Skip to main content

Surf Reports & Insights

Wave science, forecasting tips, and surf stories from around the world.

Subscribe via RSS
A surfer riding a wave at a right-hand point break near Taghazout, Morocco
FeaturedSurf DestinationsSurf Travel

Best Time of Year to Surf Morocco

Morocco has quietly become one of the most popular surf destinations in the world — reliable Atlantic swell, warm sunshine, low cost, and a concentration of world-class point breaks around Taghazout. Here's when to go and what to expect.

By Kevin McCalley·
A surfer riding a large left-hand wave at Uluwatu, Bali
Surf DestinationsSurf Travel

Eleven of the Best Left-Hand Waves in the World

The left-hander is goofy-footers' domain and regular-footers' backhand challenge. These eleven waves — from the heaviest slab in the world to the longest point break on the planet — represent the full range of what a left-hand wave can be.

Kevin McCalley
A surfer riding a barrel at Coolangatta, Queensland, Australia
Surf DestinationsSurf Travel

Eleven of the Best Right-Hand Waves in the World

The right-hand barrel is one of surfing's most coveted experiences. These eleven waves — spanning six continents and every kind of right-hander from long points to heavy slabs — represent the highest expression of what a right-hand wave can be.

Kevin McCalley
A surfer riding a left-hand reef break wave in Indonesia
Surf TravelSurf Destinations

The Indonesia Surf Trip Guide: Bali, the Mentawais, and Beyond

Indonesia is the most concentrated collection of world-class surf breaks on the planet — spread across thousands of islands, powered by the Indian Ocean swell machine, and framed by one of the richest cultures in the world. Here's how to plan the trip right.

Kevin McCalley
A surfer riding a wave at a remote point break in Baja California, Mexico
Surf TravelSurf Destinations

Baja Offroad Surf Adventure: The Complete Guide

Baja California's Pacific coast is one of the last great surf road trips on earth — remote points, empty lineups, and world-class waves hidden behind long stretches of dirt road. Here's how to do it right, spot by spot, season by season.

Kevin McCalley
A surfer paddling out past a large barreling beach-break wave on the Landes coast, France
Surf DestinationsSurf Travel

Best Time of Year to Surf France

The Landes coast of southwest France — anchored by Hossegor and Biarritz — produces some of the most powerful beach break surf in the world. September through November is the window. Here's exactly when to go, what to expect, and which spots will be firing.

Kevin McCalley
Southern California Pointbreak

The Best Time of Year to Surf Southern California

Southern California surfs year-round, but knowing which season brings which swells — and which breaks come alive at different times of year — is the difference between a good trip and a great one. Here's the month-by-month breakdown.

Kevin McCalley
North Shore Barrel

The Best Time of Year to Surf the North Shore of Hawaii

The North Shore of Oahu transforms from a calm summer swimming beach into the most consequential stretch of ocean on earth between November and February. Here's exactly when to go, what to expect month by month, and which spots will be firing.

Kevin McCalley
Long Period Rights
Wave ScienceForecasting & Conditions

What Is Swell Period and Why Does It Matter?

Swell period is the most misunderstood — and most important — number in a surf forecast. A 1.5 m swell at 7 seconds produces mush. The same 1.5 m at 16 seconds produces bombs. Here's the physics behind why, and how to use it to score better surf.

Kevin McCalley
A surfer woman sits at her computer, daydreaming about warm water and good surf.
Forecasting & ConditionsForecasting Tips

How to Read a Surf Forecast

Surf forecasts are packed with numbers — wave height, swell period, direction, wind speed, tides. Here's exactly what each one means and how to combine them to know whether tomorrow is worth calling in sick for.

Kevin McCalley
Surfer riding an Atlantic wave — Magicseaweed alternative surf forecast
Surf Forecast AppsSurf Travel

The Best Magicseaweed Alternative in 2026

In May 2023, Magicseaweed went dark. Three million surfers lost their forecast tool overnight. Here's an honest look at the best alternatives in 2026.

Kevin McCalley