Whether it’s cruising the perfect peeling wave, shredding and getting serious air, or going through the barrel, surfers are looking for it… for the swell, for that sweet spot, for that stoke. And for amazing surf destinations in Southeast Asia!

That’s why this week we asked itinerant shortboarder Marco Rudin from Zürich to share his favourite surf spots in Southeast Asia and around: Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka. (Ok that last one is in South Asia, but if you’re not bothered, we’re not!)

Start with these places as your guide, then go off and live the search…

#1: BALI

There’s something for everyone in Indo, especially for surfers. Swell reaches many parts of the archipelago with some of the best waves in the world, and many surfers come to play.

For all levels, the beach break in Batu Bolong in Canggu can get crowded, but the right conditions and good timing can give loggers long rides, and crazy carves for shortboarders.

(You can also check out this surfing in Seminyak video too!)

Around the Bukit Peninsula in Bali there are popular waves for intermediate to pro surfers.

Surf facing the beautiful stretch of beach in Dreamland, or when it’s big out, facing this wall of water:

Spots that work in the dry season are the reef breaks of Bingin, Padang-Padang, and Uluwatu, and Keramas too if the conditions are right. These world-famous waves draw not only competitors on tour but also a crowd, so skip the Bintang and go early to get good ones.

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After watching surf competitions on webcasts for several years, I finally got to see the world’s best surfers competing live in one of the 11 world tour events in perfect waves at #keramas in #bali! Congrats @italoferreira (in the photo) and @lakeypeterson for the spectacular wins! • But this post is not about surfing perfect waves – It is about the incredible amount of plastic waste that can be found here and all around Bali when walking on the beach or surfing in the water. The fast-growing threat of marine plastic pollution is a ‚planetary crisis‘ (UN) that affects animal and human life alike. Estimations indicate plastic waste of at least 5 trillion pieces weighing over 250’000 tons now floating in the world's oceans. Without any action, this amount is estimated to triple in the next decade. But it‘s not too late! • Great effort by event organisers (@corona, @parley.tv, @hurley) and Bali organizations (@byebyeplasticbags, @keep_bali_clean) to raise awareness and promote solutions. —————————————— Take Action. Use Less Plastic! —————————————— #KeramasProBALI #raisingawareness #plasticpollution #oneplanet #savetheocean #byebyeplasticbags #sustainability

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From big Bali, go off to the tiny nusa of Lembongan where all levels can have fun in Playgrounds, and more experienced surfers can take the risk and reap rewards from the super shallow reef at Lacerations.

If you’re trying to get further away, go for Lombok. Beginners can try Grupuk, and more advanced surfers can score Air Guling and Mawi.

If you’re serious with your search, you can live on a boat or on a surf camp for the many many waves at the Mentawai Islands.

Surf season: Between November and March

#2: PHILIPPINES

Ahh, the Philippines. Find yourself laidback chillin’ in the islands, where surfing is a growing sport.

The community in Siargao island is abuzz, with tourists and surfers wanting a piece of the iconic Cloud 9.

Lefties will enjoy Stimpy’s…

https://www.instagram.com/p/BnSdpTGH-Wq/?hl=en&tagged=stimpys

… and if you can paddle and handle yourself, you can get good waves at Cemetery.

Beginners go for Jacking Horse. All levels can enjoy the break in Daku and finish the day watching sunset on the island.

Apart from Siargao in the southeast of Mindanao, the coasts of the Luzon in the north of the country also offer surf: Baler in the east, and the tourist surftown of LU or La Union facing the west Philippine Sea.

Surf season: Between July and December. Peak comes around September and October.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BdHx18EnXTtnHx4Ih7kVzpNmPYl3yGLBl5BnWk0/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BmSrMK6A8oO/?hl=en&taken-by=jessefenio

#3: THAILAND

The land of smiles joins the list – there is surf in Thailand! 😄 The season the swell comes in is different from the peak tourist season. You can get decent surf in Phuket, where surf hubs have popped up in the beaches of Bang Tao, Surin, and Pansea, as well as Kata Beach in the south end.

Surf season: During low tourist season from April until October with the best months being September and October.

#4: VIETNAM

Working during typhoon swells, the spots at Da Nang and Bai Dai Beach in Nha Trang are good for learners.

Surf season: September to March

#5: SRI LANKA

Another destination in TripGuru’s network is Ceylon – the land of tea and coffee – or Sri Lanka, also the land of consistent surf. Go off to the Southern Province for uncrowded line-ups and unspoilt nature.

Surf season: On the southwest (Hikkaduwa, etc.) is from November to March; East coast (Arugam bay) from May to September

In all the spots you visit, remember to respect the locals, and respect the earth #UseLessPlastic. Now go out there and surf!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

When he started surfing in California in 2009 little did Marco know that the pursuit of stoke was going to become one of his greatest passions in life. Nine years, seventeen countries, and nearly one hundred surf breaks along the way, he realised that indeed, #LifeIsBetterWhenYouSurf.

Marco rides a sustainably shaped 5’7” Cali Channel Island mini, which has been his buddy recently along the NSW of Oz. From the iconic Bondi Beach in Sydney to world-class Snapper Rocks in the Gold Coast, he found some of the best waves of his life – for now. The search continues…

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When I started surfing in California in 2009, I did not imagine it would become one of my greatest passions in life! Nine years later, after surfing in 17 countries and nearly 100 surf breaks along the way, I finally committed to own a surfboard: Back to the roots – the Californian shaped 5’7 Channel Island Mini – one of the most environmental friendly boards using sustainable materials to achieve a 30% smaller carbon footprint. Have been surfing it all along the New South Wales coast of Australia – from iconic Bondi Beach in Sydney to world class Snapper Rocks in the Gold Coast – and had some of the best waves of my life! #surfer #surfboard #lifeisbetterwhenyousurf #chasingwaves #finding #purehappiness #backtotheroots #life #beachlife #passions #roadtrip #surftrip #adventuretime #swiss #explorer #traveler #traveltheworld #seetheworld #newsouthwales #australia @cisurfboards @mini #sustainablematerials

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Planning a trip to Southeast Asia? Check out our top surf tours:

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