Though it may not be a very good time to go surfing in these days of COVID-19, we could plan it for the future.
There are tons of top surfing spots in India, most remain undiscovered. The surfing culture arrived a bit late in the country. Despite the impressive Indian waves, most beaches in India are not developed or marketed as surfing spots.
However, over the years, more and more beachside companies start offering surfing lessons. Now, the sport has become one of the common activities during weekends and free time. One of the advantages of going to India for surfing is that there aren’t a lot of surfers flocking to the beaches.
Top Surfing Spots in India
India isn’t known for the biggest waves in the world. However, you can ride some impressive ones depending on the season. The country usually has calmer tides that would fit beginner surfers, especially from April to May and October to November, or before and after the wet season. If you are looking for more extreme tides to ride on, the best time to surf in India would be during the monsoon season.
If you are looking for the top surfing spots in India, here’s the top ten list that should be on your bucket list.
#1. Mulki, Karnataka
If you are looking for the top surfing spots in India, the number one spot would be the birthplace of the surfing culture in the country. Mulki is the home of Indian surfing, which is on the west coast of Karnataka. You can experience a wide range of waves and difficulty levels on the beaches of Mulki.
Image courtesy Ravi Shankar Paranjape / mantra surf club
Most of the time, the tides in the area are great for beginner surfers. However, if you visit Mulki before and during the monsoon season, you’ll mostly get challenging and intense waves. During this time, not a lot of surfers will go to the area since the tides can be very tricky, and only daredevils try to charge the swells.
#2. Goa Beach
If you are an experienced surfer, one of the top surfing spots in India for thrilling waves would be the Goa Beach. If you visit the area during the best season, you can ride massive waves that range from five to ten feet in height. Goa Beach is famous as the land of magic and adventure for a reason.
The best time to visit Goa Beach for its giant waves would be between May and June. Other times, you’ll still get good waves but much calmer ones, which are ideal for newbies with their funboards or for practicing your wave-riding skills.
#3. Kovalam Beach, Kerala
Situated in the southern part of India, Kovalam Beach is one of the popular and top surfing spots in India. There is a beach break in the area where you can get both right and left waves, and both are extremely powerful and fast. Although the tides can be pretty intense, the surf spot can usually cater to both beginner and intermediate surfers.
There are also local surfing schools on the beachside if you want to learn the sport. The best time to visit Kovalam Beach would be during mid and high tides.
#4. Vizag, Andhra Pradesh
Vizag is the only surf city in India and for good reasons. Right at the heart of the city, you can find empty line-ups and a lot of scenic bays that produce a wide range of waves. Surfing is yet to catch popularity in the area, so you’ll mostly have the surf to yourself.
Most of the time, it is where you can find pro athletes going surfing because it’s less crowded. The area experiences occasional storms and cyclones, which usually bring a lot of massive waves.
#5. Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu
Mahabalipuram or Mahabs is another one of the top surfing spots in India. It’s not only popular for its iconic and majestic temples, but its right-hand point break as well. It provides an impressive series of waves for power surfing and tube riding.
If you are looking to ride big swells, the best time to visit Mahabs would be between May and November.
#6. Varkala Beach
One of the advantages of going to Varkala Beach is its impressive landscape. It has a gentle atmosphere and waves as well. It’s one of the best spots to go to if you want to try your hand at surfing. The waves in Varkala Beach are not intense, which is ideal for newbies.
The best time to visit Varkala Beach would be between December to March, although the waves are perfect for newbies all year-round.
#7. Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Situated on the east coast, another one of the top surfing spots in India is Chennai. It’s a great place for you to learn how to surf. You can enroll in various courses from beginners to more advanced lessons.
There’s a famous right-hand break in Chennai, the Covelong Point, which produces some of the best waves in the country. It’s also home to some of the best Indian surfers and attracts wave riders from all over the world.
#8. Gokarna Beach, Karnataka
Gokarna Beach is one of the top surfing spots in India for beginner surfers. The area is famous for its scenic views and relaxing atmosphere with coconut trees in the foreground and the Sahyadri Mountains in the background. Meanwhile, the waves on the beach are a bit easy to predict and not very strong. Plus, there are also tons of surf schools in the area.
The best time to visit Gokarna Beach for surfing would be between October and May.
#9. Pondicherry
Pondicherry is where the east and west coasts meet. It’s popular for colonial buildings and tree-lined streets. However, Pondicherry has also become quite well-known for both local and tourist surfers in recent years. It provides some of the best waves in the country, which can hold wells between three to six feet.
You can usually get the best quality waves in Pondicherry between August and December.
#10. Kodi Bengre, Udupi
Kodi Bengre is a famous fishing village in Udupi, India. Aside from the fresh seafood that you can find in the place, it is also an interesting spot for surfing. The beaches in this village are well known for their stable weather, with around 30 degrees temperature, which is ideal for newbies and intermediate surfers.
However, if you are looking for more challenging waves, the best time to visit Kodi Bengre would be before and after the monsoon season.
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The surfing culture in India is yet to pick up big. So, you’ll mostly see non-crowded surfing spots in the country, although it’s home to some of the best waves that can cater to both newbies and seasoned surfers. These ten top surfing spots in India should be on your travel bucket list if you visit the country. Also, don’t forget to pick up your surfing gear – surfboards, fins, wetsuits, and traction pads!
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