6 Of The Best October Surf Spots

Lowers comes alive in October. A combination of swells and decent wind is prevalent throughout the month, meaning you're more likely to score here before winter settles in. South swells out of the Pacific become more frequent as the month rolls on, too. That is one of the best aspects of Lowers: if there's a whiff of a south swell, it will wrap into the joint—but so too will everyone within a 10-mile radius. Watch for a favorable east wind. If it veers south, just forget about it and save it for another day. You're better off heading elsewhere, as Lowers will crumble under it.

Hossegor, France

Fast, hollow and heavy really sums up the experience of Hossegor in October. La Nord is easily one of the best waves in the Old Continent, but it can be temperamental, and hunting an overhead barrel can be like finding a needle in a haystack when the sand is failing to cooperate. When it does, though, the wave klaxon will sound as dozens of Europe's best surfers fill the shoreline. Just avoid La Graviere for a while; the sand hasn't been good there since 2020.

North Nicaragua

October is more of a shoulder season for Central America's wave-rich Nicaragua. It may be slower than the peak swell season of summer, but October still delivers plenty of great surf opportunities, minus the big crowds. Southern hemisphere swells are still occurring around Australia that can send pulses towards Nicaragua.

The downside of surfing Nicaragua in October, however, is the rain. Rains can be heavy, causing run-off that turns the water a deep shade of brown. So while the swells are there, you might not be able to access them. It's not that you can't score in October—it's more that you need the conditions to align. When they do, Nicaragua is a brilliant surf zone.

Miramar, the country's throttling left-hand point break, shines with a southwest swell, of which October has plenty. Look for long-period energy to really kick the joint off.

Ericeira, Portugal

From the right-hand point break powerhouse of Coxos to the hellish paddle-out and take-off combo of Cave, Ericeira is fabulous in October.

At this time of year, the North Atlantic is hyperactive. Swells can stem from powerful hurricanes that are born off the coast of Africa, head to the Caribbean, spin up the east coast and boomerang back across the Atlantic, sending waves to Europe. With Portugal's western coastline directly in the swell path, it laps up any bump in energy out of the ocean and delivers some of the greatest waves on the planet this time of year.

North Shore, Oahu

Traditionally, winter is the best month to visit the North Shore, but don't write off October just yet.

October can be a bit of a mixed bag: flat, solid, XXL and everything in between. North swells from the North Pacific begin to filter through, with the prevalent swell switching to a more northwest angle across the winter.

But October can be special in Hawaii. The crowds thin out after the summer tourists leave and before the pros turn up for their six weeks in paradise. The wind is far more favorable in October than in the summer months, and it gets progressively better into January. You're also equally likely to score fun and pumping surf—it really is a coin toss depending on the mood of the north Pacific.

West Coast of Ireland

Ireland is a glorious surf zone, and October is when it shines brightest. Deep swells out of the North Atlantic detonate across the Emerald Isle's west coast, making for some of the best spots in the northern hemisphere. There's a reason why some of the best surfers in the world make an annual pilgrimage to the land of Guinness.

Arguably, the highlight is Mullaghmore, Ireland's premier slab that churns out thunderous moving mountains of water for only the hardiest of surf souls.

There are many other dazzling waves across the country, as well, especially along the Wild Atlantic Way. Take Bundoran, for example. The Peak is a horseshoe-shaped wave with a left-hander that can spin off into the distance. When it starts to ramp up in size, the left is a no-go, but the right comes alive and spits you out into a deep channel. It's definitely worth the five or six millimeters of rubber you'll need to wrap up in.