The Top 10 Surfing Beaches In The South

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The Southern U.S. might not be first to come to mind when considering great surfing destinations. South Africa and Australia? Sure! Georgia and Texas? Maybe not. However, if you think surfing in the States is reserved for just California and Hawaii, you might need to take a note from the Beach Boys and imagine an entire “Surfin’ U.S.A.” Yes, the Pacific Ocean produces adrenaline-inducing swells, but East Coast surfers have discovered that what the Atlantic has to offer makes for some pretty stellar surfing, too.

Beaches up and down the coasts of North Carolina and Florida (plus a couple special pockets of South Carolina) are ideal for surfers looking to take on the waves. More experienced surfers might prefer to head out in fall or winter to encounter larger swells, while summer’s calmer waves are great for those just starting out. No matter your skill level, these are the best surfing beaches in the South.

Where To Surf In North Carolina

LISA CORSON A surfer scans the sea at Wrightsville Beach.

Wrightsville Beach

This vibrant beach town pulls in tons of surfers from UNC Wilmington, which was ranked high on a list of best college towns for surfers. Wrightsville Beach can pick up fall and winter Nor'easters (extratropical cyclones in the western North Atlantic Ocean), as well as hurricane swells from the Southeast, making it a great spot for bigger waves when the conditions are just right.

Emerald Isle

We’ve already extolled the wonders of Emerald Isle’s brilliant blue water and white sand, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention its excellent surfing conditions too. The sandy community on Bogue Banks Island offers a variety of wave breaks that are suitable for all kinds of surfers. More great surfing can be found at nearby Atlantic Beach, another Crystal Coast gem.

Carolina Beach

North Carolina surfers love this lowkey beach community located just 20 minutes south of Wilmington. Beginners can test their developing skills near 20 manned lifeguard stands spaced across the three-mile beach. More experienced surfers can be found congregating around the Carolina Beach Fishing Pier, where waves offer a bit more excitement. The surf here is so good that professional surfer Tony Silvagni set up a surf school to share his favorite sport with the masses.

Cape Hatteras

One of the Southernmost Outer Banks communities, Cape Hatteras is a remote stretch of seashore that attracts its fair share of surfers. Several areas on Cape Hatteras are suitable for wave seekers, but Buxton (a tiny community on the edge of the island) is especially coveted for its dependable conditions, great breaks, and plentiful parking. Rodanthe Pier is a less-visited area that’s good for long rides all the way to shore.

Where To Surf In Florida

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Cocoa Beach

Every Christmas Eve, hundreds of surfers all dressed as Santa Claus take to the ocean to raise money for charity. But the holidays aren’t the only time of year you’ll find surfers populating the water in Cocoa Beach. This year-round surf destination made a name for itself as a hot spot for East Coast surfing in the 1960s and has maintained its status ever since. It’s also the hometown of Kelly Slater, one of the most recognized professional surfers of all time.

New Smyrna

Named one of the world’s best surf towns by both National Geographic and Surfer Magazine, this cheery little beach town offers relatively small but still consistent waves that make for a great day of surfing. First timers can take a lesson from one of many experienced instructors who call this place home. And if you really want a behind-the-scenes look into the sport, you can learn more at the Museum of East Coast Surfing which is part of the New Smyrna Museum of History.

Delray Beach

If you want to feel like you’re surfing in the Caribbean, this colorful South Florida town is your spot. Here, you’ll find gorgeous, crystal-clear turquoise water and great waves if you hit the timing just right. Atlantic Dunes Park is the main area for surfers, but arrive early, as parking can be scarce as the day goes on.

Melbourne

This Space Coast beach town shares more than just a name with its counterpart down under. The beaches around Melbourne, Australia are known worldwide for their excellent surfing. Florida’s Melbourne hasn’t achieved quite that status, but there are still some great places to catch a wave around the iconic Ocean Avenue. Try Spessard Holland Beach Park, where many amateur events are held.

Where To Surf In South Carolina

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Folly Beach

Located on a natural barrier island just a few miles from Charleston, Folly Beach has long been a tag-along destination for those visiting the beloved Holy City. However, surfers make this their main destination for a chance to surf The Washout, a stretch of beach break that was formed by damage from Hurricane Hugo in 1989. The storm leveled a block of houses on the beach, and now the unobsturcted wind blows across the Washout, making for perfect rolling waves.

Pawleys Island

This quiet South Carolina beach town is a laidback spot to hit the surf alongside locals without having to battle any crowds. If you’re in search of the most consistent waves, stay close to the pier and hope for winds coming from the northeast.

Read the original article on Southern Living.