Best Time to Ride · Surfing · For beginners
Best surfing spots for beginners
Spots that suit beginners, with the best months for surfing from years of weather data.
Find the best time to goTap a spot to see when to go: wind, waves, water temperature, sun and rain in every month, from years of weather statistics.
Updated October 2026 · weather data 2022–2026
In short
- Top picks: Canggu – Batu Bolong (Indonesia), Weligama (Sri Lanka) & Noosa – Noosa River (Australia).
Canggu – Batu BolongBali, Indonesia · best February, May–OctoberBeginner-friendly · 29°C water in season, no wetsuit · ✈ DPS 11 kmWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND1.81.91.81.71.92.22.32.32.11.91.61.8
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WeligamaSouthern Province, Sri Lanka · best May–SeptemberBeginner-friendly · 28°C water in season, no wetsuit · ✈ KCT 12 kmWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND1.11.11.11.31.92.12.22.11.91.71.31.3
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Noosa – Noosa RiverQueensland, Australia · best February–MayBeginner-friendly · 26°C water in season, no wetsuit · ✈ MCY 22 kmWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND1.72222.11.51.81.71.71.71.51.7
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TaghazoutSouss-Massa, Morocco · best January–July, September–DecemberBeginner-friendly · 19°C water in season, 3/2 wetsuit · ✈ AGA 38 kmWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND2.52.52.82.321.91.91.81.91.92.22.3
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AhiparaNorthland, New Zealand · best February–DecemberBeginner-friendly · 18°C water in season, 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ KAT 16 kmWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND1.822.12.32.52.42.72.42.72.421.9
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Gisborne – Wainui BeachGisborne, New Zealand · best January–OctoberBeginner-friendly · 16°C water in season, 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ GIS 9 kmWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND21.92.22.22.22.42.42.321.91.71.8
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MuizenbergWestern Cape, South Africa · best all yearBeginner-friendly · 16°C water in season, 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ CPT 19 kmWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND2.52.52.62.733.23.23.332.72.62.5
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Wellington – Lyall BayWellington, New Zealand · best all yearBeginner-friendly · 16°C water in season, 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ WLG 1 kmWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND1.922.22.12.32.42.42.52.42.522
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New Plymouth – Fitzroy BeachTaranaki, New Zealand · best March–DecemberBeginner-friendly · 16°C water in season, 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ NPL 8 kmWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND1.61.81.92.12.32.42.62.32.72.41.91.9
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Peniche – BalealLeiria, Portugal · best January–May, September–DecemberBeginner-friendly · 16°C water in season, 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ LIS 68 kmWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND3.23.23.22.41.91.71.61.722.42.92.9
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ZarautzBasque Country (Gipuzkoa), Spain · best January–March, November–DecemberBeginner-friendly · 15°C water in season, 5/4 wetsuit and boots · ✈ EAS 32 kmWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND2.52.52.11.71.31.21.11.31.51.82.52.3
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Santa Cruz – Cowell'sCalifornia, United States · best January–May, October–DecemberBeginner-friendly · 14°C water in season, 5/4 wetsuit and boots · ✈ MRY 45 kmWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND2.42.62.4221.81.51.41.61.92.22.3
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Morro BayCalifornia (San Luis Obispo County), United States · best January–March, DecemberBeginner-friendly · 14°C water in season, 5/4 wetsuit and boots · ✈ SBP 25 kmWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND22.121.71.71.51.31.31.41.61.82
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Biarritz – Côte des BasquesNouvelle-Aquitaine, France · best January–February, November–DecemberBeginner-friendly · 14°C water in season, 5/4 wetsuit and boots · ✈ BIQ 4 kmWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND2.12.21.81.41.1111.11.31.52.11.9
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LahinchMunster (County Clare), Ireland · best January–March, October–DecemberBeginner-friendly · 10°C water in season, 5/4 wetsuit, hood, boots and gloves · ✈ SNN 38 kmWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND2.72.92.31.71.41.51.31.51.822.52.7
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Short Sands – OregonOregon (Tillamook County), United States · best January–April, October–DecemberBeginner-friendly · 11°C water in season, 5/4 wetsuit, hood, boots and gloves · ✈ PDX 108 kmWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND2.52.52.321.71.51.11.21.52.12.52.8
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Newquay – Fistral BeachEngland (Cornwall), United Kingdom · best January–March, November–DecemberBeginner-friendly · 11°C water in season, 5/4 wetsuit, hood, boots and gloves · ✈ NQY 8 kmWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND2.52.421.71.21.31.21.31.61.82.42.4
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Tofino – Long BeachBritish Columbia, Canada · best January–April, October–DecemberBeginner-friendly · 10°C water in season, 5/4 wetsuit, hood, boots and gloves · ✈ YAZ 1 kmWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND2.72.62.32.11.81.71.31.31.72.32.72.9
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Mount Maunganui – Main BeachBay of Plenty, New Zealand · best April–JulyBeginner-friendly · 17°C water in season, 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ TRG 5 kmWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND1.51.41.31.71.61.71.71.41.51.51.51.4
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PapamoaBay of Plenty, New Zealand · best April–JulyBeginner-friendly · 17°C water in season, 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ TRG 9 kmWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND1.51.41.31.71.61.71.71.41.51.51.51.4
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Folly Beach – The WashoutSouth Carolina (Charleston County), United States · best January–March, September–DecemberBeginner-friendly · 18°C water in season, 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ CHS 28 kmWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND1.31.21.31.111111.21.21.21.3
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Wrightsville BeachNorth Carolina (New Hanover County), United States · best January–April, September–DecemberBeginner-friendly · 17°C water in season, 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ ILM 13 kmWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND1.31.31.31.21.11111.21.21.21.3
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Lagos – Meia PraiaAlgarve, Portugal · best January–MarchBeginner-friendly · 16°C water in season, 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ PRM 8 kmWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND1.71.71.71.3110.80.911.21.41.5
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Bournemouth – BoscombeEngland (Dorset), United Kingdom · best November–DecemberBeginner-friendly · 12°C water in season, 5/4 wetsuit, hood, boots and gloves · ✈ BOH 7 kmWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND1.81.71.41.30.910.911.21.51.92
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Cocoa BeachFlorida (Space Coast), United States · best January–April, October–DecemberBeginner-friendly · 22°C water in season, shorty · ✈ MLB 30 kmWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND11110.80.70.60.70.91.11.11.1
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SayulitaNayarit, Mexico · best FebruaryBeginner-friendly · ✈ PVR 29 kmWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND1.61.81.41.210.70.70.50.611.31.5
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Byron Bay – The PassNew South Wales, Australia · best July–SeptemberBeginner-friendly · ✈ BNK 23 kmWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND0.60.60.811.31.41.61.51.51.410.7
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Christchurch – SumnerCanterbury (Christchurch), New Zealand · best March, June–JulyBeginner-friendly · 13°C water in season, 5/4 wetsuit and boots · ✈ CHC 20 kmWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND1.31.31.51.41.41.61.61.41.31.41.31.3
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Huntington BeachCalifornia, United States · best February–MayBeginner-friendly · 16°C water in season, 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ SNA 13 kmWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND0.91.11.11.110.90.90.90.90.90.90.8
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BrouwersdamZeeland, Netherlands · best January–February, November–DecemberBeginner-friendly · 8°C water in season, 6/5 wetsuit, hood, boots and gloves · ✈ RTM 45 kmWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND1.41.30.90.90.80.80.80.811.11.41.4
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Malibu – Surfrider BeachCalifornia (Los Angeles County), United States · best February–MayBeginner-friendly · 16°C water in season, 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ LAX 27 kmWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND0.91.11.1110.90.90.80.90.80.80.8
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DomburgZeeland (Walcheren), Netherlands · best January–February, November–DecemberBeginner-friendly · 8°C water in season, 6/5 wetsuit, hood, boots and gloves · ✈ OST 59 kmWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND1.21.10.80.90.80.80.80.80.911.21.2
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Rockaway Beach – New YorkNew York (Queens), United States · best January–March, September–DecemberBeginner-friendly · 11°C water in season, 5/4 wetsuit, hood, boots and gloves · ✈ JFK 7 kmWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND––––––––––––
Best time to go →Wave height: average daily maximum.