5 Summertime Shred Destinations

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June 24 2008
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Transworld SURF handpicks five places that are ready for you to rip! Wait, you still here?
By Mike Fish and Ryan Brower

Costa Rica
Gilbert Brown pictured
Costa Rica is probably the most popular surf destination for North Americans. And that’s for good reason. The small Central American country boasts one of the highest concentrations of quality warm-water waves anywhere in the world. And it’s just a fairly easy half-day flight from most American jumping-off points. It’s widely considered the most stable Central American country. But what makes it so special is the diversity and accessibility of the endless array of surf spots, not to mention, the charm and warmth of its culture and natives. You can literally surf any type of wave you want in Costa, from forgiving beginner peaks to reeling points to offshore reefs–all in the same day. And while there are two distinct coastlines to choose from, the Pacific is definitely the call in summer, while its Caribbean counterpart goes fairly dormant. Whatever it is you’re looking for, from the ultimate in outdoor adventure to rich Latin culture, you’ll find it. That’s why so many gringos who visit never leave.

Flights: L.A. $550+ (6 hours); New York $400+ (5 hours)

Surf: Beachbreaks, river mouths, points, reefs.

Skill level: Any and all.

When It’s Flat: Take a trip inland to the mountains of Monteverde, visit the Arenal Volcano, zip line through the rainforest.

Crowds: Moderate. Costa Rica is the most visited Central American nation, and there are plenty of local surfers and crusty expats. That said, you can usually find a wave to yourself if you look around.

Nightlife: Small beach-town bars.

Accommodation Cost: Low–depending on how you eat and drink, of course.

Hazards: Theft and petty crime. And the strong urge to become a gringo expat.

South Shore, Oahu
Local town ripper Jun Jo pictured
Also known as “Town” to Oahu residents and regulars, the island’s South Shore provides a completely different experience than the seven-mile miracle to the north.
The shoreline, which cradles big city Honolulu, is a stark contrast from the sleepy bucolic landscapes of the North Shore. Cosmopolitan city streets and breathtaking natural views make it a happening and attractive spot. While the waves aren’t nearly as death-defying and intimidating on this side of the island, it sees no shortage of consistency in the summer. Conveniently, it’s the season when Pipeline and its neighbors all go relatively flat for a few months. But don’t underestimate the surf; this is still Hawaii and the waves travel for miles unfettered to arrive at the sharp reefs that line the coastline. While this is definitely one of the most famous spots to learn as a beginner (namely at Waikiki), there are also heaps of spots that can handle the muscle and hand out a thumping on any given day.

Flights: L.A. $600+ (5.5 hours); NYC $900ish (14.5 hours)

Surf: Mostly reefs.

Skill level: Beginner to advanced.

When It’s Flat: Hike up Diamondhead, Hanauma Bay Marine Life, Valley Of The Temples, Pearl Harbor Memorial nearby.

Crowds: Thick–as always, make sure to respect the locals here to avoid losing teeth.

Nightlife: Plenty of dance clubs, DJ parties, and swank hotel bars.

Accommadation Cost: Not cheap. At all.

Hazards: Localism, petty theft, getting run over by an outrigger canoe at Waikiki.

Kandui, Mentawais
Ross Williams pictured at Hideaways
A boat trip to the Mentawai islands is every surfer’s dream. There’s no more consistent place on the planet, and summer is the most ideal time to score. Around every reef pass exists perfect wave after perfect wave. Because of that, the locale has received enormous popularity and attention, especially over the last decade. And as a result, it’s not uncommon to travel for days before finally boarding a boat in the middle of the Indian Ocean with visions of secluded perfection, only to find ten more boats at the same spot, and more crowds than your homebreak regularly sees. Solution? Go to a land camp, like the one on Kandui Island. It has the same world-class quality and consistency that the bigger named breaks in the area boast, but with only a fraction of the crowds and boat traffic. Plus, there are only so many people on the island at once. Why follow the beaten path when you can blaze your own?

Flights: Um, wherever you leave from, prepare for a solid three days of travel to get there, and $2,000+ in airfare. We strongly suggest setting everything up through Kandui Resort.

What You’ll Be Surfing: A lot of reefs–that’s why you go to Indo, right?

Skill level: Moderate to advanced at the reefs, with a few beginner beachies, too.

When It’s Flat: Cruise mangrove swamps, go shell hunting, fishing, or tour neighboring island through tours.

Crowds: The camp is typically spread out enough, and there are a lot of breaks, so it just depends on where you want to surf.

Nightlife: The bar at the restaurant. Or inside your hut.

Accommodation Cost: Kinda steep–all-inclusive pricing is currently $2,100 per person for a seven-day trip–but the amenities aren’t feral.

Hazards: Severe jet lag, reef cuts.

Tahiti
South of the Hawaiian Islands, exists another prime summertime option in the middle of the mighty Pacific Ocean. On the surface, Tahiti seems the closest thing imaginable to paradise. Breathtaking tropical vistas, balmy temperatures, and laid-back island vibes, make the locale a little slice of heaven on earth. In the water, however–especially at the region’s most notable (and mispronounced, there’s no poo here!) break–it’s a different story. At Teahupoo, heaven can very quickly turn quite hellish. A relaxing evening drinking Hinano’s in the ocean breeze quickly transitions into a morning spent trying to survive utter chaos in a churning caldron of adrenaline. At Teauhpoo, behemoth swells bounce on a shallow, razor-sharp reef to create one of the craziest barrels known to man. But you know this, and that¿s what brings droves of hardcore tube riders here year after year (as well as ASP World Tour stop). There are a handful of other waves at “the end of the road” to explore, too, but really do you want to empty your wallet on a voyage to this remote outpost to surf mediocre beachbreaks? No, Tahiti’s all about the juice. Just make sure your health insurance is up to date before you go.

Flights: Fly into Papeete–L.A. $1,400+ (8.5 hours); NYC $1,800+ (17.5 hours)

Surf: Reefs, reefs, and some reefs. However, there is a beachbreak on north Papenoo and beginner’s surf at Papara.

Skill level: Intermediate to expert.

When It’s Flat: Snorkeling, waterfalls, fishing, diving, island hopping on ferries.

Crowds: Taapuna gets crowded, which is the main break closest to the city. Teahupoo gets crowded around the time of the contest.

Nightlife: Quiet by the beach, but a few clubs in the city get active.

Accommodation Cost: Expensive.

Hazards: Death by reef, staph infection.

Mainland Mexico
Tyler Smith pictured somewhere north of Puerto…
For West Coasters, mainland Mexico is on the list of quintessential summer trips. A relatively cheap and easy flight down the Pacific offers a solid selection of beaches, pointbreaks, and mysto reefs. The southern portion is perfectly situated to receive copious amounts of south swell in the warm season. While the region’s marquee spot, Puerto Escondido, is famous for its bone crushing tubes, plenty of other low key spots exist in the surrounding coastline, depending on the conditions and your skill level. Just look at a map, the area’s expansive. While you certainly won¿t be surfing Puerto by yourself the crowds diminish in the miles that surround it. And furthermore, where else can you take such a shoestring surf trip than in Mexico? Of course, there are other nearby options, from the swanky resorts to eco-retreats. But that’s not why you go to Mexico. You go to get barreled on a budget. And that’s why many visit again and again, year after year.