Surfing is one of the most thrilling ocean sports, attracting adventure seekers from across the globe. From powerful reef breaks to gentle beginner-friendly waves, several coastal destinations offer exceptional surfing conditions at different times of the year.

Knowing where and when to visit can make a significant difference in the experience. Here are some of the world’s most renowned surfing locations and the best seasons to enjoy them.

Oahu, Hawaii

Oahu in Hawaii has long been recognized as one of the world’s premier surfing destinations. The island is famous for its powerful waves, which can rise more than six meters during peak surf conditions. The breaks here differ from many other ocean surf spots, offering challenging rides for experienced surfers.

The best surfing season runs from November to March, when large swells arrive along the island’s North Shore. Popular surf areas include Backdoor, Waimea Bay, Sunset Beach, and Kahuku Point. While these locations are suited for experienced surfers, beginners can still enjoy the calmer waves along Waikiki Beach.

Jeffreys Bay, South Africa

Located in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, Jeffreys Bay is widely known for its long, fast-breaking waves that attract surfers from around the world. The bay’s unique geography allows several wave sections to combine, producing ideal conditions for long rides.

Experienced surfers often challenge the powerful waves, while beginners can practice at the Kitchen Windows break. The best time to surf here is between May and September, when consistent swells create ideal surfing conditions.

Teahupo’o, French Polynesia

Teahupo’o, situated off the southwest coast of Tahiti in French Polynesia, is considered one of the most powerful surf breaks on the planet. Its waves are often ranked among the heaviest and most intimidating in the world.

This destination is best suited for highly experienced surfers due to the intensity of its reef breaks and the strength of the waves. The most consistent conditions occur between April and October. Surfers visiting the area also enjoy the striking scenery of crystal-clear waters and dramatic ocean swells.

Uluwatu and Kuta, Indonesia

Bali, Indonesia, is one of the most popular travel destinations for surfers. Beyond its scenic beaches and lush landscapes, the island offers several world-class surfing spots.

Uluwatu, located in southern Bali, is famous for its left-hand reef break and powerful waves. At times, three peaks can combine to create a wall of water extending more than 200 meters. These fast and hollow waves are typically suited to advanced surfers.

In contrast, Kuta Beach is an excellent destination for beginners. Its gentler waves provide an ideal environment for those learning to surf or improving their skills.

Mavericks, California, United States

California is among the top global surfing regions despite having a shorter coastline compared with Florida or Alaska. One of its most famous surf breaks is Mavericks, located near Half Moon Bay, about 30 miles south of San Francisco.

Here, massive waves build and crash against the rocky coastline near Pillar Point. The surf is considered extremely challenging and is recommended only for experienced surfers. Mavericks typically produces its largest waves between November and April.

Hossegor, France

Hossegor, located along the southwestern coast of France in the Landes region, is widely regarded as Europe’s surfing capital. The area is known for beach breaks and powerful tube waves similar to those found in Hawaii.

The prime surfing season runs from May to November. Notable surf spots include Les Culs Nus, La Gravière, Le Penon, and La Bourdaines. The area also hosts international competitions, including the Quiksilver Pro France surf contest held annually in September.

Puerto Escondido, Mexico

Puerto Escondido in Mexico has become a global hotspot for surfers, particularly due to the famous Playa Zicatela break. This beach produces massive waves from May to September, attracting professional surfers and spectators from around the world.

For beginners, Playa Carrizalillo offers calmer conditions between November and March, making it a great place to learn. The destination is suitable for surfing throughout the year, depending on skill level and wave preference.

Cloud 9, Philippines

Cloud 9 in the Philippines is considered one of Asia’s most iconic surf spots. Often compared to the famous Pipeline and Backdoor breaks in Hawaii, this location offers powerful waves for intermediate and advanced surfers.

Although the waves may appear smaller than those in Hawaii, they can be heavy and challenging. Cloud 9 is also a popular venue for international surfing competitions. The best time to visit is from September to November.

Sultans, Maldives

Sultans is a well-known surf break located along the North Malé Atoll near the uninhabited island of Thamburudhoo in the Maldives. The site features open reef breaks that generate strong and consistent waves.

Outer reef waves here are especially attractive for experienced surfers. The ideal period to surf in this region is between March and October, when clear swells approach from the southern Indian Ocean.

Gold Coast, Australia

Australia’s Gold Coast is one of the world’s most famous surfing regions. The area features a two-kilometer stretch of engineered sandbanks that help create some of the longest rideable waves in the world.

Surfing conditions are available year-round, attracting thousands of surfers annually. However, the most favorable period is between December and March, when wave consistency and weather conditions are ideal.

flydubai has announced the launch of a new double-daily service to Bangkok, further strengthening its footprint in Thailand and increasing its total operations to the country to 28 weekly flights.

The new route will commence on 15 September 2026, operating from Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Don Mueang International Airport (DMK). The addition of Bangkok marks the airline’s second destination in Thailand, complementing its existing service to Krabi.

With this expansion, flydubai continues to enhance its network in Southeast Asia, which also includes destinations such as Langkawi and Penang in Malaysia. The carrier’s growing regional presence reflects sustained passenger demand for travel between Dubai and key leisure and business markets across Asia.

Don Mueang International Airport, located north of central Bangkok, serves as one of the Thai capital’s two international gateways. Its strategic location provides convenient access for both corporate and leisure travellers visiting Bangkok and surrounding provinces.

Commenting on the launch, Hamad Obaidalla, Chief Commercial Officer at flydubai, said:

“Thailand continues to be a highly popular destination for both leisure and business travel. The introduction of our double-daily Bangkok service reflects strong and consistent demand across our network. Operating from Terminal 3 at Dubai International and under our codeshare partnership with Emirates, passengers will benefit from seamless connections via Dubai to destinations across the GCC, Europe and other international markets.”

The new service further reinforces Dubai’s position as a leading global aviation hub. flydubai’s network now extends to more than 135 destinations, offering customers expanded travel options and convenient one-stop connectivity.

Sudhir Sreedharan, Divisional Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations at flydubai, added:

“We are pleased to expand our presence in Thailand with the launch of double-daily flights to Bangkok. We look forward to welcoming passengers on board and providing a comfortable and reliable travel experience in both Economy and Business Class.”

As part of its continued investment in customer experience, flydubai offers thoughtfully designed cabins across both classes. Passengers can enjoy comfortable seating, internationally inspired dining options and a wide selection of inflight entertainment available through the airline’s onboard system.

Flight Schedule (All Times Local)

From 15 September 2026, flydubai will operate the following services between Dubai and Bangkok:

• FZ1335: DXB 11:00 – DMK 20:45

• FZ1336: DMK 23:50 – DXB 03:20

• FZ1345: DXB 01:20 – DMK 11:10

• FZ1346: DMK 12:10 – DXB 15:40

Fares

• Return Business Class fares from DXB to DMK start from AED 9,000, while Economy Class Lite fares start from AED 2,500.

• From DMK to DXB, return Business Class fares start from THB 64,000, and Economy Class Lite fares from THB 22,000.

Flights are available for booking via flydubai.com, the official flydubai mobile application, the UAE Contact Centre, flydubai travel shops and authorised travel partners.

Xiamen Airlines will resume its direct flights between Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport in Fujian and Mactan–Cebu International Airport in the Philippines starting 29 March 2026. The twice-weekly service will operate every Tuesday and Saturday using Boeing 737-800 aircraft, featuring eight business-class and 162 economy seats. The flight takes just under three hours.

The move, announced on 14 February, follows recent bilateral talks that granted new traffic rights and improved ground-handling support ahead of the summer season. The reinstated route reconnects Quanzhou—a major manufacturing hub for shoes, garments, and stone products—with Cebu, the commercial heart of the Visayas region. It’s expected to make business travel and supply-chain visits much easier for companies that previously relied on indirect routes via Xiamen or Manila.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. welcomed the restart, calling it a “new chapter” in people-to-people exchange. The Chinese Embassy in Manila also confirmed that Xiamen Airlines plans to increase flights on its Xiamen–Manila route to meet stronger demand. The announcement comes after the Philippines introduced a one-year visa-free entry scheme allowing Chinese citizens to stay up to 14 days for tourism or business.

For corporate travelers, the renewed direct link offers a more convenient route between Fujian’s export clusters and Cebu’s logistics, repair, and electronics sectors. It also supports greater accessibility to Mindanao, where several Chinese companies are currently involved in infrastructure projects. Filipino travelers should note that China has yet to introduce a reciprocal visa-free policy, so visas remain required except for short transits of up to 24 hours.

The service will also provide around five tonnes of cargo space per flight, which is expected to benefit e-commerce and high-value shipments like electronics and fashion samples. Freight forwarders are advised to secure space early, as the route typically maintains load factors above 80% during peak export periods.

Oman Air is set to introduce a new nonstop service linking Dubai with Salalah, beginning on July 3, 2026. The route will operate three times weekly throughout the year, further enhancing air connectivity to the Dhofar Governorate and offering greater travel convenience for both residents and international tourists ahead of the much-anticipated khareef season.

The addition of the new service reflects the growing demand for travel between Salalah and Dubai, while reinforcing Oman Air’s ongoing efforts to expand its domestic network and strengthen regional air corridors within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Oman Air Chief Executive Officer Con Korfiatis described the new route as a strategic step in advancing the airline’s role in national development. “Launching the Dubai–Salalah service highlights our continuous investment in enhancing regional connectivity in line with Oman’s broader economic and tourism ambitions,” he said.

“We’re responding to strong market demand by increasing capacity and creating more travel opportunities that support tourism and business growth across Dhofar. Oman Air remains a key enabler of connectivity and economic diversification under Oman Vision 2040.”

Consistent with its growth strategy, Oman Air continues to scale up operations on key domestic routes. Seat capacity to Salalah has increased by 20% in January 2026 compared to the same period last year, following a 15% expansion during the 2025 khareef season to handle the surge in visitors. The airline also launched its first direct charter between Moscow and Salalah, expected to attract over 7,000 travelers from Russia and contribute strongly to Dhofar’s tourism and hospitality sectors.

In addition, Oman Air plans further network and schedule enhancements, including expanded services during Ramadan, to provide passengers with even more flexibility and travel options throughout the year.

Tickets for the new Dubai–Salalah route will be available from Monday, February 16, 2026, through www.omanair.com and the Oman Air mobile application.

AirAsia X is launching new routes from Kuala Lumpur to Bahrain and on to London Gatwick starting June 26, 2026. This move positions Bahrain as the airline's first global hub outside Asia.

The service connects Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe via Bahrain's prime location and strong aviation setup. Bahrain-to-London becomes AirAsia X's second Fifth Freedom route, helping it tap into worldwide low-cost long-haul travel.

AirAsia X sees Bahrain as a springboard for growth, with opportunities for transit traffic and partnerships in cargo and maintenance. It fits the airline's push to link regions efficiently while keeping fares affordable.

Tony Fernandes, Capital A CEO and AirAsia X advisor, called it a key growth step. "Bahrain lets us link Asia, the Middle East, and Europe better, plus scale up cargo like Teleport after its $50 million raise," he said. He plans deeper ties with local airports and tourism groups.

Bahrain's Finance and National Economy Minister, Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, welcomed the deal. "It boosts jobs in aviation, tourism, and logistics, plus skills for Bahrainis in this growing field," he noted. Bahrain aims to solidify its role as a regional connector.

Emirates has launched a fourth daily flight to London Gatwick, marking the debut of the Airbus A350 on the route and bringing its popular Premium Economy cabin to Gatwick for the first time. The new service joins the airline’s three existing daily A380 flights between Dubai and Gatwick, expanding travel options for passengers on one of its busiest routes.

With this latest addition, Emirates now operates 146 weekly flights to the UK—90 of them to London across Heathrow, Stansted, and Gatwick—offering travellers more flexibility and choice than ever before.

Flight EK069 departs Dubai at 17:05, arriving in London Gatwick at 20:50. The return flight, EK070, leaves Gatwick at 23:55 and lands in Dubai at 11:00 the next morning. The new evening schedule gives passengers another convenient option for both business and leisure travel between the two cities.

A New Experience on the A350

The new daily service is operated by the Airbus A350-900 in a three-class layout, featuring 32 lie-flat Business Class seats, 28 Premium Economy seats, and 238 in Economy Class. Passengers can look forward to the latest Emirates cabin experience with thoughtful design touches like wireless charging in Business Class, electric window blinds with the airline’s Ghaf tree design, and digital menus on Emirates’ ‘ice’ entertainment screens.

The A350 also introduces Emirates’ next-generation inflight entertainment system, with ultra-responsive 4K and HDR touchscreens that deliver a cinema-quality experience. Onboard Wi-Fi is powered by ViaSat’s Global Xpress satellite network, offering stronger, faster connections and enough bandwidth for more passengers to stay connected throughout their journey.

Strengthening the London Connection

Gatwick now becomes the second UK destination served by Emirates’ A350, following the aircraft’s launch in Edinburgh in early 2025. London joins a growing list of cities to welcome the airline’s latest addition, including Montreal, Oslo, Mumbai, and Istanbul. Later in 2026, more destinations—such as Rome, Copenhagen, Taipei, Phuket, Cape Town, and Helsinki—will also see the new A350 join their routes.

Customers can book flights and learn more through emirates.com, the Emirates App, Emirates retail outlets, contact centres, or travel agents.