Best Surf Spots for Longboarding: 12 Waves Worth the Trip
October 14, 2026
It's just after sunrise at Batu Bolong. The water is warm, the wind hasn't picked up yet, and a soft little peak is rolling in with your name on it. You paddle in early, stand up tall, and suddenly you've got all the time in the world. A few steps up the board, a lazy trim along the face, a glance at your friends hooting from the lineup. That's longboarding, and some waves on this planet were made for exactly that feeling 🌊
If you're looking for the best surf spots for longboarding, this is your shortlist. We've picked 12 waves around the world that longboarders dream about, from our home break in Canggu to Malibu, Waikiki and the long walls of Morocco. For each one, you'll find what the wave is like, when to go and who it suits, so you can start planning your next glide.
What makes a wave good for longboarding?
The best longboard waves are slow, soft and peeling: waves that break gradually along a long, open face instead of closing out all at once. That gives you time to take off early, walk the board and trim, which is what longboarding is all about.
Point breaks and gentle reef breaks are usually the sweet spot, because they peel in one direction for a long time. Small to medium swells work best. When waves get fast and hollow, a big board starts to feel like a bus in a bike lane, and that's where shortboards take over. So when you read a surf report, don't just look at size. A waist high day with clean, peeling lines can be a dream session on a log!
Where are the best places in the world for longboard surfing?
Some of the best places in the world for longboard surfing are Canggu in Bali, Malibu and San Onofre in California, Waikiki in Hawaii, Noosa and Byron Bay in Australia, Biarritz in France, Imsouane in Morocco, Weligama in Sri Lanka, Nosara in Costa Rica, La Saladita in Mexico and Chicama in Peru. Here's what makes each one special.
1. Canggu, Bali
We might be a little biased, but Canggu is one of the most fun places on earth to ride a longboard. The water is warm all year, you'll never need a wetsuit, and the lineups are full of logs, noseriders and big smiles.
Batu Bolong is Canggu's classic longboard wave. It has left and right peaks that roll in softly and can peel for a long way, the kind of lazy walls that longboarders come here for. It gets busy, so the early morning glassy sessions are the ones to chase. Just along the beach, Old Man's is even softer and more forgiving, a great place for your first sessions on a bigger board. Both are a short walk from our surf camp in Canggu.
Bali is also the only place where we run a dedicated surf camp for longboarding. Our Longboard Level 3 course is for surfers who already feel confident catching green waves and want to take their longboarding further, with coaches who help you find your style and a mix of longboards to try, from classic logs to soft tops. If you've been looking for surf coaching for longboarding, this is it.
Best for: Beginners on soft days at Old Man's, intermediate longboarders at Batu Bolong
Surf season: Year round
Wave type: Mellow reef and beach breaks
Vibe: Social, warm and full of good times
Want the full picture of Canggu's waves? Read our Bali surf guide.
2. Malibu Surfrider Beach, California
If longboarding had a capital city, it might be Malibu. First Point at Surfrider Beach is a right hand point break that can give you rides of 300 yards or more, and it's often called the ultimate California longboard wave. In 2010 it became the world's first World Surfing Reserve.
The catch? Everyone knows about it. Malibu is crowded almost every day in summer, so bring patience, good manners and an early alarm. On a clean south swell, when the lines stack up along the point, you'll understand why people put up with the crowd.
Best for: Intermediate to advanced longboarders
Surf season: Summer and early fall
Wave type: Right hand point break
Vibe: Iconic, busy and full of style
3. Waikiki, Oʻahu, Hawaii
Waikiki is where modern surfing grew up, and it's still one of the best places to longboard anywhere. This is Duke Kahanamoku's home break, and the long, gentle waves off the beach are basically built for big boards.
Canoes is the softest and busiest, packed with beginners, rental boards and outrigger canoes. Queens is a shapely right that draws some of Hawaii's best noseriders, while Populars (Pops) breaks further out, with a longer paddle and a little less traffic. The south shore comes alive with small summer swells, when the water is warm and the whole beach feels like a longboard festival.
Best for: All levels, depending on the break
Surf season: Summer south swells
Wave type: Reef breaks
Vibe: Historic, friendly and crowded
4. San Onofre, California
San Onofre, or "San O" to the locals, has been a longboard hangout since the 1930s, and it still feels like stepping back in time. It sits just south of San Clemente, inside San Onofre State Beach.
Old Man's is the friendly one, with several soft peaks rolling over reef, perfect for beginners and cruisers. Further along, The Point is where traditional longboarding turns into an art form, with surfers focused on style and smooth, flowing rides. Summer south swells bring the best waves, and the vibe in the parking lot, with boards on the sand and barbecues going, is half the fun.
Best for: Beginner to intermediate longboarders
Surf season: Summer south swells
Wave type: Reef breaks with multiple peaks
Vibe: Relaxed, old school and welcoming
5. Noosa, Queensland, Australia
Noosa is a longboarder’s paradise and one of the most famous small wave destinations in the world. Its string of right hand points, including First Point, Little Cove, Tea Tree Bay and Granite Bay, peel along the rocky headland of Noosa Heads, with the outer points tucked into the bush of Noosa National Park.
In 2020, Noosa was designated as a World Surfing Reserve, thanks to its wave quality and deep surf culture. On the right swell, you can walk the board for what feels like forever, with a backdrop that looks like a postcard.
Best for: Intermediate longboarders, with gentler options for beginners at Main Beach
Surf season: Best on summer cyclone swells
Wave type: Right hand point breaks
Vibe: Laid back, stylish and busy when it's on
6. The Pass, Byron Bay, Australia
Just down the coast from Noosa, The Pass in Byron Bay is a right hand point break that peels from the headland toward Clarkes Beach. On a good day you can ride for 200 metres, which makes it a favorite for longboarders looking for long, clean lines.
It's also one of the most crowded waves in Australia, with a clear pecking order at the peak. Go at dawn on a weekday, sit wide, and enjoy the inside sections if the takeoff is packed. Afterward, Byron's cafés and beach town energy make it an easy place to spend a few days.
Best for: Intermediate to advanced surfers
Surf season: Autumn and winter for the most reliable swell
Wave type: Right hand point break
Vibe: Beautiful, lively and competitive in the water
7. Côte des Basques, Biarritz, France
Biarritz is where surfing first arrived in Europe. In 1957, American screenwriter Peter Viertel brought surfboards to the town, and a local surf scene took off from there. Today, Côte des Basques is one of Europe's most loved longboard waves, with soft, rolling lines beneath the cliffs and the Basque mountains in the distance.
The wave is tide sensitive, so check the tide before you paddle out. Late summer and early autumn tend to bring the best mix of warm weather and swell.
Best for: Beginner to intermediate longboarders
Surf season: Late summer to autumn
Wave type: Beach break
Vibe: Classic, elegant and full of surf history
8. Imsouane Bay, Morocco
Imsouane is a small fishing village on Morocco's Atlantic coast, and its famous wave, The Bay, is one of the longest rides in Africa. It's a mellow right hand point that can run for hundreds of metres across the bay, which is why it's become a magnet for loggers from all over Europe.
The Bay suits beginners through intermediates, and it's still quieter than nearby Taghazout. If you want something punchier, Cathedral on the other side of the headland is faster and heavier.
Best for: Beginner to intermediate longboarders
Surf season: November to March
Wave type: Right hand point break
Vibe: Slow, simple and very Moroccan
9. Weligama, Sri Lanka
Weligama is a wide, sandy bay on Sri Lanka's south coast, and it's one of the best places in Asia to cruise on a longboard. The waves are soft and forgiving, with plenty of peaks to spread out on, and the water is warm.
It's mostly a spot for beginners and relaxed longboarding, but there are more challenging waves nearby. In Midigama, just down the coast, Lazy Left is a mellow reef wave that's a great next step. Our surf camp in Ahangama sits in the middle of this stretch of coast.
Best for: Beginner longboarders
Surf season: November to March
Wave type: Beach break
Vibe: Easygoing, tropical and social
10. Playa Guiones, Nosara, Costa Rica
Looking for the best longboard waves in Costa Rica? Start with Playa Guiones in Nosara. It's a long, sandy beach break with multiple peaks, known as one of the most consistent waves in the country.
Longboarders love it at high tide, when the waves get fat and cruisy. At low tide it gets punchier, and it doesn't hold well once it goes overhead, so the smaller days are the ones to look for on a big board. Add jungle, yoga studios and a relaxed town, and it's easy to see why people stay longer than planned.
Best for: All surfing levels
Surf season: Year round
Wave type: Beach break
Vibe: Green, calm and wellness focused
11. La Saladita, Mexico
About 40 minutes north of Zihuatanejo in Guerrero, La Saladita is a left hand point break with long, cruisy rides. It's often described as one of the best left hand longboard waves in the Americas, and the whole place has a laid back, surf first feel.
Summer brings the best swell and more push for intermediate surfers. Winter is smaller and gentler, which makes it a lovely time for newer longboarders.
Best for: Beginners in winter, intermediates in summer
Surf season: April to October for the best swell
Wave type: Left hand point break
Vibe: Small, friendly and all about the surf
12. Chicama, Peru
Chicama is the bucket list wave. This left hand point on Peru's north coast is famous as one of the longest waves in the world, with rides that can stretch for kilometres on the right swell. Be honest with yourself before you go.
The wave is long and it can be fast, so plenty of surfers bring a funboard or mid length, and your legs will feel every second of the ride. For experienced longboarders who dream of the longest trim of their lives, it's a trip worth making. Bring a wetsuit, because the Humboldt Current keeps the water cool.
Best for: Experienced surfers with good fitness
Surf season: April to October
Wave type: Left hand point break
Vibe: Remote, desert and unforgettable
When is the best time to go on a longboard surf trip?
It depends on the hemisphere, but there's a great longboard wave working somewhere in the world every month of the year. Here's how the 12 spots above line up by season:
Northern hemisphere summer (roughly May to September): Malibu, San Onofre, Waikiki, La Saladita and Chicama
Autumn and winter (roughly October to March): Biarritz (early autumn), Imsouane and Weligama
Southern hemisphere seasons: Noosa on summer cyclone swells, The Pass in autumn and winter
Year round: Canggu and Nosara
If you only have one trip in you this year and don't want to gamble on the calendar, Bali is hard to beat. The waves work all year, and the water is always warm.
What types of boards do longboarders ride?
Most longboards are around 9 feet or longer, and longboarders choose them for a relaxed, flowing style of surfing that's all about gliding. Within that, there are a few main types you'll see in the lineup:
Classic longboards: Long, heavy and stable, made for cruising small, soft waves and walking the board
Soft tops: Foam longboards that are forgiving and safe, perfect for your first sessions and busy beginner breaks
Lighter all round longboards: Easier to turn and a good middle ground if you surf a mix of waves
Traveling with a 9 foot board can be a mission, so check your airline's board fees before you fly. In most longboard destinations, including Canggu, renting is easy, and at our Bali surf camp you can try different longboards during your course. Curious about the rest of the quiver? Check out our guide to the different types of surfboards.
Longboarding surf tips to get more out of every wave
Longboarding rewards patience, good positioning and smooth movement more than power. These longboarding surf tips will help you make the most of whichever spot you choose:
Paddle in early: A longboard catches waves well before they break, so start paddling sooner than you would on a shorter board.
Find your trim spot: Once you're up, move slightly forward on the board to keep your speed along the face instead of stalling.
Read the slow sections: When the wave softens, step forward to keep moving. When it steepens, step back to turn.
Walk, don't shuffle: Small, calm steps up and down the board look better and keep you balanced.
Match the board to the wave: A heavy log loves slow, peeling waves. On punchier days, a lighter board is easier to handle.
Respect the lineup: A big board catches waves easily, so share them. Don't paddle around people to get the inside, and always look before you go.
Get some coaching: A few sessions with a good surf coach can fix habits you didn't know you had. If you want to take your longboarding further, a surf school for longboarding is the fastest way to improve.
Ready to work on your style? See our Bali surf courses!
FAQ: Longboard surfing spots and tips
Ready to Find Your Glide in Bali?
There are amazing longboard waves all over the world, but Bali is the only Lapoint destination where you can join our Longboard Level 3 course. In Canggu, you get warm water, soft peeling waves like Batu Bolong and coaches who’ll help you work on your footwork, trim and nose riding.
At Lapoint, you’re not just surfing better, you’re sharing every wave and every story with people who are just as stoked as you are. Whether you’re taking your first steps toward the nose or chasing that perfect hang ten, we’ll be right there with you.
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Aude St-Cyr
About the author: Hi, I’m Aude, originally from Quebec, but the last decade has taken me across Europe and slowly closer to the ocean. I’m drawn to quiet streets, slow mornings, hole-in-the-wall restaurants, tiny bookstores, and the kind of places where you can lose track of time for a while. When I’m not travelling, you’ll usually find me surfing in Peniche, trying a new recipe, or wandering around with my analog camera, saving little pieces of life for later.
I write content for Lapoint, edit videos, and help grow our community, which means most days involve a mix of words, stories, people, and way too many tabs open at once!
Life goal? To take care of the people and places I love, stay curious, and never lose touch with my inner child.
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