USA Surf Spots

It depends on the coast. The East Coast peaks in September–October, when hurricane-season groundswell arrives with still-warm water, followed by colder but consistent nor'easter surf from November through March. In California most breaks are best fall through winter (roughly October–March) on North Pacific swell, while south-facing spots like Malibu, Trestles and The Wedge fire in summer (May–September); in Hawaii, Oahu's North Shore runs November through February and the south shores light up on summer south swells from roughly May to September.

Canadian citizens are generally visa-exempt for tourism in the United States — up to 6 months, set by CBP at entry, with no ESTA needed. UK, EU and Australian passport holders travel under the Visa Waiver Program: apply for ESTA online (~$40, valid 2 years) before flying for stays of up to 90 days, and carry a return or onward ticket.

Budget roughly $80–130 per day on a shoestring (hostels or camping, groceries, transit), $180–300 mid-range (motel or Airbnb, rental car share, casual restaurants), and $350–600+ for comfort. Coastal California and Hawaii trend highest — Hawaii sits at the top of every band.

It depends on the region. In Hawaii, fly into Honolulu (HNL) for Oahu's North and South Shores, Kahului (OGG) for Maui, Lihue (LIH) for Kauai, and Kona (KOA) or Hilo (ITO) for the Big Island. In California the main gateways are Los Angeles (LAX), San Diego (SAN), San Francisco (SFO) and Orange County (SNA); on the East Coast, Norfolk (ORF) serves Virginia Beach and the Outer Banks, Boston (BOS) covers New England, New York's JFK and Newark (EWR) serve Long Island and New Jersey, and Jacksonville (JAX), Daytona (DAB) and Melbourne (MLB) cover Florida's Atlantic coast.

The United States is generally safe for surf travel — usual big-city street smarts apply. The most common traveler problem at surf spots is break-ins: don't leave boards or bags visible in parked cars at trailheads and beach lots. Ocean hazards (rips, heavy shore break, sharks in some regions) are the bigger real risk, so heed lifeguard flags.

Yes — tap water from municipal supplies is safe to drink nationwide in the United States, including Hawaii and Puerto Rico.

Not if you're a US citizen — travel to Hawaii (and Puerto Rico) is domestic, so no passport is needed. Since May 7, 2025, however, you need a REAL ID-compliant driver's license (star marking) or a passport to clear TSA for domestic flights, so check your license before booking.