There was a time when even Bali had gone unnoticed and the one-ones of Uluwatu and Padang Padang had not been tamed by any board. So were Oahu, Hossegor and Newquay. Here is a ranking of five surfing locations that have remained off the radar.
Oman has piqued surfers' interest in the past decade © John Seaton Callahan / Getty Images
There was a time when the locations now considered an institution were destinations unknown even to the most dedicated surfers, and there are still hundreds more to discover. Here's a list of five surfing destinations still little known to the world. Rather than provide you with a handbook or tell you where the best waves are, we've opted to compile the best surfing destinations on the rise. It's an eclectic mix, including both Mediterranean islands and countries surrounded by desert in the Arabian Peninsula.
Before you dive in, some surfing etiquette
Someone has to say it: surfers are extremely touchy-feely types. Keep in mind that localism, or the tendency of local surfers to impose themselves on outsiders, is an issue that affects the entire world, whether you're about to ride the famous waves of Trestles, Southern California, or on a lesser-known beach.
You can either get angry or seek dialogue, or you can choose the best method to handle this type of situation, in the water and on land. Ignore. Smiling. Apologise even if you have done nothing wrong. In short, do everything possible to avoid violent reactions. Because what counts is having fun.
Of course, the basic rules remain, which are perhaps even more important when in less frequented locations. Precedence goes to the first person to stand on the board, or the one closest to the peak if several surfers have stood up at the same time. Never drop out, i.e. start on a wave that is already being ridden by another surfer.
Finally, always pay attention to who is enjoying the waters, especially if they are not commonly frequented by boards. Always be respectful of swimmers, divers and snorkellers.
Hong Kong's Big Wave Beach is the most reliable surf spot in Hong Kong © Phil Weymouth / Lonely Planet
Hong Kong has officially entered the game
About 30 minutes' drive from the dim sum restaurants and glittering skyscrapers of Kowloon, there is a part of the Hong Kong archipelago on which the waves of the Pacific Ocean break mercilessly in winter. In fact, surfing is anything but a recent discovery here. It was popularised in the 1970s and 1980s by British and American expats who, despite government bans, even rode the typhoon-inflated waves.
Nowadays, the sport is much more mainstream than it was then. Powered by at least three schools. Yes, it doesn't always make waves. Yes, sharks hang out in those waters. But there are days when Cheung Sha and Shek-O beaches provide unique thrills and clean waves.
Best surfing beach in Hong Kong: Big Wave Bay
If you've ever surfed at Big Wave Bay, you know that the name of this beach has little to do with the one on Oahu Island in Hawaii. Nevertheless, it is Hong Kong's most reliable surf spot, a southwest-facing bay that receives all the action of winter winds blowing in from the Pacific. Perfect for beginners, Big Wave Bay delivers knee-high waves, but there are days when the planets line up and the swells reach two metres to keep even the most seasoned surfers entertained.
Namibia offers wonderful surfing experiences
Until 2008, South Africa was the number one destination for exotic surfing expeditions. Then Surfing Magazine launched a legendary challenge asking adventurers to find potential breaks using Google Earth satellite images, and the rest is history. An unsuspecting software developer from Orange County named Brian Gable spotted a beach somewhere along the remote Skeleton Coast in Namibia. A year later, professional Cory Lopez was on the spot tackling the waves, riding one of the longest left breaks ever recorded: over a minute inside the water tunnel!
Skeleton Bay, as it was later renamed, is the pinnacle of surfing in Namibia. But there are no other suitable locations. However, we assure you that it is a sufficiently spectacular spot to consider it an epic surfing country.
Best surfing beach in Namibia: Skeleton Bay
Keep in mind that this beach is an experts-only affair, considering it single-handedly put Namibia on the surf destination map. It appeared about 20 years ago, when a reversal of the currents turned the tide. They say it will disappear just as quickly, which is why professionals flock to catch the waves between July and September.
Varazze offers some of the best waves in Italy © ALESSANDRO GIAMELLO / Shutterstock
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In autumn and winter Italy also offers crisp waves
Arrive ready to stock up on saffron risotto and temples of ancient Rome, but don't leave without taming some of the best waves the Mediterranean has to offer. Today, Italy is making its mark on the surfing scene with a number of up-and-coming locations on the west coast. From the rocky inlets of Sicily to the beaches of Tuscany, there are waves for all tastes.
The downside is that Italy does not experience the long, high waves typical of the ocean; the biggest and most powerful ones only break in Portugal and France. In fact, the most propitious seasons are autumn and winter, when the winds blow over the Ligurian Sea loading gritty and fun waves. In general, the Costa Verde in Sardinia and the Riviera di Ponente are the best surfing locations in Italy.
Best surfing beach in Italy: Varazze
Surrounded by lush hills in the foothills of the Ligurian Alps, Varazze is a town close to the French-Italian border where you can breathe in the salty air and continually come across Romanesque-Lombard churches and enchanting beaches. Winter, in the absence of towel lizards, provides some of the best waves to tame in Italy. When they point against the Molo Marinai d'Italia, ideal conditions can be created for so-called 'tubular' waves, very similar to those found in California.
Point breaks in Oman are a surfer's dream come true
Surfing is rarely included in Oman's discovery itineraries, which are usually dedicated to sand dunes, hiking in the Hajar Mountains, adventures in a 4x4 in the wadis or trips to the bazaars of Muscat. But in the last decade, the country's west coast, totally exposed to the Arabian Sea and the vast Indian Ocean, has attracted some interest from surfers. The more enterprising explorers armed with boards have been rewarded with dreamy point breaks.
Many surfing beaches remain a jealously guarded secret. But fortunately, there is no embargo on the beach breaks of Ras Al Hadd, which are very popular with the good Oman Surf School, or the best breaks in Asilah. Forecasts in summer are generally reliable, but winds blowing from the south are the enemy. Winter guarantees optimal conditions, but good waves are few and far between.
Best surfing beach in Oman: Joe's Point
There are many coves and nooks in the Oman coastline around the small beach village of Asilah, creating a mix of breaks of varying quality. The best known location is Joe's Point, where in winter clean waves up to 300 metres long, perfect for longboarding, can be found.
In Kolymbithra Bay, the waves are knee-high, perfect for surfers who are still learning © CoinUp/ Shutterstock
Greece is the destination for surfing beginners
With over 10,000 kilometres of coastline, the land of feta and sirtaki has enough sea frontage to make it a potential surfing destination. But if you want more satisfying waves, you'll have to forget the Cyclades and the summer. From December to March, popular locations such as the Navarino Coast, the Peloponnese and the beaches on the west coast of Crete beckon boards.
The surfing scene has been growing steadily for decades now, populated mainly by fans of the Medicanes, Mediterranean hurricanes that are unleashed from September to January. Lately, the excellent schools of Tinos, one on the Athenian Riviera and another pair on the northern coast of Crete, west of Chania, are also creating their own space.
The best surfing beach in Greece: Kolymbithra
Thanks to the shape and exposure of this umbrella-studded bay north of Tinos, knee-high waves are perfect for beginners. The best part? The best time for waves coincides with summer, when the Meltemi winds blow, bringing optimal swells. The base of the local surf school is a camper van that doubles as a beach bar - genius.
