf School located in South Wales. The surf school offers a personal level of teaching to all surf students and provides coaching to all levels and ages of surfers. The surf packages include corporate, holiday, activity and holiday packages.

Sources:
www.globalsurfers.com
www.swanseasurfing.com

The great northwest in the United States is beautiful country and also one of the many places offering some of the best surfing in the world. There are a wide variety of beautiful surf spots along the Oregon coastline including the central and south regions; however, some of the most popular surf spots are located in the northwest area of Oregon, which offers the best surfing in the world.

Located near Portland, Oregon, Cannon Beach is beautiful and has easily accessible surf breaks that appeal to surfers of all skill levels. Some of the top surf spots include Oceanside, Cape Kiwanda in Pacific City, Short Sands located in Oswald West State Park, Indian Beach and Seaside Cove. Short Sands, located off of Highway 101, is the ideal surf spot for beginners. Generally crowded, Short Sands has three parking lots, a campground and public restrooms. This is one of the top spots for beginners to practice. For intermediate to advanced surfers, Seaside Cove is highly recommended. This particular location has a north to southwest swell and is a favorite of long boarders. Surfers to Seaside Cove should take care of boulders and closeout sets.

For beginning surfers, there is a surf camp that provides a well organized and structured but fun curriculum for visitors or locals wanting to take professional surf lessons. One of the top surf camps in the northwest, Oregon Surf Adventures sponsored by Roxy and Quiksilver, offers a Learn to Surf Program. This program is ideal for kids and teens interested in learning to surf as well as amateur surfers looking to hone their skills. Oregon Surf Adventures offers one-day and two-day classes with a well-trained, experienced staff that is trained in CPR and first aid. Oregon Surf Adventures also offers private and custom surf lessons as well as surf groups.

For surfers headed to Oregon to enjoy some of the best surfing in the world, come geared up for the chilled water, swells generated by storms and white sharks. Surfers should also be prepared for some of the most accessible surfing spots and the beauty of Oregon.

El Salvador, a unique and exotic country, is home to some of the best surfing in the world. El Salvador is located in Central America along the west coast in a beautiful, yet challenging geographical area that offers a great number of spots to surf. The country is quite versatile and is comprised of three different types of topography including the central area, which is made up of valleys, volcanoes, and mountains; the southern area, which is made up of a flat coastal plain; and the Sierra Madre and the Lempa River, which makes up the northern area.

The surf spots in El Salvador range anywhere from beginner to advanced with a variety of point and beach breaks to enjoy. Surfers will not have to fight for breaks in El Salvador, because many of the popular spots are not crowded. There are also several secluded beaches that surfers flock to particularly from May to September. Wake surfing is popular in the months of October to April in areas that have sheltered lagoons.

One of El Salvador's attractions that make it one of the spots offering the best surfing in the world is the tropical climate and warm water. Beginners generally do well surfing along the beaches of Costa del Sol; whereas experienced surfers choose to surf the areas accessible by boat such as those along the east coast beaches. Other great surf spots for all levels include El Sunzal, Las Flores, Punta Roca, Zunsal, Bocana, Conchalio, Cocal, Punta Mango, Flor, La Ventana and K59, to name a few. El Salvador is also famous for its right point breaks and awesome waves that break up to 6.5 feet, though certain areas offer gentler breaks that are perfect for beginners just learning to surf.

Surfers planning to enjoy the best surfing in the world should come prepared with board shorts, dry wet bags, boards and other necessary surfing equipment to jump right into form and enjoy the fabulous breaks of El Salvador. Surfers looking for adventure, natural beauty and the versatility of El Salvador will find the country a great choice.

Samoa is a beautiful, unspoiled island that offers the best surfing in the world. Located in the South Pacific Ocean northeast of the beautiful island of Fiji, Samoa is a tropical paradise and greatly immersed in the Polynesian culture and traditional Samoan life. Surfers to Samoa can expect warm waters, consistent and superior waves and multi-direction swell practically year round, although most of the surf spots in Samoa must be accessed by boat.

If planning to travel to Samoa, the best time of year to go is from April to October because of the incredible waves due to Antarctica influences. There are several great surf spots in Samoa that offer the best surfing in the world including: Fagaloa Bay, Falea' puna, Hollow Tree, A'ufaga Village, Salani, Coconuts, Laulii, Boulders and Tiavea. With Samoa being relatively unspoiled, visiting geared-up surfers can expect to dominate the awesome waves of the island. Salani is a great choice for surfers looking for powerful waves, which have been reported to range from 4 feet up to 8 feet.

The south shore of Samoa, such as Upolu Island, is one of the most popular surf spots with surf on the south, north and east along with world class reef breaks. Surfers planning to take on Upolu Island need to have surfing skills of at least intermediate to advanced level, because of the powerful breaks.

Surfers to Samoa can expect warm water year round with temperatures ranging from 80 to 87 degrees. A great rule of thumb to follow if planning to visit Samoa is to visit the south shore sometime from February to April or in October to take advantage of the glassy, clean conditions and the swells. Otherwise the north shore is the place to surf if traveling November to January thanks to north swells that travel from as far away as Alaska.

For surfers planning to surf the north shore, keep in mind that the breaks can be accessed by vehicles. Most resorts have hired professionals to ensure visiting surfers have safe access to the reefs.

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Known for its beauty and isolated location, New Zealand is one of the top spots for surfers to visit to truly take advantage of some of the best surfing in the world. With many unspoiled surf spots offered between the North Island and the South Island, the beautiful island country of New Zealand located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean is the ideal place to plan a surf trip. The versatility of surfing this location makes New Zealand unique. Its diverse coastline and the low-pressure system that allows swells to pick up from any direction are one of a kind.

There are many different spots to surf in New Zealand to truly experience the best surfing in the world, depending upon preferences and skill levels. A few great choices for surfers of all levels include places such as Papatowi, Shipwrecks, the Spit, Seconds, Stent Road, Kaikoura, Piha, Northland, Punakaiki, Waikato and others. The South Island is relatively unspoiled with the Catlins on the southeast coast offering a number of great surf breaks. Surfers visiting the Catlins can expect constant swell running in this area. One of the main things surfers should be aware of when surfing this area is the weather pattern, which is constantly changing, so consider the skill level and the appropriate surf gear necessary. Additionally, Waikato is another popular location to consider for surfers of all levels to experience the best surfing in the world.

For experienced surfers brave enough to explore area that is, in general, not regularly surfed, keep in mind there are a lot of private properties for which permission must be asked from the landowner prior to attempting to access the surf location.

Beginning surfers visiting the North Island fare well at surf locations such as Long Bay, Milford Beach and Takapuna, whereas experts head toward Anawhata, Greenbay and Karekare. Options are endless, simply depending on the skill level of the surfer and which island the surfer chooses to explore. Overall, New Zealand offers a temperate climate, a number of uncrowded beaches and a plethora of surf spots.

Living in a beautiful city like San Diego and being near the best surfing in the world is a blessing to avid surfers. One of the top spots to surf in San Diego is Sunset Cliffs National Park. The end of the day at sundown has got to be one of the prettiest things in the world to see, but experienced surfers at Sunset Cliffs know that surfing the area is not for the faint of heart.

Visitors to Sunset Cliffs National Park bent on experiencing the best surfing in the world need to be aware of the soft, eroding conditions of the cliffs in the area. The area is very popular and is usually occupied by bikers, surfers, hikers and more. Geared up surfers rant about Sunset Cliffs offering the best surfing in the world.

Sunset Cliffs National Park may not be ideal for beginners, but there are several surfing spots, which offer a somewhat mellow break, including Garbage Beach. There are other places to surf at Sunset Cliffs where the locals hang out like Newbreak. If you visit the area, expect to be challenged as surfers are definitely territorial in this area.

Surfers to Sunset Cliffs can expect west to northwest swells with waves as high as waist to shoulder, depending on the time of year. The average temperature is usually around 60 degrees with a water temperature of 65 degrees.

Because of the topography of the area, paddling out can be a challenge. Surfers should be careful around the jagged cliffs and the rocky bottom in the area. Additionally, there are no lifeguards or public restrooms at Sunset Cliffs. Street parking is available on Sunset Cliffs Boulevard, and there are four public parking areas along the Cliffs area, although they are small. The Inn at Sunset Cliffs is a great place to stay during a visit.

On a good day, depending on the time of year, surfers might just see the California Gray Whale migrating to Baja. Then again, when is there a bad day in beautiful San Diego?

There are many great places to surf in the world, including those that provide a retreat from the daily grind of life and others that offer an edge and excitement with just a hint of danger. Such is the case with surfing Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. There are many excellent spots to surf in the area that have breaks that are awesome enough to handle swell from all directions and all sizes, but there are also a few spots that are famous for forceful, challenging waves.

Located midway along the East Coast is a strip of beach that extends into the Atlantic Ocean and into some of the most incredible waves is the world. This is known as the "Graveyard of the Atlantic," due to the unpredictable currents and full-force swells. It is these same characteristics that draw surfers from all over the world. The area of Cape Hatteras is one of the main attractions for East Coast surfers.

Cape Hatteras consists of approximately 70 miles of barrier islands, which are positioned perfectly to receive swells from the north and south. North swells on Cape Hatteras provide surfers in wetsuits fast and powerful long lefts, where the south swells generate beach break rights, which are somewhat hollow along the north side. Avon and Buxton, located off Highway 12, are particularly popular surfing spots along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Those seeking the best surfing in the world will find solid swells and empty, yet hollow peaks along the stretch of island.

Hatteras Lighthouse, the world's largest brick lighthouse, overlooks the surf and is the destination for surfers descending upon Cape Hatteras. Summer months are the busiest. The rest of the year Cape Hatteras is fairly isolated. Housing accommodations for surfers headed to Cape Hatteras include vacation homes, condos and hotels. To get to Cape Hatteras, fly into either Raleigh-Durham or Charlotte, North Carolina and drive to Cape Hatteras. Other options include flying into Virginia Beach or Norfolk and driving from there.

Santa Barbara, California has long been known for having the best surfing in the world. This fact remains so today. Surfing is as much a part of the Santa Barbara culture today as it has been for years with the only differences in today's surfers being an edgier generation.

Rincon Point is known as one of the best surfing spots in the area. Located just 15 minutes from Santa Barbara, Rincon Point is not only one of the top places to surf in the world, but also one of the most famous. During the fall, the surfers excited about the first swells head towards Santa Barbara ready to take on the waves. For those surfers new to Rincon Point that are headed that way for fall surfing, Rincon Point is located right off Highway 101 at Bates Road. Parking is decent and locals are friendly.

California water is not typically warm, yet at Rincon Point surfers can expect water temperatures of approximately 65 degrees. The waves are great for riding and offer a pretty decent ride as the weather moves from summer to autumn in the Santa Barbara region with the changing temperatures of the north Pacific Ocean. Though winter is the best time to surf in Santa Barbara, fall is the next best option. Surfers can expect an average water swell height of anywhere from 6 to 7 feet with a good wave, depending on the surf location. The average air temperature in the Santa Barbara coastal area is generally around 67 degrees.

There is a wide array of surf shops should surfers forget some of their gear including; basic surf apparel, boards, wet suits, wet dry bags, shoes and even rental equipment. Santa Barbara surf shops are also cordial and freely give advice as to alternate spots to surf.

Santa Barbara is also a great place for surf school with one of the top schools being Santa Barbara Seals Surfing School. Accredited by Surfing USA, the Santa Barbara Seals Surfing School offers surf camp and after school programs, in addition to offering structured surf lessons.

Sources:

www.santabarbara.com

www.santabarbaraseals.com

www.santabarbarasurfing.com

Offering powerful waves from October to March and located in one of the most romantic countries in the world, Lanzarote, Spain offers the best surfing in the world and has earned its moniker of "the Hawaii of Europe." Located north of Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands, Lanzarote is an ideal environment to learn to surf and enjoy challenging surfing.

Lanzarote, Spain is one of the most versatile surfing spots in the world with the island picking up swells on the west, east and north coasts, which are enhanced by perfect weather. Known for the best surfing in the world, Lanzarote boasts a variety of surf spots and is an ideal spot for surfers of all levels. For beginning surfers, there are a couple of great surf schools as well as excellent beach breaks. The more experienced surfers tend to head toward the Slab and El Quemao. Punta de Las Mujeres is another great place to surf and offers reef breaks and excellent waves.

Lanzarote gets crowded, and locals are rather protective of the turf. Sea urchins are also a concern in Lanzarote, so proceed with care. Also waves get pretty big, so surfers will want to gauge whether or not their skills are sufficient for certain surf spots.

For surfers seeking surfing lessons, Surf School Lanzarote is popular in the Canary Islands. The school has instructors from levels 1 to 4, all of which are extremely qualified, professional beach lifeguards. Surf School Lanzarote is one of the few surfing schools in Europe registered with the British Surfing Association. The primary focus, in addition to students learning to surf well and having fun, is safety and coaching. Classes are on beautiful Famara Beach in the warm waters of the Canary Islands. Light weight wetsuits are used in addition to basic surf gear. Beginners start with soft boards and generally progress to fiberglass surfboards. The first days of classes include learning to catch the white wave and progressing to the first, almost unbroken waves. Visit the Web site for Surf School Lanzarote for more information.

Sources:

www.surfing-waves.com
www.surfschoollanzarote.com

Surfing the beautiful Indian Ocean may seem like a dream to some, however some of the best surfing in the world is located between India and Sri Lanka, just south of the Lakshadweep Islands of India and southwest of Sri Lanka. Here you'll find an island nation called Maldives that is comprised of a large group of atolls, which are basically coral formations that form a circular shape with an enclosed lagoon. These unique formations add to the undisturbed beauty of the region in addition to crystal clear waters, and incredible weather, which is ideal for an avid lover of surfing.

Nailing down one's favorite spot can be difficult. Maldives, Asia is definitely one of the many spots that equates to surfing paradise with an average water temperature of around 82 degrees. Should one choose to venture out to an exotic location such as Maldives for a surfing trip, keep in mind that getting to surfing spots will require a boat.

Popular surf spots in Maldives range the gamut between the South Male Atoll and the North Male Atoll. Some of the most popular spots include Cokes, Honkeys, Five Islands, Jails, Sultans, Tombstone, Gurus, Kates, Foxys, Riptides, and Natives to name a few.

In terms of level of difficulty, Chickens, Cokes, Gurus and Jails are recommended for experienced surfers only. For those pros and kamikaze-style surfers, the best surf spot is Meeru Reef, though other great challenging locations include Pasta Point, Sultans, and Last Stop.

There are a few surf packages available, but surfers might want to bring basic gear including shoes, board shorts, wet dry bags and boards. Surfers interested in resort packages should consider resources such as The Perfect Wave, Awesome Holidays Maldives, Surf Travel or World Surfaris.

As with all international travel, it is highly recommended that surfers planning to travel to Maldives to experience some of the best surfing in the world check with the American Consulate prior to planning a trip abroad.

Considered the ultimate Indian Ocean surf paradise, Mauritius located Southern Africa in is the home to some of the best surfing in the world. With a great abundance of surf spots available primarily on the southern side of the island, surfing is Mauritius offers not only paradise to the experienced surfer but also to other levels.

Many of the surfers in Mauritius trek to the beach in their surf gear daily though the best months for surfing in that region generally falls between April and September with July and August, and September and October being the peak months. July through August surfers can expect a swell of anywhere from 5 feet to 6 feet and in September and October between 6 feet and 7 feet.

The climate in Mauritius is tropical with an average air temperature of 73 degrees during peak season and the average water temperature ranging between 72 and 73 degrees. There are a wide variety of surf spots from which to select in Mauritius with two of the most popular being Black Rocks, which is recommended for experienced surfers only and Madame Barry, which is recommended for professionals or kamikaze only (www.wannasurf.com). Tamarin is one of the best breaks in Mauritius also known as an expert level reef break spot and is heavily frequented by local island surfers (www.globalsurf.com).

Known for some of the best surfing in the world Mauritius has many other surf spots such as; Calamar, Darne, Cimetary, Grand Sancho, Martello, Le Mome, Martin Spot, One Eye, Petit Sancho, Tagore and Tailors Point to name a few. Like Madame Barry Cimetary is recommended for professionals or kamikaze surfers only (www.wannasurf.com). Le Piton and Behind the Island are both great surf spots for intermediate surfers.

Accommodations in Mauritius range from hotels to guest houses and bungalows. The most common way to get to Mauritius Island is take a flight from France though other options exist. Where Mauritius is a surfer's paradise offering the best surfing in the world with quality waves, always check with your embassy before traveling to a foreign country for current travel advisories.

Indonesia is more than just an exotic country filled with beautiful people and being known as the epitome of paradise. Indonesia in fact offers some of the best surfing in the world. Located in Southeastern Asia and known for its fantastic waves and many beach breaks, Indonesia offers surfers the beauty of the environment, incredibly challenging surfing opportunities and a variety of locations to surf.

There are several famous surf spots in Bali frequented by surfers of all levels as well as the most skilled, geared up surfers in the world with popular surf spots including Sumatra, Mentawai, Java, West Bali, East Bali, Sumbawa, Lombok and East Indonesia. Expect a hot tropical climate with warm water in addition to quite a bit of humidity (www.globalsurf.com).

The best surfing season in Indonesia is September through December with September and October being the prime months. September through October the water temperature reaches around 68 degrees with the air temperature approximately 73 degrees. In November and December expect cooler waters around 52 degrees with an air temperature of approximately 46 degrees. The swells are the best during peak reason reaching anywhere from 5 to 6 feet where in November and December swells reach approximately 3 to 5 feet. In terms of surfing equipment surfers should prepare to bring spring suits, boardshorts, shorties and full suits based on the variances in season, water and air temperature (www.wannasurf.com).

As far as accommodations in Indonesia expect moderate to high-end accommodations with the majority of the accommodations being of a budget nature such as bungalows and cottages with some rooms starting at $10 per night. The beauty of the country by far supersedes the materialism of the rooms, particularly if you are there to surf.

For surfers traveling to Indonesia travel arrangement can be made through commercial carriers with service into Bali. For more information on the best surfing in the world offered in Indonesia visit the Web sites referenced above. As with all international travel, consult with the American Consulate before traveling to Indonesia and proceed with caution.

Some of the best surfing in the world is found right past the Orange County line going into Camp Pendleton and San Diego County at the San Onofre Surf Beach. Military helicopters overhead performing maneuvers have the opportunity to peer down onto not only a hidden nude beach near the San Onofre State Beach, they also are provided access to some of the best surfing territory in Southern California.

To surf San Onofre Surf Beach is to experience not only the best surfing in the world, but also to surf with some of the most laid back, geared up, accomplished surfers in San Diego and Orange County, California. Some compare the stretch of coastline at San Onofre Surf Beach to that of Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii. Surfing the same breaks as some of the most notable southern California surfers who, back in the day, used redwood surfboards, you will feel very much at home and feel the experience of true southern California surfers.

San Onofre Surf Beach is ideal for surfers of all levels, with the best tide being somewhat of a medium tide, and the depth anywhere from the waist up to above the head. There are three breaks from which to select including Dogpatch, Old Man's and the Point. Expect to share the waves with beginning surfers to retirees in surf gear.

The cost to get into San Onofre Surf Beach is about $10, which is paid at the entrance gate. Summer is generally the best season, so expect a crowd if planning to surf San Onofre Surf Beach during the summer months.

To reach San Onofre Surf Beach, fly into either Orange County or San Diego. The exit to the beach if flying into Orange County is Cristianistos and is situated prior to entering the stretch along the Interstate 5, which goes through Camp Pendleton. If flying or driving from San Diego, San Onofre Surf Beach is the exit once you have driven through the Camp Pendleton Marine Base property.