Looking at 2022 - Can anyone suggest the best places to surf for not overly experienced surfers in the Caribbean? In Hawaii? In Costa Rica? TIA

Tamarindo beach in CR is awesome!

Lisa I second this place!

Third Tamarindo!

4th Tamarindo!

There is barely any surfing in the Caribbean so I would avoid that. Jaco costa rica is a sweat surf city in Costa Rica

Jennifer second that recommendation. Tons of surfers when we visited Jaco.

Jennifer so far you are the only one that answered the question.

Our girls learned on Xmas morning... Playa Grande CR..... Jason was the best instructor. He and his wife Brittany run the Taco Star right by the beach(btw the tacos are fantastic!!)

Todos Santos in mexico has some awesome surf beaches! Fly to Cabo, cheap direct flights. Plus the weather is amazing!!

When I’m 2022. Because of the trade winds in Hawaii you may have bigger waves on different sides. We prefer staying near Waikiki and using Waiminalo beach as we are not experienced. We do like Sandy beach as well however there’s some serious coral and if you are not aware of it can cause some pretty good injuries
We usually travel in December to March when the bigger waves are at the north shore.
I’d advise to stay away from the north side if you are not experienced as the undertow is wicked. Most times they have no swimming warnings up at that time of the year.

There were lots of people surfing in san Juan del air in Nicaragua when we went! Highly recommend it there. You can volcano board as well

Brooklyn San Juan del Sur is a great spot for surfing!
for both beginners, and pros! Nicaragua is more affordable than Costa Rica. Equally as beautiful.

Kerry I agree 100% I hope to move there one day

Brooklyn oh wow! I could only imagine how awesome living there would be!!!!! What a beautiful place! I would go back in a second!

I second that. San Jan Del Sur is great. I have been there

Tamarindo Iguana surf Costa Rica

Erin
I would look at Nosara and south of that. Nosara to Santa Teresa is beautiful. Just returned from Tamarindo and didn’t love it there (talking area wise not surfing wise)

Erin All of those are good surf, but Nosara and Santa Teresa is a bit more pricey to get to and stay. Depends on what sort of accommodations you’re looking for. We were backpacking, and Tamarindo was cheaper to transport to and had more affordable hostels. But if that’s not an issue, then Nosara and surrounding area is lovely and more secluded and great surf!!

Наст you get what you pay for. Definitely

I’ll also say that it depends on if you surf leftie or rightie when you surf/board! This coast has both, but I am pretty sure Nosara has the longest left curl in the world. Worth checking if the curl where you go matched your dom leg
makes it easier to learn!

West Oahu SUP

Sam Juan del Sur in Nicaragua is the first place I ever surfed! Beautiful place

Portugal - Lisbon coast

Though we do not surf, El Salvador is a great place for surfing. We spent a month there last year. El Tunco is a surfing town. We stayed in the Playa de Shalpa area.

Tamarindo in Costa Rica is great!

Наст second this. It's the perfect beginner Beach.

agree. Tamarindo and South. Check out time of year too!

Jaco Costa Rica

San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

Betty-Ann Smith
Laura yes Great spot. Check out Casa Horizon

Tamarindo, Costa Rica has a good beach for it.

Sayulita is the cutest little surf town North of Puerto Vallarta.... Tons of surfing there

Tamara is a cool lil town. I second the recommendation!!

Huatulco

Susan Brandt
try the bow river

Susan Brandt Or, your Elbow at High Tide

I didn’t stop in Jaco Beach while I was there, but that part of Costa Rica was said to have gentle waves for learning.

I surfed for my first time in Honolulu and LOVED it. Great for beginners. I was even able to get up on the board many times which is super hard to do but wow what a rush!

Nicaragua is amazing for surfing!

Oceanside, California is where our kids first surfed!

Norcal has safer places.
Hawaii and Maui the best!
Bali indonesia
Siargao Philippines

Cambutal, Panama!
Sansara Surf and Yoga Resort

Bali? Cheap too

Tofino

Lalonde Thanks, they have been there and are looking for a winter get-a-way.